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Elle

Unknown Shores, Lore Primer

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The Doldrums, aptly named, if I do say so myself. I've been here many more years then most. Before the great Cataclysm on Azeroth. Many more now call this place their home. Even if they still try to find a way back to Azeroth. But, for now, we are trapped. In this land of mystery and adversary. The clever and strong will thrive here along side the psychotic. I welcome you, newcomers. Where my friends and I failed, I hope you succeed. Remember, nothing is as complex as it seems.

-Devon the Simple, Arch-mage of the Doldrums

 

What is the Doldrums?: The setting of Unknown Shores is a large ocean, dotted with a half dozen islands. Common Knowledge and thought is the Doldrums is a titan facility of some kind. Some people think a prison built to hold dark forces, and others think it is merely some strange place the Titans built. Once a completely wild and untamed place, several groups and individuals have left large marks on the Doldrums, establishing and aiding towns that have sprung up over the time the server has been up.

 

When does this take place?: Our timeline started on server launch, May 11th, 2018. The day Shores was launched, is the day Deathwing caused the Cataclysm on Azeroth. Currently, we near year 30, and the launch of Mist of Pandaria. Our days are at a 1:1 ratio currently, and as such if we will In-characterly be at the closest patch.

 

How do characters arrive?: How and why the Doldrums pulls people, objects and land into itself is not yet known to the population at large. But, the most common ways are traveling in the air, by sea or by magic. Despite our start time being Cataclysm, people have been pulled here even further back. Though, they are few and far between. It is acceptable to have a recent arrival, or someone who had been in the Doldrums for some time. We leave it up to players to make the choice and come up with the details on how their characters arrive.

 

Below, is a quick summary of important, but common knowledge in the Doldrums based on each Island we currently have available. You are free to have your character know any degree of this. Be it nothing, or everything. 

 

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Map credit: Kumorineko, former Keeper on Unknown Shores

 

Opej'Nor is the largest available island, and most heavily populated. It contains several locations of note, and two settlements. 

Haven: The largest town in the Doldrums. Haven is led by Matron Mel(player) and the Captain(NPC). It has humble roots, as a Halfway point to a defunct settlement called 'Tentown'. But, after the Razorbranch Invasion of Opej'Nor, it grew into a military outpost and again, ballooned into what you see today after the Destruction of Silver-Eye. Haven is currently made up of three factions. The Flamespire Clan, Haven and Sotoras.

Haven(Faction) - The people of Haven, are diverse. Coming from every race and religion on Azeroth. Abet, darker ideals are heavily frowned on.(I.e. Necromancy(Banned), Warlocktry). Most have given up the ideals of Horde or Alliance. Focusing on unity as a way to not only get back to Azeroth, but to thrive.

Sotoras(Faction) - Kul'tirans who once settled upon the island of Sotoras. They are refugees now, their home lost to a legion of Undead and their second home, Drustgarde, burned to ash by the Razorbranch and a surprising ally. Led by Lady Abigail Springfield, the Sotorans are hardy, stout people who revere Kul'tiran culture. Though, some old hatreds have been set aside in the name of survival and reclaiming their home.

Flamespire Clan(Faction) - The proud Flamespire Clan were once a group of Horde loyalists that settled upon Grom'Goshar, Opej'Nor's tallest mountain. After many trials and tribulations, the Flamespire have set their allegiance to the Horde aside, though they cling to the culture of it. With a threat of annihilation from a Doldrums boogeyman, Opej the Awakened, looming over them, their last remaining leader, Elder Gruk Charrbone worked out a deal to relocate the Clan to the safety of Haven.

Important Characters

The Captain of Haven - An old, but still fiery Paladin from Lordaeron. He served in the Argent Crusade before arriving in the Doldrums. None know his real name, as he only goes by his title. He currently heads Haven's military and guards.

Sergeant John Davis - A calm, cheerful paladin. Once a Knight-Lieutenant of the Alliance. After arriving in the Doldrums, John Davis met the Captain and became his second-in-command. Seen as the calmer, fairer half of Haven's military command. John handles bounties and judges crimes in Haven's sphere of Influence. 

Lady Abigail Springfield - A young priestess, Abigail has gone from sweet and naive to a battle-hardened and vengeful woman. She seeks the reclamation of her home, the Isle of Sotoras and the safety of her people above all else. She is the current Captain of the Tidesong. 

New Moonbrook:

A small, but extremely well fortified, if not manned, settlement that still flies Alliance colors. Led by the Eccentric and some say, insane Baron Timothy West. New Moonbrook is the only bastion of the Alliance in the Doldrums, with a small military contingent led by Sergeant Thorne.

Improtant Characters

Sergeant Thorne - Sergeant Thorne, whom arrived to the Doldrums as Corporal, is a stoic, calm man. His men have never seen him lose his temper and he rarely yells except to be heard. He leads what is left of his men who arrived in the Doldrums after their ship crashed on Menhirs, and a warlock took control of his battalion.

Ruins of Drustgarde:

Drustgarde, or rather, its smoldering ruins, have been taken over by bandits. Perviously it was home to the Sotorans led by Lady Springfield, and before that Kul'tirans under Governor Haytham Kendrick. And again, before that Sir Moras of the Drustgarde. And again before that by the Caveat Emptor. As one can see, Drustgarde was once the oldest port and town on Opej'Nor. Humbly started by a crazed gnome called Eg, as a bar in the wreck of a ship, it changed hands and grew until the Razorbranch launched a suprise attack on the port and took it. Before being destroyed when the Zandalari and Opej'Nor's other factions, with aid from Tordala and adventurers, besieged it. It burned when to everyone's surprise, a Black Dragon arrived and killed off a great deal of the besiegers and what remained of the defenders.

Grom'Goshar:

Once the seat of Horde power, and later the Flamespire Clan. Grom'Goshar is the tallest and most easily defensible mountain on Opej'Nor. Now, time and a slowly bleeding series of trials have left it devoid of life. Though, still, many peopels can sense its importance and power. As if things remain buried there.

Baron's Highway:

Starting from Haven, a road made from planks and stones winds across most of Opej'Nor, built by the Baron, Timothy West, when finished it is suppose to encircle the whole island. Providing a safe road to traverse the jungles. Or as safe as one can be traveling on Opej'Nor.

High Hearth:

Once a bountiful place, and home to a few of the first groups to arrive. High Hearth now contains two points of interest. The Scarlet Encampment, led by Knight-Captain Gundarrson and the Shrine of Ulreich. Pilgrims to the shrine speak of a presence about it, as if the Light had reached into the Doldrums and touched the spot.

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The Isle of Menhirs is considered the safest island in the Doldrums. Though, that is not to say it is any more pleasant then Opej'Nor and its dangers. Demons, Ghosts, Elves and dark magics have plagued this island for thousands of years. The Oldest known island to arrive from Azeroth, Menhirs once was a Highborne Settlement called Tordala. While a group of Horde, led by Magistrix Emiysia Briarsong, The Talon of the Phoenix did much to tame this place, it is still not so. 

Menhirs has one settlement upon it, a new version of Tordala, that while primarily elves and draenei, contains citizens from most Alliance races, aswell as a few orcs. Currently led by a Council, Tordala is considered the center of magical knowledge and power in the Doldrums.

Tordala - While Tordala lays claim to the entire island, the town itself is set in the 'Highlands'. Far smaller then Haven, it is much more open spaced, and primarily elven in theme and culture, it is influenced by the draenei and other races. 

The Enclave - Established by a draenei arcanist called Lun'ria, the Enclave was established in the Lowlands of Menhirs as a satellite settlement of Tordala. Primarily for draenei at the time. As its leader and vocal supporter has left for now, its left to those who live there to take it further.

The Manawell - A font of primarily nature magic, and strong arcane influences. It was established a few months after the shattering by a crazed Highborne.

Redwatch Sump - A swamp, with a cave that is home to basilisks. Not much is notable here, beyond a strange statue, half-buried and glowing red.

Ikulyan's Betrayal - The Plateau on Menhirs, or 'Fel Plateau' as it has been nicknamed, is home to many ghosts. One especially deadly among them, and a broken altar with large stones surrounding it.

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The Island of Kolai was once the home to the Razorbranch Tribe. After being pulled into the Doldrums, their chieftain was ousted by Sal'do the Clever. Who launched a campaign of terror and conquest on the rest of the Doldrums, focusing mainly on Opej'Nor, with a couple of assaults on Menhirs. Not expecting the fractured people who called these islands home to band together, the Razorbranch created their greatest rival on Opej'Nor, the town of Haven. After the Zandalari arrived, the Razorbranch were pressed even harder, but despite this, they seemed endless. It was discovered through some sort of troll magic, that their dead came back to life on Kolai. This delayed invasion plans as without a solution, attrition would always side with the Razorbranch. That is, until Haytham Kendrick arrived with a powerful artifact. Avenging the destruction of Drustgarde, Haytham Kendrick sacrificed himself to use this artifact, destroying all life on Kolai that was not plant based, and taking away the Razorbranch's ability to resurrect their fallen.

 

Now seen as virtually a lifeless island, with little but haunting ruins. Both Kolai and the Razorbranch Tribe are considered dead by the Doldrums at large.

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The Island takes its name from the long-decayed or buried bodies of Alliance and Horde soldiers, who fought against each other till none remained. Used as a stark reminder as for what Horde and Alliance, and their conflcits do to those who drag them into the Doldrums, it is now home to a large group of Fire Elementals and an active volcano.

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Below are links to a few other accessible islands and any other links deemed important for lore reading.

Black Finger

Sotoras(Only accessible via Events.)

For any further questions, ping @keeper or @head keeper in the server discord!

 

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