Duskreef

General Culture: A seafaring, piratical society that thrives on smuggling, fishing, and scavenging Veilbreak relics from the ocean floor. Duskreefers are cunning and fiercely independent.

Political System: Loose anarchy. Pirate lords rule their own fleets, with a fragile alliance under the Pirate King, chosen by a chaotic vote or betrayal.

Capital City: Tidewrack, a ramshackle port of shipwrecks and coral platforms, where taverns and black markets never sleep.

Race Mix: Highly mixed, with humans, tritons, and tabaxi most common. No race is excluded, but loyalty is fleeting, and betrayal is a way of life.

Regions: Split by Island

Isle of the Slumbering Giant - A once-fiery island now lies dormant, its volcanic heart quiet for centuries. Lush, untamed jungle has reclaimed its slopes, hiding ancient secrets and the lingering scent of sulfur.
Smuggler's Isle - A tropical island known for its numerous hidden coves and dense, treacherous jungles. It serves as a primary base of operations for the pirates of Duskreef.
Temple Island - A densely packed jungle island teeming with ancient, pre-veilbreak temples and forgotten artifacts. The island is shrouded in mystery and peril, with dangers lurking around every overgrown corner.
The Pit - The Pit is the largest slaving operation and market in the Veilsea. Claimed by Duskreef, its proximity to Sylvara makes it an easy raid base for securing new 'merchandise'.

Notable Feature: Duskreef’s divers can access underwater Veilbreak ruins, but sea monsters and rival pirates make every expedition deadly.

Population: The vast majority of Duskreef's population is situated in the Capital of Tidewrack. Small enclaves and bases of operations sometimes reach village status, but the transient nature of the population mean they rarely last long.

Total estimated population: 570,000 (numbers vary wildly by source and time of the year)

Major Population Centers:

Tidewrack: 520,000
Smugglers Isle: 20,000
The Pit: 5,000

Remaining Population: Spread out across smaller villages and outposts on the Isle of The Slumbering Giant.

Primary Religious Tendencies: Cult of Umberlee (The Bitch Queen), with tendencies toward chaotic sea worship and opportunistic propitiation. Umberlee, the evil goddess of the sea, storms, and ocean predators, Duskreef's pirates revere her as the ultimate arbiter of the waves, offering sacrifices (often captives or loot) to appease her wrath during relic dives or raids. Independence reigns but fear of the Shattered Sea's storms drives ritualistic tributes. Tendencies include makeshift shrines on ships, blood oaths for safe voyages, and blaming failed raids on insufficient offerings, blending with minor veneration of shark-like deities or spirits for slaving profits.

Duskreef - Summary