A map of the Volcanic Isles of Lustria and the nearby waterways[1c]
The Volcanic Isles are a pair of islands that lie just off the eastern coast of Lustria, near the Vampire Coast.
History[]
For centuries, High Elven sailors have used the smoke and ash rising from the Volcanic Isles to navigate. These twin volcanoes sit off the eastern coast of Lustria, filling the skies with crimson-painted storm clouds. They hold great significance for the Lizardmen, with many workshops, and even a temple-city, lying in their shadows.[1a]
The southern island formed around the volcano called the Spitting Serpent. The smaller of the two volcanoes, many of the Lizardmen's greatest weapons, such as the Saurus leader Gor-Rok’s obsidian shield, originated here. Workshops litter its slopes, Skinks and Kroxigors working to collect the volcano's obsidian or work metal with its heat. Their finest creations are taken to the Star Tower, where Skink Priests imbue them with power from the sky and mountain.[1c]
Few of the cold-blooded Lizardmen can stand the great temperatures required for long, but the results speak for themselves.[1a] The smaller island is sacred to the Lizardmen deity Sotek; no trespassing is allowed without a Skink Priest's permission. Lava streams resembling red snakes flow from the active volcano. The superstitious Skinks won't cross lava, even in pursuit of escaped prisoners. High Elves visit the Star Tower, but they don't mine on this island.[1c]
The Fuming Serpent stands on the northern island, and is by far the larger volcano. According to legend, Sotek first entered the mortal world through this volcano, descending upon the Skaven in a tide of hissing flame and rock. Since then, the Fuming Serpent has seemed disinclined to further violence, content to release thick clouds which choke out the sun's warmth. Here can be found the City of the Dead, Lustria's great necropolis of the honoured Lizardmen dead.[1a]
The Red Cult of Sotek established the Fuming Serpent as a holy place. While the City of the Dead is no longer regularly tended to, the serpent god's priests often come to the island as part of their initiation. Here, they climb the Fuming Serpent's slope alone, save perhaps for a bound captive, overcoming both the heat and choking air to honour the place of their god's original manifestation.[1a]
The native Skinks permit the High Elves to mine designated sites on island. Skinks have little use for gems and ores, and they have learned how to exploit the High Elven labourers. Unearthed relics, however, must be handed over to the Skinks.[1c]
High Elf Colonies[]
The volcanic islands off Lustria's eastern coast are used by the High Elves as a mining outpost. A major High Elven colony once existed on the larger island, at the site of a ruined Slann temple-city, however it was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. The colony is close to the ruined temple-city now only known as the City of the Dead, and the miners that live amongst the half-buried remnants of ancient Lizardmen buildings are mindful not to upset the native Skinks. On the smaller island is an ancient site of immense magical power called the Star Tower.[1b] High Elves visit the Star Tower, but they don't mine on this island.[1c]
The twin islands are of strategic importance, positioned as they are on Ulthuan's sea route to the Citadel of Dusk. High Elf Navy warships from the citadel supply the colony and escort High Elf merchant fleets sailing past the Vampire Coast. High Elven colonists mine the larger island for gems and rare metals that were deposited on the surface by lava flows. Most of this volcanic bounty is shipped back to Ulthuan. The islands' garrisons are bolstered whenever High Elf Mages congregate at the Star Tower to perform secret rituals.[1b]
Old World prospectors and traders can buy maps of the Volcanic Islands' gem deposits from sailors. Foreign adventurers are tolerated by the Asur colonists, who are themselves merely guests of the native Skinks.[1d]
Notable Inhabitants[]
- Zocti - Zocti is a Skink enchanter. Zocti is the chief Skink Priest of the Star Tower, serving under its attendant Slann mage-priest Lord Cuaha. He is skilled in the Lore of Metal, unusual for Skink magicians, and oversees many of the Star Tower's greatest creations. He takes pride in his works, and laments how many have fallen into the hands of outsiders. Anyone who returns these to him would be treated with great honour.[1a]