Ruin Key

Hex 30.30. Named for the strange ruins that speckle the island, overgrown with trees and vines. No one remembers who or what used to live on the key in the distant past, but secretive TROGGLES dwell inside the ruins. In truth, the ruins belong to the ancient city of Waylore, which once was completely submerged beneath the ocean.

what's there

THE OLD RUINS

Broken sandstone pillars, overgrown with flora speckle the small forested island. It seems rather bare, and anything of value has already been picked clean, but the architecture is curious. Everything—the buildings, doorways, windows—seems to be purposefully sideways.

• TROGGLES inhabit the ruins now, and they fear outsiders, hiding if approached. However, if the PCs traipse into their territory, a group of TROGGLES (L3- G, 1×6-B) ambush.
• They clearly fear a ravenous creature that swims in the waters surrounding the island. They call it Threetooth, a SEA CHIMERA (L5-C) that eats spearfishing TROGGLES.
• The TROGGLES aid anyone that attempts to slay the deadly Threetooth.
• When the tide recedes on the far eastern end of the key, a few broken pillars lie on the shore. Following them leads to more of the strange architecture overgrown by the coral reef: The Ruined Palace.

THE RUINED PALACE

In the waters beneath the key, a lost whalen kingdom, the city of Waylore, remains partially intact but hidden behind a dense coral reef.

• Within, pillars made of sandstone and pearl stand strong, creating an underwater entrance into a palace hall.
• A huge, pearlescent dome glints in the dim light, and on it, scrimshaw etchings depict thousands of whalens gathering seaweed and placing it at the mouth of a giant clam.
• Old statues, vases, and shimmering, silver nets lay half buried under the sand outside of a deeper hole, the entrance to an underwater RANDOM DUNGEON.
• For each hour spent searching the ruins, PCs make Treasure Hunting Checks as if scavenging an Old Hoard. On a 1 or 2, they encounter Threetooth the SEA CHIMERA (L5-C). If a Magic item is recovered, roll 1d4:
• 1. True Path: A compass that grants +1 to one Travel check each session. Toothrake: A trident fashioned from the
• 2. teeth of a sea chimera. Grants +1 Attack and +2 Dread against sea CREATURES and CRITTERS.
• 3. Baleen Plate Armor: Grants -1 Defense and +3 Block against sea CREATURES and CRITTERS. Aquarina: An underwater ocarina. Inspire
• 4. Check: Once every session, pacify a sea CRITTER.

rumors

• An island in the Quagmash Keys is home to ruins inhabited by TROGGLES.
• A monstrous SEA CHIMERA terrorizes Ruin Key.
• Some believe a lost city lies somewhere off the coast of the Quagmash.