Ynysoedd Eryri

House Noctis holds claim to the crescent-shaped archipelago at the edge of the northwestern Mist Isles, known as Ynysoedd Eryri (The Eagle Isles). These islands are treacherous, with cliffs shrouded in near-perpetual fog. The primary stronghold, Caer Nywelyn (Mistspire Keep), is perched atop the highest peak of the largest island, seemingly blending with the clouds. It borders the Black Shoals, still occasionally seeing rare engagements with Korami pirates that try their luck at pillaging incoming ships to Marionsport, from Pyo and other coastal settlements in Mori.

CAER NYWELYN— Mistspire Keep

‘Mistspire Keep’, or Caer Nywelyn, rises from the cliffs of the largest isle in Ynysoedd Eryri, its pale stone blending with the perpetual fog and clouds that shroud the peaks. Built with a combination of Mistan craftsmanship and Noctis dogmatism, the fortress is both a stalwart bastion and a quiet sanctuary. Its towering spire serves as a lighthouse to guide ships through the treacherous waters of the Black Shoals, its beacon visible even on the gloomiest, foggiest nights. 

ERYNDOR—
Eryndor is a windswept coastal town, reminiscent of many Mistan settlements, nestled at the foot of towering cliffs that house Mistspire Keep above. Its narrow, winding streets ascend from the harbor, climbing toward the cliffs. Caution is advised on the wet, rocky coastline, as the near-constant fog can easily cause one to lose their footing, leading to dangerous tumbles into the treacherous waters below—or into a bed of sharp rocks.

The docks of Eryndor are busy with moored fishing and whaling boats, while also providing refuge for lost sailors guided by the town’s unwavering presence amidst the thick fog. Eryndor’s naval ships remain ever-prepared for the rare sighting of pirates, lurking just beyond the mist.

BAY OF LLUAR— Bay of Moonlight
This serene bay lies betwixt the larger islands of the Eagle Isles, where the waters remain unnervingly still, regardless of the tides. The placid waters reflect the sky in near-perfect symmetry. It’s renowned as a place of quiet reverence, where those seeking solitude or clarity sail to. Old wive’s tales whisper that ancient mariners can still be seen in the bay’s foggy depths, alongside their shanties once sang to appease the Siren Serene.

THE BLACK SHOALS—
Hugging the western borders of the Eagle Isles, the shoals are a dangerous stretch of jagged rocks that have claimed countless ships. The rocks jut out like jagged teeth, obscured by the ever-present fog that rolls in from the sea. As a result, it takes skillful navigators to ensure safe passage through.Notably, this place has a series of hidden coves obscured by the rocks and fog—that marauders, bootleggers, and pirates like to stow away at. Their names vary depending on who you ask, often shifting based on who occupies them.

THE SHOALSINGERS—Scourges of the Shoals

A loose and ever-changing collection of smugglers, marauders, pirates, and other fugitives who inhabit the hidden coves scattered throughout the Black Shoals. Though outsiders often mistake them as a singular organization, they possess no central leadership or unifying code beyond survival or profit. 

Their name allegedly originates from the eerie songs and whistles often heard drifting through the fog before attacks or disappearances at sea. Whether these melodies serve as signals between crews, intimidation tactics, or simply tradition varies from group to group. Regardless, many sailors have learned to dread hearing unfamiliar voices carrying over the mist.

The Shoalsingers know the hidden channels of the shoals better than any experienced navigator. Their vessels are often modified for speed and stealth, capable of slipping through passages that would doom ordinary ships upon the rocks. Some engage in outright piracy, while others survive through smuggling, black-market trade, salvage, and raiding isolated vessels unfortunate enough to lose their bearings.

HOUSE AERONWY— Lords of the Northwestern Isles

House Aeronwy is among the oldest feudal lineages of the Mist Isles, ruling a collection of islands throughout the northwestern seas beneath the banner of Lord Caelath Aeronwy. Their holdings are governed through feudal contract, with lesser houses sworn beneath them and charged with the stewardship of individual settlements, keeps, and territories.

The house is renowned throughout the Isles for maintaining the Knight Nauticals, a storied tradition of seaborne knighthood whose members safeguard merchant vessels, hunt pirates, and undertake quests across distant shores. Unlike many noble houses whose influence is measured through wealth or armies, House Aeronwy’s prestige rests heavily upon the deeds of its knights and the protection they provide to those who brave the sea.

Their authority extends over several territories, including Eryndor upon the Eagle Isles. And perhaps more notably, Marionsport in recent decades.

History and beliefs of House Aeronwy may be found here.

KNIGHTS of ERYRI— The Eagles

The Knights of Eryri, more commonly known as the Eagles, are an elite maritime order sworn to defend the waters surrounding Ynysoedd Eryri. Although formally recognized as Knight Nauticals, the Eagles are distinguished by their role as sea-ranging scouts, pathfinders, and naval commanders rather than conventional naval knights.

They are trained to operate for long periods beyond the protection of larger fleets, navigating through dense fog, treacherous shoals, and poorly charted waters in small, swift vessels. Eagles chart safe passages, track hostile ships, investigate disturbances along distant coastlines, and guide the wider naval forces of House Noctis through waters that ordinary captains would hesitate to enter.

Sworn beneath the stewardship of House Noctis and ultimately answering to House Aeronwy, the Eagles serve as the watchful eyes of Ynysoedd Eryri. Their duties include patrolling the Black Shoals, pursuing pirates and smugglers, escorting vessels through dangerous passages, conducting storm rescues, and establishing forward positions from which approaching threats may be observed or intercepted.

Respected throughout the Mist Isles by the Admiralty and other leading bodies, service among the Eagles is considered a mark of distinction. Their work demands exceptional seamanship, navigation, survival skills, and the confidence to exercise independent command far from reinforcement. While any Knight Nautical may fight from the deck of a ship, an Eagle is expected to find the enemy, chart the way forward, and ensure the fleet arrives safely behind them.

Extended information about Knight Nauticals may be found here.

HOUSE NOCTIS—Landed Knights of Aeronwy

House Noctis is a sworn noble house of House Aeronwy, entrusted with the stewardship of Caer Nywelyn and the surrounding territories of the Eagle Isles. For generations, they have maintained its holdings, defended the waters surrounding the Black Shoals, and served as guardians of one of the most perilous stretches of coastline in the Mist Isles.

Though modest in size compared to some of the greater noble houses and the Admiralty itself, House Noctis is respected for its steadfast devotion to duty, oathkeeping, and service. Their influence stems less from military strength and more from the strategic importance of their lands, for countless sailors owe their lives to the beacon burning atop Caer Nywelyn.

History and beliefs of House Noctis may be found here.

ERYNDORI—People of Ynysoedd Eryri

The Eryndori are the inhabitants of Ynysoedd Eryri, a seafaring people shaped by the fog-shrouded waters, rocky shores, and maritime traditions of the Eagle Isles. Life amidst the Black Shoals has fostered a culture renowned for its resilience, seamanship, and strong communal bonds, with many families tracing generations of service as sailors, whalers, shipwrights, merchants, or Knights of Eryri.

Compared to many other communities throughout the Mist Isles, the Eryndori are often regarded as more traditional and feudal in character, owing longstanding ties to Houses Aeronwy and Noctis. Duty, kinship, hospitality, and respect for oath and station remain deeply ingrained values, shaped by a way of life where the sea provides both livelihood and peril in equal measure.

Other traditions and celebrations may be found here.

Art by szczurherbacany 

FASHION & ATTIRE—

Eryndori clothing favors practicality tempered by understated elegance, shaped by the cold winds and persistent fog of the Eagle Isles. 

Dark hues—particularly blacks, dark greys, deeper blues, rich indigos, and other muted colors—dominate local fashion. This is aided by the dark sediment found in the Black Shoals that has long been used in dyes and pigments.

Common attire consists of layered wool, treated leathers, and durable fabrics suited to life at sea, while wealthier households favor fine wool, velvet, linen, and imported silks fashioned into flowing tunics, long coats, fitted bodices, and layered skirts. Silver embroidery depicting waves, knotwork, stars, feathers, and Mistan heraldry is commonplace, while jewelry often incorporates silver, sea glass, whalebone, and avian motifs.

FAMILY & COMMUNITY—

Eryndori foster close-knit communities, where extended families commonly live in close proximity—and crews, neighbors, and fellow sailors are frequently regarded as kin in their own right. Hospitality is highly valued, and traditions such as Communal Rests reflect the Eryndori belief that trust is demonstrated through shared comfort and mutual reliance.

While ancestry remains important, there is little stigma surrounding adoption, fostering, or wardship. Generations of sailors, whalers, and knights lost to the sea have fostered a culture where communities readily raise and care for one another's children. It is not uncommon for a child to grow up with several parental figures, nor for lifelong friendships to be regarded with the same affection and obligation as blood relations.

Among older and wealthier households, genealogies are carved into whalebone—serving as records of marriages, births, adoptions, notable deeds, and loved ones lost at sea. These heirlooms are often displayed prominently within the home, preserving both lineage and memory in a society that places great value on remembrance, legacy, and the stories left behind.

COURTSHIP & CHIVALRY—

The influence of House Aeronwy's knightly traditions remains strong throughout Ynysoedd Eryri. Customs such as Lady of the Lily remain popular among nobles and commoners alike, while acts of chivalry are often viewed as deeply romantic gestures in their own right. Offering one's cloak, escorting another through a storm, dedicating a tournament victory, or keeping vigil for a loved one's return are all regarded as meaningful expressions of affection. Honor, devotion, and the keeping of one's word are widely admired, with many Eryndori believing that love is best demonstrated through steadfast actions rather than grand proclamations.

This sentiment is perhaps most visible in Eryndori marriage traditions. Prior to a wedding, it is customary for the couple to seek out a piece of driftwood together—or select a tree from which wood may be taken—and carve a lovespoon from it. The spoon is adorned with symbols chosen by the pair, each carrying its own blessing or aspiration for the union. Hearts may represent love, anchors steadfastness, knots enduring bonds, ships safe journeys, lilies devotion, and birds a harmonious household. Once completed, the spoon is displayed prominently within the family home as both a keepsake and a reminder of the vows shared between them.

FAITH & SUPERSTITION—

Like many Mistans, the Eryndori hold deep reverence for the Siren Serene, whose presence is felt throughout daily life. Sailors commonly offer prayers before voyages, while families maintain traditions intended to seek safe passage, favorable weather, and reunion with loved ones. Folklore concerning fog, dreams, seabirds, and spirits lost at sea remains widespread, with many customs blurring the line between superstition and faith.

The Eagle Isles also possess an unusually strong association with the Twinbirds, the Phoenix and Equinox. Many attribute this to the tranquil waters of the Bay of Lluar, whose mirror-like surface has long inspired tales of reflection and rest—whereas the great eagles that nest amongst the cliffs, inspire that of ambition and reaching new heights. As a result, it is not uncommon to find depictions of paired birds within local artwork and jewelry.

Among sailors especially, it is considered auspicious to spot two birds flying together before a voyage, while lone birds are often interpreted as omens of separation, longing, or a journey yet unfinished. 

MUSIC & STORYTELLING—

Songs and stories form an important part of Eryndori culture, preserving histories, voyages, and family legacies across generations. Sea shanties, ballads of renowned captains and Knights of Eryri, and tales of marauders remain common throughout taverns, ships, and family hearths alike. Oral tradition is highly valued, with many families regarding stories as an inheritance no less precious than land, heirlooms, or titles.

In this regard, the Eryndori are little different from the Mist Isles as a whole. Much of their history survives not through great libraries, but through the memories of sailors, the songs of wandering bards, and the accounts of itinerant historians who carry stories between distant shores. As a result, it is not uncommon for a tale to exist in several different forms, each shaped by the people who have carried it across the sea.

FOOD & CUISINE—

Eryndori cuisine is shaped by both the sea and the rugged environment of the Eagle Isles. Fish, shellfish, whale products, dark breads, root vegetables, oats, and hearty stews form the foundation of many meals, reflecting a culture accustomed to long voyages, harsh weather, and the need for practical, sustaining fare. Preservation is highly valued, with smoking, salting, pickling, and drying remaining common methods of storing food through winter and lengthy expeditions.

Seafood features prominently in local cooking, from chowders and fish pies to smoked catches prepared aboard ship, while whale oil and byproducts are utilized wherever practical. Fresh breads, butter, cheeses, and soups are staples of daily life, often accompanied by foraged herbs, sea vegetables, or preserves made from berries gathered along the cliffs and hillsides.

Communal dining remains an important aspect of Eryndori culture, particularly during celebrations such as the Feast of the First Catch, where sharing food is viewed as both an act of gratitude and community. It is considered poor form to allow a guest, sailor, or traveler to leave one's table hungry, and many households maintain the tradition of keeping a portion of food set aside should an unexpected visitor arrive at their doorstep.

TRADE & EXPORTS—
Though modest in size, Ynysoedd Eryri occupies a strategic position along several major sea routes linking the Mist Isles to Mori, Uul’san, and the northern seas. Many vessels traveling between these regions pass near the Eagle Isles, making Eryndor an important waypoint for resupply, repairs, and navigation through the fogbound waters surrounding the Black Shoals.

Foremost among the Isles' exports is Duon, the dark sediment dredged from the Black Shoals and refined into pigments, dyes, and resilient inks. Eryndori textiles colored with Duon are renowned for their rich charcoal and midnight hues, while navigators and cartographers value the pigment for charts capable of enduring years of salt and weather.

The surrounding waters support thriving fishing and whaling industries, producing salted fish, smoked catches, whale oil, and carved whalebone goods that are traded throughout the northwestern seas. Skilled artisans are likewise known for producing navigational instruments, ropework, sailcloth, and durable maritime equipment designed for harsh coastal conditions.

The Isles' most valued export, however, is their people. Eryndori sailors, navigators, and Knight Nauticals are widely respected throughout the region for their ability to safely guide vessels through dangerous waters and poor visibility. Merchant companies and noble houses frequently seek their services, and many captains consider hiring a navigator from the Eagle Isles to be far cheaper than risking the Black Shoals alone.

Art by N. Sanchez

ERYRI ERNE

The namesake of the Eagle Isles, the great Eryri Erne nests amongst the high cliffs, sea stacks, and peaks surrounding Caer Nywelyn. Unlike many birds of prey found elsewhere in the Mist Isles, these eagles possess striking black and charcoal plumage layered in overlapping feather patterns, contrasted by pale throats, chests, and distinctive crested crowns. Their hooked beaks are dark ivory, while their piercing eyes range from amber to gold. When fully grown, their wingspans can exceed twice the height of a man, allowing them to ride coastal winds for hours without landing.

The species is renowned for its intelligence, patience, and fierce loyalty to its mate. Eryri Erne are known to mate for life, with bonded pairs returning to the same nesting grounds year after year, often occupying cliffside aeries that remain in use for generations.

Unknown Artist

MISTVEIL LILIES

A delicate aquatic flower with translucent white petals that float upon the still waters of the Bay of Lluar. Long, pearlescent petals shimmer faintly beneath moonlight, while slender silver-green stems trail below the water's surface. As dusk falls, subtle threads of blue emerge within the petals, becoming most visible beneath the glow of the moon and stars. 

Local folklore claims the flowers did not originate in the Eagle Isles at all, but were brought across the sea from the distant Northern Kingdoms by a traveler seeking to create something beautiful for his beloved. 

DUON—

Duon is a dense black sediment dredged up from the Black Shoals and refined into a remarkably durable pigment. For generations, Eryndori dyers have used it to produce rich charcoal, slate, and midnight hues prized throughout the Mist Isles. Scribes, cartographers, and navigators likewise value it as the foundation of exceptionally resilient inks, renowned for resisting fading, salt spray, and harsh weather aboard voyages.

Its finest grades carry a subtle blue-black sheen, making it a sought-after export beyond the Eagle Isles.