The Plot
Mermaids
These mythical creatures known to every seasoned sailor of the seas. Creatures that are elusive and not fond of humans for harming their seas and the creatures and fragile balance within it - but also creatures of immense power. It is well known that to try and harm a nesting mermaid is a suicide mission as they are pretty feral when they protecting their young. Most sailors know of the common nesting sites for the mermaids and avoid them like the plauge unless they want their ships to be caught in a maelstrom and sunk to the bottom of the sea ; their carcasses being food for the bloodthirsty mermaids. However, some are foolish enough and try and capture the mermaids, afterall their scales and blood have magical properties and some humans even have eaten their flesh due to the legend that eating them will grant the person a enlongated lifespan. Poachers are also known for hunting for the nests to steal eggs and sell them on the black market for nefarious purposes. It's well known the relations between the Land-Dwellers and Mermaids aren't good - especially since the recent attack on the underwater kingdom of Achelore, with oil has left the are inhabitable and most of the residents sick. Not to mention the death of the High Ruler by the hands of the humans, the nation is rebuilding further away from home. However, it was still time for the annual trip to the Birthing Grounds, where the gravid mermaids of the tribe would go to lay and care for their hatchlings until they were strong enough to return to the Kingdom. They are already on edge due to the Royal Consort being one of those carrying, which would be good - however, it means their leader is vunerable and will be away for an extended period of time.
A band of pirates has made a getaway from the Navy , however in their haste - they land right in the current nesting grounds of the mermaids, and in putting an anchor down - took the top off a nest and nearly crushed the eggs inside. In doing this, they agitated the proverbial bee's nest and their ship was caught in a maelstrom, and heavily damaged - and those who survived were stranded on an island surrounded by angry mermaids. They must find a way to peacefully leave the island or face the fangs of the angry mermaids below. The mermaids are calling for the Consort to destroy the humans because now a vital location has been found by these Land-Dwellers and could be passed on to Poachers, but will a solution be worked out or will it end in bloodshed on both sides?