Stormwreck Sea
| Stormwreck Sea | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| Plane | Ixalan |
| Colors |
 |
| Status | Controlled by the Brazen Coalition |
The Stormwreck Sea is a vast ocean region on the plane of Ixalan, known for its countless hidden archipelagos, treacherous waters, and a long history as the domain of the Brazen Coalition — a society of pirates who reject the rule of any land-bound nation.[1]
Description
The Stormwreck Sea spans the eastern waters off Ixalan's Sun Empire and the western reaches near Torrezon, covering the whole distance between the two continents. Its deep blue currents and scattered islands provide shelter and secrecy for pirates, smugglers, and outcasts of every stripe. Among its shifting coasts and swirling storms lie many notorious landmarks and hideouts:
- High and Dry — the Coalition's famous floating city, formed from hundreds of lashed-together wrecks, barges, and rafts. It serves as a neutral meeting ground for pirate captains to trade goods, secrets, and favors.
- The Boatswain's Rear - a famed alehouse.[2]
- The Burning Port - a popular alehouse
- The Spitfire Bastion
— an island fortress and once the stronghold of the pirate Captain Ripley Vance, located east of the Sun Coast. - "Useless Island" — an isolated spit of land where Jace Beleren was stranded after losing to Nicol Bolas. Now home to the sphinx Azor.
- The Corsair Coast — a rugged stretch of mainland coastline frequently raided by pirates and used for smuggling operations.[1]
The sea's population is a mix of humans and nonhuman races, including goblins, orcs, and sirens.[3] Coalition pirates claim dominion over the sea itself, boasting a mastery of seafaring that spans every inlet, estuary, and reef. Despite having few stable islands, the Coalition has always called the sea its true homeland.[4]
In the modern age, the Coalition has expanded beyond the sea, settling coastal towns, building trade ports, and spearheading large-scale cosmium mining operations. However, many of their floating enclaves remain symbols of freedom and rebellion for those unwilling to bow to the empires of land.[4]
History
Early Days
The Stormwreck Sea became a haven for outcasts when the Legion of Dusk conquered Torrezon around 98 BD. Refugees from the Free Cities fled by ship but were refused safe harbor by the Sun Empire. Forced to remain afloat, they survived by raiding coastal settlements rather than surrendering to the vampires who had taken their homes.[5][4]
In time, these desperate raiders organized into fleets. Pirate captains like Beckett Brass rose to prominence by uniting scattered crews under the banner of freedom. A pivotal moment came when the ships Scourge and Squid Eyes collided and stayed afloat, entangled. Their captains — Beckett Brass and Jareth Wake — founded High and Dry on the wreckage, creating a neutral ground that quickly grew into a sprawling floating city where pirates could barter, trade, and parley under a code of favors and obligations.
As more derelict ships drifted in or were towed by ambitious captains, the city expanded, and the Brazen Coalition solidified into a network of pirate fleets, each ruled by its charismatic leaders.[4]
The Phyrexian Invasion
The New Phyrexian Invasion shattered the Coalition's old order. Fleeing the unstoppable advance of Phyrexian horrors, thousands of refugees from Ixalan and Torrezon crowded into High and Dry seeking protection.[4] Many pirate fleets abandoned the city at first, only to return when they realized the sea offered no refuge from Phyrexian monstrosities. Admiral Brass and her fleet, returning from an expedition to the southern continents, retook the city in a brutal campaign that restored it to Coalition hands. Brass emerged as the de facto leader of the battered survivors.
New Era
In the invasion's aftermath, Beckett Brass declared the age of piracy over, transforming the Brazen Coalition into a legitimate nation dedicated to freedom from fear rather than plunder.[6] She secured recognition from rival powers like the Sun Empire and the Legion of Dusk and became the first Governor of the Coalition's new island and coastal holdings. Mining cosmium and maritime trade replaced piracy as the foundation of their wealth, and the Bluecoats — the Coalition's navy — now enforce claims and contracts once settled only by a cutlass.
Despite these changes, the Stormwreck Sea remains a symbol of freedom, peril, and the untamed spirit of those who would rather die at sea than bow to a crown.
In-game references
- Depicted in:
- Referred to:
References
- ↑ a b Miguel Lopez (March 21, 2023). "March of the Machine - Ixalan: Three Hundred Steps Under the Sun". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Greg Weisman (April 2019). "War of the Spark: Ravnica". Del Rey.
- ↑ Explore the Planes: Ixalan
- ↑ a b c d e Miguel Lopez (November 10, 2023). "Planeswalker's Guide to the Lost Caverns of Ixalan". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ R&D Narrative Team (November 8, 2017). "Planeswalker's Guide to Ixalan, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Miguel Lopez (October 20, 2023). "The Lost Caverns of Ixalan - Pawns". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
| ||||||||||||||||||
