The Bay of Light

        Between the two major islands lies an extention of the great sand shelf to the south, a bay of exceptionally warm, shallow water perhaps twenty miles across. There are no reefs, rocks, or major variations in the ocean floor throughout the bay, simply a flat, slightly rippled sheet of white sand. The water's average depth is roughly five feet, as deep as ten in some places, giving the water a very pale aquamarine hue. The only marine life here are the miriad schools of tiny rass, gobi, and the occasional pod of dolphins. The lutrai use this area mostly for recreation, and teaching their young to swim. Consequently, it is seen by most of the fiercely adventurous young cubs as a wading pool meant for kits, and thus avoided. The warm tropical waters are a safe haven from sharks and other large marine predators, and the bay is encircled by a number of small lutrai villages, including the largest village of the White Sand Tribe. By day, the sparkling waters are filled with small groups of beachgoers and light craft such as dolhpins and sailboards. By night, the rings of bonfires around the bay can clearly be seen as the otter-folk find any number of reasons to celebrate.

        The bay also possesses a certain magical potential, being at the direct center of the vibrant island chain. It is a focal point of water magic, and many of the dolphins that evolved here were awakened by the life force of the planet, becoming fully sentient and capable of wielding the magic that resonated from the elemental conflux. They will ride encapsulated within the bodies of shambling water elementals in order to explore the land and its other inhabitants, though they are largely unable to communicate with surface-dwellers due to the ultrasonic nature of their language. It is here that the cetaceans congregate to absorb the rich ambient magic that saturates the tropical waters, and some lutrai believe that their ancient ancestors were taught the ways of magic by this ancient marine race.

The Beaches

        The wide, sandy white beaches that ring the bay are the most popular playgrounds of the island-dwelling lutrai. Many are content to spend all day exploring the tractless expanses of tropical shore and the shady lagoons within the jungle mangrove just beyond. The wile away the days of endless summer, far from the calamity of the more civilized nations. The White Sand Tribe is named for these shores, and their numbers are most readily identified by a single white albatross feather done up with yellow beads.

        These beaches are also a central gathering place for celebrations of the solstice and the equinox. Lutrai and koba from all over the island will gather here to celebrate the wellspring of all life, the sun. These wild beach parties typically involve a great deal of food, music, and free love, all done within the span of three days and nights, twice per year. Originally, this was purely a lutraic celebration, though after they started inviting the curious koba, it became more of a mixed tradition. In fact, the lutrai tend to invite anyone who wants to have a little fun, and can keep up with their wild games and even wilder story telling.

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