The lands themselves are rich in a surprising amount of tenacious plant-life. The constant rain and volcanic ash provide nutrients both for a well-rooted trees and forests of seaweed, which in turn provide the environment for other local creatures. The local populations consumes large amounts of seafood (fish, whales, seaweed), and consider land-based food something of a delicacy, one well worth trading for.
The dragonborn constitute the majority of the island population, mostly living in cities carved into the sides of volcanic overhangs. This protects their cities from the worse of the erosive effects of rainfall, and protects them from the frequent lava flows. The dragons themselves are also said to use volcanic caves, though some rumors say that the children of the Great Dragon-god of Earth have been seen erupting out of the volcanoes themselves.
The Storm Isles are famed for their ceramic production, both in terms of artwork, but also in larger, more practical pieces, including high-end armor and weapons, along with . Glassworking is another specialty, with the dragonborn famed for creating larger, clearer, stronger panes of of glass than anyone else in the known world.
Trade with the Storm Isles is perilous but rewarding. Human traders use specially crafted ‘turtleboats’, and ride the currents down to the islands. The trip back is tricker, but is made directly north from the center of the islands, where the currents pulling into the Boiling Sea are at their weakest - the turtleboats put up their stubby fins and ride the winds back north. Neither passage is particularly pleasant, as in addition to the storms, the turtleboats seal all their occupants inside for over a week.
Most travelers balk at the journey, but outside of trade, the Isles provide an unique opportunity to talk with the reclusive and civilized metallic dragons, whose incredible longevity provides a window into the past, and a way to leave messages for the distant future. Many treaties are often read to the dragons, to avoid confusion hundreds of years down the road, and sometimes entire diplomatic meetings will unfold under the watchful eye of the metallic dragons, or even before Leximundi herself, the golden demigod of laws and agreements.
Trade with the Storm Isles is perilous but rewarding. Human traders use specially crafted ‘turtleboats’, and ride the currents down to the islands. The trip back is tricker, but is made directly north from the center of the islands, where the currents pulling into the Boiling Sea are at their weakest - the turtleboats put up their stubby fins and ride the winds back north. Neither passage is particularly pleasant, as in addition to the storms, the turtleboats seal all their occupants inside for over a week.
Most travelers balk at the journey, but outside of trade, the Isles provide an unique opportunity to talk with the reclusive and civilized metallic dragons, whose incredible longevity provides a window into the past, and a way to leave messages for the distant future. Many treaties are often read to the dragons, to avoid confusion hundreds of years down the road, and sometimes entire diplomatic meetings will unfold under the watchful eye of the metallic dragons, or even before Leximundi herself, the golden demigod of laws and agreements.
