Pelican Narrows

The Pelican Narrows are a navigational obstacle of the Western Oceans, traditionally marking the eastern edge of the West’s Open Seas, southwest of Rock Crescent. The narrows are a corridor of open water between Pelican Reef to the south and Cattle Reef to the north, the only safe passage for ships seeking to cross into the West without sailing around those barriers… though the Narrows themselves are far from safe.

The Narrows are home to powerful winds pushing directly westward, which drive ships in that direction, but the channel of the Narrows itself bends and turns between the dangerous rocks and spikes of the neighbouring reefs… a crew must keep careful control of its sails to ensure their ship is not dashed asunder, and the remnants of past wrecks are displayed as a constant reminder. For the most part, navigators choose the safer, longer routes around the reefs, but when the Imperial Navy wishes to push squadrons from Rock Crescent into the West with expedience and without alerting its foes it will dare the route. The Kaizoku household of House Peleps also makes use of the Narrows, but for different reasons: a crewman who can serve well in the crossing is worthy of service on a Kaizoku vessel, and if a scion is able to lead a ship through the Narrows, he is ready to take a captaincy.

Even more challenging for a sailing crew is the nigh-impossible trip from west to east through the Narrows, tacking against the wind as well as avoiding the dangers of the reefs. Naturally this is a rare occurrence indeed.

Once through the Narrows, vessels emerging to the west typically follow the prevailing winds as they weaken and turn southward towards the Sunken Isle, or set out westward into more open waters.