Ebony Sands Coast
The Ebony Sands Coast is a coastal location distinguished by its rare black sands, described in For Steam and Country as "such an attraction, so beautiful and rare." The region's unusual shoreline made it a notable landmark on the continent, attracting both notoriety and, in later years, considerable affluence.
Description
The coast takes its name from the dark coloration of its sands, a natural phenomenon considered beautiful and uncommon. The black sands served as the region's defining characteristic and the primary draw for visitors and settlers alike. Vacation residences constructed by wealthy nobility line the coast, reflecting the area's transformation into a destination of leisure and prestige.
History
At some point prior to the birth of Zaira von Monocle, Baron Theodore von Monocle visited the Ebony Sands Coast with his wife, suggesting the location held personal significance to the Von Monocle family.
The coast later fell under the dominion of Renawl, the One-Eyed King, who established his domain there and preyed upon travelers passing through the region. Gold coins bearing the One-Eyed King's face originated from this territory, serving as evidence of his rule and the economic power he wielded over the area. These coins may be of interest to those researching Rislandian Currency.
Following the end of Renawl's reign, the Ebony Sands Coast became safe for general travel. The region subsequently attracted rich nobility from Rislandia, the Wyranth Empire, and other lands, who constructed vacation residences along the shore. By the time of For Steam and Country, the coast was frequented by the wealthy elite and had shed its dangerous reputation entirely.
Role in For Steam and Country
In For Steam and Country, the Ebony Sands Coast is referenced in connection with Baron von Monocle's personal history and the legacy of the One-Eyed King Renawl. The region's past as a haven for a predatory ruler and its subsequent reinvention as a resort destination for nobility illustrate the broader changes in the political and social landscape of the world.
Role in The Blood of Giants
In The Blood of Giants, the Ebony Sands Coast is identified as the domain of the One-Eyed King. In the 24th Year of King Malaky XV's Reign, the Liliana traveled to the One-Eyed King's domain on the Ebony Sands Coast.
On the world map
The official world map labels Ebony Sands on a green island off the east coast of Zarma, in north-eastern Areth, with a city dot. In The Blood of Giants, the Liliana reaches "the Zenwey coast" and lands on black sand below a volcano, which the Baron's log describes as the expedition to Zenwey. The map places the Ebony Sands in Areth; the novel places them on Zenwey. This contradiction is left for the author to resolve.