The Land Below

In the island country of Caeruleum, the legends of those that dwell beneath the waters are many and well known. From fishes that grant children wishes and magical pearl necklaces that gives the wearer the ability to shapeshift to ghostly pirate ships that haunt the seas searching for victims and malevolent mermaids that trick unsuspecting sailors into the depths to feed on their souls, these legends make up the backbone of Caeruleum's culture, especially in the port city of Eternum. Children are taught to behave by these myths; sailors are warned of the dangers of the seas by them. They've permeated every corner of life here: the altars in the churches of gods of protection are consistently full of offerings; ships carry more shielding charms than cargo; high-ranking seamen lead prayers before they set off; families warn their loved ones not to fall prey to one of mystical dangers of the blue.

Not every family, of course -- Lir Tethys believes the stories are just that: stories, superstitions intended to frighten children and fill the pockets of con men. She has much better things to do than worry that some beautiful fish woman will steal her seafaring husband's heart and soul. With a baby on the way and a need to make money to support herself and her little one, Lir is quite preoccupied. Some silly myth meant for children isn't worth the time or energy.

But then the ship her husband is sailing on vanishes mysteriously without a trait, and Lir is left a presumed widow, without a father to their child. Grief triggers a miscarriage, and without anything left for her, Lir attempts to kill herself by throwing herself into the same ocean that stole her husband from her. A benevolent, magically gifted mermaid, Kepa, saves her life, turning her into a mermaid at the same time. Lir realizes that she still has a purpose in life, and with Kepa by her side, she sets out to find her husband and fulfill what she thinks is her destiny, but things aren't always so obvious...