The “Terror Plague” was an event that occurred on the island of Cutthroat Crossing in the Bay of Aur on the month of Tempestium back in 893ir (see Calendars).
A ship called the Crimson Squid, captained by the infamous pirate Bramwell Nightwind, docked on its way to Camijaa. The crew shared stories of their recent exploits in the jungles of Shaundor where they raided a Pantherian city. As proof, they began throwing gold about in every tavern, shop, and brothel as if it were nothing. Every crewmember seemed to have an endless supply of it.
The first day and night were filled with drinking, merriment, and debauchery. But in the morning, people started inexplicably dying. Both islanders and Crimson Squid crewmen alike. Many appeared to have fallen from a high building or cliff. Clumsiness, perhaps, but that didn’t explain others who had fallen upon their own swords. Many were found with a look of such horror frozen on their faces that it was as though they’d died of fright.
The islanders called it the “Terror Plague”. They blamed the crew of the Crimson Squid for it and demanded they leave. Bramwell, who was planning on leaving anyway, sailed off to Camijaa. They would never reach their destination, nor every be seen among the living again.
Deaths continued across the island for several days before it finally ceased. Over half of the islanders died during the plague. Their bodies and possessions were buried in a graveyard further in the interior. It’s called Terror Cemetery, and no one ever goes there. It’s a dark chapter of Cutthroat Crossing’s history. And that’s saying something.