Refuge Bay is a coastal landing zone on the southern shore of Chult that serves as a strategic entry point for expeditions into the peninsula’s interior. The bay features a long white sand beach stretching around its entire shore and has a reputation as a relatively safe place to make landfall—safer than many other coastal locations in the deadly jungle peninsula.
Historical Significance
The Chultan town of Ishau once stood at the head of Refuge Bay, but during the Spellplague, the settlement’s foundations sank into the sea. The town’s stone buildings now lie completely underwater, more than a mile from the current shoreline. These sunken ruins remain largely intact and are prowled by dangerous predators including hunter sharks, reef sharks, and plesiosauruses. Sea hags also occasionally scour the ruins for human remains and waterlogged trinkets. All the predators fear and avoid the sea hags.
Strategic Importance
Refuge Bay serves as one of several coastal landing sites for expeditions into Chult, alongside locations like Jahaka Bay, Kitcher’s Inlet, Shilku Bay, and Snapping Turtle Bay. The bay is particularly significant for several reasons:
- Western Access: It provides excellent access to the western regions of Chult, particularly for expeditions targeting the Valley of Dread and the lost city of Omu
- River Boundary: Some expeditions specifically choose to enter through Refuge Bay because the River Olung (which flows nearby from Lake Luo) marks an important boundary—to the east is “normal” jungle, while to the west lies undead territory
- Flaming Fist Support: Commander Liara Portyr of Fort Beluarian will assign mercenaries to accompany adventurers by sea to Refuge Bay, making it a well-supported starting point
Territorial Claims
Baldur’s Gate, through the Flaming Fist, is actively trying to extend its territorial claims south to include Refuge Bay. The city already claims everything east of the Mistcliff and north of Kitcher’s Inlet (including the plundered ruins of Mezro), and views Refuge Bay as the southern extent of its expansion.
Frost Giant Activity
The frost giant search parties led by Drufi, currently seeking Artus Cimber and the Ring of Winter, plan to eventually sail their ship (the Hvalspyd) south to Refuge Bay to restart their search from that location, having exhausted their current search area between the coast and River Tiryki.