The Brimstone Breath was a vast archipelago that extended for hundreds of miles off the western Head of the Greatwyrm, deep in the Shifting Blue. Its islands had a blackened and charred appearance, leading many to believe they had been burned in some ancient catastrophe. The rocky terrain was harsh and inhospitable, with little vegetation and few sources of fresh water. Despite its desolate landscape, the region contained valuable resources that made it an essential asset for the Common League, who claimed dominion over the isles.
Beneath the darkened stone, the Breath held rich deposits of coal and other energy-producing materials. Mining operations spread across the archipelago, with shafts and tunnels carved deep into the rock. The work was dangerous and physically demanding, with collapses and gas pockets posing constant threats to those who toiled in the mines. Though most of the archipelago was bare, the Scorchwood Isle island was covered in strange trees and tar-like sap, and foresters there harvested its flame-resistant wood for industrial use.
Members of the Common League were instructed to use the Brimstone Breath as a penal colony, sending criminals and dissidents to extract its wealth. Instead of facing execution, many convicts were sentenced to years of labor in the archipelago’s mines. Many did not survive their terms due to exhaustion, injury, or illness. Guarded encampments dotted the islands, ensuring that workers remained under control and preventing any attempt at escape.
Ships from Fang's End and Igneos Isle arrived regularly to collect shipments of coal and other materials, who's distribution was governed by the Court of the Torch in Emblem. They also brought fresh labor to replace those who had perished or completed their sentences.