Land of Polyphemus
In the 1220 century, the region southeast of Mount Etna, is rumoured to be a terrible monster's dwelling place. It is avoided by Sicily's inhabitants. Eerie and thick fogs enveloped the area, dissuading any visitors. Those who dare to travel to this mysterious region never return. On the other hand, those who know the classics, recognize the place as the Lands of Polyphemus.
Embarking on his arduous journey after the fall of Troy, Ulysses would eventually reach the eastern coast of Sicily, encountering Polyphemus, a formidable Cyclops and offspring of Poseidon. Polyphemus captured Ulysses and his crew, sealing them in his cave. Only by his cunning could the hero ultimately outsmarted his adversary. Ulysses under the nickname Outis (“Nobody'') blinded the Cyclops's singular eye and made a daring escape. Polyphemus, in a fit of anger, hurled massive boulders at Ulysses' ship, yet the hero narrowly eluded further harm. Three islands now stand as a testament to the last remnants of Polyphemus' wrath. Polyphemus' father Poseidon would also take revenge upon Ulysses. The years have claimed Ulysses, yet Polyphemus has remained.
Before this famous tale Polyphemus also killed the mortal lover of the Nereid Galatea - named Acis. Polyphemus killed her out of jealously, but Galatea transformed him into a river spirit. The river Aci still marks the edge of Polyphemus land, though neither Acis and Galatea appear here often.
Centuries ago, the other Cyclopes Sicily abandoned their homeland, leaving behind an abandoned caves along the coast. Whether it was the dominion, human settlements or some other force, the other Cyclopes vanished, leaving blind Polyphemus alone.
The cliff that makes out Polyphemus' land is desolate and destroyed. Broken trees, stumps and bushes litter the landscape. Polyphemus is still not fully accustomed to his blindness and therefore has this effect on the landscape. Polyphemus' cave is marked by a massive boulder - which serves as its door. It is some 15 paces tall, an incredibly large piece of stone. The inside of the Polyphemus' cave is decorated spartanly. Two piles are its only notable features. One made of sheep pelts, where Polyphemus sleeps. The other of refuse. A fire always burns in the middle of the cave, though its smoke does little to hide the rancid smell of the cave. The entire cave exudes a dank, smoky, and has a foul atmosphere. Polyphemus and his herd of sheep inhabit the cave. In 1220, he spends most of his time hiding in here - sometimes his sobbing shakes the outside cliffs. His cave has a magical aura of 5.
Polyphemus, a colossal giant standing nearly 15 paces tall. He is covered in dark hair, infested with fleas and lice, and clad in soiled, coarse wool garments. In the middle of his face is marked by the ruins of a single eye, occasionally shedding tears from its pit. Since the departure of the other Cyclopes, Polyphemus has grown sombre and contemplative, yearning for companionship in his dark world. Despite his attempts to befriend travellers, old fears persist, keeping ordinary people at bay. Those who approach often seek to vanquish him, invoking Polyphemus' wrath as he defends himself against warriors and knights, driven by the memories of his torment.
Story Seed: Fate of the Cyclopes
The Cyclopes migration is poorly recorded. It seems quite likely that they travelled to Malta and then beyond it towards Mythic Africa. Some have even suggested that the Cyclops lived on Sardinia before Sicily, and that the Nuraghe were constructed to protect the humans from them. Polyphemus really does miss his kind. Reuniting him with them would earn his friendship and favour. Such a journey could very well rival Ulysses own voyage.