Arkha

**Arkha** is the world that serves as primary setting for its namesake series: Cantos of Arkha *(lit. Songs of Arkha).* It has 3 major continents and 3 oceans, as well as an estimated population of over 200 million. Its known landmass is distributed over 15 different regions and states.

## Geography & Ecology

### Continents & Regions

While oracles and scholars have theorized for millenia that Arkha is an extremely large sphere with possibly more landmasses scattered across the Great Azure, there's only 3 major continents that have been recognized by explorers:

* **Nysa:** Considered the largest known continent to date, Nysa is a large, culturally diverse landmass that spans over 2 million square kilometers. It is typically divided into West, Central, and East Nysa, encompassing the different political regions.
	+ West Nysa consists of the regions of Sekhem, Varsindh, and Huaxia.
	+ Central Nysa consists of the regions of Arkerech, Vel Targes, and the Marble Islands.
	+ East Nysa consists of the regions of Ambrosia, Yamato and several island sets surrounding the entire landmass.

* **Eupana:** Lying to the east of the Azure Ocean, little is known about Eupana. It is a large continent consisting of two main landmasses covered by deserts and rainforests. Many explorers from the Scathian Islands have tried settling to the south of Eupana without much success, as those who return tend to have sustained many casualties and had their remaining troops left in a terrorized state.

* **Abanthu**: Separated from Nysa by the Kanem strait, Abanthu is a relatively small continent divided into two large landmasses and an archipelago. It is sparsely populated and covered in a dense tropical rainforest that transitions into a savannah to the south and west.

### Seas & Oceans

* **The Great Azure** is an extensive ocean towards the north of the known continents. It is said that this ocean spans most of the world and it has been impossible to cross.
* **The Sharded Sea** lies to the east of Abanthu and north of Sekhem, south of the Agasy Archipelago and west of the Great Azure.
* **The Thunder Sea** lies between the Yamato Islands and the Scathian Islands.
* **The Crux Sea** is a confluence of straits that form a big cross, separating Sekhem, Arkerech, and Ambrosia.
* **The Bleeding Sea** is located between the regions of Sekhem and Arkerech, and flows directly into the west strait of the Crux Sea. It's name refers to the changing color of the sea during warmer seasons.
* **The Axshain Sea** is located between the regions of Sekhem, West Arkerech, East Huaxia, Southeast Varsindh and Northwest Vel Targes.
* **The Meridional Sea** extends from the south of Nysa, the Scathian Islands and the southernmost regions of Eupana. It is right on the southern pole.
* **Whirl of Phos** is a gigantic whirlpool located in the Great Azure that separates the northern portions of Nysa and Eupana.
* **Whirl of Erebos** is a gigantic whirlpool located in the Meridional Sea, south of the regions of Vel Targes and Huaxia. Local accounts mention it to be pulling giant glaciers into its center, and it is said that one day it will consume all of Vel Targes.

### Islands

* **Marble Islands:** Located within the southern portion of the Crux Sea, it consists of a group of islands said to be entirely made out of marble stone.
* **Scathian Islands:** They lie near the south pole of Arkha and used to be a singular narrow piece of land that bridged the continents of Nysa and Eupana. It shattered into multiple islands covered in ice during one of the major cataclysms.
* **Thallis Islands:** While not a single continent, Thallis considered its own region due to the similar cultures that are distributed over its more than 40 islands. There’s only accounts of a handful of explorers who have been able to return to tell the tale. Attempts to trade from Nysa and Thallis has been made without much success.

### Weather & Climate

* Several unexplained meteorological phenomena happen all throughout Arkha on a regular basis.
* Seasons tend to last a year in the Arkhan calendar.

## History & Mythology

### Creation of Arkha

Ancient scriptures and glyphs found in caves point towards the idea that Arkha is the remnants of a supreme god that was set in eternal slumber. Although not much can be inferred from archeological findings, it seems like multiple godlike beings and snake-like figures were present in an endless void during the inception of the world.

### Era of Radiance

Before the era of cataclysms, there's accounts that the peoples of Arkha came from the seas and rose to land trying to survive the first flood. These peoples belonged to a long lost kingdom known as the Radiant Kingdom. They possessed immense power capable of shaping and recreating the world and reality as we know it. Many pirates and sailors report encounters with gigantic sea monsters that dragged them towards the bottom of the oceans, where they found drowned cities full of destroyed buildings.

### The Perversion of Light

Almost all cultures in the continent of Nysa mention a demon who wanted to curse the world and afflict the Radiant Kingdom with endless fear. It is said that her spells brought upon the era of cataclysms and the near extinction of mankind.

## Biology

Arkha is predominantly inhabited by humans. However, many different races from old known as the Radiants still exist and have adapted to lifestyle among humans. Radiant is an umbrella term that refers to a set of humanoid races with animal-like features and anthropomorphized animals. Their name alludes to the fact that the origins of these races has been lost but many may have once belonged to an ancient kingdom known as The Radiant Kingdom.

### Radiants

Some of the known Radiant species include:

* Volpe (Foxes, Tanuki, Fennecs)
* Canians (Wolves, Jackals, Dogs)
* Capris (Goats & Sheep)
* Apophia (Aquatic Dragons)
* Draconus (Terrestrial Dragons & Wyverns)
* Nagas (Serpents)
* Dheura (Dwarves)

## Astronomy

Although not much is known about other planets in their solar system, there has been sightings of giant "stars" that move differently from the others who appear to be fixated on the firmament. These colossal celestial bodies are called **Shifting Stars.** Additionally, Arkha has two satellite moons known as the **Serene Moon** and **Weeping Moon** respectively. While the Serene Moon has a typical white glow, the Weeping Moon has a turquoise luster.

### **Constellations**

The stars seem to be especially important for civilization as they use them for navigation and believe they’re set in the firmament to guide them. Oracles have learned to recognize constellations and teach them often in order to travel at night and into open sea.