The Great Sea

> *"And then the Entity decided that the world was too empty, too dry. And from the great serpent's mouth poured water. Rain fell. Rivers flowed. And from the serpent's torrent came a great sea that covered the world..." -* extract from a Scaled States holy tablet, detailing how their god Entity brought water to the world.
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The Great Sea, also known as the World Ocean, is a gigantic sea that separates all of Magnula's continents from one another. It is the largest waterscape in the known world, as well as the largest continuous mass on the plant - larger in surface area than any single continent. Though the Great Sea is technically comprised of several smaller seas, practically all nations accept a combined and all-encompassing name for the sake of simplicity.

For a variety of reasons, many different settlements are founded on the coastline that borders the Great Sea. To name one example, the influential Imperial trading city of Handelburg relies on trade shipping from across the Great Sea for its economy. Similarly, many smaller towns and villages rely on fishing, salt extraction and other ocean-based trades for their local economies.

Since it separates Magnula's continents, many ships travel across the Great Sea every year in missions of travel and trade. But alas, the Great Sea is far from a safe place. Fierce storms and giant tidal waves can batter or drown ships. Vicious wildlife and horrible sea monsters threaten the lives of crewmen. And, of course, the ever-present threat of pirates both alive and undead threaten any ships that traverse the water.

It is said by some that the Great Sea is the lifeblood for civilisation on Magnula, and that is not necessarily an incorrect assessment.

## **Climate**

Unlike land-based regions, which experience climate shifts during different seasons, the Great Sea maintains a somewhat consistent climate year-round. That being said, there are still climate changes across the Great Sea depending on where exactly you might be, in large part due to the region's sheer size. For example, when closer to tropical climates, the air is warmer and clouds are less frequent. However, near the frigid region of Vaggaland, the air is freezing and snow is common.

Some scholars have observed large wind currents that flow through the sea. These are more powerful than those typically found on land and is known to make sail travel faster for those who know how to follow them. It is believed that it is these currents that bring hot and cold air to other regions. It brings a cool coastal breeze to the Dead Sands and prevents Vaggaland from turning completely inhospitable.

At the same time, however, these wind currents can cause powerful weather phenomena and natural disasters. Storms and hurricanes are known to form around these currents. Outside of this, tsunamis and whirlpools are also notable threats. Some of these phenomena even threaten coastal settlements, and so some countries have taken to tracking these storms when they are discovered - a professional aptly named 'storm chasing.'

## **Biodiversity**

Without a doubt, the Great Sea is easily the most biodiverse region in Magnula. An incredible number of species call the waters home, from sharks to sea serpents to seals to snakes. These species differ depending on depth and location. The creatures found near the surface are going to be completely different to those found further down, for example. Scholars and zoologists believe that only a small percentage of the world's aquatic species have been discovered, with new ones seemingly being found fairly regularly.

At the same time, species found in the Great Sea often parallel with those found in land-based regions. Seals, for example, can be expected to be found both in the Great Sea and the coastal provinces of other regions. Whales are another common example, for they travel to shallower coastal areas in order to reproduce. Unfortunately, this makes some of these species vulnerable to poaching and excessive hunting by certain industries.