Targosa

Targosa (pronounced TAR-go-sa) is an island continent located to the northwest of The Mainland, past the Sea of Mists and within the Pilgrim's Deep, the sea that surrounds Targosa itself. Since its discovery, Targosa has been the target of diplomatic, commerce, and explorative missions, believing to possess the secrets of an ancient civilization. The unique flora and fauna of the continent is of interest to biologists, researchers, scholars, and collectors.

Targosa was initially deduced to exist in 803 PGW and officially in 897 PGW. Targosa from early observation through traditional and magical means shows that it is roughly circular in shape, has several different regions with varying ecosystems and biomes. Each region is divided into different "layers" or tiers separated by massive cliffs , traversing between regions is only available through narrow steppes. Magical transportation within Targosa is not recommended, adverse effects are common and the cause is being investigated.

Currently, The Imperium is the only nation to have colonized Targosa, with three settlements: Anchorage, Persepolis, and Augustus Outpost. However there are rumors of a free port, Sanctuary, that is established in an unknown region of Targosa and that slavers are finding their way to the continent for unknown purposes. There are also concerns that the theocracy of Pyridia is setting their sights on the island continent, whether its for their own schemes or to disrupt the Imperium is not yet known.

## History

Targosa was rumored to exist through different observations made by separate academics. In 802 PGW, the mathematician and sailor, Labatt Emerson, found himself off schedule when sailing the Sunset Sea to the northwest of the Mainland. After taking a year running calculations and analyzing the currents in the region, Labatt had deducted that there was a sizable landmass within the Sea of Mists causing the disruption. At the time, the Sea of Mists was not traversable and scrying into the ocean was cumbersome and inaccurate.

By 822 PGW, magician Roland Goreng and scholar Pecinta de Kucing used Labatt's calculations within a personally built scrying amplifier. They were shocked to find that the Sea of Mists eventually calmed into a teal expanse that they eventually named the Pilgrim's Deep. Although they weren't able to gaze upon Targosa itself due to strange interference, they noted their findings in several papers and were confident in its existence.

After the dissemination of their research, investment in its official discovery rose exponentially. Blueprints were drawn up to build ships capable of withstanding the unnatural forces of the Sea of Mists and navigational tools were in development to guide their journey. However, progress was not shared between different countries and was incredibly competitive. Money was split between finding effective sailors willing to risk their lives and buying out researchers and scientists who worked for the highest bidder.

Progress was slowed in 860 PGW when the Ladoerin Feud began, fully stopping by 865 PGW when Emperor Eridia (previously King Eridia) created the Imperium. By 889 PGW and the Coalition Wars had subsidized and the Imperium was brought to balance, Emperor Eridia formally restarted the efforts to discover Targosa. Combining research of the now assimilated countries under the Imperium, progress was made extremely quickly. Through joint efforts of several groups of mages, the Tidestones were created to navigate ships through the Sea of Mists.

After several failed expeditions and missing crews lost to the Sea of Mists, Captain Jakod and his crew aboard The Herald successfully arrived in Targosa in 897 PGW. He famously exclaimed upon seeing the island continent, "how does that even work?!". He was also joined by Archmage Runwald who successfully navigated him using his own Tidestone.

Over the next 30 years, civilization was piece by piece brought to Targosa.

## Regions

### The Eridian Grasslands

The southern most region of Targosa and one of three regions accessible by ship. Named after the Emperor, the grasslands is an abundant landscape teeming with wildlife, natural resources, and traversable terrain. With many similarities to flora and fauna on the Mainland and access to the sea, the grasslands were an ideal location to establish the first settlement on Targosa, Anchorage.

The Eridian Grasslands has been mapped extensively through efforts of The Imperium and the League of Explorers. Plans to settle further into the grasslands is hindered by limited population, resources, and a lack of defenses against natural predators and malicious creatures.

#### Significant Locations

* Anchorage
* Augustus Outpost
* Ohlenvale Forest

### The Stonehollow Crags

A region near the middle of the continent, reportedly with sparse vegetation growth and an inhospitable landscape. Wildlife in this region is scarce, either small creatures that are nimble and can hide in crevasses, or oversized bestial creatures that hunt for food and sport alike.

The Tempest Ravine was scouted in 912 PGW as an alternate entrance deeper into the continent. Although incredibly precarious, it provided a staging ground for expeditions immediately into the most mysterious areas of Targosa. Currently, only members of the Imperial Vanguard and royal appointees are allowed access to the single settlement at the end of the Tempest Ravine, Persepolis.

Due to the region's relatively easier access to its underground sub regions, Persepolis is being tested as a mining colony for residuum.

### Dark Forest Region

Seen in Ten'krov's vision, a region of Targosa that contains dense and gloomy woods.