The Argony Sea

## Overview

As the largest inland freshwater sea on Callax, the truly massive Argony Sea holds significant cultural, ecological, and economic importance. Its shores touch the boundaries of various countries and regions, including Parinar, Qarnath, Varnara, the autonomous region of New Bray'ed, and Norvia. Home to thousands of islands, the two largest stand out: Hermit's Cottage and Makko, each carrying unique historical significance and rich folklore.

## Geography

The Argony Sea is located near the center of the mega continent, Tarn. It is surrounded by diverse landscapes, from the expansive shores of Parinar to the north, east, and west, the small strips of forested coast in Norvia and the Agony Flats of New Bray'ed, to the desert lands of Qarnath to the southwest and Varnara to the southeast. Its shores provide an array of geographical features, from white sandy beaches to rocky cliffs, and it serves as a natural boundary separating numerous countries and regions.

## Islands of Argony Sea

### Hermit's Cottage

Closer to New Bray'ed, Hermit's Cottage is part of the autonomous region and is shrouded in mystery and legend. The island is said to have been the home of Fi'rel Yilla, a unique figure in Callaxian history who, according to legend, existed outside of the Stratum. This isolationist life led to a dark tale of her slaying two teenage boys, an event that continues to be debated by historians.

### Makko

The island of Makko, belonging to Parinar, is also a site of historical importance. It's most famously known from the tragic tale of Ra'la and T'ren, a love story between two women of different classes that ended in tragedy and served as a potent reminder of the social boundaries imposed by the Stratum.

## Tides

The tidal phenomena on Callax, primarily influenced by its two moons, Fo'mul and Go'mul, and the massive gas giant Xanthis, are of great significance to the Argony Sea and its surrounding regions. Callaxians have adapted to the strong tidal forces with various strategies, including building on higher ground, constructing coastal barriers, employing floating structures, and developing adjustable infrastructure. This adaptability has enabled them to create thriving coastal communities around the Argony Sea.

## Climate

The Argony Sea enjoys a diverse range of climatic conditions due to its extensive geographical range and varying landscapes. In general, the sea's climate can be described as temperate with warm summers and cool winters. However, regional variations in climate can be quite distinct. The coastal areas of Norvia and Parinar experience more humid and wetter conditions, while the southern coastlines of Qarnath and Varnara are arid and dry.

## Coastal Countries and Regions

### Parinar

As the country with the most extensive coastline along the Argony Sea, Parinar is a bustling maritime nation. Its people have a rich history of seafaring and trade, skills that have been honed over centuries of living along the vast coastline. There are many highly populated cities along the coasts of Parinar and the Argony Sea.

### Qarnath

The desert country of Qarnath, despite its arid environment, has an important coastal region along the Argony Sea. In recent years, the country has been grappling with the rising power of cartels and the resulting increase in violence, poverty, drug use, and production. Many thousands of kilos of drugs are shipped to various countries, mostly Parinar, via the Argony Sea.

### Varnara

Sharing a coastal border with the Argony Sea, Varnara's relationship with the sea has been shaped by its shared history with Qarnath. The two countries used to form a unified nation, Varqarn, before a civil war led to their separation. The sea now serves as the man seperation point between the two countries.

### New Bray'ed

New Bray'ed, an autonomous region that includes the city and surrounding areas, also shares a coastline with the Argony Sea via the Argony Flats, an extensive salt flat east of the city. Home to the Calla Complex and the de facto Calla Monarchy, New Bray'ed is a major cultural and religious hub on Callax.

### Norvia

Though it has the smallest coastal section, Norvia's connection to the Argony Sea is nonetheless significant, as there is a major port there. Known for its dense forests, Norvia shares linguistic and cultural ties with the other coastal nations, particularly through the widespread use of Norvian as the lingua franca of Callax.