The Western Seas

## Quotes

The Western Seas, also known as Pacifica

"it was a name that evoked the soft and feathery kiss of waves rolling onto your bare feet...and a pale blue horizon, calm and serene, accompanied by the gentle whispers of a whimsical ocean breeze..."

"The Western Seas are perfectly contained chaos."

## Overview

The Western Seas was a name given to the vast ocean to the East of Caribbea and Colombo, by their respective peoples. Notably, the name "Pacifica" is the name given to the Western Seas by the people of Pacifica (Those who live outside of the mainland, on the many islands of the ocean). Once called the Pacific Ocean in the Old Age, the limits of the Western Seas are unknown and unexplored as of after the Great Calamity, and very little is known of it by the people on the mainland. However, both peoples hold the knowledge that the Western Seas continue far northward and southward, far beyond the current boundaries of Caribbea and Pacifica, from the Golden Shores (Califoirnia) through all the way past the Great Desolation (The Amazon Rainforest). For the people in Colombo, there is a negative association with the Western Seas due to its extensive storms, hurricanes, and massive tidal waves which prohibit any form of major settlement on the coast, depriving the already poverty striken people in the interior of the country from access to fertile lands. However for the people of Caribbea there is a neutral association because storms are not nearly as destructive up north, however travel is generally disincentivized due to the fact that many believe there is nothing to explore except "water" and it would be a waste of resources to do so. However, it is believed that in the year 310 AC, a large expedition of ten thousand explorers did in fact sail from Colombo into the Western Seas, though general history would suggest that they all but perished. It was only around 500 AC, two hundred years later, when coastal raids on Caribbea began occuring, that it was determined that these coastal raiders (called "The Sea People") were likely from the expedition in 300 AC. Notably however, because raids did not occur in Colombo (due to the storms), most people of Colombo still hold the belief that these early explorers perished and is still urban legend for the most part.

In Colombo, schoolchildren are taught of the destructive power of the Western Seas, known as "El Kalamitas," and this is facilitated through not only stories about hurricanes and massive tsunamis, but of treacherous sea monsters and mermaids. For those in Colombo who lack the privilege of early education, oral history and stories told by street hermits and common farmers still perpetuate similar stories of the Western Seas. It holds such as a strong association, that those with blue eyes are said to be "Devils/Witches of the Sea," bringing bad luck wherever they should tread and are generally considered outcasts in society. Desperation has pushed small numbers of people yearly to attempt settlement near the coasts of Colombo to reap the benefit of its fertile land, but most villages end up destroyed within ten years, usually by hurricanes. However, the people of Colombo are aware that the seas are much less destructive in Caribbea, which provides the association of the North being a much more habitable place.

For the people of Caribbea, many are taught of the most basic information of the Western Seas in schools, generally referring to history of the Old Age. Many coastal villages are present in Caribbea, which reap a bountiful harvest of fish, and the beauty of the Western Seas are generally appreciated throughout Caribbea. They are also frequent tourist and trading destinations, The people of Caribbea however are generally unaware of the destructive potential of the Seas in the south (due to the fact that there is practically nonexistant contact), and knowledge of this is usually only held by the upper class people of Caribbea. Though with appearance of the "Sea People," who are seen to originate from the Western Seas, there has been a growing animosity of the Western Seas due to the frequent coastal raids caused by the Sea People. For the purpose of defense of the Western Seas, some in the West Caribbea Trading Company have speculated constructing a navy to ward away invasions from the West, prompting the first instance of naval incursion into the Western Seas by the mainlanders in hundreds of years.