Sidhe Ocean

The Sidhe Ocean is a mystical and ethereal body of water that stretches along the western coast of Astrium, its tranquil surface often shimmering with a soft glow, especially under the light of the moon. Once merely known as the Western Ocean, its transformation came when the Aurora Coven attempted to overlay the Feywild onto the Material Plane. Though their efforts to merge the realms were ultimately halted, remnants of the Feywild have seeped into the ocean, leaving it a place of potent fey magic and fickle energies. The Summer Court holds the strongest influence here, particularly near the coasts of Aspor and Ofrana, and the ocean has become a place of beauty and peril, where nature is as unpredictable as the fey themselves. Its waters are rich with strange, exotic sea creatures, many influenced by fey magic, making it both a prime hunting ground for the orcish tribes of the Xublouze Archipelago and a dangerous place to sail. Sailors who venture into the Sidhe Ocean must not only contend with its capricious weather but also the unseen powers that lurk beneath its shimmering surface.
Points of Interest The Isle of the Forgotten A small, uncharted island hidden within the Sidhe Ocean, the Isle of the Forgotten is shrouded in mystery and magic. It is said that time flows differently here, with days stretching into years for those who linger too long. The island’s shores are lined with vibrant, oversized flora, and strange, elusive creatures roam the interior. Ancient ruins dot the landscape, their origin lost to time, though many believe them to be relics of a fey kingdom that once tried to claim dominion over the ocean. Legends say that sailors who are lost at sea may wash ashore here, but few ever return, and those that do speak of eerie, timeless experiences and encounters with spirits of the deep.
The Sea of Shimmering Lights A stretch of ocean where the waters glow with an almost unnatural luminescence, particularly at dusk and dawn. This breathtaking phenomenon is caused by a combination of bioluminescent plankton and the lingering fey magic in the region. Sailors and travelers who venture into this area are often mesmerized by the glowing waves, which seem to form patterns and even spell out messages for those who can interpret them. Some say the Sea of Shimmering Lights is a sacred place where the veil between the Material Plane and the Feywild is at its thinnest, making it a potential crossing point for those seeking passage to the other realm. However, the sea is also known to play tricks on the minds of those who sail through it, causing them to lose their way or fall prey to illusions.
The Ruined Coral City of Faedol Deep beneath the waters of the Sidhe Ocean lies the Coral City of Faedol, a sprawling, underwater fey city built from living coral and bioluminescent algae. This city is said to hohave been home to a population of sea fey—merfolk, nixies, and undines—who have lived in harmony with the ocean for centuries. The city’s architecture is fluid and organic, with twisting towers and glowing arches that seem to pulse with the rhythm of the ocean. The residents of Faedol are known to be secretive, but they sometimes trade with surface dwellers, offering rare pearls and enchanted items in exchange for goods from the land. Still to this day, entry to the city is restricted to those who possess an invitation, usually granted through fey favor or a dangerous quest.
The Gilded Reef A massive coral reef located on the eastern edge of the Sidhe Ocean, the Gilded Reef is so named for the golden hue of its coral, which is said to have been infused with the magic of the Summer Court. The reef is a marvel of natural beauty, with vibrant colors and a wide array of exotic sea life. However, it is also fiercely protected by the fey, who consider it sacred. Naiads and Selkies are often seen patrolling the waters, ensuring that no one disturbs the delicate balance of the reef. Divers who are able to explore its depths may find rare fey treasures hidden among the coral, but those who disrespect the reef may find themselves cursed or worse.
The Silver Strand A secluded beach located along the western coast of Ofrana, the Silver Strand is known for its unusual, silvery sand that glows faintly under the moonlight. It is said that the beach was blessed by the Feywild, and many believe it to be a meeting place for fey creatures during certain lunar phases. The beach is a place of great tranquility, but it also harbors a deep connection to the magic of the ocean. On rare occasions, portals to the Feywild are said to open along the shore, allowing travelers to cross into the realm of the fey. However, these portals are unpredictable, and those who step through may not return for many years, if at all. The Silver Strand is also home to rare sea creatures that seem to have fey origins, with shimmering scales and ethereal appearances.
The Sidhe Ocean is a place where the boundaries between realms blur, and its beauty is matched only by its danger. Those who travel its waters must respect the fey influence that lingers, for while the ocean offers great wonders, it also hides secrets and perils that have claimed many lives over the centuries.

Geography

The Sidhe Ocean is a vast, mysterious expanse off the west coast of Astrium, known for its shimmering, ethereal waters that seem to glow under the moonlight. It is said the ocean is enchanted by ancient fey magic, and it is said to be a gateway between realms. Sailors speak of strange, melodic whispers carried on the wind, while shimmering figures sometimes appear just beneath the waves.
The Sidhe Ocean is both beautiful and perilous, as its tranquil appearance can mask treacherous currents and unpredictable storms. Many believe that fey creatures and spirits of the deep protect the ocean, blessing those who respect it and punishing those who seek to exploit its riches.
Its waters are deceptively calm and crystal clear, with shimmering patches where fey magic lingers strongest. Beneath the waves, coral reefs glow with magical luminescence, while hidden ruins from both mortal and fey civilizations dot the ocean floor. Archipelagos like the Xublouze Islands and mysterious isles lie scattered throughout its expanse.

Ecosystem

The Sidhe Ocean’s ecosystem is vibrant and surreal, shaped by fey influence. Exotic sea creatures, both natural and magical, thrive in its waters. Fey-touched kelp forests sway like sentient beings, while bioluminescent plankton light up the surface. Predators and prey alike have evolved strange behaviors and appearances, from shimmering scales to semi-ethereal forms, blending the natural and supernatural.

Ecosystem Cycles

The Sidhe Ocean’s ecosystem cycles are tied to celestial and magical events, with changes occurring based on the alignment of stars or the waxing and waning of moons. During fey-aligned lunar phases, certain plants bloom with magical properties, and portals to the Feywild become more frequent. Migratory patterns of magical creatures often follow these shifts, while weather patterns grow more chaotic during the fey festivals of the Summer Court.

Localized Phenomena

• Shimmering Currents: Streams of glowing water that flow unpredictably, capable of transporting ships great distances—or leading them astray.
• Ethereal Storms: Feywild-infused storms that manifest as glowing clouds and rainbows, both awe-inspiring and dangerous.
• Whispering Waves: Soft, melodic sounds emanate from the ocean, believed to be the voices of sea fey or remnants of the Aurora Coven's magic.
• Temporal Tides: Some areas of the ocean cause a subtle distortion of time, where minutes may feel like hours—or years.

Climate

Just like the Fey, the Sidhe Ocean's climate is a fickle as the creatures that inhabit it's waters. generally a warmer ocean. It generally stays sunny, but is prone to flame storms if it gets too hot.
The Sidhe Ocean experiences a temperate climate with magical anomalies. Gentle breezes and warm currents are common, but sudden shifts to dazzling storms or eerie calm can occur. Its mystical nature creates a faint luminescence at night, especially during moonlit phases.

Fauna & Flora

Flora:

• Moonveil Kelp: A silvery, glowing kelp with restorative properties, used in potions and enchantments.
• Auroraflowers: Delicate, multicolored sea flowers that emit faint light and are prized for their magical essence.

Fauna:

• Fey Dolphins: Intelligent, shimmering creatures known for guiding lost sailors to safety—or peril.
• Glimmersquid: Semi-transparent, glowing squid that use their light to disorient predators and mesmerize prey.

Natural Resources

• Auroraglass Pearls: Rare pearls formed by fey-touched oysters, sought after for their magical resonance.
• Fey-Infused Coral: Magical coral with properties used in enchantments, healing, and artifact crafting.

History

The Sidhe Ocean was once just known as the Western Ocean, until the Aurora Coven (A Coven of ancient and powerful hags) attempted to overlay the Feywild with the material plane. Since the Aurora Coven has stopped elements of the Fey still remain along the outskirts of Aspor and Ofrana. While the fey dont have a full purchase on Astrium, their influence is heavy within this ocean expanse. The Fey's influence is noted by the fickle climate, becoming prone to flamestorms as the summer court remains the strongest area of influence there.
Throughout the years, many fey have tried to rule claim over ths ocean, but were kept at bay by the peoples of the western side of Astrium. Many sea creatures that venture through these waters are hunted by the orcish people of the Xublouze Archipelago as test of strength and maturity amongst their tribes.
The Sidhe Ocean is a vast, mysterious expanse off the west coast of Astrium, known for its shimmering, ethereal waters that seem to glow under the moonlight. It is said the ocean is enchanted by ancient fey magic, and it is said to be a gateway between realms. Sailors speak of strange, melodic whispers carried on the wind, while shimmering figures sometimes appear just beneath the waves. The Sidhe Ocean is both beautiful and perilous, as its tranquil appearance can mask treacherous currents and unpredictable storms. Many believe that fey creatures and spirits of the deep protect the ocean, blessing those who respect it and punishing those who seek to exploit its riches.
Just like the Fey, the Sidhe Ocean's climate is a fickle as the creatures that inhabit it's waters. generally a warmer ocean. It generally stays sunny, but is prone to flame storms if it gets too hot.

Tourism

The Sidhe Ocean attracts explorers, scholars, and adventurers eager to witness its beauty and unravel its mysteries. Guided expeditions offer glimpses of its luminescent waters, ruins, and magical flora, while daring sailors hunt for fabled treasures. However, its dangers deter casual tourists, with most visits requiring careful preparation or alliances with the fey.
Point of Interest

• The Isle of the Forgotten: A hidden island where time flows strangely, home to oversized flora, ancient ruins, and eerie phenomena. Many who find it never return, and those who do speak of spirits and timeless magic.
• The Sea of Shimmering Lights: A glowing stretch of water where bioluminescence meets fey magic, creating mesmerizing patterns and a thin veil to the Feywild. Known for illusions and disorienting travelers.

• The Ruined Coral City of Faedol: An underwater fey city of bioluminescent coral and sea fey inhabitants. Its architecture pulses with the ocean’s rhythm, and access is restricted without fey favor.
• The Gilded Reef: A sacred coral reef infused with Summer Court magic, glowing gold and teeming with exotic sea life. Guarded by naiads and selkies, it hides treasures and fey secrets.
• The Silver Strand: A silvery, moonlit beach on Ofrana’s western coast, known for its tranquil beauty and occasional portals to the Feywild. Rare fey creatures are often seen here.

Alternative Name(s)

Feytide

Type

Ocean