Huntdowns Ocean

The Huntdowns Ocean is a vast, temperate, and enigmatic expanse stretching between Striror, Mauvaiscolac, Chaemyar, Tarnith, and Brocéliarm. Renowned as both a central hub of aquatic trade and a realm of peril, it supports unique ecosystems and boasts a variety of seascapes—from steady, reliable currents to iceberg fields and razor reefs. While many traders rely on its dependable routes, sailors fear its darker reaches, where ghost ships drift through eternal storms and ancient underwater caves conceal the haunting phenomenon known as the "Whispering Deep." Survivors of its more treacherous passages often speak of strange visions—memories not their own.

Climate & Currents

Temperate Climate

The Huntdowns Ocean maintains a balanced, cool climate with gradual seasonal transitions. Winters bring cooler, mist-laden air, and occasional storms, while summers are mild and calmer, promoting clearer navigation.

Consistent Currents

Known for its predictable currents, the ocean has been a dependable route for centuries, with a large central gyre that slowly churns from Chaemyar toward Brocéliarm and back. In the north near Tarnith, smaller counter-currents create eddies near coastal kelp forests, attracting both fish and seabirds.

Seasonal Storms

While mostly tranquil, the Huntdowns Ocean experiences intense seasonal storms, especially around its center. These storms, referred to as "the Beckoning Waves" by sailors, are fast-moving and short-lived but feared for their powerful squalls.

Ecosystem Features

Kelp Forests and Seagrass Meadows

Near Tarnith, dense kelp forests create an underwater maze that provides shelter and food for various marine species, including fish, invertebrates, and small sharks. The meadows are nurseries for young sea life and a prime habitat for marine birds.

Rolling Sand Dunes and Underwater Plateaus

The seabed near Chaemyar and Brocéliarm features rolling underwater dunes and large plateaus, which support colonies of benthic creatures like sea cucumbers and starfish. The dunes shift slowly with currents, revealing new beds of clams and other shellfish.

Hidden Caves and Caverns

Scattered throughout the Huntdowns Ocean, especially around its deeper central area, lie extensive networks of underwater caves. These caves are home to bioluminescent algae and strange, blind species adapted to the darkness, making them a point of fascination and danger.

Notable Environmental Characteristics

The Whispering Deep

A mysterious area of strong, echoing currents near the ocean’s center. As waves move through narrow channels between underwater rock formations, they create low, haunting sounds. Sailors say the sounds resemble whispered conversations, giving the phenomenon its name. Legends claim these echoes are messages from the souls of lost sailors.

Kelp Ring Shoals

Located just off the Tarnith coast, this large formation of circular kelp beds creates a ringed structure visible from above. Home to diverse fish populations, these shoals are protected by local fishing laws due to their ecological importance.

The Silver Tides

Near Brocéliarm, seasonal tidal movements bring up cold, mineral-rich waters, creating a temporary shimmering effect that sailors call the Silver Tides. This phenomenon draws schools of silver-scaled fish, often accompanied by seabirds and larger marine predators.

Notable Landmarks and Phenomena

The Lost Shelves

Off the coast of Chaemyar, this series of underwater plateaus drops steeply into deep trenches. Known for unusually tall sea fans and strange rock formations, the Lost Shelves are often cloaked in fog, leading to many shipwrecks over the years. Treasure hunters venture here, seeking remnants of sunken vessels.

The Greenway Path

Near Tarnith’s kelp forests, the Greenway Path is a narrow channel famous for its dense seaweed and algae blooms. This route has been used by seasoned sailors to navigate through calm but narrow waters, and is well-known for encounters with rare green sea turtles and other marine life.

The Singing Stones

A group of partially submerged stone formations near Chaemyar that produce harmonic sounds when hit by waves, which are amplified during storms. Some say the stones were placed by an ancient civilization as a warning or ritual area.

Mystical and Supernatural Elements

The Mirrors Below

A rarely-seen phenomenon, the "Mirrors Below" occur when certain patches of ocean water near Brocéliarm become unnaturally reflective. On these occasions, locals claim to see visions or memories reflected back at them. Known among mystics, it’s said these waters can reveal glimpses of the past to those who know how to look.

The Wailing Depths

A region near the Whispering Deep that sailors avoid, claiming to hear faint wails and cries that increase with the tides. Some believe this is caused by the peculiar currents or underwater structures, while others think it’s a resting place for shipwrecked souls seeking peace.

The Soul Markers

Tall, narrow rocks found scattered throughout the Huntdowns Ocean, resembling ancient gravestones. Superstition holds that each marker represents a soul lost at sea, and sailors often toss small offerings into the water when passing to honor them.
The Huntdowns Ocean embodies mystery, ecological wealth, and a reputation as both a necessary route and a place of unexplainable phenomena. From the kelp forests to the eerie Whispering Deep, it serves as a point of fascination and caution for those who cross it.

Type

Ocean