The Golden Gulf
The waters of the Gilded Sea may be dangerous, but they are a salvager's dream.The Golden Gulf is located south of Sonsbury and northeast of Percantia. Several port cities line the coast of the gulf, most notably the border city of Highfall. Although a majority of the gulf is safe for sailing, ships can only enter it through a narrow pass between sharp, underwater rocks and islands. Many ships have sunk, having been blown off course. The Gulf was named for the many aquatic species that are exclusive to its warm, calm waters, which happen to have scales that sparkle like flecks of gold.
History
Mapping the Gold Teeth
Once, the waters of the Golden Gulf were considered virtually unreachable by sea. Only the most skilled sailors and casters were able to navigate the Gold Teeth. In 143 BMR, expert cartographers were hired by the Goldmouth Silk Co. (GSC) to map out the Teeth. These maps were kept under lock and key for decades, allowing the GSC to monopolize trading in the Gulf.Captain Holler
In 127 BMR, the maps were stolen by an unknown employee, copied, and sold to the highest bidder, the pirate Captain Holler. This lead to a golden age of piracy in the Golden Gulf, as Captain Holler and his fleet raided Goldmouth Silk Co ships. In 122 BMR, the maps of the gulf were released by the GSC for public use, allowing more assistance by other companies in fighting off the pirate menace. In 121 BMR, Captain Holler was finally defeated and hanged.The Doubloon and Salvage companies.
In 121 BMR, the final remaining ship in the late Holler's fleet, The Doubloon, full of gold from the remains of the Captain's personal cache, sunk as it was trying to leave the Gulf. Its great treasures have been lost to this day.Salvage companies opened in 15 BMR. Stripping the many sunken ships of the golden teeth of materials and cargo was the perfect task for the adventerous types that were so common at the time. these companies had to temporarily close in 11 BMR, but reopened to salvage sunken warships after The Last Gilded War.
The Last Gilded War
The Golden Gulf was highly contested during The Last Guilded War, being an important for the trading lines of both Percantia and Sonsbury. Many naval battles were had both within and along the entrance to the Gulf, ending in Percantia barricading the Golden Teeth until the war was resolved. Percantia maintains control of a majority of the gulf to this day.Present Day
The Golden Gulf has a healthy trading economy, however Percantia holds most control over the region. The GSC is no longer the economic behemoth it once was, having lost exclusive rights to the Gulf, but the company is still a contender among the rest. The most lucrative enterprize, however, is salvage. Many salvage crews still search for the lost wreck of The Doubloon, giving tours to fund expeditions.Geography
The Golden Gulf is surrounded on three sides by Sonsbury and Percantia. The mouth of the gulf is dotted with islands. A reef of sharp rocks, often called the Gold Teeth, coats the shallow entrance of the gulf. Only a narrow pass is open for ships to enter or exit. Various shipwrecks are used as navigatation markers, revealing where the crags are below the surface.
Fauna & Flora
The Gold Coast is home to many species of marine life found nowhere else. Most notable are the Golden Guppies, known for their shiny gold scales. Although many other species have golden markings, only the Guppies are completely covered in the metallic hue. The fish of the Gulf are sought after as exotic pets, or even revered as a sign from the gods of the riches to be had in the Gulf. The believers in these creatures are called Gilderous Ones.
Tourism
Many tourists flock to the beaches of the Golden Gulf. Not only are the beaches themselves beautiful and temperate, but many legends of the pirate scourge are present along the coast, especially in Goldmouth. Some salvage crews take tourists on scripted cruises, showing off their greatest scores. There is also a museum dedicated to Captain Holler within the original Goldmouth Silk Co. tower.
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