Luari Ocean

The ocean, fearless beast as she is, and her fathomless depths that fair brim with mystery...

The Luari Ocean is Istralar's largest ocean, stretching from the eastern reaches of Xin-Jiyu and Takawaoku all the way to Iskaldhal and the storm-hidden shores of Kudara. Its depths have given rise to legendary heroes and birthed the most terrifying of monsters, and hold untold treasures alongside countless watery graves.
The ocean has had many names over its time, and some cultures prefer to instead consider it to be comprised of two smaller oceans, divided by the planet's equator. Aside from the common 'North Luari Ocean' and 'South Luari Ocean' monikers, one of the more interesting names for this split ocean system is to name it after the dragons of the sun and moon: Lutusi and Sinaske. In these cases, the ocean becomes the Lutauri and Sinauri Oceans. The split derives from the fact that when it is day in one side of the ocean, it shall be night in the other, and is assumed to have been propagated by Istralar's draconic populace.

Geography

Endless expanses of everlasting blue...

The Luari ocean is a vast and vibrant body of water, its geography changing wildly from one area to the next as the ocean's bathymetry shifts. Close to land, where the shelf provided by the planet's five great continents and frozen caps provides support, the structures are most vivid and varied. These are where coral reefs and shipwrecks most commonly rest, forming shelters amidst rocky structures for marine life.

Ruins in the Luari by Hanhula (via Midjourney)

As one heads away from the continental shelves and into open ocean, the steep descent down the continental slope leads away from the epipelagic zone (the two hundred metres of water where sunlight is most present) into the depths of the mesopelagic zone, then further to much deeper depths.
The lowest point of the Luari Ocean is within the Abyssal Trench, and indeed is considered to be the deepest depth known to be accessible on Istralar - so deep, in fact, that none have survived the descent. It is rumoured that as Kyöpelinvuori leads to the stars above, the Abyssal Trench instead leads to the Abyss - hence its name.
Iskaldhal's mountainous nature is reflected in the rough, mountainous nature of the north-eastern areas of the Luari, as the continental slope is interrupted by a series of mountains and undersea volcanos. The ridge continues down from this north-eastern vantage point and curls around to the southern icecap, binding the two together.

Over the years, mortals and gods have scarred even the depths of the Luari. In many places and especially the west, the ocean's abyssal plains are disrupted by a series of unnatural spires and craters where once, gods fought their battles. Around the equator and off the coast of the Sunari wilderness lies the worst of this magical carnage - a grand volcano still spews corrupted magic into the oceans, alone, where no volcano should be. It lies unnamed, for it is said to be a bringer of bad luck to even think on it - and Vexua has since laid claim.
Mortal wars and travel, too, have littered mortalkind's presence throughout the ocean. Grand ruins and shipwrecks are strewn throughout the vast sea, offering habitat to marine life. Some ruins merely appear to be so, even, and are in fact grander dwellings for the ocean's more dangerous residents. These, however, keep their presence very, very quiet.

Climate

It's wet!

— self-claimed oceanographer and climatologist, age 6

Fauna & Flora

Well, there's the fish. And the microbial life. And the fish. And the people, though I still don't know why. And the fish. And the horrifying sea monsters that might be planning to take over the planet.
Did I mention the fish?

— oceanographer

The Luari is an immense body of water. Cataloguing the sheer variety of life teeming within it is an impossible task - though some try, regardless.
As mentioned above, coral formations, shipwrecks, reefs, and even corpes of other creatures provide habitats for a wide variety of life in the highest reaches of the ocean where the sun can still reach. Larger creatures such as whales and dolphins are not uncommon, and regularly interact with sapient life that dwells within. In the darker depths, bioluminescent species and those uniquely adapted to high-pressure environments thrive in their silent cut-throat wars.
But these are the non-sapient and largely mundane creatures. When one considers the magical inhabitants of the sea, the waters seem far more ominous. Sapient beings like the tritons and cecaelia build immense cities and nations, the largest and most known of which is Laminaeles. Many nations, in fact, remain completely unknown in the eyes of the surface-dwelling species.

Life in the Luari by Hanhula (via Midjourney)

Their lives are alien and unmistakeable, characterised by their unique undersea magics and technology, and it is only in the remnants of what washes up on shore or is captured in the odd fisherman's net or successful scry that gives insight to this subaquatic world.
Threats, however, are far more prevalent in the deep. It is not merely dragons that those who dwell in the depths must watch for, but sea serpents, alghollthu, and other faceless, serpentine beasts. They hold equal - or greater - intelligence to many of the other sapient beings that walk Istralar's surface, and out of sight, many bide their time for their perfect opportunity to act.

There are many who claim to own the ocean. They forget that she is her own master, as wild as the saltspray, and as unfathomable as the depths. They'll remember in time. They always do.

— avatar of Luari Ocean

Warning! This article deals with deep-sea topics and imagery.

Depths of the Luari by Hanhula (via Midjourney)

Type

Ocean

Location under

Istralar

Included Locations

• Arcayah
• Krtajala

Included Organizations

• Laminaeles

Related Tradition (Primary)

• Luari Cuiseane
• Seabirth

Inhabiting Species

• Cecaelia
• Merfolk
• Shape of Nothing
• Triton

Oceanic Travel

Over the years, mortalkind have found many ways of traversing the treacherous waves and depths of the Luari and Istralar's other oceans. Some favourites include merchant galleys and magic-powered airships to sail over the surface, and enchanted chariots that brave the depths.
Few are brave enough to seek the darker depths of the ocean. Even with magic, the high pressure and dangerous conditions make the trip nigh impossible. Those who succeed carry with them the blessing of gods, or the knowledge of thousands.

Abyss of the Luari by Hanhula (via Midjourney)

What the fuck do you mean the LEVIATHAN ISN'T A MYTH?!

— panicking captain

Music of the Depths

Hello, breathing one. by Hanhula (via Midjourney)