Emerald Sea
The Emerald Sea of the continent Eoperax stretches between the ancestral homelands of the Tathar people to the West and the Eshara people to the East. The Tatharian Empire's great Navy dominates these well mapped waters. The area near the Empire's shining star, the city of Tatharia Capitolina, is known as the Emerald Bay.
Fauna & Flora
The ecosystem of the Emerald Sea is a tapestry of both common and fantastical life, shaped by the unique mineral composition of its waters and the arcane remnants submerged below. Alongside typical marine life, such as the Emerald Tuna—a species of fish whose green-tinged scales reflect the very waters in which they swim—and the Silvershade Eel, a coastal delicacy, the sea is home to far rarer creatures of notable interest.
Chief among these are the Deepcrystal Leviathans, massive serpentine beasts believed to roam the deeper regions. Their scales, hardened to a near-adamantine quality, have sparked the theory that these creatures are sustained by the sea’s rich mineral deposits. Scholars speculate that the leviathans may rely on the sea's unique geology not only for sustenance but also for the reinforcement of their formidable armor.
Another extraordinary denizen is the Aetherwing Manta, a colossal ray whose gossamer wings seem to glow with an inner light. These creatures, native to the arcane-laden waters near the Thalorquian Trench, are thought to feed on residual magical energies. Sailors fortunate enough to witness them describe their passage as serene, though many believe the mantas to be omens of either great fortune or looming disaster.
The sea's lesser-known but highly valuable fauna include the Cynospora Shellfish, whose shells absorb latent magical energy from their surroundings. These enchanted shells have become prized commodities among enchanters, used in crafting magical wards and armaments due to their remarkable durability and arcane properties.
While the fauna of the Emerald Sea is well-studied, the flora presents an equally fascinating subject of inquiry. The depths support colonies of bioluminescent algae, which glow faintly beneath the surface, creating ethereal currents of light. These algae are believed to thrive on the copper and Adamantine deposits that lace the seabed, lending the water its distinctive green hue.
Natural Resources
The Emerald Sea’s natural wealth extends far beyond the fisheries that sustain the coastal populations. Its most striking feature—the vibrant green waters—has long been tied to the heavy concentrations of copper and traces of Adamantine along its shores. These metals not only color the water but also contribute significantly to the region's economy. Deposits of copper are harvested from coastal mines, while adamantine, though rarer, has been discovered in veins running through the cliffs that line the Emerald Bay.
Master Scholar Aberran’s theories regarding the presence of these metals on the seafloor, detailed in his treatise On the Properties of the Emerald Abyss, suggest that underwater mining operations could reveal even greater mineral wealth. However, due to the challenges of deep-sea exploration and the treacherous nature of the Thalorquian Trench, this remains largely unverified.
Aside from its metallic resources, the Emerald Sea provides unique organic materials. The Cynospora Shellfish, as noted above, possess arcane-absorbing shells that are in high demand among crafters and enchanters. These shells are harvested by divers who brave the sea’s deeper, more perilous regions to retrieve the valuable material.
Moreover, the sea harbors rich pearl beds, most famously producing the Tathar Pearl, known for its iridescent quality and subtle green glow. These pearls are not only prized for their beauty but also hold symbolic importance in the Empire, often worn by Tatharian nobility as a mark of status.
History
The Emerald Sea, once a wild and untamed expanse, has long served as both a natural barrier and a pathway between the ancestral lands of the Tathar and the Eshara. In the early days, the Tathar warlords viewed its waters as a shield against Eastern invaders, but as their ambitions grew, so did their mastery of the sea. What began as sporadic raids on Esharan shores eventually transformed into organized naval campaigns, laying the foundation for the Tatharian Empire's rise.
Meanwhile, the Eshara, renowned for their skill in navigation and exploration, charted much of the sea's hidden depths and ancient ruins, long before the Tatharians established their rule. For centuries, Esharan traders dominated its waters, connecting distant lands and cultures. Yet as the Empire expanded, their influence began to wane, their once-proud fleets dwarfed by the might of the Tatharian Navy.
Now, the Emerald Sea stands as a symbol of Tatharian dominance, but beneath the surface, the remnants of its older, more mysterious past linger—waiting to be discovered by those brave enough to sail beyond the Empire’s gaze.
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Sea
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