The Niashard Sea

Written by Nestor Alren

Geography

The expanse of the Niashard Sea is the central geographic feature of the Kingdom of Nemea. It is approximately 2.8 million square kilometers. It has a north-to-south reach of about four thousand kilometers, and is just under two thousand kilometers at its widest point, between the provinces of Dyodia and Myrea. It is surrounded by the island province of Beleterra to the north, The Southlands to the south, and The Lost Lands are located on the southern part of its western shore. It feeds into the Jade Ocean to the north, and the Sea of Sorrows and Depths of Scarsgate to the south. It is also connected to the Omicli Sea, and fed by waters from the Feather Sea, and via the Threshold and the Bay of Ash. Significant islands, other than Beleterra, include Corlio and Corlia (Myrea), Zis (Myrea), Vanax (Myrea), and Horn Island (Beleterra). While most of the Niashard Sea is fairly shallow, there are underwater caves near Corycus and Kianini that have no known bottom. Commonly referred to as the Bottomless Caves in both locations, underwater explorers have disappeared in their depths. Otherwise, the points farthest from land are around five thousand meters at their deepest.

Ecosystem

The clarity of the water in the Niashard Sea runs from very good to good. It is replete with fish, mollusks, seahorses, and dolphins. In its northernmost crannies, off the coast of Beleterra, there are rumors of merfolk and seahorses large enough to be ridden by a human. But these are as yet undocumented by science or scholars. The fish and mollusks provide food and funds to much of the coastal Nemean populace. The Dolphins? Now, that's another story.

Localized Phenomena

by Mark Harpur

The one environmental drawback to living along the coast of the Niashard Sea - Tsunamis. There is, and always has been, fairly significant seismic activity in Nemea, and one part of that is Tsunamis. Anytime there is a groundshake, the local populace knows to aim for higher ground, and many structures are built with this in mind.

History

The regions surrounding the Niashard Sea were not always united. After the Desolation, not much is recorded, but eventually, the four Great Houses established their control over what is now considered their provinces, and The Divine Duality, presumably under the leadership of Alcides himself, joined three of them together under the monarchy of House Tinscuil. Who was the first King? Alcides, of course. But who came after? There are some who say it was Mikalos Tinscuil, there at the very beginning. But their evidence is lacking, only rumor and hearsay.

Decorated sword in grass field by Ricardo Cruz

The fourth Great House, House Ursanaa, was busy fighting wars on its other borders, and had many reasons why it did not initially join Nemea. But eventually, even they joined. Some say because of a close bond between Houses Ursanaa and Tinscuil, and sure enough, Governor Eileithyia Ursanaa is married to King Mikalos' brother, Drew Tinscuil T'Ursanaa, today.

by Antigoni Karakoulli

Type

Sea

Ruling/Owning Rank

Monarch

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Dolphins

The dolphins in the Niashard Sea seem to congregate near the northern island province of Beleterra. There are reports of them assisting sailors in the waters of the Omicli Sea and the Penedare Gulf, and near Horn Island. It is thought possible that they have an intelligence that surpasses other non-human species. Possibly even more intriguing are the rumors that some members of House Danais have a sort of silent communication with them. Since no data has been collected to support these rumors, they should be generally disregarded.

by Flavio Gasperini