Arching Channel

The Arching Channel is a vast expanse of water that separates an island to the east where the Kingdom of Markia can be found from the mainland to the west where the Kingdom of Lavonia has been established. The channel is a winding waterway that cuts through towering cliffs and rocky outcroppings, providing a treacherous yet beautiful passage for those brave enough to navigate its waters. The geography surrounding the channel is varied, with steep cliffs rising from the water on both sides, and rocky outcroppings dotting the channel's depths. The channel itself is wide, with an average depth of 200 feet and a maximum depth of 400 feet. The water in the channel is crystal clear, allowing one to see the abundant marine life swimming beneath the surface.
The current in the Arching Channel is strong and fast-moving, making it difficult for even the most experienced sailors to navigate. The channel's currents are influenced by the tides, which can create whirlpools and eddies in the water.
The marine life in the Arching Channel is diverse, with schools of colorful fish, dolphins, and whales swimming through its depths. The rocky outcroppings are home to a variety of crustaceans, and large sea turtles can be seen basking in the sun on the rocky shores.
On the mainland side of the channel, lush forests grow right up to the edge of the cliffs, while on the island side, craggy mountains rise from the shoreline. The climate around the Arching Channel is temperate, with warm summers and cool winters. The channel itself provides a source of fresh water for the surrounding areas, with numerous small streams and rivers flowing into it.
There is a unique feature of the waters in the Arching Channel that has long been a source of mystery and intrigue for sailors and adventurers alike. The channel's depths are home to a series of underwater caves and tunnels that are known to be incredibly complex and difficult to navigate. Many sailors have reported hearing strange, haunting melodies emanating from the caves, leading to rumors and legends about merfolk and other sea creatures who might be living in the depths of the channel. While there is no concrete evidence to support these rumors, some adventurers have reported seeing glimpses of shimmering tails and other unusual sights in the depths.
The existence of the underwater caves and the rumors of merfolk have led many to wonder what other secrets might be hiding in the depths of the Arching Channel. Some believe that there could be untold treasures, lost artifacts, or even ancient civilizations waiting to be discovered in the underwater caves.
Of course, exploring the caves is not without its dangers, with treacherous currents, sharp rocks, and other hazards lurking in the depths. But for those brave enough to take the risk, the possibility of uncovering deep secrets and unlocking the mysteries of the Arching Channel's underwater world is too tantalizing to resist.

Ecosystem

The Arching Channel is home to a diverse and unique ecosystem, both in the open waters and in the caverns beneath the cliffs. One unique localized phenomena in the Arching Channel is the occurrence of bioluminescent plankton blooms during the summer months. These tiny organisms light up the water with a glowing blue-green hue, creating a stunning natural light show in the channel's depths. In addition to the plankton blooms, the open waters of the Arching Channel boast vast kelp forests. These underwater forests are made up of towering kelp plants that can grow up to 100 feet tall and create a dense, labyrinthine habitat for a variety of marine life. Some of the creatures that can be found in the kelp forests include sea otters, sea urchins, bull sharks, giant octopuses, and schools of fish, among others.
Meanwhile, in the caverns beneath the cliffs, blind cave fish, cave crickets, crustaceans, bioluminescent jellyfish, and eels can be found. These creatures have adapted to living in complete darkness and make their homes in the dark crevices of the caverns. The caverns also provide a hiding place for the giant squid, which can grow up to 40 feet long.
Stormcrawlers
In addition to the other unique features of the Arching Channel's ecosystem, there is a type of giant serpents known as "Stormcrawlers" that inhabit the channel. These massive creatures can grow up to 30 feet long and travel up and down the channel primarily during stormy weather, hunting for food. Stormcrawlers have long whiskers that they use as sensory organs, helping them locate prey even in the darkest depths of the channel. Their jaws are hinged like a snake, allowing them to swallow prey whole, and they have a brightly colored powerful tailfin that they use to propel themselves through the water.
Interestingly, there is a distinct difference in coloration patterns between male and female Stormcrawlers. Females have bright, vividly colored tailfins, while males have more subdued, mottled coloration. This is because females use their bright colors to attract males during mating season, while males use their more camouflaged colors to blend in with their surroundings and avoid being seen by predators or while hunting.
Stormcrawlers primarily feed on fish and other small marine creatures, but they have been known to attack larger prey such as sea turtles or even other Stormcrawlers. While they can be a beautiful sight to see gliding gracefully through the water, they are also quite dangerous and should be approached with caution.

Localized Phenomena

One unique localized phenomena in the Arching Channel is the occurrence of bioluminescent plankton blooms during the summer months. These tiny organisms light up the water with a glowing blue-green hue, creating a stunning natural light show in the channel's depths. The plankton blooms are believed to be caused by a combination of warm water temperatures and nutrient-rich waters flowing in from the surrounding streams and rivers. The blooms can last for several weeks and are most visible at night, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that has enchanted sailors for centuries.
Legend has it that the bioluminescence is caused by the spirits of lost sailors who have found a new home in the plankton. Some believe that the glowing waters are a warning to sailors of the dangers that lie ahead, while others see them as a sign of good luck and safe passage through the channel.
Regardless of the folklore surrounding the phenomenon, the bioluminescent plankton blooms are a truly magical experience that draws visitors from far and wide to witness the channel's natural beauty.

Fauna & Flora

The Arching Channel boasts a large number of underwater plants and sea life that travel the brackish channel:
Flora

• Tower Kelp: This species of kelp can grom up to 100 feet in height and creates dense forests for the various marine life
• Titan Moss: Cousin to freshwater moss, this species is a keystone to many of the wildlife as it provides bedding and sustenance to krill and shrimp
• Wisteria: The normally floating vegetation will sometimes hang from cliffs and rocky faces that bloom out beautiful purplish blue vine flowers. This adds a touch of color to the region

Fauna

• Fish: Various schooling fish can be found in the region. Giant barracudas are a key apex predator within this ecosystem
• Mammals: Sea otters, dolphins, and whales are but a few species that make these waters their homes
• Sharks: Bull sharks, hammerheads, and makos stalk the region in the shallow waters and the kelp forests seem to be their favorite hunting ground
• Sea Turtles: Giant sea turtles travel the channel's currents and can be found diving into the mouths of caverns to hunt for jellyfish

Caverns

• Giant Eels: Twisting around in the various rock crevices, various species of eels make the darker waters their homes
• Crustaceans: Gigantism seems to affect some of the local crustaceans as it is not uncommon to find crabs, lobsters, and even shrimp that have doubled in their normal size
• Bioluminescent Jellyfish: An odd species of jellyfish that float near the dark mouths of the caverns below the waters, feeding on the plankton that the currents will bring to them
• Giant Squid: A rarity to see out in the open, these 40-foot-long beasts rather spend their time in the deeper portion of the waters and hide in the caverns, only leaving to hunt

Average Depth 
200 feet
Maximum Depth 
400 feet

Type

River