The Sea of Shadows

The Sea of Shadows covers more than half of the Sunken Lands and divides the Graycliffs into two regions. Most of the Sea of Shadows is very cold, but parts of the Sea are warmed by underwater volcanic activity. These volcanoes also create many islands throughout the Sea which are home to a number of inhabitants. The lowest layer of the Sea of Clouds hangs over the Sea of Shadows for much of the year, although in the summer it grows warm enough that the mist lifts. This mist, combined with the already low amount of light, makes navigating the Sea of Shadows very difficult. Navigation using the stars is not possible, so sailors are forced to use routes with reliable landmarks, or risk wandering into dangerous waters.
With the many places to hide, consistent trade routes, and low presence of any formal navy, the Sea of Shadows has become a haven for pirates and smugglers. Pirates quickly strike at ships transporting materials between different ports, then disappear back into the mists to hide out on whatever island they have claimed for themselves. Smugglers use trade routes through the Sunken Lands to covertly sneak contraband around without worrying about inspections by surface navies. To protect themselves most ships need to either be piloted by a captain skilled enough to outrun any pursuers while avoiding hidden dangerous, such as large rocks covered by mist, or maintain a large enough armed guard to stave off attacks.
The Sea of Shadows is also notably home to many terrifying creatures. Ancient leviathans live deep within its waters, and occasionally come up to the surface, often with devastating results for those who dwell near the shore. Some of these creatures worshipped as gods, and people make sacrifices in order to appease them. Others are more malicious, and merely destroy whatever they feel like, before sinking back into the depths. Those who are able to hunt these immense creatures are guaranteed fame and fortune, but the number who succeed at this task is much small than the number who attempt it.
Despite all these dangerous, many ships do still travel the Sea of Shadows for one key reason: It is frequently the only option. Traversing the Sea of Clouds is dependent on where the roots of the World Tree happen to be. It is not uncommon for connections between islands to be completely severed for long periods of time, in which case, descending into the Sunken Lands below and transporting goods across the Sea of Shadows can become the only option.

Type

Ocean

Location under

The Sunken Lands