Waterways on Gallorea
The Aebasan Ocean
The Aebasan Ocean lies between Aurea, western Gallorea and the island of Dresta, including the Tangar Sea. The primary current is a strong warm current that flows from the Eternal Ocean in the southwest that meets a weaker, colder current flowing from the northwest, before merging with the Great Betshaban Drift in the Betshaban Ocean south of Ganesia. Winds in the southern region tend to blow in an easterly direct, winds in the north westerly. Therefore, oceanic travel northward typically takes a westerly route near Dresta or following the northerly currents in calm winds. Travel south is substantially more difficult without a strong wind to fight the northeasterly currents. There are some heavy storms and the rare hurricane that hits Medalia and Camaria in early autumn.
The warm waters in the southern reaches of the ocean are known to be populated by Tritons and a variety of sea giants, making travel in the deep oceans dangerous, though most of the threats are at least semi-intelligent, if territorial, and can generally be negotiated with when conditions are favorable.
The Betshaban Ocean
The Betshaban Ocean lies between the continents of Aurea, Duria and Gallorea and includes the Pirates' Sea and the Maroshan Sea near Duria and the Yglarsed Sea on the Gallorean coast. The ocean is dominated by the clockwise Betshaban Stream, which is fed by warm waters in the west from the Aebasan Ocean and warm waters from the Endless Ocean in the east. The Betshaban Stream tends to cool somewhat along the Durian coast, feeding into the Endless Ocean south of Danas. Prevailing winds in the southern Betshaban Ocean tend to move from the east, with the current, making westerly travel particularly easy for most ships and easterly travel extremely difficult. In the northern reaches, winds tend to move from the west, also with the current, making travel from Aurea to Duria particularly easy, though the converse more difficult. The currents and prevailing winds create a large calm area southwest of The Island of Tamarynd known affectionately as "Betshaba's Bosom". Ships who drift into Betshaba's Bosom are rarely heard from again. The northern reaches of the Betshaban Ocean are known for its legendary storms, particularly in autumn and winter. Hurricanes are a constant threat during the storm season, particularly along the Aurean coast and the northern Pirate Isles.
Though all oceans are claimed by Betshaba, the Betshaban Ocean is, obviously, considered particularly blessed (and cursed) by the Wave Queen. Though the Pirate Sea is considered by many to be appropriated by her greatest enemy, Taltos, the Deep Dweller. Most aquatic creatures, monstrous and sentinent, can be found in the Betshaban, though the most legendary creature known to travel Betshaba's ocean is the Leviathan, an impossibly huge whale said to be her personal eyes and ears in the mortal realm.
The Endless Ocean
The Endless Ocean lies to the east of the known world and is considered the eastern edge of the world by most. Known currents move predominantly northward, with a major warm current entering the Betshaban Ocean north of Haleland on the northeastern shores of Gallorea, forming the Betshaban Stream. The Betshaban stream cools substantially before re-entering the Endless Ocean just south of Danas, on the southern shore of Duria. The main current turns eastward once it reaches the easterly currents of the White Ocean.
The Endless Ocean is a place of legend and a source of fear for sailors who ply her waters, almost always hugging close to the shores. Fantastic creatures, all of which seeming to consider air-breathers a delicacy, ply her deep waters. The island of Kesh hangs off the eastern shores of Gallorea, the only known island in the Endless Ocean. Rumors are heard from Kesh traders of another continent to the east across the trackless waves, but most scholars consider these rumors little more than foundless myths.
The Eternal Ocean
The Eternal Ocean lies to the west of the known world. It has two known currents. The colder, northern current flows south, bringing cold waters from the White Ocean south along the western Auric coastline, feeding cold water into the Aebasan Ocean through the Tangar Sea. The warmer, southern current moves warm water north along the western shore of Gallorea, an stream feeding warm water into the Aebasan Ocean before the main current cuts west into the trackless sea.
There are no known land masses in the Eternal Ocean, nor even rumors of such. It is rumored that the Eternal Ocean literally goes on forever, though scholars knowledgeable about geography point out the world being round makes that theory little more than ignorant myth. Like the Endless Ocean in the east, the Eternal Ocean is home to numerous monstrous creatures of legendary size, some of which wander close enough to the continents to terrorize shipping.
Galek Sea
Gray Sea
The Great Southern Ocean
The Great Southern Ocean lies south of the continent of Gallorea and is dominated by a strong western current. This current whips into the Gray Sea, though it bypasses the Galek Sea. Winds tend to be extremely calm in the Great Southern Ocean, making travel by sail extremely difficult. Despite the lack of travel, there are rumors of a vast continent to the south covered in intractable forests and peopled by black-skinned humans who worship a ferocious serpent-god.
Lagorkan Bay
Ygarlsed Sea
| This article is part of the Player's Guide to Gallorea | |
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Introduction · Economics and Trade · Legends and History · Religion · Regions and Realms | |
| Regions and Realms on Gallorea | |
