Sarusan

From PathfinderWiki
The continent of Sarusan, with the Valashmai Sea separating it from Tian Xia to its north.

The least-understood of Golarion's continents (and also its smallest), Sarusan is located in a trackless sea south of Tian Xia's Valashmai peninsula. Far from the trade winds, all available information on Sarusan comes from ancient accounts, because few modern expeditions have successfully returned after journeying there, and those few who claim to have reached Sarusan are stripped of their memory of their experiences.1 According to these stories, Sarusan is completely alien from the modern world. It is said to be a diverse land, containing dense jungles, expansive plains, and harsh deserts.234

History

According to legend, Sarusan and Tian Xia once formed a gigantic supercontinent, connected by a great land bridge. Long before the first Tian nations rose, the empire of Taumata was said to stretch from southern Tian Xia to Sarusan itself, but due to their hubris, the gods destroyed Taumata's people and the land they lived on. The archipelago of Minata is said to be the remnants of this land bridge.56 Uncannily smooth obelisks on Sarusan hint at the ancient serpentfolk empire having a foothold on the continent as well.7

Inhabitants

Some believe that the Tian-Sing, the dark-skinned humans of the reed boat culture of Minata are descended from humans who once called Sarusan home. Unfortunately, all of this information comes secondhand, from an earlier age.126

Fauna

Enormous mammals inhabit the continent, some of which have gone extinct elsewhere in Golarion and some of which are utterly unknown.2 Sarusan's fauna includes many marsupials (mammals who carry their young in pouches) such as the thylacine.8

Supernatural dangers

Contributing to Sarusan's dread reputation, those who venture near the continent mysteriously forget the details of the place shortly after departing.9

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.

  1. 1.0 1.1 Erik Mona, et al. “Overview” in World Guide, 8. Paizo Inc., 2019
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 James Jacobs, et al. The Inner Sea World Guide, 207. Paizo Inc., 2011
  3. Erik Mona, et al. “Chapter 2: The Inner Sea” in Campaign Setting, 157. Paizo Inc., 2008
  4. Saif Ansari, et al. “Introduction” in Heroes of Golarion, 3. Paizo Inc., 2019
  5. James Jacobs, et al. “Regions of the Dragon Empires” in Dragon Empires Gazetteer, 31. Paizo Inc., 2011
  6. 6.0 6.1 James Jacobs, et al. “Regions of the Dragon Empires” in Dragon Empires Gazetteer, 46. Paizo Inc., 2011
  7. Clinton Boomer. “Ecology of the Serpentfolk” in Souls for Smuggler's Shiv, 65. Paizo Inc., 2010
  8. Tim Hitchcock, et al. Stolen Land, 86–87. Paizo Inc., 2010
  9. Erik Mona. (Jan 27, 2011). "Re: The Padishah Empire", Paizo Messageboard.