Golarion
| Golarion | |
|---|---|
| |
| (Cosmos) | |
| Titles | The Cage, the Child |
| Type | Planet |
| Diameter | x 1 |
| Mass | x 1 |
| Gravity | x 1 |
| Atmosphere | Standard |
| Orbit | 1 year |
| Inhabitants | Humans |
| Satellites | One moon |
| Images of Golarion | |
The planet Golarion orbits a yellow sun in the far reaches of the Material Plane. Third in orbit, this blue planet contains vast oceans and lush green lands, the perfect environment for countless cultures to thrive. Its nearest neighbors, Castrovel the Green World and Akiton the Red Planet, (second and fourth from the sun, respectively) fill Golarion's night sky along with its crater-scarred moon.[1]
Due to its innately hospitable and life-sustaining environment compared to other worlds, presumably the work of the gods, astronomers sometimes refer to Golarion as "the Child". Astronomers on other planets, however, often refer to Golarion as "the Cage" in reference to its cosmic role as the prison of the mad god Rovagug, who lies bound at the world's core.[2]
Rune Representation
In scholarly astronomical or astrological works, Golarion is sometimes represented by a rune: a circle with three vertical bars overlaying it. One might suggest this symbol is more in keeping with Golarion as 'the Cage', rather than as 'the Child'.[3]
Geography
Continents
Golarion contains eight continents amid immense seas. The largest continent is Casmaron, which spans much of the world's northern hemisphere and contains the empires of Kelesh and Vudra. On its eastern edge, bordered by the World's Edge Mountains, Casmaron expands into a large peninsular continent called Avistan, which plays host to a number of civilizations built upon the ruins of great past empires, such as that of the Thassilonians.
Southeast of Avistan, across the Inner Sea is the largely unexplored wilderness of Garund. Whether one is scouring its northern deserts for lost relics of the Osiriani pharaohs or trekking through the near-impenetrable jungles of the Mwangi Expanse, Garund provides endless adventures for those willing to risk its many dangers.
A thousand miles to the west from the Arch of Aroden are the remnants of the once great island-continent of Azlant, which saw the rise of the first human civilizations. All that remains of Azlant today is a series of jutting crags and narrow, twisted channels; most of the continent sunk beneath the sea when the Starstone fell from the sky.[4]
Surrounding Azlant lies the expanse of the Arcadian Ocean and even further west, the lush island continent of Arcadia, which gives the body of water its name. 4,000 miles from the shores of Avistan, little is known of this land but in the most ancient of texts and lore from long-fallen empires, though there are infrequent trade and colonization efforts from Avistan to Arcadia.[5]
The smallest continent on Golarion is Sarusan, which lies amid the least traveled portions of the sea.[4]
An immense frozen desert spans the northern pole of the planet, called the Crown of the World. While much too cold and harsh-weathered for permanent and successful habitation, the Crown is most often traveled as a means of reaching the far-eastern continent of Tian Xia on the opposite of the world from Avistan.[5]
Oceans
Five great oceans cover the remainder of Golarion: the above-mentioned Arcadian Ocean; the Obari Ocean between Garund and Casmaron[6]; the Embaral Ocean touching Casmaron, Tian Xia, and Sarusan; the Okaiyo Ocean separating Tian Xia from Arcadia[7]; and the Antarkos Ocean, which covers most of Golarion's southern hemisphere, including the south pole, and is largely composed of a permanent ice shelf.[8][9]
Seas
The nine most important seas on Golarion are:[10]
- Castrovin Sea
- Fever Sea
- Inner Sea
- Ivory Sea
- Shining Sea
- Sightless Sea
- Songil Sea
- Steaming Sea
- Valashmai Sea
References
- ↑ Erik Mona and Jason Bulmahn. (2008). Gazetteer, p. 18. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-077-3
- ↑ James L. Sutter. (2012). Distant Worlds, p. 14. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-403-0
- ↑ James L. Sutter. (2012). Distant Worlds, p. 14. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-403-0
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Erik Mona and Jason Bulmahn. (2008). Gazetteer, p. 22. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-077-3
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Erik Mona and Jason Bulmahn. (2008). Gazetteer, p. 23. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-077-3
- ↑ James Jacobs et al. (2011). The Inner Sea World Guide, p. 7. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-269-2
- ↑ James Jacobs, Dave Gross, Rob McCreary. (2011). Dragon Empires Gazetteer, p. 47. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-379-8
- ↑ James Jacobs. (Sep 15, 2011). ">>Ask *James Jacobs* ALL your Questions Here!<<", Paizo Messageboard.
- ↑ Adam Daigle, Patrick Renie, F. Wesley Schneider, and James L. Sutter. (2012). Oceans of Golarion. Raiders of the Fever Sea, p. 65. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-409-2
- ↑ Adam Daigle, Patrick Renie, F. Wesley Schneider, and James L. Sutter. (2012). Oceans of Golarion. Raiders of the Fever Sea, p. 66ff.. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-409-2
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