Arcadian Ocean
The Arcadian Ocean is a large body of salt water on the planet Golarion located between the continents of Avistan and Garund on its eastern edge and Arcadia on its western edge. To its south it adjoins the larger Antarkos Ocean near the Horn of Droon, and its waters extend as far north as the nation of Varisia, where it meets the Steaming Sea. The ruins of the former continent of Azlant are both above and below the Arcadian's waters.12
History
The center of what is today the Arcadian Ocean was once the location of the island continent of Azlant, considered by many to have been the, "... first of the great human realms of prehistory." When the people of Azlant rebelled against the alghollthus that had fostered their cultural growth, their former masters responded by destroying the continent; the alghollthus triggered Earthfall in the year -5293 AR,3 decimating ancient Azlant and its people. All that remains of this now-legendary civilization are ruined cities and structures found both above and below the Arcadian Ocean's waves.4
Geography
The Arcadian Ocean separates Arcadia from both Avistan and Garund, and this massive body of water borders significant portions of all three continents' coastlines. The Arcadian merges with the Antarkos Ocean to the south and extends north as far as the nation of Varisia. Its waters mingle with those of several adjacent seas, including the Fever Sea, the Steaming Sea, and the Inner Sea, the latter of which also connects the Arcadian Ocean with the Obari Ocean to the east.2
The Arcadian Ocean also borders the Abendego Gulf, a body of water located along Garund's northwestern coast. Most of the Gulf is now dominated by a continuous and stationary hurricane known as the Eye of Abendego.15
Little is known about its depths. The Gartanica Trench is said to be the location of the ruins of an alghollthu palace,6 and the ancient Ghol-Gani cities of Garkotar and Tzaarban are submerged in its eastern depths near the Fever Sea.789
Ruins of ancient Azlant
A thousand miles off the coast of Avistan lies a labyrinth of shoals, steep cliffs, and islands, remnants of the long-destroyed continent and island nation of Azlant. Since the fall of Azlant during the cataclysmic event known as Earthfall, venturing across the Arcadian Ocean has been deemed madness by many residents of the Inner Sea region.10 Arcadia itself has become a half-myth, with tales of intrepid adventurers pillaging the shattered isles of Azlant for their fabled treasures lingering amidst the submerged ruins. The extent of these ruins is not limited to dry land, however; the remains of ancient Azlant extend beneath the relatively shallow waters of this area as well. This is an extremely dangerous region of the Arcadian Ocean, and countless ships and explorers have been lost while seeking the secrets of this ancient human empire.24
Darklands entrance
A series of underwater tunnels connect the Arcadian Ocean to the Sightless Sea far below, a vast waterway located within the Darklands, in one of the Vaults of Orv. Water ascends through these tunnels in defiance of gravity, fueled by ancient alghollthu magic. The alghollthus protect this hidden waterway and use it as a means to travel between Golarion's surface and their stronghold in the Inverted Sea.11
Inhabitants
The islands and ocean floor near the former continent of Azlant are dotted with ancient ruins that are home to numerous races, including communities of aquatic elves, gillmen, merfolk, and sedacthys.12 The remnants of an ancient alghollthu civilization are said to exist there as well, where waters from the Sightless Sea ascend to the surface of Golarion; alghollthus continue to guard this site and its ancient magics to this day.12
Treasure hunters
Artifacts from fallen Azlant can be both valuable and powerful. Treasure hunters and archeologists alike travel to the ruins of the island nation to search for the forgotten treasures of this ancient civilization. The elves of the Mordant Spire also frequent the waters of fallen Azlant; though they are based out of the nearby Steaming Sea, these elves believe the legacy of ancient Azlant belongs to them. They were the mortal enemies of the lost Alzanti empire, and continue to oppose the alghollthus who operate in the region. The Mordant Spire elves actively patrol and defend the ruins from intruders.134
Pirates
As the Arcadian Ocean is not claimed by any nation, it is heavily traveled by pirates and raiders who patrol the coastal areas of Avistan and Garund for targets. This is true more so than for the Inner Sea, where Cheliax's control of the Arch of Aroden that separates the two bodies of water gives them a measure of control.10
References
Paizo published a major article on the Arcadian Ocean in Aquatic Adventures.
For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 . “Half-Orcs” in The Inner Sea World Guide, 32. Paizo Inc., 2011
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 . “Oceans of Golarion” in Raiders of the Fever Sea, 58–71. Paizo Inc., 2012
- ↑ . “Chapter 5: The World” in Campaign Setting, 201. Paizo Inc., 2008
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 . “Beyond the Inner Sea” in The Inner Sea World Guide, 203. Paizo Inc., 2011
- ↑ James Jacobs. (July 24, 2012). The Eye of Abendego: What Body of Water?, Paizo Messageboards.
- ↑ . “Kraken” in Mythical Monsters Revisited, 39. Paizo Inc., 2012
- ↑ . “Ghol-Gan” in Lost Kingdoms, 25. Paizo Inc., 2012
- ↑ . “Ghol-Gan” in Lost Kingdoms, 27. Paizo Inc., 2012
- ↑ . “Ghol-Gan” in Lost Kingdoms, 29. Paizo Inc., 2012
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 . “High Seas” in World Guide, 62. Paizo Inc., 2019
- ↑ . “Orv” in Into the Darklands, 53. Paizo Inc., 2008
- ↑ Paizo referred to sedachtys as sahuagins and sea devils until the publication of Monster Core.
- ↑ . “Steaming Sea” in The Inner Sea World Guide, 178–181. Paizo Inc., 2011