Inner Sea

From PathfinderWiki
See also: Inner Sea region

The Inner Sea is one of the most heavily traveled and populated bodies of water in Golarion. Formed when the Starstone fell to earth in -5293 AR, reshaping the face of the planet, the Inner Sea rests between Avistan and Garund. Before Earthfall, the two continents had been joined by a land bridge. The impact collapsed the connection, allowing water from the Arcadian Ocean to flow in.

The sea is now separated from the Arcadian Ocean by the Hespereth Strait and the Arch of Aroden, which is currently under Chelaxian control.1 To the east it connects to the Obari Ocean between the nations of Osirion and Qadira.2

The Inner Sea is a cradle of the human race, and six of the most powerful nations on Golarion—Absalom, Andoran, Cheliax, Osirion, Qadira, and Taldor—lie on its shores. Naval battles between these emerging world powers are commonplace.3

Inhabitants

There is abundant life beneath the waves of the Inner Sea, including societies of cecaelias,4 inzenti-heritage azarketis,56 locathahs, merfolk, and tritons, as well as monsters like alghollthus, devilfish, and grindylows.47

While sea monsters are not as big a concern in the Inner Sea as they are in other bodies of water, its waters remain nonetheless home to dangerous creatures such as galvos, bunyips, and hammerhead, jigsaw, and bull sharks. The bull sharks, in particular, have become very common in recent years, which combined with their extreme aggressiveness leads some to think that they may be being controlled by someone for nefarious purposes.7

Places of interest

Coastal features

Islands

Nations on the Inner Sea

References

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

  1. James Jacobs, et al. The Inner Sea World Guide, 32. Paizo Inc., 2011
  2. Rob Lazzaretti. Inner Sea Poster Map Folio, 1. Paizo Inc., 2011
  3. Adam Daigle, et al. “Oceans of Golarion” in Raiders of the Fever Sea, 67. Paizo Inc., 2012
  4. 4.0 4.1 Adam Daigle, et al. “Oceans of Golarion” in Raiders of the Fever Sea, 59–63. Paizo Inc., 2012
  5. Jessica Catalan. Azarketi” in Ancestry Guide, 12. Paizo Inc., 2021
  6. Paizo referred to azarketis as gillmen until the publication of the Pathfinder Second Edition Core Rulebook, and changed the primary term for them to azarketi in Ancestry Guide.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Amber E. Scott & Mark Seifter. Golarion's Seas” in Aquatic Adventures, 28. Paizo Inc., 2017