Sapphire Sound

Sapphire Sound is a large sea to the north of the Xidao Gulf in the northern reaches of Tian Xia. It serves as the northern border of Chu Ye, which lines the south of the Sapphire Sound, while to the north, separated by the sound, lies the mysterious Forest of Spirits. The Sapphire Sound also borders Hongal, the tundra of the horse lords, forming much of its southern and eastern borders and mostly separating it from Chu Ye and the Forest of Spirits. Finally, it also extends to the north-westernmost edge of the peninsular nation of Minkai.

Ecology

Magical cold-water coral reefs protected by kami support the plentiful aquatic creatures of the sound, almost making it an extension of the Forest of Spirits. Overfishing arising from the Chu Ye's agricultural collapse as well as the general presence of oni have made the kami of the Sapphire Sound increasingly hostile to the nation's fishers.

The algae and minerals in the Sapphire Sound give the ice that forms a beautiful turquoise hue. This ice is prized for the ice sculpture competitions of Chu Ye's annual ice festival.