Okymeri

Geography

This ocean was never meant to exist in the first place. Beyond the outer islands it looks more like a proper ocean, but in between the islands its much shallower. It is a photic zone, meaning that sunlight still reaches the bottom-most depths. There are regions of this ocean that are saltwater and some are a mixture of fresh and saltwater, allowing for an interesting range of marine life to flourish here. The mixed water zones are all near the islands, where the rivers meet the ocean. These areas can be found around parts of Ludrasi, Luathrus, Aimasvee, Laishvee, Tailos, and Sekmaili islands.
There are remnants of villages, road signs, and other remnants of human habitation that sank beneath the water when Kal Valorn separated Jiinal from what is now the mainland.

The bottom is more or less flat. The islands have shifted a little over the centuries and caused large boulders to fall into the water.
Navigating these waters can be dangerous so a number of shipwrecks litter the ocean floor. These wrecks have become home to various species of aquatic flora and several types of crustaceans.

Fauna & Flora

There are many plants and animals living beneath the surface. The Jiinalese lack the ability to properly explore the ocean and so this is only a partial list of all its wonders. Explorers have claimed to see things that no one else has since spotted and thus they haven't been added to the official catalog. Many debate whether Kal Valorn himself should be added to the list as he tends to wander the ocean depths, but as he's a Sky Lord and not a base animal he's left off.
Krelai – a kind of fish that has white meat and large bones
Sea grapes - they make wine from it that fetches outrageously high prices in other countries Kelp Algae - several types of algae live here, some that aren't found anywhere else
Closer to the islands themselves various mosses and lichen can be found.
Waterstars - these strange star-shaped creatures are commonly found around Aimasvee Island and Luathrus Island
Shock eels - found primarily in the central islands, these are considered dangerous
Silkweed - common along every beach in Jiinal, this soft weed can be used as a medicine to treat heart problems, but in higher doses it's toxic.
Sea grass - The sands at the bottom of the ocean is full of this. It can be harvested, dried, and made into a strong rope.
White bellied shark (Shairutvale) - a protected animal, sacred to the Jiinalese; These fierce predators roam freely among the islands.
Spotted Whale (Taivoura) - A docile herbivore more commonly seen off the coast of Luathrus Island.
Emperor Crab - a large species of crustacean that inhabits the waters between Dathren and Aildrios Islands. It's meat is highly prized.
Whistling Octopus (Aktishraiba) - They're highly territorial and will often stake out a sunken house or ship and make it their lair, attacking anyone or anything that goes near it. The name comes from a high pitched whine they make right before they strike. Few people are fast enough to get out of the way. Anyone who survives being attacked by one makes a note of where it took place so that no one else disturbs it. They aren't edible.

History

This ocean didn't exist until the year 206 when Kal Valorn created it. It was largely void of life at first, as the shock wave generated by creating the islands pushed a lot of the marine life away from Jiinal. Gradually, life began to return. At first it was small things such as fish exploring the gaps around the outer islands. Then plants began growing. After a little more than a century there was a diverse enough fish population in the innermost islands that the Jiinalese could fish, beginning their long tradition of fishing.

Tourism

Whale watching expeditions are a major tour industry on Luathrus Island. The city of Storm's Riding has an entire industry built up around the study and care of the spotted whale.

Alternative Name(s)

Jiinalese Ocean

Type

Ocean

Location under

Jiinal

Owner/Ruler

Kal Valorn

Owning Organization

Chant of Water