Bay of Alarius

"It's bloody comfortable and warm here for Borealis"
"You mean barely tolerable?"
"Does fifteen degrees in the warmest summer months sound like warm to you?"
"Thats because you lived in a waterlogged green silt island for the entirety of your life. Milk drinker"
A conversation between two human soldiers in the city of Ardelan, on the shores of the bay of of Alarius

Bay of Alastrus by Fish032

On the eastern ends of the Great Northern continent, an abrupt gap of water rises. It is large and warm, unusually so for a continent almost fully covered by a blanket of ice many kilometres thick.
This is the Bay of Alarius. A massive and Deep bay located at the Eastern reaches of Ultima Borealis, the bay is a godsend for the humans, argonites and horcs who come to explore the ice laden continent. Being warmed by the last remnants of the warm western stream, the Bay Of Alarius remains ice free for much longer than surrounding areas. This also means that some slight cultivation can be done on its shores and combined with its perfect usage as a harbour and beachhead, it soon became the natural base of the Borealis expedition
The bay is named after Alarius Christiansen, the human emperor who took the initiative of improving ties between The Sanguine Imperium and the Aegean Empire. Though the Great War had already claimed millions of lives, Alarius took advantage of a lull and through his diplomatic skills, managed to sign what would be the only treaty between the Imperium and the Aegean empire that would withstand the test of time
Thus began an era of exploration and bravery. Thousands went to the two ice laden lands on the top and bottom of the world. Sailing through frozen oceans and braving untold horrors on both sea and land, the expedition members pushed on in their exploration of the two polar continents. The bay of Alarius would become a beacon of hope for them, for its warm waters were the only place in the otherwise icebound lands that would offer them protection
As the last days of peace fade away, the corruption spreads across the bay, just as it does across the entire world. Mutated animals attacking ships and expedition members, the sky turning an eery purple at certain times and strange illusions are just some of the few signs that the Bay of Alarius isn’t spared from the deluge of Arkanos. When the Destroyer returns, the bay will burst forth with his minions. The Merfolk who live in the cold, icy depths will see their homes destroyed
And in the deepest reaches of the bay, where the caves give way to a secret structure, something is about to awaken

Geography

Ruins of a lost people by JonathanDeVos

“These shores, if there’s one place where the gods have rained their blessings on this frozen wasteland, these shores must be it”
Captain Frida Alexandra Von Linde, the Commander of the First expeditionary fleet to Ultima Borealis upon landing on the shores of the Bay

The Bay of Alarius is a massive body of water, covering up most of the lower portion of the continents Eastern Ends. It is deep and calm, sheltered from strong winds by cliffs at its edge ward sides. The waters have been known to be a cyan colour here in the winter due to a special type of algae, whilst in the summer and other months, it’s waters are a deep blue, free of any icebergs or other hazardous objects
The bays shores are like the waterbody. What is interesting however is the fact that the soil of these beaches is black, unlike the fine golden or white of other coastlines around the world. These black sands, as they are so called are in fact a thin layer of dead microorganisms, deposited on the bay by the waves. They have been known to increase food yields, and thus it is a common off duty task for members of the expedition to collect black sand for use in growing crops
Across the vast skies of the bay, flanked by towering cliffs that block the winds, great flying creatures fly free, providing a wonderful sight for passing ships. Flights of ice dragons, terns, polar eagles and many other avians are commonplace in the bay. Near the cliffs, one can find cormorants in their nests, some resting whilst others hunt barracuda and other fish in the waters for their brethren
Nothing would be complete however, without mentioning some of the most beautiful wonders of the bay, which lie beneath the surface

Stronghold of the Marians

“What in the gods name are you lot doing here?”
“Just living our lives as we were meant to”
Captain Frida, meeting a group of Merfolk in the Bays surroundings

Marian Citadel by Fabian Rensch

The expeditioners are not the only one thronging the shores of the bay. Underneath its waters, there live a nation of Merfolk known as the Marians, also present in the southern cousin of the continent. The Marian's have been extremely friendly to the expeditioners, often helping them with their tasks in return for the same. This has also provided an opportunity for scientists to study Merfolk deeply, especially the Marians as they are of great interest in the polar expedition program.

The caves

"They say that the caves are not natural. Someone else built them"
"Who could it be brother?"
"I don't know. But i sure as hell don't want to go down there
Hans and Casper Christiansen, talking about the caves whilst on their journey to Ultima Borealis

Cave of the Ancients by Azot2021

In the deepest parts of the bay, where even the Marian's fear to tread, there lie a system of caves. These may look normal at first sight, but a closer inspection reveals that something else was at hand here. No natural event can create something so sophisticated and complex as this cave system
From the little information that the expedition has about these parts of the bay, it is revealed that something else had created them. Incursions into the caves have revealed numerous technological systems, which whilst have gathered dust over millenia or perhaps even more, continue to function well enough for the Imperium to observe them. There are numerous manuals scattered here and there, written in an alien language no one in Elladia understands. This is just the beginning however. The Caves have much more to reveal, for only a small part of them has explored.
Yet, the explorers are somewhat wary already. There have been reports of something deep and rumbling coming from the end of the caves. Whilst many think it might be volcanic activity, others fear something else. That something has awoken

Ecosystem

Cliffs of the Bay

The Bay of Alarius is unique in all of Ultima Borealis. Due to it being warmer than the rest of the continent, it is much better suited for life to thrive. It also has many nutrients resulting from the higher temperatures. This changes quite a bit over the year however. In the end, Ultima Borealis is a polar continent, witnessing temperatures that even in their warmest feel chilly to most. In the winter months, the bay is covered with icebergs. and as the sun's light weakens, much of the life in the bay goes to a deep sleep, not awakening till the spring
After the long, cold winters have passed, life begins anew. The icebergs melt, and the sun shines brightly once again. This is accompanied by a greater flow of the western current, bringing warmth to the waters of the bay. The bay is bustling with life once again. Krakens swim to the surface to see the sun for the first time after many months of darkness. Eagles, drakes and other avian predators and prey fly free, unhindered by the biting cold of winter freezing their skins.

Localized Phenomena

“Brother look”
Hans looked at the direction that his brother pointed too. It was dawn, and the first lights of Rilvaran were streaming in beyond the horizon. He saw that the sky was a purplish blue, reminiscent of a certain weed he read about in his biology classes”
“What a weird plant. Wonder what it tastes like”
“Probably bad. If it can turn the sky purple, it’s a bad omen” Zahedan laughed

Polar Sunrise by JJpeabody

One of the most beautiful phenomena that one can witness in the bay is the sunrise. In the bays waters, a special kind of weed known as the dawnweed thrives. Whilst only small samples of it have been retrieved, it is much different than most plants on Elladia, being violet in colour. By processes that are still unknown, it is suspected that the dawnweed rises up into the sky at sunrise and thus created the beautiful show of colours that one can catch if they rise up early. It is not much, but this beautiful show of nature often calms the mind for the coming day.

Fauna & Flora

Due to it being warmer and having more nutrients than the surrounding areas of the continent, the Bay of Alarius teems with life, and of kinds that are found nowhere else in the world.
Whilst much can be said about the breathtaking and majestic animals of this bay, the smaller ones deserve as much attention and love. It is due to the innumerable algae, plankton and other microorganisms that the prey of these majestic beasts can survive. They are also quite beautiful in their own regard, some glowing at night with light whilst others buzz with electricity to drive predator and off.
The prey of the megafauna are no less dangerous or strong. Whilst a kraken may be able to sink a ship, even they can sometimes lose out to a swarm of electric Barracuda. These predatory fish swarm all over the bays waters, and primarily target Brekbergs, Sharks, Squids, Dolphins and Whales for food, but often even attack krakens or feast on their corpses. Their numbers allow them to swarm on much larger prey and tear them apart in minutes, whilst their electric shocks often disable whatever defenses their prey may use against them
For expeditioners, tales are often a great way of keeping sanity. But tales about Brekbergs can send shivers down ones spine. Jokingly dubbed ‘Polar Piranhas”, these are also predatory fish which have tentacles growing out of the sides of their bodies. Unlike the electric barracuda, Brekbergs are much more aggressive and have a special taste for human flesh. Their swarms are just as large and their incredible speed and manoeuverability allow them to tear a man to shreds in seconds, unlike the minute or two for barracudas. In the early days of the expedition, many met their ends with the Brekberg swarm
When talking about the bay, it is impossible to go without mentioning its massive beasts. Whilst they can be easily avoided, these massive beasts can often and will attack ships, leading to immense damage or even their sinking. Chief amongst these are the krakens. Their bodies often grow over three hundred feet long, and specimens have been recorded with body lengths in excess of a thousand feet. Their tentacles are even larger, growing three times as large as their body. These tentacles can crush a ship if they are able to wrap themselves around them. Many times however, the sailors are saved by the unlikely appearance of a polar serpent, who often prey on krakens and are much friendlier towards humans and Argonites

History

The bay is rather unique in that there have been others here before the expedition came. However, their reaches were restricted to only a few of the outlying islands

The ancients and the old men

Bay of Alarius

Many tens of thousands of years ago, the Bay was a site of research for the ancients, as well as containing a few outlying human settlements inhabited mostly by brave explorers. The ancients researched on many things, including their magic, the nature of Elladia and the connection between the two poles and the void. They would all vanish however, with the apocalyptic ancient war that scarred Elladia

The age of exploration

"Look at that"
Frida looked in awe as the cliffs became visible. They were like the sentinels guarding the allfather's palace, except that they were of rock rather than flesh and metal. From the top of the cliffs, a dragon swooped down, gliding past her ship before disappearing in the distance
Captain Frida Alexandra Von Linde, describing her experiences of the Bay

After the polar exploration treaty had been signed, a new age had begun. It was the age of discovery, a new high in unity between the people of Elladia. Men, women, and everyone in between and outside flocked to the polar continents in thousands to uncover its icy secrets. And the bay was the first place they would visit when coming to the northern reaches
It was a calm, springs morning when the fleet of Captain Admiral Frida Alexandra Von Linde landed on the shores of the Bay. It was a monumental occasion. They were the very first humans in perhaps forty thousand years to land on the shores of Borealis, and likely also the very first to set foot there in history. Frida's discovery and explorations made her a hero, and many locations on the continent were named in her honor. The bay's namesake however, went to the then The High Seraph, Alarius Christiansen, who's diplomatic skills led to the signing of this treaty.
Over time, the bay would grow on to become a thriving region. The city of Ardelan was built on its shores, which would serve as the headquarters of the borealis expedition and be perhaps the only place in Elladia where humans and Argonites slept in the same building, and even together. Whilst such actions would get others killed in the rest of the world, it was in these cold reaches that lovers from both races could find comfort in each others warms
It was not meant to last however. For the destroyer is returning

The times of discord

"Gods. Karia found her brother's corpse the other day. She's been crying all the time. I can't do anything to comfort her. The very waters seem to be turning against us. Day by day, the murders keep increasing. If only our wretched government made peace"
A human soldier, writing in his diary about the situation in Ultima Borealis

Full Moon by Ruksutakarn studio

As the old age ends, the destroyer howls once more. After untold millenia of imprisonment, he has broken free of his shackles and is ready to unleash his wrath on Elladia once more, this time finishing it once and for all. The inhabitants of the bay feel his rage, with murders and foul phenomena increasing as the time passes. The marians are turning mad, the flora and fauna are being twisted into horrifying new shapes. The morale of the men grow lower day by day. Much is yet to come however
For something beneath the depths has awoken

Tourism

Due to the nature of the polar expedition programs, tourism is strictly forbidden above the region defined as the polar continents according to the polar exploration treaty.

Maps

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  Bay of Alarius

The Glowing sands

One of the most beautiful features of the bay are the bioluminous beings it carries. When traversing through its waters at night, expedition members recount tales of the waters being lit up in brilliant shades of colors, ranging from aquamarine blue to sun gold. This is the result of bioluminous microorganisms who live in the bay, forming a key source of food for the larger creatures such as Krakens, serpents and sea bears. At times, they wash up on the shores of the bay, giving the sands beautiful colors and making them look like a mat of finely weaved carpets. It is wonderous to catch a glimpse of these phenomenon, and many sit for hours at a stretch to catch a glimpse of this wonderous play of nature

Type

Bay

Owning Organization

The Sanguine Imperium