The Era of Stone has given way to the Era of Bronze. Where once scattered bands of hunters and gatherers wandered the lands, kingdoms, cities and empires now spread across them. It is a time of heroes, ancient kingdoms, magic and legends.
On the continent of
Arikanda, sparse city-states and kingdoms dot the land in the
Heartlands, while the south is divided between three Great Empires;
To the southwest, in the
Calinan Sea and the islands of the
Beyan Archipelago, the wealthy mercantile power of the
Avadian Sovereignty rules the waves, dominating trade throughout the continent through their control of the markets and their colonies on the mainland as they expand into
Arikanda proper.
Along the central southern shores of the continent, the great
Tanorite and
Sapphran cities have finally united behind a
Council of Archons to form a
League that holds sway over the breadbasket of the continent. Their mighty war chariots run the length of the nascent highways that cover their land.
In the
Sapphire Coast to the East, the vast stretches of the
Kalriv Empire reach up an entire coast, its ambitious new
Overlords and its elite, undefeated Legions seeking to broaden the reach of the military power to cover the entire continent as is their manifest destiny.
Intrigue and adventure also exist beyond the reaches of Arikanda. To the far east lies the Strait and the enormous city of Kas serving as the gateway to the mysterious continent of
Sembar, where even the Kalriv fear to tread. To the south, across the Calinan Sea, beyond the Avadian and Tanorite colonies of
Maganti and
Solathi, the continent of
Calina awaits, its endless stretch of untouched land reaching far beyond any myth or legend.
As the three powers scheme, plot and prepare for an inevitable clash, tidings have never been better for adventurers. Whether they be mercenaries to protect wealth, sailors to explore the seas, traders to make their fortunes or even diplomats to scheme and intrigue, the enterprising individual can make a fortune, a name for themselves, an empire of their own, or simply a difference. Four such people now rise to make their mark in history.
In the Tanorite city-state of Mayoka, a veteran of the Mayokan Civil War grapples with the day he slew a demon and his life changed forever, his psyche and body no longer wholly his own. To the northwest in the Tanorite countryside, a young Avadian centurion travels through enemy territory to seek a cure for the dying noble he is bound to protect - and who he loves. In the Calinan Sea, the glory-seeking captain of the Avadian penteconter Phoenix sails for his home port, pondering his company's next great voyage and what riches, fame and excitement abound. Across the sea in the city of Maganti, a young Firedancer monk trains, meditates, and learns, unaware of the role fate has in store for her.
This is the time of the Three Empires.
There are the Odysseys of the Calinan Sea.
The Calinan Sea is a heroic fantasy world in its Bronze Age, set in a time between the myths and mysteries of prehistoric times and the rise of great empires, civilisations and recorded history. It is inspired by my love of ancient history, mythology and classical stories, and my own interests in civilisations before we started recording our history, combined with my love of fantasy and supernatural elements.
It is the setting of the Odysseys of the Calinan Sea, a series composing of a number of short stories and a novel series I am writing. These Odysseys are tales of adventure and fortune, heroes and legends, intrigue and empires. Just a few of the tales of the Calinan Sea could include;
- A Wayfarer company aboard an Avadian penteconter, banks of rowers heaving on oars as they slice through the Calinan seeking riches and fame;
- Chariot crews rumbling over amber fields towards a mass of bronze-scaled soldiers;
- A wealthy merchant in a fine linen tunic and mantle, striding past stalls and touts through the streets of a crowded city, in the shadows of white-washed limestone buildings;
- A Solar priest of the Kalriv Empire in white and gold mantle, golden light streaming from her fingers as she lays her hands upon a wounded worker in a thread tunic;
- A worried Archon in the grand hall of his palace, illuminated by the golden light of a burning brazier, standing with advisors around a round table with clay tokens in military formations;
- A burning estate in the dead of night, where a single escaped slave in a tattered tunic wields a falx, facing down three sentries clad in leather and wielding bronze swords and axes;
- A lively natural philosopher standing in a marble amphitheatre in the city of Solathi, a stone tablet in one hand as she gestures with another, debating another philosopher;
- A city atop a sun-blasted mesa, with tall, blue-washed adobe walls, temples, terraced houses and a large ziggurat stretching to the sky.
These are just some of the sights, sounds, peoples and experiences the Calinan Sea has to offer.
Not sure where to start? The
World Meta is your best bet to get a general understanding, or if you like, below are articles that will best help you get an understanding of the world, its peoples and civilisations.
Read about the three Great Empires, the most powerful political entities in the Calinan Sea;
Read about Arikanda, the continent straddling the north of the Calinan Sea and home to the Great Empires;
Read about the northern shores of the continent of Calina, the southern frontier of the Calinan Sea;
Read about the various cultures and peoples of the Calinan Sea and the surrounding lands.