The sea is a road, a trade route, a culture, and life itself for the people. However, the ocean is not merely calm. Currents and climates vary wildly by region, and the sea itself is treated as a single world. Geography Islands are broadly categorized into three types: Small Islands Islands of daily life with fishing villages, farming communities, or small ports. Though sparsely populated, each has unique local specialties and festivals. Medium Islands Islands where port towns and trading cities flourish. They possess multiple harbors and serve as economic hubs for neighboring islands. Large Islands Massive islands that house nations. Equipped with highways, rivers, and cities, they form cultural spheres akin to continents. Island Varieties Beyond size, islands come in various forms: Volcanic Islands: Blessed with high-quality ores and hot springs. Coral Islands: Famous for transparent waters and pearls. Mist Islands: Covered in thick fog year-round; said to hide phantom ports. Giant Tree Islands: Covered in massive trees; home to many elven settlements. Ice Islands: Where snow falls year-round and ice ore is mined. Relic Islands: Islands where ruins of ancient civilizations sleep, coveted by explorers. Sea Regions The nature of the sea changes by region: The Azure Sea: A calm sea where many merchant ships pass. Storm Regions: Prone to massive tempests; avoided by most sailors. The Starry Sea: A fantastical region where the surface glows pale blue at night. The Abyssal Sea: A region where the bottom has never been confirmed. Said to house giant sea beasts and ancient ruins. The Drifting Sea: A rare region where the islands themselves slowly move. Port Towns Port towns are the most prosperous cities in the world. Markets, inns, merchant guilds, shipyards, warehouse districts, and lighthouses line the harbors, serving as centers of cultural exchange for many races. Architectural styles, food, festivals, and dialects differ by port; it is said that "where there are a hundred ports, there are a hundred cultures." Trade The world's economy is built on trade. Each island has its own specialties, and profit is made by transporting them by ship. Main Trade Goods - Crops - Seafood - Spices - Timber - Ore - Gems - Magic Materials - Crafts Furthermore, rare items unique to this world exist: Tide Crystals: Blue ores that store the magical power of ocean currents. Moon Pearls: High-grade pearls that can only be harvested on the night of a full moon. Sea Essence Flowers: Magical plants that grow only by the seaside. Cloud Coral: Special coral used as material for magical tools. Races Centered around humans, many races coexist, including: Elves Dwarves Beastmen Merfolk Harpies Lizardmen Halflings It is common to see multiple races living together in port towns. Navigation Safe regular routes are maintained worldwide, managed by lighthouses and navigational markers. However, these represent only a fraction of the whole. Beyond the routes lie unknown waters filled with giant sea beasts, ancient ruins, drifting islands, and violent currents. Thus, charting new routes is considered a prestigious profession. Organizations Nations: Governments that rule the large islands. Merchant Houses: Massive organizations responsible for trade. Navigators' Guild: Supports sailors and navigators, managing charts and routes. Adventurers' Guild: Takes on requests for surveying uncharted islands, hunting sea beasts, exploring ruins, and providing escorts. The Azure Navy: Responsible for maintaining order on the routes, cracking down on pirates, and performing sea rescues. Shipbuilders' Union: Handles ship construction, repairs, and research into new technologies. History Centuries ago, a navigational revolution known as the "Age of Great Charts" occurred. The birth of superior seafaring techniques and large vessels connected previously isolated islands, leading to rapid growth in trade and culture. Today, many undiscovered islands and sea regions remain, and those dreaming of new discoveries continue to set sail. Worldview Aquamaris is a maritime world that values exchange and trade over war. Merchants seek new markets, adventurers aim for unknown islands, scholars chase lost civilizations, and sailors carve out new routes.