Ocean of Cathay

The Ocean of Cathay is an oceanic body covering a large portion of the world between Crona, Alshar, and the Antarctic. It also extends to a large region south of Alshar and Audonia. The Ocean's subsidiary seas are the Pukhtun and the Orixtal, and it connects to the Polynesian Sea, the Nysdra, and the Capelan.

Environment

Hazards

The Cathay Triangle

The Cathay Triangle, also known as the Devil's Armpit, is an urban legend centred around a loosely defined region in the Ocean of Cathay where a number of aircraft and ships are said to have disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The idea of the area as uniquely prone to disappearances arose in the mid-20th century, but most reputable sources dismiss the idea that there is any mystery. The triangle is said to have its points roughly at Metzetta, Alstin and Stenza.

Human Use

Tourism

The Ocean of Cathay is the center of a fringe cult within Varshani society that worships the so-called 'devouring serpent'; this cult appears to not have any relation to western or even Alshari conceptions of sea serpents, instead believing that bodies of water have their own spirits, like many indigenous religions around the world. This cult believes that the Cathay is slowly devouring the world, a view possibly attributed to prehistoric immigration from Alshar and the subsequent loss of contact as early Varshani peoples lost much of their ability to travel across open ocean for several centuries as a result of the Nysdran Collapse.