Glacial Sea

The Glacial Sea is, I would make the argument, beyond all other wonders, the natural wonder of Suranth that I found the most awe inspiring to study and traverse, with the Nordjeim Spires perhaps the only other close contestant in that discussion. However the sheer massive breadth and scale of this body of water cannot be overstated. At its widest point from west to east the journey is some two hundred and fifty kilometers, or roughly a hundred and fifty-five miles. North to south the distance is even more absurd but the longest shore to shore is from the north-eastern most bank to the south-western most bank, a journey of an absolutely massive distance of four hundred kilometers or just a shade under two hundred and fifty miles. This matters for though the idea of lakes having an effect upon weather patterns, particularly precipitation is not a new theory, the Glacial Sea is something different entirely.

Here again she earns the title of Sea, because unlike a lake, which feeds more rain or snow to the regions near it based upon wind patterns, this body of water is so large that it seems instead of having a modest effect on merely precipitation it has a notable effect on the tundra around it. It is likely due to this body of water that though Suranth is an arctic nation, it has no true frozen wastes, with enough dampness and mild enough warmer seasons with enough rain to allow some vegetation to take root. So though most of the nation is far enough north that it should be true arctic and tundra as a biome, with little to no vegetation besides mosses and lichens, Suranth is quite notably denser and richer than that in vegetation, having many boreal forests. This massive body of water, if I had to guess, plays a key and notable role in that, given by all reasoning of position upon the planet, it is my theory that without the Glacial Sea, the northern half of Suranth would be north of the tree-line. That is a level of environmental impact we see no where else on Valerick for a body of fresh water, a lake, and is in fact more equivalent in description to the effect oceans and seas have on coastal regions. As such, though lacking the salt water one would normally associate with the term 'sea' I find I must concur with the Suranthi.


My time traveling the Glacial Sea was truly a wonderous experience. I was already familiar with maritime environs in Suranth being rich in biodiversity from my time at sea and exploring the Nordjeim River System. However the Glacial Sea is truly a marvel all its own, with a wide and fascinating mixed biodiversity of fish, mollusks, marine mammals and birds. The plant life, both shoreline semi-aquatic types and various fully aquatic weeds and grasses create a wonderfully diverse biome. Most interesting were some of the truly unique species which make this glacial lake their home, such as the snow-claw otter, a most interesting creature specialized for both hunting under water, but with unique claws that have a similar structure to icepick heads, meant to help climb the large icebergs upon which a variety of birds make their nests, to raid for eggs.

I was lucky enough to get to sight perhaps the rarest animal in the Glacial Sea, the true apex predator of these waters, the Woeing Porpoid, a member of the porpoise family, one of two known adapted to solely fresh water. They live only in the Glacial Sea, their numbers unknown fully, but it is estimated no more than a few dozen could be supported by the biome here. They live in small pods, four to eight animals, and are fierce and competent predators, willing to hunt any fish, mammal or bird in their domain. They are not often seen, seeming to avoid ships and boats, perhaps not fond of feeling small, given for a member of the porpoise family they are quite small, comparatively.

Despite being fresh water, due to the sheer volume, though ice does form upon the surface in clusters in the winter, the Glacial Sea cannot freeze over, it is simply too much water, too large a surface area. This likely aides in keeping biodiversity so high, in my estimation, though of that I cannot be certain, it is merely a hypothesis, given the challenges presented by water that ices over completely.

Societal Benefits, Challenges, and Impacts

Though the focus of knowledge and study of myself is of course the natural sciences, such observations can be made and learned when in the field exploring an environment with those native to it, and in my time doing so I noted a few interesting aspects as to the relationship the Suranthi have with the Glacial Sea.

As one might imagine, such a massive body of water dictates a necessity for any sovereign nation to maintain and control the maritime capabilities and routes, as well as the resources it might offer. It is issues such as these that led Suranth to pioneer something in regards to civil defense and the concept of navies that most nations have since adapted nearly a century ago. There is a distinct and noted difference between what the Suranthi nation and her peoples refer to as their Salt Navy and Fresh Navy, these two bodies being distinct and separate branches and specialties within her armed forces. However it is deeper than that.

Despite the dwarven blood and stone that forged this tundra nation, their relationship to the aquatic, that is to both their coastal waters and routes and their rivers and lakes, I believe and theorize was in large part fed by the Glacial Sea. After all, before locomotion, it was the swiftest way, by far, to get goods, people, even in most cases correspondence, from one Connighclann to the other. Even in this modern age, with sky-ships and locomotives, there is a notable reliability and cargo capability that cannot be fully matched in combination over both of those newer options.

Combine this with the fact that the Glacial Sea also is a massive larder or sorts, a source of both food and water unequaled even when comparing the coastal regions, since we cannot drink salt water, the importance of this body of water to the society that Suranth has become cannot be overstated, nor very likely can its influence. In fact one needs not look any further than the Suranthi flag, the blue with stone grey above it. That blue, many mistake it to be a reference to her coastal regions and oceans however, as I learned that is in fact incorrect. In learning and listening to my colleague Rafiq speak of the Suranthi people and culture, he explained the story of the 'Sea and Stone' flag. The truth of the matter is the Sea that inspired that choice is in fact the Glacial Sea, a nod to the importance of this massive body of freshwater to the nation.

The Glacial Sea does present challenges of course, as noted previously, though a freshwater body, it is massive enough in size that it has its own weather patterns, and the reputation for being a 'real' sea despite not being salt water is a well earned one by all accounts. Squalls and storms will both start, wild winds driving massive waves and then stop but an hour later, never making shore anywhere. Much like the ocean proper, she can look deceptively calm one moment, and be slamming your vessel with raking waves the next, particularly in winter when, to hear locals tell it, her mood becomes more cold and dark.

One of the most dangerous things that can happen on those waves is something sailors refer to as 'crest-crashing'. I felt it best here to write and document the explanation an old sailor I befriended, Warvin, explain it. I've left the quote entirely intact, including the nickname I had on the vessel, affectionately I was named Professor Jingles after foolishly I got a bracelet swiped by a snowclaw otter, since as it turns out, they like to collect shiny and reflective things for their dens;

"So what crest-crashin' be, Professor Jingles, and why we be so worried 'bout it ta be vigiliant an' 'ave two lads on ice spotting duty, is when a wave swells just right, the foamy head, the white water crest, if ya will, happens ta scoop up a hunk of ice floe. Nae most times the ice won't hit ye in a way to do any real damage, 'owever more than one careless crew who were nary paying attention in choppy waters or Jeremiah forbid a gale, 'ave lost crew members from getting jostled, or 'aving a floe come right over the rails and throw some hands over the rails with it as it slides back into the drink. Also whilst yes, most times it won't do significant damage, more than one vessel 'as been scuttled, or 'ad their rudder snapped off by gettin' struck just the wrong angle by one of them damned hunks of ice. So that be what we calls 'crest-crashin' waves, hence ice spotters. It be their job ta watch the waters, track the ice floes around us as we sail, keepin' tabs on em, a borin' job ta be sure, most times. But when it be excitin', well the stakes be very high, which be why they also some of the loudest lads on the boat. Just remember Jingles, if ye 'ear a dwarven voice yelling out Crest-Crashin' an' a direction, brace yerself ideally against something and be aware o' t'at direction so ye can hopefully avoid goin' for an unintended swim."

I did in fact experience three such alarms in my time exploring the Glacial Sea, though thankfully our vessel, myself and the crew were all unharmed. However I can understand completely the challenge that represents, for the ice floes can just disappear like ghosts, camouflaged in the white caps of the crashing waves in choppy enough waters. So even for all the boons it provides, the Glacial Sea most definitely offers its share of challenges to the Suranthi people as they attempt to utilize and take advantage of its benefits.