Marcosta

 

Stretching approximately 3400km from north to south and 1600km from east to west at its widest point, Marcosta is the second smallest continent on Tear only slightly larger than Waeyron. It is separated from the Hook of Golanicja, less that 100km to the southeast, by the Channel of Winds. The northern end of the island is considered one of the five points of the Middle Sea, along with the Westerlands, Golanicjan Jumira, the Kash-Odeshi City States and southeastern Kashdush. 1400km east, across the Marcostic Sea, lie the Red Plains of Golanicja and the Duchy of Brinjevi.

Despite its position on the equator, most of Marcosta is dominated by a moderately dry, mediterranean climate featuring dusty, rocky terrain, dry scrub, and grazing lands for sheep, cattle and goats. Grains, fruits and nuts dominate the agriculture of the island. Mining is important in Marcosta, and the rare and valuable metals of antimony and tin are unsually abundant on the island, making for a somewhat specialized industry. The most important industries on the island are shipbuilding and fishing. The entire island is surrounded by major ports with fisheries and shipyards, and important inland cities, like Talheirrow, Alostinado and Carasanho support these industries with the production of hardwoods for shipbuilding and flax for making linen sails.

Careronhas, located at 27W x 8S is the largest city on the continent and the seat of the Kingdom of Marcosta. It is technically located on an island, but the waterways separating it from the mainland are narrow, shallow and not even navigable in some places at low tide. More than a dozen bridges connect the island to the mainland in several locations. Careronhas itself maintains a deepwater port opening to the Southern Ocean, at the northwestern extent of the shallow systems of waterways that separate it from the mainland.

Capital Region

The capital region is a highly fortified region approximately 250km in radius that surrounds the Marcostan capital of Careronhas. The civil wars that followed the collapse of Golanicja and the Principality of Marcosta in 1200 caused a great deal of destruction in and around the capital. When Ser Valen Salgao rose to the newly created throne to become King Valen I in 1203, he called for a 250km defensive networks of walls and fortresses to be constructed to protect the captial city itself, the island on which it stood and all of its regional lands and holdings. While there are walls and fortifications in all directions, the project was never fully completed. By the early 15th century, construction is still on going, but after over 200 years, more time and money is spend on maintenance and repairs each year than on new construction.

Coast of Winds

The Coast of Winds region is the southern end of Marcosta. While the region includes most of the lands south of Esquidos, colloquially the name refers to the steep cliffs that run along the coast between Banderiha and Caravel - these sheer granite cliffs can reach 100m in hieght in some places, and with powerful, well supplied fleets in Caravel and Bandeirha, leave the critical shipping route through the Channel of Winds under the complete control of Marcosta.

East Coast

Marcosta's East Coast region is sometimes called Costa Tranquila - the quiet coast. From north of Caraval, all the way up to Fairwind and beyond, the beaches and shores of the east coast of the continent on the Marcostic Sea are idyllic. White sand shores, warm sun, tropical fruit trees shading the beaches - it is a true paradise. Fishing in the relatively calm waters of the Marcostic Sea and trade across the sea to Golanicja is easy. Valuable global trade routes through the Steps of Dovocik and the Hidden Sea Region of Golanicja via the Passage of Miga mean that the ports here are filled with exotice goods from around the world.

Northern Marcosta

Centered on Porto Polpo, the area of Marcosta to the north of Azuelosta and Fairwind is part of the critical five points trade network, where ships circle the Middle Sea between Marcosta, Golanicja, Kashdush, Ayodesh and Jumira. The 'vortex' of trade makes Porto Polpo the economic center of Marcosta.

West Coast

In contrast to Costa Tranquila, the West Coast region of Marcosta is sometimes called Costa Dura - the Hard Coast. Here the waters of the warm Middle Sea and the Cold Southern Ocean collide, frequently creating powerful storms that batter the west coast and the capital with hurricanes and massive tidal swells. The sailing routes between the West Coast and Jumira are dangerous and only sturdy, well-maintained vessels with experienced crews can make a sustainable enterprise of it. Fishing these waters is also dangerous, but the reward is worth is as the catches of tuna, shark, swordfish, and other large ocean gamefish can be enormous. Making a successful career working the West Coast region so that one can afford to retire to the East Coast region is the dream of Marcostan accomplishement; one is said to live the life 'dura e tranquila' - to live the hard quiet life.