The Hann Sea is large – it is roughly 1000 miles from Port Elizabeth to The Razardi Islands - and about 800 miles from the very top to the southern coast. This makes it, more or less, the same size as the Mediterranean Sea. However, the Hann Sea is deeper than the Mediterranean Sea, much deeper in the middle of the sea. Reliable observers have reported that the water boils in the middle of the Hann Sea and that there is a stench of sulphur when you get close. Furthermore, there are sea monsters, some that should probably have died out years ago, in those deeper waters.

Very few ships travel across those dangerous waters, and waterborne trade is restricted to the shallower waters around the coastlines. While it is still only 1000 miles from Port Elizabeth to Razardi, there is no peace with Sakar on the southern coast. That coastline is home to pirates and privateers with free rein to raid ships that don’t fly a Sakaran flag, so not many traders take that route. The Northern Route, via West Telida, Strongholds Angasa and the Far Coast is longer, and is preferred by all but the most reckless traders. However, that route has a number of safe-haven ports, with their trading opportunities, along the way.

To the east and west, there are two deep oceans, both of which are known for bad storms, dangerous sailing conditions and strange denizens – so very little exploration, of those deeper waters, has taken place. The harsh weather condition in the East and West Oceans means there is no equivalent of the Gulf Stream, nor consistent wind patterns that cross those oceans, so travel across them is difficult.

Just around the Cape of Porters Bar, East Telida meets the Eastern Ocean. Separated from its Western neighbour by a massive mountain range, East Telida has little contact with its western neighbours. What trade there is funnelled through Porters Bar and Port Elizabeth.

Sinan lies across the western ocean, althoughfew intrepid explorers have sailed those waters, and fewer still have come back to tell the tales. They report a divided land ruled by harsh lords, with little interest in external trade.

• For The Hann Empire, think of a disparate trading empire, with three strong nations - that are hundreds of miles apart.
• For Sakar, think of badlands, with a number of independent city states along the coast, bound together by a common culture. A mash-up of Fantasy Arabian and Lankhamar.
• For East Telida think of Vikings mashed up with Celts, living in low tech tribal holdings - right up against the wilderness.
• For Sinan, think of China and Japan and other eastern cultures mashed together in a politically uncomfortable melting pot. (Yeah, even though it is in the west. Perhaps this world is set in the Southern Hemisphere and the sages set got North to face the other way)