Seafaring
As the English and Spanish settlers were both the result of sea voyages, and populated with sailors, it was natural that maritime exploration soon developed in Altierra.
Geography
[edit]Because the world is oceanic and these islands lie between 30–55°N, the prevailing wind systems play a huge role.
Wind Patterns
[edit]- 30–35°N: Subtropical High — light winds, calmer seas.
- 35–55°N: Prevailing westerlies — strong west-to-east winds.
Sailing Between Islands
[edit]1. Alba (West) to Isla Arbojan (East)
[edit]Distance is about 2,500 miles.
- Easy eastward sailing, thanks to prevailing westerlies (like the North Atlantic Drift).
- Traders and explorers travel quickly with the wind.
- Return journeys are slower — may require tacking or following a longer southerly route.
2. Isla Arbojan (East) to Veridia (North)
[edit]- Northward journey into cooler, stormier waters.
- Warm currents aid navigation and climate near Island 2.
- Risk of seasonal storms (autumn), especially along eastern coasts.
3. Veridia (West) to Alba (Southwest)
[edit]- Difficult without advanced navigation — sailing into the windward direction.
- May follow coastal routes or use looping return paths with trade winds.
Maritime Culture
[edit]- Expect island-hopping trade networks, storm-season shut-downs, and sailor guilds.
- Coastal cities would be port-focused, with societies heavily influenced by tides, stars, and seasonal sea conditions.
- Likely legends of sea monsters, storm spirits, and sunken isles in folklore.
Although the Priestesses have their own small fleet under the control fo the Guardia, any inter-island sailing is operated by the Guild of Navigators or Gremio de Pilotos. Only they have the navigational skills to accomplish the voyages.
The Guild of Navigators is a brotherhood of pilots and sea-masters responsible for guiding ships between the islands. In theory the guild governs its own membership, training, and discipline. In practice, however, it operates under the patronage of the Priestesses, whose temples control the charts, harbours, and navigational lore upon which the guild depends.
The descended from the seamen of the Spanish and English settlers who desired to retain their own importance.
The navigators depend on the Priestesses because only the latter produce the tables of ephemeris that the former depend on.
Vessel types
[edit]The inhabitants of Altierra used fore-and-aft sailing rigs, and in fact, their environment makes it particularly advantageous. Here’s a breakdown of why and how:
Wind Conditions Encourage It
- Dominant Westerlies
- All three islands lie between 30°N and 55°N, where the westerlies dominate — these are strong, steady winds blowing from the west to the east.
- Ships sailing westward (against the wind) need to sail close-hauled or tack into the wind, which square sails are terrible at.
- Fore-and-aft sails (like lateen, gaff, or Bermuda rigs) can sail much closer to the wind — ideal for heading west.
- Frequent Wind Shifts
- Especially near Veridia, storms and oceanic disturbances would cause changing wind directions.
- Fore-and-aft rigs are easier to manoeuvre in variable winds.
Geographic & Cultural Rationale
- Island Geography & Coastal Trade
- Close manoeuvring in bays, harbours, and archipelagos would favour fore-and-aft rigs for their agility.
- Coastal and inter-island trade could benefit from smaller, faster vessels that can sail efficiently in any direction.
- Ocean Crossings
- While large square-rigged ships dominate downwind trade winds (like Earth’s Age of Sail Atlantic crossings), fore-and-aft rigs allow flexible routes, which is vital in a world where wind may not always be favourable.
