Awer

Awer is a sea, the name of which has become a part of the language among the folk of Zella. It is larger than a lake, and considered a moderately-sized ocean. It is so cold that the land which abuts it is chilled for several meters inland, even in summer. It is of unknown depth. It never freezes. There is no known life within it. The waters are a deep midnight blue, which shimmers with an oily glaze in the middle of the day. These qualities had led to various specific (yet sparse) miniature shrub-like vegetation around its borders, unique to this environment. No humans dwell within 2,000 meters. There does not seem to be any weather associated with Awer, of any kind.

The land environment has been studied extensively, as have the waters themselves. There are some additional elements of unknown origin in the waters, but nothing which would chemically signify a difference to H2O. It has been determined that the land bordering the Awer sea is of no use for any purpose. Several scientific expeditions have embarked to study Awer via boat at various times throughout civilization, of which many have not returned. Most notably and well-known is the voyage of the Darse, which has led to much folklore and legend about where and how the Darse disappeared. Those other voyagers who returned have been able to state the facts above, with no additional information.

People refer to the sea as "Awer" (not "the Awer", nor "the Awer Sea"). It is a commonly used word in expressions among the populace which indicates that a person or item is missing or gone. For example, when asked where someone is, the reply might be "He or she has gone awer", meaning they have left for an unknown destination, and also implies return is unknown as well, and also unlikely. It can also imply that someone is insane.

The word is also used as a directional indicator, meaning "gone around" (instead of directly). This is because no one sails or boats on Awer, but all must travel around it. An example: "Sally went awer to the store, then to her mother's house."

-- quoted from the record of the Quarentium, the official government of Zella