The Sea of Origo
Notably both geographically as the largest lake in Realmgard and culturally as the location of several of the most important religious sites in Realmgard, the Sea of Origo is one of the continent’s most famous natural features.
Despite the name — referring to its size compared to the other lakes of Realmgard — the so-called Sea of Origo is actually a freshwater lake, with its outflow emptying southward into the sea. This direct connection to the sea has also made the Sea Origo an important part of trade and travel in Natalis from the earliest period of Elven settlement down to the present.
In the mythology of the Elven Empire and subsequently most Realmgardian tradition, the Sea of Origo is the location where the gods of the Ennead first entered the world of Terrace after departing the Distant Verdant Star. Thus, the most important temples devoted to the gods of the Ennead were built at the Sea of Origo. Since the collapse of the Elven Empire, these religious communities — known as the Sacred Republics — are politically independent and often serve as mediators between the various Natalian city-states.
In a very broad sense, my inspiration here was the Sea of Galilee — in that it’s a lake commonly called a sea. While the Sea of Galilee does have religious significance (e.g. as seen here), it’s not really a parallel to the Sea of Origo.
If anything, the Sea of Origo and the Sacred Republics are the Papal States in the context of Natalis being Italy, but probably closer to Mount Athos in how they actually function.
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