The Three Continents of Sandail

[ Added 06/24/22 ]

Sandail can be roughly divided into three continents: the Eastern Continent, the Northern Continent, and the Southern Continent. Of the three, the Eastern and Southern Continents are the most populous. The Merchmin Region on the Eastern Continent has many large cities with dense populations. On the other hand, the Northern Continent has only recently begun to be developed and is home to smaller settlements.

The Economics of Sandail

Each country and city of Sandail profits from shipping local products to other places. Let us look at Tools as an example. Vogelang basically holds a monopoly on the sale of Tools and distributes them to the rest of the world. At first glance, the prices of Tools in a faraway place such as Thermes seem reasonable, but this includes additional import taxes. Tools lining the shelves in shops are relatively inexpensive and not very powerful. It seems that stronger Tools are expensive even in Vogelang, the source of their production, so even if they were to be sold elsewhere, import taxes would make them prohibitively expensive.

Well, about how much would these Tools cost when converted to JPY (in 1999)? This is never mentioned during the game, but the price of a typical lunch is 5CR (Crowns). A single lunch in our world costs about ¥1000, so 1CR would probably be the equivalent of ¥200. But in Sandail, one could potentially live on 500CR a month, so their currency is worth possibly two or three times more than the current JPY value. Then, a starting accessory such as a < Cross Branch> would be 100CR → ¥20,000, two or three times the Sandail price. Gustave or Wil would not be the right people to ask if that is expensive or not, but just imagine how much the 10,000CR fee for crossing Grand Valley would be when converted. Quells are accepted as payment, so one could also estimate their value.

Northern & Southern Continents

The undeveloped Northern Continent and the historic Southern Continent are complete opposites

The Northern Continent is an undeveloped region. Great forests stretch across the land in temperate and frigid zones which prevent humans cultivation. Settlements have been built in recent years and the fossils of ancient creatures have been found nearby. Such discoveries gave rise to the potential of unearthing Quells.

The Southern Continent has a large population with relatively stable politics. Since Spell knowledge was slow in being brought from the Eastern Continent, the use of steel goods is still prevalent. A vast wasteland known as the “Grand Desert” stretches across the southern region and refuses to be developed by human hands.

① Lanoch River

A river running from North Gate. Or rather, it should be said that North Gate was built near the river. Not only is it a source of water for the villagers, but it is used to travel upstream to the inner lands. It flows into the Woese River, then again into the North Woese and South Woese Rivers.

② Townsend Lake

A lake vital to the livelihood of Vogelang from which the people draw water, irrigate crops, and brew alcohol. No other rivers flow into the lake, so it is theorized to connect to the sea from underground. The lake also provides seafood, which frequently appears on the menu for Vogelang residents.

③ Soma River and Uhlbat River

Both rivers connect to Lake Townsend, though their source is unknown. Specifically, the Soma River is thought to originate from a water source in the desert, though why one would exist there is a mystery of the Southern Continent. According to one theory, there is a tall mountain and melting snow runoff supplies the river.

④ Inner River

A large river which supported the growth of Gruegel and the Country of Na. It joins the Aldus River near Gruegel, then flows into the Marmara River and later connects to the sea near Scharnhorst. Without the Inner River, Gruegel would not have developed and the Capital City of Na would be located elsewhere.

COLUMN 1: Pastimes of the People of Sandail

The most popular pastime of the people of Sandail is drinking, and they sure can drink. They also love to eat, sing, and dance. The liquors of choice in this world are Vogelang bourbon and Jade wine, both from the Southern Continent. Many people on the Eastern Continent drink Jade wine, but “Quell Liquor” from Weissland has suddenly been gaining in popularity. It was originally known only by the few visitors to the region, but those visitors have recently been spreading the word. Perhaps someday it will become Weissland’s primary export shipped across the world. People living in harsh climates love to brew alcohol, it seems.

Merchmin Region & Lordless Land

The most active region in more ways than one

The Merchmin Region is considered to be the most populous and wealthy in the world. It is divided into four Principalities, each vying for power and expanding their influence through trade.

The Lordless Land is a tropical region where the Hahn Empire once flourished. After the Empire fell, no one was left to govern the land and it fell prey to monsters and brigands running rampant.

① Motte River

The longest river in Merchmin, running through Finney and Sude. Finney uses this river to strengthen its national power.

② Magny-Cours Plains

Vast plains which spread across the Four Principalities. Its central location in the Merchmin Region means it has been host to battles between the Principalities on numerous occasions.

③ Anath River

This river once supplied the Hahn Empire and continues to do so for Westia and other nearby villages in the present day. It branches off into the Penzoil and Valtazar Rivers with its source located just north of the Ruins of Hahn.

④ Yuno Beach

The beach in southwest Lordless Land where Gustave XIII landed upon his arrival from the Eastern Continent. Later, it was used for Jade’s military expeditions. It is located almost on the equator.

COLUMN 2: Transportation in Sandail

Sandail has very distinct methods of transportation. There is a huge difference in technological advancements between land and water based transit. It goes without saying that ships are the main form of transportation over water, with shipbuilding skills seemingly more advanced in the Southern Continent than the Eastern Continent. When Gustave XIII returns to the Eastern Continent, for example, the ship he uses is equivalent to a galleon or perhaps even a frigate class ship from our world. By the way, frigates appeared in the later stages of the “Age of Discovery” and are regarded as a highly advanced evolution of the sailing ship. If they are able to utilize steam engines powered by Quells, then perhaps “Quell ships” will be invented in the future.

Then, there is the matter of land transportation which has lagged far behind in comparison. It is extremely rare to ride animals on land. There do exist animals called “Gingar” (which the people of this world call “horses”), but they are unusual means of transport exclusive to the nobility which mostly serve as status symbols. If the equivalent of the wheel were to be invented in Sandail, it would have a huge impact on trade and promote growth. What about vehicles? We do see wagons scattered about, but there is probably nothing more advanced than that. Automobiles could be created if Spells were used to rotate the wheels, but no one has yet considered the idea.

Grand Teille & Weissland

Regions with a deep connection to Spells

The Grand Teille is protected by natural defenses with the Great Forest to the north and Grand Valley to the south. It became an isolated region with very little foot traffic, yet it is because of this isolation that technology from the Hahn Empire remains in some cities and is still used even today.

Weissland is a frigid region with long snowy winters and short summers. However, it is known as the birthplace of Spells and Quells are still being excavated.

① The Great Forest

The Great Forest divides the Eastern Continent into North and South not only geographically, but also in terms of cultural growth because of its hindrance on travel.

② Grand Valley

The valley that separates Laubholz and Weissland from the rest of the Grand Teille. The stone bridge was built in the age of the Hahn Empire, but bandits have taken over and charge exorbitant crossing tolls.

③ Lake Shenkel

Located in Weissland, it is the only lake on the Eastern Continent. It completely freezes over in the cold season. Monsters also appear in the area.

④ Adler River

This river flows near Laubholz and merges with the Ursula River close to the city. Both are used only as moats to store water and have not been able to utilize water transportation.

COLUMN 3: General World View of a Sandail Citizen

How do the people of Sandail view their own world? First, let us examine a legend passed down through the family of the Count of Carnak, nobles from Sude Principality in the Merchmin Region.

According to this legend, “Beyond the eastern sea is the edge of the world, and beyond that the stars shine brightly.” Actually, what the average person of Sandail believes is not far off: “The world has an edge, beyond which the stars shine and the sea cascades like a waterfall into the abyss.” In addition to that, “The world is held on the backs of three giant Gingar (or similar creatures), all riding on the back of a giant turtle.” This is why the cause of earthquakes is explained away as one of the Gingar losing their footing on the turtle’s shell.

Sailors say that if one sails to the edge of the sea and looks over, depending on the location, it is possible to see the back of a giant Gingar’s head.