OpenGeofiction:Tarephia
This page is meant to provide general information about the continent of Tarephia. Large parts of the continent are currently still actively being reimagined, so information here will often be in flux as new territories are being established. It's important to note, that none of the borders or guidelines provided in this article are absolute and firm requirements and restrictions. They are merely meant to be inspirations; and such, descriptions are brief, up to interpretation. Territory owners who find their territory does not fall within the descriptions listed on this page, or find some other kind of difference between their perception of the continent and the description in the article, are encouraged to use the talk page to notify the continental admin of this issue; so that the page may be edited to reflect this.
Tarephia as a whole
Tarephia is often described as a combination of North Africa and South America. While this comparison is completely valid in the larger scheme of things, there is no obligation for Tarephia (or any of the OGF world's continents, for that matter), to match to any real world locations one-to-one. Overall, Tarephia is home to all kinds of colonial nations of Ulethan (European) descent, Arabic and Maghreb culture territories, and some Mediterranean cultures, too. Tarephia is also home to a variety of concultures and conlanguages.
The continent is located inbetween the 'old' and 'new' worlds of OGF, with Uletha (old) in the north, and Antarephia (new) in the south. This results in a continent with a mix of colonization, native cultures, and everything inbetween. The climate of the continent is best described as warm, with dry deserts in the northern half, and tropical humidity in the south.
The territories on the continent of Tarephia can loosely be grouped into four regions. Below, each of these regions is outlined more thoroughly, subdivided even further, and described in terms of real world influences, the admin direction for the region, and the current status. All territories within a specific region bear a territory code that begins with the region's number. This way, regions are easily identifiable on the map.
The four regions of Tarephia, which can also be seen on the image to the right, are as follows:
- North Tarephia (Region 0)
- East Tarephia (Region 1)
- West and Central Tarephia (Region 2)
- South Tarephia (Region 3)
North Tarephia
Influences
North Tarephia is best described as a combination of North-African; while also having other Mediterranean influences. Territories here often contain part of the Great Helion Desert or Serion Desert; and population is typically bound to the coast. In terms of cultures and languages, Moroccan or Egyptian (and thus, islamic), as well as less specific Arabic influences are present. In addition to this, Greek, Spanish and Turkish influences are found here; and encouraged for new territories. As is the case for the entire continent, conlangs and concultures may also be found here, though they should fit the theme of the rest of North Tarephia.
Current Status / Subregions
| Codes | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| TA00x | North West Tarephia | Generally North-African, comparable to the Maghreb, Moroccan, Libyan and similar. TA005 could be colonized, too. |
| TA01x | North East Tarephia | Arabic, Egyptian, trading here is strongly influenced by the Dematisna strait |
| TA02x | Sabelic Sea | Mix of Arabic, Mediterranean and Spanish colonial. |
| TA03x | Ellirian Peninsula | Greek, Spanish, perhaps Italian |
| TA04x | Euronian Peninsula | Former colonies, variety of Mediterranean influences (French, Turkish, Spanish etc.) |
Names for these subregions are by no means canon, or even the generally accepted name for these areas. If a better name exists, please let me know.
Future
The Dematisna territory would eminently lend itself for a collaborative territory due to its unique location, mapping already present, and implied historic importance. While this is not currently directly planned, users are encouraged to voice interest in this territory. Aside from this, the rest of this region is relatively active - and key territories such as Albalad Siriun are not currently owned, but contain a fair amount of mapping. The TA021-024 territories are relatively forgiving in terms of expected theme, and because of their size, would lend themselves for being picked up by new mappers.
East Tarephia
Influences
East Tarephia is best described as a direct parallel to South America. Most territories in this region use either Spanish or Portuguese as a primary language, and others are influenced by this. Lying within direct colonization range of Castellán, it can be assumed that an enormous portion of this region was at one point under control by this nation; though naturally with exceptions. This region is tropical, warm and moist, and relatively developed.
Current Status / Subregions
| Codes | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| TA10x, TA11x | Latinan Peninsula North | Spanish/Portuguese, tropical, generally South American in nature. |
| TA12x | Latinan Peninsula South | Similar to above; also takes influence from the Lycene region in South Tarephia. |
| TA13x | South "Bay" Coast | - |
| TA14x, TA15x | North "Bay" Coast | Hispanic culture and language, drier inland than territories further south. |
| TA16x | Islands in the Sea of Uthyra | Caribbean, sunny tropical islands - not very rich, but very varied in culture. |
Names for these subregions are by no means canon, or even the generally accepted name for these areas. If a better name exists, please let me know.
Future
Hopefully, the TA10x and TA11x territories will become an active hub of mappers who are interested in mapping Hispanic language colonial mapping. A territory such as TA105 (former Ammirice), is looking for an active, experienced mapper to take it on, though, if there is no interest, it might be partitioned in the future. Apart from this, the rest of this region is largely already owned. Perhaps the island chains could be expanded upon?
West and Central Tarephia
Influences
West and Central Tarephia are best described as a combination of South America, and West and Central Africa. At the time of writing, there are very few owned territories here, but through the addition of the "Tarephian Lakes", as well as various (hopefully) interesting territories, the intention is to attract mappers to this region. Because West Tarephia is, compared to East Tarephia, situated quite westerly, it is much less likely for Hispanic colonizers to have found their way here. Much more likely, these colonizers would come from Kalm, Ingrea, or even some nations along the Vinn Sea. As such, the expectation is that these territories are inhabited by colonizers of Germanic descent, and speak German, Dutch, Scandinavian, and importantly: English. However, since these areas are nonetheless quite distant, and on the edge of what one might consider the "discovered world" (aka, OGF excluding the elusive Western Continents), there would also be a general lower interest in colonizing these coasts for mercantile purposes. West Tarephia is also a lot less tropical, and a lot drier than the eastern coast. Especially for inland Tarephia, therefor, native (con)cultures might also have had the opportunity to maintain or regain independence, and exist as a country here. The further east one travels, the more likely it might be that the Castellán colonizers have found their way into these regions; though a Spanish territory here (outside of, perhaps, Tarephia Equatorial) is unlikely. Overall, territories in this area are underdeveloped, and sparsely populated outside of few hubs of activities.
Current Status / Subregions
| Codes | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| TA20x | Area around "Rio Sereno" | Colonized by English, German, Dutch? |
| TA21x | Area around lakes "B" and "C" | Germanic colonizers, natives, conlangs? |
| TA22x | Area around lake "A" and the "Southwestern Tarephian River" | Germanic colonizers, natives, conlangs? |
| TA23x | Horn of Tarephia | Various colonizers; unlikely to have non-colonized nations. |
| TA24x | The Dry North-West | Savannahs, nomads and tribes, colonizers along the coast |
| TA25x | Area around lake "D" and the "North Tarephian River" | Most likely concultures. |
Names for these subregions are by no means canon, or even the generally accepted name for these areas. If a better name exists, please let me know. In particular for this region, a lot of regions are still a blank slate, which will hopefully be filled in as new mappers are attracted to the area.
Future
Hopefully, mappers can be attracted here especially; with the promise of "English" colonized mapping being allowed, and the region being above all, a blank slate. Currently, the largest territories are marked as unavailable, as some smaller territories might be claimed first, and could grow through absorbing part of these larger territories. Notably, the Narghenna territory will soon be made into a collaborative territory, as form of "mapping restoration"; to update and prettify some old, but potent mapping. Conversely, Tarephia Equatorial might also become a collaborative in the future - though be aware that this might be a while in the future yet.
South Tarephia
Influences
South Tarephia is very difficult to pinpoint; overall the inspiration of the area is South American, but cultures and languages in this region are wildly varied; with Spanish, English, French, natives and conlangs all being used. Overall, the community of mappers in this region is among the most active on the site, and works together to create a generally accepted canon; which widely allows for most of these to be intermixed. Such scattered cultural differences are justified by the existence of the Strait of Lyc; the body of water that travels between Tarephia and Antarephia, an important searoute. Overall, subregions in this region are made more so based on geography, rather than cultural similarity, since this region is a well-organized mess of cultures and languages.
Current Status / Subregions
| Codes | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| TA30x | Gulf of Oridica (East) | Generally; French and Spanish influences. |
| TA31x | Budrian Peninsula | Varied; English with French, Spanish and native influences |
| TA32x | Cabelia | French and native influence, mercantile, tropical. |
| TA33x | South Tulyan Peninsula | Quite well developed, full of all kinds of influences which are found throughout the region. |
| TA34x | Gulf of Oridica (West) | Stronger native presence, various languages and cultures found here. |
| TA35x | West Tulyan Peninsula | Ingerish territories which, due to their proximity to the Strait of Lyc, are more developed than their West Tarephian counterparts. |
Names for these subregions are by no means canon, or even the generally accepted name for these areas. If a better name exists, please let me know.
Future
This region is already highly active, and has very strong activity region-wide. Admin intention is to keep this as such, but overall, no large plans seem to be needed to keep it that way - hopefully it's possible to spread activity in this region through the rest of the continent.