Gloomy Straits

幽暗海峡（ゆうあんかいきょう） Gloomy Straits jɯᵝːã̠ŋ ka̠ikjo̞ː
The Gloomy Straits in Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle
Information
Location	Somewhere in Mugenri, separating the Sanctuary and Devanagara
Appearances
Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle (Possible Stage 3 Location)

The Gloomy Straits (幽暗海峡, Yūan kaikyō) is a dark strait with gentle waves that lies between the Sanctuary and Devanagara. Regardless of being day or night, since it was gloomy the entire year, it was known as the Gloomy Straits. There, the light of the sky barely touches the land due to the influence of something like heavy fog or a mirage. It has a long embankment called the Fantasy Seawall. The Gloomy Sea Bridge is undergoing construction here to connect the capital with the mainland. It was the place of work of Fujiwara no Iyozane.

General Information

The waters are said to be filled with dangerous sea monsters, making swimming across impossible. There is also said to be a certain group patrolling the skies above, making flying over the straits dangerous as well. Furthermore, the strait is also home to a band of pirates, all in all making the strait a rather dangerous location. The strait used to have several boaters that offered to ferry people across, but ever since the capital set up their two ferries that go between the Sanctuary and Devanagara, many of boatmen have been losing their income. Compounded with the fact that the capital had begun construction of the Gloomy Sea Bridge, many of the boatmen elected to change careers, Iyozane being one such example.

Fantasy Seawall

The Fantasy Seawall (夢幻堤防, Mugen teibō) is the long embankment built along the strait. Not much is known about this location.

Gloomy Sea Bridge

The Gloomy Sea Bridge (幽暗海橋, Yūan kaikyō) is a long bridge being built across the strait by Devanagara, near the capital end of the bridge is a small post town on top of the bridge, with mostly inns and shops. Sukune Katano was responsible for designing the bridge and making a model of it, while the main construction is still being worked on by another contractor, with Sukune helping out in secret.

Background Information

The Gloomy Straits are likely inspired by the Seto Inland Sea (瀬戸内海) through Fujiwara no Iyozane, who is based on the historical noble and pirate Fujiwara no Sumitomo. Sumitomo was a local official in charge of suppressing the pirates of the inland sea, but later turned to lead them in a revolt against the royal court, gaining control over much of the sea. These pirates are likely what the pirates of the Gloomy Straits are based on. However, in contrast to the Seto Inland Sea's rapid currents, the Gloomy Straits are said to be calm all year round.

The Strait's Appearances

Pre-game Events

In the past, after Taira no Fumikado was betrayed and started losing their allies, they escaped to the Gloomy Straits. There, they met the boater Iyozane and the two become good friends, with Fumikado promising that once they became an emperor, Iyozane would be their chief advisor.

Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle

Stages 3 and 4 of Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle take place in the Gloomy Straits, specifically stage 3 at the Fantasy Seawall and stage 4 on the Gloomy Sea Bridge. Interestingly, it has been noted that both the group patrolling the skies and the pirates were nowhere to be found during the events of the game, which allowed the capital's forces to invade the Sanctuary easily.

Additional Information

• The Gloomy Straits and Gloomy Sea Bridge share the same Japanese pronunciation, "Yūan kaikyō".

Gallery

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  The Fantasy Seawall in Brilliant Pagoda or Haze Castle

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  The Gloomy Sea Bridge (left route) in BPoHC

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  The Gloomy Sea Bridge (right route) in BPoHC