Athernyx — The World
CANON — locked
Overview
A spherical water world with a single supercontinent.
The Sky: Most of the time, normal. At night, mana in the atmosphere creates aurora-like effects — a slightly purple, glass-like quality. On clear nights, the full solar system is visible: stars, moons, planets stretched across the darkness.
The Colors:
- Oceans: Aquamarine
- Clouds: Pink
- Land: Jade-green
- Night sky: Purple shimmer, cosmic clarity
The Starforge: Deep underwater on the far side of the planet. An ancient transmitter that channels energy through the Ather to the Soul Well. Discovered by Eyuun around Year 250.
The Citadel
Year 247: Founded. The Archon Citadel — seat of civilization.
Year 314: Beautiful, bustling, center of mana-tech advancement. The apex.
Year 329–333: The Council War. Seven members fight over the Soul Well. Only Lazerin survives.
Year 600: Looks like a concentration camp. Lazerin's hollow throne. Prison state.
Year 619+: Restored to former glory under Eyuun's guidance.
Architecture
The Core Principle
Roman bones. Mana-tech veins.
Classical architecture — columns, arches, marble, stone. Dignified. Timeless. But the trim isn't decorative. It's functional.
Ornate borders along walls = mana channels. Carved molding around doorways = rune circuits. You don't see glowing magic everywhere — you see architecture. Then the sun sets and the trim breathes soft light.
What You See vs What's Happening
| Surface | Function |
|---|---|
| Elegant column | Mana circuit running floor to ceiling |
| Decorative frieze | Climate control runes |
| Mosaic floor | Pressure-sensitive security grid |
| Fountain | Mana pump hidden in basin |
| Brazier | Contained flame-school mana loop, not fire |
Nothing looks "techy." Everything looks ancient and beautiful. But it's all running.
The Five Regions
| Region | Character | Notable Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Frontier | Farmland, frontier towns | Millbrook (Kael's hometown), The Fallen Cap tavern |
| Gale Haven | Coastal, trade hub | Docks district, seafront, fish markets |
| Veradyn | Northern island, volcanic | Barrier Temple, volcanic hot springs |
| Valkara | Southern wilderness | Survival settlements, harsh terrain |
| The Citadel | Central seat of power | Council chambers, prison state (Year 600) |
Locations
Helga's Cabin
- Clearing in the forest
- Log cabin grown from the tree — Nature + Matter school
- Where allies gather
- Helga's domain
The Taverns
- Where Magii is played
- Social hubs
- First city stop for travelers
- The Fallen Cap (Eastern Frontier) — where Kael and Veyra meet
The Starforge
- Ancient. Deep underwater.
- Far side of the planet from the continent
- Built by unknown architects
- Discovered by Eyuun (~250)
- Transmits energy through the Ather to the Soul Well
- What Kael ignites using the key (Year 600)
Flora & Fauna
The Network
A vast fungal root system spanning the continent underground. Moves mana, stores memory, pulses with slow awareness. The foundation of Athernyx's ecosystem.
Mana'mals
Spirit-descendants who came to Athernyx to feed on Network flora. Some can still portal back to the Ather (hoppers), others are stranded (integrated). Hunted for materials.
Fish
The oceans teem with aquatic life. Fish is a dietary staple, especially in coastal regions.
No Land Animals
There are no horses, cattle, or familiar Earth creatures. Mana'mals fill ecological niches. Transportation uses Mana'mal-drawn carriages.
The Ather
A parallel dimension — beautiful, peaceful, Eden-like. Home to spirits (ancient beings who predate the Alkin). The Starforge channels energy through the Ather to reach the Soul Well.
See: world/ather.md
"One continent. One sky. A thousand secrets beneath."