Existence

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Aedrelon is a vast world, immensely so. No complete map of its surface has ever been drawn and no one has ever traveled it in its entirety. However, to most inhabitants, Aedrelon might as well be incredibly small : their own perception of the world is restricted to their immediate surroundings and a few neighboring regions, keeping them unaware and somewhat uninterested of what may exist beyond them. Traveling Aedrelon is dangerous and no road, no matter how well traveled, is ever absolutely safe. Thus, people have learned to stay together and to build communities to make their own worlds just a bit less scary. These communities sometimes become small villages or entire kingdoms.  

The Lands of Aedrelon

Krogiath

Krogiath is the most populated continent of Aedrelon. Surrounded by multiple large oceans, it's an island completely isolated from the other land masses of Aedrelon. Inhabitants of Krogiath are for the most part aware of the different countries and City-States that are scattered throughout the land thanks to robust road infrastructures and a large effort from the Mapmakers to create a comprehensible map and to educate the population.   Krogiath is divided into two parts, the Meilthaor Empire, a unified theocratic state taking up a good third of the continent, and the Neighboring States, a collection of unclaimed land, city-states and small independant countries.  

The Skies of Aedrelon

There exist above the clouds myriads of truths in the shapes of stars, moons and dust painting an everchanging sky. These celestial bodies are known by many names and burdened with as many meanings and intentions.
Scholars of the Imperial Institute of Astronomy classify them as such :

The Moons

The three moons of Aedrelon are called Amon, Umon and Omon and are told to be the three eyes of Thaor overlooking His creation. Each moon goes through four phases, changing shape and color after the new moon.

• Amon, also known as Aal or Xi, is the biggest moon and follows a cycle of about 32 days.
1. The White Moon : pale moon of travelers, vagrants, nomads and exiled. Those born under the White Moon are said to be obervant, patient and lazy.
2. The Leonine Moon : yellow moon of soldiers, swords for hire, sailors and cooks. Those born under the Leonine Moon are said to be brave, loyal and arrogant.
3. The Moon of Swords : silver moon of mailmen, heralds, bards and traveling merchants. Those born under the Moon of Swords are said to be cunning, trustworthy and impulsive.
4. The Greenwood Moon : earthy moon of carpenters, winemakers, farmers and coopers. Those born under the Greewood Moon are said to be dexterous, witty and melancholic.
• Umon, also known as Jeol or Fan, is the smallest moon and follows a cycle of about 24 days.
1. The Winter Moon : blue moon of Artists, historians, scholars and musicians. Those born under the Winter Moon are said to be creative, passionate and stubborn.
2. The Jade Moon : green moon of ghosts, gravediggers, actors and painters. Those born under the Jade Moon are said to be resourceful, astute and reclusive.
3. The Hearth Moon : blazing moon of lamplighters, candlemakers, perfumers and brewers. Those born under the Hearth Moon are said to be friendly, empathetic and resentful
4. The Moon of the Undergrowth : brown moon of servants, children, conquerors and the conquered. Those born under the Moon of the Undergrowth are said to be calm, obedient and calculating.
• Omon, also known as Sen or Zhon, follows a cycle of about 36 days.
1. The Closed Moon : black moon of criminals teachers, guides and churchmen. Those born under the Closed Moon are said to be smart, attentive and secretive.
2. The Howling Moon : ginger moon of animals, hermits, pariahs and the forgotten. Those born under the Howling Moon are said to be strong of body and mind and violent.
3. The Middlesky Moon : azur moon of astrologians, writers, mapmakers and rainbringers. Those born under the Middlesky Moon are said to be caring, honest and blunt.
4. The Spider Moon : red moon of florists, tailors, weavers and oracles. Those burn under the Spider Moon are said to be hard working, beautiful and frail.

Different cultures assign different meanings to the many moons of Aedrelon, these are but the ones most commonly believed in Meilthaor. Regardless, it is fairly common for parents to keep track of which moons kids are born under and infer from them what kind of life they will lead.

The Signs

Signs are peculiar clusters of stars that shine bright colourful light at night. These constellations seem to appear and disappear almost at random and are believed to be omens of things to come. Just like the different cycles of the moons, Signs are a fertile breeding ground for superstitions and beliefs of all kinds. Some are more common than others, but no one seems able to infer what causes them to appear or not on any given night.

• The Twin Horns : somber constellation of blood red stars, the Twin Horns appear as two symetrical fiery spikes in the night sky. It is very much regarded as a dangerous Sign and many advise to not even set foot outside on nights when it is visible. Some people report to have sprouted horns after looking at the sign, while other claim that twins born under the Twin Horns are cursed to become atrocious monsters before they turn ten.
• The Eye of Cup : constellation of bright blue stars in the shape of an cup adorned with an open eye. Legends say that those born under the Eye of Cup receive the gift of prophecy, and can tell the many futures waiting to be born in each and every one. People also blame very vivid dreams and nightmares on the presence of this Sign, but its actual effects are yet to be precisely understood.
• The Everblade : constellation of magnificent green stars in the shape of a lush tree surrounded by tall grass. The Everblade is said to be the result of the alchemical process of the Everlife. It is the ultimate goal of every alchemist : to become a star of the Everblade and live forever in the night sky.
• The Firebrand : undoubdebly the rarest of all the Signs, the Firebrand is a cluster of silver and red stars forming a burning coiled prong. This Sign is said to bless some people with the Mark of Fire. The mark appears as a burn on the neck and allows those that bear it to speak the tongue of the Flames, and understand the voices of all fires.
• The Renmaru : this Sign only appears when all moons are full. Unlike other Signs, this one does not appear as stars but as an aurora of purple and blue ribons and changes the colors of the moons to a light lavender tint. Only when it appears can Renmaru creatures be born.
• The Sifr : this Sign only appears when all moons are new. Unlike other Signs, this one does not appear as stars but as the absence of stars : on a Sifr night, the sky is entirely black and lightless. Only when the entire world is draped in this profound darkness can Sifr creatures be born.
• The Fourth Moon : on some nights, a moon made out of stars appears in the sky of Aedrelon. Also known as Emon, Vanu or Lin, this almost-moon is cause for celebration in many cultures. It is regarded as the traveling moon, wandering through the night sky for years at a time only to reappear when it finally misses its home. Kids born under the Fourth Moon are hailed as blessed children and destined for greatness.
• The Maw : when a gaping maw of sharp fangs appears in the night sky, people tend to stay at home, for it means the Festival of the Hunt has started. Nightmarish creatures are said to descend from the stars and feast on those brave enough - or stupid enough - to wander the darkness. There is a lot to lose during the Festival of the Hunt, but also a lot to gain. Those who manage to kill the skyborne horrors of the Maw are said to be visited the following night by the Spirit of the Hunt and granted a wish...
• The Hourglass :
• The Snakebird : a golden bird with a snake for a tail is an auspicious Sign. Farmers all across Krogiath believe that crops planted under the Snakebird will grow strong and healthy. Blacksmith believe that steel forged under the same Sign will never rust nor break. Bards will then compose their most beautiful ballads and explorers make the most brilliant discoveries. But all fortune comes at a cost, and one must not abuse of the Snakebird's blessing...
• The Nightingale : another bird, this one night blue, carrying a rose in its beak. It is a Sign of change, of tragic endings and new beginnings.
• The Wolfbane

 

The Dreams of Aedrelon

Existence itself might as well be a Dream already, yet many others coexist and overlap to create an ever changing play of lights and shadows, where time and space become one, merge and dance to create something more, something else.
Dreams are pockets of reality that exist simultaneously over the waking world. As such, places, people and object can exist in multiple instances at the same time as reflections of one another. Dreams are very real yet always on the brink of disappearing, like clouded memories. Not a single one more real or important than the other, all exactly equal and unique yet unmistakably similar.