Cathedris
Scene
The Laws of Cathedris
The source of (almost) all the strangeness and differences in Cathedris come from the God-husks. They are gigantic beings that reject the fundamental laws of the universe; over 400m tall, they cannot truly die, they eat no food, and their blood is horifically powerful. This blood, Ichor, mutates any fauna it touches, creating monsters known as Rendlings.
When ichor is injected in humans and catalyzed through an artificial organ, people can harness a fraction of a gods power and use it to do Catalurgy -- magic. This power can range from temporary (or in some cases permanent) creation of matter, to modifying objects and minds, or even manipulating energy and electromagnetic fields.
Cosmology
The world is believed to have begun many thousands of years ago, with a very long period of low level life existing, until the Days of Creation began and the gods were formed. The actual origin of the planet, and what caused the creation of the gods, are some of the greatest mysteries within Cathedris.The actual answer to these mysteries is yet undecided -- I am discovering the origins of Cathedris just as much as you are! What is decided is that the planet was likely formed similar to our reality -- a great big ball of rock orbiting a local star. However, there's something out there in the great unknown, releasing strange objects into the universe that have untold effects. Many of them have hit Cathedris, and are thought to have been the seeds that kickstarted both life, and the gods themselves.
Principal Geography & Features
This here is the POWERMAP 3100-X -- an interactive device that showcases the world and the geography of Cathedris. Hit the buttons along the top that contain country names to see where they are on the globe, see what their geography looks like, and learn a bit about them as well.
Note: this section is only visible on PC. If you are on mobile, I apologize! Please open the Meta on a PC screen to see the geography section.
Ha'e
Qurain
Moonfal
Rillia
Degrunda
Abrador
Point Apae
Russin
Theah Prieah
Raktana
Wo'bb'al
Shattered Isles
Brekoffs
Hansun
Deyhun
Leyazcallen
Kazcallen
Artazia
Varzen
Ezlya
Ezwya
Ezcor
Estana
Falaradun
Full View
This is a large, cold country, located to the north of the continent Apathae, directly along the crater edge created by Qur long ago. The country is home to massive glacial cliffs that rake huge scarred canyons through the rocky terrain. The country worships He'an and is a popular travel destination. Articles in Ha'e:
This country is an industrial powerhouse, taking full advantage of their patron God-husk Qur that walks within the Qurain's borders. Qur slashes and carves the landscape into mind-bending geographical architecture, exposing raw goods to be exploited; not to mention the possibility of extracting Ichor from Qur himself. Articles in Qurain:
Home to a single massive canyon that stretches the length of the entire country. The canyon is incredibly lush, as seemingly endless trees grow along the terraced slopes of the canyon walls. The largest number of He'an rescuists live here, hoping that one day their god will return to the planet. Articles in Moonfal:
This country appears to have once been shaped by Qur long ago; now the vibrant twisted shapes have been weathered down to rolling stone hills covered in thick, oppressive moss. It's a small country, not a big player on the world's stage, but is still a vital trade partner with Qurain.
A massive complex of dormant volcanoes fills the landscape of Degrunda; Codod attacks the ground with fervor in attempt to restart the fires underground, but to no avail. The land is thus full of broken cliffs, jagged canyons, dark caves, and endless ice. The number one career path in Degrunda is mining -- as Codod exposes vein after vein of valuable metal.
Unlike its neighbour to the north, Abrador is home to considerable volcanic activity, seem primarily within the large icy lava field that spans the country's interior. Large sheets of ice form and shatter as pockets of lava erupt from below. The hills that ring this area are full of hot springs, and are where the main concentration of the country's population lives.
Mostly flat and connected to the main continent by a tiny land bridge, and due to its location, perfectly situated to create an environment of constant freeze-thaw. This creates a landscape full of pockmarks, marshy ground, and strange hummocks that bulge from the landscape appearing almost like rotten piles of vegetation. The ground is rich with nutrients and the residents construct large greenhouses to farm it, protecting themselves from the frost.
This country is home to white cliffs and windswept mountain peaks, with a large lustrous white beach that envelopes almost the entire thing. The waters surrounding Russin are warm and shallow, within which Sharenskus trudges. The vast majority of Russinians live within the country's capital to the north-west, which is also named Russin. Articles in Russin:
Large rolling hills comprised of rough red sandstone break up valleys of lush green grass and oxbow lakes, where rivers have meandered and left behind large U-shaped bodies of water. Theah Prieah shares its border with Raktana, dividing The Comprilith in two between the two nations. On this Theah Prieah's side of the border, T'kalia kneels motionless within sight of his and Rak'tos's failed project. Articles in Theah Prieah:
Raktana was once the home to a massive mountain of red limestone and gypsum; but the heavy rainfall experienced in the region weathered this down over hundreds of thousands of years, creating erosions and deposits that formed the country's strange twisting landscape. Rak'tos floats above it often, always within sight of her and T'kalia's failed project, The Comprilith. Articles in Raktana:
A large peninsula jutting out from the southern end of Raktana forms this country; home to much of the same red stone that comprises the landforms of the other two countries that share the continent. Wo'bb'al has many springs that form deep underground, bubbling up through porous stone and forming hundreds of small terraced lakes. The water pours from these, eroding the red stone and forming crimson rivers that weave their way to the ocean.
Home to the most consistently warm temperatures anywhere on Cathedris, the Shattered Isles are a series of small tropical islands that have banded together to form an island nation with a strong and vibrant eclectic culture. These islands, with their white beaches and dark green foliage, are thought to have once been one land-mass, that was somehow broken into pieces long ago. The Shattered Isles also claim a few more world records; home of the most Legion bases as well as the most Rendlings per square meter, thanks to the resident God-husk, Dimiti. Articles in the Shattered Isles:
Two larger main islands with a massive stretch of shallow ocean between the two. At low tide, the sand becomes revealed, forming a large land bridge between the two islands, exposing a large variety of shellfish that form the core of the citizens diet, and trade. On the smaller of the two main islands resides Tatete; due to her presence, all citizens of Brekoffs live on the larger island.
One of the largest countries in the world, and home to a large varying landscape; Hansun is home to Miyu, the graceful goddess of combat, as well as the birthplace of the Legion. The land is comprised of a massive central plain, which is outlined by a mix of many sharp peaks or flat-topped cliffs, all made up of red or black stone. Additionally, there are large swathes of black sand desert dunes across the countryside. Articles in Hansun:
This country was once home to the world's largest interior lake; however over the many thousands of years since The Seven Day War, the lake has dried up, leaving a large basin surrounded by terraced mountains. Small bodies of water reside within this basin, around which the citizens of Deyhun have settled.
Secluded from its neighbouring countries by tall border mountains, Leyazcallen is a small reserved nation that keeps mostly to itself. Geographically, it is made up of cryoplains -- formations of plains, terraces, and pediments made through cyclical freezing and thawing, broken up by a large impact crater lake from long before the God-husks ever existed.
Aside from Apathae (which was torn in two), no land-mass saw more devastation during the The Seven Day War than Kazcallen. Even now, the majority of the country is a barren, desolate wasteland, within which next to nothing can grow. The people of Kazcallen mostly reside along the country's northern mountain borders, or in the capital city on the western point, far behind the area that Xiuthan patrols. Articles in Kazcallen:
An authoritarian military superpower of Cathedris, known for strict regulations and rulings imposed on its citizens. The people mainly live in one of Artazia's 5 main cities, spread throughout the towering jagged peaks and massive winding rivers. Avartarian rampages within the country, so violently that the area around him has been dubbed the "Zone of War"; effectively creating a no-mans land where none but the Legion dare go. Articles in Artazia:
To many Artazians, Varzen is simply a province of Artazia that is in denial about being its own country. Still, the people here proudly declare independence; even if they depend on Artazia in more ways than one. Similar to Artazia, Varzen is home to large meandering glaciers and rocky mountain expanses. In the center of the country is a massive Stratovolcano that is assumed to be dormant.
Much of the melt-water from Varzen and Artazia runs directly through Ezwya, where the warm temperatures and high humidity turn the lush evergreen landscape into a veritable rainforest. Bright blue rivers carve their way through this otherwise mountainous landscape, along which many Ezwyan settlements are famously located.
Brutal eastern winds scour the landscape of Ezlya, picking up sand from the shattered eastern cliffs and carving it through the rest of this island nation, leaving behind countless wind-formation landmarks. The people here live in low-to-the-ground settlements founded within the few valleys that provide respite from the endless wind.
Sand from Ezlya and silt from Ezwya feed into the rivers that run through the soft ground that makes up the majority of this country. As a result, the rivers are endlessly winding and changing their routes; the biomes of Ezcor follow suit, switching between wet or dry. Above it all floats Qetzel, his harrowing laugh echoing across an ever-changing landscape. Articles in Ezcor:
Heavily rainforested and always damp, Estana is a small nation known for its rainbow swamps from which massively tall trees sprout endlessly. The country is one of the newest in the world, having only recently declared independence from Falaradun. The people here are hard working, not relying on global trade, but instead sourcing everything they can from within their own borders.
Over 90% of Falaradun is covered in either swamps or marshland. Heavy rainforests line the edges of these wetlands, and in some cases, the two are combined as large tall trees have their root systems flooded. Falaradunians are eager to make a name for themselves within the wider world; be it through development opportunities, trade, or political favor.
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Congratulations on your brand new LEGIONTECH POWERMAP 3100-X, the latest in cutting edge mapping technology, proprietary to Legiontech and Legion assosciated organizations. If you find yourself in possession of this device while not part of the Legion, in direct contact with the Legion, or within the Legion's care, please turn the device and yourself in to the nearest Legion headquarters as soon as possible or risk facing the consequences. If you are authorized to use this device, please direct your attention to the top of the machine, where you will see located a variety of buttons, complete with country names inscribed upon them. Pressing these buttons will engage internal mechanisms that will modify the map to the left to showcase only the country you have selected. Additionally, a short bit of important information regarding selected country will be displayed here on the right. Should new countries form or disband, please look forward to purchasing the latest model of LEGIONTECH POWERMAP in order to stay up to date on global trends. by Stormbril with Midjourney
Ha'e
On Continent: ApathaeThis is a large, cold country, located to the north of the continent Apathae, directly along the crater edge created by Qur long ago. The country is home to massive glacial cliffs that rake huge scarred canyons through the rocky terrain. The country worships He'an and is a popular travel destination. Articles in Ha'e:
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Qurain
On Continent: ApathaeThis country is an industrial powerhouse, taking full advantage of their patron God-husk Qur that walks within the Qurain's borders. Qur slashes and carves the landscape into mind-bending geographical architecture, exposing raw goods to be exploited; not to mention the possibility of extracting Ichor from Qur himself. Articles in Qurain:
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Moonfal
On Continent: ApathaeHome to a single massive canyon that stretches the length of the entire country. The canyon is incredibly lush, as seemingly endless trees grow along the terraced slopes of the canyon walls. The largest number of He'an rescuists live here, hoping that one day their god will return to the planet. Articles in Moonfal:
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Rillia
On Continent: ApathaeThis country appears to have once been shaped by Qur long ago; now the vibrant twisted shapes have been weathered down to rolling stone hills covered in thick, oppressive moss. It's a small country, not a big player on the world's stage, but is still a vital trade partner with Qurain.
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Degrunda
On Continent: North ApathaeA massive complex of dormant volcanoes fills the landscape of Degrunda; Codod attacks the ground with fervor in attempt to restart the fires underground, but to no avail. The land is thus full of broken cliffs, jagged canyons, dark caves, and endless ice. The number one career path in Degrunda is mining -- as Codod exposes vein after vein of valuable metal.
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Abrador
On Continent: North ApathaeUnlike its neighbour to the north, Abrador is home to considerable volcanic activity, seem primarily within the large icy lava field that spans the country's interior. Large sheets of ice form and shatter as pockets of lava erupt from below. The hills that ring this area are full of hot springs, and are where the main concentration of the country's population lives.
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Point Apae
On Continent: North ApathaeMostly flat and connected to the main continent by a tiny land bridge, and due to its location, perfectly situated to create an environment of constant freeze-thaw. This creates a landscape full of pockmarks, marshy ground, and strange hummocks that bulge from the landscape appearing almost like rotten piles of vegetation. The ground is rich with nutrients and the residents construct large greenhouses to farm it, protecting themselves from the frost.
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Russin
On Continent: RussinThis country is home to white cliffs and windswept mountain peaks, with a large lustrous white beach that envelopes almost the entire thing. The waters surrounding Russin are warm and shallow, within which Sharenskus trudges. The vast majority of Russinians live within the country's capital to the north-west, which is also named Russin. Articles in Russin:
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Theah Prieah
On Continent: EnquaLarge rolling hills comprised of rough red sandstone break up valleys of lush green grass and oxbow lakes, where rivers have meandered and left behind large U-shaped bodies of water. Theah Prieah shares its border with Raktana, dividing The Comprilith in two between the two nations. On this Theah Prieah's side of the border, T'kalia kneels motionless within sight of his and Rak'tos's failed project. Articles in Theah Prieah:
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Raktana
On Continent: EnquaRaktana was once the home to a massive mountain of red limestone and gypsum; but the heavy rainfall experienced in the region weathered this down over hundreds of thousands of years, creating erosions and deposits that formed the country's strange twisting landscape. Rak'tos floats above it often, always within sight of her and T'kalia's failed project, The Comprilith. Articles in Raktana:
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Wo'bb'al
On Continent: EnquaA large peninsula jutting out from the southern end of Raktana forms this country; home to much of the same red stone that comprises the landforms of the other two countries that share the continent. Wo'bb'al has many springs that form deep underground, bubbling up through porous stone and forming hundreds of small terraced lakes. The water pours from these, eroding the red stone and forming crimson rivers that weave their way to the ocean.
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Shattered Isles
On Continent: Vir TeneraHome to the most consistently warm temperatures anywhere on Cathedris, the Shattered Isles are a series of small tropical islands that have banded together to form an island nation with a strong and vibrant eclectic culture. These islands, with their white beaches and dark green foliage, are thought to have once been one land-mass, that was somehow broken into pieces long ago. The Shattered Isles also claim a few more world records; home of the most Legion bases as well as the most Rendlings per square meter, thanks to the resident God-husk, Dimiti. Articles in the Shattered Isles:
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Brekoffs
On Continent: Vir TeneraTwo larger main islands with a massive stretch of shallow ocean between the two. At low tide, the sand becomes revealed, forming a large land bridge between the two islands, exposing a large variety of shellfish that form the core of the citizens diet, and trade. On the smaller of the two main islands resides Tatete; due to her presence, all citizens of Brekoffs live on the larger island.
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Hansun
On Continent: Vir TeneraOne of the largest countries in the world, and home to a large varying landscape; Hansun is home to Miyu, the graceful goddess of combat, as well as the birthplace of the Legion. The land is comprised of a massive central plain, which is outlined by a mix of many sharp peaks or flat-topped cliffs, all made up of red or black stone. Additionally, there are large swathes of black sand desert dunes across the countryside. Articles in Hansun:
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Deyhun
On Continent: Vir AdaneaThis country was once home to the world's largest interior lake; however over the many thousands of years since The Seven Day War, the lake has dried up, leaving a large basin surrounded by terraced mountains. Small bodies of water reside within this basin, around which the citizens of Deyhun have settled.
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Leyazcallen
On Continent: Vir AdaneaSecluded from its neighbouring countries by tall border mountains, Leyazcallen is a small reserved nation that keeps mostly to itself. Geographically, it is made up of cryoplains -- formations of plains, terraces, and pediments made through cyclical freezing and thawing, broken up by a large impact crater lake from long before the God-husks ever existed.
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Kazcallen
On Continent: Vir AdaneaAside from Apathae (which was torn in two), no land-mass saw more devastation during the The Seven Day War than Kazcallen. Even now, the majority of the country is a barren, desolate wasteland, within which next to nothing can grow. The people of Kazcallen mostly reside along the country's northern mountain borders, or in the capital city on the western point, far behind the area that Xiuthan patrols. Articles in Kazcallen:
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Artazia
On Continent: VolsinkiAn authoritarian military superpower of Cathedris, known for strict regulations and rulings imposed on its citizens. The people mainly live in one of Artazia's 5 main cities, spread throughout the towering jagged peaks and massive winding rivers. Avartarian rampages within the country, so violently that the area around him has been dubbed the "Zone of War"; effectively creating a no-mans land where none but the Legion dare go. Articles in Artazia:
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Varzen
On Continent: VolsinkiTo many Artazians, Varzen is simply a province of Artazia that is in denial about being its own country. Still, the people here proudly declare independence; even if they depend on Artazia in more ways than one. Similar to Artazia, Varzen is home to large meandering glaciers and rocky mountain expanses. In the center of the country is a massive Stratovolcano that is assumed to be dormant.
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Ezwya
On Continent: VolsinkiMuch of the melt-water from Varzen and Artazia runs directly through Ezwya, where the warm temperatures and high humidity turn the lush evergreen landscape into a veritable rainforest. Bright blue rivers carve their way through this otherwise mountainous landscape, along which many Ezwyan settlements are famously located.
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Ezlya
On Continent: VolsinkiBrutal eastern winds scour the landscape of Ezlya, picking up sand from the shattered eastern cliffs and carving it through the rest of this island nation, leaving behind countless wind-formation landmarks. The people here live in low-to-the-ground settlements founded within the few valleys that provide respite from the endless wind.
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Ezcor
On Continent: VolsinkiSand from Ezlya and silt from Ezwya feed into the rivers that run through the soft ground that makes up the majority of this country. As a result, the rivers are endlessly winding and changing their routes; the biomes of Ezcor follow suit, switching between wet or dry. Above it all floats Qetzel, his harrowing laugh echoing across an ever-changing landscape. Articles in Ezcor:
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Estana
On Continent: EriallHeavily rainforested and always damp, Estana is a small nation known for its rainbow swamps from which massively tall trees sprout endlessly. The country is one of the newest in the world, having only recently declared independence from Falaradun. The people here are hard working, not relying on global trade, but instead sourcing everything they can from within their own borders.
by Stormbril with Midjourney
Falaradun
On Continent: EriallOver 90% of Falaradun is covered in either swamps or marshland. Heavy rainforests line the edges of these wetlands, and in some cases, the two are combined as large tall trees have their root systems flooded. Falaradunians are eager to make a name for themselves within the wider world; be it through development opportunities, trade, or political favor.
Initial Active Setting
Cathedris is still in its "high-level initial pass" phase -- this means my active setting is the entire setting. My goal is to fully complete writing the God-husks, then have at least an introductory article to every country on the planet.
However, there are a few locations that have seen more development than others, and are of more interest to me for writing characters and stories within.
by Stormbril with Midjourney
1. Artazia, the authoritarian military superpower to the north.
Stories of resistance, characters that are true of heart, tales of danger and the deplorable depths of humanity.
Stories of resistance, characters that are true of heart, tales of danger and the deplorable depths of humanity.
by Stormbril with Midjourney
2. Russin, a cultural hotspot and veritable melting pot of civilization.
Character driven stories of interaction and exploration, the dark underbelly of a metropolis and what can be found there, trade of goods and knowledge at a global level.
Character driven stories of interaction and exploration, the dark underbelly of a metropolis and what can be found there, trade of goods and knowledge at a global level.
by Stormbril with Midjourney
3. Hansun, the birthplace of the Legion and a secondary military superpower in Cathedris.
The heart of the Legion conspiracy plot, yet also a country who's people have an incredibly strong sense of place and of culture. Respect and blasphemy, tradition and progress.
The heart of the Legion conspiracy plot, yet also a country who's people have an incredibly strong sense of place and of culture. Respect and blasphemy, tradition and progress.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
All content, unless stated otherwise, copyright ©2010 - 2023 Devon Ruscheinski. All Rights Reserved. All images are made by Stormbril, unless otherwise specifically stated. World Default Header Image (Interior roof of a Cathedral) originally by Derek Story, edited by Stormbril.
Background image composited of a Cathedral Photo by Odin Lee, with mountains behind by Sorin Sîrbu, combined and edited by Stormbril.
Developed by Stormbril.
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Ash Barklow
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Listen, you need to be careful. The Legion have eyes and ears everywhere -- there's always a chance we're being watched. But we have to do something. We can't just sit by and let them destroy the world.
If you want to know more, find out what abhorrent things they've been getting up to in their secret labs, then follow me.
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Humanity is wasting its potential -- for too long have we toiled in the shadows of oppressive God-husks that do naught but push us down. Great and terrible secrets have remained hidden within the depths of the planet for ages, and it's time they make themselves known to us.
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