Yggdrasil
At the heart of the Fulgurant Mesa exists one massive tree—Yggdrasil brought to life. Inspired by Scandanavian and Germanic lore, Raegeric had Fliral create a massive yew tree in the heart of his beloved region to be his Seat. Much like the world tree of lore, it's regions can be divided using the tree itself. Asgardhr at the highest point, Ljossalfheimr in the branches, Midhgardhr at the trunk, Svartalfheimr amid the roots and Hel deep below. Each make up different portions of one massive city and the heart of the society of the Fulgurant Mesa. When Raegeric has a host, he lives atop the tree as his home, all peoples of the mesa worshipping and obeying his rule. They regard him similarly to Odhin.
by Lee Stepp
A number of isles are nestled within the upper branches of the great tree alongside a network of platforms and temples. A lofty order of people call these isles and the branches themselves home. Those living here are primarily blessed by Ranalis. They subsist on the fruit produced by the great tree and spend their days in meditation, lower residents of the great tree bringing them all else they require. In return, they tend to the spiritual and sometimes medical needs of those below when the need arises. People of the mesa will travel from afar to seek their counsel. They are mystics, mages and vitki, placed above ordinary folk. The people of the mesa have even come to call them elves, inhabitants of Ljossalfheimr. Favored, wise and spoiled children of Raegeric. Delicate and cultured. Their home is protected by powerful Ranalis magic, easily deterring any invader though few people of the mesa would try as this is a sacred space. It's rare they descend to the world beyond the tree. Ultimately, they are the attendants and guardians of Raegeric's Seat at the crest of the great tree, well trained with a sword alongside their mystic arts.
by Lee Stepp
At the base of the great tree is the largest city of the mesa, Midhgardhr. It is the beating heart of their society, where all gather to meet and trade. Many come here with spoils of their raids, careful creations of any craftsman, pelts, meats and magical components gathered from the isles and even ores and crystals mined from below. The chiefs of the various villages and clans gather here, when necessary or when called together, in a great hall within the trunk of the tree. When Raegeric has a host, he rules over his peoples loosely under this structure. Chiefs will gather in this great hall with him as their leader.
by Lee Stepp
Beneath this is another city, Svartalfheimr, and another people: the dwarves. These are a chaotic and hardy breed of people blessed by Malok and Ralgot. They work the mines underneath the mesa, pulling precious ore and magic crystals from the earth and defending the mines and roots from Accian miners who occasionally cross their path. When their work is done, they spend their evenings throwing wild parties and initiating mass brawls, exchanging their goods in the market above for ale and food. They prefer the company of their own, too wild and brash for regular folk. However, some do leave Svartalfheimr seeking glorious battle or adventure.
Below the roots themselves is Hel. The dead are laid to rest here and feed the great tree, returning all they have taken in their lives back to the mesa. They believe their souls are absorbed by the great tree and they join their ancestors in this way. A priestess is chosen to oversee the work here, to guide the mixture of elves and dwarves necessary to tend to the roots of the tree and to those awaiting funerary rites. These priestesses are the caretakers of the roots, protecting and nourishing it, and of the dead or grieving. It is considered a somber and sacred place, as vital as the branches above.
At the very top of the great tree, in the tallest depths of the branches, is Asgardhr. This is Raegeric's Seat, his personal abode and private space. There is a mechanism in place which requires use of all five of his aspects to penetrate but the space is also carefully guarded by the elves and generally protected by all peoples of the mesa. Unlike most other modern Emynea, they still revere Raegeric as their god and any host is held in high regard. This is considered the most sacred space of the tree, rivaled only by the roots which connect the souls of those inferred to their god and to their ancestors. Few have ever seen this chamber.
by Lee Stepp
While Yggdrasil can be divided up in this way it is in the end a single lifeform, one massive tree. Yet it is far from an ordinary tree beyond size itself. This tree possesses a unique connection to Ranalis' Plane. It acts as one massive portal, window and raw link into an equally unique plane and, given the properties Ranalis represents, Yggdrasil is connected to every mind in Emynea. It is theorized that Raegeric infused the tree with Ranalis' Plane or that this plane has taken the form of this grand tree. While the connection is far too intense and complex for an ordinary human to understand or parse through, anyone can access Ranalis' Plane through the tree and it gifts many utilities to its citizens. Recognizing the importance and marvel at the heart of their society, the seemingly lawless people of the Fulgurant Mesa tend to the tree, protect it and meditate underneath its branches. Whether a mystic, delving into the mysteries within the tree or a common warrior citizens of the Mesa believe the minds and memories of their ancestors live within the tree and hope to join them when they pass on. They all do their part and find their place in the shade of Yggdrasil.
Geography
One massive tree at the heart of the mesa. A large city surrounds it which serves as a center of trade, religion and governance. There is a cave system below, amid the roots, and islands are interwoven into the branches above.
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