Etheria

A realm parallel to Earth, Xarianis exists in a version of our world; one of feathers and light, and of scales and dark. Though there are many continents, the one known as "Etheria" is the largest, the most populous, and the most civilized. This continent is shaped much like a four-pointed star, each kingdom situated in one of the points.   The stone kingdom, nestled deep within the mountains to the east and partially buried underground, provides the other kingdoms with rich mineral resources, both magical and mundane. The mines run for seemingly forever, deep into the heart of the world where the gems are as plentiful as the snowfall above.   The sun kingdom, to the north, is a prosperous, fertile land bathed in sunlight and built among rock formations as red and orange as anything you've ever seen. Arches, hoodoos, and other formations vie for space among prosperous farmland which provides food and materials to the other kingdoms.   The shadow kingdom, to the south, is a thick, dense forest, choking with venomous vines and lush foliage. The cities and homes can be found hanging from branches as often as they are sitting on the ground, and the incredibly diverse plant life has created a thriving market for alchemical supplies and exotic pets, mostly of the bird variety.   The star kingdom, to the west, lies shrouded behind a wall of fog created hundreds of years ago, which now shields from view a sprawling, bustling metropolis. Skyscrapers reach as high as can be dared to imagine, interconnected by tunnels and flying, alchemically-powered taxi services. It is home to the greatest minds in Etheria, responsible for the creation of the locomotive that now runs through each kingdom as the speed of... uh, fast.   The people of this world, Etherians, appear human in many respects, but have a variety of features that differ from the inhabitants of this world. A set of powerful, feathered wings grace the backs of these people, the structure and pattern of which are almost always modeled after already existing bird species. With the gift of flight, Etherians have managed to progress war up into the atmosphere and delve deep into the mysteries of magic, and someday hope to set their sights on other realms parallel to them.