Rustways

When the first cities of old erected their bridges of iron and copper pipelines, the denizens noticed a peculiar creature lurking about the structures. It was cat-like but without eyes or nose, and bore a long, prehensile tail. Following these creatures, one would find themselves in a dark world where neither time nor light flows, a place people began to call the Rustways.

The World Between

Igerbotte, as it is called by its denizens, is connected to various locations throughout the world (and other worlds) by subtle portals which manifest most commonly in areas of concentrated rust. Beneath bridges, within crumpled sheds, atop metal spires: these are the places the Igmi spill out into the "real" worlds and through which people stumble into the Rustways.
The Rustways are without time or light: one can spend a century in its dark halls and return to their world at the same moment they had departed from it. As new portals to the Rustways are created or destroyed, the world itself expands or contracts appropriately and is thus inconstant in shape. A wanderer might find their path through the Rustways changed as soon as they look away from it.

Structures in the Rusted World

Most of Igerbotte is a bottomless void from which no one has returned. Suspended above it are structures of metal mazes and razor spires: echoes of those portals from the real worlds. Though geography holds no meaning in this ever-changing void, these structures remain relativey stable and are the basis of navigation.

Planes

Long stretches of flat, spongy earth that sometimes fold into hills and even mountains. However, 40-50 feet below, the void opens up again; it isn't uncommon to find pits or caves that descend into the nothingness. The Igmi avoid these areas though the civilized Traistig eke out a life here. Small, edible tubers grow in the soils and in some areas, flowers and twisted trees grow in the darkness.

Mazes

Twisting sheets of metal in intricate patterns. Navigation of these is near impossible save for all but the Igmi. A few Traistig communities may venture into these places in search of food but none stay for long.

Spires

Pointed conical metal structures, sometimes connected by bridges, that hover above the void. These are the typical birthplace of the Igmi and the young creatures will spend many days in these "nests" before venturing out into the rest of Igerbotte.

Bridges

Straight stretches of metal that connect other structures. They can go on for miles and split into different directions. At some junctions, the metal curls into what looks to be the start of an incomplete maze. These "fortifications" are where populations of Traistig most prominently gather.

A Paradoxical World

Perhaps the greatest mystery of the Rustways is whether it was created by civilization's use of metal or had existed before and was merely "connected" by the incidental portals. There are arguments on both sides though they are tainted by peoples' perceptions of the Igmi and the world itself.
The most famous example comes from the goddess Demestipher who died of a sickness believed to have been contracted from contact with the Igmi. Her worshippers organized a radical group that has sought the destruction of Igerbotte for centuries. Others cite the value of the timeless world and have pushed for its conquering in the name of humanity. Whatever their views, those who stay in the Rustways long often succumb to its influence and feel compelled to stay. Thus emerged the Traistig, a culture that has continued to grow since its emergence in the Anterior times.

Type

Dimensional plane

Related Ethnicities

• Traistig