Nyxis

Geography

Nyxis is a world marked by a striking diversity in landscapes, from towering industrial cityscapes to sprawling wastelands, verdant valleys, and ancient, floating cities. All of this, plus the interplay of magick and industrial progress has dramatically shaped what Nyxis looks like.

The land itself reflects the dualities of nature and invention, and is divided into distinct regions ranging from lush, arcane wilderness to sprawling urban centers and desolate wastelands. These regions include:

• Argenthold: A large, sprawling industrial metropolis that is a maze of iron spires, cobblestone streets, and factories belching smoke. There are elevated railways, airship docks, and underground tunnels. Residents and adventures must be weary of the Black Fog Districts.
• The Floating Cities of Aetherion: A network of majestic cities suspended above high above Nyxis. Main features here are the glowing platforms and bridges, as well as the Aether Gardens.
• The Shattered Frontier: This vast wasteland stretches beyond Argenthold. It is a barren and treacherous region shaped by ancient wars, bygone civilizations, and catastrophic magickal events. It is dotted with jagged cliffs, craters, and rusted remnants of colossal war machines. Here one can see arcane geysers, ruined bastions, and floating shards.
• The Verdant Depths: Here is a lush, overgrown region surrounding Argenthold and serves as a buffer between the city and the untamed wilds. Its forests are rich in magickal life, but includes dangerous creatures and bandits. Key features here are the ley line groves, Glitterwood Forests, and hidden villages.
• The Ashen Peaks: A range of volcanic mountains to the north, perpetually shrouded in ash and soot. These peaks are a source of Ferrixite Ore. One can find the Molten Caverns and the Ember Summit.
• The Azure Expanse: A vast, mysterious ocean that surrounds the known continents of Nyxis. Its waters are both a source of trade and peril as Aetheric storms and mythical sea creature make exploration dangerous. If one can find a way to get there, one will find the Storm Isles and one would have to be extremely adventurous to go looking for the Deep Abyss.
• The Obsidian Wastes: A dark, glassy desert formed by an ancient magickal cataclysm. The terrain is treacherous, with sharp crystalline formations and shifting sands that emit faint whispers of Aetheric energy. Here one finds crystal spires and the Phantom Oasis.

Ecosystem

Nyxis is a world caught between the industrialization of its cities and the wild, magickal nature of its forests and mountains. The ecosystem divided by zones influenced by either natural forces or the side effects of technological progress.

Zones:

• Industrial Zones (Argenthold): Home to urban wildlife that has adapted to smog and limited green spaces, these areas see resilient species, like iron-feathered birds and steam-rats that feed off the city's metallic scraps.
• Arcane Lands (Aetherion and Verdant Depths): In these zones, magick infuses the ecosystem, producing unique plants that thrive on ley energy and creatures that possess minor magickal traits, like elemental salamanders or glow-beetles.
• The Wastelands (Shattered Frontier): Home to hardy flora and fauna that survive extreme conditions, including skeletal trees and scavenger animals like carrion birds and stone-scaled lizards, adapted to the arid and unstable terrain.

Ecosystem Cycles

Each region follows a different set of seasonal and magickal cycles:

• Etheric Bloom (Arcane Zones): Once a year, the ley lines release a surge of magickal energy, causing plants in arcane areas to glow, blossom, and release rare seeds. This period, called the Etheric Bloom, revitalizes the land and provides crucial resources for mages and alchemists.
• Iron Moon (Industrial Zones): The iron moon cycle affects areas like Argenthold, where special ore, Magickal Ferrixite, is most accessible once every 13 years. During this period, certain animals and plants develop metallic properties, which can then be harvested for industrial uses, especially those that are merged with aether-powered elements.
• Fog’s Harvest (Black Fog): The toxic fog surrounding Argenthold grows thickest during this season, bringing forth strange, shadow-like creatures from within it and making travel extremely hazardous. Locals believe that the fog is tied to arcane forces deep within the earth and that these creatures protect hidden secrets.

Localized Phenomena

• The Black Fog: A dense, toxic mist that engulfs parts of Argenthold, this phenomenon is a mix of industrial pollution and ancient, mystical energies. The fog mutates local plants and animals, creating creatures adapted to this hostile environment.
• Aether Showers: In the Floating Cities of Aetherion, there are occasional showers of Aether crystals that fall from the skies. These crystals are rare and highly sought after, fueling both magickal devices and industrial machinery.
• Arcane Geysers: Found in the Shattered Frontier, these geysers release volatile etheric energy and are used by scavengers and alchemists to harvest raw magickal materials. They’re unpredictable, making them both a valuable resource and a deadly trap.

Fauna & Flora

Flora: Plants in Nyxis reflect the fusion of natural and arcane energies.

• Glitterwood Trees: Found in the Verdant Depths, their leaves reflect different colors based on magickal concentrations in the air. They’re used for both medicinal and alchemical purposes.
• Ironvine: A climbing plant that grows in Argenthold, incorporating metallic elements from its environment. Its tendrils can be harvested for strong, flexible wire.
• Aetherblooms: Found in Aetherion, these flowers thrive on ley lines and bloom only during the Etheric Bloom cycle, releasing seeds that can be used in powerful alchemical concoctions.

Fauna: Creatures of Nyxis have adapted to unique conditions, blending mystical and mechanical traits.

• Steam Hawks: Iron-feathered birds found in Argenthold, known for their agility and their diet of scrap metal and small insects.
• Elemental Salamanders: Creatures from the Verdant Depths that can harness small amounts of elemental energy, making them a source of inspiration for alchemists.
• Ley Hounds: Found near ley lines, these magickal canines can track ethereal energy and are sometimes domesticated by mystics in Aetherion.

Natural Resources

• Ferrixite Ore: Most of the Ferrixite Ore is mined from the Ashen Peaks, but the magickal kind is mined in Argenthold during the Iron Moon cycle.
• Aether Crystals: Found in the Floating Cities and sometimes in the Shattered Frontier, these crystals store arcane energy and are essential for powering both magickal devices and complex machinery.
• Glowcap Mushrooms: Fungi that grow in the Verdant Depths, used as a light source in low-tech areas and for producing bioluminescent dyes.
• Arcane Sap: Harvested from trees in areas rich with ley energy, this sap is a highly sought-after resource for alchemists and mages, acting as a base ingredient for powerful elixirs.

History

Nyxis is a land of ancient empires and long-forgotten magick, where the past is woven into the very fabric of the world. The current era emerged from the Age of Balance, a time when ancient cultures lived in harmony with ley lines and mystical forces. Over centuries, technological advancements led to the Industrial Ascension, a period marked by the rise of powerful guilds and cities like Argenthold.

• The Rise of the Silver Dawn: A mysterious organization of powerful innovators and mages, the Order of the Silver Dawn rose to prominence during the Industrial Ascension, claiming to preserve the balance between magick and industry. Some believe they were originally defenders of the old ways, but over time, they consolidated power, guiding society toward industrialization while claiming to “protect” mystical secrets.
• The Great Collapse: A century ago, the Shattered Frontier was a flourishing land until a catastrophic event, thought to be caused by an experiment gone wrong, rendered it a wasteland. This collapse created a rift between industrialists and those who believe magick should remain the dominant force.
• The Etheric Uprising: Within recent decades, factions have formed in opposition to the Silver Dawn’s hold over both the government and technology. Some seek a return to the old ways of harmony with magick, while others believe in a new age of machinery.

The world of Nyxis stands at a crossroads.

Type

Planet

Included Locations

• Argenthold
• Ashen Peaks

Owning Organization

The Order of the Silver Dawn

Contested By

• The Automaton Collective
• The Circle of Etherion
• The Red Hammers
• The Sky Lords