Nyrus

In the heart of the vast material plane lies Nyrus, a world of boundless diversity and breathtaking contrasts. This central realm is the home and the entirety of existence for its inhabitants, surrounded by the enigmatic floating islands known as the Drifts. Each Drift, varying from the size of a small house to a vast country, adds to the complexity of this land, with some following predictable patterns while others drift erratically or remain stationary, depending on the will of their inhabitants.

Nyrus itself is a land where the verdant serenity of open plains juxtaposes with the dense, nearly impenetrable forests. This world offers a tapestry of extreme climates: frigid, inhospitable cold lands, scorching deserts, lush jungles teeming with life, and barren, desolate wastelands. Towering, snow-capped peaks soar high into the sky, while the depths of the dark, mysterious oceans plunge into unknown abysses.

For the common peoples of Nyrus—adaptable humans, elegant elves, sturdy dwarves, clever gnomes, and nimble halflings—this world is all they know. It is a place where diverse cultures intertwine, each bringing unique strengths and weaknesses, and striving to thrive amidst the world's challenges. But not all inhabitants are benign; savage orcs, brutish ogres, and other formidable beings roam the land, adding layers of danger and complexity to the societal fabric.

The rich diversity of life on Nyrus is matched only by the omnipresent perils. It is a world where great danger is a constant companion, yet with danger comes opportunity. For those bold enough to face the world's challenges, great rewards await. However, courage alone is insufficient. Knowledge is the key to navigating and conquering these threats.

In the chapters ahead, we will delve deeper into the intricacies of Nyrus, exploring its lands, peoples, and the myriad dangers and opportunities that define this remarkable world. Prepare to embark on a journey of discovery and adventure, armed with the wisdom needed to survive and flourish in Nyrus's ever-changing landscape.

Geography

The world of Nyrus

Through the ages, scholars of Nyrus have amassed a vast repository of knowledge about their world, a world that presents itself in the shape of an immense disk. The habitable lands lie on the upper side of this disk, a realm of diverse terrains and climates that supports the rich tapestry of life that calls Nyrus home.

The scholars, with their endless debates and theories, have come to a general consensus about the dimensions of their world. They describe Nyrus as a disk with a diameter of approximately 34,000 miles. Although their calculations vary, they agree that the total area of this world amounts to roughly 908 million square miles. This expanse encompasses verdant plains, dense forests, harsh deserts, icy wastelands, deep jungles, and towering mountain ranges, each contributing to the world’s breathtaking diversity.

The dimensions of Nyrus remain a subject of scholarly debate, yet the grandeur of this world is undisputed. As our journey unfolds, we will explore the myriad landscapes and secrets of Nyrus, delving into the knowledge painstakingly gathered by generations of scholars and adventurers alike.

Nyrus is divided into five major landmasses, each with its own unique characteristics and estimated sizes:

• Al'Anwaar: Stretching 55 million square miles to the west.
• Eldenvar: To the south lies Eldenvar, also covering 60 million square miles.
• Igochi: To the east, Igochi spans 70 million square miles.
• Kharnak: Known as the cold continent, Kharnak lies to the north and spans a vast 70 million square miles.
• Thundarum: Positioned at the heart of Nyrus, Thundarum covers 60 million square miles.

Encircling these continents is the vast expanse of the Endless Ocean, which marks the outer boundaries of Nyrus. Towards the center, surrounding Thundarum, lies the Inner Ocean, a vital artery for trade and travel. The waters between each outer continent are also named, creating a rich tapestry of maritime geography:

• The Endless Ocean, lies from the outer continent's shores towards the edge of Nyrus.
• The Inner Ocean, lies towards the center of Nyrus and surrounding the coasts of Thundarum, and the inner coasts of the outer continents.
• The Glacierfall Sea lies between Kharnak and Igochi.
• The Galecrest Sea separates Kharnak and Al'Anwaar.
• The Serenity Sea flows between Al'Anwaar and Eldenvar.
• The Eldertides Sea lies between Eldenvar and Igochi.

The imposing Hrafjök massif

The land features of Nyrus are as varied as they are breathtaking. While a significant portion of the terrain consists of plains, these are divided at different elevations above sea level, creating a patchwork of highlands and lowlands. Mountain ranges stretch across the continents, with peaks that pierce the sky. The highest point of Nyrus is the peak of the imposing Hrafjök in Kharnak, a 12.5 miles high towering sentinel that stands as the ultimate challenge to adventurers.

Below the waves, the undersea terrain remains a mysterious and largely unexplored frontier. The depths of the ocean reveal a world as varied as the land above, with hidden valleys and towering underwater mountains. The deepest known point in the ocean is the ominously named Death's Pit, with an estimated depth of 10 miles, located in the Endless Ocean, south of Eldenvar’s coast. This abyss plunges into darkness, a reminder of the secrets that Nyrus still holds beneath its waves.

For long, it was widely believed that the Endless Sea truly lived up to its name, stretching infinitely into the horizon. This belief held strong among the common folk, a testament to the sea's boundless allure and mystery. However, modern scholars have uncovered more about the world of Nyrus, revealing that it does, indeed, have an edge. Despite this revelation, the notion of an endless ocean remains deeply ingrained in popular imagination.

Even with this newfound knowledge, the Endless Sea continues to harbor its secrets. The edge of Nyrus is a region shrouded in mystery, largely unexplored due to the trepidation it inspires. Few dare to venture near the world's precipice, where the unknown beckons with an almost magnetic pull. Among the greatest enigmas is the question of why the waters of Nyrus do not cascade over the edge into an abyss, leaving the oceans as desolate expanses.

Scholarly debates abound on this topic, with theories ranging from divine intervention to powerful, ancient magics that bind the waters in place. Some suggest that an unseen barrier holds the ocean at bay, while others propose that the natural laws of Nyrus differ from those of other realms. Despite the differing viewpoints, one thing remains clear: the edge of the world is a place of profound mystery, where the familiar laws of nature seem to falter.

In the face of such uncertainty, the edge of Nyrus stands as a testament to the world's enduring mysteries, a frontier that challenges the limits of understanding and beckons the brave to explore its hidden truths.

Time and Weather

In the mystical realm of Nyrus, the celestial movements of the Sun and Moon are more than mere natural phenomena; they are the embodiment of divine influence. Aerion, the deity of the Sun, and Antanara, the goddess of the Moon, imbue these celestial bodies with their essence, guiding their paths across the sky. Yet, the intricate dance of the Sun and Moon is not solely dictated by these deities. Aela, the goddess of nature, and Chronos, the god of time, also impart their influence, ensuring a harmonious balance in the heavens.

The Climate Regions

Nyrus' Climate Regions

The Sun's journey around Nyrus follows a circular path, a divine arc that bathes the world in light and warmth. This celestial circuit is perpendicular to the plane of Nyrus, causing the Sun to rise majestically from the east. As it ascends, it traces a grand arc across the sky, reaching its zenith before descending towards the west, where it sets in a blaze of glory. This journey ensures that the entire world is bathed in daylight during the Sun's passage overhead. When the Sun dips below the horizon, it completes its circuit beneath the plane of Nyrus, plunging the surface into the serene embrace of night. The distance of the Sun from Nyrus during its rotation is a matter of great mystery, with scholars estimating it to be tens, if not hundreds, of millions of miles away. This vast expanse only adds to the Sun's divine mystique, a radiant beacon of Aerion's power.

Intriguingly, the Sun's circular path is not perfectly centered on Nyrus. Instead, its center lies towards the east, causing the Sun to be closest to the world when it sets in the west and farthest away when it rises in the east. This asymmetry creates a unique weather pattern, forming a somewhat concave triangular region. The western part of this region, where the Sun is closest, experiences the most intense heat and light, while the eastern part, where the Sun is farthest, enjoys a gentler climate. This celestial choreography of the Sun's path gives rise to what scholars have termed the "climate regions" of Nyrus. There are seven distinct regions, each with its own unique weather patterns and environmental characteristics:

• The Northern Frigid Region endures the harshest conditions in all of Nyrus. This icy expanse is a realm of relentless cold, where temperatures even in summer are cold and sometimes even below zero, and on winter are the lowest of the entire world. Survival here is a testament to resilience, as the land is often cloaked in snow and ice, with the Sun offering little warmth during its brief appearance.

• The Northern Temperate Region experiences dramatic fluctuations in temperature. Summers can be sweltering, while winters are bitterly cold. This region's weather is a study in contrasts, with sudden changes that can transform the landscape overnight. The diversity of conditions fosters a wide variety of flora and fauna, each adapted to the ever-changing environment.

• The Northern Subtropical Region is characterized by its temperate to hot temperatures, with weather patterns that are both intense and unpredictable. Storms can be fierce, and heat waves can sweep across the land, creating a dynamic climate that keeps its inhabitants ever vigilant.

• The Tropical Region, at the heart of Nyrus, is the hottest of all the climate zones. Here, temperatures remain high throughout the year, with even winter offering only mild relief. Summers are blisteringly hot, especially towards the west, where the Sun's proximity scorches the land. This region teems with lush vegetation and vibrant life, thriving in the perpetual warmth.

• The Southern Subtropical Region mirrors its northern counterpart but with milder weather patterns. The climate here is more predictable, with less extreme fluctuations, offering a more stable environment for its denizens.

• The Southern Temperate Region is arguably the most hospitable part of Nyrus. With moderate summers and winters, this region provides comfortable living conditions, where the seasonal changes are gentle and the extremes are rare. It is a land of serene beauty, where nature flourishes in balanced harmony.

• The Southern Frigid Region may be cold, but it is far more stable than the northern extremes. The weather patterns here are predictable, and while the temperatures are low, they do not reach the deadly depths of the northern frigid lands. This stability allows for the development of unique ecosystems that thrive in the cold but constant conditions.

The Seasons

Beyond its daily arc across the sky, the Sun in Nyrus exhibits a slower, more intricate behavior, a testament to the divine complexities woven by the gods. This celestial ballet, guided by Aerion's essence, unfolds with a subtle yet profound shift that defines the passage of seasons. There are four seasons in total:

• Summer, with its hot weathers, brings the land to life with warmth and energy.
• Fall, with its changing colors, ushers in a time of transformation and harvest.
• Winter, with its cold embrace, blankets the world in stillness and rest.
• Spring, with its blossoming renewal, breathes new life into the earth.

At the beginning of the year, the Sun's plane of rotation starts a gradual descent towards the south. Simultaneously, its distance from Nyrus increases, and its rotational speed quickens. Each day, the Sun appears slightly further south in the sky, maintaining a delicate balance that keeps the duration of daylight and nighttime relatively constant. This graceful shift continues through the first half of the year, a slow dance towards the southern horizon. Midway through the year, on a day of celestial significance known as the solstice, the Sun reaches the peak of its southern journey. Here, the divine choreography changes. The Sun's plane of rotation, distance, and speed begin to revert, marking the second half of its annual cycle. Gradually, the Sun's path ascends northward, drawing closer to Nyrus once more and slowing its rotation.

The solstices, moments of celestial balance, are celebrated across Nyrus. They mark the points of reversal in the Sun's grand dance, occasions of reverence and festivity, where mortals honor the divine patterns that govern their world. Through this intricate celestial ballet, Aerion's influence brings life and change to the realms below, a constant reminder of the gods' presence in the very fabric of existence.

The unique path of the Sun across the sky throughout the year casts a profound influence on the climate regions of Nyrus, with each region experiencing its own distinct weather patterns.

In the northern realms, the climate is notably more intense and conditions harsher than in the southern regions. The difference between maximum and minimum temperatures is stark, creating a land of extremes. The northern frigid region, in particular, endures the harshest conditions, with summer temperatures barely reaching 5 degrees above freezing, while winter plunges to a bone-chilling 100 degrees below zero. This unforgiving landscape is shaped by the Sun's distant arc, casting long shadows and limited warmth.

Conversely, the southern climate regions enjoy milder temperatures and less dramatic fluctuations between the seasons. Here, the differences between summer highs and winter lows are more tempered, offering a more gentle transition through the year. The southern lands bask in a more consistent climate, their environments less burdened by the extremes of their northern counterparts.

The tropical region of Nyrus, straddling the equator, experiences the least variation in temperature throughout the year. However, due to the Sun's proximity in the west, this region is significantly hotter on the western side than on the eastern side. The tropical climate remains relatively stable, with the Sun's steady path maintaining a warm, humid atmosphere.

In the northern tropical, subtropical, temperate, and frigid regions, the year begins at midsummer. The fiery peak of summer gives way to the rich hues of fall, then to the icy grip of winter. The winter solstice marks the exact midpoint of the year, a day of deep reflection and endurance. Winter slowly thaws into spring, and the cycle culminates in the summer solstice, the year's final day, when the Sun stands highest in the sky before beginning its southern descent once more.

In contrast, the southern subtropical, temperate, and frigid regions start their year in the heart of winter. The cold season gradually yields to the blossoming of spring, leading to the warmth of summer. Here, the summer solstice is the midpoint of the year, a celebration of life and growth. As summer wanes, fall descends, and the year closes with the winter solstice, the Sun's lowest arc heralding the end of the cycle.

One of the most striking features of the northern frigid region is its long, six-month period of near-total darkness. During this time, the Sun barely grazes the horizon, casting an ethereal twilight that lingers through the endless nights. This prolonged darkness challenges the resilience of those who dwell there, shaping their lives and culture around the enduring cold and the promise of the Sun's eventual return.

Through these intricate celestial patterns, the deities weave their influence, creating a tapestry of climates that define the world of Nyrus. Each region, from the blistering tropics to the icy north, tells a story of divine balance and the ever-turning wheel of the seasons.

Time Tracking

The people of Nyrus live under the constant watch of the sun and the moon, whose movements shape the very fabric of their lives. From the changing seasons to the rhythm of the tides, the rise and fall of these celestial bodies govern much of the natural world. The play of light and shadow, the waxing and waning of the moons, even cycles of the wind—all these patterns are tied to the heavens above.

Long Period Tracking

A solar calendar

In every corner of Nyrus, time is more than an abstract concept; it is the heartbeat of existence. Farmers know that the sun’s position in the sky dictates the moment to plant seeds or reap the harvest, while sailors trust the moon’s pull on the tides to guide their ships safely to and from the shore. Hunters, too, follow these cycles, understanding that the time of day or night can change their prey’s behavior. And as the days grow shorter and colder, families prepare their hearths for the coming of winter, knowing that the sky itself foretells the shift of seasons.

But as the lives of Nyrus’ people became more intricate, so too did their need for precision. Simple observations were no longer enough to coordinate festivals, harvests, or the growing demands of trade and governance. The scholars of the land, wise and ever-curious, stepped forward to answer this call. Through study and observation, they laid down the foundations for accurate timekeeping, seeking to map the flow of time itself.

Time in Nyrus is tracked on many levels. The most expansive scale is the Age, an era used to mark great periods of history, defined not by the passage of years, but by monumental, world-shaping events. The Vanishing, for example, brought about the end of one Age and the beginning of another, its memory etched into the annals of every race. For most, however, Ages are the domain of scholars, historians, and nobles, those concerned with tracing genealogy and the grand arcs of history.

For everyday folk, the passing of time is simpler and more immediate. The Year, tied to the movement of the sun, is the greatest marker of life’s ebb and flow. From the moment the sun is closest to Nyrus at the height of summer to the day it reaches its farthest point in the depths of winter, the cycle of the year is clear to all. In most lands, these solar movements give rise to the four familiar seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—each a vital chapter in the story of the year. Year is tracked by number, and the number is restarted on each Age.

Yet as the need for greater precision grew, the people of Nyrus turned their eyes to the moon. In its steady cycles, they found a rhythm within the broader arc of the year. Twelve times the moon would wax and wane as the sun completed its own journey. And so, they began to divide the year into twelve months. On average, each season lasts three months, but the start and end of seasons and months are not aligned. On the other hand, the duration of the seasons is an average, as this varies from one climate region to the other.

All these elements—the turning of the seasons, the phases of the moons, and the eternal cycle of light and darkness—come together to form what the scholars of Nyrus call the Sun and Moon Calendar. This calendar, meticulously crafted through centuries of observation, serves as the foundation of timekeeping across the lands. It is a reflection of the balance between the heavens and the earth, a tool that allows both farmers and kings to mark the passage of time with precision.

The Sun and Moon Calendar has a clear and simple structure, designed to capture the rhythm of the world:

• It spans 360 days, the length of time it takes for the sun to complete its journey from one solstice to the next.
• During this time, the moon passes through 12 full cycles, giving rise to the 12 months that divide the year.
• The year itself is split into 4 distinct seasons, guiding the natural cycles of life. Spring brings new growth, summer offers the warmth of long days, autumn signals the harvest, and winter ushers in rest and preparation.

The exact origin of the month names has long been lost to the shifting sands of time, but legend holds that they first arose from the simple observations of common folk. In the early days, people named these periods based on what they saw and felt in their everyday lives—things like the behavior of the sun, the moon’s cycles, and the patterns of light and shadow.

When the scholars of Nyrus later developed the Sun and Moon Calendar, they sought to honor these longstanding traditions. Though they could have imposed new, precise terms, they chose instead to respect the names that had already become part of the land’s lore. The names the people used—rooted in daily life and cosmic rhythms—became the foundation of the universal timekeeping system.

Today, these names are known by all, from the far north to the southernmost edge, spoken in the common tongue of Nyrus. They carry with them the echoes of the past, linking the ancient wisdom of the common folk to the scholarly precision of the modern age. Here are the names, in order from beginning of the year to the end:

• Sundawn
• Highflare
• Brightward
• Lightmarch
• Rainstorms
• Deepglow
• Highsun
• Shadewane
• Farwinds
• Tidecrest
• Moonward
• Dawnmorn

Months names can vary in different regions, cultures and languages. But still these names are the most commonly used, and also the ones the scholars use to keep records. In every corner of Nyrus, the Sun and Moon calendar governs the daily lives of its people, providing them with a reliable way to measure time and to anticipate the cycles of planting, hunting, and celebration.

Short Period Tracking

Each month in the Nyrus calendar is not only marked by the passage of the sun and moon but also by a rhythmic division of time. The months are further split into three distinct ten-day periods, known across the lands as Tendawns. These Tendawns help structure the flow of life and labor, offering a natural cadence to the activities of the people.

In many regions, particularly in the towns and villages where time is tied closely to the cycles of nature, these Tendawns have been given names that reflect their place within the month. The most common naming system is Crest, Peak, and Fall, symbolizing the rise, height, and decline of each month. When the exact day isn’t known, one might say, “The ceremony will take place in the Crest of Dawnmorn,” indicating that the event will occur sometime in the first Tendawn of the month of Dawnmorn. This way of speaking has woven itself into everyday life, adding subtle poetry to even the simplest exchanges.

Within each Tendawn, the days themselves bear names, each carrying its own significance and mood:

• The first day is Aureday, symbolizing the beginning—the first light of the Tendawn, when the sun rises anew and the cycle begins afresh.
• This is followed by Velday, a day of calm progression, where things move steadily forward.
• Next comes Luneday, a day of reflection, named for the moon’s influence over thought and contemplation.
• Cyrday, the fourth day, represents a turning point, a moment of transition as the Tendawn reaches its heart.
• At the midpoint is Thalday, a day of renewed efforts.
• Then comes Vorday, a day of strength and action, a time for pushing forward with energy and determination.
• This is followed by Falday, a day of decline as the pace begins to slow, signaling the nearing end of the Tendawn.
• Myrday, the eighth day, brings a sense of mystery and introspection, a quiet moment for looking inward.
• As the Tendawn draws to a close, Elday arrives, a day of wisdom and summing up, where lessons learned throughout the cycle are reflected upon.
• Finally, Duskday marks the ending, the dusk of the Tendawn, as the last light fades and the time prepares to begin anew.

In most regions, common folk typically distribute their work and chores across the days of the Tendawn, leaving Cyrday, in the middle of the tendawn, and Elday, and Dusday at the end, as days of rest and reflection. These final days of the cycle provide a natural pause, offering time to recover before the next Aureday begins the cycle anew.

A burning ounce of Sparkbrick

While keeping track of time on a large scale—by observing the position of the sun and moon in the sky—comes naturally to the people of Nyrus, measuring time on a smaller scale, such as within a single day, presents a greater challenge without the proper tools. In most settlements, the common folk don’t concern themselves with precise measurements of hours. Instead, they rely on generic terms based on the sun’s position: morning, mid-day, afternoon, dusk, and night are the most common divisions used in daily life.

However, in larger cities, where life moves at a faster pace, or in the pursuit of scholarly knowledge, greater precision is required. The standard division of a day is known as the Hour. A day on Nyrus is divided into 24 hours, with time typically split evenly between daylight and nighttime. However, in certain regions, particularly those further north or south, the seasonal variance can be significant, leading to longer days or nights depending on the time of year.

For scholars and those who require precise timekeeping, the day is tracked from midnight to midnight, with each hour marked by a numerical system. The hours begin at 0 just after midnight and continue up to 23, marking the final hour of the day. As soon as the hour reaches 24, the cycle begins anew at 0, creating a seamless flow from day to night.

For many without the proper means of timekeeping, the concept of an hour is vague and imprecise. To address this need, scholars developed a method known as the Sparkbrick Pattern. This pattern defines an hour as the time it takes for the light emitted by one ounce of Sparkbrick to burn out. Sparkbrick, a rare and magical mineral, emits a steady glow once ignited and burns with remarkable consistency. Its reliability allows for the accurate measurement of time, and it can even be divided into smaller pieces for shorter intervals, making it a key tool in academic and magical circles.

Yet, due to Sparkbrick’s rarity, most people outside of magic schools and research institutions rely on more practical alternatives. One such method is the Gallon Pattern, which defines an hour as the time it takes for a gallon of fresh water in a one foot diameter bucket to empty through a nail-sized hole at it's bottom. Though less precise than Sparkbrick, the Gallon Pattern provides a close enough approximation for everyday tasks.

Over time, artisans have crafted practical items based on these patterns, creating candles that burn at a steady rate with markings to denote hours, hourglasses for measuring time intervals, and sundials that capture the movement of the sun. These timekeeping devices, though simpler than magical Sparkbrick, have become essential tools for those who need to track the hours in a more structured way.

Even though these timekeeping items may hold little value for common folk in their daily routines, they are invaluable to scholars, merchants, and especially adventurers. Scholars rely on them to mark the passing of hours during their research or magical experiments, while merchants use them to time trades, meetings, and journeys. Adventurers, constantly on the move through both day and night, find these devices essential for tracking time in dangerous or uncertain environments. Many of these travelers keep these items in supply in their inventories, ensuring they always have a reliable way to measure time when it matters most.

Dates

In Nyrus, the recording of time is deeply tied to the rhythms of daily life, the natural world, and the cultural practices of its people. The common folk, while not overly concerned with precise timekeeping, have developed a practical system for marking the passage of days and years. They often refer to the year by its number, a straightforward approach that serves their needs well.

In more detailed records, such as those kept by village elders or community leaders, a full date might be given, typically listing the day of the month, followed by the month's name, and the year. For instance, one might hear, "the 28th of Shadewane," indicating the 28th day of the month called Shadewane. However, this level of precision is relatively uncommon in everyday conversation.

Instead, the people of Nyrus often prefer to anchor their sense of time in the more immediate and observable. It is not unusual for them to speak in terms of the days and tendawns rather than specific dates. For example, someone might say, "on Velday, at the peak of Tidecrest," which corresponds to the second day, Velday, of the second Tendawn of the month named Tidecrest, which also equals the 12th day of the month of Tidecrest. This method reflects their close connection to the cycles of nature and community life.

Hours, too, are rarely mentioned by their exact numbers. Time is gauged by the position of the sun or other natural markers, with expressions like "half morning" or "when the sun sets" being far more common.

However, scholars and learned individuals in Nyrus demand greater precision. In their records, dates are meticulously noted with the day, month, year, and sometimes even the name of the current Age. A date in an academic tome might read, "the 28th of Shadewane, in the year 821 of the Illumination Age," a stark contrast to the more relaxed manner of the common folk. Hours can also be noted with precision in these records, marking the exact time before the rest of the date.

Thus, the way time is marked in Nyrus varies greatly depending on one's need for precision and the context in which time is being recorded or spoken of, reflecting a society that balances the practical with the scholarly.

The Continents

Eldenvar

Main article: Eldenvar