$\quad$It has been roughly 730 years since [[the Calamity]] was wrought upon [[Syphora]]—a devastating battle between the [[Prime Deities]] and the [[Betrayer Gods]] that left the world in ruin. It destroyed the majority of civilization at the time, as well as destroying some races and creating others. But after [[the Divergence]], an event that raised something called the Divine Gate to separate the material plane from the Betrayer Gods, the battle finally came to a close. It has taken many years for Syphora to restore itself to some semblance of civilization. In the current era, the world is dominated by mystery, as nature has healed over what were once gruesome wounds. Though civilization is still but a piece of what it once was, it is present nonetheless. $\quad$The time in which you find yourselves is one deep into discovery. Of magic, nature, culture, and civilization itself. And though the entire world is bustling, it is but a small fraction we focus on presently; the continent of [[Valkion]]. Separate to the heavily civilized continent of [[D'Amoura]] and the barren tundra of [[Saeor]], [[Valkion]] is a mixture between the two—where civilization has started to sprout over the coming years, but the majority still shrouded in the unknown or dangerous. The epicenter of primary civilization in this continent is a collection of kingdoms known as the Five Kingdoms of Valkion; Consisting of the [[Holy Kingdom of Sorathane]], the [[Kingdom of Foryn]], the [[Kingdom of Ceilunea]], the [[Kingdom of Ithor]], and the [[Kingdom of Axonder]]. Whilst each is rich in vastly different cultures, land, people, and societies, they are by far the most populated regions in the entire continent with lineages that date back to the ages of the Calamity—the most well known being those who bear Marks of the Divine (term pending); Those who are imprinted by one of many differing symbols said to originate through the blessing of one of the many Gods since the dawn of the new era. $\quad$No matter the origin or locale, both in and outside the many kingdoms lies a smattering of cities, towns, villages, and otherwise throughout the endless landscape of the continent; Civilization blooming in every reach of its expanse into something incredible... or daunting to some. <br> <br> ## A Peek into the [[Races of Syphora]] $\quad$In this world, monstrous races and creatures are rampant. With the majority of the world cloaked in nature's mystique, there are many areas that are untamed or inhabited by creatures that are rare in most other worlds, or some creatures that simply don't even exist in other worlds. While some are simply viewed as monsters beyond humankind, many humanoid creatures are viewed in conjunction with all other races or species within the world. $\quad$For starters, there are several humanoid races that both live similarly and bear striking resemblance to insects. These races are known as [[Insectoid|insectoids]]. These range from the solayn and lunotha (butterfly and moth) to the formicid and arachnoid (ant and spider) and many in between. While many of these creatures live differently, but aspects of them are rooted similarly to that of the insect they resemble; such as the formicid often living underground at the lead of a queen. As well as these creatures' existence, they share a new kind of language known as Vibratic. Vibratic is a unique language spoken predominantly by insectoids and consists of clicks and chattering, movement of antennae, or by feeling vibrations against the earth or in the air. The written form of this language is infrequent but consists of a collection of sprawling symbols that range from sharp and aggressive to light and flowy. $\quad$There also exists a race known as [[Shifter|shifters]]—humanoid creatures with distinctive animalistic traits and features, typically including animal-like ears, tails, legs, fur, or even scales. Each of these traits depends wildly upon the type of shifter and although most share these traits, outliers can be found amongst them. No matter their origin, every shifter is born with an innate ability to channel their soul through a kynstone to morph into a large, bestial form that takes on the general appearance of an animal. The types of shifters are as followed; Caneir (wolfkin), Felisel (catkin), Leprea (rabbitkin), Kitsune (birdkin), Anoura (frogkin), Cerhuv (deerkin), Lacert (lizardkin), Vulpue (foxkin), and Vespiro (batkin). $\quad$Additionally, various monsters from mythology are also within the world that, as opposed to mindless monsters, often share similar sentient thoughts and sometimes whole societies similar to most other humanoids. At present, the most widely known are as followed; The half-snake half-human creatures known as lamia, fish-like humanoids with fish tails known as merfolk, half-bird half-human beings known as harpies, and similar to merfolk but much more monstrous creatures known as sirens. And although not currently as playable races (but can be upon request), beasts such as centaurs, minotaurs, satyrs, driders, vampires, dhampirs, and selkies also exist in the world. $\quad$In addition to these races, there are some that are commonly present in other worlds that have either faced **near-extinction** or simply **do not exist** at all... $\quad$For example, during the Calamity the majority of the [[elf|elven]] population was wiped off Syphora. And though the world has steadily been healing, the general population of elves has drastically diminished. Although not completely exempt from the world, to discover an elf (especially one not in power) is incredibly rare. In addition to this, half-elves are also rare, but not nearly as much so as pureblooded elves. For this, there is a heavy divide in what little is left of elven civilization. While some find themselves secluded in the mystical nature they once came from, others have sought power and nobility among society, as their rare nature has deemed them a rather interesting title. Although outliers exist among each role, they're even more rare among the already reclusive race. $\quad$Additionally, the existence of the warforged does not yet exist in this world. And although constructs as a creature or beings similar in nature might, a race of warforged are not yet known to exist. <br> <br> ## The [[Syphoran Calendar]] $\quad$In this world, most people hold close a [[Syphoran calendar]] to determine the date and seasons. A year consists of 11 months, each individually named after a specific constellation, and chosen by civilization pre-Calamity. Each month consists of a number of days ranging from 27-32, as well as a 7-day week.   $\quad$The month names in order are as so; Raeuron, Kuen'ill, Cyswinne, Nohmiir, Seimonn, Thondair, Ouquien, Aeriuea, Vintheer, Hrussendar, Druseer The week names in order are as so; Suneas, Montas, Basias, Wehnlas, Theyas, Aneas, Namoras  $\quad$The world of Syphora is one that deeply embraces tradition and celebration. For this, there are annual celebrations dedicated not just to the gods, but to celebrate certain events as well. Additionally, this world consists of four seasons, all varying in size. They consist of a spring, a summer, a fall, and a winter. (See the secular holidays for when they begin)  The following list will tell the common religious holidays of Syphora: $\quad$**New Dawn**: [[Saia]] (1st of Raeuron) $\quad$**Day of Challenge**: [[Ra'thori]] (10th of Kuen'ill) $\quad$**Artisan's Faire**: [[Gotheir]] (23rd of Cyswinne) $\quad$**Nature's Grandeur**: [[Nothrih]] (14th of Nohmiir) $\quad$**Tide's Peak**: [[Seiyu]] (16th of Seimonn) $\quad$**Breath of Respite**: [[Khor]] (19th of Thondair) $\quad$**Sun Ceremony**: [[Cylia]] (4th of Ouquien) $\quad$**Lover's Festival**: [[Angea]] (20th of Aeriuea) $\quad$**Rite of Passage**: [[Viskari]] (13th of Vintheer) $\quad$**Civilization's Virtue**: [[Ouion'e]] (30th of Vintheer) $\quad$**Night of Cunning**: [[Horheus]] (14th of Hrussendar) $\quad$**Moon's Ascent**: [[Auero]] (Final Full Moon of the Year) $\quad$**Darkest Day**: [[Vithyo]] (7th of Druseer)  The following list will tell the common secular holidays of Syphora: $\quad$**Harvest's Rise**: Marks the beginning of Spring (15th of Cyswinne) $\quad$**Zenith**: Marks the beginning of Summer (28th of Seimonn) $\quad$**Harvest's Close**: Marks the beginning of Fall (3rd of Aeriuea) $\quad$**Hollow's Eve**: Celebration of Death (9th of Hrussendar) $\quad$**Winter's Crest**: Marks the beginning of Winter (18th of Druseer) $\quad$**Celebration of Light**: Celebration of the Divergence (22nd of Druseer) Below is the link to a more physical layout of the [[Syphoran calendar]]. This is for you to reference if you wish, and you do not need to memorize any part of it; $\quad$[[ Syphoran Calendar ](https://app.fantasy-calendar.com/calendars/7ba955d6bbd79a882a1cdfab5d35f004)] <br> <br> ## The Five Kingdoms of Valkion $\quad$Often shortened to **the Five Kingdoms**, is the collective of five kingdoms known as the [[Holy Kingdom of Sorathane]], [[Kingdom of Foryn]], [[Kingdom of Ceilunea]], [[Kingdom of Ithor]], and [[Kingdom of Axonder]]. Making up the largest density of populous in the continent of [[Valkion]], and located primarily in the Southern half of the continent, they are known for their vast differences in culture, societies, and regions. Once wholly unified within the Holy Kingdom of Sorathane, today they have split into several kingdoms—namely Foryn, Ceilunea, and Ithor in the year 240 P.D. after the [[War of Sunder]] and Axonder in the year 415 P.D. after the [[War of Light and Shadow]]. They are each ruled under an elven monarchy and hold independent values among their people. Each ruler is descended from a royal bloodline—one that was said to have been blessed by the Goddess herself, and bear unique marks of their ancestry. There are even high nobles who bear these marks as well within their respective kingdoms; Symbols and powers known as the Marks of the Divine (term pending). $\quad$The **[[Holy Kingdom of Sorathane]]** is the central kingdom, known for its trade, breathtaking scenery, and extensive land not only ruled by descendants of the Four Saints of Saia, but also said to have been blessed by the Goddess herself. With [[Elf|luxael]] royalty and nobility, the kingdom deeply values religion to such an extent that worship of deities who may be found uncouth is strictly forbidden—often leading to a generalized teaching to value the Mother Goddess, Saia, above most other religion. Despite this, as the hub for nearly all trade between the Five Kingdoms, it is rich in culture and finances and often one step ahead in the progression of society and technology. Not to mention Sorathane is often known as "*The Place*" to go amongst adventurers, travelers, scholars, and merchants between their incredible libraries, academies, and even towns that flourish in agriculture and community alike. \**(British and European Mutt origins/inspiration.)* $\quad$The **[[Kingdom of Foryn]]** is an enormous, sprawling kingdom in the Northern reaches of Southern Valkion and predominantly resides within forests and wild grasslands, ruled by [[Elf|silvael]] royalty. Known for its agriculture, wood logging, wood working, general forestry, and most of all—its culture rooted in their firm, unyielding strength in combat and warriors. With trade that primarily includes food, meats, spices, vegetables, and wood, most within its defensive walls have a keen understanding of nature and hold firm an outlook on life to stand strong and unwavering, especially before those whose bloodlines do not originate within the kingdom. Even with a culture that has since found itself dredged in crime. Those from Foryn have a disposition as strong-willed, defensive, and prejudiced against those that do not align with their outlook. \**(Celtic, Norwegian, and Swedish origins/inspiration.)* $\quad$The **[[Kingdom of Ceilunea]]** is a large, incredible kingdom with a remarkable port city and exceptional size of territory to match their powerful status. With trade that rivals only that of Sorathane itself, it dominates nearly all of the coastal trade in mainland Valkion, especially between [[Ouran Isle]] and the continent of [[D'Amoura]]—trade including seafood, fishing, salt, and exotic goods such as spices, foods, or otherwise. Additionally, it's also known for its allegiance with an underwater legion of [[triton]] said to have once threatened the kingdom due to their encroaching upon the seas in which the tritons reside. Commonly seen more as a "Queendom" than a "Kingdom" due to the importance of female leadership since its founder, it often keeps the term "Kingdom" out of mere simplicity, and is ruled in unison between [[Elf|aquael]] and triton royalty. \**(Indian and Greek origins/inspiration.)* $\quad$The **[[Kingdom of Ithor]]** is a wondrous kingdom that encompasses a nearby magical forest and a region steeped in intense sunlight and the arcane, with a desire to embrace [[the Weave]] unlike any other. As the magic capital, they house the largest, most influential school of the arcane in all of Valkion—the [[Solaris Academy]]. Reveling in the aid it offers to travelers and scholars seeking greater teachings, its status among high society is of its highest ranked individuals that possess phenomenal arcane abilities. Especially its [[Elf|solael]] royalty that intently values comfortable living within a great palace employed by predominantly women with a hierarchy ruled by the concubinas of the King. In addition to being deep-rooted in alliance with Axonder, it is situated between the other kingdoms and Axonder, therefore any passersby must venture through it to reach the other kingdom. \**(Spanish and Egyptian origins/inspiration.)* $\quad$The **[[Kingdom of Axonder]]** is a semi-struggling kingdom in the current year due to the overlap between its King becoming bedridden from an unknown sickness and a dangerous phenomenon known as the Sombre at nightfall. The kingdom is renowned for its perpetually tenebrous region shrouded in dark, cloudy skies and even darker nights—to the point agriculture suffers immensely—and its powerful mercenaries and tight-knit relations amongst nobility and knights. They house the largest library in all of Valkion, the [[Library of Eon]], and hold some of the most powerful archaic relics, artifacts, and lore of the past. Due to its struggling strength and finances, it relies on support from primarily Ithor, and minorly from Sorathane via the Eastern Church, to uncover more artifacts and quell creatures of darkness. It also holds territory and embarks on expeditions into a wasteland to the East. \**(French and Italian origins/inspiration.)*