>[!info]- **Pages (Click to Expand)**
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>- **[[Compendium]]**
>- **[[Culture]]**
>- **[[Factions]]**
>- **[[Geography]]**
>- **[[History]]**
>- **[[Races]]**
>
>%% End Waypoint %%
> 

^454ad9

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**Istaria** is a planet existing within the Prime Realm. It has one supercontinent split into **Western and Eastern Aradoth** (the latter simply known as “the Eastern Continent” in the Empire) by the Wedge and the Great Barrier, and several major islands and archipelagos.

From Gnomish observations, Istaria is thought to be part of a **small, single-star, single-planet, single moon system.**
***
## Celestial Objects
### The Sun
The Sun is a **pale star** at the centre of the Istarian system. It is a source of light and warmth for life on the planet, and has been associated with various deities and revered on its own across cultures and history.
***
#### In Culture
The Sun was commonly associated with [[Flame]] before the identification of the [[Realm of Fire]] nebula. The Moon was, in turn, sometimes associated with [[Ice]].

**Dragons** distinguish between the Realm of Fire and the Sun, and have done so since the beginning of their written and oral history. They refer to the Sun as the **Eye of [[Drulkar]].**

**Human** tribes of the Barasavian used to worship the Sun itself before the rise of the cult of **[[Scorpus]],** a lesser deity, goddess of Sun and Wrath represented by a scorpion. Her cult rose to power during the Age of the Dragon and persisted during [[Nazderon|Nazderon's]] reign, but her worshippers were destroyed or scattered by Dragons after one of their elders was sacrificed.

**Saris** view the Sun as a representation of their cat-mother **[[Merrasat]].** They often depict the Sun as the head of a lioness with a radiant mane.
***
![[moon game placeholder.png|right]]
### The Moon

***
#### Phases
1 month = 1 full Moon cycle.

45th and 1st of the month = New Moon
Waxing
23rd = Full Moon (always the fifth day of the third week)
Waning
Repeat
***
#### In Culture
The Moon, like the Sun, is a major fixture of the celestial sphere. Its presence as the "Sun of the night" (even though it can be visible during the day, too) and especially its phases led to it becoming the symbol of change, a method of telling time, and being presented as a counterpart to the Sun.

Practically all known cultures referenced the Moon cycle in one way or another. The regularity lent itself to tracking the passage of time, and peoples independently developed the concept of a ***moon**,* or a **month**. Moon phases correlate closely to the orbit of the Realms, even though they're independent phenomena, and individual months can be tracked by both the position of the Realm and the phase of the Moon.

**Gnomes** believed in **[[Telak]],** a male counterpart to **[[Istara|Gunak]],** the ancestral name of Istara. Whereas Gunak's sphere was the Sun and creation of life, Telak's was the Moon and invention — creation of 'mechanical life.' Telak was eventually abandoned in favour of the modern worship of Istara, thought to have been introduced to the Gnomes by Elves or Dryad, and the later shift to a more secular society.

**Sslik** stories refer to the Moon as the **Second Egg,** unhatched sibling of **[[Kaasha]],** the god of rain and serpents. Legends say there were once two moons, but one of them wandered close to the Sun and the young inside matured in its warmth, hatching to become the great rainbow serpent that eventually returned to the skies and became the **[[Cosmology#^ee8650|Planar Plateau]]** visible at night. Were the Moon to hatch, the Sibling would devour the world.
***
### Stars, Constellations, Nebulas
Notable points on the celestial sphere
The Scroll: "I have a warm feeling while following your lines. The Scroll and the Blessing of Istara will be with you."
The Maggot and the Tail: "I feel a disturbance in your lines. The Maggot and the Tail will play foul with you. I am sorry, ungrel, but this is going to be a bad day."
The Stag
The Wolf: "I feel the Wolf will shine strongly upon you today. That's a sign of revelry, you will enjoy your time with friends."
The Axe and the Broadsword: "I feel the influence of the Axe grows on the balance of the Broadsword. This will be a tiring day in harsh conditions. You will probably feel cold. Not in this desert, of course. You should take this (Mrs. Clause's Special Hot Cocoa) to comfort this evening."
The Serpent
The Templar

The Diamond
It is said Karrinithos (the Cursed) is now a bright star in the sky, known as The Diamond. Werewolves are known for howling at the sky at night. Some say they howl at the moon, others say they howl at The Diamond, but who knows.
- Dialogue: Talbain Styrlakr

Constellations:
Rynine the Wolf
I feel the Wolf will shine strongly upon you today. That's a sign of revelry, you will enjoy your time with friends.
- Quest: Tell me about my future! (one of the possible outcomes)GC

Hirdean the Templar, Farsath the Broadsword, Karkaroth the Ancient, and Zarakasa the Serpent
These constellations are associated with the Void and are required to attune the Gate of Embers to it. During the Ancient Rite of Passage the stars of the Void are said to emit no light, and they have to be revealed on a star chart with the use of Primal magic. 

Jynasix describes them as “quite distinctive” and says that he “recognizes them from some of (his) old texts,” speculating that Dragons have expressed interest in the Void in the past.
***
### In Culture
#### Saris Zodiac
>[!quote]
>*Merrasat saw the terror the darkness left in the hearts of her people. And so, Merrasat selected twelve beasts who then ascended to the sky. No longer would the people fear the darkness, for the divine beasts watch over them while Merrasat rests.*
**— The Saris Zodiac Legend**

The Saris zodiac recognises twelve celestial beasts, eight associated with months and four with change, one for each season. These are:
- Lion (Spring to Summer)
- Tiger (Winter to Spring)
- Leopard (Autumn to Winter)
- Jaguar (Summer to Autumn)
- Cheetah (summer)
- Caracal (autumn)
- Serval (summer)
- Cougar (autumn)
- Ocelot (spring)
- Wildcat (winter)
- Lynx (winter)
- House cat (spring)

The divine Dark Tiger is associated with the changing of winter to spring, the herald of rebirth. It has been associated with Saris resistance against Trandalaran raiders and, in particular, became associated with the Feladan resistance among Saris slaves. The Dark Tiger style is a more advanced, more aggressive variant of the Way of the Hand practiced by Monks, and was developed by a Saris slave to protect herself and her people from Elven aggression in the streets of Feladan.
***
## Time and Seasons
The passage of time is tracked by the movement of the Sun (days), the phases of the Moon (months, or “moons”), and the changing of the seasons (years).

Dwarves, Elves, and Humans traditionally split days into 24 hours — this format was eventually adopted Empire-wide. Where exactly this concept originated is unclear.
***
### Imperial Standard Time
60 seconds in a minute
60 minutes in an hour
24 hours in a day
9 days in a week
5 weeks in a month
— 45 days in a month
2 months in a season
— 10 weeks
— 90 days
4 seasons in a year
— 8 months
— 40 weeks
— 360 days

1 year = 4 seasons = 8 months = 40 weeks = 360 days

The work week is 6 days, the rest week is 3 days.
***
### Variations
#### Dragon
Dragons counted the years since their supposed entry into the Prime. They don't traditionally recognise individual months, instead counting the days themselves, or "Awakenings," of which there are 360.

8000 B.R. = 0 in the Dragon calendar.
10 A.R. = Year 8010 since arrival into the Prime in Dragon calendar. "Year 10 of the 8th millennium."
***
#### Humans & Fiends
Human calendar begins with Nazderon's ascension to power, as he was the first to subjugate most of Humankind and usher in a new era. He believed himself important enough to warrant being the beginning of a new, united method of tracking time, and it was so widespread for so long Humans simply stuck to it until the unified Imperial calendar. It is still used alongside Imperial Standard, often written as "1225 (0 A.R.)."

> 1225 B.R. = Year 0 in Human calendar.
> 10 A.R. = Year 1235 in Human calendar.

Fiends follow the same calendar as Humans due to their shared ancestry. While the Transformation was a critical moment in their history, it wasn't practical to track an entirely new calendar, even though attempts were made.

Proposed (but never formally accepted): 
>258 B.R. = Year 0 in Fiendish calendar.
>10 A.R. = Year 268 in Fiendish calendar.
***
### Seasons
![[inner ring.png|center|500]]

There are four seasons: spring, summer, fall/autumn, and winter. Seasonal changes affect the entirety of Western Aradoth and its islands simultaneously, with the exception of extreme climate regions (Barasavian Desert, volcanic regions, tundras).

Seasons occur in regular intervals and can be affected by contact with a Realm.

Scholars believe that, during autumn, the Realm of Bounty aligns with the Prime and opens a planar passage through which external magic can pass and affect the world. This supposedly manifests as richer soils and greater harvests. It is also believed this planar passage allows other, possibly hostile forces from different Realms to affect the Prime.

Seasons aren’t caused by the axial tilt of the planet, but by the orbits of the Realms themselves.
***
The year is split into 4 seasons experienced globally - with the exception of the Barasavian Desert and volcanic regions)
- Snow during winter:
	- caused by the presence of the Realm of Ice rather than the planet's axial tilt
	- migratory birds? Moving to Char/Barasavian?
Presence of a Realm causes alterations in the climate and season - Harvest Moon when the Realm of Bounty approaches the Prime.

24 hours in a day, 1 hour clocks
	Vandus/Elven numerals (standardized Imperial, used on trophy and tier icons)
	Dwarven numerals (not used outside of Aughundell and other Dwarven settlements/homes)
***
The names of months and their associations with Realms solidified and spread during the late Age of the Warrior-King and throughout the Age of the Sorcerer, after the construction of Tazoon and the increasing degree of cooperation between the Races. 

Originating with the Gnomes and based on their celestial observations, these names caught on among Humans, and were partially accepted among the Dwarves, Elves, and Saris even before the Peace Accords.

| Month | Season | Realm  | Name    | Etymology                              |
| ----- | ------ | ------ | ------- | -------------------------------------- |
| 1     | Spring | Life   | Verdean | from *Verdant,* Month of Blooms        |
| 2     | Spring | Energy | Ardean  | from *Ardour,* Month of Passions       |
| 3     | Summer | Fire   | Ignean  | from *Ignite,* Month of Fire           |
| 4     | Summer | Air    | Galean  | from *Gale,* Month of Gales            |
| 5     | Autumn | Spirit | Abscian | from *Abscission,* Month of Departures |
| 6     | Autumn | Blight | Venean  | from *Venom,* Month of Decay           |
| 7     | Winter | Ice    | Glacian | from *Glacier,* Month of Ice           |
| 8     | Winter | Earth  | Torpean | from *Torpor,* Month of Slumber        |
***
#### **Verdean**
>[!info-]
>**Alias:**
>
>**Temperature:**
>**Precipitation:**
>**Wind intensity:**
>
>**Associated god(s):**
>**Associated materials:**
>
>**Events:**
>— New Year Celebration (1st of Verdean)
>— Spring Festival

The ice thaws. Temperatures start to rise and days are getting longer. Marked by germination of seeds and growth of new leaves and plants. Frosts become progressively rarer, occurring only at night and, past the midpoint of the month, they cease entirely.
***
#### **Ardean**
>[!info-]
>**Temperature:**
>**Precipitation:**
>**Wind intensity:**
>
>**Associated god(s):**
>**Associated materials:**
>
>**Events:**
>— 

All animals are fully active, catching up on storages of fat and nutrients they have depleted over the winter and raising young. Temperatures steadily rise, and the large amounts of freshly formed clouds often descend in the form of short but severe thunderstorms.
***
#### **Ignean**
>[!info-]
>**Temperature:**
>**Precipitation:**
>**Wind intensity:**
>
>**Associated god(s):**
>**Associated materials:**
>
>**Events:**
>— Pax Istaria
>— Summer Festival

Temperatures reach their peak. After the turbulent Ardean come droughts, particularly severe across the Aradoth Frontier and the Barasavian Desert.
***
#### **Galean**
>[!info-]
>**Alias:** Harvest (Human)
>
>**Temperature:**
>**Precipitation:**
>**Wind intensity:**
>
>**Associated god(s):**
>**Associated materials:**
>
>**Events:**

***
#### **Abscian**
>[!info-]
>**Alias:** Rutten (Human)
>
>**Temperature:**
>**Precipitation:**
>**Wind intensity:**
>
>**Associated god(s):**
>**Associated materials:**
>
>**Events:**
— Harvest Festival
>— Bacchanalia
>— Hammer's Rest

***
#### **Venean**
>[!info-]
>**Temperature:**
>**Precipitation:**
>**Wind intensity:**
>
>**Associated god(s):**
>**Associated materials:**
>
>**Events:**
>— The Spirit Walk
>— Foundation Day & Anniversary of the Battle of Tazoon

***
#### **Glacian**
>[!info-]
>**Alias:** Snowfall (Human)
>
>**Temperature:**
>**Precipitation:**
>**Wind intensity:**
>
>**Associated god(s):**
>**Associated materials:**
>
>**Events:**

***
#### **Torpean**
>[!info-]
>**Alias:** Barren (Human)
>
>**Temperature:**
>**Precipitation:**
>**Wind intensity:**
>
>**Associated god(s):**
>**Associated materials:**
>
>**Events:**
>— Gnomekindle (New Rachival, New Koraelia — Gnomes)
>— Banner Days (Kion)
>— Winter Solstice
>—— Alban Alyssa ("Light of Alyssa," Elves)

***
## Geology & Weather
Istaria is a highly volcanically active world, both historically and in the present day. Old volcanoes can be found across the landmasses, many islands and peaks were formed by lava, and elements normally found deep within the mantle are found in abundance in the upper crust. Layers of volcanic ash provide nutrients necessary for lush forests and meadows, as well as agriculture, and extensive thermal activity in certain regions maintains temperatures year-round.

Istarian crust is rich in a wide variety of elements, allowing formation of numerous gemstones and other minerals in such sizes and qualities that they are a common part of everyday life. They are not particularly valuable unless of an unusual size, composition, or cut.

Wind always blows from the east, and cold ocean currents follow.
***
## Trivia
- The gravity on Istaria is slightly lower than on Earth. Paired with the ability of living things to draw upon magic to bolster their growth and physical capabilities, this allows for higher average height (average of 190cm for Istarian Human men, compared to ~175 for Earth men) and significant increases in size for both fauna and flora.
- Istarian months correspond to Earth months only approximately, and they do so as such: *Verdean = March/April, Ardean = April/May, Ignean = June/July, Galean = July/August, Abscian = September/October, Venean = October/November, Glacian = December/January, Torpean = January/February.*
#### Anachronisms
While Istaria is at face value a sword-and-sorcery high fantasy world, it is somewhat anachronistic by design - the Gnomes especially introduce a significantly more advanced technological aspect to the world. There are no guns, but there are explosives. People wear tunics and doublets, but also coats, suits, and top hats. There are magical portals and spells and scrolls, but also rudimentary cameras and the printing press.

Each race has their own clothing style, with Gnomes, Humans and Fiends having the more "modern" outfits (Gnomes especially) mixing with more traditional fantasy pieces.

- Humans wear shirts, tunics, doublets. 
- Gnomes wear more practical, function-over-form clothes with Mandarin collars (obviously named something else in-universe) and snap-fastenings, often fingerless gloves for fine motor control when working on fine machinery. 
- Dwarves are short, like Gnomes, but significantly more robust - they wear heavy chainmail from a young age, and incorporate elements of armour even into casual clothing. 
- Fiends are described as strikingly beautiful, and both men and women tend to wear revealing clothing to emphasize their smooth, blue skin and lithe figures. 
- Elves are thinner than humans, but tall and slim, their clothes elegant, uptight, and often finely embroidered with natural motifs.
- Dryads wear light, thin, flowing clothes to match with their almost ethereal nature. Meira herself prefers practicality, more likely sticking to a more elven-gnomish mix. 
- The Satyr are half-covered in fur, horned, and their racial capital of Bachan was situated on a warm coast (comparable to Mediterranean climate). They would traditionally wear light robes, though those few Satyr who were freed of the Aegis subjugation (several hundreds to thousands compared to the hundreds of thousands to millions of the entire population) would assimilate themselves into the Empire's hodgepodge of clothing styles.
***