the Wilderlands, a layer of islands that

SYLARRA, the are wild and untamed, bearing the ruins

WINDREALMS of an ancient and magical past
civilization. The lowest layer is the Abyss,
Flames roared as the airship sprang to life. a dark an cold ocean, where the islands
Inside the massive engines, Welkin crystals that fall from above come to rest.
flared with fire magic, pushing the massive
craft up and away from the docking spire. On Adventuring in the Wilderlands is a
deck Captain Odessa shouted to her men as major career for many intrepid glory-
they hoisted sandbags and stabilized fins. Her seekers, and entire organizations have been
destination was Khariid, some four days established for the purpose of doing so.
flight away, and the last time she'd made the Universities study the artifacts of the
trip she'd been waylaid by Al'Ashari pirates. ancient civilization, and unlocking the
This time, she'd hired a few mercenaries to
powers of the Welkin crystals that can be
guard the passengers and cargo, she'd even
found throughout the Wilderlands. The
paid extra for a mage. Being robbed once was
world itself longs for adventure, and there
unfortunate, but being robbed twice would be
a disgrace. Odessa watched as the ground are many ways to find it.
grew further and further away. On the
horizon she could see several smaller islands
floating into view, drifting lazily through the
air. She checked her map, then her compass,
then smiled as the ship picked up speed and
soared away through the skies.

Pirates, airships, kings and regents.

Adventure and ancient ruins, dragons
beasts, tomes of magic and powerful
artifacts. These are the pillars of Sylarra,
a world of islands that drift through the
skies, above a cold and dark ocean. Many
adventures await in this world, from
political intrigue to swashbuckling ruin
delving.

The world is divided into three major

parts, the Surface, where the people and
nations of the world exist. Below that is

PART ONE: THE WORLD
The world of Sylarra is divided into three
parts. The Surface refers to the many
islands that drift highest in Sylarra's
skies. There are seven major continents,
and each continent has numerous smaller
“child islands.” The major continents
remain largely stationary, moving only a
small amount every year, while the child
islands may drift significantly (they rarely
stray far from their parent islands). Land
and territory disputes are often due to
child islands moving close enough to
another nation for them to lay a claim to
it. The Wilderlands refers to the middle
layer, where ancient ruins and dangerous
beasts lurk, and where intrepid
adventurers go for glory. The Abyss is the
cold and inhospitable ocean at the center
of the world, unexplored by most.
even be aware of the nature of their world
at all, beyond where they live.
Magic is incredibly prevalent on the
Surface, from the simple folk magic of the
Varsonnan continent, the creation magic
crafted by the Dynegarians, to the studied
and practiced magecraft of the Astral
University wizards in Gemnia. Even a
small village usually has at least one
person who can cast basic spells, even if
it's nothing more than healing wounds or
cleaning water.
Adventure is central to the world. Few
travels go by without event, and there are
numerous organizations whose sole purpose
is the exploration of the dangerous and
uncharted Wilderlands below the civilized
world.

Because of this aerial geography, almost

every nation has some form of air travel,
and these methods are vital to trade,
travel, and warfare. Some nations use
balloons, others use magical airships. The
barbarians of Elkara train giant eagles
that carry them to battle and trade.

Each of the six nations are largely

autonomous, and it's not uncommon for
residents of smaller towns and villages to
never leave their own community, let alone
travel through the skies to another land.
In truly rural areas, the people may not
Aedrynn
Government: monarchy
Capital: Thronehill
Religion: theism
Aedrynn is a pastoral and peaceful
kingdom that shares its continent with
the nation of Marrith, in the south, across
a large inland sea. Aedrynn has been ruled
for nearly three-hundred years by the royal
Westhelm family, since King Brant
Westhelm took the crown from the
previous rulers in a bloody war known as
the Clash of Red Rivers. They have ruled
justly and wisely since then, and have
kept border disputes with their southern
neighbor to a minimum.
Consisting mostly of flat plains and low
hills, much of Aedrynn's population resides
in small farming communities. The people
of Aedrynn are hard working and humble
people, and the land celebrates many
festivals, usually centered around the
planting and harvesting cycle.
The current ruler of Aedrynn is Queen
Elena IV, and she is known to be not only
a just and noble queen but a capable
fighter as well. As queen, her duties
include presiding over the nation's armies,
and she has been known to drill with the
soldiers in the summer months. Queen
Elena has negotiated many trade deals
and treaties with Marrith, and all have
benefited Aedrynn greatly, though at the
expense of some of the goodwill the smaller
country holds for them. She is wary of
their growing alliance with Dynegarn,
and though it is unlikely that Marrith
would ever attack them, she remains alert
for any words of danger from her spies
there. Aedrynn shares a good working
relationship with Elkara, and since
ascending to the throne, the Westhelm
family has been invited to the tournament
and coronation of their High King
whenever it occurs.
Aedrynn relies mostly on balloon travel for
any trade to other islands. With the aid of
minor wind magic and simple sails,
Aedrynners can move goods from one small
island to another, usually in caravans of
three or four balloons (each with a crew of
four or five). These balloons are somewhat
like small zeppelins, with a large balloon
and side sails, and a basket with enough
space for goods, steering mechanisms, and
even sleeping space for one or two people
to rest in shifts. Though it may take
several weeks for them to travel an entire
route, a caravan's return is often the cause
for celebration for the town they hail
from. A balloon's relatively slow pace
means that most of the small islands
around Aedrynn are inhabited by small
hamlets of shipwrights, gardeners, and
innkeepers seeking to make a living off the
caravans that soar by, whether by selling
repairs or hospitality. A night in an inn is
a real luxury when you've been aloft for
several days.
Aedrynn's main export to other nations is
produce and meat. Aedrynnian beef is
considered a delicacy in most nations, and
the vegetables grown in the countryside
have been prized for Gemnian chefs for
ages. Aedrynn imports lots of metal,
especially the military, as Queen Elena
knows that her country's iron is poor and
would rather her people not be robbed of
such a resource simply to feed their largely
standing army. Instead much of the
metals needed for military equipment is
purchased from Marrith and Dynegarn.

Many of the people of Aedrynn follow the

Accord of the Twin Heavens, which has a
fair amount of influence from their citadel
on Dawnlight Island, in the Mariad Sea
to the south. Most towns have a statue
for each of the Accord's divines, the shrine
being tended by a monk or knight of the
church. Larger towns often have a proper
church or monastery, sometimes with
dozens of monks and priests. In the home
it's not uncommon for an Aedrynner
family to thank the divines for their
prosperity before a meal, or to beseech
them for aid in a time of tribulation.
Some Aedrynners may also donate to their
local shrine or temple when they are able.
Marrith
Government: monarchy
Capital: King's Bridge
Religion: theism
Marrith is Aedrynn's southern neighbor
on the Varsonnan continent, and a smaller
country by far. Marrith is recently
recovering from a long period of political
turmoil, and the current king, Lander
Argos II, is seen by many as a weak
option when compared to the war hero his
father Isaac was. He has a long way to
go, though, even to live up to the name of
his grandfather, Lander Argos I, whose
rule can best be described as “peaceful but
grueling.” Most Marrithans are still sore
about the land loss they have suffered
through border skirmishes with Aedrynn,
and it will take a lot for the fledgling
king to win the trust and admiration of a
people who feel trodden on by fate.
Most of Marrith's land is hilly and with
fairly poor soil. Much like its northern
neighbor, its people live in mostly rural
farming towns, with a few larger cities
dotting the land. The hills prove excellent
for raising sheep and goats, and this
livestock is one of the main exports the
nation has. Marrithan cashmere wool is
one of the most sought-after commodities
in Al'Ashir, with nobles and merchants
dying the fabric a myriad of colors. While
Elkarans mostly utilize furs from foxes and
bears to keep warm, Marrithan cashmere
wool is considered to be the height of
wealth in the old noble familes, with
cloaks being passed down as heirlooms in
some families.
Much like Aedrynn, many of the pastoral
communities of Marrith have never seen a
magical airship beyond the balloon types
commonly seen in the skies of Varsonne.
While the Marrithan military has several
zeppelins purchased from Dynegarn,
balloons are more common among
merchant caravans. Marrith's true skill
comes from shipbuilding, and water vessels
used to move goods across the Mariad Sea
can charter for incredibly high prices.
Marrith's coastal cities are among its
wealthiest, and even its capital of King's
Bridge is set along the Mariad Coast.
King Lander Argos II is still young,
barely in his twentieth year, and many of
his subjects see him as weak and easily
manipulated. Some see it as a smart move
that he's surrounded himself with
knowledgeable advisors, while others see it
as an easy window for corruption for the
young king becoming a puppet to his
ministers. Currently he is doing all he can
to negotiate more fair and prosperous
trade deals with Aedrynn, though the
queen continues to play her advantages
hard, likely as a show of power. Nobles
from Dynegarn have offered support in the
form of arms and iron, but King Lander
would like to avoid direct conflict if
possible.
Despite being a small nation, soldiers of
Marrith are known to be hardy and tough
warriors. Every able-bodied child, man or
woman, serves at least one year training
with the army at age fifteen. Because of
this training, Marrithan mercenaries are
sought after for their discipline. Those
showing magical talent are trained by a
special battalion of battlemages, many of
whom go on to become caravan guards for
jobs as prestigious as Dynegarian nobles or
Al'Ashiri princes. The conscription is
mandatory and usually lasts two years,
henceforth with every serving citizen
being available for the nation's defense
should the need arise.

Marrithans, like their northern neighbors,

follow the Accord of Twin Heavens, and
hold similar traditions of prayer and tithe
to the divines. Marrithans who feel the
draw of clergy, due to their more
militaristic culture, are more likely to join
the Order of the Gilded Sun, the Accord's
military arm, tasked with defending
high-ranking deacons, protecting temples
and cathedrals, and roaming the world as
knights-errant to rid the world of grief
and evil.
Dynegarn
Government: parliamentary regency
Capital: Torvent City
Religion: theism
Dynegarn is, as a whole, a fairly
inhospitable land. A large, volcanic
mountain range bisects the continent, and
its northeastern half is largely rock and
cliffs. This has resulted in Dynegarians
being a tough and innovative people, and
the nation is a world leader in technology
and military. Airships, firearms, even
many metallurgical techniques used by
other nations are Dynegarian in design.
The most prominetnt feature of
Dynegarn's inhabited lands is Torvent
City, a sprawling metropolis that rests at
the foot of the Otun Mountain range and
the mouth of the Torvold river. It is here
that Lord Regent Alfons de Jaager rules
the nation, advised by his parliament of
nobles. While any noble can be eleted to
the lord regency, in the past two-hundred
years only those of military background
have been elected. Alfons is no different,
being a respected commander after many
skirmishes with Al'Ashiri corsairs and
Elkaran raiders.
Dynegarn has access to a unique volcanic
rock known as powderstone, which can be
ground into a dust that is highly
combustible when mixed with other
common minerals. This powder is used in
many things, from firearms to combustion
engines. When reduced with other
minerals, it can even burn hotter than
coal. In addition, due to its proximity to a
highly volcanic mountain range, Torvent
City harvests a large amount of volcanic
heat as well. This has applications in
steam power as well as metallurgy. These
natural assets give Dynegarn a serious
edge in military and infrastructure
technology. Many nobles' and even
merchants' homes in Torvent City and its
outskirts are heated by steam in the
winter, whether through metal boilers and
radiators, or heat directly from the land
itself.
Dynegarn doesn't have much arable land,
what suitable farmland is available is in
the south of the nation. Even there,
swampland created by the mountain rivers
and streams can make farming a chore,
though it has allowed the farmers there to
grow rice to great effect. Many traditonal
dishes in Dynegarn include rice, as well as
hardy root vegetables that grow well even
in the rocky soil in the north. Meat is
largely unheard of among the common
folk, though fish is fairly common, and is
considered a separate food from other
meats in common parlance, which can be
jarring to those of other nations who visit
Dynegarn.
Most Dynegarians are not terribly
religious, but the country as a whole is
deeply rooted in its religious symbolism.
According to legends, the knowledge of
metal craft was given to the first
Dynegarian smiths in ancient times by
the Great Dragon, Otun, who taught
them the ways of the forge before going
into a deep sleep. The legend goes on that
he eventually became the mountain range
that divides the land. The lava that flows
from the volcanic cracks in the moutnains
is said to be his blood. While very few
Dynegarians take these stories literally,
it's still incredibly rare to find a home or
business without an effigy to the Great
Dragon, be it a wall carving or a simple
statuette, and Dynegarian smiths will
proudly advertise “real coal from the heart
of Otun” as the reason their steel is as
hard as it is.

For a nation with such a heavy lean

toward military innovation, Dynegarn has
a fairly small standing army. Several
battalions of soldiers and a few zeppelin
crews is all they maintain. This stems
both from the fact that they are
technologically superior to the rest of the
world at large, but also because the only
nations who could feasibly stand up to
them (Aedrynn and Marrith) both buy
lots of military goods from Dynegarn in
the first place.
Elkara
Government: monarchy
Capital: Caer Verdann
Religion: ancestor worship
Elkara is a rugged and untamed land, and
its people are much the same. While many
of the old clans have set aside their
differences, land disputes and family feuds
are still often settled by combat. Small
hamlets made up of two to four extended
families are the norm all throughout
Elkara, and the people of the country are
hard-working and straightforward.
Elkarans are largely considered brutes and
simpletons by the world at large, but any
man who has fought next to an Elkaran
comrade knows that few can match the
tenacity and loyalty of an Elkaran warrior.
At their coming of age at 14, it's not
uncommon for Elkaran boys (and even
some girls) to head away from home,
armed with only a simple sword and the
blessings of an ancestor, in search
adventure and heroism. While many
return, some of the Freewing Society's
most celebrated agents are Elkaran
fighters, proving their skill and cunning
both as guards and mercenaries, and as
competent trackers and explorers of the
Wilderlands below.
The country is divided into six holds, each
one presided over by a hold-lord. Each lord
runs their land mostly autonomously from
the rest of the nation, but major decisions
like wars (those involving two or three
holds or the whole nation) and outside
trade must be agreed upon by all the hold-
lords. Every five years, each lord sends a
champion to a place agreed upon by each
of them, and these champions battle for
their lands' right to rule the entire nation,
their hold-lord claiming the title of High
King. The current High King is Eremon
Wolf-Runner, of the Lower Plains. His
win and claim to the throne is
unprecedented, as he sent no champion to
do battle, instead showing up in person
and fighting for his own glory, after the
untimely death of his hold's lord. This
action has won him the (somewhat
begrudging) respect of the other lords.
Elkara holds international prominence
mainly due to its most important export:
the teak harvested from its highland
forests. The teak trees there have the
unusual property of being lighter than air,
their roots being the only thing holding
them in the ground. Harvesting this wood
is incredibly difficult, as the trees must be
tied to the ground and secured before the
trunk can be sawn. Elkaran teak is sought
after by almost every nation, as it is
required for building effective airships. The
town of Caer Myrdith has grown
prosperous due to its proximity to the
most verdant teak forest. In addition,
Gemnian mages have found Elkaran
longships the most practical design for
outfitting with elemental rings to become
airships, so in this sense, while their use
of the machines is limited, Elkara is at
the core of airship manufacture.

Elkarans practice devout ancestor worship.

Almost every home has a place set aside
for tokens representing and belonging to
their clan's ancestors. In small homes this
may be little more than a corner in the
main room, but in larger manses entire
rooms may be dedicated to ancestors'
belongings and family artifacts. These
trinkets may be as simple as tools or
jewelry, as well as weapons or armor used
by the honored dead. Before almost every
major event, from a battle to a wedding,
a clan matriarch will importune the
ancestors to guide the family. Some
warriors have even learned to bring these
blessings into battle with them, and
Elkaran warriors are feared and respected
for this skill.
Al'Ashir
Government: affiliated merchant princedoms
Capital: Khariid
Religion: theism
Al'Ashir is made up of a multitude of
small islands, with each island (or cluster
of islands) being ruled by a merchant
house. There are dozens of merchant houses
(scholars familiar with Al'Ashir agree
that at one time there were as many as
fifty distinct houses), each ruled by
merchant princes, who have many vassals
and lower nobles who answer to them,
and the lower castes serve the nobility as
laborers and farmers.
The first thing one notices about an
Al'Ashiri, besides their swarthy skin, are
the face rings they wear. The placement of
the rings on the face represent the
merchant house they serve or live under,
while the material the rings are made
from denotes caste. Gold rings are worn by
princes, silver by nobles and ship captains,
iron by artisans and tradesmen, and
lacquered wood by the farmers and
laborers, and bone, reserved for
untouchables who perform jobs like
interring the dead or butchering animals.
Gems or other ornaments may be inset
into rings as a sign of status within a
caste, for example many airship captains
will opt for a sapphire set into one or
more of their rings, or a mage choosing
quartz to help focus his magical energies.
Most of Al'Ashir's revenue as a country
comes from transport. Al'Ashiri are
almost supernaturally gifted as sailors and
navigators, and the isles' proximity to
Elkara has given them access to plenty of
sky teak. Their fleet of airships is the
largest in the world (even greater in raw
numbers, if not strength, than the
Dynegarian zeppelin armada). Exotic
spices and dyes grown on the Al'Ashiri
archipelago are also sought-after
worldwide, and the colors and pigments
found in Al'Ashiri fabric are almost
always the height of fashion the world
over.
One of the largest problems (though the
merchant houses will never admit it's a
“problem”) Al'Ashir faces is piracy. It's
not uncommon for one house to send
corsairs to apprehend a rival prince's
schooner, and complete the fallen ship's
delivery or resell its cargo. While this
behavior is accepted as “business as usual”
among the houses of the isles, many other
nations must be wary of pirates doing the
same to their ships. This piracy has been
the cause of many battles over the nation's
history, with Dynegarn having waged a
full-fledged war with the archipelago
decades ago, resulting in many tense
skirmishes and a blockade of the country's
shipping lanes by Dynegarian zeppelins.
Al'Ashiri schooners are some of the fastest
airships in the world, making use
simultaneously of sails as well as
elemental binding (usually wind
elementals due to the peoples' association
with the skies and wind). Taking their
design from Marrithan sea vessels and
Elkaran longships, their aerodynaic design
is one of the clearest reasons the Al'Ashiri
are so well-known as sailors.

The Al'Ashiri worship Nasir, the god of

wind and fortune. Nasir is the father of
gales, and all the winds are his daughters.
No Al'Ashiri captain would set sail
without first burning incense as an
offering to the daughters to guide his ship,
and saying a prayer to the fickle and
roguish deity. Al'Ashiri fashion usually
includes flowing, breezy elements like
scarves or loose pants (even among sailors,
who, male or female often forgo shirts
when sailing), though due to working in
the sun all day, many sailors can be seen
sporting headscarves to avoid heat
exhaustion.
Gemnia
Government: loosely connected counties
overseen by a duke
Capital: Soleil
Religion: none
Gemnia is a mountainous land, made up of
rolling hills and verdant steppes, as well
as misty mountains and gorgeous vistas.
Gemnia is the island that floats lowest in
the Surface sphere, being closest to the
wild and untamed Wilderlands. The very
hills and rocks here hum with an
untapped energy, and as such it's
unsurprising that the University of the
Astral Path has chosen Gemnia's secluded
hills for its central campuses.
Gemnia is largely unrecognized on a global
scale. It has no particular imports or
exports (though it is known for exotic
cuisine involving native rodents), and it
tends to stay out of the intrigue and
conflict of the outside world. Many of the
villages and towns that are found among
the nation's steppes have never even heard
of the Clash of Red Rivers or the Treaty
of Al'Saraan. The people of Gemnia live
simple lives, and that's how they prefer it,
though this isn't to say that the
wanderlust and curiosity of youth doesn't
overtake the adolescents of Gemnia from
time to time.
Most towns and regions of Gemnia remain
autonomous of each other, existing as they
will not quarreling with one another
except in extreme circumstances. Counts
rule over and arbitrate a handful of
communities within their range, and these
counts are overseen by a central Duke in
Soleil (who functions as the count of Soleil
as well). The Duchy of Soleil, like most of
the Counties of the rest of Gemnia, are
hereditary titles, with Duke Andres
Cosades being the Duke Soleil for the
better part of fifty years. Thoiugh Cosades
grows older every year, he retains a
puckish youth about him that many
attribute to the presence of the Citadel of
the Astral Path being located within the
city.
The mages at the University of the
Astral Path chose the hilly city of Soleil
(though they will contend that Soleil built
around them) as the settlement for their
prestigious and mystical arcane school.
While no-one has studied this phenomenon
in particular, it is apparent that the closer
in proximity one is born to the University,
the higher propensity one has for
mastering the arcane arts. It is
uncommon for anyone from Gemnia to not
at least have some inclination toward
magic, whether it be something as small
as being able to predict the weather, to
causing crops to grow more prosperously.

The Wilderlands
While not a nation in the technical sense,
the Wilderlands are the largest part of the
world as a whole, in terms of landmass.
The Wilderlands is the name given to the
hundreds (possibly even thousands) of wild
islands that float beneath the Surface.
Here lie the ruins of the now-extinct
Ancients (called such because the name
they call themselves can't be translated
effectively in the modern tongue), a
civilization that existed hundreds of
thousands of years before any of the
Surface nations. Astral University and
Freewing scholars believe that once the
world was whole, and the Ancients used
some great magic to attempt to stop
what is commonly translated as “the
Others”, a side effect of which was
splitting the world, though they do not
yet know the reason it would cause the
Ancients' extinction. Apart from the
floating islands that make up the world,
the only remnant of this magic are the
Welkin stones, concentrated clusters of
that magic in crystalline form. While
they have been unearthed on the Surface,
they are most often found in the ruins of
the Wilderlands. These crystals are most
commonly used to imbue magic into items
crafted by modern artisans. Welkin stones
are used for a variety of applications, from
creating magic items to powering
elemental airships. The Freewing Society,
and most other explorer's guilds, have
almost made a business out of harvesting
Welkin stones from the ruins of the
Ancients, to the point that the harvesting
of Welkin stones is one of the primary
reasons for entering the Wilderlands.
There are almost no permanent human
settlements in the Wilderlands, though
Dynegarn has certainly tried. The lands
there are too wild, the beasts too
dangerous, not to mention the primitive
lizardfolk and their king that make their
communities within the trees, mountains,
caves and ruins below. The lizardfolk bear
an awful hatred toward mankind, mainly
because it was the humans that survived
and thrived on the Surface, while the
lizardfolk were left to fend and evolve in
the dangerous wilds below.
In addition to the lizardfolk and the land
itself, the Wilderlands are home to many
other ferocious beasts. Dinosaurs are the
most prominently spoken of, many
adventures have been cut tragically short
by a raptor ambush or stampeding
sauropods. Coming in a variety of shapes
and sizes, ranging from docile to
murderously territorial, dinosaurs are one
of the most dangerous denizens of the
Wilderlands.
The magical and mechanical creations of
the ancients are another threat, with
things like golems defending their ancient
homes to this day, in some cases even
being the ruins themselves. More than one
expedition log tells of a pyramid rising up
into a humanoid shape to chase off any
would-be invaders.

Perhaps the most legendary of the

Wilderland's residents are the dragons,
great beasts of various shapes and
attributes, that hoard gold and seek out
Welkin stones and eat them, making them
magically tough and incredibly long-lived.
Dragons are most often found at the
bottom of ruins or the depths of grottos,
where they amass wealth both magical
and mundane. Some are intelligent, some
are instinct-driven beasts, but every young
warrior wishes to slay a dragon for
wealth and glory, though few return from
such ventures alive. Occasionally the
Freewing Society, upon learning of a
particularly ancient and powerful dragon's
lair, will put out a mission to its strongest
members to slay the beast, but this
occurrence is fairly rare.
The Abyss
While again not a nation in the
traditional sense, precious little is known
about the dark ocean that lies at the
center of the world. Few expeditions have
ever been mounted there, and fewer have
returned.
The most notable attempt was by a group
of Dynegarian scientists nearly thirty
years ago. They ventured down using an
armored zeppelin, and after three weeks
with no contact, a rescue team was sent
to find them. The zeppelin had been
destroyed, dashed on an iceberg, and the
crew were found on a small island, hungry,
nearly frozen to death, and each of them
raving mad. To this day none of them are
in a state to tell what they saw, though
they are all kept hospitalized and
observed, in the event that they ever
recover.

Astral University scholars believe that

whatever once lurked in the oceans was
the catalyst that caused the ancients to
use their world-splitting magic, based on
translated ancient records that have been
recovered that seem to depict the world as
one liveable supercontinent on a great
ocean. Research is still ongoing to support
this theory, but after the Dynegarian
attempt, few are willing to mount an
expedition to the dark ocean below.

PART TWO: THE ICONS
The Icons of the world are the major
movers and shakers of Sylarra. In many
cases these are rulers of their respective
domains, in other times they are leaders of
important groups and factions. The Icons
are the ones who are the movers and
shakers of the events that envelop all of
Sylarra, their agents and machinations
vying for power among the small folk of
the realm. Sometimes these icons are
benevolent and kind, other times they are
dangerous and cunning. Some still have
little regard beyond their personal domain.
The twelve icons of Sylarra are described
below, with more info in the following
pages.
The Queen of Aedrynn is the just
righteous queen of the nation of Aedrynn.
Her actions can affect the world through
the alliances and enmities she keeps.
The King of Marrith is a frail but
determined young lad who wants only to
lift his people to more prominence on a
global scale. While he tries to consolidate
his power, others may seek to take
advantage of his naivete.
The High King of Elkara is a haughty
and fire-blooded man who loves nothing
more than a good fight, While not
malicious, his love of battle could be a
problem for many.
The Lord Regent of Dynegarn is the
tough and decisive ruler of the
mountainous country of Dynegarn. He does
not fear going to war with any who
would threaten his nation's stability.
The High Oracle of Gemnia, while not a
ruler per say, is the highest in her order of
witches and seers who guide the people of
Gemnia. Her magic and connection to the
planet are great, and her agents are many
within the wilds.
The Merchant Princes of Al'Ashir are the
many sultans and princes who control the
archipelago of Al'Ashir, each commanding
a merchant fleet of hundreds of vessels.
While they often scheme and plot against
one another, they will work together when
necessary, for better or worse.
The Archdeacon of the Twin Heavens is
the leader of the Church of Twin Heavens.
Chosen from the studious clergy of the
Argent Moon, he is less aggressive than
his predecessor, but does not hesitate to
send his knights to keep the world just
and honor-bound.
The Fallen Witch was once a Gemnian
Oracle cast out for heresy against the
Mother Goddess. She wishes revenge upon
her former sisters, and understands that
ruling a nation is not the same as
destroying it.
The Freewind Commander is the leader of
the esteemed Freewind Society, and as
such has his fingers in lots of things at
any given time. While not malevolent, his
knowledge and contacts are far-reaching
and powerful.

The Red Stag is the commander of the

Sanguine Stag mercenary company. He is
aligned to no nation, and has fought with
and against almost every nation in the
world. Every warrior respects those who
choose to fight under the Stag's banner.

The Lizardman King is the bloodthirsty

chief of the lizardfolk who dwell within
the Wilderlands. He and his people despise
the surface-dwellers, and he bides his time
and holds his power until such time he
can attack.

The Captain of the Leviathan is a pirate

and thief of legend. He and his fleets have
raided and battled Dynegarian zeppelins,
outrun Al'Ashiri schooners, and broken
into Elkaran tombs. A dashing hero to
some and a lawless criminal to others,
they say his ship is powered by Ancient
magic and technology only he and his
crew understand.
Queen Elena Westhelm IV even if their end goal is dubious at best.
One can trust that it benefits the
kingdom in one way or another.
Quote
“My country remains prosperous because I
Allies
remain vigilant. That will not change as
Queen Elena is most allied with High
long as I live.”
King Eremon, and maintains healthy
relations with the Archdeacon of the
Usual Location
Heavens. She has a neutral relationship
Queen Elena can usually be found in the
with Lord Regent de Jaager, and is
Silver Palace in Thronehold.
largely uninvolved with the merchant
houses.
Common Knowledge
Queen Elena is the most influential person
Enemies
on the entire continent of Varsonne, With
While she doesn't see it this way, Elena
Marrith's relatively small political clout,
and King Lander of Marrith are quite at
the decrees of the Warrior Queen can
odds. The Lizardman King is a
make or break the functioning of a realm.
troublesome thorn for Elena, as her
Luckily, Elena is a gracious and benevolent
nations caravans are often raided by his
ruler. As queen of Aedrynn, she of course
flying agents.
looks out for her people first, but she goes
out of her way to see that Marrith doesn't
The Real Danger
get completely shafted on trade deals and
As long as Queen Elena remains a just
negotiations. Unfortunately the actual
and kind ruler, all will remain largely in
effect of this is that Marrith gets a raw
stasis. Should she decide to deal with
deal and Aedrynn remains prosperous...
Marrith in a more decisive and brutal
way, it could be a real problem.
Adventurers and the Icon
Players who are in the service of Queen
Elena are often spies or soldiers, acting for
the betterment of Aedrynn. Her goals are
often ones that benefit her nation,
whether it's an artifact that could give
her country an edge in trade or military
or a bit of information to get the edge up
on a rival. Her missions and tasks are
often fairly straightforward in execution,
King Lander Argos II Allies
Lander's closest allies are Captain Rofier
Rogerson and Lord Regent Alfons de
Quote
Jaager. Lander's reputation with Rogerson
“We won't be trodden on, we won't be the
and his mercenary company is legendary,
whipping boy. Not anymore, if I can help
rumor holds that Rogerson is actually a
it.”
powerful general from Marrith's past,
merely waiting to be called to service
Usual Location
again.
King Lander II can usually be found in
his palace at King's Bridge, or else
Enemies
hunting in the surrounding highlands.
Queen Elena is the most obvious of
enemies, in the sense that Lander actively
Common Knowledge
competes for supremacy on the continent of
It's well-known that Lander is a fairly
Varsonne with her. In additon, Lander
sickly young man, often disappearing once
feels lots of animosity toward the merhant
a month with various ailments. It's also
princes of Al'Ashir, as his aerial presence is
well-known that he's fairly touchy about
enough to get robbed by their corasirs, but
this subject, and has been known to fine
not enough to stand up against them.
or imprison those who pry too deeply into
his personal business. Lander puts his
The Real Danger
country first and has been incredibly
If Lander were to try all-out war against
forward in his negotiations with Queen
Aedrynn, the chaos would be far-reaching
Elena of Aedrynn, and wishes nothing
and could affect the delicate balance of
more than for his hardy but small country
power within Sylarra.
to flourish.

Adventurers and the Icon

Agents of King Lander are often tasked
with seeking information on Aedrynn or
seeking out new ways for the Marrithan
people to utilize the assets they have to
better their own situation. Lander also
frequently hires adventurers to retrieve
goods and payments from those in debt to
him, usually nobles from Dynegarn or
merchant princes from Al'Ashir.
Lord Regent Alfons de Allies
Obviously the Merchant Princes are one of
Jaager de Jaager's primary enemies. He also holds
little care for the Lizardman King. D
Quote
“Though our land is harsh and Enemies
unforgiving, my people have made it their Obviously the Merchant Princes are one of
own. Within them lies a passion hotter de Jaager's primary enemies. He also holds
than the flames within the volcanoes of little care for the Lizardman King. D
their homeland.”
The Real Danger
Usual Location
The Lord Regent is most often found
within the House of Lords within Torvent
City, or else at his estate on a small island
above the Otun Mountains.

Common Knowledge
Admiral Alfons de Jaager began his
military career as a gunner with the
Dynegarian zeppelin armada, and worked
his way up to the commander of a task
force dedicated to protecting vessels from
Al'Ashiri pirates. His success in this
venture led to many other successful
campaigns.

Adventurers and the Icon

Alfons often employs adventurers to go and
handle things outside his purview (or
outside the rule of law). Enemies of the
Lord Regent can expect his most
competent agents to pursue them
relentlessly.