Terra Aletheia

A map depicting the known world of Terra Aletheia and its many oceans and seas.

Terra Aletheia is the Mortal Realm that sits at the center of the Realmsphere. Formed from a combination of energy and aspects from the Outer and Inner Realms, Terra Aletheia is the birthplace of souls, and gave rise to the dawn of the many Kinfolk that dwell within the Realmsphere. It was directly shaped and formed by the Erraté, who each have a fixation on the world, for good or for ill.

## The Continents

Terra Aletheia has six major continents, as well as many other smaller landmasses. Each continent is ecologically distinct, and their peoples are both biologically and culturally diverse, as the energy from the Primordial Realms manifests in a wide variety of forms and differing degrees of influence.

The six major continents of Terra Aletheia are:

* Cresclune
* Gorgeena
* Khemuji
* M'Gwanda
* Saigan
* Veiltouria

Other significant landmasses are:

* Charcara Island
* Samhain
* The Laughing Isles
* The Silver Isles

### Cresclune

Cresclune is the smallest of Terra Aletheia's continents, and as a result is the most homogenous in its terrain and divine influence. A great realm-storm hovers within the Aurorarcana directly above Cresclune, shining down energy from Caosoul, the realm of Jiggormund. This has made the landscape chaotic and unfiltered, life having adapted and persisted here to its fullest extant. The people of Cresclune are mercurial and fey, often changing forms and temperament with the wind. Cresclune is an axis point of the planet, and it exists in a constant state of twilight, as Light and Dark shift in rapid cycles over the land.

### Gorgeena

Gorgeena is a cold, arid land, filled with tundra and frozen lakes. The populace, which is largely composed of humanoids, are ruled by tyrannical oligarchs. Due to the continent's close proximity to a realmstorm of Stridstriki, inhabitants of Gorgeena have developed a culture built on war. There is a cultural practice of ritual combat, overseen by priests, that enables the winner to drain the lifeforce of the loser.

### Khemuji

Khemuji is the sister continent to M'Gwanda, but is drastically different in nearly all aspects. Mountainous peaks are interspersed amongst bamboo forests and lush woodlands, while large pools of volcanic water dot the landscape. Many of Khemuji's people live in mountain-based castles, ruled over by clans of elder dragons that have grown and developed society to suit their needs.

### M'Gwanda

M'Gwanda is a landmass dominated by Therians. Coastal communities bleed into expansive deserts which dominate the majority if the continent, except for its crater filled heart. Here, in the center, lies a vast underground jungle filled with magic and wonder. The M'Gwandan people are tribalistic, with many being led and paying homage to a race of Demigods place on the landmass by Jiggormund. These Demigods, the Moktu, battle and clash with one another for control of land and natural resources.

### Saigan

Saigan is the southern portion of Veiltouria's landmass and separated from it by the Saigani Wall. Ecologically and culturally distinct from Veiltouria, Saigan is predominantly dense forests and jagged coastlines, inhabited by a myriad of disparate villages and tribes of Otherkin. The region is profoundly linked to Fimfloresta, the realm of nature overseen by Themistrea and is subject to often rampant growth and biodiversity.

### Veiltouria

Veiltouria is the largest landmass on Terra Aletheia, and the most populated. It has a diverse culture that has echoes and influence from all aspects of the Realmsphere. It was here that The Banished One laid claim to the mortal world, building Sanctacivitor and conquering the planet. The resultant War of the Gods has resulted in many powerful items and a number of divine bloodlines lingering within Veiltouria, making it possibly the most powerful continent on the planet.

## The Oceans

Much of Terra Aletheia's landmass is covered in water. This vast swathe of aquatic terrain has been largely unexplored, but the mortal kinfolk of the world have identified four major Oceans. These are:

* The August Ocean
* The Roil Ocean
* The Stalwart Ocean
* The Tremble Ocean

### The August Ocean

The August Ocean is the southernmost of the four oceans, and benefits from the stability provided by the planetary axis. The August is calm, tranquil and plays host to a number of kaleidoscopic phenomena influenced by Caosoul.

### The Roil Ocean

The Roil Ocean, east of Veiltouria and Saigan, is the most tumultuous and unpredictable of the four oceans. Home to monstrous sea beasts, surging waves and thrashing whirlpools, the Roil is feared by all who sail. Its potency and power have kept Veiltouria isolated from the other large continents. Within the waters of the Roil exist many ancient, forgotten gateways that lead to Yishagoth, the realm of Shog-Ammonoth.

### The Stalwart Ocean

The Stalwart Ocean, north of Veiltouria, is a shallow, briny expanse filled with naturally formed limestone towers and extensive undersea cave systems. The Stalwart is inhabited by multiple undersea empires of sentient beings and is fiercely guarded by its inhabitants from interlopers and sailors. The stretch of water linking the Stalwart and the Roil is a pivotal point of trade for western Veiltouria, and is a point of constant conflict between the landmasses northern people and the watery empires of the Stalwart.

### The Tremble Ocean

The Tremble Ocean, located east of Khemuji and M'Gwanda, is plagued by elemental monsoons birthed from the Primordial Realms. Often these monsoons collide against the coast and have created a chaotic elemental landscape of change and rebirth.

## Day and Night

The day and night cycle within Terra Aletheia are determined by the shifting of the Inner Realms. As Dorchadasdelve and Luminamoris orbit Terra Aletheia, the Mortal Realm shifts between their influences. During each of these rotations, the Domain of the two realms respective Erraté rise high in the sky and are the predominant celestial bodies of the planet.

### The Bright-Sun

The Bright-Sun is the major source of light within Terra Aletheia. It appears as a brilliant orb of light suspended within Luminamoris, emanating dazzling radiant light. It is in truth Praytorium, the domain of Octavius who rules the realm. The Bright-Sun alters the energy of the Primordial Realms, providing a subtle, positive edge to their influence.

### The Void-Sun

The Void-Sun is the herald of night, darkening the sky with its tendrils of black shadow. It hovers within Dorchadasdelve, a dark malignant void. When Terra Aletheia is under the gaze of the Void-Sun, the Aurorarcana and its formative energy from the Primordial Realms takes on a darker, more spiteful edge. This is why travel is largely avoided at night, and sinister creatures are more powerful, particularly those of Edwardius' ilk.

## The Aurorarcana

The Aurorarcana is the constant magical energy bleeding into Terra Aletheia from the Primordial Realms. It is seen visually as a kaleidoscopic borealis of light, one that is more visible at night but in truth is ever-present. Skilled arcane-navigators can decipher the storms within the Aurorarcana, using fixed points and steady nodes of energy, in order to orient themselves and find their way through the world. In places where the Aurorarcana is out of balance, and the energy of one realm supersedes the others, reality is bent to be more akin to that realm of influence. Many regions of the planet, such as The Northwyld or Saigan, are representative of such a phenomena.