Tierra

**Tierra** is the realm of the *Food Souls*.

## Description

Gaia thought about creating a new realm, and sometime after, Tierra was created. It is a place filled with energy and shaped like a giant fish. Created through pure energy, Tierra consumes dream shards scattered across the universe. The consumption of these shards has allowed it to grow and expand to its current state. By consuming dream shards, Tierra is also able to maintain its habitat and balance. The dream shards consumed by Tierra are digested and then released back into the universe. The universe will then power these shards and the cycle begins again.

Like earth, Tierra also has massive oceans with fast moving currents. However, no signs of life have been discovered in these waters yet.

## Locations

### Gloriville

Gloriville is located in the center of the Knowles continent, connecting South and North Seas. It is one of the most fertile lands in the continent, and the second largest port city in the world. The Clemens family had vision for this place. With its geographical advantages, the family spent lots of financial resources to maximize the value of the land.

#### Landmarks

* **Gold Tree Ranch**: Gold Tree Ranch is named after its beautiful golden leaves in the fall. It is currently the largest livestock farm in Gloriville. Wool and leather produced here are also exported to Nevras as popular clothing materials.
* **Parisel**: Parisel is located in the center of Gloriville. Due to the eastern high mountains and the rivers, Fallen Angels rarely appear here. People can enjoy a peaceful environment. The access route connecting Midgar and Girona from south to north is a very important passageway, with many traders passing through, bringing with them specialties from different places. Parisel residents are fond of fashion. There are many fashion stores open in this small town. Among them, the most famous one is Yoseta designer studio.
* **Hilena**: Hilena is named the city of the sea and is one of the major cities of Gloriville, also home to the Royal Chef Guild headquarters. In the early days of Gloriville, Hilena was only a village. Only until Fallen Angels’ interference with humans’ habitats did it become more populated. The Gloriville Royal Family decided to set up a guild in Hilena, and spent the next 20 years building this new town.

### Light Kingdom

Light Kingdom is located northeast of Knowles. For the high altitude, there are often mists and fogs. Light Kingdom produces rich agricultural products with a long tradition of livestock husbandry, providing a good foundation for the locals to set up a chef guild.

Thanks to the mountain peaks surrounding the west and the back, there is little conflict with the neighboring countries. With its prosperous local food culture, it has secretly worked with the Academy. With all these benefits, Light Kingdom was the first in the region to found a Chef Guild.

#### Landmarks

* **Nozokyo**: Nozokyo is located on the hilltop of the Light Kingdom border and opposite Tamakyo. Nozokyo is a place for sacrifice in Light Kingdom. Every generation's deity is born and raised here.
* **Spring Town**: Spring Town is a large town in the heart of Light Kingdom. It is home to bamboo products and tea. The water for making tea is from the hot springs of Light Kingdom; it is sweet and delicious.
* **Lake of Glass Jar**: Lake of Glass Jar is the largest inland lake in the entire Knowles continent. It’s been given this name because it looks as if a crystallized jar from above. The lake was formed in the early days when flooding was a regular occurrence. Thanks to the White Tiger, the lake has been stabilized.
* **Floating Platform**: The Floating Platform, which is built on the southern tip of Lake of Glass Jar, is the main building in the center of Amagi. In addition to the White Tiger’s sword, the giant stone beast statue also gives people a strong sense of fear. The Floating Platform not only functions as a defense against Fallen Angels, it also works as a water dam.
* **Amagi**: During the Fallen Angels’ reign of havoc, the deity known as “White Tiger” led the locals to join together to defend against the Fallen Angels’ threat. Amagi extends from the east to the west and connects the eastern and western mountains. The tallest point shoots well above the clouds. The Light Kingdom locals have started calling it Amagi.

### Nevras

Nevras is located on a peninsula at the extremity of the Eight Godpeaks Mountains. With the highest mountain lakes in the world, it is located at the northernmost tip of the world, so the temperature is lower than in other regions. The extreme north is basically a permanently snow-covered environment, while the area around the southern coast is relatively suitable for habitation. The area is also known for its outdoor hot springs, but due to the strong corrosiveness they are only used by local people as a heat source.

#### Landmarks

* **Polar Snowfield**: The polar snowfield is part of the peninsula and is the coldest place on Tierra. In the Elves era, prior to the formation of the polar snowfield, there were many elves living here. Many ancient buildings remain intact. The Academy actively recruits adventurers to explore the area, but it seems that the hidden dangers within the polar snowfields are more than just the cold.
* **Academy**: The Academy was established as early as the Elves era. Its main purpose is to teach humans how to use magic. In the human era, the school was taken over by Carl. He selected talents to continue working on magic. Nominally the Academy is in the anarchy-neutral area, but it is still subordinated to Gloriville. Whether it is the development of new magic or the subsequent technology of Magic Crystals, Gloriville has the power to prioritize and monopolize.
* **Lake of Ice Tears**: The history of the Lake of Ice Tears can be traced down to the Elves era. Based on literature, when the evil spirit, Ottovia was sealed in the Eight Peaks, the saints saw the tears of sorrow and unwillingness shed. Over time it gradually converged into a lake at the end of the eight peaks. Lake of Ice Tears is cold and biting. No living creature seems to be able to survive in it.
* **Observatory**: Due to the influence of extreme temperatures, there was a gradual forming of Magic Crystals around the eight peaks. It was originally mined for use as a source of energy for living. Eventually Magic Crystals became the basis for awakening Food Souls.
* **Blue Stone Town**: Its location at the southern tip of Nevras gives this place the highest temperatures in the entire region. The hot springs of Blue Stone Town are beautiful. These hot springs provide a lot of heat for the town. The drawback though is that these hot springs are corrosive and cannot be used for bathing.

### Sakurajima

Sakurajima was originally a one-piece volcanic island. Later, due to the rising sea levels, part of the low-lying ground was submerged. Eventually the North and South Islands were formed as a result. The southern islands are called “Shinohara'' by the locals and the northern islands are called "Yellow Spring". At present, there is still a stable, but active volcano on Sakurajima. Over the years, it has become an indispensable source of energy for the islanders.

#### Landmarks

* **Orochi Shrine**: Originally, it functioned the same way as the Moonrise Terrace in Shinohara of the North Island: a place for the islanders to worship the Snake god. However, due to the influence of Roshomon, islanders no longer dare to come here to hold any ceremonies.
* **Great Festival**: This is the main living area for Shinohara islanders. Residents highly respect the current island owner. They however dislike and reject outsiders. Rumors are often heard that sea explorers from Gloriville go missing in this area.
* **Roshomon**: Roshomon was actually transformed over the years from a giant tree. The early legend had it that a young soul that had been sealed inside the giant tree almost escaped and caused a disaster. He was later re-sealed in the tree by a girl wearing exotic clothes. In the end, however, the soul was released with the help of external forces. It later merged with Fallen Angels and disappeared to nowhere. That giant tree has become Roshomon, taken by the islanders as a spot for washing away any evilness. After transforming from a giant tree to Roshomon, its inside is filled with blood-like fluid that continues to flow out, converging on the ground as springs, and eventually into the sea. All the living organisms in that sea area have gone extinct due to the influence of this liquid.
* **Wisteria**: During the time when Sakurajima still had communications with the outside world, this was where the island owner lived. After Wangli year 513, the island was cut off from the rest of the world. People in other regions don’t know much about Sakurajima as it remains a mysterious place.
* **Moonrise Terrace**: Moonrise Terrace is used for worshiping the moon god. Island owners over the generations would sing and dance with the islanders and offered tribute to the moon god for prosperity and peace.
* **Fuego Town**: Fuego Town is named so for its huge active volcano. The volcano has at least erupted a dozen times. In order to be able to observe and evacuate neighboring islanders in time, a group of scientists are permanently stationed here. The group has grown and the area eventually became a town.

### Palata

Palata's temperature is higher than the other regions and rainfall is the lowest of the regions. The environment is hardly suitable for vegetation. It has, over time, become a desert. Palata's Residents are scattered throughout the area but have kept normal interactions with others. Residents migrate according to the desert's seasonal changes.

#### Landmarks

* **Remains of Fallens**: The giant Fallen Angel--Devouring Whale, left this skeleton behind when it landed here. Some people speculate that when it left the ocean and landed in Palata, it couldn't endure the scorching temperature and dry environment, leading to its death. The Chefs' Guild and the Academy launched an investigation, and confirmed that Fallen Angels are comprised of organic bodies in addition to Spirits. Aside from giving humans a wealth of important research data, this Fallen Angel's remains led to one other discovery: among the Fallen Angels that landed here, there was another giant Fallen Angel--one that has adapted to Palata's environment, and remains hidden somewhere.
* **Black Market Port**: Merchants from around the world built this major port. As the name implies, this is a place where trade flourishes regardless of right or wrong. The tremendous amount of profits generated benefits the wealthy and powerful in Palata.
* **Northern Wilderness Settlements**: When Fallen Angels landed on the southwest coast of Palata, it sparked a mass panic, which led to a large-scale migration of the residents from that arid region. Among them, one group fled to Palata's northern border and settled down--this community was named North Settlement. North Settlement is the region in Palata farthest from Lashaman City. The residents here have apparently never engaged in any sort of labor, and are always poor. However, at the very least, they manage to stay warm and fed.
* **Ruins of Royal City**: Before war broke out with Gloriville, the northern imperial city of Matsumbral was Palata's political center. After the war, Matsumbral was abandoned, having been destroyed by catapults. Within one night of the people leaving, a large number of Fallen Angels appeared in the surrounding area, to the point where it was impossible to re-enter the city. The reigning Sage King decided, for a variety of reasons, not to put up the money for repairs. One year later, this place was completely abandoned, the imperial city was moved south to Lashaman City, and Matsumbral collapsed into a pile of rubble, never to relive its glory days.
* **Final City Gate**: The imperial city of the desert nation Palata is located in the southern region of the Knowles mainland. It is beautifully decorated, with a majestic exterior. Additionally, it has the expansive desert's sole oasis, making it akin to a resplendent jewel in the desert. Although Lashaman City is home to the Sage King, a number of years ago Fallen Angels landed on the southwest coast, causing the people to panic and relocate en masse. As a result, for a very long time, there has been no way to convey the Sage King's orders to the entire country.

### Distant Seas

A vast expanse of sea to the west of Royal Midgar, locked off by Gloriville as the sole port. In recent years, very few have sailed these seas.

## Trivia

* Tierra is 'Earth' in Spanish. It can also mean 'dirt, land, ground, soil, world and dust'.