Altheya Nexus

> *Altheya; a world reborn from ash and dust. A world surrounded by an eternity of war waged between the planar realms. A world of many people, places, cultures and nations. A world of secrets. A world of stories; and in the dragon empire stories can have great power. The ballad of a knight can stir the soul to courage. The tragedy of a tyrant can damn an entire nation. Some stories begin in grand places, upon a throne of obsidian carved by hands older than gods, or among the stars where divine saints dwell. - Altheya - Episode 1: A World of Stories*
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The **Altheya** Nexus is a universe within the Web of Eternity, and the setting for High Rollers' third campaign Altheya: The Dragon Empire. It is a high fantasy homebrew world by Mark Hulmes, and was first featured in the oneshot Legends of Altheya - Prologue: The City of Dragons.

The campaign setting was officially announced publicly on Mark's Patreon in this post on the 4th May 2021, however Mark had also released some in progress lore and rules to his Patrons on the 4th March 2021, and plans to release other worldbuilding details there in the future. It may not be a High Rollers exclusive setting, as Mark has mentioned plans to run short campaigns within the setting as a shared universe, streamed on his Twitch. The High Rollers will start their campaign on the continent of Ilmera, also known as The Dragon Empire.

Mark did an extended stream on Twitch on 19th October 2021 where he discussed a lot more of his setting in detail, It is, unfortunately, no longer available to view.

## History

Long ago, an ancient species of powerful spellcasters called the Proto-Magi once slumbered within Altheya. When they were awoken by the gods, a great conflict errupted. One of the results of that conflict was the Proto-Magi being wiped out, leaving behind secret places hidden across Altheya: Ruins, strange devices that open into demi-planes, and extra-dimensional spaces that the alien Proto-Magi used for mysterious purposes. These vaults contain immense magical power and resources, but getting inside them is often a task of itself. Each vault is seemingly its own puzzle with specific conditions to open it - different rules within in, numberous guardians and traps to contend with.

There's also The Crown - A crumbling broken second moon that looms above Altheya. Some cultures believe The Crown contains the essence of a creator god before the Proto-Magi. Others belive it is a graveyard for dead gods who died long ago. Whatever is believed, pieces of this moon occasionally break off and fall to Altheya's surface, bringing with them terrible infusions of celestial and fiendish creatures that are berserk with fury and seek to kill and destroy whatever they can. The fallen moonstone itself also carries a strange metal ore that can be forged and has powerful but corrupting effects. Travelling across the seas and oceans of Altheya is extreamly dangerous. Making anywhere not connecting by land quite isolated from each other. There are several reasons for why the oceans are so deadly - one part comes from the unstable, erratic and magically influenced tides and storms, which can easily destroy most ships or take down even flying creatures. The other is from dark, mysterious forces that dwell in the deep, who violently attack any ships they come across. Various cultures have different names for these creatures but all share a belief that some greater power commands them and claims the sea is their own domain.

### Fall of the Elves

Also known as the Exodus of the Elves or the Exile of the Elves, this describes an event that occurred several thousand years ago. The Unseelie overthrew the elves in a coup in the Feywild, and the Fey- including the elves- that survived had to escape to the material world. Doing so made them mortal. The material world has secluded from the other planes which meant they were able to hide. Most Elves live in Mistwall since it is the most like the terrain of their home.

*See Deities of the Altheya Nexus*

## **Locations**

The various lands, nations and kindgoms of Altheya all have their own unique elements, cultures and beliefs that make the setting its own thing. They will give a different prespective depending where in the story the campaign takes place.

### **Ilmera**

A continent also known as 'The Dragon Empire'. It is a society where dragons are the rules. They are feudal nobles who grant land, protection, and guidance to the people in exchange for a tithe and military service.

#### **Azarr Steppe**

A province in Ilmera. It is assumed to be home to the Blue Dragon Host.

#### **Caldra**

A province in Ilmera ruled by the Red Dragon. Its capital is Ferros, where Her Draconic Majesty Infernia(sp?) resides.

Caldra, in the last 20 years, has discovered a rudimentary black powder (gunpowder). Flintlock pistols and Wheellock pistols are a new thing but are very rare. The dragon fire powder is found in the volcanic mountain ranges. It has a strong sulfuric, pungent, acrid smell.

#### **Gildai**

A province in Ilmera, home to the Gold Dragon Host.

#### **Iceheart**

A province in Ilmera, known for cold temperatures. Its citizens are known as Icefolk, and the dragon noble is called The Silver Eye by them. It is assumed, but not confirmed, to be home to the Silver Dragon Host.

#### **Mistwold**

A province in Ilmera, home to the Green Dragon Host.

#### **Suncrest Isles**

A province in Ilmera, home to the Bronze Dragon Host.

#### **Urdas Kirr(sp?)**

A province in Ilmera, home to the Black Dragon Host.

### **Osseus**

A continent on Altheya, home to the House of Blood. It is known for its practices with the undead.

## Population

The races who populate the Altheya Nexus vary significantly to those of the Arrak Nexus and Aerois Nexus, as they do not closely follow the Player's Handbook. A draft document of the reworks to balance and lore for the races of Altheya was released in March 2021 on Mark Hulmes' Patreon, with developed lore debuting in Altheya: The Dragon Empire.

There are seven types of dragon in Altheya - red, blue, black, green, bronze, silver, and gold. None are more predisposed to being evil than any other.

*See Races of the Altheya Nexus*

## Characters

*See Altheya: The Dragon Empire\_NPC\_Guide*