Agartha

In 1428AC, the eastern explorer Zheng He was said to be the first to explore Agartha and return with a prized spire

    shard--a crystallized form of divine magic. It was at the cost of most of his crew, but news quickly spread on his return, and rumors began to flow. The vivid images Zheng gave described a sprawling wilderness rich in resources, surrounded by surreal, spiral-like mountain islands.

On behalf of the Emperor, the General of Izhura, Sadako Xiato, announced an expedition to conquer the land, citing the consequences of a rival nation seizing the power of the spires in their stead. Naturally, the news of Zheng's findings spread throughout the world, and before long the Three Powers were all ready to embark to wage quite possibly the most important war of the times.

Colonies were established that soon grew into multiple towns, reaching out. It has been over twenty years since the first settlers arrived. As of 1490AC, the total population of Agartha is roughly **350,000**with dozens of settlements spread throughout the continent.

The size of the continent is **3 million km²**.

## Land Marks

### Spire Islands

With thirteen in total, these islands are often tall and have an unnatural shape, caused by the flow of divine magic during the creation of the world, where Agartha was said to be at the center, the first land. The dangers here are accelerated due to the presence of the spire shards- the elements are out of flux, with supernatural disasters common, and the predators have had their evolution cycles accelerated, making them extremely dangerous.

Rare breeds of daemon that cannot be found on the mainland are also located on these islands.

#### **Ruins of Drirst**

An island to the south-west of Agartha, closer to the coast than the others in the region, that once operated as a research center for the Ancient Agarthians. Most of the buildings are rubble now, though tall towers that act as defense and communication beacons are still scattered throughout the land- the first human explorers on the island were said to have interacted with them.

It was first explored in 1443AC by an expedition of the Gehennan tribes, including Xomac Tepin, Solem, Zaatual, and Zahhual. They reportedly encountered and fought off an advanced entity called 'The One' made up of hundreds of demon spirits that lived prior to the Catalysm, bound together in one vessel.

The apex predator Giga Worm are frequent here. Their poison is said to be extremely potent and possess special qualities, though not much is publicly known beyond that.

#### **Iron Island**

**Sina-Mru Peak**

The northernmost Spire Island, and one of the most directly hostile to outsiders, courtesy of the massive avian Demons that call it home. These fiercely territorial creatures have assembled colossal nests around the outer rim of the island's central Spire, some upwards of centuries old. It's apparent that even pre-cataclysm, it was utterly inhospitable, dotted with dozens of sharp peaks and frigid temperatures.

A Jianghese scout - a member of Zheng He's crew - was said to have found refuge there, delivering a report to his captain that named the local population as 'Rocs.' The scout attempted to steal a Shard from the Spire, and soon became one of the first casualties of the expedition.

The nearly feral Demons who reside there will not make the same mistake again.

## Notable Settlements of the Agarthan Mainland

#### **Atl**

Located on the southernmost part of the Agarthan mainland. The Atl settlement is also known as the "Peninsula of Pride". The term comes from the Atl's brashness and bravery in combat.. and for the presence of multiple pride sins in the city's history.

Constructed sometime in 1445AC. The Atl settlement borders the Mezhual River to the east, and the Bay of Swisarme to the south and west. It's northern passage is unremarkable, except for a massive wall. The wall depicts Atl's most glorious mythological figures. This includes the Strigoi. There is also a curious construction atop the home-temple.

Atl's economy generally focuses on tourism, and agriculture. The spectacle known as the "Blood Pit" draws onlookers from all over the Agarthan mainland. The city is known of smelling faint of blood and smoke.

Many call the Peninsula of Pride home, typically native Gehennan races.

#### **Bhaldraithe**

Built on top of the ruins of Tongyishanzhan, Bhaldraithe, starting as a mere village, is an ever growing mountain kingdom founded in 1478AD by *Queen Laureline Felicity Catherine Blancox*, a distinctively non-Feleran woman who observes Feleran culture. While its name honors a fallen angel of Azrael and its founders were originally Felerans, Bhaldraithe is akin to a melting pot as with most other settlements of Agartha in the late 1400s.

Bhaldraithe is mainly settled by Felerans, remnant Shengese, Valmasians and Vanirhallans. And with this comes with religious diversity. Ironically, the religion of the supposed founders of Bhaldraithe, Feleran Azraelism, is practiced by the minority. The Felerans are a minority in their own settlement because the queen had opened the borders to all Askaheim citizens, Vanirhallans mostly, who came with their own beliefs dubbed as Karkism.

Though independent from Felera, the Kingdom of Bhaldraithe continues to have warm relationships with the overseas country, and even paying tribute in the form of Spire Shards at times. It is also considering trade and diplomacy with a certain neighboring Apropriyan settlement in recent times, as Daniel Karadin, a known Azraelite, is crowned as the new and current reigning monarch of the snowy kingdom, said to have an heir.

#### **Cruxati**

Located between the settlements of Ezmara and Atl, the Cruxati settlement is otherwise known as "The Fertile Sprawl." This name stems from Cruxati's sheer size, the jungles throughout, and the farmland nestled neatly between buildings. These jungles have extremely fertile soil, and produce massive bountiful harvests.

Founded sometime in 1442AC. The Cruxati settlement borders the Mezhual River to the west, and the Jungles of Ixchel to the East, and the Bay of Swisarme to the south. The settlement is massive and sprawling, yet still very wooded and natural.

The Cruxati economy generally focuses on agriculture, with manufacturing playing a much smaller role. Primarily, the region is famous for massive apples and growing cocoa beans!