The World

The World that is the setting of the story of Delve is called **Earth**, just like the world Rain comes from. (The fan community uses the names ''Delveworld'' and ''Dearth'', unofficially.) The world has four main continents: Ekrustia, Bellost, Rellagia and Karmark.

The technological level is akin to a medieval one, but an ancient magical levelling system is providing supernatural powers to the Awakened and is also likely disincentivizing technological progress. Science is not unheard of, but without any educational system, illiteracy is high and knowledge is mostly restricted to scholars, nobles and other privileged people. Most of the world communicates in the common language, but there are other less widespread regional languages as well.

The Majistraal once governed most of the world until the organization was shattered, leaving behind many powerful artifacts that are little understood, except for a few powerful Awakened who mostly just use them for their own benefits. A notable leftover from the Majistraal is their teleportation network that connects cities on all continents with each other (at least theoretically, as it is possible for each node to disconnect other accessible nodes from their network, usually for political reasons). Remnants of the Majistraal are believed to have been the basis/foundation of new global organizations: The Bank, The Guild and The Watch. The calendar of the world was counting the year 3060 since the Majistraal's fall when Rain arrived in the world.

Transport via this network is highly regulated by all local authorities (on top of being almost monopolized by the Bank), but is also the most convenient way to cover large distances. The alternative is travel by foot, horse or cart on medieval roads of varying conditions. Bulk naval transport is made possible thanks to the Goldships, also operated by the Bank. Non-enchanted means for travel are likely even more dangerous than medieval ocean travel was on Rain's Earth, thanks to ocean monsters.

Most of the Earth's surface is inhabitable, except for ranked zones (starting at rank 1) which are dangerous especially for Unawakened, as Monsters are spawning regularly in the darkness until they evenly populate their ranked zone. These monsters can escape into unranked areas, but have a hard time to survive there. A dozen meters below the surface, many places are already rank 1, and delving deeper leads into increasingly higher ranked areas. Ranked zones are also the home for lairs.

## Most powerful individuals

Given that the System enables ridiculous accumulations of power, and also longevity to allow the awakened an extended lifespan, there is actually a list of the most powerful individuals. According to Halgrave, the top three contenders are Potentate Fecht (ruler of the Empire of Adamant), Warden Vatreece (ruler of the Watch) and High King Kev (ruler of Ter’karmark).
Despite all being over Level 50, the Citizens of the DKE are not nearly as powerful as Platinum-levels are. Burrik the Volcano (leader of the Guild) might deserve a honorable mention for being a high-goldplate.

## Known places/locations of the World

* Ekrustia ("central" continent)
	+ DKE (democratic alliance of cities, each ruled by a Citizen)
		- 37 member cities: Jarro, Westbridge, Magabor, Barstone, Southguard...)
	+ Empire of Adamant (tyranny)
		- Osar (ancient kingdom, conquered)
		- kingdom of Cervidians (ancient kingdom, conquered)
	+ Fel Sadanis (free city on top of a lair called The Fells, controlled by the Watch)
	+ Vestvall (free city/town, east of Fel Sadanis)
	+ Essed (village close to Fel Sadanis, to the east of the city, destroyed during rank shift)
	+ Badlands (rank 10 zone)
	+ Three Cliffs (smuggler’s port on the eastern coast)
* Bellost (eastern continent)
	+ Xiugaaraa (City of Lights, within a ranked zone in the jungle)
	+ Sadiir (a place, home of Staavo)
	+ Mensis (port city on the northern coast)
	+ Shadevale Dominion
	+ Bellosian plains, namesake of the continent
	+ Southern Islands (not really a part of the continent, but it's the one closest to them)
	+ Drywood
	+ Bloodmarsh
* Karmark (western continent)
	+ Ter’karmark, only known city on its continent
* Rellagia (northern continent, governed by monarchies, see details there)
* Vigilance (island nation, controlled by the Watch)
* Landis (island nation)
* Splendor (island nation)
* unknown/unclear locations
	+ Brightside (underground city in a ranked zone of poison, "on the other side of the Empire")
	+ Ellum, a city far from Fel Sadanis where the Watch operates

## Interworld connections

There are ancient references in the world's history of world-wanderers who arrived in the world after having been translocated there from a different homeworld. Besides Rain, the only living example, Warden Vatreece knew of earlier Earthers originating from ancient Rome, having left ruins with the marks of SPQR; as well as of Dragons who she believed came from Wix which would according to this theory be another world.

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 136
2. ↑ Chapter 252
3. ↑ Chapter 93
4. ↑ Chapter 35
5. ↑ Chapter 206