Dolsia

Far below where the ignii reign supreme, a vast network of caverns forms the kingdom of Dolsia. Here lie the caelians. Water drips in to form vast underground lakes, flourishing sunless fungal forests, and towering stalactites and stalagmites. Caelians have carved their cities from this stone, preserving their people and their culture over the years until the day comes that it is safe for them to emerge once more into the light.

## Geography

Dolsia is a sprawling, but hidden country. Most of the entrances are concealed from outsiders: many caves are left natural and raw up until a certain depth, when they come alive with signs of the countless caelians within. Dolsia has connected many of the natural cave systems that exist within the Coronus mountains, although new caverns are still occasionally discovered by excavation and exploration teams. All manner of geological formations can be found within, from massive crystals, to ore veins, to stone, to lava flows and geothermal hotspots.

Being underground, Dolsia is completely protected from weather. Outside of select places, there is no sun, wind, or rain, nor is there day or night. Most commonly, a particular strain of bioluminescent algae is cultivated and used all over Dolsia to light their world: it's used to fill lamps, grows on damp stone walls, and coats fountain basins. It's extremely hardy, and over time has been bred into a myriad of colors, most commonly green and most rarely yellow.

Very broadly, it is warmer in the south than the north, but overall, Dolsia tends to have a moderate chill year-round. The earth insulates it from any freezing temperatures, but also from the warmth of the sun.

### Architecture

Dolsian architecture is incredibly lavish, featuring vaulted ceilings, ornate parapets, striking towers, and massive stained glass murals to bring beauty and color to this dark world. Frequently, significant names and figures are carved into the very walls to act as both memorial and sentinel. As buildings accrue this history, they become even more ornate, meaning new cities tend to be more simplistic by comparison. (This decorative recordkeeping exists inside too: tapestries keep homes warm and tell tales.)

All of Dolsia's biggest cities are also its oldest. They fill the largest caverns, and they were designed vertically, back when nearly every caelian could fly. This means that--in the modern day--they are labyrinthine to navigate. Now, layers of bridges stretch over inky depths to connect towers carved out of sheer cliffs, and narrow alleys allow passage between the buildings large bases. Poorer districts that haven't been able to construct permanent bridges yet have zipline systems, but these systems are looked down upon as undignified by the rich. (They are, however, extremely popular among the youth.)

There are no single-family homes in Dolsia. Space is a premium in the caverns, so "moving out" is extremely uncommon, unless done for marriage. Generally, families just grow to encompass more of the space around them, leading to the largest families sharing entire buildings, aunts, uncles, cousins and all. Scattered around, there are singles' homes, which are communally shared places for those who do leave their family.

Every so often, there are expansion efforts where exploration or excavation teams try to found a new village. Artificial caverns are considered riskier to live in, and they have blockier, less ornate buildings carved directly into the rock. The ceiling is shared by homes and the road, and they are always single story, unless a family takes initiative to expand up or down.

### Notable Locations

There are a wide variety of landmarks within Dolsia, from its tunnels covered in painted hands to the forges lining lava flows. A selection of some of its most well known ones are as follows.

#### Apsthal

The capital city of Dolsia. Apsthal is the first city of Dolsia and remains its capital. It is located in the south of the cave network, a half day's journey from the Skymouth. Apsthal is located within the second-largest cavern in Dolsia: it is enormous, and standing at its bottom, you cannot see its ceiling, even with caelian light. It's extremely densely populated, and this is where most of the old, powerful families began and still reside. Few natural structures still exist: the entirety of the cave has been developed, and architecture is layered upon layered for the generations its been since the city was founded. It is still very vertically oriented, designed for flight, so bridges and stairs are commonplace. A large lake pools at the bottom, where soft green algal glow lights the city from below. Apsthal is the central hub for scholarly and preservation work.

##### Onyx Repository

Of all the museums and archives in Dolsia, the Onyx Repository is the largest and most well known. It has a front-facing museum wing and a library wing, both of which are open to the public. It also offers services to help verify familial connections, record stories, and update or repair genealogies. It's a bustling hub of activity within Apsthal, and it is run and maintained by Talmai's family.

#### Salted Sea

The Salted Sea is located in a very low, very wide cavern. Standing on its sandy shores, one can only see water fading into the darkness. It is impossibly deep, and remains not fully explored by caelians, but it's theorized to connect--somehow--to the actual oceans. Unlike water everywhere else in Dolsia, it's salty and does have mild tidal action; however, it's far inland, only slightly west of center of the country. The Sea is an important source of food for caelians, as there's a strong fishing community here that catches every manner of fish, crustacean, and jellyfish. It's also a very popular vacation spot, in spite of its very cold water. The ceiling has long ago been painted with stars that glow in the dark.

#### Cumula Taiga

The Cumula Taiga is the cornucopia of Dolsia. It is located in the biggest cavern in Dolsia, far to the north, and cracks in its ceilings let enough threads of sunlight in to allow plants to grow. Over the millennia, a lush and massive rainforest has sprouted up, and the cave's size combined with its humidity has resulted in its own self-contained weather system. The canopy is constantly shrouded in clouds, and rain is frequent. In the misty dark below the canopy, a wealth of fungi grow alongside mycoheterotrophs--plants adapted to life without light that don't produce chlorophyll. Caelians that live here are largely farmers, foragers, and naturalists.

#### Beknighted Corridors

The Corridors are the main path that connects the cities of eastern Dolsia. They consist of large, open tunnels pierced by thick spears of shining crystal. Local superstition holds that the Corridors are the remains of an ancient battlefield, where the stars used the spears to protect them from some sort of horrible calamity, but there is no evidence of this beyond the presence of the spears themselves. Nevertheless, walking the Corridors is considered a holy pilgrimage by those that believe, and the crystals remain--mostly--untouched by mining tool or travel paint.

#### Skymouth

This is the largest and most well-known entrance to Dolsia. It faces south to Sayil and is an absolutely massive cavern entrance, easily hundreds of feet wide. A regularly used trail off the Heartstone Road leads directly to it. A small city exists at the Skymouth: it used to be a temporary settlement for merchants, scouts, and guards, but as caelians have grown more bold in recent years, it's blossomed into a thriving economic center. Anyone who has a vested interest in trading with the outside world does their business at the Skymouth,

## History

It is said that the first caelians were humans, once. They were the first to ascend the Coronus mountains, and what they found atop the highest peak was glory itself, woven into the stars. The revelation they experienced there changed them, and they sprouted wings that let them dance in the light. That, however, was a very long time ago.

Their paradise was not meant to last. Ignii, children of dragons, challenged their claim to the mountaintops and, at the climax of a bloody war, cast them out to the caves under the earth. In this day and age, the magic is faltering. Children are born with twisted wings, and all live beneath a broken halo.

## Politics

An oligarchy. The oldest families are the leaders.

### Legal System

The worst punishment is for your legacy to never be recorded.

### The Nameless

Legally speaking, a caelian born in Dolsia entirely without feathers is virtually invisible. Without feathers, they can't be recorded in genealogies, disrupting birth records, marriage rites, and funerary rites. A featherless caelian must rely on their family to vouch for their status, and aristocratic families in particular are known to reject marriage proposals from featherless caelians, no matter their status. It's not uncommon for featherless caelians to struggle in life; some are rejected entirely by their families.

Recently, a group of these featherless caelians have banded together and organized against the aristocracy. They reject the aristocracy's insistence that Dolsia's culture is fading: they believe these very same aristocrats are holding Dolsia back from its future, and the noble houses must be dissolved. They are mostly active in Apsthal, but cells have been forming across Dolsia. They steal from the aristocrats for resources; disrupt aristocratic events; collect intelligence; and certain members have taken it to violence. The current leader is suspected to be a featherless caelian named Damaris.

Anyone may join the Nameless, whether they have feathers or not. The only real requirement, after proving your trustworthiness and loyalty to the cause, is that you must reject your family name fully and become truly Nameless.

### International Relations

Dolsia has a history of seclusion. They were ousted from their homes once and lost many of their people: the survivors sought to ensure that would never happen again. The spectre that, someday, someone would come to finish what had been started loomed large over the country, and thus, for a long time, Dolsians fled at the sight of any others. Many neighboring communities have only legends of caelian sightings. Most entrances to Dolsia remain hidden to this day, but in recent times, more and more Dolsians are opening their doors. The people tire of living in scarcity.

##### Coronus

Dolsia still greatly fears Coronus, and time has not faded their grudge. Ignii are avoided, and many Dolsian merchants will spurn and curse Coric goods. There are, every so often, whispers of particularly warlike caelians who've gone to the peaks of Coronus, or particularly humble ignii who've come to Dolsia, but these cases are few and far between.

##### Eniya

Eniya and Dolsia are fostering a young but positive relationship. The Eniyan desert is large, harsh, and unforgiving, separating the two countries rather firmly. Mix this with Dolsia's seclusion, and they have had little historical interaction. However, things have been changing recently. Particularly those who live in the plateaus, where the desert poses less of an obstacle, have been meeting and trading with Dolsians. Dolsians typically consider Eniyans to be curious and gregarious, and Eniyans often consider Dolsians to be generous and resourceful. One unfortunate effect of their lack of contact for so long a time is that many Eniyans remain under the mistaken assumption that most Dolsians can fly.

##### Olitskur

Olitskur and Dolsia have no contact. Unless a given Dolsian has taken up interest in the outside world or interacts heavily with outsiders, most Dolsians don't know that Olitskur or ianthina exist. (However, there is rumor of fish people sighted near the Salted Sea...)

##### Sayil

Sayil and Dolsia are very closely allied; they have a long history together. Dolsia was already established during the birth of the young nation, and provided assistance and support where and when they could. Sayil's founding ideals of peace are an aspiration Dolsia would also like to see come to fruition, even if most Dolsians lack the optimism common in Sayil. The two countries trade heavily: Sayilans provide plant life, lumber, and fiber, and Dolsia provides stone, metal, and minerals.

##### Theriad Caravans

Dolsia has close economic ties to the various theriad groups, but socially, a pervasive tension remains. As the Heartstone Road circles the Coronus Mountains, more theriads know entrances to Dolsia than any other group. This paired with the theriad lack of a homeland means that suspicion that one of these groups might, one day, want to take Dolsia for themselves thrives, particularly among the oldest families. On the more positive end, Dolsians also consider theriads to be very knowledgeable about both magic (from their interactions with Kimarel) and world events (from their many travels).

## Economy

On paper, Dolsia has accepted the Merchants' Guild system of coinage fully. Anything you need to buy, you can buy in coin. But the true currency of Dolsia is favors and knowledge. Gifts are never given freely in Dolsia: if you give your neighbor a cup of sugar, then the rules of decorum dictate that, should they ask you for a pint of milk later on, you give it to them (so long as you have it to give). To accept a gift from someone is to accept that you will owe them something of equal value later. Hospitality given is hospitality owed. Often, Dolsians will try to be proactive in erasing this debt. If you give a friend a room to stay in for the night, then you may wake up to all your dishes clean.

Typically, these ledgers aren't formalized. The constant give and take is simply part of the rhythm of Dolsian life. One of the biggest dangers for a traveling Dolsian is for their habits of generosity to get taken advantage of. That said, certain members of the aristocracy have been known to keep black books, giving freely and tracking who owes them in their bid for power.

The only thing more powerful than Dolsia's gift economy is the power of knowledge. Possessing an object of scholarly interest is a surefire way to increase your standing in the world, whether that be by trading it to the aristocracy or using it to bolster your own claims. Accessing a family's artifact collection is always something that comes with a price. Along similar lines, prestigious families have risen and fallen on the sword of their reputation. If you have dirt on someone, you can ruin them entirely, and in Dolsia, few crimes are worse than greed.

### Food

The majority of plant-based food in Dolsia is grown in the Cumula Taiga; that's where you can find farmers and foragers of all stripes. On account of the limited space, farmers do not clear forestry and instead work with it. Farms are built vertically and integrated into the forest as much as possible. On the forest floor grows a variety of fungi, and in the canopy you can find various fruits, shoots, and leaves. A plethora of Some foods--particularly mushrooms--aren't able to be consumed raw, but over the years caelians have found safe or appealing ways to prepare many of them. Resourcefulness is key.

In the south, the places furthest from the Taiga, Dolsians rely moreso on trade with Sayil to supplement their food stores. Those lucky enough to live near an entrance to Dolsia or close to the surface are also able to farm, albeit in a smaller capacity. Those near the surface can crack skylights into their ceilings, allowing them to grow any shade-tolerant plant. Assorted tubers and root-plants are the most popular, for their calorie density and space economy. Those near Dolsian entrances will frequently cultivate food forests around it. Travelers suddenly finding themselves surrounded by a large amount of edible plants is the most obvious way to know a Dolsian entrance is close.

There is no pastureland in Dolsia, so there is no raising of large mammals for meat or dairy; thus, most caelians are lactose intolerant. Those near the Salted Sea can fish, though most of what's caught there are eels, crustaceans, and invertebrates. Small hens are popular for Dolsians to keep for food; they are raised on cave insects, algae, moss, and lichen. (In the old days, certain species of the insects themselves were considered a delicacy.) All parts of the animal are used.

#### Cuisine

Dolsian food is characterized by salty and sour flavors, and grilling and steaming. Pickles are very popular and served with nearly every meal. Easy access to fire and the capacity to make fine cookware means pan frying and grilling are the most common methods of cooking. Steamed food wrapped in leaves is another popular preparation method. Dolsian food is low in starches and grains, so that's usually a small component of any plate. The high mineral content of their water gives their soups and stews a very signature taste. Dolsians often feel very strongly about their water, as different caves have different mineral balances, with some taking a sense of hometown pride in it while others despise theirs.

## Religion

It is said that, in time immemorial, caelians were indeed once human. Pilgrims then, they climbed to the highest peaks of the Coronus mountains, where they bathed in glorious light. Thus baptized, they emerged changed: light graced their steps and their brow, and newly formed wings granted them access to the vault of the heavens. Exalted, they danced among the stars, their joy eternal, until the day they were torn down to earth. This is a story every caelian knows, though the details of it change depending on the teller. For example, some believe a singular force provided the light, while others believe there's a whole society of higher beings beyond the sky. There are no written records from this era to confirm one way or the other: all that survives is fragments of stories from great-grandparents. Whatever it was, most caelians accept the stars themselves to be their gods' symbol and emissaries.

Believers seek to follow the stars' guidance as much as they can, meaning astrology is incredibly popular among the faithful. There are caelian scholars that fully dedicate themselves to studying the links between the arrangement of the stars and auspicious events. Starwatchers--a self-proclaimed profession--are akin to priests in caelian religion, and people go to them for guidance. Starwatchers are often present for births, where they proclaim a child's fortune. Faithful caelians believe that, if they follow the stars' guidance, they will be invited back to the sky, and it is a common sentiment that the current decline their society is experiencing is due to too many straying from the path. (Though what the right path is is a matter of intense debate.)

Additionally, some towns and cities are lucky enough to be home to an aviary of cave birds. The birds live freely in the skies and return to the caves to roost: for this, they are considered sacred and highly protected. The health of a flock is considered an omen about the health of a community, and the community in turn cares for them.

### Controversy

Religion is a fraught topic in Dolsia: though there are still ardent believers, overall, faith has been on the decline for a long time. Many academics treat religion as already a thing of the past, and approach religious topics through a purely academic lens. These academics believe that the stars and light were metaphor for another unknown--but natural--phenomena. Many are indifferent. The stars have been out of their sight for such a long time that, even if they were sacred once, they no longer have a connection. Still others have taken a combative view: they believe that caelians have done nothing wrong, and it is the stars who abandoned them and turned their back on them in their times of need. Now, with society in decline, no one will help them but themselves. These people believe something is up there, but sneer at those who still turn to the stars for guidance.

In spite of these different views, many religious rituals persist even in secular life, and political leaders still reference the stars. Star iconography is everywhere, and *may the stars guide you* remains a popular way to say farewell. It is just one of many phrases that survives into the colloquial lexicon.

### Death

Caelians believe that, when the bodies die, the soul returns to the sky. To facilitate this, they follow an elaborate death ritual: first, the deceased's loved ones are gathered. If a starwatcher is present, they assist in carrying the body and lead the group in a linear procession out of the caves and up the mountain, to the tallest point they have access to, trying to get them as close to the sky as they can. Less so in modern times, but historically, the bigger the procession and the taller the point, the more dangerous the approach, for the more visible they were, the more the entire group risked being attacked by dragons or ignii. (It has still been known to happen, on rare occasion.)

The journey is always long, and mourners carry small orbs of light in their hands as they walk. Once at the top, the body is set down somewhere with a clear view of the sky, and feathers are gathered from the caelians wings and distributed to the mourners. Only tertiaries are taken; it is believed that primaries and secondaries are needed for the caelian to ascend. When night falls, a pyre is built, and as the body burns, the mourners circle around it, holding their feathers and their balls of light, praying for a safe journey. They always leave *before* the body finishes burning. It is considered grotesque to see the remains; the fire's light is imagined to carry the deceased up and away, into the night.

When the procession returns home, the feathers are added to family trees and geneologies. Sometimes, a more public funeral will be held after the cremation, where less intimate friends and family are invited to share stories and memories that can be added to the deceased's records.

### Cultural Blending

Some caelians that live near to the Sayil border have incorporated Sayilan religion into their belief system. As Sayilan religion is highly focused on cycles and reincarnation, that manifests in a few ways. Some think Dolsia's decline is just another cycle: they will become humans, and that's okay, because once they are they can join the stars again. Others think that the stars *are* caelians long past--or that they themselves are the stars--and one day they will rejoin them.

In the east, the Void Mother's Congregation has rapidly gained popularity in recent times as well. The Congregation is a belief system rooted in nihilism, and believers find a sense of peace in Dolsia's decline. It is the natural order of the world; there's no point to fighting it. From dust they emerged, and to dust they are returning.

## Culture

Family and memory is the utmost. Heavy in ritual.

### Names

Caelians have long names. Their first name is whatever their parents deem best fit, but after that is a long series of middle names. Middle names tend to either be recent relatives chronologically or whoever the parents consider to be the most accomplished relatives in the family history, but more experimental parents will choose middle names that represent their aspirations for the child, or names of people they admire from other families. Last names are socially the most important, as they connect you to your family line. When marrying, couples will typically take on the last name of the family with the longer or more respectable history; acting otherwise is very controversial. Hyphenation is also considered a respectable choice, as it reflects a devotion to both families; however, the child of hyphenated parents is expected to ally themself with one family or the other as they age.

### Arts and Entertainment

Pictures and song are another way to tell a story.

### Family

Found family is as powerful as blood family. Geneologies are vital family records.

## Holidays

Many holidays are celebrated within Dolsia.

### Florivivere Festival

The first winter after caelians were banished to the caverns of Dolsia was dark. The iron stench of death dripped from cold stalactites, but even the cruelest winter must end eventually. The caelians emerged from their caves to find flowers: bright specks of color poked out from the snow and reminded them that even in the frozen wastes of death, life persists. This is the origin of the Florivivere Festival.

Today, caelians plant seeds in the twilight of fall, before the first frost. They mourn that which has, in the last year, been lost. But in the spring, they return to witness their bounty and celebrate: they're still here. Hope persists, and so do they. Over the many years since this festival first began, families began breeding their own unique strains of flowers to represent the resilience of their bloodline--a living heirloom--leading to a stunning array of colors and shapes.

Every family has their own traditions for what they do with their flowers once they've sprouted. Big families with lots of flowers may pick them and make flower crowns; young lovers may offer them as valentines; and old families may press them into a book, so future generations can see how the family has grown and changed. Someone with little family left to speak of may simply sit with their bloom.