Post by Reno on Nov 22, 2023 0:17:19 GMT
This is just a general thread for information about the setting and also character profiles. It'll get updated as we go.
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Nifellgard is one of the major nations on the floating continent of Ardaxia. Home of the race known as the Sky Elves, it is currently thought of as the most powerful of the nations, mainly due to their high achievements in both magic and technological sophistication (they have reached a point where the two have essentially merged into one). As a result, the citizens, even those in the lower social castes, live generally comfortable and easy lives. Nifellgard also boasts a robust and powerful military force, which has been instrumental in maintaining their social order as well as protecting their lush, fertile lands from the other races of Ardaxia, particularly the warlike Dusk Orcs.
The current ruler is King Varan Valusius II, who ascended the throne over 500 years prior, following the untimely death of his father, King Leifrath Valusius.
Since then, King Varan has had three daughters, though his first born was tragically killed in a particular incident several decades ago. The Second Princess, Diannica Valusius, is the current heir to the throne. Third Princess Phacia Valusius serves as a High Priestess within the Order of the Pillar, which is a religious sect within the Kingdom of Nifellgard that worships the Sky Goddess Heiliavind, and reveres the Wind Pillar that resides at the heart of the Kingdom, which is said to be a "gift from the goddess", and is the source of the Sky Elves' power.
Sky Elves themselves are a long-lived race, much like their land-dwelling counterparts in other places, with typical lifespans of around 1500 years or so. They are generally tall by Human standards, with males typically in the 6'1" to 6'3" range, and females being around the 5'9" to 5'11" range on average. They are generally more lean and lighter than Humans, with less dense bones, but otherwise physiologically similar to Humans from the Scandinavian nations of Europe - pale skin, light hair (blondes, silvers, light tints of other colors such as blue and violet) - at least as far as the "High Born" social class is concerned. High Borns, as they're referred to, are typically thought of as the "true" Sky Elves, as they are the ones who are born with wings, which they can sprout at will in order to soar the skies.
"Low Borns", on the other hand, while they may somewhat often appear to share the same traits as their High Born counterparts, are almost always born without the gift of wings. Of course, due to historical instances of interbreeding between the classes (which is frowned upon, but not strictly forbidden), occasionally a Low Born will actually have wings, though they may or may not be fully functional.
Aside from the wings, and some differences in skin tone, eye, and hair color, High Borns and Low Borns are physically identical, with similar lifespans, intelligence, physical abilities (strengths/weaknesses), and capacities for wielding magic.
The majority of the population is, as one might expect, made up of Low Borns, which accounts for just over 70% of the total.
Most Sky Elves, both High and Low Borns, posses a natural affinity for Wind Magic. This is likely due to the Wind Pillar's influence. Particularly skilled Sky Elves are usually able to tap into Lightning, Holy and Water/Ice magic as well. *Very* rare is the Sky Elf with the ability to wield Fire, Earth or Darkness magic.
Some other pertinent information:
- A High Born's wings will always be the same color as their hair.
- Only those descended from the Royal Line are known to have pure platinum silver hair/wings.
- Sky Elf cities are accessible to both High and Low Borns, although High Born areas often have places that can only be reached by air.
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Nifellgard is one of the major nations on the floating continent of Ardaxia. Home of the race known as the Sky Elves, it is currently thought of as the most powerful of the nations, mainly due to their high achievements in both magic and technological sophistication (they have reached a point where the two have essentially merged into one). As a result, the citizens, even those in the lower social castes, live generally comfortable and easy lives. Nifellgard also boasts a robust and powerful military force, which has been instrumental in maintaining their social order as well as protecting their lush, fertile lands from the other races of Ardaxia, particularly the warlike Dusk Orcs.
The current ruler is King Varan Valusius II, who ascended the throne over 500 years prior, following the untimely death of his father, King Leifrath Valusius.
Since then, King Varan has had three daughters, though his first born was tragically killed in a particular incident several decades ago. The Second Princess, Diannica Valusius, is the current heir to the throne. Third Princess Phacia Valusius serves as a High Priestess within the Order of the Pillar, which is a religious sect within the Kingdom of Nifellgard that worships the Sky Goddess Heiliavind, and reveres the Wind Pillar that resides at the heart of the Kingdom, which is said to be a "gift from the goddess", and is the source of the Sky Elves' power.
Sky Elves themselves are a long-lived race, much like their land-dwelling counterparts in other places, with typical lifespans of around 1500 years or so. They are generally tall by Human standards, with males typically in the 6'1" to 6'3" range, and females being around the 5'9" to 5'11" range on average. They are generally more lean and lighter than Humans, with less dense bones, but otherwise physiologically similar to Humans from the Scandinavian nations of Europe - pale skin, light hair (blondes, silvers, light tints of other colors such as blue and violet) - at least as far as the "High Born" social class is concerned. High Borns, as they're referred to, are typically thought of as the "true" Sky Elves, as they are the ones who are born with wings, which they can sprout at will in order to soar the skies.
"Low Borns", on the other hand, while they may somewhat often appear to share the same traits as their High Born counterparts, are almost always born without the gift of wings. Of course, due to historical instances of interbreeding between the classes (which is frowned upon, but not strictly forbidden), occasionally a Low Born will actually have wings, though they may or may not be fully functional.
Aside from the wings, and some differences in skin tone, eye, and hair color, High Borns and Low Borns are physically identical, with similar lifespans, intelligence, physical abilities (strengths/weaknesses), and capacities for wielding magic.
The majority of the population is, as one might expect, made up of Low Borns, which accounts for just over 70% of the total.
Most Sky Elves, both High and Low Borns, posses a natural affinity for Wind Magic. This is likely due to the Wind Pillar's influence. Particularly skilled Sky Elves are usually able to tap into Lightning, Holy and Water/Ice magic as well. *Very* rare is the Sky Elf with the ability to wield Fire, Earth or Darkness magic.
Some other pertinent information:
- A High Born's wings will always be the same color as their hair.
- Only those descended from the Royal Line are known to have pure platinum silver hair/wings.
- Sky Elf cities are accessible to both High and Low Borns, although High Born areas often have places that can only be reached by air.