The Land
the continents of orrison
The landmass of Orrison is said to resemble the true form of Fys.
Anyone is allowed to make their own towns for characters to come from or live in-- these are the landmarks and cities that are consistent across canon though!
The continents are divided into the following areas: The Head, The Wings, The Claws, The Tail, and The Egg.
There are pinterest boards for inspiration for each area.
The Head
This part of the world is called The Head. It is a small region, but peppered with ruins and old roads. Many obelisks protrude from the fields and in the woods, a testament to old Ptheran migration routes. These obelisks dot the deserts that lie to the east just before the wings.
High Cities
Mirth
Lifestyle: --
?o̴n̸c̸e̶ ̶u̴p̷o̵n̵ ̵a̵ ̵t̴i̶m̷e̶ ̶w̵e̸ ̶k̶n̶e̷w̵ ̵h̶a̷p̷p̴i̴n̴e̵s̵s̷ ̴w̵i̸t̸h̴o̴u̵t̶ ̸f̵e̸a̴r̴ ̵a̵n̷d̸ ̷i̵t̴ ̵c̵o̷r̷r̶u̶p̴t̴e̴d̶ ̸u̴s̶?
Low Cities
Ralthalan
Lifestyle: --
?o̸n̴c̵e̶ ̴u̴p̶o̵n̸ ̷a̵ ̴t̷i̴m̸e̶ ̵w̵e̶ ̵r̴e̵t̴u̸r̶n̷e̷d̶ ̶h̵o̸m̷e̵ ̷a̸n̷d̵ ̶k̴n̴e̶w̴ ̵i̴t̷ ̸i̵n̷ ̴o̴u̵r̵ ̶h̸e̸a̶r̸t̵s̶?
The Wings
This part of the world is called The Wings. Much of the land is affected by the spire, and is coated in a thick layer of fysa. It creates an environment of black sand, black crystal, black water.
High Cities
Forchs
Lifestyle: --
?o̴n̵c̸e̸ ̸u̴p̵o̵n̵ ̸a̷ ̴t̷i̵m̷e̵ ̸l̷i̷f̷e̸ ̵w̴a̸s̷ ̷e̵a̵s̵y̵ ̷a̴n̷d̷ ̸w̷e̸a̶l̴t̸h̶ ̶w̶a̴s̴ ̵p̸l̸e̸n̶t̷i̴f̷u̸l̴?
Toria
Lifestyle: --
?o̷n̵c̸e̴ ̶u̶p̶o̵n̸ ̸a̵ ̷t̶i̵m̷e̸ ̵t̸h̴e̴r̵e̶ ̵w̷e̷r̶e̴ ̴p̵r̷o̸t̵e̶c̸t̴o̶r̷s̸ ̸w̵h̶o̴ ̸w̸a̸r̶n̸e̵d̴ ̷u̴s̴?
Rhotia
Lifestyle: --
?o̷n̷c̸e̵ ̵u̸p̵o̵n̸ ̶a̴ ̶t̵i̷m̷e̷ ̶t̶h̴e̶r̷e̵ ̴w̴e̴r̴e̸ ̷p̵i̸r̸a̷t̷e̶s̴ ̸a̸n̷d̷ ̸t̸h̶i̶e̸v̵e̶s̷ ̶w̴i̶t̷h̷ ̷h̸o̸n̸o̴r̸?
Landmarks
The Spire (Larger)
The Spire is the site of the explosion which caused The Senescence. An enormous crystalline structure seems to puncture the world, reaching high into the sky, and even jutting out of Orrison on the opposite end like a skewer.
This specific spire is the entry wound. It generates hurricanes of Aria, which in turn create rain systems of Fysa. The spire works like a generator of energy, and the area around it is toxic with both Aria and Fysa.
The circle on the map illustrates the range of magic poisoning, however the effects of the spire are weaker in the north near Luto'Eyn. They say that Lu'to-Ruhl's corpse absorbs the magic and protects the environment there.
Luto'eyn
This is the largest mountain on the continent. It was once said to be Lu'to-Ruhl, the father of all Luto. Now, it is a sacred ground, and also a luto graveyard and garden.
The Claws
This part of the world is called The Claws. The northern ridge of the land is rocky and cliff-like, while the southern shore is boggy and swamp riddled. In between is plains and moors, with drier and hotter desert to the west.
The two peninsulas gave The Claws the region's name.
High Cities
Ichorrai
Lifestyle:Busy, full of cautious hope
This is the place where the people of Orrison reunited with their planet after fleeing from The Senescence to the moon. In the ancient ruins of an old city, Ichorrai sprang up. It is the only hub of civilization for settlers, travelers, and survivors. It is a place for resupply, research, record keeping, law keeping, and the home of the Bounty Network.
Immitheus
Lifestyle: Tentative, world-weary and grey
Immitheus is a city by the sea across the bay from Ichorrai. Its white spires used to reach high into the sky, but many are broken now and half the city is submerged in the ocean. When the tide is low, anyone can cross to the central city where the entrance to the city's depths beneath the waves exists, while the mainland has many suburban and rural areas for farming and living. Residents were refugees from the conflict between Ichorrai and Ynochrin who sought only peace, as well as the Archivist's helpers who came at her behest and settled down.
Low Cities
Kichora
Lifestyle: --
?o̷n̷c̷e̸ ̷u̶p̶o̷n̵ ̸a̵ ̵t̵i̷m̶e̸ ̷s̵t̵a̵c̸k̶e̶d̷ ̷n̵e̴s̸t̵ ̵u̸p̶o̷n̴ ̴g̶l̴o̶w̵i̷n̷g̷ ̸n̶e̴s̷t̴ ̵t̶u̴c̵k̴e̵d̵ ̴s̷a̵f̷e̷l̸y̷ ̵a̵m̷o̶n̵g̵ ̴t̶h̸e̷ ̷t̸r̷e̶e̶s̵?
Ynochrin
Lifestyle: Quiet, with a reverance which stills the air
Below Ynoch's tree is the entrance to Ynochrin, the city beneath the grove. It is a chimoraa city which was discovered after the events of Ilya's Trials 2020 which killed Ynoch herself. Shifting tunnels connect various cavernous chambers of the city, the structures all held stable by Ynoch's roots. The ceiling is a sky of glowing rocks and many of the buildings are carved out of the earth itself. Invaders will find that the tunnels seem to change, stretch, or shrink, confusing their passage through the city.
Tol
Lifestyle: --
?o̷n̴c̶e̶ ̴u̶p̶o̸n̴ ̴a̶ ̸t̷i̷m̷e̸ ̷a̶ ̵t̸o̶w̵n̵ ̸f̵l̴o̵a̷t̶e̴d̶ ̷o̷n̷ ̵t̵h̴e̵ ̶w̴a̵t̴e̸r̸,̶ ̷r̸i̶s̷i̶n̸g̵ ̷a̴n̵d̸ ̷f̶a̶l̴l̶i̸n̷g̷ ̵w̸i̶t̶h̴ ̶t̷h̷e̵ ̵s̵w̸a̷m̷p̸?
Landmarks
Terralai
Terralai is the name for the burial grounds tended to by the Undertaker. While ashes are scattered to the winds, bones are laid to rest in the deep depths of Terralai. The burial grounds are burrowed into the mountain side, and the winds blowing through the mountains make currents for leyr to fly through swiftly.
It is said that a creature's life can be read in its bones, and those who study here can learn to interpret them. It is a loose art however.
The Undertaker has a habit of adopting unwanted children and raising them to be Custodians of Terralai. Pariahs are safe under the Undertaker's protection.
Ynoch's Tree
Ynoch's tree is a giant mangrove which sits at the center of the swamps. Many of the trees in this forest are shoots from the main tree. It is said that the intelligence of Ynoch still runs through the tree, and those who commune with it over a night spent in the hollows between her trunk's roots can feel her wisdom reaching through. Ynoch's tree bears huge fruits, and it is said the first sentient chimia was born here.
The Tail
This part of the world is called The Tail. The temperature plummets travelling southwards to its tip where it meets The Egg. The environment is largely a tundra towards the south.
High Cities
Aevis
Lifestyle: --
?o̵n̷c̷e̷ ̴u̷p̶o̵n̵ ̸a̷ ̴t̵i̶m̸e̴ ̶a̷ ̵c̶i̶t̵y̷ ̴o̶f̷ ̷k̴n̷i̵v̶e̶s̸ ̵a̸n̵d̴ ̴p̷o̸i̵s̶o̸n̵ ̶d̸i̶d̵ ̸n̵o̵t̸ ̴e̴x̸i̸s̴t̶ ̶a̶m̵o̸n̴g̶ ̴t̵h̵e̶ ̷p̸e̷a̷k̶s̸?
Low Cities
Kinstead
Lifestyle: --
?o̵n̶c̷e̵ ̷u̶p̶o̵n̵ ̶a̸ ̶t̵i̵m̷e̶ ̸t̷h̸e̴r̶e̷ ̶w̴a̶s̵ ̶p̷e̷a̴c̸e̶?
Landmarks
The Spire (Smaller)
The Spire is the site of the explosion which caused The Senescence. An enormous crystalline structure seems to puncture the world, reaching high into the sky, and even jutting out of Orrison on the opposite end like a skewer.
This specific spire is the exit wound. It is too small to generate storms, but small clouds collect around it and there is a persistent drizzle.
There is a very sparse outpost near the spire manned by Ichorrai aegis, though it is still quite a hike to it because it is dangerous to sleep too close. The aegis are "guarding" the spire, but they're really there to protect researchers from wildlife and warn wanderers away from it. If someone is messing around the spire on purpose, most don't intervene-- they don't want to get too close and it's easier to catch Aria smugglers at the gates of Ichorrai itself.
The Egg
The southern part of the world is called The Egg. It is largely an ice cap, permanently frozen and sometimes shifting throughout the year.
High Cities
Enarr
Lifestyle: --
?o̶n̶c̵e̴ ̶u̸p̴o̷n̵ ̷a̷ ̸t̵i̸m̴e̸ ̵t̴h̶e̸r̴e̵ ̷w̴a̸s̸ ̶n̷o̶ ̷s̸t̴o̶p̸p̵i̸n̴g̵ ̷t̷h̵e̴m̸?
Low Cities
Caelai
Lifestyle: --
?o̴n̵c̸e̶ ̵u̵p̵o̴n̶ ̷a̸ ̵t̷i̵m̵e̸ ̶t̷h̴e̶r̷e̵ ̵w̷a̷s̵ ̶a̶ ̶c̴i̴t̸y̴ ̸i̷n̷ ̶t̷h̵e̶ ̵s̴k̴y̶?
Landmarks
Lireah
Lireah is the name of the library that was tended by the Archivist. Access has been lost to that stronghold, and the current library is temporarily in Ichorrai. Lost information is said to be still preserved there behind its walls.
To be a librarian is a high honor-- they not only preserve information for future generations, but teach and raise children.
The Star System
orrison, its star, and its moons
Orrison (meaning 'circles' in the old tongue) is the only habitable planet in the system.
Ivei
the star/sun named after the deity of timeEilos
Ambren
Jara
Jiahem, the moonOrrison
Mylic, the larger moonIlya, the smaller moon
Ralius
Ronos, the moonKheir's Wings
the asteroid beltThe asteroid belt protects many of the inner planets from collisions of stray projectiles.
The time of year can be tracked by the two moons. The moon cycle of Ilya (smaller, further moon) takes a full year, the new year happening on her new moon phase. The moon Mylic (larger, closer moon) revolves around Orrison once a month, each new moon marking the beginning of a new month (months are called faces). For simplicity, Faces will have the same names as ours (January - December) but it is considered a translation.
In the Age of Preiyer, a colony was established on Mylic's near side. Using teleport pillars, travelers could move between the two planets, though the passage took the time of several hours. Although Ilya could be reached, Ilya is mostly made of ice and rock, and the valuable minerals are harder to reach, thus it was less ideal to populate first. Ilya is also further away from the 'atmosphere' of Fysa surrounding Orrison, and lacks as strong a magical field, making it less viable for life.
The moon colony was used as a haven of retreat when Orrison was uninhabitable, however the teleport TO the colony broke due to the mass overload of use. The teleport FROM the colony also no longer works due to running out of energy, though it could be powered if energy sources were brought there.
At the moment, there is no technology that can breach the magic-heavy atmosphere of Orrison except for teleportation.
The Weather
the atmosphere and environment of orrison
Two magic energies exist in Orrison: Fysa and Aria. Fysa is generally considered the magic of life and preservation, while Aria is the magic of death and change.
A spear of Aria runs through the core of the planet and it is called the Spire. The Spire seems to have a similar effect to magnets causing electric flow, in that its presence generates strong Fysa magical currents in Orrison's upper atmosphere-- it collects in the rain, turning it black and iridescent, and falls to the planet.
Many creatures on Orrison naturally use Fysa as an energy source, however too much Fysa can cause rapid cellular destruction and illness. Magic poisoning can be viewed similarly to nuclear poisoning.
Rain is an irritant due to the unusual magic concentration, and those who stay in the rain for too long can get mildly sick. It doesn't affect the existing fauna/flora, which has had three centuries to adapt or die and then flourish in the changing environment-- the sentient refugees of Orrison however are just now having to adapt to the planet.
Thankfully, the ability of flora to filter the fysa contaminated water has been a boon to the survivors. Fresh water can be found through plants, or through underground reservoirs which have been purified through filtration of the fysa through the soil.
Rain water is not nearly as potent as the oceans, which are black due to having a high concentration of magic runoff, but there is a secondary threat:
The Spire occasionally releases huge magically charged storm cells of Aria. These Aria storms have a tendency to pass over the surface of the planet, drawn to places that are strongest with Fysa. They weaken Fysa artifacts, deactivate circuits and plasts, and are strong enough to create feral daemons where the rain hits the earth and pools too deeply. Although Daemons are temporary creatures, the damage they can deal is still very real while the storm is present, and they can gorge themselves off of both magic energies to prolong their existence.
