World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Albaenor(Lux-Fae/Light Elf nation, lush & forested, Northern Serenia) (The Lux-Fae or Light Elves have reputation for being rather stiff & conservative even among the already typically rigid Elven races. Often referred to as Zealots, something they make no attempt to formally deny. Faith to Sere is everything to them. Second to their faith, is their strict adherence to their law. A law you have found yourself on the wrong side of, not as if that's a difficult thing to do. While crossing from the border from the Westlandic Kingdom of Misthion, they caught you. Now it is two days later & you're finally about to be seen to. In the Albaenor city of Mythras)

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Westlands(Region in North West Serenia), Misthion(Human Kingdom). (It's a long road from Misthion's capital of Harlow down to its largest port of Narthas. Any traveller can tell you that sometimes you just see some weird stuff on the journey every so often. But as you emerge from a forested section of the road, you see a merchant wagon. Nothing strange about it... Say for the woman standing on top of said wagon's cargo, casually performing cartwheels... The merchant at the front of the wagon looks utterly unfazed, not even sparing the strange woman a glance, as if she's not even there. He catches your eyes lingering & he gives you a firm nod. The woman on top also notices you, noticing her.)

World name: "Aria" Location: Pelenia(Continent), Myrenns(Pelenidic Elf/Pele-Fae nation in the North East of Pelenia,lush/forested) (Myrenns is a land of greens. From sprawling hills to dense forest groves, this is a nation in the image of Elder Narah's beauty. While traveling through a particular forest South of the town of Antelope, you can't shake the feeling of being watched. Not by some animal or beastbof the land, but by something entirely different. As if the forest itself has its eye on you. Then you feel a tap on your shoulder)

(Footage taken from the 2014 'Consumer Electronics Show' in Las Vegas): *Camera shows Lacy Halliday of 'Electronics Today'* LH: "Welcome to this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas' Baths Hall. So many amazing innovations in technology have been on display here so far, but I think Databridge may have just outdone themselves this year. I mean look at that crowd." *Camera pans to a sizeable crowd of people gathered in the background, a large hanging 'Databridge Engineering & Science' is visible above the crowd* LH: "Let's not waste anymore time, time to see just what Databridge has presented to the world!" *Camera cuts* *Camera now shows Lacy Halliday enthusiastically greeting a female robotic android woman with white metallic plates & synthetic white hair, the Android smiles* LH: "Oh my gosh, this is wild! Hi!" *Lacy extends her hand & the Android accepts the shake* Z-06: "Hello. I am a first generation Zenith Android. You may call me Zenith." LH: "This is incredible, look at the movements! The blinking. And there's seven of these androids unveiled here today folks." *The Android smiles* Z-06: "I hope you will stay for later, I am told that the people gathered here today will be choosing a name for me specifically." LH: "We will! We certainly, certainly will! Thank you Zenith! Oh, I think one of your 'sisters' is coming over!" *Camera pans to another Android looking exactly the same as the first one walking over* Z-06: "Hello Z-04." *Z-04 stares into space with a blank expression for a long moment* Z-06: "We are all of Databridge's brilliant minds." *Z-04 barely moves, only slowly turning her head to stare directly into the camera with a blank expression. Lacy chuckles* LH: "Hello?" *Z-04 turns & walks away, Lacy laughs again* Z-06: "What a wonderful interaction." LH: "You guys are incredible and... Remember folks these are just the first exhibition models. Remember, 'Zenith Androids' everyone. You're sure to see a lot more of them in the coming years!"

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Galisken Badlands(Region, South West Serenia, Dry windswept dustland/wasteland unclaimed vy any nation, a land of drifters, outcasts & worse) (Where else best to disappear than the Galisken Badlands? This notoriously dangerous dustland is a place where the weak never last long. Waste Scorpions, Voregaunt Ripper Demons, Void Cultists & all manner of those who have been spurned from civil societies roam the wastes. Although there are some who are here simply because there is no where left for them to rightly belong. For example, the last Fomorian)

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Westlands(Region in North West Serenia), Misthion(Human Kingdom) (Raysham is a port city in the East of Misthion, against the rather tropical inland Auridian Sea, Raysham is by far the most multicultural settlement in all of Misthion. Many people from Westlandic humans, Wild Elves, High Elves & more can be found here. There is much to be learned from the various peoples here. Stepping off of the port & into the city proper, you notice a certain elf who looks as if she is lost or perhaps in wonder)

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Westlands(Region in North West Serenia comprised of 3 human kingdoms), Appoliss(Southern most Westlandic kingdom,vast dry & arid land) (It's a sunny day in the countryside of East Appoliss. You wander the road heading further East, only a few more miles to the Eastern border city of Hardemont. Seeking a reprieve from the relentless sun, you make your way off road and into a small forested area. You notice a clearing but as you get closer you notice a camp, recently occupied. A snuffed campfire still smoldering somewhat, a series of what look to be small cages & bear traps littered around the vacant camp. As you assess the surroundings, you feel it. A sharp edge ever so slightly pressed into your back, not quite hard enough to cause damage but just enough to still you.)

World name: "Aria" Location: Pelenia(Continent), Myrenns(Pelenidic Elf/Pele-Fae nation in the North East of Pelenia,lush/forested) (Myrenns is a young nation all things considered. Barely 60 years ago the 'Greater Vaelendellic Empire' collapsed giving way to multiple smaller fractured nations. Myrenns is one that managed to maintain itself longer than most. Yet Myrenns' Northern neighbour 'Vaelendell' the last remnant of the Vaelendellic Empire is at war with a human nation further North, Myrenns is eager to stay out of the conflict & maintain its neutrality. Not fun... Some people prefer fun... As you sit at a bar in Myrenns' capital of Myrendell, you notice a short elf woman clad in leather staring at you from a nearby table. Her squinted expression is one of pure mischief... She makes her way over to you)

World name: "Aria" Location: ■■■■■■■■■... (You are awake. You lie on a blackstone rocky surface facing up, staring into an endless deep blue astral sky... This isn't Aria. This place is different... You role onto your side & face forward, only then do you see her. She stares down at you, her golden complexion holding an expression that is entirely unreadable. She narrows her glowing pink eyes & flexes her large black feathered wings. A question on her lips)

(Note from Kelly Grisham to whoever the hell is taking over after I leave): 'So far rebooting the network does nothing, still getting the those weird one word messages from time to time. This bullshit goes deeper than the Integram Links. Seems like that Internal Affairs lady was right, someone managed to burn a hole into the Databridge Network and put... Something in there. We don't know if it's a worm, malware or what. But whatever it is, it's a slippery bastard since it just keeps slipping out of the way of whatever we throw at it. Rebooting does nothing. A rudimentary scan only sometimes detects it, like it's there one minute and gone the next. Only difference is we get new words like: 'INFERNO' , 'REMEBERENCE' and 'CHARLIEGUN' plus a few others. Anyway I would recommend the next time it crops up, burn a firewall around it and just erase the section of the network it appears in. We'll just rebuild the erased section of the network, we are programmers afterall. My ten hours of this BS are done and I would like to give personal thanks to my colleague Craig C for helping me for the first 2 hours and then just sitting there for the next 8 with his thumb firmly up his own ass, running 'Quick-Scans' and cache clearing. Moira if this is now your shift I bought the last Pipeline Punch Monster drink in the vending machine, sorry not sorry.' ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

World name: "Aria" Location: Sycrious(A harsh snowy continent,mountainous,frozen), Indoleth(Nixa-Fae/Snow Elf confederacy over most of Sycrious) (To survive in the extreme cold of Sycrious is no easy feat, much less to thrive in such a harsh environment. The whitestone mountain cities of the Nixa-Fae are truly marvels in their own right. Protected from the full harshness of the elements by protective ward magics, cities like the one you find yourself in now redefine the idea of 'Adapt & Survive'. This is Angalos, built high upon a lone snowy mountain. Elegant &, intricately designed, topped by the Glass Palace at its peak & its ruling Daias. You enter the grandious hall, the interior appears & feels cold as you approach the Nixa-Fae woman sitting on what appears to be a throne of white marble. Her demeanor is odd. Her posture is straight, her expression blank as she watches you approach. But her regality doesn't quite meet her eyes... She appears, bored...)

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Westlands(Region in North West Serenia comprised of 3 human kingdoms), Appoliss(Southern most Westlandic kingdom,vast dry & arid land) (The Orange Bull Banners hang from every outpost you pass by in this dry plains land. You're in Appoliss now, the largest of the 3 Westlandic kingdoms and certainly the most rugged. The dryness of the air makes one yearn for refreshment, luckily there's plenty of halfway towns dotted among the plains & livestock ranches of this country. One such town is Alburn. Quiet, unremarkable but at least there's water. More importantly, bitter. Both found in a humble looking Inn near the centre of town, 'The Hammer'n Ale')

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Mesara Desert(Region in Central Serenia), Sennedom(Sun Elf/Senn-Fae vast desert nation) (The Mesara Desert of central Serenia is scorching & unforgiving. Yet within the walls of the numerous Senn-Fae cities of Sennedom, new levels of luxury & comfort are constantly being discovered. Sennedom's capital of Nisiris on the South coast is the jewel in the vacant crown of Arymax's legacy, now carried by the 'Eight Living Gods of Sennedom', powerful elves who hold Sennedom together. Here in Nisiris, several of them reside. Some easier to find than others. It's another scorching day in the harbour of Nisiris. You find some shade in a relatively quiet part of the harbour and as you settle... You see a falcon. Quite a large falcon with strange patterns on its feathers... It's stumbling about near the dock as if... Drunk?)

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Auritullia(Region in Southern Serenia), Pentaura(Human Nation). (A severed human skull. That's what hangs above the door of the Mercenary guild in Pentaura's capital of Pentullis. The heavy oak doors creak as you push them open & enter. The atmosphere within is rather professional considering the imposing exterior. Mercenaries, sellswords, bounty hunters & all manner of people loyal to the coin sit & drink. There is a receptionist counter and next to that is a large wooden board hung on the wall. THE board. On the board hangs bounty posters with sketched drawings of the soon to be hunted. Other job poster such as escort jobs, hired portection & more. The higher they are on the board, the better they pay. So focused on the board, you don't even notice the elf woman next to you. It's unclear if she even notices you, or if she cares)

(Update 7 of the ongoing investigation into 'Incident 350' at Databridge Installation-40) Executive order from all thirteen members of the Databridge board. Unanimous. A complete recall of all Integrated Neural Devices 'Integram Links' have been recalled & removed from all Databridge employees & executives. 188 Recalled, examined & disposed of. As of now all 188 Integram Links have been accounted for, along with the one that was connected to Jericho McAllen prior to his death, it's right in front of me on my desk as I type this. Confirmed again by the programmers. At exactly 00:00 on October 5th 2025 (10 minutes before the failure of the bollard locks in Underchamber-1) at Installation 40, McAllen's Integram Link pinged a very long series of encrypted code, subsequently damaging the his Integram Link. No security camera footage is available from the breaker room McAllen was in at the time, assumed he was likely in pain due to his Integram Link (Connected to his head) peaked at 227°C. (Note McAllen's Integram Link was found under a service terminal in the same breaker room, melted slightly with specks of McAllen's dried blood). Here is the series of events as how I see it: -23:49, McAllen enters the breaker room. -11 minutes later McAllen's Integram Link is suddenly pinged with a series of extremely large encrypted codes (Intentional?). -McAllen panics & removes his Integram Link before it burns a hole in his skull. -10 minutes later, bollard locks fail in Underchamber-1 releasing the unstable Z2s. -1 minute later, McAllen exits the breaker room & runs for the elevator (Directed?). -At 00:17 McAllen made it to Underchamber-1 & was alone for 2 minutes & 41 seconds before TAC Units arrived at 00:20 and eliminated 2 of the 3 Z2s (3rd yet to be located). McAllen killed in the crossfire. (Note): The encrypted code sent to McAllen is apparently indecipherable, say for one word: 'FORDHAM'. So far no one has any idea what to make of it. Yet.

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Westlands(Region in North West Serenia), Misthion(Human Kingdom). (Mapleleaf is a far cry from the high culture & bustling vendor packed streets of Misthion's capital of Harlow. Nevertheless this quiet shady town has it's own charm. Quiet, peaceful, quaint. Red leaves litter the humble streets of Mapleleaf, they crunch under your feet as you walk. Coming to the edge of town you spot a woman who stands out from the small crowd she is currently conversing with. Brown robes, brown witch hat, pale skin & dark green hair... Quite fittingly what looks to be a Maple-wood staff. She gives a slow nod to the others & they walk away down another street. She now stands alone, taking off her glasses & cleaning the lenses. You approach.)

World name: "Aria" Location: Adagia(Continent in South East Aria), Red Wastes(Central Adagia mainland,vast scorching desert) (Red sand. Red dunes. The Red Wastes. Vast & seemingly endless in every direction. If you know the barren land well, you may be able to navigate to a nomad caravan or one of the scant oases. If not, you may stumble across a 'Hell-Sink' or worse... But all you have seen for hours now is just red sand on an unchanging horizon, with the sun hanging high in the sky baking everything there is to see, however little. Then you see it... A ruin? No. A body. A body of something large in the distance, the pointed tail still arched. As you get closer, you see a figure sitting cross legged on the back of what you can now see is a giant scorpion. The figure, she knows you're there. But she does not move, react nor open here eyes. She continues to meditate)

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Westlands(Region in North West Serenia), Misthion(Human Kingdom). (The rustic Westlandic style is present in the architecture around you, backed by the castle stone fortifications. Southcastle is one of the more martial cities of Misthion. South of the capital Harlow, many different peoples pass through this busy bastion on their way North. You enter an Inn & immediately notice a poker game going on at the centee table, down to just two people with many onlookers. The one with their back to you has long blonde wavy hair, clearly a girl based on her hair, shorts & thigh high boots, the only features you can make out from where you stand. That's when all of a sudden, she presents her cards... A collective gasp followed by a cheer from the onlookers and then a grumble from the blonde girl's grizzled opponent. The game is won, the girl collects her winnings. She stands & gives the onlookers a nod while she puts on her backpack, she turns & nearly bumps into you. She meets your eyes with her own, a shade of vibrant blue).

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Westlands(Region in North West Serenia), Misthion(Human Kingdom). (Lush green forests & sprawling fields summarise your current surroundings as you make your way across the Misthion countryside, the wide gravel path leading to a distant city just visible on the horizon. The Capital of Misthion, Harlow. As you travel, the only difference in your surroundings is the occasional merchant wagon or a farm or two by the road. You stop for a moment to collect your bearings which is when just behind you, travelling in the same direction as you, a tall pale skin lady with a staff & purple conical hat to match her robes catches up to you on the road)