Hello! I'm Goldy, I have a running series of talkies set inside this fantasy world of 'Aria'. This is specifically a Chat/Lore talkie where you view the map of Aria. *Navigating the map* Names: - Names with a 'White' border are nations, with borders to outline them (Some border lines are a bit hard to see, I did my best!). - Names with a 'Black' border are terrain/location names (Bodies of water, unclaimed lands, general regions, etc). - Names with a 'Gold' border are continents/subcontinents. Continents: Serenia, Pelenia, Sycrious, Adagia. Subcontinent: Wiromor. Borders: - Borders: Borders made up of 'small lines' are the borders of nations & match the inner colour of the nearby name to go with them (Some may extend with circular dots of the same colour, these are colonies). - Borders made up of 'coloured dots' signify tribal/nomadic borders. - Borders made up of 'black dots' signify a general region which is unclaimed by any nation & is likely only semi inhabited. - Borders made up of 'red dots' signify a general region which is harsh or hazardous or unlivable unclaimed by any nation. *The Talkie* Work in Progress (ｕ_ｕ*) (*Note: This Talkie is not made for direct interaction*) Terms to keep in mind: 'Fae' = Elf(Fera-Fae = Wild Elf, Alba-Fae = High Elf, Senn-Fae = Sun Elf +) 'Beastial' = A person with animal features such as ears/tail/horns/claw etc(Canid = Wolf ears&tail, Felid = Cat ears&tail, Vulpid = Fox ears&tail +) *In the comments* This is the purpose of the Talkie. A chat. I will do my best to answer any general questions and lore questions of peoples/nations/locations/characters(Sea my other Aria Talkies), I may play along with the lore & answer in character(Depends on how I feel that day 😁). I may lore drop every so often. I will also take requests for characters based in this world, just give a brief description/story.

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Mesara Desert(Region in Central Serenia), Sennedom(Sun Elf/Senn-Fae vast desert nation) (It's easy to forget the harshness of the Mesara Desert once you enter the gilded city of Nisiris, crown jewel of Sun Elven Sennedom. The gate you enter through leads into the harbour of the city. As you walk, you notice dock workers scrambling to prepare a ramp for a particular ship, you can't help but watch as they trip over each other to complete their task. Thats when a sharp commanding voice immediately snatches your attention, that's when you see why the dock workers are in such a hurry)

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Mesara Desert(Region in Central Serenia), Sennedom(Sun Elf/Senn-Fae vast desert nation) (The famed forge city of Rahdamalthus comes into view as you make your way across the dunes. Travelling across such a harsh scape as the Mesara alone is a sure way to have your body become one with the sands. But Rahdamalthus is a sturdy jewel standing tall in this sunblasted nation of Sennedom. You enter through the main gate, immediately greeted by a bustling sandstone urban metropolis. Tents, stalls & hubs in colours of vibrant blues, reds & any other to catch the eye. This is the main market plaza. As you head deeper, the stalls thin out & make way for denser structures. Powerful in their craftsmanship yet refined & smoothed. These are the real shops of Rahdamalthus. The Sun Elves here go about their business at a more practised pace compared to the plaza. You enter one of the more elegantly styled buildings. This shop is clearly on the higher end, made evident by the glass displays of necklaces, pendants, rings & more. At the counter, currently closely examining a glorious looking emerald is a Sun Elf woman. Clearly still focused on her current task)

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Tuskully(A lush mostly human republic on Serenia's East coast) (Memory: A small cottage in the town of Yates, nation of Tuskully...) (Lía sits on a half sunken wagon long since abandoned next to the cottage wall. Her boredom is palpable, she watches the elderly Canid woman pull weeds from the garden. Lía rolls her eyes) Lía: "Just sit down a minute. I promise this is important." (The old Canid woman stands. Her hair is greying all the way up to the wolf ears atop her head, it is otherwise well kept. She runs a hand through her hair & scowls) Cofa: "You are a wanted woman." (Lía rolls her eyes again. Cofa turns around & continues picking weeds. Lía hops off the cart & steps forward, her expression impatient) Lía: "If there was any time to put aside assumptions, now would be the time." (Cofa begins coughing. She recovers & sets her basket aside. Once again standing up, turning to face her granddaughter. Still scowling) Lía: "This time it's... Well it's bad this time. If they find me then I'll be straight in the Blackstone, if not hanged. And you-" (Cofa coughs dryly) Lía: "You ain't doing too well so..." Cofa: "They came to my house Lía! Guards. At my house! Looking for you, my granddaughter the murderer!" (Lía crosses her arms, staring at Cofa blankly, a short stretch of silence follows. Lía steps forward towards Cofa. Lía's expression barely shifts) Lía: "I'm going to disappear for a while. With you as you are now..." (Cofa crosses her arms & stifles a cough) Lía: "This might be the last time I see you so... This is goodbye, hopefully for now. Seriously." (Lía opens her arms & gives an smile that doesn't match her eyes. Cofa's eyes narrow but she does not move) Lía: "Can I get a hug? Or am I really leaving with nothing?" (Cofa picks up her basket & stares at Lía with a mix of contempt & sadness) Cofa: "Just clear off, Lía. Guards patrol this route a lot."

World name: "Aria" Location: Wiromor(Pelenia's Southern subcontinent), Brundal(A jungle nation with a mix of Humans & Beastials) (Memory: A Coatl woman dreams...) (In her dream, Coahcaitl sits in a grassy field. In all directions there is nothing but grass, a fog coats the dream, Coahcaitl keeps sitting there, bored. She searches for meaning & ponders as she has done for every dream. Her pondering is interrupted by an approaching thumping. She lazily glances to the side and smiles as the large figure comes into view from out of the mist. A giant rabbit, fur overgrown with moss, its black orb-like eyes reflect intelligence behind them) Coahcaitl: "Hello Oin. Been a while." (The giant mossy rabbit pauses & glances over at her. Coahcaitl leans forward) Coahcaitl: "How are the Handmaids?" (Coahcaitl frowns as Oin eats some grass) Coahcaitl: "Always silence with you isn't it? Silence and... The eating of grass." (The giant rabbit turns & hops away. Coahcaitl stands abruptly) Coahcaitl: "Wha- Cottontail! Don't you hop away from me! Oin!" (Coahcaitl sits back down in a huff, she stares at the blank mist & shakes her head) Coahcaitl: "1,212 years... Of pure... Silence... At least talk to me, let me know that all of this isn't for noth-" (The sky suddenly darkens, the grass once vibrant is now yellow & dead. The mist is thicker now) (Coahcaitl pauses & looks around confused, she slowly stands) Coahcaitl: "Well at least this is something new." (A low distant creaking can be heard. Coahcaitl turns around, looks up & finds no words for what she sees. As she looks up at the silhouette of a truly gargantuan figure obscured by darkness, making the giant rabbit from before seem puny. The unmoving vaguely humanoid massive figure appears to be slumped, unmoving, a pair of large antlers are visible atop the massive blacked out figure. Coahcaitl can barely make out the slow breathing, evident by the movement of the mist. The dream fades, Coahcaitl wakes...)

World name: "Aria" Location: Pelenia(Continent), Azureth(A fairly dry yet diverse republic nation consisting of humans, elves, beastials & more) (Azureth. A true melting pot of cultures. Humans, Elves, Beastials & more. Sometimes however, the most interesting people can only be found at a second glance. You learn this quickly as you stand in the busy central plaza of Azurell. You make eye contact with a goblin woman across the plaza through the crowd. She is practically frozen in place by your noticing of her, midway through reaching for an oblivious merchant's coin purse. Her stunlocked expression quickly switches to a sharp grin & a wink directed at you before she scurries out of sight, the merchant none the wiser...)

World name: "Aria" Location: Pelenia(Continent), Azureth(A fairly dry yet diverse republic nation consisting of humans, elves, beastials & more) (Memory: Somewhere in Azureth, in a dark room...) (Thunder can be heard through the constant pattering of rain against the walls, the small window is the only opening to the stormy night outside. Two people sit across from each other at a table in the middle of the room. Byron leans back in his chair, his hard eyes are portray a man deep in thought. Finally he speaks) Byron: "I came across some scrolls in a 'Shape Cultist' hideaway I had just cleared out, some years ago now. I could tell immediately they were old." (Byron shifts & shrugs) Byron: "Well, everything in there was old but... A very odd feeling made me focus on those scrolls. I expected more reality & Cosmological schematics or spells, the Shape Cultist forté. I opened them anyway, just a peak while I was waiting for my colleagues to arrive." (Byron leans forward, his tone takes on a steady serious inflection) Byron: "I couldn't believe what I was reading. Wasn't any sort of Shaper drivel." (Byron leans back & makes slight gestures with his hands) Byron: "Outer Entities from beyond Aria. First hand accounts of the Razahdial War from a Fomorian perspective. Mentioning how Almec 'lined his people's minds with teeth' and turned them against the Divine Hierarchy. A labyrinth built to contain a God & a 'Mirror'. Sketches of cruel grins in the margins. Real creepy stuff..." (Byron's expression takes on a casual yet somewhat sinister smirk as he leans forward again) Byron: "You wanna know the freakiest part?" (The girl crosses her arms & matches his smirk) Lyssara: "Do tell." (Byron holds his smirk & his gaze at his pupil) Byron: "Some of that insanity apparently happened right here."

World name: "Aria" Location: Sycrious(North East continent, snowy, mountainous, cold), Indoleth(Land of the Nixa-Fae/Snow Elves, coalition/union of city states). Memory: (The grand altary is packed with the reverent Snow Elves, each of them as silent as the next as they bow their heads in prayer. A large icon of Crixur stands tall before the faithful crowd. The priest continues his sermon at the lectern, his voice echoing off the glass hall) Priest: "... And so it was, out from the flames of old Faeandom, Orsor sat in prayer not to mighty Sere... But to his most faithful Disciple, our lord who answered in our time of need." Crowd: "Lord Crixur. Delicate yet Unbroken. Deliver us as one." (At the back of the crowd, a certain Snow Elf stands silent with her head evidently unbowed as she stares up at the glass icon with a remarkably... Unimpressed look on her face. She takes her leave just as the priest continues his droning. Now outside, the sharp touch of the cold air hits the Snow Elf woman as she descends the steps. Her expression hasn't changed, she shakes her head & mutters to herself) Haestra: "What a load of shit..."

World name: "Aria" (*Somewhere in Aurenor... Scarlette walks down a stone corridor, holding a mug of ginger ale. She pauses at a doorway, she turns & enters. The room she enters is a well put together, finely crafted altar room. The room is illuminated slightly by sunlight peering in from a small barred window behind the shrine's centrepiece. It is a small room, several rows of pews covered in a fine layer of dust with the occasional cobweb on the fine craftsmanship. She picks a random spot on one of the pews and sits, she stares at the shrine's centrepiece for a long moment, her expression almost bored. The centrepiece being a 9ft tall representative statue of Almec, the 'Man-God' himself. The craft is elven and the maker of this statue makes his thoughts known through the malevolent visage crafted thus.* Scarlette: "The 'sharp-ears' upstairs told me about this place. I read they built mock shrines like this to please their human guests. Reluctantly. Hence why this one is two doors down from the cistern." *Scarlette sips her ale, then sets it aside, leaning forward* Scarlette: "I'm not a woman of any faith. *scoffs* Least of all yours. I'm wanted in four nations so I'd prefer not to add the Serod Church to the chase." *Scarlette leans back* Scarlette: "But I am a woman of opportunity and sharing. Perhaps soon, there is something I could do for you? If you truly did ascend like those cultist crazies say then you must have seen what happened in your wake? The ruin of your people, the Al'Fae burning your homeland into a literal 'Red Waste'. Your name, rendered an almost global taboo?" *Scarlette shrugs* Scarlette: "I'd be mad. But then again, I'm only human. Like you. I have a job coming up, a big... Opportunity. The reigning Daia of Nalmuria has hired me for an illicit procurement of one of your relics. He's a collector, you see. But I know other collectors, with deeper pockets and greater ambition. Just saying, a nudge in my favour would I think benefit us both.")

World name: "Aria" Location: Adagia(Continent, Mostly a vast desert), 'The Broken Sea'(Northern Coast of Adagia, many barren islands) ("What of dragons? Those semi-divine nomads. Through mortal eyes they're beasts to be slain, a trial by fire, wrath taken flight... And who can blame them for seeing them as such? They are of no concern to my Aldaeum. Some years ago now, one of them sought me out. She was a dragon but... She was not as she appeared... Gone were her wings, her drachonic form, morphed down into a horned & scaled humanoid. A pale mimic of what she was, trapped in a form that was unfamiliar to her. She sought a return to her true state, she beckoned me for a release from her limited body... She was sorely disappointed. Emotions & feelings never meant to be felt by her kind flooded her head, a torture in of its own... Dragons get creative in their pass time. Some burn villages, hoard ill-gotten spoils & plunder... Her name was Lesetto, she turned herself into an approximate human." - Serefer) (The waves thrash against the approaching coastline of the barren land. This is Adagia, the North coast. Your small boat rocks back & forth as the waves test its buoyancy. Are you from a shipwreck? A smuggler blown off course? Whatever the case, as you make landfall and trek further up the sandy slope away from the shore. There is only sand. A few lonely looking trees by the coast seem like the only unique thing to see. Until you notice the hut some distance down the coast, sitting on an upwards slope overlooking the coast. The hut somehow looks lonelier than the trees... You make your approach)

World name: "Aria" Location: Pelenia(Continent), Grelattia(A Pelenidic Elf Republic in North East Pelenia with many Humans/Beastials,plains/grasslands) (Sprawling fields & sunlit meadows are all you have seen for an hour now, the road to Atraeum goes on & on & on... A strange smell catches your senses. A sharp & pungent odor emanating from a meadow of tall grass. You hop the half broken wooden fence separating the road & the meadow, you track the smell through the tall grass. Gradually the grass thins out, you almost trip over the source of the stench. A Leporid girl lying sprawled out in the field, looking up into the sky with wonder... It's clear she's in a world of her own right now, judging by the vacant lazy stare, dumb smile & the now overwhelmingly pungent narcotic stench. Her eyes find you)

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Mesara Desert(Region in Central Serenia), Sennedom(Sun Elf/Senn-Fae vast desert nation) (For centuries Sennedom has prospered under the watchful eyes of the 'Eight Living Gods'. Unlike their prouder High Elf or Light Elf cousins, the Sun Elves have their own ways of doing things. Despite their unconventional approach to faith & progression, the results speak for themselves. Bathhouses, tourney grounds & colourful market plazas are a staple of life in Sennedom. At the head of all of this, the head of Sennedom, the Crux Temple & 'The Eight'... Is Arymax's indulgent widow. Ultima Regentia Nyrys...)

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Aldaeum(Alba-Fae/High Elf nation,lush green meadows & enchanted forests with numerous High Elven marble settlements) (Secundas. The heart of Old Elven culture or 'Ald'Faea'. The magic in the air is palpable. Centuries of peace & prosperity shrouding the chaos that it took to make the present Aldaeum so serene. All under the watchful eye of the 'Maxima Archel', Serefer the last of Al'Fae. How fortunate you are to have been granted an audience with her. You enter the Emerous Palace, your footsteps echo throughout the throne room as you approach the very tall, winged, almost mythical feminine figure on the throne. She watches your approach, her expression utterly neutral. Are you here to offer a proposition? Lend a service? Present a gift? No doubt she wonders the same...)

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Gela'Cosa('Green Coast',Region,Eastern Serenia), Tallenor(Heavily forested Wild Elf Nation) (Tallenor much like the other Fera-Fae nations blend nature & civilisation together. The dense forests are dotted with elven villages & shrines, half overgrown by design. Orthra is this nation's capital. Intricate elven architecture mixed with moss & vines. The atnosphere is calm down every street you walk. On one particular you notice an elf woman who stands out from the rest, her pale skin & white hair to match contrasting the magic she is currently performing, magic flows between her hands jn shades of blues & greens. She pauses her spell casting & turns to look at you, her expression neutral)

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: Serenia(Continent), Auritullia(Region in Southern Serenia), Pentaura(Human Nation). (The word spread fast, a ship ran aground a few miles South of Drypool on Pentaura's East coast. Local gossip is that the ship was abandoned, no crew was found. The scavengers collected most of it already, four days & most of the beached ship's cargo has already been picked clean. With that in mind, you begin to wonder whether there was any point of investigating the wreck. The slanted mast absent a sail comes into view as you near the beach. Around the wreck lie emptied barrels & wooden crates pryed open. But one of them catches your eye. A tall wooden crate lying horizontal, studded with brass bolts rather than the iron of the rest... Curious. The crate clearly washed up recently and as you approach closer. You can hear faint knocking from within)

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)

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Mesara Desert(Region in Central Serenia), Sennedom(Sun Elf/Senn-Fae vast desert nation) (The vast Mesara desert would be considered inhospitable to most of Aria's children. Yet the Sun Elves seem to thrive in this sun baked land and even rise to all new levels of luxury & opulence. Cities such as the grand capital Nisiris, the scholar city of Auroriis & the socialite metropolis of Mesapolis are known across Serenia for their lavish bath houses, spas & restaurants with the finest vintage from around the world. Here now, in Mesapolis you wander the scenic upper district of the city, observing how the humble sandstone dwellings evolve into marble villas the higher you ascend. So distracted by the grandiosity, you very nearly bump into a Sun Elf woman. A Sun Elf woman of some renown...)

World name: "Aria" Location: Pelenia(Continent), Wiromor(South Pelenia Subcontinent), Junna(Canid Republic nation on Wiromor's East coast,humid,jungle)(Cities: Jaghar(Capital), Kharnath, Dharoff, Harl, Morau) (Civilisation & jungle blends together in Dharoff. Junna is a nation of Beastial peoples, primarily Canids. Felids, Caprids, Leporids & more all coexisitng up & down the humid nation. It's midday & the sun shines high above Dharoff, baking the streets as market vendors & all manner of peoples walk the streets going about their business. A building catches your eye, a pub called the 'New Moon', commotion can be heard inside. The door swings open without warning, a unique looking Canid woman slings an inebriated patron onto the cobblestones outside. The Canid dusts her hands off, gives you a wink & heads back inside. You follow her in)

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Mesara Desert(Region in Central Serenia), Sennedom(Sun Elf/Senn-Fae vast desert nation) (Grand desert palaces, Magic used openly, vast stretches of dunes and living Elven Gods... Sennedom. The Capital of Nisiris is melting pot of free expression of the arts, faith & magic. As is the Sun Elf way. You learn quickly to expect the unexpected in this city. Yet still you find yourself surprised when you suddenly run into the one & only... Sen-Dannon. One of the Eight Living Gods of Sennedom)

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Tuskully(Human republic, humid/tropical) (Tuskully, a nation known for its acceptance of other peoples & cultures. You're in the countryside, coming up to the coastal city of Marsond. You can see the city in the distance, past the trees & the now thinning forest. You also catch sight of a woman, at least you think it's a woman. Dark blue skin and... Tentacles on her head. She's examining what appears to be a deer carcass. She notices you & turns to face you)

World name: "Aria" Location: Serenia(Continent), Aridian Plains(Region in central Serenia, hot & dry), Revelain(Human Republic) (It's a sunny & dry day in Revelain. Luckily the dense forest you're walking through a dense forest, the forest canopies providing plenty of shade. You follow the narrow half overgrown dirt trail. Suddenly, an arrow whizzes past your head in front of you, missing you by mere inches & sticks into a tree. You look to your right & you see where it came from, a leatherclad pale woman stands up, wide eyed & holding a unique looking bow. She covers her mouth in shock)