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Aerethia started as a steam-age fantasy setting focused on school life in the largest city of the time, located on a continent bearing the name Aerethia.
Over the years I slowly added more content to the setting, expanding its details, changing some stuff and generally making it more interesting and lore heavy at the same time.
Despite trying for many times to start a group RP for the setting I never managed to create one. In my most recent attempt to do so I condensed a lot of Aerethian lore into thematic articles. So I decided that before I try any new group RPs for it on Iwaku to display these already done articles, as well as any new ones I make in a separate thread.
Basic Overview
The Civilized Races
Timeline of Important Events
Magic
Culture - General Overview
Education
Currency
Culture - Religion
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Aerethia/Aeretiya is the name of the continent which is the main civilization center for its planet Aethia/Aetiya. Four civilized species share this land, Humans, Felininas, Canis and Aeternus.
Aethia is know to the Felinians as Myanu and to the Canis as Matra. Aeternus used Magia before Aethia. All these old names mean 'land of magic'. It is made out of two parts, the lush green lands of Aerethia Proper and the colder, snow and ice encased Snowlands. Aerethia proper occupies roughly the same surface area as Europe, while the Snowlands are almost the size of Africa.
Aerethian calendar years are 365 days long, with one 366 days year every 10 years.
Aerethia (as well as Aethia) is a land of magic. Every fiber of its being, every animal, every plant and every person is washed with magic. As such Aerethian life is much more diverse then Earth's. Along with many species know to Earth Aerethia has many more which are not know to it. Aerethia has over 250 widely spread staple foods, herbs that can cure anything and animals the size of houses. Magic itself crystallizes itself in its ground, creating crystals that can be used to power spells, enchant objects and much more. Even simple beasts gain intelligence and earn the common name of Lowers. -
Four races build civilization on Aerethia.
Aeternus AKA Ancients are human-like, usually at least seven feet tall. They all command magic and live much longer then the other races. They posses a wide array of eye and hair pigmentation and are the only race know to be able to produce fertile offspring with all the other races.
Humans are humans. Human - Wikipedia . After the Aeternus they are the second most gifted with magic, with 1 in 500 having magic and 1 in 2,500 being powerful enough to be considered a mage.
Felinae are cat-like humanoids, covered in fur and usually no taller then 5 feet. They are the second to humans in magical affinity, with 1 in 800 having magic and 1 in 6,000 being powerful enough to be considered a mage. Human-Felinae hybrids are most commonly known as Neko and are recognizable by their cat ears and tail. Fur cover is also possible, depending on the number of Felinae ancestors. Their magic affinities are somewhere in between humans and Felinae.
Canis are dog-like humanoids, with great variety. They gain muscular mass easily and as such are know for their physical abilities. They have the lowest magical affinity of the four races, with only 1 in 1000 being able to use magic and only 1 in 10,000 able to become mages. -
~10 million years BAF - The four races finish formation
~25,000 years BAF - The Aeterus civilization is born
~10,000 years BAF - The Aeteruns civilization, at the height of power, is destroyed by a magical experiment gone wrong. Most Aeternus go mad and only Aerethia, shielded by a powerful magical barrier survives, but is cut off from the rest of Aethia by the powerful magical distortions that appear on the edge of the barrier
~9,000-5,000 years BAF, as the Snowlands cool and frost over humans pack up and pour into Aerethia, waring with the native Canis and Felinae, pushing the first into the Stonedell and displacing the other into the Catis peninsula
~2,500 years BAF - Canis, Felinae and humans create respective alphabets and truly start rebuilding civilization. Cerit's Priest-Protectors start to leave their island refugee at the same time, spreading surviving Aeternus knowledge
~1,000 years BAF - Formation of the future royal and noble houses of Aerethia is complete and humans slowly drift towards a feudal society
807.-802. BAF - Untied under Imperator Selag I. the Canis besiege and capture Stonedell Keep, ending centuries of Canis basically imprisonment in the Stonedell
621.-601. BAF - Saras, at the height of its power, declares war on the fragmented states of the Felinians, resulting in a war that drives the first nail in the coffin of Sarasian dominance, while at the same time uniting the Felinians and laying the foundation for the Felinian Federation
374.-300. BAF - Saras, already weakened, is brought to its knees due to the rule of King Zirkane II.
102. - 100. BAF - King Valent III finds the Dell of Asker and the ruined Aeternus city in it. Within weeks resettlement begins. Two years later Valent III founds his own house and becomes King of Asker
~80. BAF - Asker is the largest city in post-Aeternus Aerethia and rules large areas of central and south Aerethia
~50 BAF - Asker rules all human countries and the Felinae are its sworn vassals
May 14th, December 44. BAF - Battle of Wear Pass, the Asker led force crushes the Canis one, taking the Imperator prisoner. Soon after the Canis become Askerian vassals
23rd February, Year Zero, Fall of Asker - One of the many expeditions into the Aeternus ruins in the Asker area finds a prototype of the device that caused the end of the Aeteruns. They activate it and hours later Asker is in flames, most of its populace driven mad
5th December, Year Zero - Great Human - Felinae Concord is signed and human-Felinae borders are defined for good
5 years After Asker Fell - The first humans settle on Sanctuary Island in the Moon Lake, laying the foundation for Moon City
11.-19. AAF - Thanks to a massive grant of land (part of the Concord) in central Aerethia many Felinae resettle in this new land, mixing with the local humans that stayed
~100. AAF - As Aerethia stabilizes Moon City reaches a population of roughly 250,000
133. AAF - Queen Elenia I.'s greatest project, the Moon Academy's first school complex is complete ten years after her death. Its completion brings a standard of education previously unseen in Aerethia
144. AAF - King Haliben I.'s life work, the Human Confederation is founded
~ 200. AAF - Moon City now has around 750,000 souls living in it. During the next century Moon City becomes the center of trade, banking and scholarships, which leads to the it becoming the birthplace of the first industrial revolution
~300. AAF - Moon City and its suburbs now have over 2 million people living in them
~410. AAF - An economical crisis hits Aerethia, resulting in the rise of militarism in the Canis Empire and several members of the Human Confederation.
429.-437. AAF - In January 429. the tensions between the Canis and the Felinians erupt into full blown war. Days later Saras, Beros and Arandor break away from the Confederation and begin attacking both the Felinians and the loyal Confederate forces. Eight bloody years of the Great War begin
>437. AAF - Rapid technological and magical breakthroughs made during the Great War change the face of Aerethia. The Aerethian Confederation replaces the three previous countries. Within a decade a space program is started. Artificially induced global warming is noticed and soon enough work on preventing it begins. The transistor is invented. By the end of the century the Aerethian Confederation has several facilities under the surface of Aethia's moon and has sent a person to another planet in its system. -
Aerethian magic was long believed to simply be magic, unexplainable and mysterious. But as science developed it became clear that magic is simply a natural, existing shortcut that magic users, mages and those of lesser power, can use to do what technology can, just much faster and much, much simpler. As such during the mid 4th century AAF magic users started to be categorized by what did their natural affinity actually affect - heat, electricity, movement, optics and so on - instead of the traditional 'elements'. By the start of the 5th century AAF all notion of traditional 'elements' was gone.
Mages are all people able use most if not all spells, regardless of magical affinity, although they still have an easier time casting spells close to their affinity.
Magical users, most commonly known as Tricksters, are only able to use spells close to their magic affinity and are rather limited in what they can do.
Another important aspect of Aerethian magic is enchanting. Starting as a way to permanently give something magical propitiates, it slowly grew into much more.
First someone figured that one could use magic stones to eliminate mages from the enchanting.
Second Niea Uhris, court enchanter for king Valiant II. discovered that by writing spells into magic stones one could use spells without mages.
Thirdly Iku Avery and Ivana Cho managed to crate a simple, programmable system that allowed one to quickly reprogram a device to cast any spell. The Magic Input Code, MIC was born. Thanks to it and an abundance of magic stones dug thanks to steam power and other improvements, magic started to penetrate into everyday Aerethian life more then ever before. Of course the fist city to be influenced by this was Moon City. MIC allows the creation of magic counterparts to Earth's electronic devices - radios, televisors, computers and so on - with much less technical and engineering know how. -
Aerethian culture is incredibly rich and diverse. One could spend lifetimes examining it in detail. The most important aspect of Aerethia culture is that it is everywhere, or at least used to be. Aerethians used to turn every object in their lives into a small work of art. Pottery held stories about origins of families, walls were abundant with tales, songs were sung as chores were done, clothing had scenes as deserve as life in the Amazon, every aspect of life was filled with life and in many cases still is, despite mass production of goods by industry.
A important aspect to be noted is that in Aerethia one's age is determined solely by the year of birth. As such in 351,. all born in 340. would be 11 years old. -
Throughout most of the history Aerethian education was mostly guild based with larger cities having private academies for those that could afford them. That changed when the Moon Academy was founded. It became the first government sponsored, full course, mandatory education to exist on Aerethia. Most cities followed suit, establishing similar schools, but the Moon Academy still remains the most renowned education institution of Aerethia even after the Great War.
After Moon Academy's educational reform of 340. inside of twenty years the governments of Aerethia all established an education system based on the reformed system. This consisted of two mandatory school levels; Lower (ages 8-13) and Higher (ages 14-19). Further education was made possible at the various 'Academies' based on the Half-Moon Academy's system.
Lower school teaches various general knowledge, with increasing amount of subjects each school year.
Higher school is program based on specialization in whatever field one wishes to pursue one day. As such the mandatory subjects are Mathematics, Language and Writing, One Foreign Language and Writing (Canis or Felinae) and Physical Education. Along them 6-8 subjects are student selected, depending on their desired occupation. 4-6 more are electives like clubs, spots, extra interests and so on. -
Bronze - A bronze colored coin, with the symbols of the origin country and mint. 100 of them make 1 silver coin.
Silver - A silver colored coin, again with symbols of the origin country and mint. 100 make 1 gold coin.
Gold - A gold colored coin, once more with symbols of the origin country and mint.
Banknotes - During the mid 4th century governments started printing bills in 50, 100 and 500 gold coin value in order to deal with the growing Aerethian economy -
Aerethia religion is much less organized then Earth ones, with only four religions with any degree of organization. Starting from the most organized those are: the Canis Imperial Cult, Felinian Asuye ("Shrinizam") and finally the human worships of the Moon and Sun. Aside from those there is a bountiful amount of local religions, sub-religions and even cults (including the infamous Cult of Light).
From ~300. AAF Moon City is the largest, wealthiest and most populous city of Aerethia.
Located on the shores of the Moon Lake the city is spread out on numerous islands in the Lake and in suburbs along the coastline.
The majority of population is human, with large Felinae and Canis minorities and a decent sized Aeternus one.
Economy is mostly based on industry and services, with both experiencing an explosive growth.
From 330.-340. AAF the city went a massive infrastructure modernization and expansion project. Finally the whole city was linked with tram and road, the Moon Academy was enlarged greatly, the Observatory became dedicated to R&D as its educational duties were taken over by the new Half-Moon Academy, groundwork for the expansion of the Moon Library has been laid down, large water treatment plants and power plants have been constructed on all larger islands, except for South Isle, most of the population now has access to the electric grid and in most of the city the floor limits for buildings have been doubled from 50 to 100 floors.
Holidays
25. December - 5. January : Moon (Winter) Festival
The largest of the holidays is celebrated during winter. Except for the usual buzz of traditional foods, events and so on the main points of the Moon Festival are the Ritual Opening, New Year's Eve and the Closing Feast.
Ritual Opening (25.12.) is a tradition that consists of visiting a Moon Temple, doing a traditional ritual, leaving a few coins and maybe listening to a speech or two from the local priest/priestess.
New Year's Eve (31.12) is usually a family occasion, commonly used to facilitate family gatherings. Felinian customs also involve visiting two different Shrines, one in the Old and the other in the New year.
The Closing Feast (4.1) is a time for friendship and love, be it to renew and strengthen old or to build and find new ones.
18. March : Restitution Day
A small holiday in order to remember the establishment of the Moon Lake Union, inheritor to the Luna Union and the first step towards the creation of Moon City. Traditionally it is a day to do something related to history.
19. March - 23. March : Spring Festival
The most notable events are the Great Blossom Hunt and the Spring Ceremony.
The Great Blossom Hunt starts with the start of the festival and lasts until someone finds a Fetui AKA Summercaller bloom.
On 21. March the Spring Ceremony is conducted in the city's parks by city officials and a priest/priestess from a nearby temple (randomly selected each year). The ceremony honors all the plants that were cut down to build the city as well as all those that are used to support the city and it people but are not food.
10. May - 12. May : City Festival
A small festival, usually having one larger and a few smaller events related to the city itself.
20. June - 26. June : Summer Festival
Second largest of the festivals. Many smaller events take place on the beaches of Moon City. The largest events are the Naval and Water Sports Tournament and the Moon City Beauty Contest.
The Tournament is spread out throughout the duration of the festival with various events taking place over multiple day
The Beauty Contest is a two day event without fixed date taking place in one of the city's luxury resorts or luxurious hotels.
21. September - 25. September : Autumn Festival
The autumn festival's key events are the Harvest and Gratitude Ceremonies. Like the Spring Ceremony both are dedicated to respecting that which supported the city, only that the Harvest one is for edible plants while the Gratitude one is for all the animals.
The Harvest Ceremony (21.9.) is held in the same way was the Spring Ceremony.
The Gratitude Ceremony (24.9.) is different. While many simply go to the nearest temple, all that can are expected to pay a visit to a farm, ranch or any other place where the animals that provide the city with food or services reside.
14. October - 16. October : Royal Festival
While the official festival is short the events related to the Royal Festival start much earlier. Those events are the Royal Tournaments and Competitions with the finals taking place in the three days of the official holiday. The three days are also open door days for the Royal Palace on King's Isle.
30. November - 2. December: Lake Festival
A small festival, usually filled with smaller events related to the Moon Lake or nature in general.
Located on the shores of the Moon Lake the city is spread out on numerous islands in the Lake and in suburbs along the coastline.
The majority of population is human, with large Felinae and Canis minorities and a decent sized Aeternus one.
Economy is mostly based on industry and services, with both experiencing an explosive growth.
From 330.-340. AAF the city went a massive infrastructure modernization and expansion project. Finally the whole city was linked with tram and road, the Moon Academy was enlarged greatly, the Observatory became dedicated to R&D as its educational duties were taken over by the new Half-Moon Academy, groundwork for the expansion of the Moon Library has been laid down, large water treatment plants and power plants have been constructed on all larger islands, except for South Isle, most of the population now has access to the electric grid and in most of the city the floor limits for buildings have been doubled from 50 to 100 floors.
Holidays
25. December - 5. January : Moon (Winter) Festival
The largest of the holidays is celebrated during winter. Except for the usual buzz of traditional foods, events and so on the main points of the Moon Festival are the Ritual Opening, New Year's Eve and the Closing Feast.
Ritual Opening (25.12.) is a tradition that consists of visiting a Moon Temple, doing a traditional ritual, leaving a few coins and maybe listening to a speech or two from the local priest/priestess.
New Year's Eve (31.12) is usually a family occasion, commonly used to facilitate family gatherings. Felinian customs also involve visiting two different Shrines, one in the Old and the other in the New year.
The Closing Feast (4.1) is a time for friendship and love, be it to renew and strengthen old or to build and find new ones.
18. March : Restitution Day
A small holiday in order to remember the establishment of the Moon Lake Union, inheritor to the Luna Union and the first step towards the creation of Moon City. Traditionally it is a day to do something related to history.
19. March - 23. March : Spring Festival
The most notable events are the Great Blossom Hunt and the Spring Ceremony.
The Great Blossom Hunt starts with the start of the festival and lasts until someone finds a Fetui AKA Summercaller bloom.
On 21. March the Spring Ceremony is conducted in the city's parks by city officials and a priest/priestess from a nearby temple (randomly selected each year). The ceremony honors all the plants that were cut down to build the city as well as all those that are used to support the city and it people but are not food.
10. May - 12. May : City Festival
A small festival, usually having one larger and a few smaller events related to the city itself.
20. June - 26. June : Summer Festival
Second largest of the festivals. Many smaller events take place on the beaches of Moon City. The largest events are the Naval and Water Sports Tournament and the Moon City Beauty Contest.
The Tournament is spread out throughout the duration of the festival with various events taking place over multiple day
The Beauty Contest is a two day event without fixed date taking place in one of the city's luxury resorts or luxurious hotels.
21. September - 25. September : Autumn Festival
The autumn festival's key events are the Harvest and Gratitude Ceremonies. Like the Spring Ceremony both are dedicated to respecting that which supported the city, only that the Harvest one is for edible plants while the Gratitude one is for all the animals.
The Harvest Ceremony (21.9.) is held in the same way was the Spring Ceremony.
The Gratitude Ceremony (24.9.) is different. While many simply go to the nearest temple, all that can are expected to pay a visit to a farm, ranch or any other place where the animals that provide the city with food or services reside.
14. October - 16. October : Royal Festival
While the official festival is short the events related to the Royal Festival start much earlier. Those events are the Royal Tournaments and Competitions with the finals taking place in the three days of the official holiday. The three days are also open door days for the Royal Palace on King's Isle.
30. November - 2. December: Lake Festival
A small festival, usually filled with smaller events related to the Moon Lake or nature in general.
to be added
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