Zyrathra

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Overview

Zyrathra is a vibrant and magical world with three moons—Karnis, Syrila, and Veylin—whose celestial dance shapes its tides, magic, and myths. Its diverse biomes range from the glowing forests of Lumivale Glades to the crystalline sands of the Shimmering Dunes and the underwater splendor of the Azure Abyssal Reef. Home to unique races like the radiant Aurelith, the aquatic Sylfin, and the feline Raxen, Zyrathra thrives on a delicate balance between nature and civilization. With luminous plants, fantastical creatures, and ancient ruins with mysterious legends behind them, Zyrathra is a realm of beauty, danger, and endless wonder.

I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of ruins and legends that surround the ruins of this world. It seems that there have been several ancient civilizations that have left their mark here.

Inhabitants

There are several seemingly intelligent species on Zyrathra. While I am sure I didn't get the chance to meet all of the species that inhabit this world, I do have documentation of a few of them.

Aurelith

The Aurelith are tall, slender beings with golden skin that glows in intricate patterns in the night. They often spend their time in the bioluminescent area known to them as the Lumivale Glades. Their diet consists of mainly plant matter. Aurelith are able to manipulate light and are able to create dazzling firework shows. They also worship the moons of this world as deities. Artisans and scholars are among the highest ranks in this society.

Kragorn

The Kragorn are massive, rock-like humanoids that have rocky skin that reflects their habitat's natural rocks. Often found in rocky areas and clifside cities, Kragorn are able to meld with the rock if need be in order to regenerate. This species is also blessed with strength and durability. Kragorn often inhabit one of two places -Glacial Pinnacles and Thornean Steppe- but are seen in others from time to time as smaller groups that dont live in the cities are nomadic. These nomadic clans have a very strong oral tradition of passing knowledge. They value everlasting endurance and strength among their clan initiates, the young who go through a rite of passage to become full members of society.

Sylfin

A brightly coloured, aquatic species ofte found in a place known as the Azure Abyssal Reef. This egalitarian species lives in underwater cities made of brightly coloured coral and structures. While able to live and thrive underwater, the Sylfins are amphibious and are able to control water on land to a degree. Sylfins are also able to use echolocation to find fish they are hunting.

Vryndel

Vryndel are small, winged humanoids with wings like dragonflies protruding from their backs. Their skin is decorated in iridescent scales and they also have wildly coloured hair that matches their personality. This quick and nimble species is able to fly around the Crimson Marshes and adeptly avoid predators. They mainly live in tree house cities far above the ground of the Marshes. Their culture is one that thrives on creativity and resourcefulness.

Raxen

A feline-like humanoid species with eyes that mesmerize and change with mood. One can often find this species in the Shimmering Dunes with nomadic camps amongst the rocky craigs that populate the area. Adept and highly skilled hunters, the Raxen are often sought out for contract killers. However brutal they may seem, they run on an honor code and that code is a very important way of life for them.

Celestial Bodies and Events

Dance of the Goddesses by Leashea

The Three Goddesses

The three moons that hang in the sky of this world are often revered to be goddesses and many cultures worship them as such. The largest moon, Karnis is often dpeicted as the Goddess of the Ocean. Syrila, a smaller golden hued moon is worshipped as a Goddess of fertility and life, unlike the last moon. Veylin is the smallest. A crimson moon that appears sporadically, marking periods of chaos or transformation in Zyrathran lore and is often thought to be the Goddess of chaos and darkness.

The Dance of the Goddesses

This is a celestial event that takes place every 50 years and is often thought to replenish the magic and vitality of Zyrathra. The moons align in the sky and the world is lit up by a kaleidoscope of colour and wonder. However, every 50 times that this celestial event occurs, Veylin causes chaos and destruction upon the inhabitants of this world. Veylin will bathe the world in red and cause magic to go haywire and creates many unspeakable horrors for the world to face. I suspected that the ruins of cities and places scattered around this world were the doing of this event some time ago.

Biomes of Zyrathra

Lumivale Glades by Leashea

Lumivale Glades

A temperate forest glowing with bioluminescent plants and fungi. The natural habitat of Aureliths and many biolumiescent species of flora and fauna. I brought back some interesting plants for the keepers.

Thornean Steppes

Rolling grasslands with sporadic geysers and towering, spiked rock formations. One of two places you are able to find the Kragorn in, and one of the only places you will find Cragox.

Shimmering Dunes

A vast desert where the sands glisten as if infused with crystals. Home of the Raxen and similarilly dangerous fauna that are able to be almost invisible.

Glacial Pinnacles

A frigid, mountainous region dotted with enormous, semi-transparent ice spires. Legend has it there is a great leviathan slumbering under the ice in this part of the world and when the Red Dance happens, it is said to bring destruction to the world when it awakens.

Crimson Marshes

A swampy expanse with red-tinged waters and carnivorous plants. Home of the elusive and flighty Vryndel species. They are well adapted to this environment.

This place in particular gave me the serious creeps. I always felt like I was being stalked or had a bug up my nose. Ick.

Azure Abyssal Reef

An underwater biome with sprawling coral cities and luminescent marine life. Original home of the Sylfin species and is as old as time immemorial, or so they say it is.

Fauna

Moonwings

Moonwings

Large, owl-like creatures with feathers that shimmer silver under moonlight. They are revered as messengers of the gods by the Aurelith. Pictured is one in flight that I was fortunate enough to see.

Cragox

Enormous, six-legged beasts resembling a cross between a lizard and a bear, used by Kragorn as pack animals.

These are just big babies, honestly. The first time I met one i was intimidated by their size. That is, until it rolled over just to have me scratch its belly.

Shimmerstalkers

Sleek, sand-dwelling predators in the Shimmering Dunes, capable of refracting light to become nearly invisible.

Luminescales

Fish with glowing, crystalline fins found in the Azure Abyssal Reef; their scales are used by the Sylfin for art and trade.

Snapbloom Beasts

Amphibious creatures in the Crimson Marshes that camouflage as water lilies before snapping at prey with powerful jaws.

Flora

Moonvines

Luminescent vines that grow in the Lumivale Glades, their blossoms open only under Karnis’s light.

Shardgrass

Translucent, razor-sharp grass that grows in the Shimmering Dunes, refracting light like glass.

Frostblooms

Hardy, ice-encased flowers in the Glacial Pinnacles, known for their medicinal properties.

Bloodorchids

Large, crimson flowers in the Crimson Marshes, exuding a sweet scent that lures prey to nearby carnivorous plants.

Seaweed used for Decoration by Leashea

Coralbraids

A unique underwater plant that grows in complex, braid-like patterns; the Sylfin cultivate it for shelter and decoration.