The Sister States
For over a century the
four largest trading states surrounding the Silver Sea have been
united under the Treaty of Sisterhood. Despite this, each state
remains on the edge of conflict with its neighbours. As the cities
swell revolutions rise and fall at least annually.
Bastion – Hub of
Mankind
With nearly a million
citizens, Bastion is the largest city in the known world. Its skies
are black with smoke and its streets bustling with residents from
every corner of the world. Canals feed the city with trade from every
direction and vast workshops produce the first examples of
steam-powered transport. The Senate of Bastion see Astrals as a
lurking threat to the world of man and anyone considered a threat to
mankind is put to death. Ancient Catacombs beneath the city give
Astral Cults a place to carry out their studies in secret.
Starfall – The
Stolen City
Some credit the bizarre
architecture of Starfall to one of the handful of fallen
civilisations to previously occupy the city, but its many scholars
claim it was built by the Astrals. Glass towers and steel pyramids
house everything from factories to universities, some remaining
inaccessible to even the wisest academics.
Ashen – The City of
Vaults
A city feared more than
any other in times of war. As well as an elite army the city is known
for its Arcane Vaults that house devices of great power. As well as
the Vaults, Ashen is home to the largest banks in the Sister States
and the union's House of Parliament. Outside of this fortress city
Ashen is a land of lakes and sparse towns, renowned for their
distilleries, sudden mists and harsh winters.
Rosevine – The City
of Flies
Even the vast palaces of
the aristocracy swarm with flies in Rosevine. This once proud city's
population has been thinned vastly by a series of plagues. The filthy
living conditions of both the aristocracy and working class only
encouraged such pestilence. Many survived by turning to the city's
criminal underbelly for support, giving these organisations a huge
amount of influence in return. In fact, many argue the Astral
Church's Primarch is ruler of the city in name alone.
The Eastern Colonies
These islands are dotted
with tiny settlements, most of which are colonies of the Sister
States. Life here is simpler but more lawless than in the Sister
States. Uprisings against colonial rule are on the increase.
The Western Mountains
A jagged mountain range
hides tiny cities filled with wonder. Volcanic smoke mixes with
monsoon storms and swamp mists. In parts the mountains seem to give
way to blasted plains and huge craters, which are seen as sites of
great Astral importance.
The Southern Kingdoms
Plains lead to desert, to
sweltering jungle to near impassible swamp. Dotted amongst the feral
cave cultures are great, industrialised cities. These distant
kingdoms watch the amassing guns of the Sister States and hide their
own forces and Arcane secrets.
The Northern Ocean
The Silver Sea feeds into
the great Northern Ocean. Few explorers return and each brings a
different story. Descriptions range from a brightly shining paradise
and cities of Astral beings to the Ocean leading out into the void,
providing passage to the stars themselves. The mysteries of the Ocean
continue to draw explorers to their death.
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