Aetheria

Aetheria is one of the five continents of Nova.

Overview

Geography

Aetheria is a coastal continent stretching approximately 1,200 miles across in Nova’s southern temperate region. It features rolling hills dotted with vineyards, intricate canal and aqueduct systems, and bustling port cities, with Aether glowing faintly under the Astral Moon. The Umbral Moon casts shadows over ancient marble ruins and lagoon caves, where Aetheric energy from the First Shattering pulses. Ebon Scales, fragments of the shattered Ebon Moon, are embedded in ornate statues or sunk in canal depths, sparking philosophical and mercantile intrigue.

Culture

Aetheria is governed by the Aetherian Senate, a democratic council of elected representatives based in the grand city Aethovenezia, led by the Archon of Reason. Their society thrives on intellectual debate, trade, and artistic expression. Academies and salons host discussions on ethics, the cosmos, and the Shattering prophecy, with senators split into schools. The Spirits of the Aether, a pantheon of 12 deities, are revered, their statues adorning plazas and canals.

History

Once a collection of city-states, Aetheria’s philosophical and mercantile rise followed the First Shattering, as survivors turned to reason and trade to rebuild. The Aetherian Senate unified the region, but Ravus incursions suggest Aetheria’s independence may be short lived without allies.

Key Factions

• Aetherian Senate: Elected officials, allies if the party engages in debate or aids trade.
• Academy Scholars: Intellectual elites, guarding an Ebon Scale in the Hall of Record.
• Ravus Empire: Harvesting Aetheric energy and pillaging trade routes.

Key Locations

1. Aethovenezia:
   • Description: Grand port city with canals and marble academies, housing 100,000, where the Hall of Record holds an Ebon Scale, guarded by Aether Philosophers.
2. Lagoon of Reflections:
   • Description: Coastal lagoon, 200 miles north of Aethovenezia, with an Ebon Scale in a sunken ruin, guarded by Water Serpents.

Species Populations

• Sentient Species:
  • Humans: Senators and merchants in Aethovenezia (est. 15-20%).
  • High Elves: Artistic elites, serving as senators (est. 7-9%).
  • Dwarves: Craftsmen, serving as senators (est. 7-9%).
  • Goliaths: Rugged laborers, serving as senators (est. 7-9%).
  • Leonin: Warriors, serving as senators (est. 4-5%).
  • Owlin: Scholars, serving as senators (est. 4-5%).
  • Halflings: Traders, serving as senators (est. 4-5%).
  • Satyrs: Agricultural experts, serving as senators (est. 4-5%).
  • Aarakocra: Navigators, serving as senators (est. 4-5%).
  • Eladrin: Mystics, serving as senators (est. 4-5%).
  • Minotaurs: Laborers, serving as senators (est. 4-5%).
  • Tieflings: Merchants or spies, serving as senators (est. 4-5%).
  • Centaurs: Orators, serving as senators (est. 4-5%).
  • Changelings: Deceptive traders or diplomats (est. 2-3%).
  • Sea Elves: Coastal navigators, tied to canal trade (est. 2-3%).
  • Water Genasi: Mystics of the lagoons (est. 2-3%).
  • Tortles: Reclusive sages along shores (est. 2-3%).
  • Autognomes: Inventive tinkerers crafting canal-city marvels (est. 2-3%).
  • Hadozee: Agile sailors aiding canal transport (est. 2-3%).

In the timeline

• Circa 1000: The War of the First Races fractures Roh-ber, creating Aetheria through tectonic upheaval.
• Circa 2001: Aetheria's settlers harness canal flows.
• Circa 2500: Aetheria's Canal Guilds build trade outposts.
• Circa 2900: Aetheria's Canal Guilds venerate Spirits of the Aether.
• Circa 5000: Aetheria's Senate emerges.
• Circa 5200: Aetheria resists Dawn Haven in the Dawnforge War.
• 6352: A campaign hub.