Young Writers Society

You're entering Stellarsyl, in the Three Thousandth, One Hundred, and Second Year, but that isn't where this story began.

It began sixteen years preceding, when the first of the Six was stolen from her crib in her frozen keep, brought to the nonpartisan Chronicler's Guild, and a new baby put in her place. It continued henceforth, with the subsequent trading of infants of the remaining four kingdoms. There was only one mistake made during these switches: the mercy of a second child who should not have lived to see her first birthday.

Thus set off the story of the stolen children, and how the Six came together.




If you were to ask a citizen of Stellarsyl about where the truebloods came from, you would receive wildly varying accounts. Some will tell you that the Lands were created and four people were delivered who could wield unlimited magic, gifted to them naturally, but bloodlines were muddied when new, ungifted people sailed to Stellarsyl and forged new settlements and relations of the original four, that truebloods of today are those who are descendants of the ones of the First. Most nobles will tell you this is untrue, that there were, indeed, four First men, but only two of them had the gift of natural magic, though many will argue they only claim this to further the divide between class. The more fantastical and spellbound will tell you the eight demigods created the island and made their kingdoms, but quickly grew bored and lonely in their separate dominions, and thus created the First men. In their recounting, the trueblood are descended from them.

In truth, nobody knows where the truebloods came from, and the passage of time dulls most curiosities. The only acknowledged fact of those with truebloods is that they are the undisputed rulers of their territories. This has been the way of things for centuries. Anyone who holds an ounce of doubt in trueblood rule need look no further than three Ruins of the Fallen, once mighty kingdoms that crumbled when their trueblooded heads were severed from the body, whether it was from an assassin's sharpened blade or fanciful ideas of reformation.

Every child of a trueblooded ruler undergoes a blood ritual at their coming of age ceremony, in which their blood is tested to prove their heritage and their destiny to their subjects and the Lands. A child comes of age at seventeen.

"Not one of the current trueblooded ruler’s children would pass their blood rituals."



















The setting of Starry Veins is the union of a classic fantasy world with steampunk elements, the marriage of magic and technology coexisting.

Stellarsyl is an expanse country surrounded by the Three Seas: the Northern Sea, the Ocean of Mirrors, and the Silken Sea, to the north, southeast, and west/southwest respectively. In the northern waters of the Silken Sea is the Viridian Isle, which hosts one of the five renowned, archaic kingdoms, governed by trueblooded rulers.

The most primal of the kingdoms, the Saltwater Kingdom is built off the land, beautiful if not rough-hewn architecture, buildings of wood with husk for roofs. The largest building is said to be the Queen's Hall, which is capable of withstanding hurricanes that hit the island and housing much of the island's population. The most communally driven of the five kingdoms, with gardens raised by all capable hands and a great and expansive trade, and the strongest in maritime ventures.

On the mainland are the remaining four territories. To the west, the sprawling kingdom of Summermount, in the middle of the Ruby Desert. Surrounded by glistening, smooth sandstone walls to keep all those unwanted out of the kingdom, be it the bandits who would brave the unforgiving barrens or the beasts that prowl the sands at night. Beautifully sculpted architecture of pale limestone, the envy of many a traveller, with many teardrop dome roofs that glisten the deepest shades of blue, green, and gold. Temples of worship and safe haven speckle the city, and open marketplaces fill the roads with colour. None so exquisite as the Sun’s Palace, however, filled with marble and curling designs of breathtaking detail. Droughts are nothing to blink at, however, and sometimes even the greatest oasis's fall victim to the Sun's harsh gaze.

In the great and bitter north lies the Divine Tundra, and Glacier's Keep. The largest, unassailable stronghold in Stellarsyl and cold as the lands around it, none but those native and those of considerable make can last out the nights here, though should one be allowed entrances, the hearths are large enough to stand comfortably in (not that you should chose so, lest you find yourself devoured by flame). The city in the keep is less fortified, but elegant in it's own right. Much of the design is that of coliseum structured and stacked buildings of a dark, monochromatic grey that ice covers like ivy. The streets are cobbled with mottled, non-patterned stones. Sharp, steep roofs of nigh indestructible materials keep the snow from building up and collapsing buildings. The Wolf's Hearth serves both as throne room and gathering hall, interwoven with braziers and carved sections filled with charcoal to keep the fire burning hot and the atmosphere comfortable. Here is a great dining chamber, overlooked by a tall, broad dais where the trueblooded family watches over their people.

The fourth of the great kingdoms is Chromium, the entrance of which is to the east. You will find no towering palaces built to reach to the sky, though this is the largest of the five kingdoms. Beneath the earth dwells the massive city that could make the tallest person feel like a flea. Carved into the stone itself, the kingdom is a monolithic system of roads and sectors. Veins of ore can be see in the raw, untapped walls that connect with the block-like, defined angles of the buildings. It is the richest and more monumental of all the kingdoms, but has fallen second in the race of technological advancement. There is less order, however, with a little monarchy spread so far over such vast province, and law is shakier here. Chromium is where the most sinful find welcome shelter, with such an inconsistent and fallible radar under which to hide.

To look over the lands for the fifth kingdom would yield no results. It is to the sky one must look, with hands shading their eyes, to see the marvel of Heaven's Keep. Often called the Rainbow City, this kingdom finds welcome amongst the clouds and the stars. A truly wonderful city that looks almost like crystal under the sun. Buildings enchanted with prisms to glitter in the light, gold and ivory to gild and weave through the city with stunning precision. Sharp, severe buildings fill the city, and those who do not have stained glass windows are those who openly declare their destitution. The minds and hands of Heaven's Keep have quickly overtaken Chromium in the technological race, and it is home to the flourishing Inventor's Guild. Clockwork sentries patrol the streets, marbled statues of gryphons and lions and great beasts guard the most fortunate in the kingdom. Great ships that sail the clouds and winds dock and hover around the city until a journey is given to undertake. Many daring citizens even seek to enhance themselves through installed wires and whirring gears, or to simply add more aesthetic or appeal.

There is much of the land, however, the kingdoms do not lay a claim to. These are the Wilderlands, and travellers know to stay on the industrial roads, lest they disappear to oblivion. Everyone in Stellarsyl knows that the places unclaimed by them are wild and unforgiving. The land has a mind of its own, and even stepping off paved roads is to risk one's life. To try to chart such territory is not only impossible, it is the highest form of recklessness. Only those the Wilderlands, who have been born into the land's embrace, may pass unharmed through it's landscape. The vagrant clans that shift as the earth itself does. Some believe such folk are simple myths - who could possibly live in a terrain that changes? - as there has been little to no proof of their existence. The older generations know better, or so they say they do. Every once in a while, there will be claims of one of the Wild Folk who ventured into civilisation. Some stay, though they are much different in behaviour and mindset to the "cultured" folk.






BLESS YOU if actually read all of that

chapter numbers do not match to published works after chapter seven.

wip

Common Species


Uncommon Species


Gargoyle:
Some argue that gargoyles are not animals at all. Built from stone, these creatures are near indestructible beasts that are the product of highly dangerous rituals, some of the very darkest of soul magic. An army was built in Chromium during the Red Wars, and many still exist today, sitting in the high rafters and overlooking the passerby's in the city, protecting the kingdom from any threat their jewel-encrusted gaze finds.
Heaven's Keep developed a very similar concept with their chimeras.


Wyvern:
Competing with hyenas and vultures for Crown Scavenger. Wyverns are not all that big, standing 10 feet at most, with some very larges wyverns getting up to 12 feet. They look very similar to a dragon, though there are several chief differences. For one, they have leathery, toughened skin, nothing like the scaled or feathered dragons. They also are only in possession of two legs, rather than four. Their wings resemble those of a bat's, with claws at the top of their wings that they use to balance on the ground. They live in packs, unlike dragons, and inhabit the abandoned places of the world, such as the four Ruins. They venture out, however, in search of fresh prey. They do not often hunt, and sometimes will even torment cities or villages for their food.
(kinda like bears with wings they're p annoying actually)


Rare Species


Dragon:
One of the few revered species from the early days that still remains. Dragons are secluded beasts, and come in just about every size and colour. There are two main variants of dragons: scaled and feathered. The great scaled dragons are the ones often featured in legend, for they are beautiful as well as impossibly hard to kill. The feathered dragons can be just as deadly as their armoured cousins, but their flesh is much more vulnerable without protection. They are much more vibrant, however, and come in rainbows of colours.
There are some records of those who managed to tame and communicate with dragons, but they are few and old and such practise has not been seen in a very long time. Dragons, like the phoenix, have become increasing popular for their feathers and scales, and more have taken to hunting them. Adapting to such conditions, dragons have retreated to the Wilderlands and highest mountains, where not even the bravest of hunters would dare chase them. Most prefer to be alone or with one or two other dragons.


Chimera:
Inspired by the gargoyle design, the Queen of Heaven's Keep in the year 1431 designed crystalline figurines designed with twp watchful heads. One is that that similar to a scaled dragon, with horns sharp enough to pierce through bone. The second, the head of one of the cougars that prowl the mountain sides. Great wings press close to its body, and a tail like a scorpion's curls behind it. They defend against those who would do Heaven's Keep harm, from the simplest of pickpockets to the most cunning of traitors. All those should fear to awaken their wrath, for they will not long remain in this world should they do so.
No one is certain whether the chimeras are created by the same rituals are the gargoyles, or whether they are created from the same, dark magic. They are beautiful, glistening statues, but transform into fully fleshed beasts when provoked.


Hydra:
Native to the Ruby Desert and parts of the Down Plains, hydras live in hillside and rock formations, and they typically live even more secluded than dragons. They are known for their extreme hibernation, but have incredibly good senses. They are slightly more common then dragons, and just as deadly. They do not have hardened scales, but that does not mean they are not incredibly difficult to kill.



Extinct Species


Phoenix:
Once a great and noble beast, revered by early inhabitants of Stellarsyl as deities. In early recorded years, they were a protected species, and the punishment of killing one was severe (if you weren't doomed for killing a divine being). As the years passed, however, the market for their beautiful plumage grew more demanding, until the hunting of the phoenix became a sport, and eventually, their vibrant breed died away. Some who still revere the original species believe they will one day return in the aftermath of an enormous fire, and rekindle their breed's heritage.


Manticore:
Guardians of sacred grounds, one of the species originally native to the island. Incredibly dangerous and fierce, the manticore was a vicious predator to humanity of the early ages, so much so that they nearly destroyed all human life in the country. Groups of hunters were formed, on assignment from the monarchy of different regions, until all manticore had been slaughtered. (Probably for the best. They were terrifyingly fast)

Oop I made a map because I could (should I have been doing reviews? Yes. Did I not do that? Also yes)



I might edit this as I go, just because there's several places that are unnamed so far because I haven't focused much on geography yet.

Wondering why there are so many little towers everywhere? Those are "outposts" along the road that I did not put in. I probably didn't put enough in for the exact distance because the country is actually super big, but it looks weird enough already so I'm not going to push it.

Also, many of the outposts going to all the ruins are unmanned. There are no roads that go to the ruins at the centre of the island, but it doesn't matter. You'd never survive them even if you got there.

Why so many outposts? You don't want to sleep anywhere that hasn't been civilised or domesticated. I mean, unless you want to vanish forever, I guess.

Also, this is the latest map someone wrote out on mostly guess (and what Technology™ up in Heaven's Keep can see). The inhabited lands (by inhabited I mean the five kingdoms or the towns scattered around) are easy to map out. No cartographer is stupid enough to go into the Wilderlands just to make a map. (Cartography isn't a popular profession unless you're Super Foolish)

All spots marked with dragon icons (the black, unfilled ones) are where dragon nests are common/have been documented in the past. Any red dragon icons are where dragons have been spotted recently (spoiler? kind of).

Fun fact! The mile markers in the roads are big loops to provide a safe grazing space for those who travel by horses (or to sleep in the middle of so as not to disrupt travels, but most folks are still too wary to sleep on any earth. The land may allow their horses to graze, but you don't want to push your luck.

Edit: oh no the centre ruins is actually called the nameless ruins I've messed up

You know what? I forgot to add the calendar.

Because I can't be convenient like everyone else, I did sort of design a new calendar/season system. Stellarsyl doesn't have any of the same seasons like we do ("summer" is like a synonym of heat, but it's not a season), though if you squint there's some similarities to how it rotates like ours.

There's eight months in a full seasonal rotation (yes, they're still called years, I'm not that hardcore), and 298 days in a year. There are still seven days in a week, however. Sue me, I'm lazy.

So, let's observe the seasons, shall we? (yes, months are called seasons)



The days of the week are Forma, Sekon, Terzo, Vierde, Fift, Syxte, Siebte.

Oh I commented a lot on how the different regions react to the change of season? Chromium ignores them all because it's usually just Cold down there unless the forges are running. So, some of Chromium is Chilly, and then you go into the forges are you're like "oh god heck why are clothes a thing I'm DYING of HEAT EXHAUSTION". generally, they've connected some of the vents from the forge to other regions in Chromium, and tried to build a lot of forges around the city to keep it warmer, but, you know. It's a giant bloody cave. It's cold.