Skygard
Skygard is a series of island-nations that hover around a lone mountain. An ocean of red mist divides the habitable continents from the ancient lands below, destroyed with most of humanity in a cataclysm eons ago. Thanks to Gardana, the prevailing faith of Skygard, the floating continents are also known as gardens.
Current times: 1882 AR (After Rising)
East-west reach of Skygard: 10,000 leagues. 1 league = 1 kilometer.
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History
The Rising
In the year 0 AR, a great cataclysm ripped the landmasses of Skygard from the earth below. Why this happened remains unknown. It was rumored that the survivors of awoke with no memory of what came before, but this unconfirmed. What is known is that the ancients were far more advanced, relying on a power source the Muirhans call ‘spark’ that was snuffed out in the earth-shattering event. It is also believed that the two metals that keeps the gardens afloat (terrasite and orosite) were not polarized before the Rising.
The Shroud
The Shroud is a toxic red mist which blankets the world below Skygard. It emerged during the Rising in 0 AR. Its effects cause nausea, then unconsciousness, then death. Due to their island’s fluctuating altitude, only the peoples of Aga Rahvae can withstand the Shroud for a time. Mount Sumner is the only known landmass that protrudes from the crimson cloud.
The Shinkara
A feudal clan which acts as the marshals of Skygard. Originating from their stronghold, the Tower of the Wind, in Hyro-Gora, the outfit relocated to Xhiroga after the Hyrogan civilization crumbled. Their current headquarters is the fortress of Sedth Cital, located on the river Fein in the heart of Xhira. They now answer to the government of Xhiroga, and thus Ghyss. Xenjuro and Verola belong to the clandestine organization.
Nations
Xhiroga
Xhiroga became the stewards of Skygard after Hyro-Gora fell in 1417 AR. Instead of leading with a firm hand like their predecessors, they elected the way of diplomacy. Hailed as a new age, Xhiroga’s reign proved peaceful. This came to an end in 1797 AR, when their neighbor Ghyss invaded. The occupied capital of Xhiroga is Xhira. The city is also home to the Shinkara.
Ghyss
The Ghyssans grew from farmers into the military might known as the Authority. Though they’ve remained a republic, their aggressive behavior has garnered disdain throughout the gardens. Feeling disregarded by their sibling nation, they invaded Xhiroga under the cover of the Great Storm. Fifty years later, the Authority conquered their other neighbor, Uelanor, which they struggle to maintain. The capital of Ghyss is Girsmore.
The Greenbelt
A treacherous jungle of cutthroats, the Greenbelt is nearly lawless. The fractured collection of islands is the reminiscence of the once-great Hyro-Gora. Claimed by no one after its collapse, it was eventually settled by pirates, thieves, and bandits. It began with a simple but effective structure; survival of the fittest. After years of chaos, this evolved into a system of loose morals and corruption. Watch your back in the Greenbelt, or you could get a knife in your belly, or your back. The unofficial nation’s capital is Coroval.
Uelanor
Uelanor is an industrial nation covered in soot and rust. Beginning as miners, their people grew tough and proud. This did not stop Ghyss from taking their land as their own in 1848 AR. Still, the Authority didn’t anticipate the Uelanorans’ resilience. Through their gray and grungy streets, the people protest and challenge their occupying neighbors. A thorn in Ghyss’s side, Uelanor is Skygard’s unbreakable anvil. Its occupied capital, Ramech, is home to the ancient theme park, Raveli, and the Colossal, where the VorWrathon fights.
Droland
One of the outer territories. Droland is a mountainous and mostly cloud-covered land. Due to this saturated environment, its few occupants adorn thick wools to stave off the wet cold. Many wild animals roam free here as well. It’s rumored that Witzger originated from the untamed peaks, but this is unconfirmed. Though sparse, a society still lingers. Its capital is Jardenpoint. Droland also connects to the Reef, a rocky barrier which surrounds Skygard.
Muirh
Droland’s southern neighbor in the west, Muirh is the technological nation of Skygard. Recognized by Hyro-Gora as a strong asset, they helped developed the modern form of flight in the gardens; terrasite-infused hulls. This advancement allowed the Hygorans to forge the sky, uniting the floating continents under one flag. Muirhans, however, are a peaceful people, only interested in the advancement of science and research. One of only two known ancient-world ruins exist there; the shattered high-rises of Arzidelph, its capital.
Trivisc
Skygard’s only manufactured garden. Designed and built by renegade Muirhans, the city-state was forged completely of terrasite, the metal that keeps the continents of Skygard airborne. Trivisc is a city of ideals and vibrant color. Where their ancestors were reserved, the Triviscans consider themselves carefree. Bright spotlights flood the sky above their little island while parties rage every night through the impressively modern city.
Loronne
Skygard’s western power. A friend to Xhiroga, they oppose Ghyss whenever possible. Red hair and dark olive skin comprise the peoples of Loronne. Though not as rambunctious as their sister-nation Lyra, the Loronnans have a distinctly rustic vibe. Many famous gunslingers originated from the western nation.
Lyra
The wild child of Skygard, Lyra hovers southwest of their relative, Loronne. Myth has it the small island was settled by a woman only known as Amelia. Her descendants became the boisterous Lyrans, discerned by their fiery unkempt hair and attitude. A constant annoyance to Loronne, Lyra is non-the-less loyal to its sister-nation. Many famous pirates, outlaws, and mercenaries came from this unruly garden.
Naon
Naon is a series of islands which vary in altitude. Connected by massive bridges and chains, each island has a distinct flavor. Gold and emerald pagodas comprise the majority of its neighborhoods. The Naonans believe heavily in tradition, and are very protective of their base island, Orin.
Kothar
Kothar is Skygard’s largest landmass. After being plundered by Hyro-Gora, the nation trusts few outsiders. Connected by a land bridge, the eastern and western halves are nearing civil war due to a rift in their kingdom. The terrain is comprised of dusty/dry plains and a jagged mountain range. Due to its warmer southern atmosphere, the Kotharans wear light linens. Their hair only grows an inch or so, a lineage trait among their people.
Aga Rahvae
Skygard’s eastern outer territory. The Rahvaens are known for being strong mechanics and miners. Once a year, their island partially descends into the Shroud, which has allowed them to develop a short tolerance to the toxic mist. Their skin tone is also much lighter than others in the gardens. With jagged teeth and sharp nails, they are a dexterous and visceral bunch. The rocky maze of the Narrows separates them from the other nations. It’s rumored they almost made peace with the Winged Ones, before Skygard eradicated the troublesome creatures.
Hygard
While Hyro-Gora crumbled into the Shroud, this small landmass broke away to ascend high above the other garden. Its surviving descendants would claim it as Hygard, a hallowed and mystical place. The Hygarans can be discerned by their flowing golden hair. Hovering at a much higher altitude, their rock is covered in ice and crystal. Some of the Hygarans are also gifted seers, able to glimpse the future and events far away. They also collect and house the Altered, an anomalous people throughout the gardens.
Other Locations
Mount Sumner
The central landmass that all the gardens hovered around. Comprised mainly of orosite and terrasite, it’s theorized that all the floating landmasses were drawn to it after being ripped from the earth during the cataclysmic Rising. It is the only known landmass that protrudes from the toxic Shroud. Mining on the mountain was banned after Hyro-Gora’s collapse. In older times, strange occurrences were reported, including an entire settlement’s population disappearing. Two of the Altered were sent into the crimson cloud to investigate, but only one returned many years later with no memory of what occurred within. An ancient city has been located in recent years just inside the Shroud, sparking a renewed interest in researching the mountain.
Holegate
Once an outpost for Hyro-Gora, Holegate was converted into a prison colony by Xhiroga. It was later annexed by the Ghyssan Authority. The prison isle soon devolved into a dilapidated and barbaric place, where only Skygard’s most dangerous criminals are sent. There is very little security within its walled borders. Once prisoners are thrown in, they are left to fend for themselves.
The Reef
The rocky horizontal barrier that surrounds Skygard. Much like the other major landmasses, the compacted boulders of the Reef were drawn to Mount Sumner during the Rising. Over the years, more and more rocks have collected to form the gardens’ perimeter. Why the rocks have stopped here is also a mystery, one of many in Skygard. The Reef is politically neutral, though each nation keeps a keen eye on its portion of the barrier. Beyond it lays mostly uncharted sky.
The Shipyards
One of Skygard’s two reclaimed ruins from the ancient times. The condensed landmass of the Shipyards was once a great city, before it was torn apart by the Rising. The land beneath the city is now turned on its side. Like a box with its lid ripped off, its jagged buildings point north towards Skygard. First settled by Hyro-Gora, the ruins were later converted into a neutral hub for ship repair. The Shipyards remained Skygard’s most populated outpost to date.
The Narrows
A rocky maze which bridges Uelanor and Aga Rahvae in the east. At one time it was used as a makeshift home by the Winged Ones. Though various nations wish to control it, no one currently owns the Narrows. Aga Rahvae considers it a barrier between them and the chaos of the other gardens.
VorWrath
The haunted isle of VorWrath, Skygard’s most notorious garden. Mostly submerged in the crimson Shroud, a world of myth surrounds it. Many consider it a cursed place and won’t navigate the skies above it. Even the Rahvaens avoid this part of the sky, not daring to set foot on its soil. The Hygorans deemed it off limits, and thus it’s remained this way. It is the limbo of Skygard.
Religions
Gardana
The prevailing religion in Skygard. Followers of Gardana believe the gardens and their people were saved from destruction. The Rising was a blessing to the people of the sky.
Exolyth
The second main faith of Skygard. Followers of Exolyth believe the people were cast out of the world for their sinful deeds. Only when Skygard reaches purity will the Shroud part and allow them to return to the lands below. The Rising was a curse to the people of the sky.
Other Characters
Lynor
Xenjuro and Verola’s spry superior and a longtime member of the Shinkara’s council of elders. Nicknamed the Silver Fox, Lynor sports long silver hair with a thin frame. She is both wise and sharp, and is supportive of the two agents’ ventures.
Desch
One of the Shinkara’s lab technicians, Desch runs the research wing in their home, Sedth Cital. Originally from Muirh, he’s a warm but sometimes awkward soul. He’s also a friend to Xenjuro, who he shares his Muirhan tea with.
Royce
Royce stands taller than most of his comrades. Cut short and sharp, his sandy blonde hair is uncharacteristic for the Shinkara. He has a fascination with the underworld, and is more than willing to aid Xenjuro in his away missions. Though he’s young, the cocky but likeable lad has proven himself in combat multiple times.
Bill
Witzger’s trainer and prisoner of the Shinkara. The only bandit Xenjuro caught alive from their failed raid, Bill is a surly old man. Physically augmented by Mansfield’s serum, he nearly killed Xenjuro before Tirithi saved him. With questionable loyalties, he now provides information to the Shinkara about his bandit organization. In exchange, the Shinkara show leniency towards Witzger, who was also captured by Tirithi.
Dane
The fiery captain of the Hell’s Bell, a powerful warship repurposed for more devious means. Pursuing the same group of outlaws, the Shinkara narrowly avoid being blown from the sky by her. Dane loves a good spectacle like all Lyrans, and is tough to mistake thanks to her height and curly crimson locks. Living only for the visceral, the fierce captain enjoys tormenting Ghyss whenever possible.
“That which ails you, darlings, cut it away. Don’t bother to clean up.”
Miscellaneous
Terrasite and Orosite
The two metals that keep the continents of Skygard afloat. While the lone mountain called the Sumner is comprised mainly of orosite, the gardens are composed of its antithesis, terrasite. It is thought that this polarity did not exist before the cataclysmic Rising. As flight advanced, terrasite would be infused into ships to keep them afloat. It is also used in certain types of armor and weapons. Due to Hyro-Gora’s collapse from over-mining their land, harvesting terrasite in the gardens is heavily regulated. Mining orosite on Mount Sumner is also banned at present.
Flight
Flight was not an option in the early days after the Rising. Essentially reset to square one, the peoples of what would become Skygard had to redevelop technology in the absence of spark. For many centuries they relied on hot air balloons, then steam. Ships became faster and more advanced with the utilization of terrasite. Now windjammers, sail boats, barges, fishing ships, steam-engine cruisers, warships, and even sky bikes carry people between the hovering islands.
The Great Storm
The Great Storm is actually a series of three weather events which took placed over Skygard’s recorded history. It is unknown if they existed before the Rising, but it’s assumed they did not. Sometimes lasting up to half a decade, the gardens were engulfed in a heavily-clouded weather pattern which included strong winds and rain. Very few positives came from these events. With the first recorded event in the 4th century, the people were caught unprepared. Many perished. The second event in the 10th century brought the Winged Ones, who it’s believed migrated with the storm. The last storm in 1797 AR allowed Ghyss to invade Xhiroga.
Uncharted Sky
The seemingly endless sky beyond the Reef is one of the greatest mysteries in the gardens. Though many smaller islands outside the protective ring have been mapped, no other formations similar to Skygard have been recorded. More than a few explorers have ventured into the unknown over the years, but not all have returned. Their reports are all similar; unending sky. The majority of people currently utilizing the air beyond Skygard are miners. Some bold scavengers and treasure hunters have wandered out in search of the lost island of Sura Navo, which according to legend floated off in the early years after the Rising.
The altered
The Altered are a race of humanoid beings whose random birthrate among Skygard’s populace is considered an anomaly. Distinguished by their waxy-gray skin and purple markings, the Alts are stronger and faster than a normal person. They don’t process emotions the same way as their human counterparts, however, often sporting a distant and detached demeanor. Years ago the Hygarans claimed the role of caretakers to the Altered, housing them on their frozen island of Hygard. The Alts are occasionally ‘loaned out’ to various peacekeeping agencies in Skygard. Tirithi is one such example, residing with the Shinkara in their castle of Sedth Cital. Why the Altered exist remains a mystery.
The Winged ones
First appearing during the second Great Storm, it’s assumed the troublesome Winged Ones migrated to Skygard from parts unknown. Insect-like in appearance, the creatures are slightly larger than humans with a tough exoskeleton and razor-sharp wings. They were first assumed to be demons, unleashed by the angry gods. As time went on, however, they were downgraded to locusts thanks to their mischievous ways. Disappointing the people of Skygard, they did not leave when the Great Storm passed. The Winged Ones settled in the rocky labyrinth of the Narrows before being ousted by the combined efforts of Skygard. Thought to have migrated elsewhere or been rendered extinct, many years have gone by without a sighting. Some believe they still reside in the gardens, making their new home in VorWrath. This has never been confirmed.
The VorWrathon
A world of lore surrounds the greatest fighter of the current generation. Rumored to have been raised by the Winged Ones on the cursed island of VorWrath, it’s said the VorWrathon escaped and forged his way as an enforcer in the dark-market before becoming Skygard’s champion fighter. Taking the title from Bull Jim many years ago, the VorWrathon has yet to lose a fight. His appearance is jagged and unsettling. The following excerpt from Storm Garden best describes him.
Dark buzzed hair formed a sharp widow’s peak. Just left of center, a large scar ran across the top of his skull, forehead to neckline. Below this lay the thickest neck and broadest shoulders Xenjuro had ever seen. His bones extruded more sharply than normal folks, as if his jagged skeleton was trying to escape his skin. His spine protruded like teeth. His arms and wide chest rippled with tight muscle strands, a feature normally belonging to the warrior women of Skygard. Inversely, their male counterparts led them in bulk and strength. Xenjuro had never seen the two attributes combined.
The Silk Queen
There are many pirates in the sky, but only one pirate fleet. This belongs to the Silk Queen, a mysterious pirate lord. While her web-like flag can be spotted on any number of windjammers, the queen herself is rarely seen. Some postulate she isn’t real, only being manufactured to hold the cutthroat fleet in-line. Regardless, her apparent goal is to unite all of Skygard’s pirates under a single banner. The Silk Queen’s stronghold has never been found, but her ship, the Spiralcept, is very much real. Jagged and sharp, bone-like and sleek, it is every bit the ghostly ship of legend. Dull silver streaks spins across its black hull like a faded tattoo. It’s rumored to bear no cannons or weapons, as her fleet is always lurking nearby. Uncertainty and fear ensure her subjects’ loyalty.
Ballads
Crimson-less Sky
Author Unknown
There once was a sky without crimson
A garden not perfect but true
Let us find that tree
Which they carved into thee
And release land and sky once more
Your dreams will guide your direction
Through a night both vast and bare
What a sight it will be
To witness the tree
And the heart that you carve, will endure
Red Husted 
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