Chapter I: The Shifting Tides of Caledra
As dawn breaks over the fractured shores of Caledra, the sea sings a different song each day—a
symphony in unknown scales. The song rises from the depths, echoing through the ancient
stone spires of the Iskren Archipelago. It is said that these notes hold the key to unlocking
forgotten doors.
“The sea does not speak in words, but in stories written in salt and waves.”
— Alyndra Verus, Cartographer of the Deep
Beneath the surface, hidden creatures of the old world dance between the shifting currents, their
silhouettes appearing in fleeting flashes of bioluminescence. No sailor dares approach these
waters without the mark of the Stormkeeper.
The Map of Unfound Shores (Excerpt)
Coordinates: N/A
Terrain: Volcanic expanse, submerged ruins
Notable Features: Echo caves, shifting sandbars
Possible Connection: Ancient language—inscriptions of the drowned kingdom of
Valrithar
“The tides shall guide, but only the brave will listen.”
— Field Notes of Elira Fenn, Expedition Leader
The Runes of the Forgotten
Deep within the caverns of Ythraal, beneath layers of forgotten dust, the Runes of Eos lay
undisturbed. To the untrained eye, these markings are but a pattern of ancient geometries—yet
those versed in the mysteries of Solvian tongues know they speak of untold power.
“There is power in the silence between the words.”
— Aeros Vintar, Seeker of Truth
The runes are said to change when spoken aloud, shifting their meanings and unlocking hidden
pathways through time. A single whispered syllable at the right moment could lead one to the
Heart of Eternity, where the solstice moon meets the sun at the edge of time.
Field Study: The Twilight Mirage
Upon the rise of the Eclipse, the sands of Rhazaq shift in patterns known only to the wind.
Travelers who venture too far during the event are never seen again, their whispers carried on
the breeze.
“I once heard them, voices from the edge of nowhere. The wind carries more than sound.”
— Armandah Ryn, Survivor of the Mirage, Fragment 9:21
When the twin moons align, an ancient phenomenon known as the Twilight Mirage appears on
the horizon—a spectral city, bathed in light from another world, shifting between the fabric of
space and time.
The Rites of the Veilbinders
These rites, passed down through generations of secretive cults, are said to bind the essence of
the Veil—the space between the physical and the ethereal. Those who dare partake in the ritual
are granted glimpses into realms beyond.
“Only in darkness can the veil be drawn back.”
— The Words of Calon, Sage of the Veil
Though many believe the Veilbinders have faded into myth, there are still whispers of their
presence near the Forbidden Pass of Gorath—where no light ever touches the stone.
