Highfall

“The Last Refuge of the Mist-Walkers”

“We live where the air is thin and the stars are close. Most cannot endure it. We cannot endure anywhere else.”
—Elder Talvyn

Quick Reference

Highfall - The Last Refuge of the Mist-Walkers

Overview

Highfall is the highest permanently inhabited settlement in the known Aetherium, a small Veil-Born community perched at the very edge of breathable atmosphere. The island floats so high that the Aether is thin and cold, stars are visible even during daylight hours, and most non-Veil-Born visitors suffer altitude sickness within hours.

The settlement is home to approximately 200 Veil-Born—mystics, hermits, Star-Readers, and those seeking solitude and connection to the constellations. Life here is simple, contemplative, and harsh. The cold is constant, food must be carefully cultivated in terraced gardens or imported, and the thin air makes physical exertion difficult. But for the Veil-Born, Highfall is paradise: close to the stars, far from the chaos of lower settlements, shrouded in the mists they consider sacred.

Highfall was founded around 50 S. by Veil-Born survivors seeking to recreate their ancestral mountain homes. They chose this island specifically for its extreme altitude and isolation, building simple stone structures that blend with the landscape and establishing traditions of meditation, star-gazing, and preservation of ancient knowledge.

The settlement is led informally by Elder Talvyn, a 68-year-old Veil-Born who is considered the most knowledgeable living keeper of pre-Shattering mystical traditions. Leaders from across the Aetherium occasionally make the difficult journey to Highfall to consult him on matters of prophecy, ancient history, and cosmic mysteries.

Highfall has no formal government, no economy beyond subsistence, and no military. It survives through isolation, irrelevance to most conflicts, and the Veil-Born ability to endure conditions others cannot. It is a place out of time, a fragment of the ancient world preserved at the roof of the shattered one.

Geography and Structure

The Island

Size: 600m diameter (small but stable)

Shape: Roughly circular with gentle slopes toward center

Terrain: - Rocky, with thin soil layer - Sparse vegetation (hardy alpine plants) - Natural springs (cold, pure water) - Ancient ruins (pre-Shattering observatory foundation)

Altitude: - Highest inhabited island in known Aetherium - Estimated 15km above The Deeps - At edge of breathable atmosphere - Temperature: Constantly cold (0-5°C even in “summer”)

Atmosphere: - Thin air (60% normal pressure) - Constant mist (the “veil”) - Stars visible during day - Constellations exceptionally clear at night

Isolation: - 3-4 days from nearest settlement - Difficult approach (thin air, cold, navigation) - Few visitors (most cannot tolerate conditions)

Settlement Layout

The Circle (center, 100m diameter): - Central meditation space - Standing stones (arranged in constellation pattern) - Elder Talvyn’s dwelling - Community gathering area - Sacred space

The Dwellings (surrounding circle): - 40 simple stone buildings - Low, rounded architecture (wind resistance) - Small (2-4 rooms each) - Minimal decoration - Shared walls (heat conservation)

The Gardens (terraced, outer ring): - Hardy vegetables (potatoes, root vegetables) - Medicinal herbs - Void-lotus (carefully cultivated, controversial) - Communal labor

The Observatory (north edge): - Pre-Shattering ruins (partially restored) - Star-gazing platform - Ancient instruments (some functional) - Archive (star charts, prophecies) - Most sacred location

The Hermitages (scattered, island edges): - Individual meditation cells - For those seeking deeper solitude - Simple stone shelters - Some occupied for years

Key Locations

The Standing Stones

Description: Circle of 12 standing stones, each 3m tall, arranged in constellation pattern

Age: Unknown (pre-Shattering? Early post-Shattering?)

Function: - Meditation focus - Ritual space - Community gatherings - Astronomical marker

Significance: - Sacred to Veil-Born - Aligned with Constellation of the Veil - Some claim stones “sing” during constellation alignments

The Ancient Observatory

Description: Ruins of pre-Shattering astronomical observatory, partially restored

Original Purpose: Star observation and mapping

Current Use: - Star-Reading - Prophecy - Study of constellation movements - Archive of astronomical knowledge

Features: - Observation platform (restored) - Ancient instruments (some functional, some decorative) - Star charts (centuries old) - Library (small but precious)

Keeper: Elder Talvyn (primary) and apprentices

Elder Talvyn’s Dwelling

Description: Modest stone building adjacent to Standing Stones

Function: - Elder Talvyn’s home - Meeting place for important consultations - Archive of oral histories - Teaching space

Contents: - Ancient texts (rare, precious) - Prophecy records - Pre-Shattering artifacts - Simple living quarters

Access: Open to community, visitors by invitation

The Meditation Caves

Location: Natural caves in island interior

Function: - Deep meditation - Vision quests - Isolation retreats - Mystical practices

Conditions: - Dark, cold, silent - Some have natural acoustics - One has underground spring (sacred)

Use: - Veil-Born seeking visions - Coming-of-age vigils - Advanced mystical training

Population and Society

Demographics

Total: ~200 residents

Composition: - 95% Veil-Born - 5% mixed heritage (Veil-Born ancestry) - No full outsiders (cannot tolerate conditions)

Age Distribution: - Elderly: 40% (many come here to die) - Adults: 50% - Children: 10% (few births)

Gender: Roughly balanced

Social Structure

No Formal Government: Decisions by consensus

Elder Talvyn: Respected advisor, not ruler

The Seers: Those with mystical abilities have informal authority

Communal Labor: Everyone contributes to survival

Individual Freedom: High value on personal choice

Daily Life

Morning: - Meditation (2-3 hours) - Simple breakfast - Garden work or craft

Midday: - Study (texts, stars, prophecies) - Teaching (master-apprentice) - Maintenance work

Evening: - Star-gazing (primary activity) - Communal meal (simple) - Storytelling or silence

Night: - Continued star observation - Deep meditation - Sleep (minimal—Veil-Born need less at altitude)

Values

Mysticism: Primary focus of life

Solitude: Respected and encouraged

Knowledge: Preservation of ancient wisdom

Simplicity: Material minimalism

Connection: To stars, to each other (subtle), to cosmos

Economy

Subsistence

Food Production: - Terraced gardens (limited) - Imports (occasional airship deliveries) - Fasting (common, by choice)

Water: Natural springs (abundant, pure)

Fuel: Minimal (cold accepted, some imported coal)

Clothing: Simple, warm, long-lasting

Trade

Exports (minimal): - Prophecies (Elder Talvyn’s consultations) - Mystical guidance - Ancient knowledge - Star charts

Imports (minimal): - Food (supplemental) - Fuel (limited) - Tools - Books (rare)

Currency: Rarely used (barter or gifts)

Economic Status

Wealth: Essentially none (material poverty)

Sustainability: Barely sufficient (dependent on imports)

Vulnerability: High (one bad winter could be catastrophic)

Priorities: Survival secondary to spiritual pursuits

Culture and Traditions

Veil-Born Practices

Star-Reading: - Primary religious/mystical practice - Elder Talvyn and select others - Nightly observations - Prophecy and guidance

Meditation: - Daily, for hours - Individual and communal - Various techniques - Central to life

The Vigil: - Coming-of-age ritual - Three days alone without food/water/shelter - Seek vision - Receive true name

The Silence-Feast: - Annual gathering - Entire community eats in complete silence - Contemplation of year past - Most important communal event

Unique to Highfall

The Ascent: - Pilgrimage to highest point of island - Undertaken for significant life events - Dangerous (thin air, cold) - Transformative

The Star-Naming: - Children learn constellation names - Not from books but from observation - Must identify 100 stars before adulthood - Living tradition

The Mist-Walking: - Meditation while walking in thick mist - Practice of “seeing without seeing” - Some claim to have visions - Dangerous (can get lost, fall)

Notable Residents

Elder Talvyn

Age: 68

Role: Informal leader, keeper of knowledge

Reputation: Most respected living Veil-Born

Knowledge: Pre-Luminar legends, Star-Reading, prophecy

Consultations: Leaders from across Aetherium seek his wisdom

Personality: Wise, patient, otherworldly, kind

Lyra Starwhisper

Age: 34

Role: Elder Talvyn’s primary apprentice

Ability: Strong Star-Reading gift

Background: Born in Highfall, never left

Future: Likely to succeed Talvyn as keeper

The Silent Hermit

Name: Unknown (refuses to speak)

Age: Unknown (very old)

Location: Hermitage at island’s edge

Duration: 15+ years of silence

Reputation: Profound wisdom, but won’t share

Mystery: Why the silence? What do they know?

Kael Mistborn

Age: 16

Role: Youngest resident with mystical gift

Ability: Precognitive dreams (uncontrolled)

Challenge: Learning to interpret visions

Significance: Hope for next generation

Relationship with Outside World

Visitors

Frequency: Rare (few per year)

Types: - Leaders seeking prophecy - Scholars seeking knowledge - Pilgrims seeking enlightenment - Lost souls seeking peace

Challenges: - Altitude sickness - Cold - Thin air - Cultural differences

Reception: Polite but distant (Veil-Born way)

Consultations

Elder Talvyn: - Consulted by Elder Mira Thornwell (occasionally) - Bishop Ardent Vael visited once - Various faction leaders seek prophecies

Cost: - No fixed price - Gifts accepted - Sometimes free (if cause is worthy)

Accuracy: Variable but respected

Isolation

Intentional: Veil-Born chose this location for isolation

Protective: Distance keeps them safe from conflicts

Cultural: Maintains Veil-Born traditions without outside influence

Sustainable: Barely (dependent on occasional trade)

Current Situation (287 S.)

Stability

Status: Stable but fragile

Population: Slowly declining (few births, some deaths)

Resources: Sufficient for current population

Threats: Minimal (isolation protects)

Concerns

Succession: - Elder Talvyn is aging - Lyra capable but young - Knowledge transfer urgent

Population: - Too few young people - Community may not survive another generation - Some advocate recruiting outsiders (controversial)

Isolation: - Is it sustainable? - Should Highfall engage more with world? - Debate ongoing

Recent Events

The Watcher’s Prophecy: - The Watcher (at Throne of Stars) sent cryptic message - Elder Talvyn studying it - Content classified

The Dark Star: - Observers report strange constellation behavior - Possibly related to Rot spread - Investigation ongoing

The Visitor: - Mysterious outsider arrived six months ago - Tolerates altitude (unusual) - Studying with Talvyn - Identity unknown

Defenses

Military

None: No soldiers, guards, or weapons

Philosophy: “We are not worth attacking”

Reality: Isolation is defense

Natural Defenses

Altitude: Most cannot reach or tolerate

Cold: Constant, severe

Thin Air: Debilitating to non-Veil-Born

Mist: Navigation difficult

Isolation: Far from everything

Emergency Plans

Evacuation: - Small airship (emergency only) - Can evacuate ~50 people - Destination: Skyport Eos

Shelter: - Caves can house everyone - Supplies for weeks - Against weather, not enemies

Secrets and Mysteries

The Singing Stones

Phenomenon: Standing stones sometimes emit sound

Timing: During constellation alignments

Sound: Low hum, almost musical

Explanation: Unknown (resonance? Divine? Imagination?)

Veil-Born Belief: Stones communicate with stars

The Deep Cave

Location: Beneath observatory

Discovery: Ancient, sealed entrance found 10 years ago

Status: Unopened (Elder Talvyn forbids)

Reason: “Some knowledge is dangerous”

Mystery: What’s inside?

Talvyn’s Prophecy

Secret: Elder Talvyn had major vision 5 years ago

Content: Classified (won’t share)

Effect: Changed his behavior (more urgent about teaching)

Speculation: Saw his death? Highfall’s end? Something worse?

Quest Hooks

1. The Consultation: Party hired to escort important figure to Highfall for prophecy
2. The Rescue: Someone trapped at Highfall (altitude sickness, injury, weather)
3. The Knowledge: Need ancient information only Elder Talvyn has
4. The Vigil: Veil-Born PC returns for coming-of-age ritual
5. The Mystery: Strange events at Highfall (investigate)
6. The Prophecy: Talvyn’s vision concerns party (directly or indirectly)
7. The Deep Cave: Someone wants it opened (should you?)
8. The Succession: Talvyn dying, knowledge must be preserved

GM Notes

Using Highfall

Purpose: Mystical knowledge source, Veil-Born culture showcase

Tone: Serene, otherworldly, timeless, cold

Function: Prophecy source, ancient knowledge repository

Atmosphere: Thin air, constant mist, close to stars

Potential Arcs

The Last Veil-Born: Highfall’s slow extinction

The Prophecy: Talvyn’s vision comes true

The Opening: Deep Cave opened (consequences?)

The Siege: Someone attacks Highfall (why? how?)

Related Topics

• Veil-Born
• Elder Talvyn
• The Veiled Heights
• Constellation of the Veil
• The Watcher
• Throne of Stars

“Highfall is where the world ends and the stars begin. Most cannot survive there. The Veil-Born cannot survive anywhere else.”
—Traveler’s observation

“I climbed to Highfall seeking prophecy. Elder Talvyn looked at me with those star-touched eyes and said, ‘You already know what you need to know. You just don’t want to accept it.’ He was right. The altitude didn’t kill me, but the truth nearly did.”
—Anonymous pilgrim

“We live at the roof of the world because we are trying to go home. Our ancestors came from the mountains. Now the mountains are shattered and scattered. So we climb as high as we can, as close to the stars as possible, and we wait. For what? We don’t know. But we wait.”
—Elder Talvyn