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The Veiled Heights

“Closer to the stars, further from the world.”
—Star-Reader saying

Quick Reference

Attribute Details
Location Upper Aetherium (above Bright Reaches)
Size Scattered (~300km diameter, vertical distribution)
Island Count ~80 known
Population ~1,500 (hermits, clergy, scholars, Veil-Born peoples)
Aether Conditions Thinner, colder, clearer
Rot Presence Very low (Rot seems to sink, not rise)
Primary Faction Constellation Clergy (observatories)
Climate Cold, thin air, ethereal
Trade Status Minimal (pilgrimage, scholarly exchange)

The Veiled Heights The Veiled Heights

Overview

The Veiled Heights float “above” the main cluster of the Aetherium—though direction is relative in the void. Here, the Aether is thinner, colder, and clearer. Constellations appear larger, brighter, closer. Ancient observatories from before the Shattering still stand, maintained by dedicated clergy.

This is a region of contemplation, isolation, and mystery. Few live here by choice. Those who do seek knowledge, transcendence, or escape from the world below.

Geography

Physical Characteristics

Elevation Concept: - “Above” is metaphorical (no true up/down in Aether) - Islands here have always floated “higher” since Shattering - Reached by ascending Aether-Currents or prolonged upward drift

Vertical Distribution: - Islands spread across 100km of “vertical” space - Lower Heights: ~5,000m “above” Bright Reaches core - Upper Heights: ~15,000m “above” - Summit Islands: 20,000m+ (barely reachable)

Island Types: - Mountain peaks (sheared-off pre-Shattering mountains) - Observatory platforms (artificial pre-Shattering structures) - Frozen shards (ice-covered, barren)

Aether Characteristics

Thinness: - Aether is less dense (difficult to describe—“lighter feeling”) - Breathing still possible but feels different (less satisfying) - Extended exposure causes light-headedness - Similar to high-altitude effects pre-Shattering

Clarity: - Visibility extends 200+ km - Aether’s glow is dimmer but clearer - Stars/constellations appear 2-3x larger - Colors are paler, more washed-out

Temperature: - Cold (0-5°C at Lower Heights) - Freezing (-10 to -20°C at Upper Heights) - Extreme cold (below -30°C at Summit Islands)

Pressure: - Lower Aether pressure (similar to altitude sickness) - Nosebleeds common in newcomers - Adaptation takes weeks

Population

Demographics

Clergy (~40%): - Priests maintaining observatories - Acolytes studying Star-Reading - Pilgrims on spiritual journeys

Veil-Born Peoples (~30%): - Ethnic group that originated in mountain regions pre-Shattering - Adapted to Heights better than other groups - Small villages, traditional lifestyle

Scholars (~15%): - Alchemists, Archivists, independent researchers - Study constellations, Aether, pre-Shattering ruins

Hermits (~15%): - Exiles, mystics, those who want to be alone - Often mad or enlightened (hard to distinguish)

The Veil-Born

Physical Traits: - Pale skin, light hair (white, blonde, silver) - Tall, thin builds - Often have unusual eyes (pale blue, gray, violet)

Culture: - Pre-Shattering, lived in mountainous regions of Terrum Solidus - Post-Shattering, many fragments that “rose” carried Veil-Born populations - See Heights as their rightful home - Deeply spiritual (blend Star-Reading with older animistic traditions)

Notable Villages: - Highfall: 200 people, traditional Veil-Born culture - The Pale Nest: 80 people, reclusive, xenophobic - Star’s Edge: 120 people, mixed Veil-Born and others

Major Locations

Constellation’s Reach Observatory

Description: Largest and most important observatory
Population: ~150 (mostly clergy)
Structure: Pre-Shattering tower (still functional)
Purpose: Star-charting, prayer-focus, astronomical research

Features: - The Grand Orrery: Mechanical model of constellation movements (partially functional) - The Prayer Chamber: Where High Constellation council meets - The Star-Wells: Telescopes carved from crystal - The Sealed Archive: Forbidden texts (access restricted)

Leadership: Bishop Ardent Vael (stern, brilliant, possibly heretical)

Current State: - Maintained but aging - Some equipment failing (no replacements) - Internal debate: Is Star-Reading still accurate post-Shattering?

The Shrouded Spire

Description: Ruined observatory, partially collapsed
Population: 0 (abandoned)
History: Fell to Rot in 198 S. (one of few Heights corruptions)

Current Status: - Empty but intact enough to explore - Contains pre-Shattering texts (waterlogged, decaying) - Haunted reputation (sounds of whispers, footsteps) - Occasionally visited by Archivists (dangerous)

Mystery: How did Rot reach this high? (Rot usually sinks)

The Throne of Stars

Description: Highest reachable island (Summit Island)
Population: 1 (The Watcher)
Appearance: Flat platform, 50m across, covered in ice

Significance: - Closest point to constellations in known Aetherium - Prayers spoken here are supposedly most powerful - Pilgrimage destination (few complete journey)

The Watcher: Hermit who’s lived there for 40+ years - Identity unknown (wears full-body robes) - Speaks rarely (claims constellations speak to them) - Visitors sometimes receive cryptic prophecies

Highfall Village

Description: Traditional Veil-Born settlement
Population: ~200
Economy: Subsistence agriculture, Ice-Lichen harvesting
Culture: Pre-Shattering traditions maintained

Notable: - Elders claim to remember pre-Shattering (impossible—they’re too young) - Practices “sky-burial” (bodies launched into upper Aether) - Suspicious of outsiders but hospitable once trust earned

Dangers

Environmental Hazards

Cold: - Hypothermia risk - Frostbite common - Ice accumulation on airships (weight imbalance)

Thin Aether: - Altitude sickness equivalent - Disorientation - Prolonged exposure: hallucinations, euphoria

Isolation: - Help is far away - Communication difficult (signal fires barely visible) - Rescue often impossible

Creatures

Ice-Wraiths (Rare): - Translucent, humanoid shapes - Only appear in coldest regions - Touch causes instant frostbite - May be ghosts or Aether-phenomenon

Frost-Serpents (Uncommon): - Cold-adapted snake-like creatures - Hunt Cloud-Hoppers - Avoid humans unless starving

Psychological

The Clarity Madness: - Some who stay in Heights too long become obsessed with constellations - Stare at stars for hours, days - Stop eating, sleeping - Eventually die staring upward - ~2% of long-term Heights residents

Isolation Psychosis: - Standard hermit madness - Talking to oneself, paranoia - Belief in invisible companions

Culture and Philosophy

The Star-Watchers

Clergy and scholars in Heights have unique perspective:

Beliefs: - Constellations are closer here (literally and spiritually) - Heights are “higher dimension” (closer to divine) - Rot is “below” in all senses (moral and physical) - Ascending to Heights = spiritual purification

Practices: - Constant observation of constellations - Record-keeping (star positions, prayer outcomes) - Meditation facing upward - Fasting (belief: lighter body rises easier spiritually)

The Veil-Born Philosophy

“We Stand Between”: - Veil-Born see themselves as mediators between ground and stars - Not as high as constellations, not as low as Bright Reaches - Balance is sacred

Traditions: - The Naming Ceremony: Children named by stars visible on birth night - The Descent: Coming-of-age journey to Bright Reaches and back - The Sky-Marriage: Couples wed under specific constellation alignment

Economy

Minimal Trade

Heights are poor (economically): - Limited agriculture (cold climate) - No manufacturing (lack of resources) - Few trade goods

Exports: - Star-charts (sold to Guild navigators) - Ice-Lichen (alchemical ingredient) - Rare herbs (grow only in cold) - Spiritual services (blessings, prophecies)

Imports: - Food (grain, preserved goods) - Fuel (wood, coal for heating) - Textiles (warm clothing) - Books and scrolls (Clergy demand)

Trade Frequency: 4-6 caravans per year (mostly Clergy-funded)

Mysteries

The Silver Rain

Liquid falls from “above” in Upper Heights: - Not water (doesn’t freeze, evaporates before hitting islands) - Silver-colored, luminous - Disappears on contact with solid matter - Appears randomly (no pattern)

Theories: - Aether condensation - Constellation “tears” - Dimensional bleed

The Singing Peaks

Certain islands produce harmonious tones: - Wind passing over formations? Something else? - Sounds like distant choir - Changes based on constellation positions - Some claim to hear messages in the tones

Why No Rot?

Rot is nearly absent in Heights: - 2 corrupted islands in 287 years (vs. 100+ in Bright Reaches) - Rot seems to “sink” rather than rise

Theories: - Rot is literally heavy (denser than Aether) - Cold inhibits Rot spread - Constellation proximity cleanses - Heights are too far from The Voice Beneath’s source

The Ascending Islands

Some islands seem to drift upward over time: - 5 confirmed cases in 200 years - Islands gradually rise into Upper Heights - Some believe this is constellation “blessing” - Others think it’s Aether-Current phenomenon

Relationship with Other Regions

Bright Reaches

The Murk

The Deeps

Notable Individuals

Bishop Ardent Vael

Role: Leader of Constellation’s Reach
Age: 54
Reputation: Brilliant astronomer, rigid orthodox believer

Background: - Rose through Clergy ranks quickly - Advocates for return to pre-Shattering Star-Reading methods - Believes constellations can be “repaired”

Personality: Intense, demanding, utterly devoted
Secret: Privately questions whether constellations are still alive (heretical doubt)

The Watcher

Identity: Unknown
Role: Hermit at Throne of Stars
Age: Unknown (at least 40 years at summit)

Appearance: Never removes robes (voice suggests male, but uncertain)
Behavior: Speaks in riddles, gives prophecies, refuses to descend
Mystery: How does he survive? (no visible supplies, extreme cold)

Elder Talvyn (Veil-Born)

Role: Leader of Highfall village
Age: 67
Reputation: Wise, traditionalist

Background: - Born in Heights (one of few) - Maintains pre-Shattering Veil-Born customs - Deeply spiritual

Personality: Kind but distant, protective of culture
Knowledge: Knows old Veil-Born legends (predating Luminar Council)

Pilgrimages and Journeys

The Ascent

Spiritual journey from Bright Reaches to Constellation’s Reach:

Duration: 10-15 days (depending on currents)
Difficulty: Moderate
Purpose: Spiritual cleansing, prayer-focus, seeking enlightenment

Pilgrims: - ~200 per year - Mix of devout Clergy and desperate faithful - ~5% don’t return (cold, falls, give up)

The Summit Pilgrimage

Journey to Throne of Stars:

Duration: 30-45 days from Bright Reaches
Difficulty: Extreme
Success Rate: ~50% (many turn back, some die)
Purpose: Seek The Watcher’s prophecy, ultimate spiritual test

Requirements: - Extreme cold-weather gear - Experienced pilot - Faith (not joking—those without conviction fail)

Future Outlook

Stability

Heights are most stable region: - Low Rot presence - Isolated from political conflicts - Self-sufficient (if poor)

Concerns

In-World Document

“Letters from the Heights” by Acolyte Miren (285 S.)

Dear Mother,

I have been at Constellation’s Reach for three months now. The cold has seeped into my bones, but I no longer notice.

The stars are… I lack words. They are not distant points. They are close. Present. I swear I can feel them watching.

Bishop Vael says I show promise. He teaches me to read stellar positions, to map their movements. But he also teaches me doubt, though he doesn’t know it.

He speaks of the constellations with reverence, but I see his hands shake when he prays. He wants so desperately to believe they still listen. I think they do. But I think they’re listening to something we’re not saying.

Last night I had a dream. I was standing on the Throne of Stars. The Watcher was there, but his robes were empty. Just void inside.

And a voice—not The Voice Beneath, something else, something above—asked me:

“When the stars fall, will you fall with them?”

I woke screaming.

Bishop Vael says dreams in the Heights are prophetic.

I hope he’s wrong.

“Stand between earth and stars. Fall toward neither.”
—Veil-Born proverb