Lyra

Lyra is the world in which all recorded events of these archives take place. A realm of scattered lands, treacherous seas, and an above-average density of curses per fishing village, Lyra is home to a wide range of peoples, gods, airships, and at least one bound demon whose return is inconveniently prophesied. Its recorded history is measured in Dalereckoning (DR), with the most heavily documented period being the year 1487 DR [citation needed].

Geography

Lyra's known lands are separated by the vast Zendrian Sea, crossed by merchant convoys, luxury airships, and the occasional long-term castaway.

Felldrei

Felldrei is a mainland region dominated by the wealthy merchant city of Marterus, seat of King Edor Braun and home to trading dynasties such as the Dennison family. Its markets, including the famed Gallery of Wonders, deal in fine silks carried by caravan from the distant lands of the Drenn.

Farmarch

Farmarch is an island on the eastern side of the Kalani Strait, best known for the fishing village of Eastport, the forested town of Brae, and an eventful season in 1487 DR that included a crashed airship, a cephalopod incident, and the Vegetable Curse. The strait freezes in winter and is navigable only by reinforced vessels such as The Stubborn Arse.

Distant Lands

Beyond the central seas lie regions known mostly through shipping manifests and unreliable memoirs: the warm island waters of Irinor, Meryn's Pyre, the Burnt Lands, and the northern settlements of Drunjas near the lighthouse of Dawnlight. Cartographers disagree on the exact position of nearly all of them [citation needed].

Peoples

Lyra is inhabited by humans, dwarves, elves and half-elves, half-orcs, goliaths, Harengon, Tortles, merfolk, mephits, at least one well-documented mimic, and a small but resilient population of formerly vegetable villagers. Cohabitation is generally peaceful, except where it is not.

Religion

Worship in Lyra spans many deities, most prominently Eldath, goddess of peace and still waters, and Silvanus, god of wild nature — a pairing whose philosophical balance is actively demonstrated by the druid Brogmar Mossbeard, frequently with mushrooms. Warlock pacts with less documented patrons, such as the entity known as Seraphina, are also practiced.

Travel and Trade

Long-distance travel is served by luxury passenger airships such as The Kestrel, seafaring vessels such as the ill-fated Opulence, and ice-breaking ships crossing the Kalani Strait. Overland commerce is dominated by caravan companies operating between Felldrei's markets and the outer regions. Insurance premiums on all three modes of transport rose sharply after 1487 DR [citation needed].

Cosmology and Threats

Lyra sits uncomfortably close to darker planes, including the Abyss, in which the demon Ithak'var — the Crooked Man — was bound centuries ago by six ancient heroes. His prophesied return is said to herald the Mirrorwind, a catastrophic storm capable of tearing the fabric of Lyra apart. Cultists marked with root tattoos continue working toward this outcome and are politely advised to stop.