The World of Aetherfall
Aetherfall is a continent rebuilt over the bones of older civilizations. Once ruled by ancient empires, now fractured into kingdoms, noble houses, academies, and shadow factions.
Key Elements
Sigils: Every awakened person has a Sigil etched into their soul, granting abilities based on "Aspects."
The Archive: A world-spanning system-like entity that measures, evaluates, and influences fate. Appears to be neutral… but its intentions remain unknown.
Battlegrids: Dimensional pockets created by the Archive. Used for training, executions, trials, and war. Survive or die — everything inside is real.
The Calamity Veins: Rifts in the world where monsters emerge. Highly dangerous but rich with resources.
Academies: Cities of power masked as schools. They raise soldiers, sorcerers, assassins, and strategists.
Blackspire Academy
The continent's most infamous academy.
The strongest rise here.
The weakest die here.
Why Blackspire Matters
Controls 40% of the empire's elite units
Backed by the Archive directly
Has access to restricted technologies & Gate Zones
Sees more casualties than all other academies combined
Notable Features
Gate Trials: New students survive one hour in a Battlegrid.
Obsidian Instructors: War veterans with lethal Sigils.
The Hall of Records: Where the Archive "grades" students.
The Vein Core: A sealed chamber beneath the academy. Rumored to house an ancient anomaly.
Creatures & Monsters
Phase Lurkers
Small, flickering spider-like creatures that phase in and out of reality.
Venom disrupts Sigil channels.
Attracted to sound and movement.
Weak alone, deadly in swarms.
Aetherborn Wraiths
Mist creatures formed from corrupted Sigils.
Feed on memories.
Resist physical attacks.
Gravers
Beast-like humanoids living in old ruins.
Strong, fast
Very territorial
Kill on sight
More species appear as the story unfolds.