Sylvanetta's Guide to Arcanthea
Written while arguing with my singing sword, Fyral Laerith.
Arcanthea — 1865 CE
The year is 1865 Common Era, and I’ve spent the better part of a decade stumbling through this world’s most dangerous locations while somehow maintaining an A-rank status that frankly baffles me as much as it does Father.
clears throat, attempting formal Academy voice
Arcanthea is a world where steampunk industry and ancient magic entwine, a realm of churning gears and arcane forces——oh fuck it, you’re not the Academy board. Look, it’s a place where I can’t board an airship without accidentally starting a diplomatic incident, where magic fights machinery for dominance, and where I’ve personally managed to get banned from at least three major ports.
Vast oceans dominate the planet, with sparse landmasses that cradle diverse civilizations. Humans share these lands with elves, orcs, dwarves, gnomes, and a host of other fantastical beings—alongside the monsters that lurk in the wilds. And slavery, because no world can exist without some form of institutionalized cruelty to make my blood boil.
(Old and outdated map, click to open full size. New interactive map coming soon!)
What You’ll Find Here
This guide covers everything I’ve learned in my years of stumbling through diplomatic incidents and monster hunts:
- The Planet — Moons, continents, and the celestial mechanics that determine your magical potential before you’re even born
- Races — The peoples who share this world (and my personal confusion about which one I actually am)
- Nations — Political entities and the real adventurer’s guide to not embarrassing yourself
- Organizations — From the Adventurers’ Guild to secret societies I probably shouldn’t know about
- Technology — Airships, Aegis Frames, and the machines that nearly killed me
- Magic — Disciplines, elements, and my personal innovation in Bladesong
- Gods & Religion — Deities who are real, active, and have opinions
- Creatures — How to avoid dying to them (mostly)
- Historical Events — The disasters that shaped our world
Fyrie ascending chord progression: She’s pleased I’m writing this guide for you.
Ready to Begin?
Use the sidebar to navigate between sections. Each major topic expands to show subsections. Hover over highlighted terms for quick definitions.
A world where magic meets steampunk machinery.