A lot of worlds I’ve read have a huge range of settings and peoples, but I wanted to add a different flavour to Viredia as a fantasy setting. I think everyone’s read the ‘haves and have nots’ in many different iterations, but I’ve not often read of a difference in tech level the way I have written it – as far as I know! I admit, my TBR pile is far, far too large and there could be many gems I am missing out on at the moment.

The Stratus Cities of the Empire are filled with wonder and splendour in equal measure, but equality is far away for many within its borders. Those without the gift of magistry find citizenship out of their reach, barred from living within the various Stratus cities except as servant peasantry. For most, this means they are relegated to the world far below.

Chimneys belching smoke, factories packed cheek to jowl full of exhausted workers, row upon row of tiny, cramped houses on cobblestone lined streets choked with smog; this is the life of the hidden and ignored that serve beneath the watchful gaze of the Empire.

Ardux is one such place, a hive of industry lurking directly below the Archon Institute, the greatest university in the Lian Empire. Sitting abreast of four roads and a great river fed by the infinite falls raining down from the Institute above, it grinds away day after day to feed those above, sitting comfortably in their splendour and ignorance.

I hope that you enjoyed delving a little more into this world I’m building. I’d love to hear your feedback! Please do comment below or reach out to me on Twitter!

Talk soon,

Nick