By Alisha Lopez
Imagine you were in the year 1270, right before the Tides came. You would be living your own little happy life, but then suddenly giant waves come down on your house, you try to get out, but you are knocked out by the sheer force of the waves. Your entire village is wiped out, as you desperately cling to life, you hear the voices of the deep reject you. You wake up in another place. This is what happened to Reed Ytreshi, a patient of major drowner sickness. Ytreshi lived in Lower Etrea before the Tides. Luckily he was saved by a stray Dinghy and made his way to land. Etrea is one of the surviving factions of the Tides, as they had the highest peaks, soaring to the heights. These are the factions of today, and how they serve a role in our new way of life.
If you’ve lived long enough to learn to read, you’ve probably heard of Etrea or the Etrean Sea. It is possibly the most calm ocean you’ll ever be in, and is home to many. This is the biggest faction in the Eastern Luminant, and can be seen anywhere, spanning from Aratel Island to the Isle of Vigils, thus many calling it the “Etrean Luminant”. Despite this, Etrea still does not have full control over the East. Other forces, such as the Summer Company and Greathive Aratel are present in their sectors of the sea. Because of this, there are now two distinct areas of the east: The Eastern Luminant, and the Etrean Luminant. In the Etrean Luminant, it has two islands. Etrea, and the Isle of Vigils. Etrea is the name of the island, and the capital city where Lord Regent stays is Etris. The Navaen Nomads also have set up camp here. Etrean guards will guard the site of Etris, but the Vigils in Isle of Vigils guard the Temple of Blades. However, Vigils are more of a subgroup of Etrea than actual citizens. They usually stay inclusive, and in my experience will not speak to you unless you’ve done them a great deed, such as saving one of them. The Isle of Vigils is fully across the Etrean Sea. Inbetween these two islands is Erisia, a large Driftland that drifted here a few months before this book is being written. This Driftland is largely contested upon, ranging from Bandits to a rumored high member of the Authority lounging within the Burning Stone Gardens. As such, it is recommended you do not go to this place unless you truly have nothing else to do for money. However, that’s the case with most islands in this area of Lumen. Etrean Footsmen can also be found patrolling Aratel, a desert-like area that is entrenched in battle. Not to mention the Etrean Sailors constant struggle with Whalers.
Etrea was located on a fast array of mountains, the capital being on Serenance Mountain. There were two areas in Etrea’s Territory. Lower Etrea were the shores, a capital of trading, housing, and farming. Upper Etrea was where diplomatic affiliations were conducted, as well as the King’s Mansion.
As they are a powerful force, they hold a great deal of corruption. Politics are not my area, but if you make yourself an enemy out of them, you could always pay your way out, given you have the money.
I decided to choose this piece since it’s lore for a game I made back in 2022 that’s currently in development right now. My main inspiration came from elden ring and skyrim! I was a big fan of those games in 2019-2021. I wanted to build a unique setting that felt fantasy like/realistic. I’m proud of this piece because of the sensory details that describe what’s directly in the game. It’s like a guide for the game, I wanted the players/readers to understand what’s going on inside of the game and the lore that backs it up.
