Floating Cities

The Floating Cities of Gerlandria: A Realm in the Sky Gerlandria, the Realm of All Air, is a domain where the very concept of cities and settlements defies the norm of being bound to earth. This vast expanse of open skies, with its ever-changing cloudscapes and floating isles, is home to a myriad of airborne settlements. From colossal sky whales that serve as living cities to islands held aloft by powerful aetheric currents and ancient magics, Gerlandria's sky cities represent a unique blend of natural wonder and arcane engineering.
The Great Sky Whale Cities and Their Migration Cycles Among the most iconic floating cities of Gerlandria are the Sky Whale Cities, such as Yzathra-Gôl and the grander Gertasa. These cities are built upon the backs of massive, semi-sentient leviathans that glide through the skies like the living embodiments of storms and winds. Each Sky Whale City is unique, with its culture, architecture, and community woven into the very life of the whale upon which it resides.
The migration cycles of these whale cities are not random but are deeply tied to the elemental currents and magical leylines that crisscross the skies of Gerlandria. Each year, the whale cities follow a Skyward Migration Path, a complex, shifting route determined by the needs of both the city and the whale. These migrations are influenced by several factors:
Elemental Currents: The whales glide along streams of air charged with elemental energies that nourish both the whale and the city. These currents are critical for maintaining the city’s magical defenses and powering essential arcane devices.
Seasonal Aether Winds: Certain seasons in Gerlandria bring about the Aether Winds, powerful gusts that carry with them the essence of life and magic. These winds are crucial for the breeding cycles of sky flora and fauna, which are vital to the whale’s ecosystem.
Ritual Convergences: The sky cities often converge for significant ritual events, such as the Aether Confluence, where multiple whale cities gather at a designated location. These events are marked by cultural exchanges, trade agreements, and the sharing of arcane knowledge among the cities' scholars.
Other Floating Cities and Living Locations Apart from the whale cities, Gerlandria is known for its floating islands and living locations that drift across the skies. These include:
The Spire of Vostril, a city perched atop a colossal shard of rock that levitates above the Sea of Mist. The city is anchored to this floating spire with chains made of sky iron, and its people are known for their skyships and prowess in elemental magic.
The Cloud Sanctum of Aelthar, an ancient temple complex that floats within a massive, permanent cloud formation. The Sanctum is a place of meditation and learning, where monks and scholars study the flows of aether and sky energies.
The Tempest Isle, a moving fortress-island that houses a nomadic warrior society known as the Stormborne. This island drifts through the more turbulent regions of Gerlandria, and its people are skilled in storm magic and aerial combat.
Interactions Between Ground Cultures and Air Cities The relationship between Gerlandria’s air cities and the ground-dwelling cultures of Aina is complex and multifaceted, marked by both cooperation and tension. Several key dynamics define these interactions:
Trade and Diplomacy: Many ground-based nations and cultures seek to trade with the sky cities for rare aetheric materials, floating flora, and magical artifacts that can only be found in Gerlandria. Diplomats and merchants from the earth, water, and fire realms often make the dangerous journey to the floating islands and cities to establish trade routes or negotiate alliances.
Sky and Ground Wars: Conflict is not uncommon, especially over valuable resources or territorial claims. The Wind Wars are a prime example, where rival factions from both sky and ground sought control over valuable aetheric mining sites located on the boundary between Gerlandria and Zerthia (the Realm of Earth).
Realm Ships and Transport: The Realm Ships of Aina play a crucial role in connecting the floating cities of Gerlandria with the ground realms. These vessels, capable of both sailing the skies and navigating through the Aether, serve as the primary means of transport for goods, people, and military forces. Constructed using advanced technomantic engineering, the Realm Ships are often enchanted with powerful wind and levitation magics, allowing them to move seamlessly between the realms.
Cultural Exchange and Influence: The airborne and ground cultures have influenced each other in numerous ways. For example, ground-based artisans often incorporate sky metals and floating crystals into their works, while the sky-dwellers adopt agricultural techniques developed by the earth-bound races to cultivate sky flora.
Envoys and Pilgrimages: Certain ground cultures, particularly those who revere the gods of air and wind, send pilgrims and envoys to the floating cities to seek wisdom, participate in sacred rituals, or gain the favor of the airborne gods. These pilgrimages are often dangerous, involving journeys through unstable aetheric zones and trials that test the pilgrims’ faith and endurance.
The Role of Realm Ships While detailed information from the World Anvil page is unavailable, it's known that the Realm Ships of Aina are significant to the connection between the various realms. They act as diplomatic vessels, merchant ships, and even warships when necessary, facilitating both cooperation and conflict between the air cities of Gerlandria and other realms. These ships are often imbued with Aether Engines and Levitation Crystals, making them capable of navigating the complex air currents and elemental pathways that link the realms.
Article on the Floating Cities and Migration Cycles of Gerlandria Gerlandria, the Realm of All Air, is a domain defined by its vast skies, ever-moving cloudscapes, and floating isles that defy the laws of gravity. Its cities are marvels of aerial engineering and symbiotic magic, each one different from the next, each one a unique reflection of the boundless creativity and adaptability of its people. This realm is known for its extraordinary array of sky cities, ranging from massive cities built upon living entities like the Sky Whale Cities to fortified islands and cloud fortresses. Among these floating metropolises, the migration cycles of the cities and their interactions with ground cultures form a complex tapestry of trade, conflict, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.
Sky Whale Cities and Their Migration Cycles The most iconic airborne settlements of Gerlandria are the Sky Whale Cities. These cities are built upon the backs of colossal, semi-sentient whales that float across the skies of Aina like moving mountains. The whales, such as Yzathra-Gôl and the even larger Gertasa, host entire civilizations that have grown and adapted to the rhythm of their gentle migrations. The whales navigate complex pathways known as Skyward Migration Paths, which are determined by a mixture of natural instinct, ancient leyline flows, and divine influence.
The migration of these whales is cyclical, based on several key factors:
Aetheric Currents: The whales follow invisible streams of energy that flow through Gerlandria. These aetheric currents are essential for maintaining the whales' health and providing the magical sustenance needed for both the whales and the cities they carry. Skilled Aether Navigators monitor these flows to guide the cities safely.
Seasonal Changes and Breeding Cycles: Just as oceanic whales follow specific routes for breeding and feeding, Sky Whales follow a set pattern that aligns with the seasons in Gerlandria. These paths take them through nutrient-rich aether zones that foster the growth of sky flora and fauna.
Astronomical Events and Ritual Convergences: Certain celestial events, such as The Celestial Conflux, influence the migration patterns, drawing Sky Whales to specific locations where they meet, exchange goods, engage in cultural rituals, and reinforce old alliances or forge new ones.
Other Living Cities and Floating Islands Beyond the whale cities, Gerlandria is also home to numerous floating islands, cloud sanctuaries, and living cities that move through the skies. These include:
Aether Reach: A colossal fortress-island suspended by the power of ancient runes, which is home to the Aether Wardens, a group of sky-knights who protect the floating realms from external threats.
The Cloud Gardens of Mistara: A network of floating gardens and farming islands held together by ropes of enchanted vines and tendrils, where the airborne races cultivate exotic sky fruits and herbs.
The Storm Towers of Zhal-Kuthar: A series of floating fortresses that drift through the tempestuous regions of Gerlandria, where powerful wizards and storm sorcerers study and manipulate the elements.
Interaction with Ground Cultures The sky cities of Gerlandria do not exist in isolation. They are part of a broader ecosystem that involves frequent interactions with the ground cultures of other realms such as Zerthia (Earth), Marenwe (Water), and Malondria (Fire). These interactions are driven by both necessity and opportunity, shaped by trade, diplomacy, conflict, and cultural exchange:
Trade and Commerce: The sky cities are hubs of exotic goods and rare materials, such as Sky Iron and Aetheric Crystals. Ground cultures from realms like Zerthia and Marenwe send their merchants to trade in floating marketplaces such as those found in Yzathra-Gôl or Aether Reach.
Diplomatic Envoys and Conflict Mediation: Floating cities often serve as neutral ground for negotiations between warring factions from different realms. The Council of Aeythar in Yzathra-Gôl, for example, frequently hosts diplomatic envoys and mediates disputes, leveraging its unique position in the skies.
Cultural Exchange and Influence: Sky cultures and ground cultures have influenced each other in myriad ways. The Aeytharians have incorporated elemental earth magics to enhance their floating gardens, while ground-based smiths of Zerthia use Sky Metal to forge lighter and more durable weapons and armor.
Realm Ships and Transportation: The Realm Ships of Aina play a crucial role in linking the airborne cities with the ground realms. These vessels, utilizing a combination of elemental propulsion systems tailored to their realms, navigate the aether and air currents to reach their destinations. Their presence allows for easier travel and fosters a flow of ideas, resources, and sometimes conflicts.
Challenges and Conflicts The relationships between the sky and ground cities are not always peaceful. The Wind Wars are a notable conflict that arose from disputes over valuable resources located at the boundaries of the realms. Sky pirates, rogue magicians, and territorial disputes over ancient leyline paths also present constant challenges. Moreover, the cities themselves are not immune to internal strife, as different factions vie for control over the limited resources and strategic positions in the skies.

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Stories and Legends of Lesser Known Floating Locales in Gerlandria Gerlandria, the Realm of All Air, is vast and filled with countless floating locales, each a story unto itself, unique and interwoven with the elements of air, magic, and ancient mystery. Unlike the massive and well-known sky cities such as Yzathra-Gôl or Gertasa, there are smaller, more enigmatic settlements that wander the skies, drifting through the currents of aether and time. One such wonder is Kael’Tarr, the Turtle Fortress, a small yet ancient flying city resting atop the back of a colossal, serene Sky Turtle named Kael. These settlements harbor a wealth of legends, many of which defy the expectations of the more grounded realms below.
Kael’Tarr, the Turtle Fortress Kael’Tarr is a floating fortress-city perched upon the back of Kael, an enormous Sky Turtle believed to be over ten thousand Years old. The inhabitants of Kael’Tarr, known as the Kael’Tarrians, are a peculiar people—Artists, philosophers, and mystics who have forsaken the solid ground for the ever-wandering life of the skies. Their fortress is a blend of sturdy stone towers and verdant hanging gardens that sway gently with every slow, deliberate flap of Kael's massive wings.
Legend of the Still Night: One of the most haunting stories from Kael’Tarr speaks of the Still Night, an event that occurs only once every century. On this night, the entire city falls under a trance-like silence. The wind stops blowing, the waters in the hanging gardens cease to ripple, and even the flames in the lamps freeze, burning without flicker. It is said that during the Still Night, time itself halts, and the spirits of long-dead sky wanderers visit the city to converse with the living. A few chosen Kael’Tarrians are granted the rare opportunity to speak with their ancestors or even gods. However, these encounters come with a price; those who engage must sacrifice a precious memory, forever lost to the winds.
The Isles of the Sky Shepherds The Isles of the Sky Shepherds are a collection of small floating islets, tethered together by a network of enchanted, vine-like chains. Here, the Sky Shepherds, a reclusive order of druids, protect and tend to the migratory flocks of Sky Grazer Beasts, ethereal creatures that feed on the clouds and aether winds. The Sky Shepherds, with their unique ability to "speak" the language of winds, are known for their unparalleled mastery over airborne flora and fauna.
The Tale of the Wind Eater: A harrowing legend from these isles speaks of the Wind Eater, a monstrous entity born from a rift in the sky. The Wind Eater appears as an endless void, devouring all aetheric energy, winds, and even light itself. It is said that the Sky Shepherds were the ones who first encountered this beast, and their most revered elder, Aeliryn of the Gale, sacrificed herself to close the rift, becoming a part of the ever-flowing winds. The Sky Shepherds believe that on particularly stormy nights, the spirit of Aeliryn rides the tempest, guiding their flocks to safety.
The Weeping Castle of Halvorsen High above the Tempest Peaks floats the Weeping Castle of Halvorsen, a somber place known for its Sorrow-Falls, waterfalls that pour from the eyes of the castle’s gargantuan stone faces. Halvorsen is both a city and a pilgrimage site for the sorrowful and the broken-hearted. The people who live here, known as the Halvorsenians, believe that the tears falling from the castle walls are the accumulated grief of all who have ever lived there.
The Curse of the Heartless Sky: Legend has it that Halvorsen was once a thriving city-state led by King Faramund, who was known for his ruthless conquest of the skies. It is said that he attempted to conquer the very stars themselves, believing them to be gods who had denied him his destiny. In his hubris, he challenged the Star Gods and lost, condemned to a fate where his city would forever weep his unfulfilled desires. Now, the Halvorsenians believe that only when all those who reside in Halvorsen have forgiven their own lost dreams can the tears finally stop.
The Lost Isle of Tithralis The Lost Isle of Tithralis is a tale whispered among air travelers and sky merchants. Tithralis is a floating island that has remained unseen by mortal eyes for over a thousand Years, except for those who are marked by fate. Said to be a realm of unimaginable beauty, the island is a paradise suspended in a hidden fold of the sky. Those who find Tithralis are said to encounter profound revelations or horrors that change them forever.
The Mirage of the Feathered Men: The myth of Tithralis tells of the Feathered Men, who were once scholars and explorers from the realm of Zerthia, transformed into beings of half-man, half-bird by the island’s enigmatic energies. The Feathered Men are said to guard the secrets of Tithralis jealously and appear as mirages in the sky to lure unsuspecting travelers into the island’s hidden aetheric traps.
The Tale of the Hollow Nimbus Far from the more populous cities, there exists the Hollow Nimbus, a floating citadel carved out of a singular, massive cloud. The Nimbus is unique in that it is not a solid city but a hollowed-out sphere of air, wherein the buildings are made of condensed cloud matter and the floors are the very sky itself. The Hollowites who live there have mastered the art of walking on air and are known to be able to phase through the cloud buildings as if they were mist.
The Tragedy of the Empty Citadel: The Hollowites speak of the time when the Nimbus was attacked by a Thunder Kraken, a vast sky leviathan made of crackling energy and living storm. The creature unleashed a fury so powerful that it dispersed half the city into the open sky, and in its rage, it consumed the souls of those who fell. It is believed that the remnants of their spirits roam the Hollow Nimbus, whispering warnings to the living whenever another storm approaches.

Type

National Territory

Location under

Gerlandria