The Skies
Himinil is very different from our world. Where we have vast oceans and land, they only have sky. This sky is broken up by hundreds of thousands of islands which float almost stationarily in the air. The sky is a dangerous place for those that do not understand it. Many sailors have fallen to their doom because they were unaware or unprepared for the dangers.
The Skies refers to all of the skies together. However, the Skies are made of us dozens of sections of sky simply called a sky in the same way we refer to a portion of the ocean as a sea. The individual skies are separated by weather patterns, the islands within, and a unique quality. The skies are magical in nature, despite what the church would have you believe. Storms that hold a grudge, islands that are only visible at night, strange songs being sung over the winds, and many other oddities can be heard. Experienced Sailors gain a sort of premonition of when these oddities appear. They learn to pick up on the subtle clues within themselves, that sinking feeling that something is wrong mixed with a slight excitement.
There are 14 skies in Himinil, and each one has districts within. There are more Skies beyond Himinil, but these skies are incredibly dangerous and are seldom traveled. The districts are sections of sky divided by politics. Usually, a District contains one or several sky islands. Each organization treats districts differently. In Krithia, they are given to nobles as gifts and rewards, where they may do with it as they wish. Vadathian districts are generally controlled by tribes or clans depending on the size. Their districts are the quickest to change. Districts controlled by Moksons are complex, inconvenient, and often unpredictable. Other minor peoples control districts and sometimes Pirates take control of an entire district.
A sky reaches from the reflected sea up to as high as a ship can fly. However, when two or more skies collide, they overlap each other. One sky rests below the other. Depending on the season, they can change their borders slightly, sometimes changing the way they overlap or blend the skies together.
The different Skies
The Bitter Winds
Technically called the Sky of Vadath, this Sky encompasses Vadath and about 100 miles beyond it.Weather
The Bitter Winds is not as bitter as some would expect because of the name. In truth, it is only truly bitterly cold half the year, the other half the sky is simply cold or even pleasantly warm in the summer. However, this sky is subject to snow storms, high winds, and hail. During one of these storms, a smaller airship might easily be torn to shreds. This is the main reason why most Vadathan ships are so sturdy.Oddity
The Bitter Winds responds to strong emotions. Ship captains seem to have the most effect on the weather, but any extreme emotion can be noticeable. The intensity of the emotion determines the intensity of the general effect, but the type of emotion does not matter. The effect of this phenomenon is based on that person's morality. Kind and friendly people under duress can part the skies and cause a warm wind to flow through, even in the coldest of winters. While an evil man causes rain and storms. Those who simply do not care one way or the other make the sky cold and frozen. When two people are in a contest filled with great emotion, such as a war or an extreme argument, the intensity of the storms is multiplied. Two opposing moralities might actually split the sky, forcing two different weather patterns in the same location.People
The people of this sky are known as the Vadathans. They live on the island of Vadath, known as the land of the giants in their native tongue. They are a strong, loud people with long histories of war and culture.The Noble Clouds
The Noble Clouds are technically called the Sky of Krithia. It encompasses Krithia and approximately 200 miles around it.Weather
The best way to describe The Noble Clouds is wet. It rains often. When it storms, the rain always falls, sometimes sideways. Thick clouds are all around this sky which can cause powerful strikes of lightning and a near constant sound of distant thunder. The temperature is fairly warm and often muggy.Oddity
The Noble Clouds have a sense of drama and humor. This is the sort of sky that when you say "Well, at least it can't get any worse!" it begins to rain. When someone says something dramatic, thunder rolls in the distance. Dark events are foretold by dark weather. The sky itself seems to be controlled by an artist directing a play. The sky sometimes takes a shine to young couples and makes their dates as romantic as possible. Small birds sing nearby, the wind blows away a bad stench, and it rains softly when they are indoors.People
The people of this sky are known as the Krithians. They live in the kingdom of Krithia. They are a proud and haughty people with much wealth.The Windy Wilds
The Windy Wilds is technically known as the Mokson Sky. It is an area of sky that contains Mokso and about 100 miles around it.Weather
The Windy Wilds are, well, windy. There is almost a constant breeze in this sky and oftentimes there are tornadoes. There is a minimum of 3 tornadoes at any time in this sky, and often there are more. Most of the time they only damage a few crops, but sometimes an inexperienced ship captain will sail into one.Oddity
Occasionally, someone can hear distant cries for help, singing, or disturbing noises such as gurgling, screams, or roars of monsters that do not exist. These sounds originate from nowhere other than the wind. They are harmless, but it can frighten many and often lures people into danger.People
The people of this sky are the Moksons. They live in the country of Mokso and have a strong sense of order and rules, despite the needless complexity of their laws.The Broken Expanse
Named for a large number of islands this sky has, it is the most densely island populated sky in the world. Some islands here are close enough to easily make out details of their neighbors. This sky is the home of the Taugata.Weather
This sky is tropical. There is also much rain, but not too much wind. The rain allows for many jungles to grow in this sky, which releases pores into the sky. Often this results in a sweet smell in this sky.Oddity
The Broken Expanse not only has the most amount of islands, but it is also the home to the largest population of birds. Some of these birds, however, are mystical in nature. Talking dragons, birds that cause humans to fall in love with their music, golden egg laying parrots, and bird monsters a few examples.People
The people of this sky are known collectively as the Taugata. There are many peoples here who do not consider themselves the same, but to an outsider, there is little difference.The Cloudless Desert
The Cloudless Desert is a sky that contains very little life. The reason for this is because it is a desert. Very few rain falls here. The people of this desert are small in number and are often experts at survival.Weather
This sky is hot, dry and windy. When it rains, it only lasts a few minutes. At night, this sky becomes incredibly cold and at day it is sweltering hot. It is common for sailors to sail closer to the reflected sky during the day, and they rise higher at night.Oddity
Once a month, give or take a few days, transparent ships can be seen sailing through these skies at night. Legends say that these ships belong to those that died of thirst or heatstroke in this sky. They are physical, and several sailors have boarded them. Most find nothing, but a few witness something that they refuse to talk about. Another strange property of this sky is the sand storms. Logic would dictate the sand would simply fall, but there are storms of sand that plague this sky. There is a debate if this is a natural phenomenon or a magical effect.People
There are several minor peoples in the Cloudless Desert, but only one group is powerful enough for skyfaring. They are the Ohanzee. They are mostly a private people, but they do trade with others.Umbral Clouds
The Umbral Clouds is one of the easiest skies to recognize. This is because, as you enter it, te sun and sky becomes a dull grey color. The best way to describe this sky is eerie. Bats are common here, and the moon appears to be twice its size.Weather
The Umbral Clouds are cool overall, and it rains often. This skies clouds are large, dark, and rarely rain when you think it would. When it storms, it storms hard. Thunder and lightning, heavy rains, and strong winds destroy many ships that are not anchored to an island. The storms are not unpredictable, however. You can see a storm coming by a curtain of rain and lightning.Oddity
This skies oddity is only its appearance. The sun does not shine as bright, shadows seem darker and longer than they should. Sometimes, the shadows take a twisted and monstrous form in comparison to the object the shadow is cast from. The moon in this sky appears larger than it should.People
The major people that live in this sky are called the Riah. They are not the only people of this sky, of course, but they are the only with the means to sail the skies. The Riah are a religious people who believe that every other people is tempted by devils and must be saved.The Unmappable Sky
This sky is known as the cartographer's nightmare. There are a few islands in this sky, but rumor speaks of many islands which are not always there.Weather
This is a moderate climate sky which contains standard weather. No major storms or strange weather patterns here.Oddity
There are a few dozen islands in this sky which can only be accessed at certain times. Each island has its own schedule. For example, some only are accessible once a month, while another can only be reached by a 7th son captaining a ship. These islands seem to disappear when they are unreachable, but those on the island can leave it. When they do, they cannot return unless the conditions are meant.People
There was one people who had the means of sky sailing here, the Swassau. However, there was a devastating explosion which destroyed their main home. Now, they explore the world on giant airships.The Searing Clouds
The Searing cloud is a dangerous place to sail through. It is a warm, if not hot, climate with strange weather conditions.Weather
The weather in The Searing Cloud is certainly unique. There are standard rain clouds, but most that fall taste of sulfur and are acidic. Thick dark clouds of smoke drift through these skies as well as other, strange weather patterns. During winter, this sky is foggy but only moderately cool and summer is almost unbearably hot during the day.Oddities
The weather pattern makes it clear that this sky is a hellscape. Stranger weather than what has been discussed can exist as well. Lava and sulfur rain, smoke clouds with hungry eyes that burn anything that enters it, and even floating balls of fire. Fires in this sky are also easier to start, sometimes requiring one strike of flint to ignite a rope.People
In this sky lives the Embraw among several other peoples. They are famous for sailing the skies with metal balloons.The Unkind Sky
This sky is named after the term of a grouping of ravens, an Unkindness. The Unkind Sky contains a large number of ravens, crows, and other birds of the same family.Weather
This sky has a cool climate. It snows all winter and has comfortable summers. Autumns are chilly, but it is the season celebrated most in this sky.Oddity
The Ravens of this sky are all intelligent. Individually, they are no smarter than an average Raven, who are smart birds in themselves, but together they become more and more clever. A flock of 10 or so ravens can understand speech and 15 of them can read and write. There is a book, The Weight of a Feathers Freedom, which has the unlikely story that it was written by a large flock of ravens. Furthermore, these Ravens actively watch and spy on humans that pass through. It is a feat in itself to keep out of the sight of a Raven in this sky.People
The minor power in this sky is called The Flock. It has no real name, but it is rumored to be ruled by an ancient witch. The Flock are friendly to the Wyrd, and are at war with the church.Final Rest
This is the least traversed sky in Himinil. It is considered a foolish task to sail through it, as there are no islands to land on at all.Weather
The Final Rest is moderate temperature but rains only a little. It rains more often than the Cloudless Desert, but only slightly. However, large amounts of thick mist and clouds rise from the reflected sky. The mist is thick enough that one cannot see the reflected sky on hot days, and would only see portions of it on colder nights.Oddity
This is the sky that the Nerre come from. Sailors who sail through this sky, and survive, mention that they have seen great leviathans flying or walking in the sky. These are the Nerre. They make this Sky particularly dangerous because even seeing a Nerre can cause deadly effects.People
There are no people in the final rest.Sky of Silver Clouds
This sky is not made of silver clouds as the name would suggest, but the way the light reflects from these clouds can give them a silver lining. Though, that happens with most clouds.Weather
This is a sky with a warm climate, but not so hot to be uncomfortable. It rains fairly averagely. But sometimes weather can be witnessed to start off in the distance, and seemingly wrap around people.Oddity
This sky is famous for tempting sailors. Illusions of rich islands, other ships, large monsters, and flying loved ones are common here. Passed off as tricks of the light, some of these illusions can be particularly real looking only to reveal themselves as mundane things after getting too close or when trying to point it out. Such as a floating, laughing skull is just a fat bird or a distant floating whale is actually a cloud. Interestingly, some of the illusions are of things long since dead or extinct. Whales, sharks, squid, and other deep sea creatures can be seen floating in the air, but no one knows what they are exactly. These illusions are limited to visual, no sound is produced.people
The minor power of the silver clouds is a group called the Talons of the Sea. They are the largest mercenary group. So big, in fact, that they rival many minor powers and are considered a minor power in itself.The Stormy Sky
Cited as the most difficult, but not most dangerous, sky to travel through, the Stormy Sky is an expanse of sky and storm clouds. It nearly always rains here.Weather
Probably the sky with the most prevalent weather, it is almost always cloudy and rains very often. The storms in this sky are legendary. Lightning is almost continuous and the rain comes down like bullets.Oddity
The strangest thing in this sky is the more abnormal weather. The amount of rain and storm is not abnormal, but sometimes it can rain strange substances and objects. Blood, milk, cats and dogs, pepper, daggers, teeth, and even unidentifiable bones have been claimed to have rained from clouds. The objects that rain from the clouds can be unpredictable.People
There is no true minor power in the stormy sky, but this is the home of the pirates. Pirates and other fugitives come to this place because it is devoid of law.The Jeweled Sky
The Jeweled Sky is a favorite of adventurers because of the islands that adorn it. Most of Himinil has ruins of ancient peoples on some of their islands, but the Jeweled sky is famous for it.Weather
This sky is moderate to warm, depending on how close you are to the cloudless desert. Otherwise, its weather patterns are fairly standard.Oddity
The Jeweled sky is a fun and beautiful place to explore. However, it also has the highest chance of finding a monster. Trolls sometimes live in the ruins or villages of fae are hidden on the islands. The most dangerous aspect of sailing the jeweled sky is the rare Cloud Ring. Clouds in the shape of a ring that, when sailed through, send the ship to another sky. This can be quite inconvenient, but luckily it is rare to accidentally sail through one.People
The Gnomes are the strongest people here. Their numbers are few, but the few islands they occupy are centers of wealth and clockwork ingenuity.The Sky Below
Named as the Skies Below because of the strange tales told about it, this sky is a beautiful sky with many fluffy clouds.Weather
This sky is has a large amount of cloud and fog that drift in from the final rest. The temperature is temperate. Not too hot, nor too cold. Standard weather occurs here as well.Oddity
Often a ship will sail through a cloud, unable to see below or above them. When this happens in this sky, there is a small chance that the world will flip when they emerge. The reflected sky is above the ship, and the endless sky is deep beneath. This can be terrifying for those who have not experienced it before. When a ship in this state leaves this sky, the world rights itself. This can be quite jarring for the crew, to see the world flip around. The ship itself is always stable, it appears to be the world that moves.People
The minor power of this sky is Auscia. They are a people with a natural fear of the sky, and spend most of their time under ground. However, in recent years they have began to spread.Traveling Through the Skies
The primary, if not only way, to travel through the skies is on an airship. There are many factors that play into modern ship sailing. Specialized sextants which are modified for height, stopwatches, pressure readers, maps, bird watching, wind gauges, and other minor tools are some examples of the objects and techniques that go into sailing the skies. Each Sky has its own quirks and tricks that a captain must know if they wish to spend a long amount of time in that sky. Some captains refuse to go to certain skies because of the difficulty of sailing them. Others specialize in certain skies and know it like the back of their hand.Dangers
The skies are full of dangerous weather, people, places, and things. Every sailor should familiarise themselves with the different risks they will have to take.Pirates
Since the Great War, many ships have been built and some of them go into disuse. Bandits and ex-soldiers seek to make a living with less than moral techniques. They began to find, steal, and build airships in order to steal from those weaker than them. Pirates hunt merchant ships and plunder small islands mostly. What makes them even more dangerous is that most pirate ships are willing to take risks to get what they need. For example, they will board ships from a distance using clockwork wings, should they acquire some. Pirates also brave the harshest skies and know the dangers of the skies well.Storms
A storm is one of the more common dangers in the skies. An airship is mostly a balloon, which means that they are subject to the whim of the wind unless special precautions are made. Full power to the propellers and weakening the balloon are a few examples. The most efficient way to deal with a storm is to simply avoid it, so a keen sense of weather is vital for any sailor. Oftentimes, an airship has little choice but to follow a storm's wind, which might send a ship off course.Moth Flock's
The Mokson Giant Moth is an insect which originated in Mokso before they were driven out by an alchemist. Now, these cat-sized moths travel in flocks of hundreds from island to island. When a ship comes across a flock of them, they go after the cloth on the balloons. These moths do not attack humans, but they can pop dozens of balloons in a matter of minutes.Roc Hunters and Poachers
Similar to Pirates, Roc Hunters are an illegal sort that searches for wealth. However, the wealth they search for is a roc. Rocs are quite valuable dead, and even more so alive. However, Vadath makes it clear that hunting Rocs is a crime punishable by death. Roc Hunters and others poachers are willing to attack other ships if it means they won't be turned in for Roc hunting, and many of them are not willing to risk letting someone live that knows.Nerre
Perhaps one of the most feared and rare dangers of the sky is a Nerre. These leviathans rarely show themselves, but when they do it leaves a lasting mark on any sailors that survive an encounter, and most do not. Most folks do not believe that the Nerre exist, and the stories about them are akin to the stories of the Kraken in our world.Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
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