Lookout Stones

When we come across an evergaol, there are always particular enemies flocking to it, day or night. From the name lookout stones, it is obvious that they are there for surveillance, hence most stand at attention with “searchlights” fixated on the jail. This makes the enemy a sort of prison warden, monitoring the magic seal’s […]

Bloodhound Knights

Dispersed across the Lands Between lurk the Bloodhound Knights. Despite the name, they prove human, not hound. Close inspection of the warriors reveals hands with long, sharp nails but no fur, as well as feet standing on tiptoe in boots far too long for them regardless. Their weaponry adds to this impression, wielding a curved […]

Runebears

For all the wildlife populating the Lands Between, none leave as much of an impression as the runebear. The size of ten brown bears, this hulking mass of muscle and teeth knocks over trees in its rampage, sprinting after prey at ferocious speeds. Its claws smash through the earth, and its literal bear hug crushes […]

Farum Azula

Preface The march of time is kind to no one, but do I enjoy learning about the rise and fall of nations long past. We often treat the history of our day as set in stone, yet every year proves such accounts to be more narrative than fact. And as our understanding of the generations […]

Rykard

Preface Whether or not it is deliberate, Rykard twists the moral of many a fairy tale. Hansel and Gretel best captures the life lesson: beware of greedily indulging in motherly affection, lest you end up devoured. Sound advocacy for moderation from the best-intentioned mother hens, but what if you flip it on its head? Let […]

The Shattering

Preface I am no fan of the Shattering. For a war, it is remarkably straightforward, with fewer epic battles born of the twists and turns of competing egos than you would expect. As grand as the narrative makes it sound, laying out this all-encompassing civil war all out leaves me with a bit of letdown. […]

Depraved Perfumers

The description to perfume bottles claims that Leyndell’s secret art became known in the various Lands Between after their service in the Shattering. No one uses perfuming outside Altus except perfumers, and neither do we collect perfume bottles anywhere off the plateau save in Caelid where we find a traveling perfumer. Therefore, knowing about perfuming […]

The Great Jar

Whenever coming up on the Caelid Colosseum, it is inevitably the giant pot which first catches our eye. The jar practically blocks the whole arena from in front of the entrance, making it impossible to miss. Even accounting for artistic license, it is obvious that this vessel is intended to be far larger than any […]

Gaius

Gaius took an unconventional path for an Albinauric of his ilk. His missing legs affirm that he is a first-generation silver creation. At the same time, the old man received the opportunity to learn sorcery at Sellia alongside the much younger Radahn. This was in all likelihood because the elder had accompanied the young prince […]

Fringefolk Rebellion

Preface I make no secret that I am a huge fan of the Banished Knights. Since the moment I first explored Stormveil, their shining armor battered by incessant winds and dark retinue wrapped in faded reds fascinated me. As I delved deeper into their story, their past absolutely enchanted me. They are the underdogs of […]