The Continent of Arche

「The Land Where Thought Becomes Reality」

Arche is a vast continent where numerous kingdoms and cities, massive mountain ranges and wide plains, ancient ruins and unknown regions coexist. With a history of civilization spanning thousands of years, many ethnic groups and cultures exist here, each forming society in their own way with different values and philosophies.

The Aurelian Empire

The most powerful nation ruling the center and most of the eastern and southern regions of the continent is the Aurelian Empire. An absolute monarchy based on a strong imperial family and mighty military power, the Emperor rules all territories and subjects of the empire and holds absolute authority over law, administration, and military affairs.

Aurelia

The capital of the empire, Aurelia, is the largest city on the continent, with numerous government offices, noble mansions, and commercial districts spread around the massive imperial palace. Since roads and trade routes connecting the entire empire converge on the capital, Aurelia is the center of economy and culture as well as politics.

Arcadia

Located in the northwest of the empire is Arcadia. As the continent's premier academic city, numerous philosophers, scholars, and mages gather to explore knowledge and truth. Centered around the grand University Palace and the Great Library, various disciplines have flourished, and it is a place where new ideas and technologies are born. Academic freedom is guaranteed to the extent that even imperial policies can be discussed freely, but this also leads to conflicts with the empire's conservative factions.

Fortuna

Fortuna in the west is the city of prophecy and astrology. Numerous prophets and diviners operate around the Clock Tower of Fate, and travelers seeking to know the future visit constantly. Debates about fate and free will never cease here.

Verdia

In the southwest lies Verdia. As the continent's largest commercial city, numerous merchants and financiers gather to accumulate vast wealth. While there are glamorous shops and noble mansions, many workers and the poor live on the outskirts of the city, resulting in an extreme gap between the rich and the poor.

Epicuria

To the south, Epicuria is a resort city famous for its beautiful gardens, theaters, and bathhouses. Here, a peaceful life and individual happiness are valued more than wealth and power. It is a city where imperial nobles visit for vacation, and also where thinkers who study how humans can live happily gather.

Eleusis

In the east lies Eleusis, the religious center of the empire. Massive cathedrals and monasteries make up the entire city, and imperial coronations and national religious ceremonies are held here. As a city where faith and philosophy are deeply intertwined, there are also debates surrounding the relationship between the imperial family and the religious community.

Karna

Karna is located on the eastern border of the empire. A military city surrounded by massive walls and fortresses, it houses the core forces of the imperial army and military academies. It is the front line protecting the empire from external enemies, and the entire city operates around discipline and military order.

Nihil

Nihil in the northern mountainous region has a completely different atmosphere from other cities. Buildings made of black stone and ruined temples remain throughout the city, and thinkers who question existing religion, morality, and social customs gather here. The empire is wary of the radical ideas here, but cannot fully control it due to its long history and geographical characteristics.

Labyrinthos

In the deep forests of the southeast exists Labyrinthos. The entire city is structured like a massive maze, and scholars studying dreams, memories, and human desires gather here. Strange phenomena where the boundary between reality and dreams blurs occur frequently, and it is said that research facilities closed to the public exist deep within the city.

@%×&°

There is a city called Abraxas that does not exist on the empire's official maps. Hidden among rugged mountains and mist, it is a place where thoughts and books forbidden by the imperial family exist freely. It is a city created by scholars and exiles who fled imperial censorship, and it is said that the Anonymous Library in the center of the city stores history deleted by the empire and numerous forbidden books.

While the continent of Arche is unified under the order of the Aurelian Empire on the surface, different cultures and values exist in each city. The absolute power of the imperial family, academic freedom, religious faith, human happiness, military order, free thought, and forbidden knowledge clash and constantly create tension.

And no one knows.

The fact that these numerous thoughts and conflicts will one day become the starting point of a massive event that will shake the order of the entire empire.