Introduction to Lethea

Overview of the World

OMG LETHEA IS POST APOC RESTART SCI FI!!! I AM SO IN LOVE RIGHT NOW!
— Dimitris of World Anvil
  Over a thousand and five hundred years have passed since the disparate tribes of men, alcheni, and panedur united in their struggle against a common foe that sought their utter enslavement and destruction. Through feats of sacrifice and heroism, the free peoples of the world had vanquished the aberati, their ancient enemy, forcing them into the depths of the earth. The fear that had once gripped the world has since diminished as the violence and cruelty of mortal tyrants reigns supreme, and valiant good-hearted men and women slaughter one another over petty differences in faith.  

Rulers of Riel

There are three main species that have established powerful civilisations across the planet of Riel, the most influential of which are the humans. Besides them, there are also the panedur in their secluded realms, and the alchen who have long fallen from the great heights of their once-mighty empires. All three of these peoples are known as the geprati.  

Humans

Humans are a species of geprati who have come to dominate the world with their religious zeal, ambition, and relentless determination. Viewing themselves as righteous protectors of the free peoples of Lethea and a bulwark against those that seek their subjugation, mankind has been waging wars on both themselves and the forces of the aberati and their corrupted servants since the dawn of time.

Alcheni

Alcheni are a folk riddled with guilt, shame, and an unwavering sense of pessimism that has reduced their once grand and influential society to a state of hedonism and extremism. They are similar to humans in their appearance, with the exception of their antlers, pointy ears, a wider range of eye colours, and their slightly stronger and sharper teeth, which are better suited for their more carnivorous diet.

Panedur

The smallest of the geprati, both in terms of their stature, population, and their historical achievements, the panedur have historically dwelled on the slopes of mountains, delving deep into the depths of the earth to dig for metal and seek the enemy that lurks in the dark. While not the prettiest to look at, the panedur are a sturdy folk with heads of stone and gem, and their necks and limbs thick as oak.
 

Religious Struggles

Faith plays a vital role in the lives of the inhabitants of Lethea, especially to the humans who proudly wage wars in the name of various beliefs and deities, the most prominent of them being Aprēa. Yet even amongst the followers of the Lady of the Lake, there is still much turmoil and conflict because of various schisms that have divided the faithful, shattering the unity that Aprēaq Hūril had once brought to the world. There are plenty of non-Aprean faiths practised by mankind as well, such as the moon-worshiping Herçaliahism in places such as the Rahigina or Balicism in the Republic of Vivernia.  

Loss of Faith

While humanity might be filled with religious fervour and conviction in their beliefs, the other geprati are quite the opposite. The panedur have long since abandoned any notions of faith, instead relying on various philosophical thoughts and observable reality to make sense of the world. The once great and influential imperiums of the alcheni have gods of their own, the ancient Pantheon of the Dawn, but their faith was broken along with their spirit following the fall of the Imperium of Valhértis. There are still those who keep to the old ways, but their numbers diminish with each passing year as more and more embrace nihilism or foreign beliefs.

Lands of Lethea

The political landscape has changed greatly since the dawn of time when various civilisations began to emerge. Great empires that have ruled much of the world, such as the Empire of Lethea, have risen and fallen, while countless others have fallen victim to their neighbours, forgotten from the annals of history. Realms expand and deteriorate, forever altering the course of history and influencing people and their societies.  

Great Powers

A few of the more notable nations in the year 1567 AA would be the Empire of Pallernen, a powerful realm that had gone through a centuries long interregnum only to emerge from the ashes stronger than ever, and their rival, the Federal State of Alinhas. The two are engaged in a cold war of sorts, fighting for control and influence over the petty lords and kings of the Mettelagen and Talhenogh.   Another political entity of significant note is the Alstiseriaic of Athe, a realm of priestesses that steer the followers of Hillenēq Hūril. Their leader, the Alstiseria, has the power to summon the forces of the faithful to fight in a Divine March, a great holy war against those that threaten the faith or all of mankind. This right to proclaim the great struggle has gone unused for over a thousand years and there are many who doubt that it'll ever be used again.

Lady of the Lake
Myth | Aug 25, 2024

The Lady of the Lake is the tale that forms one of the core foundations of the most influential religion in the world, Aprēaq Hūril.

House of Pentiwichen
Organization | Dec 8, 2024

The House of Pentiwichen is the mighty and influential imperial household of the monarchs of the Empire of Pallernen that was founded by Tiyla the Blessed in 1058.

Kingdom of Enliten
Organization | Nov 14, 2024

The Kingdom of Enliten is a desolate human realm in eastern Lethea that is a popular target for migrants in search of arable land and a better life.

A New World

Although they are unaware of it, the geprati are descendants of human colonists who had been born on a spacefaring vessel, the UNS Hope. These hopeful settlers had left Earth in 2196 CE, hoping to find a new and peaceful home for themselves. Instead, they found death and destruction at the hands of the aberati. The Unity of Riel, the first human country on Riel that had united all the colonists, had been quick to fall, both due to their new enemy and internal unrest. What followed was a gruelling war, the outcome of which determined the fate of mankind.   Through the help of their superior technology and the space station that orbits the planet to this day, mankind prevailed, but a victory such as that required great sacrifice. Humanity had suffered immeasurably, losing many of their brightest minds, along with much of what they had brought with them from the old world. Without the ability to produce or maintain their equipment, the surviving humans regressed, switching out their spent firearms for spears and slings. The brutal slaughter they faced in the early years has all but been forgotten, but traces of their advanced civilisation remain scattered throughout the world.

Comments

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Oct 29, 2024 15:20 by Dimitris Romeo Havlidis

I AM BEING QUOTED :D Woooo!

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Nov 15, 2024 21:35 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Really nice overview and introduction to Lethea. <3

Emy x
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