Seidrheim

“In the Ravens we Trust” - The words of Seidrheim'

Seidrheim is a Void Island located within the Vetrarsaer, of the Sky River. It has two moons, Obskur and Vanskelig. Its largest, and central settlement is known as Shamblestadt. It is a major world within the Cosmic Union, being part of the Hemmelig system, a Voidsea neighbour to the capital system, the Cairn of Hope, at a distance of only 6.4 Light years.

Among the untold thousands of worlds that are part of the Cosmic Union, Seidrheim is routinely cited as one of its most important, and is regularly cited as being one of the 100 Wondrous Worlds of the Union, alongside worlds like Valkrave and Skoga Sigurd. Central to why that is considered the case is both what the world is, and what it contains.

The world is the namesake for the classification of ‘Seidr Worlds’ - Worlds which have a very strong Taeknilogical presence. It is a key example of what a Seidr World is, having a strong connection to the Arcane. In the shadows, the world also shares a connection to the Gögna-Vaettr. Vikja are scattered amongst the regular populations, and can be found quite easily, if one knows where to look. In a similar vein, so too do the Raven Way and Iron Decree have their supporters and members, if one has connections.

Beyond the abundant presence of Taekni, the world seems to be a foreign entity in the Vetrarsaer, having arrived during the Confluence. According to archeological evidence, it has been settled by at least three different Xenos Kindes, including the Eon Xao.

Finally, the world is home to the Oathwalker Pathfinder Academy; a major institution famous for accepting those who demonstrate the most potential for the roles of Pathfinders from across the Union. Famously, the Academy does not permit more than one student per world to attend concurrently. A large number of notable figures have attended Shamblestadt, and owe their careers in part to the time they spent on the world.

Despite all of this, Seidrheim was only settled a few years after the founding of the Cosmic Union. While an ideal candidate for settlement, its status as a Seidr World made colonisation strictly forbidden under the Void Imperator. Following the downfall of the Flygia Riki however, no nearby worlds possessed the resources, or will, to settle Seidrheim. It was not until the Cosmic Union formed, and established itself, and saw the need for roles such as the Pathfinders, that colonisation was undertaken. And when Soulhope was chosen as the new capital world, it's proximity to the system finally pushed it into the limelight of colonial ventures.

Seidrheim is also under the protection of the Adepts of the neighbouring world of Maleer. It is noted that this is not an official role, and the Adepts have simply decided that Seidrheim is a world now under their protection. Despite the occasional tension this has caused, Maleer’s Adepts have been tolerated, provided they abide by local laws.

Much mystery surrounds this Void Island, in spite of its dense population and importance to the wider Cosmic Union.

Description

Environment

As seen from orbit, Seidrheim is a relatively unremarkable world. It is a terrestrial, continental world, and a perfect match for Kin environmental requirements. It possesses large forests, oceans, and a temperate climate, classifying it as a Terra World. It is home to it's own native life, in the forms of insects, fish, mammals, and lizards. There is evidence to suggest that many forms of life are not native to Seidrheim, and have been imported by the various peoples that settled the Void Island.

The most unusual features are the colour of its native plantlife and oceans. Plantlife often appears largely blue, green, and lavender, while the oceans appear to be a soft green. These appear to be natural, and are not the result of interference, be it from sapient life, or Taekni.

Seidrheim is a Seidr world, which means that for one reason or another, Taekni is particularly strong here. Across its history, this has resulted in three different civilisations establishing colonies on it. These have all fallen for a variety of reasons, leaving scattered ruins, and hidden relics all across the Void Island. Of these three, two of them were practitioners of Taekni - The Eon Xao, and the Ka’arthri. The Eon Xao are known to have collapsed during the Confluence. The Ka’arthri collapse is less understood.

Civilization

Technologically, Seidrheim is a relatively simple world. Many basic amenities are present, such as electricity and medical care, as are Voidsea ports to allow for departures and arrivals, but otherwise, Seidrheim lacks the many technological marvels found elsewhere in the Union. This is in part a pragmatic reality, and an intentional decision.

Pragmatically, the Cosmic Unions resources are already stretched thin, and Seidr Worlds can be temperamental with technology, resulting in overloaded systems, destruction, or other forms of damage. Limiting advanced electrical technology on the world was deemed a requirement for a permanent settlement. Ideologically, Seidrheim was constructed to research the Arcane, and technology was deemed unnecessary, and a low priority. This had to additional effect of makes it an appealing immigration spot for more luddite communities across the Union. However, many may find themselves disappointed, as the world is not totally detached from technology. Many advanced amenities are provided on orbiting Void-Stations, where they are readily accessible via Voidsea ports.

This meant that many of the buildings, and cities of Shamblestadt had to be made via more traditional means. Handcrafted tools, manual labour, and some assistance from the Arcane when available. Though much of the city was built up as needed over the course of thousands of years, the original settlements were constructed primarily around Shamblestadt, as it was the most important structure on the world during the initial colonization period.

Noteable locations

Seidrheim is home to many notable cities and notable locations.

Oathwalker Pathfinder Academy

The Oathwalker Pathfinder Academy is arguably the most important location on Seidrheim. It is an offshoot of the Oakenway Arcane Institute, though the two remain deeply interwoven together on an institutional level. The Pathfinder Academy is focused primarily on preparing new Pathfinders to venture into the Voidsea, explore new worlds, contact lost civilisations, and uncover new ventures that the Union can engage with.

Oathwalker Academy is considered the best Pathfinder Academy in the Union - Positions to get in are highly competitive. The Academy has a policy of only allowing one student per world to attend at any one time. Though there are no rules against it, and it has happened before, in practice, this usually only means a single person from an entire solar system.

Shamblestadt

The largest settlement on Seidrheim is known as Shamblestadt. Shamblestadt is a densely constructed city, designed to be walkable. It has several public transit networks to transport people from various locations. Shamblestadt was the first settlement on Seidrheim, and is now over 4500 years old. It is also located near the Pathfinder Academy, which it benefits from a close relationship with.

Jettied buildings and narrow streets are a major feature of Shamblestadt, with each street noted to have it's own distinct personality. Kinde from all over the Voidsea make their homes here, particularly Arcanists. It is not uncommon for alumni of either the Pathfinder Academy, or Arcane Institute to remain in Shamblestadt for a variety of reasons, including remaining close to their alma matar, or having easier access to other Arcane institutions.