Ethyrial & the Boden Clan

Before the great deluge the many kingdoms of the land were separated by the rolling hills and valleys that helped define their individual domains. Peace was easy, and wars infrequent as each royal family remained content with what nature and their individual gods could provide. When the world became water, those with the fortune to take to the air ignored the once terrestrial boundaries and became locked in continuous combat with their once friendly neighbors.

The strength of these warring families relied on solidarity within their ranks, and failures were marked by greed and hate infecting the royal bloodlines. Over the centuries those families not destroyed were conquered and assimilated into the less then a half dozen clans, each jealously patrolling the skies, and fiercely defending the constantly shifting borders. Of these families, there is one that has reigned supreme.

The Boden clan lead by their monarch King Solus has retained their dominance through a mixture of size, and a sense of benevolence that is rare in these times of unnecessary bloodshed. It is also said that it was Solus’ forefathers, upon hearing news of the coming flood, made an alliance with the spirits of the land, and use that power to retain their dominance. As part of that partnership, the Boden clansman have become the keepers of the precious remaining relics of the now submerged land, with their strength assured as long as they keep these treasures safe.

Prince Bree
Prince Bane
Unfortunately, though King Solus is kind, he has also become blind to a danger that has grown within his own family. Solus’ twin sons, princes Bane and Bree had grown distant over the years, each harboring a different vision for how the Boden clan should administer its dominance over the air. Using their resources, each has gained followers willing to support their diverse revelations of the future. Prince Bree has embraced his father’s love of the land and continues to dedicate his life to preserving the spirits it represented. Prince Bane on the other hand, feeling constrained and frustrated by this obligation, lusts for a new vision, one that distorts the power of these spirits, and eventually corrupting them into dark shadows of their former selves, making them unwilling servants, forced to use their power for Bane’s bidding.

Now, with the King ill, the two sons are vying for dominance and the eventual control of the Boden clan and with that, the skies. As alliances become increasingly polarized, clashes between the two princes supporters are more frequent, and often violent. Seeing an opportunity, some of the lesser outlying families have joined the conflict, each hoping to influence the outcome, and potentially reap some reward for having picked the eventual victor.

Airships

With the fertile ground completely submerged, the people of Ethyrial cling to man made vessels that sail the clouds in the vane hope of one day finding land. This necessity of staying aloft has created a wide variety of transports and floating platforms. Each clan has its own distinct style and design, while lesser groups kludge together what they can salvage, or if necessary, commandeer.

The challenge for these inhabitants of the air is a lack of building materials. Although there is the potential of finding flotsam bobbing on the surface of the endless sea, to truly survive one must make alliances that their land dwelling ancestors would never have considered. As example, the Boden Clan has fostered a unique relationship that has made this necessity less of a problem. It is said that when prophecies of the coming floodwaters met the ears of the Boden elders, they made a pact with the spirits of the land. This agreement obligated them to preserve precious relics of the land and in trade they would be protected and kept elevated, in more ways then one.

Fig. 01 - Typical Barge of the Boden Clan

As part of this pact, the Boden weave land magic into each of their vessels, and include as a passenger one or more nature guardians. These can manifest as huge “Grandfather Tree”, “Singing Stone”, or in some instances, mysterious springs that poor an endless supply of fresh water over the decks of their elevated transports. These relics are kept safe and as trade aide in the seemingly impossible task of keeping these platforms in the air.

Unfortunately, there has swelled a murmur of rebellion within the ranks of the Boden family which questions the reality of such a bond and which has actively broken all connection to these energies in search of a new source. A power that will not only keep the family aloft, but insure them dominance in the skies.