Fantasy Books on Arora

[Blue Aisle]

Arora is one realm that knows no peace. Having their world ripped into three different pieces, they each yearn for unity, but are unwillingly to relinquish any control.

The Underdark

These deep dwelling denizens are strangely colored. They control the entirety of Arora's underground. Throughout millenniums, the drow have carved themselves into the earth, and called their section of it the Underdark. They reside in hidden compartments amongst elaborate mazes, filled with endless turns and hazardous traps. There are no lights as darkness does not hinder the drow. Anyone who carries a lantern oust themselves an intruder, making it significantly difficult to maneuver without detection. The drow live long lives, but it is uncertain if this is an innate advantage. They have known to create curious elixirs that consist of... questionable ingredients. The elixirs are kept strictly in the Underdark, selling them to outsiders is punishable by death under the rule of Valaine, the Empress of the Drow. The power to rule is taken by killing its previous owner. The drow empire is a matriarchy, male drows are considered the lesser sex. Religiously, their God is the Valsharess, mother of all the drow.

Empress Valaine in all her glory
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The Freelands​

The surface, also known as the Freelands to those who reside upon it, is the face of Arora. Between all three planes, the Freelands has the most diverse terrain, animal life, and vegetation. Unlike the celestials or the drow, the humans that reside here could not be convinced to follow one leader. The surface harbors constant power struggles. Small kingdoms, religious cults, and even bands of thieves fight to establish authority on these rampant lands. The surface rests between the Underdark and the Skies, and is often caught in the crossfire of the two rulers who hate one another more than anything. A large part of the surface's population lives a nomadic lifestyle, many are hunters or mercenaries, traveling from place to place until their legs can no longer move them. Humanity does not bow their head to one God, but most will refer to him as the Maker. The faith of the surface deviates wildly, to the point where bloody crusades are not uncommon.

The Skies​

Residents of the skies did not give their part of Arora its own name. Like the drow, they are mostly at peace with each other. They unite under the rule of the Divine. This holy title is given as a birthright, passing down from one Divine to the next. They are only allowed one child, and should anything happen to the heir, the closest relative takes the crown. The Divine leads the celestial army against their unholy enemies, and lives in seclusion from the rest of the skies. This is to keep the Divine from becoming tainted by their inferiors. The celestials are perhaps the most beautiful of the three races, with elongated limbs, delicate features and various wing colors. However, they do suffer the short comings of having a very limited lifespan. Most celestials only live 60 years, and they tend to be physically frail. On the upside, their magical abilities are often more potent and powerful. They were given the gift of flight by their deity Edros, so that they may roam the skies freely. They are also a vigilante race, often flying down to "enforce God's will" against the lesser races (even though it's none of their business).

Guther the Divine


On Magic​

Everybody can use magic. Everyone is born with their own essence of magical ability. One can invoke their inner power by saying a line of prayer, their religious inclination does not matter. The magical powers of Arora have great variety. As the legends say, there was the man who could shoot bullets of fire from his fingers, and then there was the man who could turn garbage into gold. Which ability would you rather have?

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