The World of Altered
About Altered
During a planetary cataclysm now known as the Confluence, a magical storm swept over the world, erratically and fatally transforming everything in its path. The storm was triggered when the imaginary world collided with reality, and everything within it started to flood into the real world.
However, certain secluded human communities managed to survive the apocalypse and the altered world that emerged from it. Answering a mysterious call, these people converged on the peninsula that would become known as Asgartha, with the aim of building a new shared civilization together.
It is now about 500 years after the cataclysm, and humanity has finally decided to venture beyond the frontiers of its new home. To do this, it has launched the Rediscovery Endeavor, the greatest initiative in its history. Beyond the boundaries of Asgartha, humanity knows that a magical phenomenon known as the Tumult continues to alter the world.
The Factions
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Throughout Asgartha's history, six Factions have been created, each with its own philosophy and ideals. Though they must cooperate to keep the Tumult at bay, they each aspire to a different vision of what society — and the world — should be.
The Heroes
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Until now, these ever-changing lands have been too hostile for anyone venturing into them, but humanity can now turn to the Exalts: pairs of explorers who can use their powers to survive in these unstable environments. Exalts have learned to master Alteration, the power to bring their imagination to life within reality.
Through these teams of scouts, humanity intends to explore the unknown. Yet the Exalts' mission also has another purpose — they seek the legendary source of the Tumult in hopes that they can permanently stabilize the chaos in the world.
A Brief Timeline of Asgartha
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??? The Great Migration
The survivors of the Confluence, now known as the Tumult Nomads, are living in an altered world, constantly migrating to escape the devastation left by the Tumult. Responding to a mystical call, all human tribes converge on the same specific peninsula.
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1 AC Asgartha founded
All the reunited human communities found Asgartha, the new cradle and home of human civilization. By a decree known as the Concord, they come together as a single people. The initialism "AC", which stands for Anno Concordiae, is chosen to define the Asgarthan calendar.
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115 AC The arrival of the Kraken
A terrifying Leviathan settles in the western region of Asgartha. The Asgarthans are forced to flee this region, now known as the Lost Province of Caer Oorun. A magical wall is erected to prevent the Kraken from destroying the rest of the peninsula.
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194 AC The whole peninsula is explored
After nearly two centuries of exploration, the Asgarthan peninsula is almost entirely inhabited by the survivors, from the capital, Arkaster, to the island of Suspira at its eastern end.
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259 AC Asgartha becomes a republic
After periods as a kingdom and then a federation, Asgartha becomes a participatory republic, ruled by a Basileus or Basilissa.
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295 AC Enactment of the Covenant
After a series of devastating conflicts, the Factions decide to sign an enduring pact of non-aggression and understanding — the Covenant — through which they all agree to cooperate for the common good.
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368 AC Announcement of the Rediscovery Endeavor
Basileus Avkan ruun-Heshkari requests an extension of his term to oversee the implementation of the Rediscovery Endeavor, a massive joint initiative to return to the regions still affected by the Tumult.
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392 AC Launch of the Rediscovery Endeavor
After nearly four centuries, humanity is finally ready to leave its home and explore the world. The Solstice Gate, closed centuries ago, will open once more to let the exploration teams through. But to venture into the unknown, the Asgarthans must first face the Kraken — and defeat it.
All Lore Articles
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Heroes
33
Want to know more about Sierra & Oddball? Delve deeper into the Lore of Altered!
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During the paranoid reign of Ayxas, the Mad Kuningas sought to crush any groups that could threaten his sovereignty.
Thanks to recent information, we have been able to reassess the situation we are facing within the Storhvit. Even though these findings should still be taken with caution, they may provide us with new insights into the repeated assaults of the Belisenki.
Few can claim to have left as deep an imprint on Asgarthan society as Vaike Swiftwater. This engineer and pioneer is widely regarded as the catalyst behind the Industrial Revolution and the unification of Asgartha’s technical Guilds under the Axiom banner.
This historian, with his long white beard and kindly face, devoted his life to preserving the remnants of human history.
It was strange, sometimes, what one might find on their doorstep. That morning, upon opening it, there was a freshly killed field mouse.
His feet press into the earth, and he lets his toes sink into the humus. Waving his shepherd’s staff, he guides his dogs with whistles, clicks of the tongue, or hoots to direct the flock.
A will of iron? At the very least, a will of stone… That’s how far Isaree’s temperament goes. Once she has something rooted in her, nothing can make her change. From her convictions to her friendships, she doesn’t compromise on anything.
Just watching what surrounds him, trying to make sense of its existence. Sitting there, in the middle of nowhere, or isolating himself in the crowd by closing his eyes, slowly letting meditation take over.
Virtue and dishonor. Those two words shape Zhen’s story, and they express the weight she has carried on her shoulders since childhood.
The transport barge groans and creaks around them as it wrestles with the turbulence. In the dimness of the cabin—banished only by the faint glow of a few kelonic sconces bolted to the walls—they wait, strapped tight into their seats.
Following the Althing and the summoning of the Bravos Fyrds, our researchers have compiled, for the hunter assemblies, all available data concerning the Leviathan known as “Halua.”
For Kauri, Eru is a mentor, a confidant. For his parents, he is the guardian spirit of harmony between humans and animals—one of the Oneiroi prayed to by shepherds and herders.
Even now, when she hears sirens tear through the night, she bolts upright, ready to throw on her clothes in a rush—before remembering she no longer has to.
She sometimes thinks back to Amorgand—its milky waters, the lotus flowers budding across their surface when molting season comes… She used to wake to the sound of sails snapping above her skiff. They no longer served any purpose, of course.
A wasp lands on his hand, its abdomen twitching, and he simply watches it without fear of being stung. For this swarm has no queen, but a king.
Factions
6
Want to know more about the Axiom Faction? Delve deeper into the Lore of Altered!
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World
26
Not all who wander are lost, so set out and discover the world of Altered !
The Province of Caer Eidos consists of three islands: Sekent, Kemeri, and Nisan. Its rugged terrain has served as a natural protection to the human communities that settled there after the Great Wandering.
Accessible only by water or via its unique bridge from the island of Nisan, the "Mugen," Kirighai is almost entirely covered by a dense and primal forest, the Katkera. This wild territory is sparsely populated by humans: only the Muna Refuges (or Temples of Serenity) constitute inhabited enclaves.
The largest peninsula in the Asgarthan Protectorate, located south of the capital beyond the Muir Concordia, is divided into two Provinces: Caer Kettria to the west and Caer Arcolano to the east. Like Enosha, Anthea is considered an agrarian and pastoral territory, and the capital heavily relies on the food resources from this peninsula to feed its population.
Located east of the Kirighai peninsula, Enosha is also divided into two Provinces: Caer Esvander to the west and Caer Alcada to the east. While Anthea is mainly specialized in cereal, fruit, and vegetable cultivation, Enosha is characterized by the strong presence of pastures and mountainous regions. This is why it is renowned for its livestock and mineral quarries.
An almost uninhabited volcanic island, made of black stones and sands, Suspira bathes in an unreal end-of-the-world atmosphere. Located far from Arkaster, it is called the "whispering island" or the "isle of murmurs," referring to the sulfuric vapors that almost constantly exhale from the ground.
The Asgarthan Peninsula is almost entirely surrounded by seas. Throughout history, it has relied on their maritime resources to meet the needs of its population. Even today, despite the airships and aerodynes traversing the sky, numerous vessels still crisscross these aquatic expanses, whether for fishing or transporting goods.
Vagheria is an austere and rugged peninsula constantly battered by rain. Its terrain makes it a natural barrier against the Tumult currents, and it absorbed the majority of the mutagenic flows from the titanic Tumult tsunami of 305 AC.
Their footsteps make the ground tremble and the mountains shake, their silhouette obscures the sun when they spread their wings or soar above the clouds... Leviathans are titanic creatures, large enough to cover vast cities.
Nearly three centuries ago, Asgartha encompassed another Province: Caer Oorun. This territory was part of the same Oasis as the rest of the Peninsula. Initially, it was an agrarian area upon which the human colony of Asgartha relied to meet its needs.
After long and perilous journeys —some even lasting the span of a human lifetime— the communities of survivors, now known as Tumult Tribes or Nomads, found themselves in the same place, finally reunited after decades of isolation.
It's not all harshness in the altered world; one must also know how to commemorate what deserves to be celebrated!
As Asgartha was gradually populated, urban centers formed naturally in all corners of the Peninsula.
As Asgartha was gradually populated, urban centers formed naturally in all corners of the Peninsula.
Known as the "City of Alabaster" or simply the "First City," Arkaster is the capital of Asgartha and the chief town of Caer Eidos. The metropolis itself, nestled between the peninsulas and islands of Sekent, Kemeri, Kuna, and Nisan, has more than 695,000 inhabitants, nearly a quarter of the entire Asgarthan population.
Delve deeper into Asgartha's capitol to better understand how the Asgarthans live !
Outside of its rail network (trams, trains) and its short- and long-haul air routes (airships), the democratization of the Kelon has led to the emergence of numerous ground vehicles on the city's streets, ranging from unicycles to automobiles, including automated carriages. However, these vehicles remain seldom used, as the Asgarthan topography and infrastructure are still not well-suited for these modes of transport.
Discover how Asgartha is governed and by whom.
On the menu of this article, we have hard cash and food for thought!
The vanguard of the Expeditionary Corps has been deployed in the region named "Storhvit" by the first scouts of the exploration forces. While the Rediscovery Endeavor benefited from mild Tumult currents in Caer Oorun, the same cannot be said for areas beyond the borders of the rehabilitated Province.
Those we call the "White Shadows" are now targeting our convoys. The first recorded attack came from a hunting party that had ventured into the tundra in search of game.
While exploring the winding tunnels of the Cerulean Hollow, an Yzmir mage happened upon a most intriguing cavity by pure chance. The secluded grotto, hidden from sight and far from the open air, was home to swarms of ethereal Moths.
After months of travel, the Expeditionary Corps have established their first forward outpost deep within the Tumult.
The City of Scholars. It is in the annals of Baird y Idris, Shepherd of the Sunset Tribe, that we find the first and only references to this city, which once served as a stopover for some of the western Tumult Nomads as they made their way toward Asgartha.
Who ever said there was nothing in the sky but cotton-candy shapes and hailstones the size of candy drops? At first, I thought this was going to be a dull cruise, where I’d spend my time pacing circles in my cabin or on deck. But in truth, the Sea of Clouds is like an ocean.
Aside from Halua, the armada has encountered other Leviathans within the Sea of Clouds. While most do not appear to display aggression toward our squadrons, others can prove more problematic if safety protocols are not followed to the letter.
History
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The launch of the Expeditionary Corps marks the beginning of a new era: welcome to the Age of Rediscovery!
It is difficult to know how many years this period actually lasted. During this troubled era, few cared to measure time with precision... However, it is commonly accepted that the Great Wandering lasted between one hundred and one hundred and fifty years.
Even now, it remains one of the most enigmatic mysteries in the history of Asgartha. After over forty years of reign, Rune, the first High King of Asgartha, vanished without a trace, as if by magic. His quarters were found empty, his rooms abandoned.
Seventy years after its founding, Asgartha faced dark times that nearly led to the fall of humanity's cradle. In 42 AC, Cwaith had succeeded Rune, and Ayxas was poised to take over after the High Queen, whose reign had lasted nearly twenty-eight years. Under the influence of the Kuningatar, the living conditions of the Asgarthans had greatly improved.
For nearly three-quarters of a century, the Nifir had regularly plagued the Asgarthan population. Brought back from the salt mines of the island of Suspira, this unknown disease spread like an ink stain across the rest of the Peninsula.
The beginning of the third century was marked by the gradual rise of the Governors, who were tasked with developing Asgartha’s Provinces, as they were granted near full regional powers. This key role allowed them to amass wealth and influence, to the point where they eventually challenged the authority of the Basileus. As infrastructures and cities developed and regional economies grew, so did their personal ambitions.
Already ravaged by the Severance War, the third century ends in the bloody twilight of a new conflict, called the Three Factions War. For many years, three of the five existing Factions engaged in a fierce struggle for influence within the corridors of the Asterion. What began as mere political maneuvers turned into open warfare among the rivals.
Following the abandonment of Caer Oorun, now under the Kraken’s rule, the displaced population had to find a new land to rebuild everything.
Sunn opens the newspaper, looking for some kind of distraction. Tomorrow, she’s leaving the field hospital—headed for the outpost.
The announcement struck the Asterion like a thunderclap. Anuncia ruun-Aysun and Amaro Arundhani, both candidates in the basileal election, have formalized their union — in life and on the political stage.
The Turmoil. That’s what they call this endless sea of clouds. We’ve been flying over it for nearly two weeks now, enduring its perilous whims.
Stories
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The descendants of the Rune Knights have benefited from the aura of their illustrious ancestors. As a result, these ancient families have, over time, become the aristocratic class of Asgartha. The ruun-Heshkari, ruun-Caellach, and other ruun-Tighe Houses have always been closely associated with power, regardless of the ruling regime or political system of the time.
When it comes to tragic love, the story that most easily comes to the minds of the Asgarthans is that of Nittaya Vorona and Acantha Shah, also known as the Paramours of Seki.
Waru Toowoom - Paper Herald - Butterfly Folding - Rhombus Categorization / Priority 6
The workers assemble the bleachers with their usual casual indifference. It’s always hard to believe the stage will be ready on time, but the miracle will occur again tonight, as always.
A horn’s roar pierces the night. Tocsin. I would recognize him anywhere.
I step out of the transport’s cabin, my senses on high alert. Fastening my belt around my hips, I check my sword.
Drawing on the theories of Moyo Chibuye, the Expeditionary Corps successfully traversed the Belasenka territory without incident. At great cost, they managed to establish a makeshift camp on the foothills of the Cais Adarra.
Although many had hoped to find a significant Kelon deposit at the heart of the Cais Adarra, the mountain ultimately holds no kelonic vein. Instead, it harbors a colossal tree, one whose proportions rival those of the Spindle.
With trembling hands, Efrén unseals the envelope, speckled with dried mud and old water stains. He recognized the sender instantly, of course. At first glance.
Born in 277 AC during the reign of Assura ruun-Caellach, Aroro Niski demonstrated exceptional Alteration abilities from a very young age, just like her older sister before her and her younger brother a few years later.
The storm was still rumbling when Kuraokami took flight, emerging from the shattered trunk of the Nilam. The Tumult hurricane was raging then. But when he rose high into the sky, his roar alone was enough to scatter the clouds gathered over the Storhvit.
A strange affliction is spreading among our Alterers, and I must explain every detail to you, for my fears are growing regarding the scope of this, until now, unknown blight. As a Sister of the Cloister, it is my duty to try to understand its mechanisms, to contain it as much as possible, and above all, to inform you—so that action might be taken.
As I suspected, the confrontation with the Hunger was grueling for many of the Exalts, especially as it came directly on the heels of the already exhausting events of Caer Nilam.
During the first few weeks, speaking with the Reka was no easy task. I had to patiently listen to the interpreters and rely on numerous translators and transcribers…
Resources
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The gates of Asgartha are now opening. It is up to you to make sense of the unknown that is now unfolding before your eyes.
Do you want to learn more about the cosmology of Altered? Open the doors of imagination!
After centuries of isolation, humanity's new home is now sufficiently stable for it to turn its gaze outward. It already knows that there are other shores, other territories still affected by the Tumult, but capable of sustaining life.
Asgartha was not built in a day.
The Rediscovery Endeavor has been underway for nearly eight months now — a fitting time to take stock of its progress.
Get up to speed with the Whispers from the Maze storyline and get ready to dive into the adventure of Skybound Odyssey!
After the Confluence, nature and its laws seemed to have been so deeply altered as to become unrecognizable. In a world overturned from top to bottom, humankind searched for answers, for meaning, for a new framework through which to understand reality.
Get up to speed with the Skybound Odyssey storyline and get ready to dive into the adventure of Seeds of Unity!
Discover the story of Seeds of Unity in our Storybook, featuring every novella written for the set, and retrace the story of the reunion between the Reka and the Asgarthans.
Discover the story of Roots of Corruption in our Storybook, featuring every novella written for the set, and rtrace the story of the emergence of the Nightmares and the fall of the Reka capital.