The Veilrend Heights

“Where the sky cracks, the wind sings, and dragons awaken.”

HISTORY OF THE NATIONS IN VEILREND HEIGHTS

The Skyburner Tribe – The Flamebound Guardians

• Prehistory: The earliest known inhabitants of the Veilrend Heights were Oni shamans and Avian Lyrians who dwelled in high forests and cliff sanctuaries. The two races lived in isolation until a common threat—the ancient dragon-hunters of early Xian dynasties—drove them into alliance over 1000 years ago.

• The Skybond Era: In a climactic battle above the peak now called Heavenfang Spire, a dying dragon laid an egg in the hands of a wounded Oni warrior and an avian Lyrian priestess. From the egg hatched a divine beast, symbol of unity. Thus the Skyburner Pact was born—a warrior tribe dedicated to aerial mastery and spiritual guardianship of the sky.

• War with Xian: For centuries, the Skyburners fended off imperial expansion, but gradually lost territory and were driven deeper into the highlands. They later trained the Kang rebels, regaining honor and territory through shared sacrifice.

• Modern Era: Now guardians of the inner spires, the Skyburners uphold balance, patrolling airways and keeping draconic sanctuaries hidden from imperial seekers.

The Kang Sovereignty – The Nation of Rising Flame

• Before the Uprising: Once known as the Xian Protectorate of Lianzhao, Kang was heavily taxed and culturally oppressed. The Kang people—deeply spiritual, artistic, and scholarly—were forbidden from practicing their native sky rituals and dragon lore.

• The Flame Rebellion (82 years ago): After discovering a wounded Skyburner dragon and nursing it back to health, a group of Kang villagers earned the trust of the tribe. Secret training began in the highlands.

• The War for the Sky: Over two decades, the rebellion grew. Using hit-and-run dragon tactics and air magic taught by the Skyburners, Kang rebels seized key spire fortresses and shattered the imperial supply lines.

• Independence Won: The pivotal Battle of the Broken Moon Bridge saw the fall of the last Xian fortress in the region. The Kang declared sovereignty, naming their new capital Zhendu.

• Current Era: Though independent, the Kang remain on alert. They balance traditional bureaucracy, spiritual harmony, and military readiness with their elite dragonrider guard—the Celestial Talon Vanguard—always watching the skies.

The Xian Dynasty – Empire of the Veiled Throne

• Expansionist Doctrine: For over 1,000 years, the Xian Dynasty expanded across Ryokuzan, claiming divine right through celestial mandate. The Veilrend Heights were deemed “the roof of the world,” and a sacred frontier to be conquered and tamed.

• Dragon Hunts: The dynasty once declared all dragons imperial property, leading to mass slaughter and soulbinding rituals. Xian sorcerers created obsidian chains, relics used to force draconic obedience.

• The Fall of the Heights: After decades of rebellion, Xian control collapsed in this region, but they still refuse to recognize Kang independence and label the Skyburners as heretics.

• Current Role: The dynasty runs covert operations to destabilize the region, using spies, mercenary cults, and assassins. They maintain a nearby outpost in Wujing Citadel, beyond the Veilrend borders.

NOTABLE LOCATIONS IN VEILREND HEIGHTS

Cloudspire Monastery

· Large spire-mountain in the center of the heights.

· Contains the only Air Monolith in Valdessia

· Highly spiritual place for the skyburner tribe and respected by the Kang people.

The Heavenfang Spire

• Tallest pillar-mountain in the region. The central sanctuary of the Skyburners.

• At its peak sits the Hall of the Sky Pact, where dragon and rider take sacred vows.

• A temple ruins beneath the spire is said to house the original egg that united Oni and Lyrian.

Zhendu

• Capital of Kang. Hanging bridges, terraced palaces, and dragon stables fill the skyline.

• The Seat of Harmony, built on the former ruins of an Xian outpost, serves as both palace and parliament.

• The Scroll Tower is the tallest library in Ryokuzan, housing flame-etched dragon histories.

The Drakespine Ravine

• A long chasm where wild dragons are said to be born.

• Only Skyburner shamans and bonded riders may enter without provoking the elder wyrms.

• Site of The Hissing Stones, where the wind mimics draconic voices.

The Ashened Steps

• A field of burnt, petrified trees marking the site of a climactic battle.

• Still haunted by dragon revenants, spectral remains of corrupted or soulbound dragons from the Xian era.

• Pilgrimage site for Skyburners and Kang philosophers alike.

DANGERS OF VEILREND HEIGHTS

Sky Wraiths

• Elemental spirits of air and malice born from high-altitude storms. Resemble semi-visible dragons or eagles of wind and smoke.

• Known to attack travelers not blessed by the wind spirits or wearing proper sky-Glyphs.

Corrupted Drakes

• Dragons once soulbound by the Xian, now half-mad and feral.

• Bleed glowing ichor, speak in half-human voices, and linger near old Xian ruins.

Xian Shadow Monks

• Assassins from the Order of the Obsidian Sky. Trained in necro-alchemy, stealth, and blood Glyphs/spells.

• Often operate in secret, planting cults, sabotaging Skyburner roosts, or stealing dragon eggs.

Windshriek Bandits

• Sky raiders unaffiliated with any nation, using stolen gliders and tame wyverns to attack trade routes.

• Often exiles, deserters, or failed dragon tamers.

SMALLER TRIBES AND GROUPS

The Gale-Touched

• A nomadic group of wind-attuned Lyrians, living among lower mountain valleys and river basins.

• Refuse to tame dragons but travel with giant sky-faring hawks.

• Serve as scouts, weather prophets, and neutral messengers in the region.

The Emberhearts

• A militant Oni offshoot tribe, less spiritual than the Skyburners but strong in elemental fire and air magic.

• Known for their forge-clans, who live within volcanic vents at the region’s southern edge.

• Supply enchanted weapons to both Kang and Skyburners, but remain fiercely independent.

The Ascendant Coil

• A mysterious cult said to worship a celestial serpent-dragon that coils around the world.

• Believed to be descendants of Xian exiles and rogue Skyburners.

• Secretive, dwell in the hollows of abandoned pillar cities, sometimes appear during celestial events offering prophecy… or destruction.

The Skyburner Tribe

Oni air tribe of the Pillar Peaks

Capital: Skyrend Roost

• Located atop and within the central pillar of the Heavenfang Spires, the tallest peak in the region.

• A vertical city: platforms, roost halls, and Oni-forged citadels stacked along the cliff face, connected by chains, bridges, and flying beasts.

• Drake Sanctums are hollowed-out chambers where dragons nest beside their riders’ homes.

• Features the Hall of Flamewind, where the Skyflame Chieftain rules and dragon-bonding rituals are conducted.

Important Towns:

• Ashwreath Cliffs: A mixed settlement of Lyrian wind-priests and Oni flame-weavers. Known for crafting magical sky-charms and dragon harnesses. Site of the Festival of Twin Flame, celebrating Oni-Lyrian unity.

• Featherspire Hold: A fortress built into an isolated spire, used for military training and air patrols. It has the Trial Rings, massive floating arenas where warriors prove themselves in aerial combat.

• Molten Nest: A volcanic cave system where fire-blooded dragons are bred. Maintained by Oni shamans and guarded by elite Skyburner sentinels.

Culture:

• Skyburners are warrior-mystics, blending shamanism, aerial combat, and elemental harmony.

• Tattoos and body paint reflect a warrior’s bond with sky or fire spirits.

• Highly meritocratic—strength in flight and depth in spirit earn respect.

• Taboos include harming dragons, desecrating the sky, or breaking a soulbond with a drake.

Notable Heroes:

• Chieftain Vyrraka Flamewing: Oni, she bonded with Torrhax, a golden elder drake. Known for leading the Skyburners during the Kang rebellion and defeating three Xian warships in a single flight.

• Brother Kaen of the Windsoul: A Lyrian monk who developed the Breath of the Sky martial art—blending wind magic and aerial momentum in hand-to-hand combat.

• Rokhan the Ember-Blooded: An Oni warrior who singlehandedly held off a Xian storm battalion using only fire magic and an enchanted glaive.

The Kang Sovereignty

Ancient Chinese–inspired Human Nation of Rebels, Scholars, and Dragonriders

Capital: Zhendu (Capital of Clouded Wisdom)

• A marvel of vertical architecture, built into a great pillar plateau and surrounding cliffs.

• Known for its hanging gardens, flying lantern districts, and towering libraries.

• Houses the Seat of the Jade Council, where the Sage-King rules with guidance from ministers.

• Home to the Sky Academy, where chosen Kang dragonriders train under Skyburner mentors.

Important Cities & Towns:

• Lanxue (Frozen Orchid): A mountain lake city surrounded by sakura-like trees and famous for its philosophers, poets, and ice-dragon riders.

• Qingjiu: A market town and airship dock known for trade, fine silks, enchanted teas, and spirit-infused wines. Vital crossroads of commerce between Kang and Skyburners.

• Heaven’s Anvil: A remote mountain forge-town that blends human craft with Oni flame techniques—specializes in making dragon armor and flying glaives.

Culture:

• Deeply influenced by a blend of Confucian hierarchy and Skyburner mysticism.

• Honor, wisdom, and spiritual harmony are central values.

• Dragonriders are revered as nobles, but scholars hold equal weight.

• Dragons are considered divine emissaries, and their bonds are seen as both political and spiritual.

• Celebrations like the Festival of Rising Flame commemorate their liberation with floating lanterns, sky dances, and war ballads.

Notable Heroes:

• Sage-Queen Jiayin the First Flame: The visionary ruler who united the Kang provinces, earned Skyburner trust, and led the rebellion against the Xian Dynasty.

• General Hao Lian: Known as the Skyhammer, he pioneered the first Kang aerial cavalry units and broke the Siege of Skyrend.

• Master Xin of the Still Wind: An elderly philosopher who devised the Five Harmonies Doctrine, laying the foundation for Kang’s moral-political system.

The Xian Dynasty

Tyrannical, Ancient-Chinese Inspired Empire of Order, Expansion, and Sorcery

Capital: Shendu (The Veiled Throne)

• A sprawling imperial city hidden within mist-veiled mountains.

• Built with dark obsidian and jade, featuring imperial palaces, massive shrines, and stormforged towers.

• The Emperor's seat lies within the Throne of Heaven, a palace so magically fortified it is said to be untouched by time.

Important Cities:

• Wujing Citadel: The largest military installation in the northeast, built on a plateau bordering Kang territory. Houses necro-alchemists, sky-hunters, and war dragons.

• Jinsha Hollow: A secretive city built into caverns beneath the earth, where forbidden experiments in dragonbinding and spirit-harvesting are conducted.

• Yelai Port: A southern airship dock and trade hub used to mask military operations. Ruled by corrupt nobles and infested with imperial spies.

Culture:

• The Xian Dynasty is ruled by the God-Emperor, believed to be the divine son of Heaven. His word is law.

• Society is rigidly stratified—nobility, priesthood, soldier, worker, slave.

• Fear-based governance: Obedience is maintained through military displays, spiritual intimidation, and control of history.

• The Order of the Obsidian Sky hunts rebels, dragons, and mystics not sanctioned by the Empire.

• Magic is institutionalized: alchemists, storm sorcerers, and necromancers serve the state.

Notable Figures:

• God-Emperor Hanxu the Undying Flame: Claimed immortality through soulbinding. Keeps the Xian people in awe and terror.

• Grand Alchemist Zhu Muren: Creator of the dragonbinding chains and lead researcher in soul-harvesting magic.

• Lady Shenyu of the Crimson Fan: A deadly strategist and manipulator who led the initial campaign to subjugate the Skyburners. Her current whereabouts are unknown—rumors say she’s forming a secret faction.

Regional Tensions and Themes:

• Cold War-style standoff between Xian and Kang/Skyburner forces, with periodic skirmishes and espionage.

• Dragons are central to power—breeding them, controlling them, bonding with them, or corrupting them.

• The Pillar Peaks remain a contested region spiritually and strategically.

• Prophecies among the Skyburners speak of a "Skyborn Flame" who will unite all dragonkind to burn away the old empires.