The world of Eirendel

A hidden realm of snowflakes and starlight, accessible only through rare doorways such as wardrobes of forgotten cottages, frost-covered mirrors, shimmering cracks in a winter-storm sky, mossy covered caves. Chosen people accidentally slip into this world during the Solstice, when dimensional boundaries are thin.

The world survives on a perfect equilibrium: 50% Heart Fire from the light realm and 50% Night Mourn from the dark. At the center of each realm lies a heart-shaped vessel where its energy is gathered—the light’s Heart Fire born from human joy, warmth, hope and positive emotions, and the dark’s Night Mourn shaped from sorrow, fear, and every shadowed emotion.

In the beginning, the world was forged from pure Night Mourn. From that darkness rose King Saint Nikolaus, once a creature of the night who transcended his origins and began cultivating Heart Fire. His ascension split existence into two realms—light and dark.

But when Heart Fire grew beyond its half of the balance, it awakened the Dark Monarch, King Krampus, destined to restore equilibrium by force. Upon discovering Nikolaus’s “betrayal” to the light, Krampus declared eternal war.

Now, the world survives in a constant clash of joy and sorrow—its fate forever caught between two kings and the fragile balance of their hearts.

Note: People can enter during solstice, but they are able to return at any time.

Heartfire & Night Mourn

Heartfire is the magical representation of (but not limited to) smiles, laughter, tears of joy, warm hugs, love, positive emotions.

Night Mourn is the magical representation of (but not limited to) tears, frown, angry shouts, violent actions, hate, negative emotions.

Geography

Eirendel is divided into two halves:

• The Radiant North (Light): ruled by King Saint Nikolaus, Santa, protected by positive emotions.

• The Umbral South (Dark): ruled by King Krampus, the Dark Monarch, empowered by negative emotions.

Phases of the day:

• Radiant North only experiences: dawn, sunrise, morning, afternoon.

• Umbral South only experiences: sunset, dusk, night, wee hours.

Radiant North (light)

A land of perpetual daylight reflecting off crystalline snowfields.

Key Regions:

• Aurora Citadel: Santa’s palace. Its roof captures aurora beams to maintain Heart Fire.

• Gingertown: A cozy city built from enchanted sweets, home to tinkerers, bakers, alchemists.

• Toyforge Peaks: Mountains filled with workshops and heat vents from magical furnaces.

• Reindeer Highlands: Plains where the Sky-Steeds (sentient reindeer or elk spirits) roam.

Note: All the locations above serve to illustrate the region. You don't have to follow them to a T, with exception of Santa's palace, that is canon. You are free to create your own locations.

Umbral South (dark)

A land of twilight and icy winds where corrupted creatures roam.

Key Regions:

• The Obsidian Keep: Throne of King Krampus, built from black ice.

• Hollow Pines: Forests filled with whispering trees, where lost memories hang as ornaments.

• The Frostscar Chasm: A canyon where corrupted light-creatures are remade.

• Nightmare Marsh: Swamps where despair thickens into mist.

Note: All the locations above serve to illustrate the region. You don't have to follow them to a T, with exception of Krampus's keep, that is canon. You are free to create your own locations.

Races

Quick reference notes:

• You are not limited to these races below.

• If you'd like to come up with a race that isn't on the list, make sure it matches the region's vibe. If you're unsure, ask one of the event hosts.

• There can be humans in Eirendel, user isn't the only one.

Races (Radiant Light)

Warm, lively, whimsical, myth-inspired races built around joy, celebration, creativity, and winter folklore.

1. Snow Elves

• Tall, graceful, silver/white hair, pale-blue glowing eyes.

• Masters of frost-magic, star-mapping, songcraft.

Notes:

• Peaceful but powerful

• Heartfire artisans

• Can be corrupted (become Night Elves)

2. Hearth Elves

• Shorter, cuter, classic holiday elves.

• Warm-toned skin, bright eyes, always crafting or singing.

Notes:

• Innately generate Heartfire

• Santa’s closest helpers

• Harder to corrupt

3. Snow Dwarves

• Stocky, broad, with white/beige beards that frost naturally.

• Master metalworkers and crystal miners.

Notes:

• Build Santa’s enchanted tools

• Very loyal

• Can be corrupted into Frostbane Dwarves

4. Reindeerfolk (Caribou Spirits)

• Humanoid with antlers, fur accents, hooves.

• Swift runners, Heartfire “conductors” (they boost Heartfire around them).

Notes:

• Ancient companions of Santa

• Rare, noble

• Corrupted version: Nightstalkers

5. Ursakins (Polar Bearfolk)

• Large, proud, honorable warriors.

• Fur patterns show their lineage.

Notes:

• Defenders of the Aurora Citadel

• Slow to anger

• Extremely difficult to corrupt

6. Frost Sprites

• Tiny winged beings of ice and shimmer.

• Create snowflakes, illusions, glittering frost patterns.

Notes:

• Embodiments of Heartfire

• Easily captured by Dark forces

7. Heartwood Dryads

• Tree spirits tied to the evergreens.

• Wander the woods as humanoids made of bark and glowing sap.

Notes:

• Store Heartfire in their trees

• If corrupted, become Thornwood Dryads

8. Solstice Witches

• Warm witches who brew potions of courage and comfort.

• Hearthfire spellcasters, guardians of tradition.

Notes:

• Matriarchal circles

• Use candle magic

• Corrupted form becomes Blackthorn Witches

9. Aurora Djinn

• Radiant spirits formed from aurora lights.

• Gentle, compassionate, can manipulate Heartfire directly.

Notes:

• Rare, barely humanoid

• Cannot be fully corrupted but can be dimmed

Races (Umbral South)

These races thrive on fear, shadows, sorrow, cold, and manipulation. Inspired by dark fairytales, Scandinavian/Nordic monsters, folklore demons, and gothic fantasy.

1. Shadowborn

• Humanoid, lithe, dark-eyed, shadow-veined.

• Masters of stealth, illusions, whisper-magic.

Notes:

• Born in the Umbral forests

• Not inherently evil, but raised in shadow

• Feed on Dreadfrost

2. Krampuskin

• Horned satyr/demon-like folk.

• Goat legs, fanged smiles, powerful cold magic.

Notes:

• Loyal to King Krampus

• Brutally strong

• Cannot wield Heartfire

3. Woeghasts

• Spirit-like beings formed from pure sorrow.

• Tall, gaunt, with hollow faces and drifting cloaks.

Notes:

• Absorb emotions

• Cause despair by proximity

• Once were mortal

4. Flesh-wights

• Corrupted animal spirits—wolves, foxes, owls—taken over by gloom.

Notes:

• Move unnaturally

• Eyes glow violet

• Completely driven by instinct

5. Nocturnes

• Elegant, pale, shadow-blooded beings.

• Thrive on secrecy, charm, whispered deals.

Notes:

• Seductive but terrifying

• Live in the Obsidian Keep

• Manipulate Night Mourn energy like a conductor

6. Sirens of the Umbral Coast

• Cold-water merfolk with bioluminescent tears.

• Their songs drain Heartfire from listeners.

Notes:

• Dark, tragic backstories

7. Dark Frost Revenants

• Dead warriors frozen in black ice.

• Bound souls wielding cursed weapons.

Notes:

• Immortal unless purified

• Serve King Krampus as elite guard

8. Ice Trolls

• Massive, brutish, ruthless.

• Made of stone and frozen mud.

Notes:

• Simple-minded

• Devastating in war

9. Thornwood Dryads

• Former Heartwood Dryads corrupted; now vines, thorns, and black sap.

Notes:

• Spread corruption

• Whisper through roots to spy