Driar Nori
The Unbraided Mountain • The Storm of Falling Land • The Axis of Gravity
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Overview
Driar Nori is a vast, spiraling formation of floating plateaus, shattered stone, and drifting debris that circles a colossal inertium obelisk in the skies of Avanac. From a distance it resembles a towering cyclone or tornado, but what appears to be clouds are in fact entire landmasses moving in slow, relentless orbit.
It is widely regarded as one of the most lethal environments in the known world.
Driar Nori is not a city, nor a nation, nor a natural mountain range. It is a hazard ecosystem — a mostly barren aerial wasteland where survival depends on mobility, preparation, and luck. The land offers little food, little shelter, and almost no stable ground. Most who enter do so for salvage, research, pilgrimage, or desperation.
Death is common.
And the dead do not leave.
Their spirits join the storm.
Despite the danger, small communities cling to larger, more stable plateaus in the upper orbital rings, forming fragile settlements that drift slowly through the sky.
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Geography
The Structure of the Storm
Driar Nori consists of thousands of rock masses moving in patterned orbit around a central inertium obelisk. These masses range in size from small boulders to plateau-sized landforms capable of supporting settlements.
The formation is defined by:
Constant motion
Vertical terrain
Frequent collisions
Violent debris storms
Unpredictable gravity shifts
Nothing remains still.
Even the safest ground is temporary.
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Orbital Zones
Outer Drift
The lowest and most chaotic region.
Characteristics:
Frequent falling debris
Unstable air currents
Minimal habitation
Most deaths occur here
This is where new arrivals often perish.
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Middle Rings
Dense layers of moving plateaus and debris.
Characteristics:
Primary foraging routes
Salvage operations
Spirit concentrations
Temporary camps
Most scrappers work in this region.
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Upper Rings
The most stable orbital band.
Characteristics:
Larger landmasses
Reduced collision frequency
Permanent structures
Small settlements
Homes and communities exist primarily here.
Even here, stability is relative.
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The Axis
The central region surrounding the inertium obelisk.
Characteristics:
Extreme gravitational distortion
Restricted travel
Sacred and dangerous status
No confirmed expedition has reached the obelisk itself.
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The Inertium Obelisk
At the center of Driar Nori stands a massive monolith composed of inertium, a rare mineral capable of generating its own gravitational field.
The obelisk:
Stabilizes the entire orbital system
Deflects approaching objects into orbit
Cannot be reached directly
Is the focus of religious and scientific study
Removing too much inertium from the system could destabilize the entire formation.
Because of this, the obelisk is heavily protected — not only by guards, but by the physics of its own gravity.
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Environment
A Barren Wasteland
Driar Nori is not fertile.
Most plateaus are:
Bare stone
Dust-covered
Wind-scoured
Resource-poor
Vegetation is rare and stunted.
Water is scarce.
Food must be imported or scavenged.
Survival requires constant effort.
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The Dead and the Storm
Death is common in Driar Nori.
Falling accidents, debris impacts, and navigation errors claim lives regularly.
Over time, the spirits of the dead accumulate within the system.
These spirits:
Drift through the air currents
Appear during storms
Whisper along travel routes
Sometimes guide or mislead the living
They are not inherently hostile.
But they are ever-present.
Each fatal accident adds another voice to the storm.
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Society and Population
Driar Nori has no centralized government.
Its population consists primarily of survival specialists and outsiders.
Common residents include:
Foragers
Scrappers
Necromancers
Hermits
Gravity mages
Native scavenger species
Most inhabitants live temporarily.
Few retire here.
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Foragers and Scrappers
Core Occupation
The economy of Driar Nori is built on salvage and recovery.
Nothing is mined.
Everything is found.
Foragers and scrappers search for:
Lost equipment
Wreckage
Rare materials
Navigation artifacts
Most expeditions return with little.
Some never return at all.
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Risk Culture
Survival is measured in experience.
Not wealth.
Common sayings include:
“Every tool you carry once belonged to someone who fell.”
“The storm remembers the careless.”
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Necromancers and the Undead
Necromancers are common in Driar Nori and generally accepted.
Their abilities are practical in a place where death is frequent.
They are often employed as:
Recovery specialists
Hazard controllers
Labor supervisors
Undead workers perform tasks that are too dangerous for the living, including:
Anchoring falling structures
Retrieving bodies
Holding safety lines
Clearing debris
Their presence is considered necessary rather than sinister.
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The Spirits of Driar Nori
The skies of Driar Nori contain thousands of wandering spirits.
Most originate from:
Dead foragers
Failed expeditions
Long-term residents
Spirits are a normal part of the environment.
They behave in several ways:
Drifters
Move quietly along established air currents.
Often harmless.
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Echoes
Repeat fragments of memory.
Common near accident sites.
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Guides
Occasionally lead travelers toward safety.
Not always intentionally.
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Storm Spirits
Appear during major debris events.
Often associated with sudden accidents.
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The Native Scavenger Species
The Knucklefolk
(Common nickname: “Stone Ewoks” among outsiders)
Type: Small climbing humanoids
Height: 3 to 4 feet
Build: Stocky and muscular
Habitat: Hollow boulders and cliff nests
Diet: Omnivorous scavengers
The Knucklefolk evolved directly from the harsh conditions of Driar Nori. Their bodies are adapted for climbing, balance, and survival in unstable terrain.
They are not primitive.
They are specialists.
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Physical Traits
Dense, wind-resistant fur
Wide, gripping feet
Strong forearms
Excellent night vision
Thick skin resistant to abrasion
They move confidently across surfaces that terrify humans.
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Behavior
Knucklefolk live in tight family groups and rely heavily on cooperation.
They are:
Alert
Practical
Territorial
Loyal to allies
They rarely leave Driar Nori.
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Role in the Ecosystem
Knucklefolk often act as:
Scouts
Salvage assistants
Early warning systems
Many human crews hire them as guides.
Their instincts for instability are legendary.
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The Graviturgy Order
The Gravity Mages
Identity
The Graviturgy Order is a group of mages who study and revere the inertium obelisk.
They believe gravity is the most fundamental force in existence and that understanding it is a form of spiritual enlightenment.
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Core Belief
“All motion seeks balance.”
They view the obelisk as:
A teacher
A stabilizing force
A sacred center
Their magic is derived from studying gravitational patterns and aligning their bodies with them.
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Abilities
Common gravity mage techniques include:
Gravity Anchor
Fixing objects in place.
Vector Shift
Redirecting motion.
Weight Control
Making objects heavier or lighter.
Orbital Step
Moving in controlled arcs rather than falling.
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Role in Driar Nori
Gravity mages serve as:
Stabilizers during emergencies
Navigation advisors
Observers of the obelisk
Protectors of the system
They are respected but often viewed as strange or obsessive.
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Equipment and Survival Gear
Standard Traveler Kit
Nearly everyone entering Driar Nori carries specialized equipment.
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Sandstorm Goggles
Essential protective gear.
Purpose:
Shield eyes from dust and debris
Maintain visibility during storms
Prevent blindness from airborne grit
Design features:
Sealed frames
Replaceable lenses
Tight head straps
Travelers without goggles rarely last long.
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Grappling Harness Systems
The most critical survival equipment.
Components:
Body harness
Grappling hooks
Reinforced rope
Emergency brake system
Primary function:
Prevent death during sudden falls.
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Hiking and Climbing Gear
Even in a floating environment, climbing is constant.
Common items:
Shock-resistant boots
Rope lines
Anchor spikes
Tool belts
Mobility is survival.
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Magical Protection
Some travelers rely on magic rather than equipment.
Common spells include:
Forcefield Shields
Deflect debris.
Flight Magic
Allow controlled movement through the air.
Levitation
Used by necromancers and advanced mages.
Even magical travelers often carry physical gear as backup.
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Fashion and Function
Clothing in Driar Nori is defined entirely by survival needs.
There is very little decorative fashion.
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Core Clothing Traits
Durability
Loose movement
Dust resistance
Layered protection
Most garments are:
Reinforced
Weathered
Patch-repaired
Utility-focused
Bright colors are rare.
Dark, practical tones dominate.
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Typical Outfit
A standard traveler might wear:
Dust-stained goggles
Heavy climbing harness
Reinforced boots
Thick gloves
Layered coat with tool loops
Everything serves a purpose.
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Settlements
Permanent settlements are rare but do exist.
They are typically built on:
Large plateaus
Stable orbital paths
Upper ring zones
These locations offer the lowest collision risk.
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Settlement Design
Structures are built for flexibility.
Common features:
Reinforced foundations
Multiple anchor points
Rope bridges
Emergency escape lines
Buildings are designed to survive movement.
Not resist it.
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Lifestyle
Residents of these settlements live cautiously.
Food is rationed.
Supplies are monitored.
Travel is planned carefully.
Leaving home is always a risk.
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Hazards
Life in Driar Nori involves constant danger.
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Flashfall
A sudden drop in terrain stability.
Often fatal.
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Debris Storm
High-speed fragments scatter through the air.
Common during collisions.
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Gravity Shift
Unexpected changes in movement direction.
Can throw travelers off course.
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Blind Drift
Dense dust reduces visibility to near zero.
Navigation becomes impossible.
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Spirit Confusion
Travelers become disoriented by ghostly echoes.
Often leads to fatal mistakes.
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Cultural Identity
Driar Nori is not a place people conquer.
It is a place they endure.
Most residents share a simple belief:
Survival is the only achievement that matters.
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Summary
Driar Nori is:
A floating wasteland of moving stone
A lethal salvage frontier
A gathering place for the dead
A sanctuary for gravity mages
A homeland to specialized scavenger species
A region where stability is rare and survival is temporary
And above all:
A place where every fall becomes part of the storm.