> There is a castle on a cloud. I like to go there in my sleep. Aren’t any floors for me to sweep. Not in my castle on a cloud… The essence of air is far more than mere movement. It is the silent breath of life, the invisible pulse that stirs the stillness, and the whisper of change carried through unseen currents. It is a force both tender and tumultuous—a breath that can give life just as easily as it snatches it away. Air unravels ignorance like a cool breeze clearing suffocating fog, but it can also spiral into chaotic tempests, uprooting everything in its path. In the vast, weightless domain of the Plane of Air, there is no horizon, only an endless expanse where the wind reigns supreme. Constant, fickle, and unyielding, the winds shift in unpredictable patterns, an eternal ballet of force and grace. Some are no more than a gentle whisper, others howl with such fury they seem to tear at the very fabric of reality. Suspended within this boundless space are the fragments of worlds lost to the Plane of Earth’s ambition—chunks of land, torn and scattered, left to drift in an ethereal sea of air. These islands, relics of forgotten invasions, now serve as homes for the elemental creatures who call this place theirs. Their surfaces, overgrown with strange, resilient vegetation, offer brief sanctuaries in an otherwise untamable wilderness. Farther out, castles and towns rest impossibly upon cloud banks, their foundations held aloft by magic so ancient and deep it seems a part of the very air itself. These clouds, shimmering with faint glimmers of arcane power, feel firm underfoot, yet they threaten to dissipate with a shift in the winds, a reminder of how fragile this world truly is. Visibility often falters; drifting cloud banks, thick and impenetrable, can turn the endless openness into a claustrophobic maze of fog and shadows, where the way forward is never clear. Storms haunt the plane with terrifying regularity. Most are violent squalls—thunder growling in the distance, lightning cracking the sky in sudden flashes—but there are others that dwarf these. Tornadoes twist in the distance like the angry fingers of gods, and hurricanes roar across the Windscape, their winds capable of ripping flesh from bone. Rain comes as a cold kiss, a rare occurrence in this wind-battered expanse, while snowfall is a fleeting wonder, often turning violent before it can be appreciated. The Plane of Air is dominated by the _Windscape_, a labyrinth of currents and gusts that make up the very bones of this realm. From gentle breezes to shrieking gales, the winds here move with a will of their own, a chaotic force that even the most skilled flyers cannot fully tame. To soar through these skies is to submit to their whims—one must fly with the wind, or risk being torn apart by its unpredictable fury. Each gust carries with it the weight of untold stories, the echoes of lost worlds and forgotten lives, swept away in the currents of this ever-shifting plane. In the Windscape, survival is not just a matter of skill, but of surrendering to the madness of the storm. --- # **Locations in the Endless Skies** 1. **The Drifting Isles** **Description:** Suspended in the endless expanse of the Plane of Air, these are the remnants of failed incursions from the Plane of Earth. Chunks of land torn free during ancient wars, now drifting aimlessly on unpredictable wind currents. Each isle is unique—some overgrown with strange flora, while others are barren and scarred, crumbling slowly with time. The vegetation here has evolved to anchor itself to the loose, floating soil, growing in strange, curling forms to better grip the terrain. These isles serve as makeshift homes for elemental air creatures, acting as rare, solid ground in a realm of endless sky. 2. **Cloud Cities** **Description:** Ancient settlements, built upon magical clouds solid enough to support entire towns and castles. The magic here feels both omnipresent and fragile, as if a single misstep might cause the ground to vanish beneath one’s feet. The architecture of these cities often reflects the fleeting nature of their foundation, with ethereal towers and winding streets that seem to evaporate into mist. Cloud Cities are often home to creatures or civilizations that have mastered the art of riding the winds and harnessing air magic to maintain their fragile existence. 3. **The Shroud** **Description:** A region dominated by thick, impenetrable cloud banks. Visibility is reduced to almost nothing, and the dense fog shifts constantly, trapping travelers in a claustrophobic labyrinth. It’s said the Shroud is alive, sensing those who enter, and that no one escapes without first confronting the phantoms of their past. The winds here whisper secrets, and the atmosphere is charged with a heavy, melancholic magic that weighs on the soul. 4. **The Tempest’s Eye** **Description:** A massive, perpetual storm at the heart of the Plane of Air. From a distance, it appears as a swirling vortex of clouds, lightning flashing within its depths, but at its core lies an eerie calm. This place is filled with ruins of once-great cities swallowed by the storm. Time itself seems distorted here, with echoes of the past lingering in the air, and the very winds capable of driving the unprepared mad. 5. **The Windscape** **Description:** The Windscape is a labyrinth of air streams and shifting currents that make up the majority of the Plane of Air. It is an ever-shifting network of wind, ranging from gentle breezes to gales that scream through the air like tortured souls. Creatures navigating the Windscape must be attuned to its constant changes, flying with the winds rather than against them. The currents here can carry travelers for miles in a blink of an eye, or leave them stranded in a calm, windless void. 6. **Storm Cradle** **Description:** A cradle of crackling storms, where lightning is born and thunder reverberates like a constant drumbeat. This is where violent storms are born before they roam the rest of the plane. The Storm Cradle is a chaotic, ever-changing place of raw, elemental energy, where the very air crackles with static. At the center lies a hidden shrine, said to hold the heart of the greatest storm ever conjured. Only the most powerful and foolhardy come here, seeking to commune with the forces of nature or harness the power of lightning itself. --- # **Creatures of the Endless Skies** 1. **Zephyrkin** **Description:** Slender, translucent humanoids with wings of pure wind. Zephyrkin embody the freedom of the air, gliding effortlessly through the skies, always in motion. They are often seen darting between the Drifting Isles or skimming the edges of Cloud Cities, acting as messengers or scouts. Though they appear ethereal, they are fiercely intelligent and capable of manipulating the winds to create powerful gusts or whirlwinds. Their eyes constantly shift like storm clouds, reflecting the weather around them. 2. **Skywraiths** **Description:** Ghostly, serpentine beings composed of mist and lightning. They inhabit the Shroud, where they weave through the dense fog, luring lost travelers deeper into the endless maze. Skywraiths are often mistaken for spirits, and their soft, whispering voices sow confusion and fear in the hearts of those who hear them. They are known to drain the vitality of their victims, leaving behind only hollow shells. When enraged, they can unleash devastating bolts of lightning from their bodies. 3. **Stormstriders** **Description:** Hulking, quadrupedal beasts that roam the outskirts of the Tempest’s Eye. Their bodies are covered in shifting plates of storm-forged metal, and they have long, spiraling horns that crackle with static electricity. Despite their size and bulk, they can move with shocking speed, galloping on the winds and leaving trails of thunder in their wake. Stormstriders are rare, but they are often regarded as the guardians of the Tempest’s Eye, feared for their ability to call down lightning storms with a bellow. 4. **Aether Drakes** **Description:** Drifting through the Windscape, these serpentine drakes are creatures of pure air, their scales shimmering with an almost transparent, bluish sheen. Aether Drakes are known to ride the strongest winds, flowing seamlessly from current to current. They are predators, though not of flesh—they feed on magic itself, draining the arcane energy from anything they come across. Their long, sleek bodies allow them to maneuver effortlessly through the most violent winds, and their breath weapon is a burst of air so concentrated it can shred stone. 5. **Cloud Marauders** **Description:** Bands of humanoid creatures who thrive in the lawless regions of the Plane of Air. Their skin is rough, like cracked stone, and their eyes glow faintly with a stormy light. These marauders live on the fringes of society, scavenging from Cloud Cities and raiding settlements across the Windscape. They possess a rudimentary control over the winds, using it to board ships or traverse the skies quickly. Their weapons are often forged from cloudstone, an incredibly light yet sharp material. 6. **Tempest Wisps** **Description:** Tiny, glowing creatures made of static electricity and air. They are often mistaken for harmless lights, but Tempest Wisps are mischievous and dangerous in swarms. They inhabit the Storm Cradle, where they dance between the lightning bolts, feeding off the energy of the storms. When provoked, they can swarm around a target, delivering painful electrical shocks that increase in intensity the longer they stay attached. They are difficult to harm, as they seem to dissolve into the air at will, reforming elsewhere. 7. **Galebeasts** **Description:** Massive, predatory birds with wingspans large enough to blot out the sun. Galebeasts soar through the higher altitudes of the Windscape, where the currents are fiercest. Their feathers are sharp as blades, and they use the wind to their advantage, diving at terrifying speeds to snatch up prey or attack flying creatures. When they shriek, the sound is deafening, capable of disorienting even the most experienced fliers. They are solitary hunters, territorial and known for their relentless pursuit of anything that enters their domain. 8. **Stormbound Colossi** **Description:** Towering, humanoid entities formed from the storm itself. These beings are as old as the Tempest’s Eye, their bodies composed of swirling clouds and arcs of lightning. Stormbound Colossi are rarely seen, but when they do appear, they often act as avatars of the storm’s fury, called upon to defend the Eye or destroy anything that threatens the delicate balance of the Plane of Air. Their mere presence warps the winds, and they can summon destructive hurricanes with a gesture. --- # Landscape of the Endless Skies 1. **Cloudstone** **Description:** A light, malleable material found within the densest cloud banks, Cloudstone is as soft as air to the touch but can be hardened through specific rituals that bind it with wind magic. When solidified, it becomes incredibly durable while remaining nearly weightless. **Uses:** Cloudstone is often used to forge weapons and armor for those who travel the Plane of Air. Its unique property of being both strong and light makes it ideal for creating tools that need to be carried aloft by the winds. It’s also used in architecture, reinforcing Cloud Cities and castles against the unpredictable currents of the plane. **Harvesting Method:** Cloudstone is mined from dense, magically-infused cloud formations. Elemental air creatures, particularly Zephyrkin, are often hired as guides for harvesting expeditions, as they can sense the most concentrated areas of Cloudstone. Harvesters use enchanted nets and harnesses to collect it, ensuring the fragile clouds aren't disrupted. 2. **Aethercrystal** **Description:** Found floating within the highest, calmest sections of the Windscape, Aethercrystal is a rare gem that glows faintly with a cool blue light. It forms naturally from concentrated pockets of arcane energy in the air, solidifying into sharp, crystalline structures over centuries. **Uses:** Aethercrystal is prized by mages and artificers for its ability to store and channel magical energy. It serves as a powerful focus in spellcasting, enhancing air-based magic and allowing the wielder to manipulate wind currents. Some use it in the creation of enchanted flying devices or to power airships. **Harvesting Method:** Skilled gatherers must ascend to the upper reaches of the Windscape, where the air is thin and the winds gentle but unstable. Aethercrystals are delicate, so they must be harvested with great care, using special anti-gravity tethers to ensure they aren’t damaged or lost. Only experienced air travelers and wind mages dare collect these precious stones, as the process requires precision in hazardous conditions. 3. **Stormfrost** **Description:** A rare, mystical form of ice that forms during the rarest of snowfalls in the Plane of Air, particularly in the Storm Cradle. Unlike normal ice, Stormfrost never melts, retaining its biting cold even in the presence of fire or intense heat. **Uses:** Stormfrost is used in alchemy to craft powerful freezing potions, as well as in the forging of frost-infused weapons that can freeze enemies on contact. It’s also highly sought after for refrigeration, as it can preserve food or materials indefinitely. **Harvesting Method:** Stormfrost is collected from the heart of snowstorms, where skilled harvesters must brave deadly winds and freezing temperatures. Special enchanted containers are used to store the Stormfrost, as any ordinary vessel would shatter or fail to contain its extreme cold. Alchemists and frost mages are usually the ones tasked with this dangerous work. 4. **Whisperwind** **Description:** Whisperwind is a rare, intangible current of wind that can carry sound over incredible distances, even across entire realms. It has an eerie quality, allowing anyone in its path to hear faint whispers of conversations or sounds from far-off places. **Uses:** This material is used in communication enchantments and devices. Whisperwind can be captured and stored in magical containers, allowing messages to be carried across vast distances without delay. It’s also used in espionage, as it can be imbued into jewelry or trinkets to listen in on faraway conversations. **Harvesting Method:** Whisperwind is captured during the brief moments it passes through the Windscape, using enchanted bells or jars that resonate with the same frequency as the wind current. These devices trap the Whisperwind, preserving its sound-carrying properties. Capturing it requires perfect timing and positioning, as the currents shift unpredictably and are nearly invisible. 5. **Tempest Vine** **Description:** A fast-growing, thorny vine found on the Drifting Isles and in the more storm-lashed regions of the Plane of Air. The Tempest Vine is infused with the energy of the storms that pass through the plane, giving it an electric charge. **Uses:** The vines can be woven into conductive ropes or cables for use in magical machinery, particularly in lightning-based devices. When carefully treated, the thorns can be used in crafting arrows or traps that deliver a shocking discharge upon contact. Alchemists also extract the vine’s sap, using it in potions that enhance speed and agility. **Harvesting Method:** Tempest Vines are notoriously difficult to harvest, as they grow in volatile areas and release static charges when disturbed. Harvesters wear specially insulated clothing and use tools enchanted to resist electricity. The vines must be cut during specific phases of a storm, as this is when their energy is most potent, but also most dangerous. 6. **Aeroglass** **Description:** A shimmering, translucent material that forms when air currents compress at extreme altitudes. Aeroglass is as thin as a whisper but as strong as tempered steel. It is fragile when handled incorrectly, but if shaped properly, it can be incredibly resilient. **Uses:** Aeroglass is used in crafting lightweight, almost invisible armor or shields that deflect air-based attacks. It is also prized in architecture, used to create near-invisible bridges or walls within Cloud Cities, giving structures a dreamlike quality. Artisans fashion delicate jewelry from it that floats on the wearer’s skin, emphasizing the connection between air and form. **Harvesting Method:** Aeroglass is harvested from the calmest, highest parts of the Plane of Air, where the winds compress naturally. Expert glassblowers and crafters use enchanted tools to extract and shape the material before it becomes too brittle. Harvesting requires balancing between high winds and fragile work, making it a task reserved for only the most skilled artisans. 7. **Lightning Oak** **Description:** A rare tree that grows only in the eye of great storms, its bark constantly crackling with electricity. Its wood is dark and gnarled, but it pulses with latent storm energy. Despite being surrounded by wind and lightning, the tree remains rooted in floating earth motes, drawing power from the storms themselves. **Uses:** Lightning Oak wood is used to craft staves, wands, and bows that channel electricity with ease, granting their wielders the ability to summon storms or unleash devastating lightning strikes. The wood also finds use in airships and flying machines, helping to protect them from storm damage or using the storms to enhance their speed. **Harvesting Method:** Harvesting Lightning Oak is extremely perilous, as the tree is found in the most storm-wracked areas. Harvesters must wait for the rare moments of calm in the eye of the storm, using protective gear and enchanted axes to cut the wood without being electrocuted. Once felled, the wood must be quickly sealed in protective bindings to prevent it from discharging its stored energy uncontrollably.