kaylune's Announcement story

Kaylune focuses on creating an experience where story and exploration hold equal importance to its gameplay.Accompanying the teasers being showcased on Kaylune's social media channels and its Discord server is a short story representing what Kaylune’s storyline may look like in the future.This website was created so that users can read the full story in one place. It will be updated when a new part of the story is published.

INTRODUCING KAYRTH & the city of kaytropolis

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Kayrth is a vast, vibrant world where endless seas and boundless skies meet enduring, storied lands. Teeming with life, yet shrouded in mystery enough to inspire the imaginations of folklorists for millennia, Kayrth lies in wait for the next generation of intrepid adventurers — ready and eager to explore its diverse landscapes, and meet the equally vibrant residents who call each place home.

You arrive with nothing but your belongings—miraculously crammed into a handful of bags—and an invitation addressed to you. You remember the thrill you felt when you opened the envelope and saw a paid ticket to a place named ‘Kaytropolis’, attached to a note from someone named Paprika.“Someone close to you thought you might be in need of a new adventure. Kayrth might be just what you’re looking for.”You still question whether it was wise to leave everything you know in pursuit of something that could so easily turn out for the worse. But you press the invitation to your chest and take a deep breath—a fresh start, a new beginning, the taste of something a little foolish but brave… that’s worth a lot nowadays.

Before you get too swept away in this fervor of adventure, you notice two figures rapidly approaching you, waving enthusiastically to grab your attention. You walk towards them.“You’ve made it!” A yellow Poppit greets you first, extending a gloved hand. You shake it happily. “I’m Paprika! It’s nice to meet you! Hopefully you had an easy time getting here.”“With weather such as this, I’m certain the journey went smoothly.” Standing by Paprika’s side is a yellow Kaize, whose glasses are angled in such a way that the sunlight glinting off its lenses obscures his eyes. He introduces himself, bowing slightly. “I’m Fabre. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”“I’ve gotta help some other folks who are just about to arrive, but I’ll leave you in Fabre’s care. Have fun exploring the city!” Before you can say goodbye, Paprika jets off. You smile at the sight of her holding onto her goggles so the wind doesn’t blow them from her head.“There she goes…” Fabre mumbles as he reaches into his jacket’s breast pocket, pulling out a pocketwatch. He takes his time consulting the face before he looks back up at you. “And for that matter, so should we.”

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As the biggest of the three main cities, Kaytropolis is Kayrth's bustling metropolis. Culture and commerce blend to create a city that not only matches the drive and ambition of its residents, but the excited buzz of visitors from around the world drawn to its infectious energy.

Fabre takes you on a comprehensive tour of the city, starting from his clock tower. “That’s my favorite bookstore. I must introduce you to my dear friend, Terri, one day. Next to that is the bank, which is not very exciting—though, Reinard does make for a good conversation partner once he warms up to you.”The speed at which Fabre speaks is perfectly offset by the measured tone of his voice. “Over there is the bakery and the grocery store if you’re ever feeling peckish—are you feeling peckish now? We can grab a snack and eat it by the fountain or as we do some windowshopping. I heard Bruce will be stocking some new toys soon, which might be of interest.”You surprise yourself with how well you manage to follow along, even as you push through crowds of people. “Do you have a kael? If not, Dillan would be more than happy to assist you in finding a new companion. Ah, this is reminding me that I should say hi to Dallan. He’s often so busy running the Appearance Shop that I fear bothering him…”

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Those looking for an escape from the noise can find respite at the World Park and at Stargazing Hill. Whether one decides to rest at a park bench, or on the Hill’s gentle slope, one never knows who may approach them to engage in pleasant conversation.

“And finally, welcome to World Park. A much beloved sanctum away from the busyness of the city center. I do encourage you to visit the Library and explore Stargazing Hill sometime. They’re both fantastic places to go to when you need to clear your mind… speaking from experience.”It is only when Fabre sits himself down on a bench does he stop to take a breath. You sit next to him, secretly thankful for the break. You take in your surroundings, enjoying a moment of peace and quiet that seems so rare in a city where things move faster than you can process.“When it comes to cities as big as this one,” Fabre starts, sitting up straight, “you often come to expect chaos. But when you see Kaytropolis from my little perch high above the city, you get a different perspective. You notice the way crowds flow as they follow their routines, keeping to their own time. They never move in the same way; it’s far too erratic, unpredictable… but this city itself is built to change, to move with its citizens and adapt to their wants and needs. This desire to not be left behind by the times and by its people is the constant, the metronome, that keeps Kaytropolis in order.He turns to you, a small but earnest smile appearing on his face. “Time moves differently for all of us. Sometimes, it may even be unkind. Oftentimes, it will pass us by. But if you take nothing else from me today, know that this city will always be a place where you will be welcomed and cared for—as you are, as you were, without exception.”

INTRODUCING PARAGON

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Paragon is a city shrouded in mystery, hidden away within the heart of a dense rainforest ominously named the Sinister Forest. The most potent—and perilous—of Kayrth’s magic resides here.

What Kaytropolis lacked in greenery, Paragon makes up for in abundance.You’re standing at the edge of a deep forest. Thick vines hang low over gnarled trees, the air rich with damp earth and the quiet hum of unseen life. It’s humid, yes—but more than that, alive. Beautiful. And yet, there’s a prickle on the back of your neck, as if something is watching you. You shift your weight, shaking off the feeling, then hurry to catch up to Paprika.

Paprika is a few steps ahead, chatting with a blue-robed Shadeo —who she had introduced you to earlier as Zeni— and a silent, intimidating guard whose name you weren’t given. Every now and then, Zeni glances back at you, a polite smile in place but eyes inscrutable. The guard remains motionless, but there’s a tension in their stance as if they are sizing you up.Finally, Paprika breaks away. “We’re all clear! Zeni here will show you around,” she says, nodding toward the Shadeo. “I’ll meet up with you again at the end of the tour!”She gives you a parting smile and vanishes down the path, swallowed up quickly by the foliage.Zeni nods at you once. “Come.”The guard steps aside as you pass, and though they don’t speak, you feel their eyes trailing after you as you follow Zeni into the forest.Conversation doesn’t come easily—Zeni isn’t one for small talk, it seems—but the silence isn’t awkward. Just… settled. As if the forest itself demands quiet.Eventually, the undergrowth thins. The canopy breaks.And there it is.Paragon.

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The residents of Paragon have deep roots that stretch back to the very foundations of Kayrth; their history is filled with long-lost creatures and forgotten legends. The river that winds through the city flows with old magic, its waters as bright a blue as the crystals that flicker along the city’s edge.

It is not a city in the way Kaytropolis is. There are no metal towers, no flashy shops. Instead, Paragon seems to grow from the land itself. Crystals dominate the landscape, translucent blue hues that shimmer in the sun, reflecting into the slow-moving river that winds through the center of the city. The whole town hums with a soft glow, subtle and steady. Peaceful. Dreamlike. Rooted in something ancient.You stop without realizing it. The city is stunning.Zeni watches your reaction but says nothing. Their expression softens, just a little.They begin walking again, guiding you through winding walkways and over a narrow bridge. There’s little in the way of formal tour-guide speech. Just quiet nods toward points of interest: A shop where tiny creatures dart between shelves, its sign reading Kaels. A modest grocer, overflowing with vibrant produce you don’t recognize. A weaponsmith’s stall, its wares said to be forged by a great mage. A tinkerer’s workshop, run by someone named Bowen, who you glimpse outside, welding two small pieces of metal together with precision.A shopkeeper of some sort skirts along next to you on the path and Zeni quickly pulls you to the side. “You have to watch your pockets around Nienna,” they caution, with a familiarity bordering on fondness.

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While Paragon has embraced the modernities of the current age, remnants of its ancient past remain: prophecies are revered as undeniable truths, and the city’s stone wells aren’t always what or when they appear to be.

Eventually, Zeni leads you back to the bridge. The two of you pause, taking a moment to gaze down into the water below, its surface reflecting the gentle glow of the city around you.In the quiet, you finally ask the question that’s been lingering on your mind since the start: these crystals, they’re nothing you’ve ever seen before. What are they?Zeni hesitates. For a moment, you wonder if they’ll answer at all. But then, they perk up, a flicker of warmth in their voice.“You seem sincere, friend,” they say. “I’ll let you in on a little secret I’ve learned.”They turn from the river, facing a towering crystal just beyond the bridge. Its surface catches the light, casting a cerulean glow over the both of you in its shadow.“The truth is—we don’t know, at least not geologically. No one’s ever been able to explain what they are. The crystals have been here for as long as our stories stretch back, and with all things willing, they’ll outlast us, too. But what they mean? That’s the important part.”“They protect us,” they say, quieter now. “Some legends take that literally—that the crystals once saved Paragon from corruption, and still keep the forest’s darkness at bay. But it’s more than protection. The crystals have endured as long as the city itself. You can’t remember one without remembering the other.”
They glance back at the river, then continue, carefully choosing their words. “They remind us we’re part of something older. That even as we adapt, we’re never far from those who came before us.”You turn to watch them speak, but Zeni isn’t looking at you—they’re focused, as if trying to express something there are few words for “These memories,” they say, “they live in more than the crystals. They’re in the stones, the trees, the river. The past isn’t just distant stories we tell ourselves. It’s alive. It moves through us. Myth, memory, magic, present, past—it’s all the same here.”They exhale slowly, then add, almost reverently: “Our soul. That’s what the crystals are.”A pause. Then, they blink, suddenly aware of how much they’ve said. “To me, at least,” they add quickly, half-laughing. “Oh. We really should get you to Paprika.”

For those willing to risk the danger (and the humidity), Paragon offers a haven for the creative and inquisitive. Weaponsmiths, tinkerers, mages, and even thieves all find their home and heart in Kayrth’s crystal city.

Zeni leads you along the path to a small courtyard near the city’s residential neighborhood. At its center is a circular stone well, its rim mossy, its depth unfathomable.“Paprika will meet you here,” Zeni says, then pauses. “Don’t jump in the well.”You raise an eyebrow. Zeni smirks, their earlier quiet hesitancy gone. “Or do. You’ve got agency. Just… you never know where you might end up. Or so I’ve heard, in a story or two.”And with that, they turn and walk away—leaving you with the murmuring well, the low glow of the crystals, and the pull of memories ready to be remembered.

INTRODUCING CITY OF GALES

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The City of Gales lives up to its name—a rugged, wind-battered settlement perched high upon the coldest mountaintop in Kayrth. The icy winds are relentless, but amid the harsh climate thrives a close-knit community that values resourcefulness, loyalty, and a strong work ethic. In Gales, practical skills and craftsmanship carry more weight than any flashy spell or magical trinket. In fact, the public use of magic is strictly forbidden.

You realize very quickly that you are severely underdressed for the weather.Paprika had warned you to bring your thickest clothes, but despite piling on all the layers you have, they aren’t enough to stop you from shivering endlessly. Luckily, it doesn’t take long for Paprika to come back with a woolen jacket and accessories. She and a red Felyve, who was walking behind her, work together to dress you up before you turn into an ice sculpture.“There,” the Felyve says as they finish wrapping a thick scarf around your neck. “That should help.”“Isn’t Hazel the best?” Paprika chimes in, wrapping an arm around Hazel’s shoulder, “She made everything you’re wearing by hand!”You thank Hazel profusely for her generosity, but she waves your words away, her gratitude evident from the smile forming on her lips.“Why don’t you thaw off at Missy’s while I find the rest of the guests?” Paprika glances at Hazel as she removes her goggles and puts on a beanie the Felyve had given her. “I’m sure she’d love to see you.”Hazel turns away, trying to hide the blush spreading across her face. You laugh at the exchange, and wave goodbye to Paprika as she ventures back into the cold. It only takes a moment for Hazel to regain her composure. “Let’s get you warmed up.”

The smell of freshly baked bread welcomes you as Hazel brings you into a bakery, settling like something comfortable and cozy in your chest. It almost feels like you’re coming home after a long journey away.Hazel calls out to a Mysticat, who is busy decorating some cupcakes. “Got any to spare, Missy?”“That depends, darling,” Missy says as she places some final fondant touches on the cupcake she was working on, “Have you got any Kwin to give?”Hazel skips over to the counter and plucks two cupcakes from their batch. Missy tries to stop Hazel by tugging at the ends of her quilted hat, but the tassels slip through her fingers. The Felyve skitters back to you, proudly placing a cupcake in your hand. Upon inspection, you see that they’re decorated to look like Missy. “I promise, I’ll pay you back.”Missy feigns annoyance, but a laugh sweeter than honey quickly flows from her. “No need; consider it a little gift for our new friend here. Do try it before it gets too cold!”You and Hazel quietly eat your little treat. It melts in your mouth, flooding you with sugar enough to re-energize you to brave the winds.

“I’ll be back later,” Hazel pulls the door open, holding it until you make it outside. Before it shuts behind you, you hear Missy call out from the back of her store: “Don’t be a stranger!”Despite taking all of the necessary precautions, you still don’t feel well. Hazel senses that you may not be faring well with the altitude change and decides to give you a shortened version of her usual tour.“Gales may not be the biggest city, but that doesn’t stop our stores from being some of the most renowned across Karyth. Cereza’s toy store, for example, brings in many visitors from around the world, as does my clothing store. Naturally, they explore the city and check out Hunter Sal’s kael store, along with Qrawley’s crafts store. By the time they’re ready to head home, you’ll see people with a new friend on their shoulder, or bags fuller than when they first came in.”Hazel points out the different stores as best she can above the heads of a flurry of people continuing about their usual business, unfazed by the cold. She eventually stops in front of the gates of a castle that looms over the city. She speaks with the guards on duty, and they let you pass without trouble.

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Once inside the city, a towering castle overlooks the town square and shops below. Within the keep’s stone walls, the rulers of Gales deliberate over trade, defense, and the ever-present threat of royal rivals. Yet despite its bluster, the city is anything but dull. The town square bustles throughout every season and holiday; its renowned toy and clothing shops attract visitors from every corner of Kayrth. The City of Gales welcomes all who are willing to help its community thrive, as long as they’re prepared to bundle up first.

Hazel immediately sits you down and rallies the guards idling around the castle’s hall to bring you some warm water, which they do promptly. You feel moved by their eagerness to help someone they barely know, though part of you wonders if they were just looking for any excuse to not be around the Shadeo—dressed in a jester’s attire—doing tricks around them.“That’s a shame,” Hazel mumbles as you try to catch your breath, “I thought Emera might be around today. She’s quite nice to talk to—if you can manage to flag her down for a conversation, that is. Hard to not be busy as the head guard.”Listening to Hazel talk helps to steady your breathing. She notices, and continues rambling to herself. “But it looks like something’s happening today; the doors to the throne room are closed.”She sits down next to you, pouring more water into your glass. The guards give you bread to nibble on, which you thank them for profusely, before (begrudgingly) moving back to their usual positions.

“You may notice that this city doesn’t have as much magic as the others. In fact, it’s forbidden here. But I like to think our version of that magic is the pride we take in our work, our craftsmanship, our ability to survive and still be self-sufficient.”“But all of that means nothing without community, without being willing to brave the cold for one another—to have each other’s backs, no matter how cruel and unforgiving this city can be. We need as much kindness as we can find up here, because without it, we’d unravel and get swept away before the seasons change. We endure together, because then we’ll get to enjoy blue skies we’ve yearned for together.”Hazel holds your hands, trembling despite the warmth radiating from the cup you cradle. “We may not have known each other for long. But I know I speak for the rest of the residents when I say that no matter where you are in Gales, there will always be a lantern on the windowsill and the kettle will always be on the stove. Stop by, warm up, and take shelter from the wind, or anything that brings you down.”