Astra was not merely a land or a border. It was a massive, ruthless machine of balance, carved into the very heart of the heavens and the depths of the earth. Life here did not flow along horizontal lines, but through vertical chains. A person's worth was defined solely by how high they stood.
Caelum-The Golden Mirage.Far above, resting upon the soft velvet of pristine clouds, drifted Caelum—the High City. Here, time seemed to stand still; the sun never retreated behind the horizon, its rays reflecting off towers of white marble and pure gold in a blinding shimmer. The inhabitants of Caelum—the "Golds"—knew nothing of the filth of the earth or the scent of death. They breathed not ordinary air, but pure "Aether," a celestial energy that smoothed the veins and connected the mind to the cosmos. Their blood was a thick, golden fluid, granting them the power to command nature, melt steel with a thought, or harness the winds. In Caelum, a hundred years was but a fleeting moment.
Meridian-The Grey Equilibrium.Yet, the massive floating platforms of Caelum cast a vast, oppressive shadow upon the world below—a dark mark branded onto the earth's forehead. This was Meridian. Here, the sky was eternally grey, as the shadow from above and the relentless smoke from sprawling factories choked out the sun. The "Silvers"—the blades and shields of the Empire—dwelt here. Aether ran through their veins, though not enough to manifest magic; it was only sufficient to interface with Caelum's advanced technology. They were the guardians of order, with one eye fixed upward in worship of the Golds, and the other fixed downward to keep the Abyss in check.
The Abyss-Echoes of the Forgotten.At the very bottom, in the dark and damp womb of the earth, lay the Abyss—the Underworld. Here, stories of the sun were mere myths, and Aether meant nothing but death. The "Irons" were born in these jagged caverns, coming of age while breathing the bitter dust of "Crystal" ore. Their blood was heavy and dark, devoid of any Aether. Should an "Iron" accidentally touch the Light or raw Aether, their body would ignite from within, turning to ash in seconds. Their entire existence was built upon a grand lie: for Caelum to shine, they had to rot in the darkness.
The Law of Blood and the Emperor
In Astra, stratification was not a social contract; it was a biological destiny. The concentration of Aether in one's blood drew the map of their fate. Eighty percent—you are a god. Twenty percent—you are an aristocrat. Zero percent—you are merely a resource.
At the apex of this gargantuan machine sat Emperor Astrax. For five centuries, his stern and cold gaze had caused all three worlds to tremble. It was whispered that his physical form had long been discarded, transcending into pure energy. His word was the thunder of the heavens, and his will was the final judgment for the living.
The Empire of Astra—a perfect harmony of beauty and horror, of light and darkness. And it was inevitable that one day, this balance would be shattered by blood.
In the bloody and ruthless hierarchy of the Astra Empire, the concept of family differs fundamentally from what we know. The Empire's laws on "Blood Purity" have regulated this matter with a terrifying discipline.
"Broken-Blooded" and "Pure Heirs"
The issue of lineage is the Empire's most painful and hidden nerve. In Astra, being born into the Gold or Silver castes is not merely a stroke of luck; it is an immense responsibility.
Legal Children (Pure Heirs)- Children born from legal marriages within high-caste families are considered "Pure Heirs." According to the laws of the Astra Empire, they are the primary successors to power and wealth. Typically, families limit the number of heirs because it is believed that the inheritance of magical power is finite. Having too many children might divide this energy, rendering them weak. Therefore, families focus on raising only one or two "perfect heirs."
Extramarital Children (Broken-Blooded - "Bastards")- Children born from illicit unions between high-caste representatives and women from lower castes are called the "Broken-Blooded." They are not officially recognized and possess no right to inherit power. Their blood is considered tainted, and the magical potency within them is less pure than that of legal heirs. Because it is believed that "blood purity" dictates social standing, opportunities, and the inheritance of magical power, "Pure Heirs" receive specialized upbringing and education, while the "Broken-Blooded" are often drafted into imperial service. In certain cases, if no "Pure Heirs" remain, the Emperor may conduct special trials to select the strongest candidate among the "Broken-Blooded." This system defines the ruthless and rigid hierarchy of the Astra Empire.
The Broken-Blooded were often utilized by the Empire for dangerous missions, such as serving in the "Black Guard." They might harbor a secret hatred for the legal heirs, knowing that if a legal successor dies without another heir, an opportunity for inheritance could arise for them. In Imperial society, these illegitimate children were accepted to varying degrees, depending heavily on their parents' caste and social standing.