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Description

Ninth Oracle takes place in a continent ruled under the Su (溯) Dynasty, who ascended to power roughly a century ago. Cities, townships, and villages are scattered across the eastern half of the continent, with Jing City serving as the capital of the kingdom. There are notably fewer settlements in the western and northern regions of the land because of the heavy Yao threat in those areas. As spirit essence is only found in nature, most cultivators and factions prefer to stay further away from towns and cities.

Immigrating and emigrating to and from the continent, respectively, are extremely difficult because of the prevalence of Yao in the surrounding ocean.

The IRL influences listed for each place serve as inspiration for anyone searching for visual references. They do not necessarily reflect the cultural lifestyle of each places’ constituents.

Landmarks

Ye Shan Range | 葉山脈

IRL influences: Mount Emei

The Ye Shan Range provides a natural barrier to block off the Yao infestation in the western lands. The mountains have extremely clean water and air, thus making it a high-quality cultivation spot. The Ye Shan School resides on top of the range and watches over the nearby lands, vigilant about expelling Yao on sight.

Green Heights | 翠綠高地

IRL influences: Shennongjia

This area was known to be the iconic gathering spot of cultivators. Legend says that the first ever cultivator to achieve godhood ascended here thousands of years ago, thus making the land a sacred place to the cultivators.

Eastern/Western Forest | 東境森林 / 西境森林

IRL influences: Shunan bamboo forest, Sichuan basic forests

Plant life thrives in both the Eastern and Western Forests, providing a habitat to many animals and Yao. Most civilians only use the eastern area to gather the resources they need, while the Wu Ren Clan resides in a bamboo forest in the western area.

Han Lian Valley | 寒蓮谷

IRL influences: Dushanzi Grand Canyon

The Lei River flows across the Han Lian Valley, a region under constant Yao threat from the North. In the winter, the valley and its locals bear with extremely cold and harsh weather conditions. It is the birthplace of the Han Lian Creed, a faction formed by the impoverished, criminals, and dynasty outcasts.

Northern Mountains | 北山脈

IRL influences: Kongur Tagh

The north is full of icy mountains, its weather too cold for sustainable life. The scarce resources in this bleak terrain have resulted in extremely aggressive and dangerous Yao. In addition, some rumours state that Mo reside in this area.

Tian Yao Grassland | 天妖草原

IRL influences: Hulun Buir steppes

Tian Yao Grassland refers to the large plains in the west. As the plains are infested by numerous Yao, the grassland is not a suitable place for permanent settlement. Only a few nomadic tribes manage to survive in these dangerous living conditions.

Ku Desert | 枯砂

IRL influences: Taklamakan desert

The Ku Desert is not a suitable living environment for humans. The scarce resources in this bleak terrain have resulted in extremely aggressive and dangerous Yao. Similarly to the Northern Mountains, some rumours state that Mo reside in this area.

Cheng Hou Archipelago | 成侯群島

IRL influences: Guilin fisherman aesthetics, mild SEA influences

The archipelago is made out of many fishing islands near the waters. People travel around in small boats. The weather is hot and humid, and the sea is rich in fish. Despite being surrounded by water, Yao have showed less interest in this area, allowing civilians to populate the islands without much trouble.

Jin Wu Island | 金烏島

IRL influences: Chongming Island, mild Japan climate influences

Jin Wu is an island east from Bian City’s shore. The island’s name originates from a legendary beast: a three-legged crow representing the sun. Despite the natural resources here, the population is tiny because of the constant Yao threat from the northern sea.

Waters

Red River | 絳河

Red River is celebrated as the main source of the continent’s civilization. The river is named in reference to the deep red color of blood to honor the effort and legacy of the civilization’s ancestors. Today, there are numerous poems and songs about the river, and it still serves as the main water source for the Dynasty.

Lei River | 淚河

Legend says that this river was originally formed from the collective tears of those residing in the north, mainly because of the harsh conditions and prevalent Yao infestation. Nowadays, many come to this river when going through a difficult time, finding solace watching the turbulent water as it seems to represent their own anguish and conflicted emotions.

Su Yuan Lake | 溯源湖

Su Yuan Lake is a notably large lake, located in a region accessible to most civilians. It is a beautiful and quiet place, and many stories in folklore and myths mention this lake. It is also an excellent spot to train with spirit essence, but Su Town natives do not welcome strangers.

Jin Yue Lake | 近月湖

Jin Yue Lake was named by the grassland nomadic tribes, as it brought the moon closer to the tribes via the lake’s reflection. Despite being a very large lake like Su Yuan Lake, fewer people frequent the area because of its location in the west.

Notable Municipalities

Jing City | 京城

This is the capital of the entire continent. The emperor’s palace is located here, and the city is usually bustling with activity. Because the city is located closely to the harbors, trade is abundant and quality products may be quickly obtained.

Xiang City | 香城

This city boasts a strong trade of many goods, but is especially well-known for its spices. Some find it rather similar to the capital, located to the north of Xiang City.

Yu City | 玉城

This city is located on a mountainside in the Ye Shan range. They are very friendly to cultivators and harbor close ties to the Ye Shan School, which protects its civilians from Yao attacks and other dangers. In addition, the city boasts many different temples for worship.

Bian City | 邊城

This northern coastal city is known for its bustling trade and fishing industry. Its population is reputed to be hardy and skilled in dealing with water-based Yao.

Su Town | 溯鄉

Su Town hosts a small and extremely xenophobic population; any visitor should expect a cold reception indeed. This town is known for the Su Yuan Lake nearby, which attracts civilians and cultivators alike for the quiet beauty and plentiful spirit essence. However, the townspeople are extremely vigilant and protective of their lake: they will take appropriate measures if any outsider approaches it.

Xing Town | 興鎮

This quiet town is positioned quite close to the forests and in fact marks the boundary for regular citizens; most citizens do not go further into the forests. Xing Town is loyal to the Wu Ren Clan, and they are tight-lipped about the faction since the Clan values its secrecy.

He Town | 荷鄉

Its proximity to the mountains and rivers forces He Town to frequently deal with Yao—both from the mountains and rivers. Years of being on constant alert because of the government and other dangers has also turned the town’s population into wary, prepared folk. The Creed shares a symbiotic relationship with He Town and acts as their protector.

Description

Ninth Oracle takes place in a continent ruled under the Su (溯) Dynasty, who ascended to power roughly a century ago. Cities, townships, and villages are scattered across the eastern half of the continent, with Jing City serving as the capital of the kingdom. There are notably fewer settlements in the western and northern regions of the land because of the heavy Yao threat in those areas. As spirit essence is only found in nature, most cultivators and factions prefer to stay further away from towns and cities.

Immigrating and emigrating to and from the continent, respectively, are extremely difficult because of the prevalence of Yao in the surrounding ocean.

The IRL influences listed for each place serve as inspiration for anyone searching for visual references. They do not necessarily reflect the cultural lifestyle of each places’ constituents.

Landmarks

Ye Shan Range | 葉山脈

IRL influences: Mount Emei

The Ye Shan Range provides a natural barrier to block off the Yao infestation in the western lands. The mountains have extremely clean water and air, thus making it a high-quality cultivation spot. The Ye Shan School resides on top of the range and watches over the nearby lands, vigilant about expelling Yao on sight.

Green Heights | 翠綠高地

IRL influences: Shennongjia

This area was known to be the iconic gathering spot of cultivators. Legend says that the first ever cultivator to achieve godhood ascended here thousands of years ago, thus making the land a sacred place to the cultivators.

Eastern/Western Forest | 東境森林 / 西境森林

IRL influences: Shunan bamboo forest, Sichuan basic forests

Plant life thrives in both the Eastern and Western Forests, providing a habitat to many animals and Yao. Most civilians only use the eastern area to gather the resources they need, while the Wu Ren Clan resides in a bamboo forest in the western area.

Han Lian Valley | 寒蓮谷

IRL influences: Dushanzi Grand Canyon

The Lei River flows across the Han Lian Valley, a region under constant Yao threat from the North. In the winter, the valley and its locals bear with extremely cold and harsh weather conditions. It is the birthplace of the Han Lian Creed, a faction formed by the impoverished, criminals, and dynasty outcasts.

Northern Mountains | 北山脈

IRL influences: Kongur Tagh

The north is full of icy mountains, its weather too cold for sustainable life. The scarce resources in this bleak terrain have resulted in extremely aggressive and dangerous Yao. In addition, some rumours state that Mo reside in this area.

Tian Yao Grassland | 天妖草原

IRL influences: Hulun Buir steppes

Tian Yao Grassland refers to the large plains in the west. As the plains are infested by numerous Yao, the grassland is not a suitable place for permanent settlement. Only a few nomadic tribes manage to survive in these dangerous living conditions.

Ku Desert | 枯砂

IRL influences: Taklamakan desert

The Ku Desert is not a suitable living environment for humans. The scarce resources in this bleak terrain have resulted in extremely aggressive and dangerous Yao. Similarly to the Northern Mountains, some rumours state that Mo reside in this area.

Cheng Hou Archipelago | 成侯群島

IRL influences: Guilin fisherman aesthetics, mild SEA influences

The archipelago is made out of many fishing islands near the waters. People travel around in small boats. The weather is hot and humid, and the sea is rich in fish. Despite being surrounded by water, Yao have showed less interest in this area, allowing civilians to populate the islands without much trouble.

Jin Wu Island | 金烏島

IRL influences: Chongming Island, mild Japan climate influences

Jin Wu is an island east from Bian City’s shore. The island’s name originates from a legendary beast: a three-legged crow representing the sun. Despite the natural resources here, the population is tiny because of the constant Yao threat from the northern sea.

Waters

Red River | 絳河

Red River is celebrated as the main source of the continent’s civilization. The river is named in reference to the deep red color of blood to honor the effort and legacy of the civilization’s ancestors. Today, there are numerous poems and songs about the river, and it still serves as the main water source for the Dynasty.

Lei River | 淚河

Legend says that this river was originally formed from the collective tears of those residing in the north, mainly because of the harsh conditions and prevalent Yao infestation. Nowadays, many come to this river when going through a difficult time, finding solace watching the turbulent water as it seems to represent their own anguish and conflicted emotions.

Su Yuan Lake | 溯源湖

Su Yuan Lake is a notably large lake, located in a region accessible to most civilians. It is a beautiful and quiet place, and many stories in folklore and myths mention this lake. It is also an excellent spot to train with spirit essence, but Su Town natives do not welcome strangers.

Jin Yue Lake | 近月湖

Jin Yue Lake was named by the grassland nomadic tribes, as it brought the moon closer to the tribes via the lake’s reflection. Despite being a very large lake like Su Yuan Lake, fewer people frequent the area because of its location in the west.

Notable Municipalities

Jing City | 京城

This is the capital of the entire continent. The emperor’s palace is located here, and the city is usually bustling with activity. Because the city is located closely to the harbors, trade is abundant and quality products may be quickly obtained.

Xiang City | 香城

This city boasts a strong trade of many goods, but is especially well-known for its spices. Some find it rather similar to the capital, located to the north of Xiang City.

Yu City | 玉城

This city is located on a mountainside in the Ye Shan range. They are very friendly to cultivators and harbor close ties to the Ye Shan School, which protects its civilians from Yao attacks and other dangers. In addition, the city boasts many different temples for worship.

Bian City | 邊城

This northern coastal city is known for its bustling trade and fishing industry. Its population is reputed to be hardy and skilled in dealing with water-based Yao.

Su Town | 溯鄉

Su Town hosts a small and extremely xenophobic population; any visitor should expect a cold reception indeed. This town is known for the Su Yuan Lake nearby, which attracts civilians and cultivators alike for the quiet beauty and plentiful spirit essence. However, the townspeople are extremely vigilant and protective of their lake: they will take appropriate measures if any outsider approaches it.

Xing Town | 興鎮

This quiet town is positioned quite close to the forests and in fact marks the boundary for regular citizens; most citizens do not go further into the forests. Xing Town is loyal to the Wu Ren Clan, and they are tight-lipped about the faction since the Clan values its secrecy.

He Town | 荷鄉

Its proximity to the mountains and rivers forces He Town to frequently deal with Yao—both from the mountains and rivers. Years of being on constant alert because of the government and other dangers has also turned the town’s population into wary, prepared folk. The Creed shares a symbiotic relationship with He Town and acts as their protector.