Worldview

The temple dedicated to the two goddesses of the old high elven faith tells us this: when the world was whole, the two Sacred Trees at its center each had a priestess who served it. They spoke for the great trees, and unleashed a great magic to stop a terrible war at the cost of their own lives, banishing the embattled lands to the sky. The lineage of priestesses ended there...

Shrines of the high elven religion's True Elf sect tell stories of another species of elf, different from both dark elves and forest elves. They were banished to the north for the crime of stealing the sap of the two Sacred Trees, with the goal of making themselves impervious to blades. They thus came to be known as the fallen elves.

The earth has much to say, if one has a mind to listen. Roughly a millennia ago, at the beginning of the Great War, as mages of the two elven kingdoms were on the brink of unleashing their greatest offensive magic, something most unusual occurred. The embattled plains were encircled by rings of light, some as large as ten kilometers in diameter. As many as one hundred of these rings appeared not only over battlefields, but also capitals and major urban centers. They gouged out the earth, sending the detritus soaring into the sky—along with any human or creature in the area. Thus would Lyusula, Kales'Oh, the Alliance of the Nine Kingdoms, and Aul'da see themselves wiped from the planet. The result of this process, which would later be known as the Great Separation, was the floating castle of Aincrad.

People throughout the ages have long been fascinated and charmed by the oddity of the tower, with its glistening exterior of silver and white. Over many years, numerous adventurers of all stripes have explored the maze-like interior of the Tower of Heaven—and lost their lives for their trouble. Yet, with each life lost, a valuable relic appears within the maze. Mysteriously, these relics primarily take the form of treasure chests, and are dotted throughout the tower in a seemingly deliberate manner. According to one theory, the tower's self-cleansing mechanism works to organize relics in order to maintain the flow of magical power; another less savory theory suggests that new adventurers are lured in using these treasures as bait, and that Aincrad's magic is replenished with their blood. Many wonder why the tower is structured in this way at all; why allow people to move freely within? Royal elven researchers speculate that the Twin Shrine Maidens may have left a test for those willing to brave the maze—a trial for those banished to the sky, and whose completion will see the twins finally return to the earth.

The faith of the high elves, which holds sacred the gods who created Aincrad, forbids any investigations of Heaven's Rift or the other elf ruins scattered throughout the land. However, human curiosity is not so easily contained, and many break this taboo and carry out research regardless. These researchers continue to track down remote locations in order to pursue the truth of Aincrad's creation.

In cities outside the main district, the central transfer device is known as a Mid Gate. Though often enshrined as a city symbol, in Tolbana it is overshadowed by the far more popular amphitheater and is quietly placed on the outskirts.

A human city in the northern part of the 2nd Floor. It was built inside a hollowed-out mesa some 300 meters in diameter, leaving only the outer perimeter standing. Urbus is the main residential area of the 2nd Floor and is regularly visited by adventurers and merchants alike. The resulting market—lined with numerous outdoor stalls—is quite famous, with many tourists visiting the city just to see it.

The wooden crates that support the bustling bazaar trade are, in fact, a product of Urbus. Light yet durable, they are treated with a secret charm that allows food stored inside to last twice as long.

On the 2nd Floor, much of the land is a harsh, rocky desert, making water a precious lifeline. It's why the city was carved into the rock face—it sits atop a vital water source.

Many nobles of the 1st Floor rose from merchant families or civic leadership. By contrast, the nobles of Urbus on the 2nd Floor are often philosophers—perhaps shaped by life on unforgiving land. Their ideas captivate listeners late into the night, earning them widespread respect.

When Aincrad was still part of the overworld, the human race was divided into tribes, each living in their own separate settlement. However, they were under constant threat from the other races, and eventually banded together under the banner of the Alliance of the Nine Kingdoms. There, they researched magic in order to replicate the spells of the elves and dwarves, and their culture flourished. But the Alliance of the Nine Kingdoms was destroyed after the Great Separation, and now only ruins remain. A millennium later, human settlements take the form of city-states, each with its own political system.

Demi-humans do not have much body hair, making it difficult for many to regulate their temperatures. Unless they are engaging in activities like hunting, they generally choose to live in humid caves and avoid the sunlight.

Many demi-humans do not have the language necessary to communicate with other species. As such, we can only hazard a guess as to their culture or motivations. Nevertheless, demi-humans have been known to perform oddly civilized deeds, and this statue of a knight is one such example. Originally erected to intimidate demi-humans, the act was thwarted after they fashioned it in their own likeness. Many researchers see this not as some high-minded attempt at civility or art, but as something done for the demi-human's own base amusement.

Demi-humans lack a developed society; they can draw simple pictures and patterns but have not developed writing. Their technology is limited to basic actions such as hammering, carving, and knot-tying, so they often steal tools from the other races. They have a particular fondness for colorful cloths, which they weave together to decorate and mark their territory.

A mansion that once belonged to humans, but now lies within demi-human territory. The original owners were probably attacked by the demi-humans, who were likely searching for a place to gather water, and scattered to the winds. During the overworld era, when elves and humans both possessed magic, demi-humans feared its power and lived in the shadows—but in Aincrad, where magic is a lost art, they have become much more brazen, and attack the other races with impunity.

Contrary to popular belief, demi-humans do not eat humans. They also do not eat monsters, instead enjoying a symbiotic relationship with them. Their staple food is animal meat, which they can cook using simple methods such as grilling and boiling, and when they find themselves unable to hunt, they will instead forage nuts and fruit. However, as a species with few allegiances, they will not hesitate to turn their blades on other races in order to steal tools and livestock.

Asuna, I'm so sorry for what happened before. I'm just glad you're alive. It hasn't even been that long, but you've grown so much stronger. Honestly, it caught me off guard. I'm going to keep walking my own path, too. Now I'm not simply fighting for myself, but for someone else who's in this with me. I hope we cross paths again someday. — Message from an adventurer

When faith in the old gods faded, the people of the second floor turned to face the world as it was. The brutal conditions—scorching heat, scarce water—naturally drew their focus inward, toward questions of how one ought to live. Over time, those questions crystallized into philosophy, and philosophy became something people held in higher regard than any prayer or incantation. The rise of philosophers, revered above even the clergy on the second floor, was no coincidence. It was the only outcome possible.

On the 1st Floor, where Elven worship is widespread, goddess statues can be found across the land. Most are replicas made within the last few centuries, but it's said the original, carved a thousand years ago, still exists somewhere.

Some of these wards are actually fakes—indistinguishable to outsiders. Homes displaying genuine wards are said to shelter those "worth protecting," and any thief who forces entry will find traps so severe they'll never try again. In that sense, the wards live up to their name.

Water on the 2nd Floor is precious, and so the number of cups each household can draw from the public well is predetermined. Water veins are occasionally found under the plateaus that make up a large portion of the 2nd Floor, and so wells are dug through the rocky mountains and towns built around them.

The gentle people of Horunka often gather at public fire pits to rest or chat. Anyone may use them, and what starts as grilling meat or fish often turns into hours of conversation.

• Kona Keep the water between 90–92°C and let it bloom for about 30 seconds before pouring. That's what brings out the full body and flavor. • Blue Mountain Water around 92°C. Let the first pour bloom for 30 seconds, then split the rest into two quick pours. Brings out that delicate, rich aroma beautifully. Medium-fine grind, high roast—that's the sweet spot. I'd love to serve these in my own cafe someday. — Message from an adventurer

In the past, Horunka thrived on sericulture, harvesting honey and silk from insects. Today, only a few enthusiasts continue to preserve the tradition.