Worldview

Kobolds do not have any particular faith or gods that they follow. However, they fear natural phenomena that they lack the capacity to understand, believing them to be supernatural in origin and making offerings to alleviate any perceived suffering. People refer to these offerings as Kobold's Altars.

These floating islands can be seen across Aincrad, and were once fragments of the world below, sent skyward in ages past. It is widely believed that at their base is the Heaven's Rift. Believers of the high elven religion were said to demonstrate the purity of their faith by walking the arduous path to Heaven's Rift barefoot.

I was extra careful to avoid enemies and reach this castle, and there's nothing even here. Who the hell builds an entire castle just to keep it empty? The world's first VRMMO, death games... None of this makes any sense! I paid good money for this because everyone was talking about it. If I'd known it would come to this, I never would have touched it. Damn you, Kayaba! — Message from an adventurer

With daytime temperatures running high on the 2nd Floor, stone warehouses for cold storage are indispensable. By blocking out sunlight and using ice buried underground, they keep food well preserved. Managed by the city guild, these facilities are open for public use.

It is customary, in high elven shrines, to plant a tree in the inner sanctum and hold it sacred as an embodiment of divinity. This is a tradition modeled off the ancient elven worship of the black and white Sacred Trees.

There's something written on the door. "Well, well—you've found the entrance. Keep this to yourself, you hear?" — Anonymous noble

Until you found this place, the ruins at the very back of the Temple of Doors were kept secret by researchers. They're engaging in some kind of experiment here, in these preserved High Elven Ruins. Perhaps they aim to summon overworlders en masse? In any case, I'm done for, so please, tell someone—tell anyone—about their presence here. If this experiment is successful, no doubt it will— The message ends here.

To any brave soul with the courage to come this far: If you wish to prove that courage, seek out the golden motif. The key to the gate lies in the golden crystal. I'm certain one who has made it all the way out here won't hesitate like I did. Don't be like me... sitting, waiting for what little life I have left to burn out.

Doesn't look like there's anything here. Nothing's been going right for us. Everything went so smoothly getting here, and now... I just want to go home. You must be worried sick about me, Mom. I'm so sorry. If I ever make it back, I'll apologize properly. I promise. Kotone — Message from an adventurer

A secret hideaway lies somewhere in Urbus, and offers rare food, drink, and other pleasures seldom found in the region. Membership is strictly limited, and wandering adventurers are never admitted.

Honey is a valuable commodity on Aincrad's 1st Floor, able to fetch a high price at market. It has many uses, from sweetening meat dishes to brewing mead. However, bees are highly sensitive to magical energy and will not go near any area surrounded by magical barriers. This means that beekeepers must locate their hives where there is no magical protection, making it a potentially life-threatening occupation.

While the culture of the 2nd Floor is different from that of the 1st, belief in the high elven faith remains just as deeply rooted. Its aspects are slightly different, however, with certain areas worshipping a "Cow-Headed God" in addition to the elves. Some researchers believe this is due to the high presence of cow-type monsters on the 2nd Floor, with these cow-oriented customs serving to mitigate the ire of those creatures.

Just as a vast Elven labyrinth sleeps beneath the 1st Floor's main gate, a massive core stone—said to contain part of the heart and magic of the Twin Priestesses—rests beneath the transfer gate of Urbus, the 2nd Floor's greatest city.

Goal: Become the greatest blacksmith in all of Aincrad—good enough to forge weapons worthy of an epic boss fight! Notes on what it'll take: 1. Skill as a smith → Nothing gets off the ground without this integral step. 2. Materials → Can't make anything worth selling without them. Need to be able to gather them myself. 3. A shop → Aim to open on the third floor to start. Once we push further, might need to think about moving up to a higher floor... I'm going to forge weapons folks can wield with confidence. I swear it! — Message from an adventurer

Around one millennium ago, nine races lived together on the earth, and two Sacred Trees, one black, one white, maintained balance across all of creation. The dark elves who worshipped the black tree formed the kingdom of Lyusula, while the forest elves who worshipped the white tree formed the kingdom of Kales'Oh. The benediction of the Sacred Trees, along with the powerful magic that stemmed from each of them, led both races to great prosperity among the nations of the world. The elven towers found across Aincrad are not made of wood, nor stone, but a magical substance known as elven steel, demonstrating just how advanced this ancient civilization was.

Elves are a species that live in harmony with trees, refusing to fell them and actively despising the iron so often used to destroy woodlands. To this end, their buildings do not use wooden frameworks. They instead burn dead and rotten trees, mix the ashes with special soil, and cast spells to create smooth, solid walls incorporating elven steel. Buildings made using these materials are typically minimalistic, and are expected to evoke tranquility and exist in harmony with nature.

Popular belief holds that this signpost stays alight through ancient elven magic. Researchers have found that it is made of the same material as the Megaliths, absorbing the magical energy that flows naturally through the ground of Aincrad and releasing it in small amounts to stay lit. While it serves as a signpost now, it has stood for centuries, and no one knows when or why it was actually put there. This mystery has fascinated people throughout the different ages of Aincrad. One theologian theorized that the light is sacred, the means by which the goddesses of creation will guide their followers to heaven. The hunters of the forest claim that it marks a hunting trail, and the light was put there to attract animals for the elves to hunt. Village elders say that it marks a safe path, and serves as a guiding light put there by the elves to ensure no one gets lost in the forest. One traveler said that it was pointless to search for meaning in such a trivial object, and that not every mystery in the world needs to be explained. The locals grew enraged at this, but in response the traveler simply pulled his hood tighter and muttered, "Well, it looks nice, and because lots of people pass by it, it just kind of naturally became a road..." before shuffling off in a hurry. The ears under the traveler's hood were unnaturally long...

A hidden landmark of the Town of Beginnings. During weddings and festivals, the frame is covered in flowers, forming a beautiful tunnel. It's said that passing through while making the same wish three times will see it granted.

A hidden landmark of the Town of Beginnings: a tree said to grant love to those who confess beneath it. A face-like hollow in its trunk has led to rumors of a spirit dwelling within. It often unsettles those who take a closer look.

Hey, fellow adventurers— Watch out for spined enemies. They look like hyenas with long spikes running down their backs. The elites will launch those spines at you, and they explode even after you dodge them. Fair warning! You can have that tip for free. You're welcome. — Message from an adventurer

Water is a precious commodity on the 2nd Floor, with only certain areas—like this one—giving access to that vital resource. Under normal circumstances, creatures and people alike would flock to this area and eventually a town would form. Obviously, this did not happen. Instead people chose to dig for water in Safe Areas—proof of how terrifying it is to live outside of one.

I've seen many ruins in my life. Even on the 2nd Floor, there is no sign of people living outside of the Safe Areas. There should be no trade between the cities across levels, yet for some reason, citizens of all levels share the same lifestyle and level of civilization. They progress in unison, almost as if they are synchronized with one another. I can't help but feel that there is some kind of intention behind all of this. —From an inscription left by a researcher.

A famous spot within the marshes, where wrecks of ancient vessels lie scattered. The scenery here tells the tale of Aincrad's past, when it was once part of the overworld. Back then, the area surrounding this place was a large lake. Even now, thousands of years after the Great Separation, the fact that these remains still exist is a testament to the power of the elven magic flowing throughout Aincrad.

In Aincrad, where wheat and barley are the staple crops, the windmill was invented fairly early as a means of milling the grains using the strong winds that buffeted the airborne land. Over the course of millennia spent in the air, other inventions sprung up, like water mills, eyeglasses, clocks, the three-field system of farming, reinforced buildings, and chimneys. Even black gunpowder was created, but due to the magic binding Aincrad, which prevents any manner of projectile weapon, it can only be used for mining.