A large national park encompassing the mountains west of Firefly City. Notable locations include Mount Firefly (the largest mountain in the range), the town of New Dawn, Daylight Valley, and Sunset Valley.

You can learn more about the Sunset Valley region of the park on the Where's Willow? show website.

A well-to-do suburb nestled between Shadow Bay and the feet of the Starlight Mountains.

A wealthy neighborhood situated at the edge of Shadow Bay.

An area of event venues, parks, and other public entertainment and recreation areas to the east of Radiance Beach along the shores of Shadow Bay.

A bustling port that is the hub of the city’s trade infrastructure. It connects to Shadow Bay, Lightning Bay, and, once upon a time, the Firefly City Grand Canal.

A middle-class suburb between Firefly City University and the foothills of the Starlight Mountains.

A neighborhood of high-rise apartment buildings south of Firefly City University. Many students live here during their third and fourth years of university.

The central district of the city which contains most of its skyscrapers, including the blue-tipped Cerulean Tower which is the most iconic part of the city's skyline.

A collection of derelict and partially-flooded neighborhoods destroyed during the Great Canal Flood of 2003. Formerly known as the Lightwater District, most of this area is abandoned and extremely dangerous, and it is known as the darkest district of the city. While some still maintain residence here, they are few and far between, and are often there only due to lack of other options.

An old hub of small-business activity and the location of the city’s primary subway station (Lambent Station). It is situated on the northwestern edge of the Dim District, and is almost completely abandoned.

The city’s primary institution of higher education and one of the most popular universities in the entire Commonwealth of Aurora. The university includes a large student neighborhood to the north centered around Spark Street, with which the neighborhood shares its name.

A group of urban neighborhoods to the north of the city’s center. It includes several apartment buildings and streets of row houses and is regarded as a generally pleasant place to live. Ember Park, the largest park in the city, lies in the northwestern corner of Emberton. It is home to several gardens, walking paths, and other features. Students from Firefly City University and Spark Street often visit this park as it is just across the Firefly City Loop highway from their neighborhoods.

An area of the city containing several manufacturing plants, factories, and other industrial facilities.

A larger, urban sprawl-style suburb to the north of the city between the Firefly Hills and the Starlight Mountains, particularly Crepuscule Mountain and Skylight Peak.

A suburb located on the site of the original settlement preceding Firefly City. It is comprised of the oldest residential buildings in the area, many of which are larger due to being built during more prosperous eras of the city’s history.

Located to the northeast of the city, this is the area known to cover the abandoned lumen crystal mines lies between the Firefly Hills, the Ember Expressway, and the shore of Lightning Bay. It is regarded as extremely dangerous by everyone but the government, yet many urban exploration enthusiasts commonly investigate the area.

Moonbeam Sound is a large inlet of the Sea of Shadows that surrounds Firefly City on two sides. It is divided into Shadow Bay and Lightning Bay.

Shadow Bay is largely part of the Starlight Mountains National Park. It gets its name from the shadows of the mountains and hills that surround it on two sides, keeping the waters darker during the latter half of the day.

Lightning Bay is an area of water to the east of Firefly City known for frequent small thunderstorms and waterspout tornadoes.

■ East: The Ember Expressway travels east past the Firefly City International Airport before turning north towards Sunrise City. Across the Sea of Shadows further east are more continents and countries.

■ West: Beyond the Starlight Mountains National Park lies the larger Auroran Plateau, where plains and farmland stretch for miles. This large area is known for it's violent supercell thunderstorms, derechos, and sandstorms.

■ North: Near Old Firefly, the Firefly Hills, a series of rocky, heavily-wooded hills and bluffs, are an important part of the city's history. Many old mansions and wooded areas in these hills are rumored to be haunted. Nestled within the hollers and nooks of these hills is the small, fading mine town of Daytown.

■ South: The Shadow Hills can be reached by crossing the Blue Island Suspension Bridge over Shadow Bay. Many people passing through these hills report feeling a sense of unease due to frequent low-light conditions. The nearest city in this direction is called Lumino City, a futuristic metropolis known for its abundance of neon lights.

Weather around Firefly City is generally sub-alpine. During the late spring and early summer, it is frequently misty and rainy. During the rest of the year, snow and high winds are common. The skies are often overcast during the day and clear at night.

Occasionally, strong storms and even hurricanes strike the city from the ocean, causing massive flooding, damage, and casualties. Entire regions of the city, such as the Dim District (formerly the Lightwater District), have been repeatedly ravaged by such storms, and flooding is an issue in several eastern areas.

Due to the climate, inhabitants of the city commonly wear long clothes (sleeves and pants) all year round, and jackets are common as well. Scarves, beanies, heavier shoes, hoodies, jackets, raincoats, capes, and so on are the popular, utilitarian style.

The economy of Firefly City is centered mainly on trade and finance. In the past, its economy focused largely on lumen crystal mining, timber, and wood-based manufacturing. As times changed, environmental concerns arose and industry moved overseas, transforming the city. Port Firefly handles imports and exports to and from the rest of the world, and Downtown Firefly hosts numerous business headquarters and government organizations.

Tourists also visit the city’s downtown and waterfront areas, often before heading up into the Starlight Mountains to hike, ski, and camp out, or before heading south to see the neon lights of Lumino City.

The city is generally prosperous as a whole, but there is significant inequality among its residents. Some are wealthy and live in the peaceful southwestern beaches, the historic Old Firefly, or the glistening city center. Others are relegated to the more desolate Dim and Industrial Districts where unfinished construction projects, uninhabitable areas, and industry make life toxic and miserable. Between these extremes, there are the middle-class suburbs of Lampyridge, Emberton, West Firefly, and Nova Heights, as well as the Spark Street Student Neighborhood of Firefly City University.

People in the city tend to be antisocial and cold. It's hard to make friends, leading many to feel isolated and lonely despite the city's large population. Only outsiders and tourists tend to be friendly and approachable unless there is some prior acquaintance involved.

Politically, the city suffers the same corruption, grifting, and broken promises seen in many other big cities. This is a big reason behind the city's partial dilapidation and cold social and cultural atmosphere.

There is a major trend in the city towards preserving legends, particularly those about the supernatural. Ghost stories, monsters, and mysteries are often featured in popular media and everyday discussion. Some suspect that this is driven by the city’s melancholy and brooding environment.

Meaning: "The Void of Storms"

An ocean known for sudden terrifying storms, cyclones, whirlpools, and other dangerous phenomenon. Ships and aircraft passing though this area must follow strict travel routes or risk being lost beneath the waves. Two deep abysses, known as the Abyss of Souls and The Fissure, are steeped in ominous legend.

Meaning: "The Void of Octatia"

The southern ocean, frigid and perilous. It is often covered in mist or fog. Many who sail here are lost forever.

Meaning: "The Void of Shadows"

This ocean is the most heavily-traversed on the planet. It is known for its shadowy storms and a deep, rocky seafloor full of strange and unsettling creatures. It is home to some of the deepest abysses on the planet.

Meaning: "The Eternal Void"

An ocean that was once thought to extend forever due to its vast size. It is the largest ocean on the planet, and is home to the longest continuous abyss. An enormous crater sits at the former location of a small island which was the site of the cataclysmic Great Split experiment.

■ Oceans are referred to as "inanis" (from "void" in Latin). This is because for thousands of years the oceans were seen as little more than useless voids of cruel, perilous water.
■ "Inanis" are subdivided into more traditionally-named seas. These names are more self-explanatory, as they refer to the climate, hazards, or surroundings of the respective region of water. The only exceptions are the Sea of Souls, which is named for the many ships lost to its waters, and the Sea of Transcendance, which is named for the ancient belief that sailing east into this sea would lead sailors to another world, or even the afterlife itself.
■ The Sunshine Strait and the Sea of Turbulence are two of the most dangerous regions, with strong currents due to the unobstructed flows of water in these regions. Think of them as akin to the Drake Passage in our real world.

Name Info: Pronounced like "alfahshyah." From "alfajiri" = "dawn" in Swahili.

A vast continent with several cultures with rich histories. Many great empires and trade routes have flourished here, thriving in the fertile grasslands, harsh deserts, and dense rainforests.

Name Info: Pronounced like "arahshyah." From "arashi / 嵐" = "storm" in Japanese.

An extension of Prakashia and land with a cold north, a hot south, and a temperate region in between. The cultures of this land are known for their history, work ethic, and creativity.

Name Info: A region and country in the Arctic.

A vast, barren ice wasteland in the north only broken by looming mountains, frozen rivers, and hints of a mysterious and reclusive civilization of an unknown group of beings.

Name Info: From "aurora borealis" = "northern lights" in pseudo-Latin.

A temperate continent with an interconnected network of cities and countryside communities. It is the home continent of Firefly City and the country known as the "Commonwealth of Aurora" (COA).

Name Info: Pronounced like "bahnshiyah." From "bansa / 반사" = "reflection" in Korean.

An extension of Prakashia and a land dominated by vast forests and grasslands, as well as a resourceful culture that is known for its innovation and creativity.

Name Info: From kilanovae.

A small continent covered in a mix of rainforest and grassland. It is a key component of much oceanic trade and exploration.

Name Info: From "kurrani" = "moon" in Tiwi aboriginal language.

A land of big cities and big wildernesses surrounded by stormy seas. It is known as the final stop on the voyage west.

Name Info: From "nebulosa" = "nebula" in both Spanish and Portuguese.

A continent rich in environmental variety, including deserts, rainforests, ice plateaus, and grassland. It is known for its cultural vibrance and mysterious ancient history.

Name Info: The eighth continent ("oct-"), also "Sigma Octantis" is the Southern Star.

An uninhabited southern land of ice, mountains, and mystery. Many have attempted to explore this region. Many have disappeared without a trace.

Name Info: From "otrazheniye / отражение" = "reflection" in Russian.

A cold but fertile northern continent with a mix of cities and towns spread amongst vast forests and grasslands. Several massive glacial lakes exist in this land.

Name Info: From "prakashah / प्रकाशः" = "light" in Sanskrit.

A land of harsh environments and civilizations that thrive despite them. Many ancient legends and modern marvels originate from this place. This continent technically includes Banshia and Arashia.

Name Info: Pronounced like "poolia." From a crater on Jupiter's moon Europa, and by extension the Celtic mythological figure Pwyll.

A continent known for its many historic cities and a variety of cultures dating back centuries. Many societies can trace aspects of themselves back to this continent, for better or worse.

■ The world of Firefly City Stories is Earth, but with a lore-based reason for the differences between it and our world in real life (to be revealed, but hints are there already).
■ Locations are partly inspired by mixes of real places, and the names often follow suit. Research for the world map (particularly place names and making sure climate and plate tectonics were plausible) was extensive.
■ In this research, I found that Sanskrit and Persian can be to eastern worldbuilding as Latin and Greek are to western worldbuilding.
■ Convention is still focused on light/dark, celestial objects, meteorological phenomena, and gemstones.
■ Exceptions to convention are for specific, intentional reasons but are kept generally relevant (such as eternity, dust, etc.)

Meaning: "The Void of Storms"

An ocean known for sudden terrifying storms, cyclones, whirlpools, and other dangerous phenomenon. Ships and aircraft passing though this area must follow strict travel routes or risk being lost beneath the waves. Two deep abysses, known as the Abyss of Souls and The Fissure, are steeped in ominous legend.

Meaning: "The Void of Octatia"

The southern ocean, frigid and perilous. It is often covered in mist or fog. Many who sail here are lost forever.

Meaning: "The Void of Shadows"

This ocean is the most heavily-traversed on the planet. It is known for its shadowy storms and a deep, rocky seafloor full of strange and unsettling creatures. It is home to some of the deepest abysses on the planet.

Meaning: "The Eternal Void"

An ocean that was once thought to extend forever due to its vast size. It is the largest ocean on the planet, and is home to the longest continuous abyss. An enormous crater sits at the former location of a small island which was the site of the cataclysmic Great Split experiment.

■ Oceans are referred to as "inanis" (from "void" in Latin). This is because for thousands of years the oceans were seen as little more than useless voids of cruel, perilous water.
■ "Inanis" are subdivided into more traditionally-named seas. These names are more self-explanatory, as they refer to the climate, hazards, or surroundings of the respective region of water. The only exceptions are the Sea of Souls, which is named for the many ships lost to its waters, and the Sea of Transcendance, which is named for the ancient belief that sailing east into this sea would lead sailors to another world, or even the afterlife itself.
■ The Sunshine Strait and the Sea of Turbulence are two of the most dangerous regions, with strong currents due to the unobstructed flows of water in these regions. Think of them as akin to the Drake Passage in our real world.