Myst Journey

Ages and places of Uru

Explore and learn more about the environments of Uru: Ages Beyond Myst:

The Cleft

Cleft
Earth Age Wallpaper Age Wallpaper
Download: 4x3 | Wide

Also known as D'ni - Riltagamin (literally meaning "D'ni - Unknown," the identifier for all areas of this Age that the D'ni were unaware of), the Cleft is a fissure of volcanic origin near an extinguished volcano. It is near the old exit of the Great Shaft created by the D'ni a number of decades before their downfall, and as such offers a way in to the City other than by Linking.

After the downfall, Anna took her son Gehn with her to the Cleft, and established a living here, surviving from the careful capture of water and occasional trading with passing caravans. After Gehn's departure Anna lived here with her grandson Atrus, until he was taken away by his father to D'ni.

Atrus later established a home nearby, and there is a possibility he returned to live there at one point.

The novel Myst: The Book of Ti'ana implied the Cleft was somewhere in the Middle-east, near an evidently Arabic or Ottoman city called Tadjinar, but it has been revealed that it is actually in the desert near Eddy County, New Mexico, United States, on the property of one Jeff Zandi. Its location suggests that the cavern system that supports the D'ni empire is somehow connected to the Carlsbad Caverns.

Relto Age

Relto Age

Relto (which, according to Yeesha, means "the high place") is an Age originally Written as a gift for her parents, and resembles Myst Island. (Although Myst Island was an island in an ocean, whereas Relto is a lonely mountain peak above clouds.)

The Book itself has the previously unheard of ability to follow its owner (and only its owner) through the link when it is used, and is also capable of linking to itself. This defies several rules of the Art which were previously held as absolute.

Another unique feature of the Relto Book is that it is capable of adding new items to the Age, through the addition of pages scattered throughout other Ages. These pages do not appear to contain any D'ni writing; rather, they are pictographic depictions of the item that is added. Additionally, these items can be turned off and on by touching the symbol itself.

Yeesha has said that Relto will change as an explorer's explorations continue, reflecting who they are: becoming the "soul" of the explorer. It is presently unclear to what extent Yeesha intends this, and speculations on this subject also extend into the Book's ability to somehow identify who is using it when linking.

Phil's Relto

Phil's Relto

Essentially a "Relto at night", Phil Henderson's (a former member of the D'ni Restoration Council (DRC)) variation of Relto features few differences from the standard Relto besides the weather, and the changed bookshelves. Phil's Relto is only accessible from the Spy Room. It has been speculated that Phil's Relto is shrouded in night because Phil has died.

Teledahn Age

Teledahn Age
Teledahn Age Wallpaper Age Wallpaper
Download: 4x3 | Wide

"The truth of a man is found in the darkness, beneath the surface. Some light might reveal only what some men want to be seen."

— Regettavok Oorpah; Book 9, Entry 221, Item 24

The age of Teledahn was created by the D'ni in their year 8990. It features a long, mountainous ridge, with a swampy interior, dotted with large mushroom-trees. The largest of these mushrooms are several dozen meters in diameter. One is hollow; inside it is a hut, the main link-in point. From there, it connects to a number of long catwalks, which go to the source of power for this Age, a large, solar antenna, which feeds off the rapidly orbiting sun. From this power, lights are maintained, as is a gondola system, which connects to a processing chamber above the hut (and then to an office even higher up). Under the hut is a passageway that leads to some prison-rooms. From here, it leads to a back-side walkway, which connects to a little cliff that over-looks the back bay of the area. Another little tower built into the cliff suggests a secluded study, or perhaps a trading port (boxes still dot the area).

The history of this Age is revealed in a link to an office in The City: the office of Douglas Sharper. He kept detailed journey entries from 1997 up to the present, exploring his rebuilding of Teledahn and his research thereof. From his research, it appears that it was a gift for the Lord of Caterers, Hinahsh, on his 250th birthday, in the D'ni year 8990. When Hinahsh died in 9000, control of it passed to the Guild, and subsequently, Guild Captain Ventus. Ventus began the industrialization that is currently seen on the Age. After some amount of time, a man named Manesmo bought the island, and kept it in good shape, though he apparently started dealing in slaves, a nasty underbelly to the D'ni civilization. The underground tunnel and prison cells were used for this, and they would be transported to Rebek, where games for sport would be played out with the slaves, much like the gladiatorial games of ancient Rome. Major inspections into this slave trade were being performed just prior to the Fall.

Douglas Sharper spent a good deal of time in this Age; much like Hinahsh, it is suspected, he became quite endeared with its quirky environment (and rich history). Despite taking numerous leaves of abscence, mostly during Christmas time, this is where the bulk of Sharper's DRC work occurred (though towards the end he had to work on The City). Sharper kept his knowledge of the slave aspect of this Age hidden from his superiors, like Dr. Richard Watson (and others). Befriending the translator Nick, he learned as much as possible about Teledahn (and then Rebek) without the consent of the DRC. Some of his notes in fact support Zandi in his outright ignoring of DRC wishes. Douglas also met the forty-foot animal, that would swim in the waters (but also breathed normal oxygen, he later found out). He named this animal 'Shroomie' (and all of its kind) because they liked to feed on the giant mushroom-trees. As Sharper had finished much of the restoration process needed on Teledahn by 2002, he had been recalled to work on The City, and only took brief visits to Teledahn after that (he also notes later that Rebek was subsequently shelved by the DRC — something that did not surprise him).

Gahreesen Age

Gahreesen
Gahreesen Age Wallpaper Age Wallpaper
Download: 4x3 | Wide

"The laws contrived by the proud are their security and their undoing. Such laws make disobedience a virtue, and obedience a sin."

— Regeltavok of Oorpah - Book 12, Entry 32, Item 134

The Age of Gahreesen was created by the D'ni in the year 8500 D.E. (D'ni Era), to be used as the "Home Age" for the Guild of Maintainers, a highly secretive group, of which the construction of the buildings within the Age reflect. The buildings were designed to constantly rotate, so that writing a Linking Book from the Age would be impossible; one needs a stationary position within an Age to write a Linking Book.

The huge buildings were used as the training center for the Guild of Maintainers, evidence of that fact being the huge "Training Wall" one finds within the bowels of one of the buildings. The rest of the Age surrounding the Guild complex seems to be jungle, in which has been noted live dangerous, carnivourous creatures.

There is also evidence pointing to the fact that the Guild was opening up certain parts of the buildings to the rest of the D'ni civilization towards the end of their fall, to dispense to the populace devices known as "KI's".

Gahreesen is often referred to as Garrison, the name it had during the Uru beta period, and which is still used for the game files.

Kadish Tolesa Age

Kadish Tolesa
Kadish Tolesa Age Wallpaper Age Wallpaper
Download: 4x3 | Wide

"Only the way a man is when he is hidden, is how he is. A shallow glimpse can deceive. Look deep, ponder, and recognize all that is hidden."

— Regeltavok of Oorpah - Book 9, Entry 221, Item 77

The Age of Kadish Tolesa, written by Kadish, is full of gargantuan trees, that seem to stretch forever into the sky. A purple hue permeates the Age. The Age itself seems to be a large island of forest surrounded by a sea of clouds. Throughout the Age can be found ancient looking stone structures, most of them broken and crumbling. The age was once a vast estate but due to Kadish's poor writing, the trees grew out of control ripping through the estate and leaving the age looking as it does now.

Further exploration of the Age reveals that the stone structures are actually part of a very intricate puzzle devised to protect the treasure vault of the Age's owner, a D'ni known as Guildmaster Kadish, who was eventually expelled from the Guild of Writers. One can find the skeletal remains of Kadish within the vault itself, clutching one of the many precious items that lay within. A note laying beside the skeleton brings to light his dementia and paranoia at the time of the fall of the D'ni civilization, in which he writes of his love for his treasure, how he values it more than anything else, and how he would rather die with it, than return to his people.

This facet of greed and love of things unimportant exhibited by Kadish is a lesson Yeesha uses to explain to those who partake of "The Journey", in part, why the D'ni fell.

Eder Gira

Eder Gira
Eder Gira Age Wallpaper Age Wallpaper
Download: 4x3 | Wide

"When all is taken from one, the only hope that remains is what is given by another. Through this giving, both are redeemed."

— Regettavok Oorpah; Book 2, Entry 1071, Item 54

Eder Gira is a volcanic scrap of land, dotted with steam vents and a very out-of-place waterfall. A number of awkward bone structures dot the landscape, and a series of inter-connected dark passageways run through the back ridge, behind the waterfall. Small, manta-ray-like creatures can be found swimming in the pond below the falls, and baskets arrayed around the caves in the rear of the Age indicate that at one time this Age may have featured fishing as a distraction from everyday life in the Cavern. The focus of this Age is the linking book to its sister, Eder Kemo.

Garden Ages such as Eder Gira were known to have been placed in D'ni Neighborhoods throughout the Cavern as a way to escape the pressures of everyday D'ni life and get a breath of fresh air. This Age was written during what the DRC has labeled a "Garden Binge" period around 8100 DE. The latest information from the DRC in this regard has definitively closed the debate on whether Gira and its sister Age, Eder Kemo, are Ages which date back to the time of King Shomat, who ruled in the early 300's.

The DRC has made very little impact on this Age visually, and records are very sparse as to their opinions on the Age or its general status. A strange Linking Stone - likely placed there by either Yeesha or one of the Least, connects this Age to the DRC research station atop the Tokotah Rooftop in D'ni, but beyond that, the DRC seem to have no connection to this Age.

Eder Gira

Eder Gira huts seen in the distance.

Eder Kemo

Eder Kemo
Eder Kemo Age Wallpaper Age Wallpaper
Download: 4x3Wide

"When all is taken from one, the only hope that remains is what is given by another. Through this giving, both are redeemed."

— Regettavok Oorpah; Book 2, Entry 1071, Item 54

Eder Kemo is the sister Age to Eder Gira, and is a very lush and wet Age. Featuring a few separate areas, this small area is host to a number of alien fauna and a couple of strange living creatures. One of the living creatures is a swarm of buzzing fireflies (almost), which buzz about a small orchard; a few will even follow you if you get close enough. The other living creatures are these strange, small scorpion-looking animals, which hang onto the walls, looking down, almost sloth-like in their movements. Thunderstorms pass through about once every fifteen minutes, but only last a minute or so. While walking around during the dry moments, you'll notice a large number of wall-carvings, all of which are very interesting. Some seem to show an enslavement, of black figures being herded around by black-figures with red bands. Next to that picture is a strange depiction of a giant mechanical structure, possibly even a spaceship. Walking around more, some of the other pictures appear to display a battle between a large monster and a giant robot, and an exodus, maybe, or a large celebration.

Garden Ages such as Eder Kemo were known to have been placed in D'ni Neighborhoods throughout the Cavern as a way to escape the pressures of everyday D'ni life and get a breath of fresh air. The Age was written around 8100 DE, during a period which the DRC have labeled a "Garden Binge".

Research Engineer Phil Henderson disappeared in this Age in 2002, through what the DRC could only assume was the Age's "Journey Door", which the DRC themselves have been unable to open. Prior to his disappearance, Rand Miller and Dr. Richard Watson took a fairly large group of visitors on a tour of the Age during Mysterium 2002. Beyond this, however, there appears to be very little DRC activity in this Age.

D'ni

Earth Age Wallpaper Age Wallpaper
Download: 4x3 | Wide

Ae'gura

Ae'gura

Ae'gura is the largest island in the D'ni main cavern, somewhat resembling a jagged tooth rising up from the lake. It is sometimes referred to as the City, as Ae'gura is the oldest part of the D'ni capital. The rest of the city is then referred to as the City Proper.

The "city" links in Uru link to locations on Ae'gura, K'veer and Eder Tomahn.

Ae'gura

The Ferry Terminal of Ae'gura.

Bevin

Bevin

Bevin is a neighbourhood which can be Linked to from Relto.

Neighbourhoods of the D'ni city are the city areas which hug the edges of the main cavern. They are based on a few basic forms, with only small differences between them. The neighbourhoods are inaccessible except through the Nexus, which perhaps explains why they are mostly undamaged.

Bevin

Baron's Office

Baron's Office

A room owned by Douglas Sharper, who also maintained the Age of Teledahn.

Kadish Gallery

Kadish Gallery

The Kadish Gallery was bought by Guildmaster Kadish after his dismissal from the Guild of Writers. It is filled with many beautiful stained glass pieces, some of which contain clues to the puzzles in Kadish Tolesa. Some of the pieces in the gallery are by outsider (that is, non-D'ni) artists.

The Kadish Gallery was designated City Interior 0080 by the DRC when they started the restoration. It had completed Phase 5 of its restoration when the cavern was closed.

Rezeero

Rezeero (The Great Zero)

The Great Zero is a device placed in an otherwise inaccessible area of Ae'gura, where the neutrino dispenser which provides the locational markers in D'ni resides. Once calibrated, a KI can report the location of the wearer based on the neutrino rays emanating from the Great Zero.

The DRC referred to the Great Zero as "Rezeero," which is badly-formed D'ni for "The Zero." The true D'ni phrase for "The Great Zero" is "Reroon Gahro."

The Watcher's Sanctuary

Watcher's Sanctuary

Also called the Great Tree Pub. Located in the J'Taeri district in the Cavern, it was unreachable without Linking Books. The most notable feature about it is the Great Tree, an immense tree built out of stone, which represents a concept from D'ni religion. The Pub and Tree were built shortly after the arrival of the D'ni on Earth, and it changed hands many times. One of its owners was the Watcher, a Nostradamus-like D'ni prophet. Shortly before the downfall it became the property of Guildmaster Kadish, who also owned the Kadish Art Gallery and the Age of Kadish Tolesa.

Kirel

Kirel

Kirel is the DRC neighbourhood.

Neighbourhoods of the D'ni city are the city areas which hug the edges of the main cavern. They are based on a few basic forms, with only small differences between them. The neighbourhoods are inaccessible except through the Nexus, which perhaps explains why they are mostly undamaged.

Grain Silo

The city held several silos to store the food brought in from the various Ages. One of them, a grain silo, can be reached through the granary age of Er'cana. It is unknown where the silo precisely is located, but the locational markers on the Ki suggest it is inside the main Cavern, but far away from the main city, in one of the industrial districts which cannot be visited. This particular silo served to store food for the luminescent algae in the main Cavern, not to feed the people of D'ni.

During the time of the D'ni civilization, this Silo was known as Uran. It was the main industrial complex inside the cavern of D'ni and was built during the reign of King Me'emen to replace the old Nehw'eril District. Its construction was far away from the city proper to protect the populace from industrial accidents. This demand arose after a disease was imported into the Nehw'eril District.

Space clearance for Uran was begun in 5389 and construction was started in 5475. It was officially opened in 5500. In 5541 the district was renamed Ashem'em, in honor of Me'emen's son Ashem, a Healer who had died the previous year from a disease caught while investigating a new Age for safety.

K'veer

K'veer

K'veer is the island in the D'ni cavern which was inhabited by Veovis' family. It is also where the dramatic events of the end of the Book of Ti'ana take place.

Gehn later made the island his base of operations in D'ni, and imprisoned Atrus here during the events of the Book of Atrus. Years later, Atrus' sons trapped him there once more, but soon after, the Stranger first met Atrus there at the end of the Myst game and freed him (and again during the opening scene of Riven).

In the beginning of the Book of D'ni Atrus manages with the help of the Averonese to open the crumbled exit of the room and gain access to the rest of the city.

In the game Myst, this place is referred to as simply as D'ni.

Nexus Age

Nexus Age

The Nexus is a small Age which contains a machine with Linking Books. Based on the authentication provided by the KI, it offers a list of Ages and locations to the user. The Nexus can be accessed through a Nexus station, which is placed in several City locations.

The Nexus idea dates back to the development stage of Myst II (eventually Riven), when it was planned Myst II would start on an Equiquay. This eventually became Gehn's 233rd Age, which serves as the Nexus for Riven Island. Uru's Nexus reuses many textures from Riven.

Ahnonay Age

Ahnonay
Ahnonay Age Wallpaper Age Wallpaper
Download: 4x3 | Wide

The Age of Ahnonay appears to be made up of numerous small islands within a vast ocean. In the sky above, pinkish clouds float through a somewhat overcast sky. In the middle of the largest island is a small lake, which holds the structure called "The Clocktower", for lack of better description. But there is much more to this little Age than meets the eye...

Ahnonay was on Phase 3 of its restoration when the cavern of D'ni was closed to explorers.

Ahnonay

Er'cana Age

Er'cana
Er'cana Age Wallpaper Age Wallpaper
Download: 4x3 | Wide

The Age of Er'cana was one of many written by the D'ni to serve as harvest, or "food" Ages, meant to feed the civilization of the D'ni in the Great Cavern. Its architecture is mainly representative of Industrial usage, with large storage buildings, as well as what appears to be a transportation system for what would have been the huge amounts of food grown on the Age.

When the algue lake in the age was dying, Guildmaster Kadish became the engineer, contructing most of the mechanisms used. The age's plants were collected, compressed and baked. The plants reacted with the lake algue making them flurish. This was to show Kadish as the Grower.

Er'cana

The silo in Er'cana.

Myst Age

Myst Age
Age Wallpaper
Download: 4x3 | Wide


Additional fact-checking provided by Tweek