The Risen Shard

The setting feels so rich and layered—I'm curious whether it was inspired by real-world cultures or entirely from imagination. Did the lore evolve over writing?

The characters' struggles felt genuine, especially when facing tough choices. I wonder if the author intended to evoke such deep empathy or if it just happened naturally.

Switching perspectives added complexity but also slowed the story at times. Was this a conscious choice to build tension or reveal different facets of the world?