Entertainment is widely available in Iryna in a variety of mediums, with recent magitech innovations causing an explosion of experimental independent content in addition to established mainstream productions. Iryna’s cultural emphasis on individual expression and the sheer size of its population have also contributed to a diverse array of entertainment options for its residents.
Literacy is near-universal in Iryna, and its inhabitants read a wide array of novels, poems, newspapers, magazines, comics, journals, and more. Printing presses sell their services to any aspiring author who wishes to distribute their work, but as the IrynaNet has become ubiquitous, many authors choose to self-publish online. A new genre of narrative art is the "text adventure", which uses the SmartStone interface to guide readers through branching paths of an interactive story. Keeping a well-curated book collection is a mark of distinction for upper-class Irynians. For poorer Irynians, the Iryna Library offers free access to the largest collection of books in the entire Archipelago, but does not lend out its books. It also contains public records and reference materials.
Although bardic mages are notorious for their use of instruments, most musicians perform purely for artistic expression rather than for spellcasting utility. The ease of access to recorded albums made possible by the IrynaNet has not diminished Iryna’s passion for live music. Concerts are held in all kinds of venues, from Highpark’s massive amphitheater to hole-in-the-wall taverns.
The Highpark amphitheater also hosts sporting competitions, which are attended by dedicated fans and casual spectators alike. Martial arts, rhythmic gymnastics, fencing, steeplechase, parkour, and jousting are all enjoyed in Iryna. Team formations are purely based on the personal chemistry of the athletes involed, not on residency, age, gender, or membership in a sporting organization.
Because of Iryna’s unusual concentration of residents with magical ability, performers who incorporate spellcasting into their act are more common than in other parts of the Archipelago. Stage combat artists perform dramatic duels that require martial strength, acrobatic dexterity, and dazzling illusory special effects. Illusory magic is also popular as an independent performance art.
In addition to formal performance art in traditional venues, it is not uncommon to find acrobats, dancers, musicians, illusionists, and other artists on the streets of Iryna. Some even perform the subway circuit, entertaining some commuters and frustrating others. Large crowds that gather to watch a show tend to block traffic. These performers can make a significant income through tips.
For the richest Irynians, hosting and attending lavish parties is a constant source of entertainment. These parties often boast live performances as well as high-class cuisine, and are an opportunity to show off one's extravagant homes and cutting-edge fashion. The sordid details of these dinners are covered extensively in gossip mags, which speculate wildly and rarely check their sources.
Irynians, as a cultural rule, have little interest in history; as such, Iryna’s most popular museums are those that showcase the latest technological innovations, the fine arts, and medical curiosities.
The most recent development in Irynian entertainment is the arcade, a gaming space with magitech devices specially-designed to allow users to play very simple competitive games. Arcade games typically evoke the "old-timey" adventuring action that is also a popular subject of books and other media, with players challenged to sail across the Archipelago or clear a dungeon of dangerous monsters. Arcades remain a niche and relatively-inaccessible hobby, but IrynaNet livestreamers are contributing to their growing popularity.