Chain of Worlds

Posted by Savin at 12:21 PM 0 comments  

Labels: History, Savin

Ancient creation myth says that the gods tricked the primordials to help them create a universe. Then in the batters fought after its creation, the universe fragmented into many world, breaking the gods and primordials up in the process. Kansul and the demons that serve him are the remains of forces created by the Primordials to unmake the worlds. The primordials no longer guide them. Angels and devils were similarly created (but by the gods) to stop the demons. Devils stick to their original mission (though with ruthless means) while angels have left the path to try to protect the beings of individual worlds.

For countless centuries, civilization has been fleeing the march of Kansul. On Haven, an effort was made to suppress this knowledge in the hopes that it would keep the gates upstream closed. This worked for a time. The gate is open again.

1. Haven. The birth world of all members of the party except Yulia. Historical records would indicate that Haven has a natural and goblinoid alignment. When the Tecera was destroyed, goblinoid energies created the orc race in both Furlough and Haven.

2. Furlough. 1 world "down stream" from Haven. Unknown alignment. During the god wars, Furlough was losing due to the division of their pantheon. This disruption allowed draconic energies from further downstream to enter Furlough and create the dragonborn and kobold races.

3. Draconic world. 2 worlds downstream from Haven. Draconic alignment. Nothing else known.

4. Detached world. We encountered the beings from here in Barera. They can, apparently, detach further worlds. Presumably they have done this before and there are other detached worlds. Alignment unknown.

5. Calubrian world. We encountered this snake race near the coast mining residium. They escaped through a portal to another world. Archeological evidence indicates they predate Eladrin, Elven, and Human presence on Haven and that they were contemporary with the goblins. It is unclear if they fled Haven or if they originate elsewhere and have colonized Haven in the past. Alignment unknown (presumably reptilian). My current understanding of planar theory would indicate that they are either nearby on the chain or they are using whatever means the devils are to reach our world.

6. Upstream worlds. Given the Barerans and Olen's own transformation, it seems clear that as Kansu's forces consume a world, it's energies and alignment shift to elemental. As a result, the destruction of Haven's Tercera allowed these energies into Haven and created the Tiefling race. We have seen records that indicate that, in the past, several worlds actively traded with one another at once. Some of the races of these times (such as an insectoid race) have not travelled downstream and have, presumably, been consumed. It is currently unclear as to how much of a worlds original alignment reminds during the consumption process ( or indeed how long it takes, or what happens to the uncollected souls on these planes, or what remains after the consumption completes, or a multitude of other questions).

7. Are their worlds that are naturally detached from the chain? How could one find them?

Posted by Savin at 7:03 PM 0 comments  

Labels: History, Magic, Savin, Theory, World

While my companions shunted me off to continue my reasearch, they gained an audience with the Eladrin delegation from the East led by Anabalis. They claim to have fought the Enemy for 20,000 years which is longer that we have been on Haven. When questioned on this, they evasively implied that they were from the previous world.
The pounding is Kansul's horde trying to breach the wards placed on the world by the Barerans. Barera is where the initial group fled the previous world. Thus it is closest to the demonic world behind us. This is likely why the energies most affected them.
The Barerans credit Eladrius for preventing them from going mad when the demonic energies came through. He had set up a system to allow them to retain themselves. For whatever reason, this system did not protect the halflings. Yet again we find halflings more immediately and deeply affected by extraplanar energies.

It was 50 years ago the Mount Ascension became cloaked in the darkness we dissipated but only 5 years ago the demon began to try to breach the wards in Barera (causing the banging). "She who sleeps on roofs" earlier told us that the Son told her to allow the undead onto Mount Ascension. Perhaps he sees the Lich Queen as a potential ally against Kansul.

Posted by Savin at 10:06 AM 0 comments  

Labels: History, Savin, Summary

Ah the bliss of some uninterrupted time for proper research!
Tecera's are referred to as the third in the ancient language. They form a bridge between the being and the land. This is what allows (or strengthens) the ability of an extra planar being to influence a world. Thus the Possibility, which is a Far Realm Tecera, allowed the corrupting and randomizing energies of the Far Realms to influence the area around it. Given the nature of the Far Realms, it is unclear if there was an intelligence acting through the Tecera or if the Tecera itself had obtained its own, strange sentience.

Betina is the last survivor of the House of Fall. During the magical disruption 97 years ago, the Aerie of Fall was docked at Barera and the remains are outside of the city (having been converted for continued dwelling and use)

The Nefleheim Aerie (The Aerie of Winter) was going to Barera (to ask their aid against the undead) when we went to Furlough but (according to Betina) but was diverted to Treacher's Folly instead. Treacher's Folly is well within the control of the undead and is now surrounded by a veil of continuous blackness as we found on Ascension. If we are to find the remains of the Nefleheim clan, it will be here.
Portsmouth is the edge of this zone of darkness. This is also where Baern's former lover, Oefa may be found.

Posted by Savin at 9:52 AM 0 comments  

Labels: History, Savin, Summary

It would appear that Baern has a connection to a religious scholar of some note, Oefa Granhelm.
One of the the books that Baern recovered from the redactionists in Ascension was by this luminary.
Before we went to Furlough (and all this madness started), Bearn and Oefa had a romantic trist. Of course, Oefa being of a noble house, this resulted in her parents being most upset. Indeed, these are the events that led to his being assigned to the Neflheim court.
In the intervening years, Oefa was not idle. 75 years after the fall, Oefa's studies into souls led her to conclude that the gods of Haven are responsible for the large number of undead present in Haven when compared to Furlough.
Her theory is that the pantheon is out of balance. The souls of good people are collected by the gods but those of evil beings are not. Since the soul cannot be destroyed, it finds a vessel and creates a "naturally" occurring undead. In comparison in Furlough, which has a more diverse pantheon, only undead created through rituals are found.
If "She who sleeps on roofs" is correct then the thought processes, personality, and very being of a deity are influenced by the souls that they collect. This is both what caused Peter Kovak to break into the existing Pantheon in Furlough and what forced him to destroy the Haven Tecera. In both cases, he was absorbing too wide a variety of souls.

It would appear that earlier worlds on the chain were lost because evil gods sided with the demons. Thus two experiments were tried: On Haven an all good pantheon was created (resulting in natural undead and the eventual ascension of an undead deity, the Lich Queen). On Furlough, monotheism was attempted (resulting in the splintering of the overstretch god)

We have finally had time to research the books we recovered from the redactionists.

Many of the more ancient books talk about old gods and their fight with the Primordials. These old gods are part of the basic creation myths of the universe. According to the books, the old gods lost to the Primordials and, in their defeat, split the universe into the current chain of universes. Thyey spread their essences across the new world and these essences have formed the nucleus of the new gods.
Kansul and his demon forces are the soldiers of the Primordials. However, where the Primordials wish to create and destroy in an endless cycle, the demons wish to destroy without creation. Thus they have been consuming world after world.
Angels and Devils both represent the soldiers on the sides of the old gods. Angels have turned away from directly fighting Kansul and instead work with the new deities to protect intelligent life. The devils continue their struggle, using whatever means necessary to win.

Thew new gods are not as powerful as the old gods. We have evidence that their essence can be collected (this collection from the previous worlds is what formed the basis of the energies used to uplift the current pantheon). However, if this collection does not occur, their essence dissipates. It is not clear if the energy is lost forever or if it will later coalesce on its own, forming a new proto-deity.

Upon fleeing to Haven, the scholars of the time believed that the god fragment that was here was that of a nature deity due to the lushness of the world. Given the drift of the Mother towards a feral, naturalistic stance, it may be that she is becoming aligned with the base alignment of Haven itself.

Posted by Savin at 9:22 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Gods, History, Magic, Savin, Theory, World

Having now retrieved my memories from the scriveners / redactionists, I shall quickly commit them in fear of long term damage. They are recorded in the chronological order of their occurrence.
Once again revealing the idiosyncrasies of teleport circles I again found myself in another space, conversing with Peter Kovak; aka Petrovich; aka the son.
Peter Kovak confirmed and clarified many things:
• He confirmed that he is the Son / Peter Kovak / Petrovich
• Our current world, Haven, is but one of a multitude of world strung out like a line of pearls.
• The world before coming to Haven was (is?) known as Pendara
• Our universe was created by the Gods tricking the Primordials into creating something permanent. The Primordials fractured the cosmos into its current state during the dawn wars. In this context, Gods couldn't refer to beings such as Peter Kovak since he has a defined deification date. Interesting...
• Kansul works for a force that is not the primordials and wishes the complete destruction of the current cosmos.
• Many existing races are created from the interaction of a race with extra planar energies:
o Orks are humans affected by the goblin energies of Haven
o Gnolls are goblin imbued with energies of demons (Kansul)
o Tieflings appear to be either humans of elves similarly exposed.
o Dragonborn are humans exposed to the draconian energies of Furlough. They appeared during the God War and tipped the balance of that war
o This raises the question as to whether all but ONE of the races were similarly created. If so, what is the original race?
• It is possible to skip a plane when travelling but this is very difficult
• Peter Kovak broke the Tecera to prevent himself from fracturing as he had in Furlough
• Furlough had no native intelligent races. Peter Kovak brought refugees from Pendata, skipping Haven all together.
• The redactionists effort to suppress demon / planar activity was working untiol the Tecera was broken

Peter Kovak told me that I would have a revelation if I took a path I wouldn't otherwise have taken. I think this was encouraging me in my subsequent interaction with the scriveners that ultimately led to me obtaining a copy of the Malefarcium.
The location of our conversation then expanded to show the other three pantheon members as well as the Lich Queen (Felosial), who demanded a place at the God's Table.
There are, according to the four, 6 groups arrayed against us:
1. The Betrayers who have the key to save the world
2. The Tyrants who were betrayed
3. The Meddlers who play all sides against each other for their amusement
4. The Invader who takes Chaos over order and Justice
5. Peril (Possibly Kansul?) the one they cannot defeat
6. The Opportunists Survivalists who haven't taken a side.
The Daughter has been changed and now supports continual chaos, change, and mayhem
Followers of Peter Kovak fear that knowledge will be misused

Posted by Savin at 1:56 PM 0 comments  

Labels: History, Magic, Savin, Summary, World

A Tecera is, apparently, a divine anchoring point used to facilitate a god's interaction with the mortal world. The Tacera of Haven was constructed of the essences of the previous world's gods (indeed, one might speculate that it is a repository of MANY gods from MANY worlds)

The destruction of the Tecera apparently occurred 98 years ago, triggering the events that destabilized out return from Furlough and temporarily weakened the gods of this world. It seems that they were, however, able to interact with the world to some degree even without a Tecera.

The giant Oak that Baern planted on Mount Ascension is now acting as a new Tecera. Focussed primarily on the Mother, of course, but lending extra stability to all.

The Grotius Cube is a 4th level Planar space that would allow a god to travel between worlds. This is how I believe the deified Peter Kovak returned to Haven.

Posted by Savin at 12:21 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Gods, History, Savin, Summary, World

The Vault is everything I hoped it would be and more! While it has been largely cut off from the world for the last 98 years, (other than a handful of visitors) it is a wealth of knowledge.

Indeed, it would appear that a great suppression of information has occurred in our past.

It would appear that the World of Haven is but one of a series of world that we have fled to in the past. Indeed, the Vault has knowledge of a chain of such worlds.

As the Vault says, "The Worlds are failing and will not hold back the demons" The Demon refered to was Kansul.

It showed us a string of worlds. Each before Haven was either Red (Conquered by Kansul) or Black (consumed). Haven was yellow (at risk). Furlough, beyond, was green but trending to yellow. It inferred worlds beyond, but these were all in grey (unknown)

When we last fled, 12 heroes set out on a quest. Only 5 survived. Of those that did not survive, was a member of an insectoid race I am unfamiliar with. 2 Elves, 1 Human, 1 dwarf, and one Halfling were the survivors. This quest was, apparently, to gather the essences of the gods of that world.

According the Vault, 3 of the 5 survivors were deified (mortal deification is brilliant, I shall expound on this further!). The Halfling was Elosius Mark, the author of the Malefarcium was not one of the surviving 12. However, Roywynn Goodfellow, another halfling, was deified and (I believe) became the daughter.

Peter Kovak was the Human survivor and was not deified. Instead he continued down the chain. However, one may speculate that the Son (Haven's human god) who was brought to Haven From Furlough was, in fact, a deified Peter Kovak. Indeed the Furlough name of the god, Petrovich, would lend some credence to this.

Ancillin Eladrius, builder of the Vault was the other who was not deified.

So why the suppression? In part, it would appear that a decision was made that magical and extra planar research was responsible for the acceleration of the incursions of Kansul in the past. Suppression of this information through groups such as the redactionists was designed to prevent the new acquisition of this knowledge. Since I do not, at the moment, know how long each previous world was settled before incursion, I can not speculate as to whether the effort was successful or not.

Posted by Savin at 12:18 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Gods, History, Savin, World

After negotiating with the blue dragon Vermafex, she gave you the corpse of Gregore Stonehew, dwarven (ex)-explorer. On said corpse, in addition to some magical items which have been divied up, there was a map of the ruins of Treffenholm, and a diary.

Here are some of the more pertinent entries from that diary.

Kurn ascendent, day 13, 1036 AC
It is an auspicious day, but not one I expected. While taking a break from my months of unsuccessful studies at the grand library of Bareira, I met in a cafe a most curious man, who regailed me with tales regarding Kirwin's journeys during the Godwar. It took me a while to believe this eccentric elf, but as I listened, more and more of what he said matched what my studies had told me. To make a long story short, while not knowing the ulimate fate of Kirwin Swordsinger, he had deducted where Kirwin's treasure was - the fabled Grotius Cube. As I had suspected, it lies in the ruins of Treffenholm, and had not entered the Settled Lands as had previously been posited.

Paksee waning, day 2, 1037 AC
It took me much longer to get here to Steirholm than I expected - my uncle most unreasonably refused to extend to me the funds needed to complete the journey. However, having borrowed heavily from his till, I now finally have the money I need. I know he will be angry when he finds out - and thus I leave at dawn - but his tune will change when I return iwith riches and glory - and the Cube!

Ellaselle ascendent, day 20, 1037 AC
I have installed myself at the court in Steirhold and have begun to (carefully) search for more information regarding the ruins of the old hold

Fenor aspiring, day 17, 1037 AC
What great luck - the fool Cervenish has let slip the very information I need to continue my quest - that old plans for Treffenholm can be found located in the vaults of the Steirholm library. Now, just to figure out how I can get my hands on them to make myself a copy...

Fenor aspiring, day 30, 1037 AC
Sweet fortune shines on me! In now have the maps in these very hands! The real maps, alas, which will mean I have to act quickly to avoid discovery - there was no time for me to be able to copy them. Also alas, I had to abuse Lady Elamir's trust horribly, which is a shame for this will surely mean that our most palitable relationship must end. Nut no matter - once I have the Cube, riches and women will be mine as easily as plucking a peach from a tree. Still, I will miss those sweet lips.

Fenor ascendent, day 6, 1037 AC
I'm finding the maps less helpful than I had hoped - at least this close to the Scar, everythings a terrible jumble. Hopefully, as I manage to penetrate this shamble of stone I will be able to place myself on my charts.

Fenor ascendent, day 23, 1037 AC
At last! I have finally found my way past the wreckage and into the ruins themselves! Alas, not where I had hoped, but hopefully enough remains intact that I might still make my way.

Paksee aspiring, day 2, 1038 AC
I had hoped that the passing of the old year would see me with my prize in hand, but no such luck, as I find my path blocked by a section of flooded passages and corridors. I have started to look for a way around, but no luck so far.

Paksee aspiring, day 12, 1038 AC
I'm beginning to think there is no way around, which means I will have to risk a trip back to Steirholm to acquire some potions - a couple waterwalking and perhaps a waterbreathing incase the passage will become completely flooded. As always, the thoughts of the prize to be had carries me through my setbacks. I am so close I can feel it...

Paksee waning, day 3, 1038 AC
I must have offended Her Lady Paksee somehow, for somehow, in this her season, she has turned her eyes away from me and let the Lord Fenor rule my house. Alas, the Young Lady is fickle, but it seems I have regained her affection. 2 months ago, after procuring the potions, I was caught and arrested on suspicion of stealing those old maps. Fortunately, I had the foresight of hiding them before entering the hold, otherwise I would be having trouble writing, what with my soul and body having been made strangers. Instead, I am now free - it seems that Lady Paksee is not the only lady in whom's heart there is still affection. Now, however, I must reclaim the maps and reclaim my prize, so that I might her sweet lips once more.

Paksee waning, day 5, 1038
Alas, it seems I have regained the affection of the one Lady more than the other, for Paksee once again shuns me. In recovering the maps, I was spotted. Due to my quick wits, I made my way free, but unfortunately the known paths into the ruins are now guarded. It seems I will have to find another path. MY greatest regret is that my camp is still set up in the ruins, and I will have to do without it until I can make my way to the Cube and back to it. A pity - until I make it back to it, there will be no luxury in my life.

Pakesee waning, day 10, 1038
She smiles again - I believe I've found a way in! I've found a shaft down into the mountain, and after a short climb will let me know if this is one more disappointment, or if my prize is again within reach.

And that is the final entry.

Posted by Anonymous at 10:00 PM 1 comments  

Labels: History, Plot

A short historical primer of Haven. As before, the first time I refer to a term, I do so in bold.

"Ancient" History
Mare than 1000 years ago, the Peoples (the civilized races) came to Haven. They came from somewhere to the east of Bareira, fleeing a great enemy. This migration is known as the Flight. It must have been great enemy indeed, as the Peoples found Haven to already be occupied by Goblinoids, with whom they were soon in conflict.

The Peoples soon found themselves at war with the Goblinoids and were eventually successful, pushing the Goblinoids back from what are now the civilized lands. During this time, they decimated the Goblinoids leadership cast, the Hobgoblins. This time is known as the Foundation Wars. During the Foundation Wars, the city of Ascension was founded at the feet of a mountain carrying the same name. Records of this time and of the Flight are rare and incomplete.

Some time around or after the Foundation Wars, Aeries were invented. This opened up an even greater area of expansion for the Peoples, allowing them to travel safely over the heavily forested terrain of Haven. A great period of expansion began, though this expansion involved further conflicts with the Goblinoids. The Goblnoids offered little more than temporary setbacks, however, they being largely disorganized and leadership since the massacre of the Hobgoblins in the Foundation Wars. This time is know as the Safing of Haven. Goblinoids were to remain a continuing nuisance and hazard, as were the variety other hazardous wildlife/creatures in Haven.

Some time around or after the Safing of Haven, the Eladrin Schism occurred, forever dividing the Elvin race. The reasons for the Schism are no longer known, but it forever split Elvin into those who flew the sky in Aeries, and those who lived in the forest below.

"Recent" History
Time progressed. Roughly 600 years ago, Mount Pushkin was discovered by a halfling by the same name, who first observed the unique magical properties of the mountain. It was unique in that the fabric of magic was such that one could open a portal to another world. Soon thereafter, the wizards of Haven developed the means to open such a portal (the Portal) to the world of Furlough, and Treffenholm as a trading town in a mountain nearby.

Soon thereafter, the Godwar blew up. This was a war between the peoples and the Gods of Haven and Furlough. It raged for many years, and was devastating to both worlds, but particularly Furlough, leading to much immigration from Furlough to Haven after the war. Treffenholm was destroyed by magic unleashed during the war, which blasted a huge, long hole in the ground called the Trench.

After the war, Second Chance was founded beside the Trench, again to serve as a hub for trade coming through the Portal. Steirhold was also founded nearby, to exploit the mineral wealth that was revealed by the formation of the Trench, and to hopefully recover some of the treasures lost with the blasting of Treffenholm.

"Current" History
200 or so years ago, Prince Burundis of Ascension went with a large group of followers to found a new settlement. Things went drastically wrong, however, and the settlement was over run by undead, ever since being known as Burundis's Doom. These undead were lead by the Lich-Queen Felosial and her general, the Protector Demarcis. They originally tried to invade and destroy the kingdom of Ascension, but were repulsed at great loss, success being in a large part due to the involvement of the Holy Order of Saint Tach'ol, an order of paladins based in Furlough.

In the present day, the Lich-Queen is trying again, with an army of undead the likes of which have never been seen before. They are marching on Ascension, and it will surely fall without outside help. Bareira, a long standing rival of Ascension, and the kingdom with one of the largest armies in Haven, refuses to help. As a result, the characters have been sent as ambassadors to Furlough, to hopefully get support from the kingdoms there. The fate of Haven depends on it.

Posted by Savin at 6:54 AM 0 comments  

Labels: History, World

My campaign is in two worlds.
You guys are from World 1 and start in World 2... though feel free to make a character that is from world 2.
World 1 is more forested, World 2 more deserty.
Much of both worlds is unexplored.

Races
World 1 (from most to least common).
Goblinoids (not a player race)

These top 3 PC races are about the same in number
Eladrin
Halflings
Dwarfs
These 2 are about 1/3 in number of the "big three"
Humans
Elfs

Kobolds (rare)
those Dragon people (rare)
Half-elfs (very rare)
Orks (very rare, not a player race)

Eladrin, Dwarfs and Elfs tend not to live together, but with humans and halflings living with all 3. In such communities, the noble will be of the dominant race (so, eladrin, dwarf or elf). Of those 3, elf communities have the least amount of humans/halflings. Dwarfs live in the mountains, elfs in the forest, Eladrin in flying cities that migrate. Eladrin and dwarfs get along fine (live apart more due to where they like to live). Eladrin and elves not so much... Eladrin are "magic rivendel elves", elves are "forest, mirkwood elves". They are the same race, they just have different lifestyles/values. Half-elf have characteristics of both elves/eladrin and humans, but are their own race - they aren't the result of interbreeding, though they might once have been. There are also a few cities that are truly multicultural, one of which the PCs comes from.

Incidentally, another thing about this campaign is the characters start off as mid-teen level 3.5 characters. We won't actually play as such, but I want the beginning characters crafted as it they had been rolled over to the new edition, but starting at zero. It doesn't make sense now, but it will. 8)

This world has a pantheon of 4 gods:
Father - dwarf - fire - justice, construction, war (lawful good)
Mother - Elf/Eladrin - earth - growth, health, prosperity (neutral good)
Daughter - halfling - water - the arts, curiousity, change (chaotic> good)
Son - human - air - magic, chance, trickery (neutral - which neutral depends on what facet of his personality is involved)

World 2 (from most to least common)
Humans
Kobolds
Dragon peoples
Halflings
Eladrin
Dwarfs
Gnomes (very rare)
Half-elfs (very rare)

Most nobles are human or dragon-kin
This world has a crazy pantheon of goods, representing a more balanced view of emotions/values - so include evil gods as well.

Posted by Savin at 6:37 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Gods, History, World