The Campaign Builder's Guild

In a world blanketed by ice and snow, Ember Valley blooms lush and green. Nestled near the coast, the Valley is kept tropical by at least one unknown source. Frigid storms blowing in from the coast turn to a warm mist and blow through the towering vegetation.

In the Past
The Automatamachy, where The Ancients and the Automata warred against each other. Weapons of unimaginable power were created and unleashed by both sides. In the end, nether side emerged as a true victor, The Ancients descended into the Long Hibernation, becoming The Sleepers. The Automata retreated from the world, descending to the depths or escaping to the moons.

The Present
Humans, the Awakened, return to the world. Resurrected from the Long Hibernation by the creche cities, Koma, Patr, Oon, Monos. The bestial and horned aigagros consider themselves the true rulers of the world, moving easily between the hot and humid Valley and the frigid artic surroundings. The khthon toil under the earth, venturing into Othrys, but always barred from settling in Ganobyth. The khartedemo welcome everyone to their arboreal cities while the hydr plot under the waves.

Podpolis, self proclaimed cultural, magical, technological hub of the Valley sits in the shadow of Othrys. Standing at the source of the River Potampod, it has become a trading hub attracting humans fresh from the Creche, khthon visiting the surface, wandering aigagros and exiled khartedemo.


The Valley
Outside of civilized cities, the Valley can be dangerous. Dinosaurs prey on travellers, sometimes even attacking guarded caravans. Alloymentals are rarely friendly, their long memories not soon to forget the races of flesh hunting their ancestors. Giant insects and land mollucs are the most common form of animal life in the valley.

Aigagros are satyroids? What form or forms do the hydr take - serpentine perhaps, or tentacular, or shapes like unto the Earthly genus Hydra? What tensions, relations, or knowledge do the Automata of the deep share with the hydr?

Is it khartedemo or kartedemo or does the later, lose it's 'h' symbolically due to exile? :P

What metals are available to the "common people" (say a lower-class human from Monos)? What does it take to cast spells?

Is Ganobyth a surface mountain or a subterranean ramiform or what? Do ancient Automata or their designs bar the delving kthon, or something more/less sinister?

^Some questions that occured when feasting my eyes on this vignette. I like the themes with which it plays and look forward to seeing more.

QuoteAigagros are satyroids? What form or forms do the hydr take - serpentine perhaps, or tentacular, or shapes like unto the Earthly genus Hydra? What tensions, relations, or knowledge do the Automata of the deep share with the hydr?

Aigagros have lots of bestial features, cloven feet, horns, shaggy pelts (sometimes), rectangular pupils and yellow eyes. There's quite a bit of variance within their population, even on individuals as they adapt to their surroundings. The hydr are vermiform and finned.

The Automata of the deep and the Hydr are enemies to the last breath (not that ether requires air).

QuoteIs it khartedemo or kartedemo or does the later, lose it's 'h' symbolically due to exile? tongue

Khartedemo :P

QuoteWhat metals are available to the "common people" (say a lower-class human from Monos)? What does it take to cast spells?

The lower class deal mostly in black Iron and Steel. These are seen as common metals. The rich are more likely to sport bronze arms and armor, with copper and gold ornamentation.

QuoteIs Ganobyth a surface mountain or a subterranean ramiform or what? Do ancient Automata or their designs bar the delving kthon, or something more/less sinister?

Ganobyth is also called Deep Othrys and encompasses the deepest sections under the mountain. Many things have stopped or repulsed the Khthon such as the Hephastoi, Automata, Hydr, creatures and monsters unknown to the surface, magma blooms or other things that left no survivors to tell the tale.

This is a motley of strange and awesome things, and it looks like you have more to divulge. I have several questions though, so I'm going to just dump them onto this post. Answer them at your own leisure.

Why were humans awakened?
How does anyone know what happened in the past? Are there records of some variety?
I recall you mentioning over IRC how ancient tech is poorly understood - has that changed or is it "indistinguishable from magic" in some regards? If so, what is magic in this world, and how do they know the difference? Is tech identifiable by some stylistic feature or source of energy?
Is it your intention to elaborate on the past at all or to leave it a mystery?
How large is the Valley? You mention multiple cities, so I take it to be fairly huge.
Does anyone know what else is out there beyond the Valley? Is the rest of the world just frozen solid, as implied?
Are you going to make a map?
What kind of societal structures are in place? Is there a period in time you're trying to emulate, or is it something else entirely?

QuoteWhy were humans awakened?

No one knows, one day the Creche cities activated and began giving birth to Protos.

QuoteHow does anyone know what happened in the past? Are there records of some variety?

Some is known by myth, but it's generally mysterious. The Hydr know a lot more than they let on though. The depths of the Nooscape are said to contain long forgotten knowledge of the past. Ganobyth Automata could likely give a very good record, if they could be convinced to speak.

QuoteI recall you mentioning over IRC how ancient tech is poorly understood - has that changed or is it "indistinguishable from magic" in some regards? If so, what is magic in this world, and how do they know the difference? Is tech identifiable by some stylistic feature or source of energy?

There's definitely some significant blurring between magic and technology.

QuoteIs it your intention to elaborate on the past at all or to leave it a mystery?

Mostly a mystery, aside from some myth. The main focus is on the present. The past is mostly just to set the pieces up and give some information on why things are like they are. Also to be developed should PCs ever want to delve into it.

QuoteHow large is the Valley? You mention multiple cities, so I take it to be fairly huge.

Couple hundred miles long, maybe sixty miles at the widest. It's slightly crescent in shape.

QuoteDoes anyone know what else is out there beyond the Valley? Is the rest of the world just frozen solid, as implied?

Rumors of Automata filled oceans and other hidden valleys. Generally speaking people are skeptical about these things (A huge body of water that isn't frozen? Madness) and just figure the world is frozen.

QuoteAre you going to make a map?

My skills here are quite minor, but I have a rough layout and may attempt... something.

QuoteWhat kind of societal structures are in place? Is there a period in time you're trying to emulate, or is it something else entirely?

Cities are generally autonomous. The wilds are dangerous so no one really claims vast swathes of land (or at least no one can enforce their claim). The Nooscape allows quick (near instant) communication between most places, so no with access is really isolated. But not everyone has access.

Cool idea! Colonized moons could be pretty interesting. I assume there's not much contact with those anymore, though?

Hibernation is like cryo-stasis, yeah? Are the dinosaurs all genetically reconstructed clones run rampant?

This all sounds pretty awesome.  How aware are humans of the Automata and the Hydr?  Is the Valley itself pretty much the extent of the setting?  If the Hydr are aquatic like you say, do humans have much contact with them?  Is there any sea travel to speak of?

QuoteCool idea! Colonized moons could be pretty interesting. I assume there's not much contact with those anymore, though?

Nope, it's the domain of the Automata who have (mostly) been silent since the end of the war.

QuoteHibernation is like cryo-stasis, yeah? Are the dinosaurs all genetically reconstructed clones run rampant?

Supposedly, although no one has found where they put the original bodies. Humans fresh from the Creche, the Protos, wake up as adults in one of many exterior chambers in a unisex tunic made from strange materials. What pass for childhood memories for the Protos are a strange and confusing jumble from their time before the Creche, but never as children. Surprisingly the Protos do not have a navel. The Deuter, children of the Protos, have navels like the other common races.

Dinosaurs are mostly large, always covered in bright feathers (almost no species use camouflage) and have inhabited the valley as long as anyone can remember.

QuoteThis all sounds pretty awesome.  How aware are humans of the Automata and the Hydr?  Is the Valley itself pretty much the extent of the setting?  If the Hydr are aquatic like you say, do humans have much contact with them?  Is there any sea travel to speak of?

Automata are considered mythical, but believed to exist in the deep places of the world. Those who have ventured into Ganobyth and mekhane cults are rumoured to have encountered the Automata. The Valley (+ Othrys & Ganobyth) will be the main focus on the setting. There is quite a bit of river travel in the Valley.

Some Hydr travel to Podpolis and they are relatively easy to find in and around Othrys, in glacial lakes to underwater rivers and pools. Generally they do not venture too deep into the Valley. The many levels, caves, and tunnels of Othrys are joined by an elaborate system of locks and water channels. These extend to glacial lakes and hot springs that can be found on the surface as well.

Most of the questions I'd ask have already been asked, so I'll just pop in and say this looks neat. :)

Religion

Religion in the Valley is highly ritualized. Devotion is not shown through prayer or belief but by acts of ritual or sacrifice. The most common mythology is that of The Pantheon, a collection of Ancient Heroes and Patrons that form the figureheads for largest and most widespread cults. Few outsider cults have large followings, although some like the Mekhane cults, the cults of Blind Khron or Khaos cults can be found in multiple places.  

Some cults have no worshippers in the civilized races. These include the alien god worshipped by the neurakanthos and the strange rites of the Alloymentals.

The Pantheon

Legion
God of War, was an Ancient general who battled the Automata. People seek his blessing when skill at arms and battle are important. His followers do not tolerate the Mekhane cult. His rituals usually involve stylized battle dances, forging of weapons and drinking nektar, a concoction made from stewing aromatic plants in Dinosaur blood. His most important holiday is Xeros, the first day of the dry season. Respected sacrifices are, melting the weapons of defeated enemies, shaving the left side of your head and burning sweetgrass.

Adnan the Shaper
Patron of the aigagros and builders. Adnan is said to have created the aigagros to inherit the earth. People seek his blessing when creating great works of art or architecture. His rituals involve the symbolic breaking of stone, feasts of wine and steam baths. His most important holiday is Keras, celebrated every 8th full moon. Respected sacrifices are meat and cheese, burning skins of parchment inscribed blessings and schema or boiling dendropods alive, the carnivorous arboreal molluscs.

The priests of Adnan have knowledge of the brewing of Haemonois. Many aigagros shamans are known to carry skins of the drink.

Adnan is known as Xanthos the Deceiver to the Khartedemo. Xanthos was the apprentice Karuon, patron of the khartedemo, and used his masters knowledge to shape the aigagros. This has led to a great amount of conflict between the khartedemo and the aigagros. Rarely this is embraced leading to a sense of kinship between the khartedemo and aigagros, a notable example of this is Hylephos, the city of Forest Lights.

Sorcerous Arts
Through study of incantations, ancient scrolls, the forgotten corners of the Nooscape or even more arcane repositories the sorcerous arts allow people to bend reality to their will. Manipulating the energies required to do this takes a toll on the body. After expending magic energy, a sorcerer is often as weak as a babe. Two ways have been found around this, ritual magic involving sacrifice instead of channelling the energies through the sorcerers own body, or drinking Haemonois, the Blood Wine, strengthening the caster life energy.

Quote from: LlumThe bestial and horned aigagros consider themselves the true rulers of the world, moving easily between the hot and humid Valley and the frigid artic surroundings.

On what basis do they assert these claims?  The relative youth of the Awakened, or some kind of divine mandate?

I wanted to complement two things, your use of the Automata and your use of language.  The undying and ancient machines are a motif I have tried to use previously, and I really like the flavor you have given them here.  Especially with their "residences" in such traditionally mysterious and inhospitable places as the depths of the ocean or the moon.  It reminds me alternately of Fey, Titans wading through the depths of the ocean itself, and the undying person trope (unsure of the official name on this one, thinking Gunnerkrigg Court).

In regards to language, the Greek flavor is marvelous in contrast with the forgotten/ancient past thing you have going on here, and lends a flavor of antiquity to what in some senses can be seen as a new world.  I especially love it in reference to the Pantheon post, with the holidays and Haemonois, the Blood Wine especially.

Civilized races

Khthon

When the Ancients employed mind machines against the Automata, they retaliated by spawning a slave race. Living servitors who would be loyal to the last drop of blood, these are the Khthon. Squat, thick of chest & limb and hairy the Khthon are concentrated around Othrys, becoming rarer the farther from the Great Mountain one is. Their long wiry hairs are actually antenna, allowing them to sense minute changes around them and an extremely sensitive touch.

The khthon will eat anything, a useful trait in the depths of Othrys where blind fish and rubbery fungus are the most common food sources. Culturally, cannibalism is accepted from the Khthon who live in Othrys. To them it is an honour not to waste the flesh of their ancestors when they pass. They do not consider eating the other civilized races as cannibalism, but simply an intelligent food source. The Khthon who live on the surface rarely engage in cannibalism as there are abundant food sources.

-The Khthon have blindsense up to 5ft to sense anything of small size or larger.

Khartedemo
Aloof in their canopy towns, khartedemo religious doctrine proclaims most other races usurpers to the world. Lithe humanoids with an extra toe on their heel,  they are natural born climbers.  Their bones are black and nearly unbreakable.

Aigagros

Bestial in appearance, cloven feet, furred hides, horns, claws, fangs, tails the aigagros come in infinite variation. Oblong rectangular pupils, set wide on their heads give them an enormous field of vision, although they do not have as sharp of vision as the other races. Aigagros are the only people who regularly leave and return to the Valley. When they leave they add on layers of fat, grow longer insular hairs making the frigid outside world hospitable.

Poor swimmers, as they do not float, the aigagros are not fond of lakes, or large expanses of running water. The marshes have no permanent aigagros settlers.

Humans
Recently awakened from the Long Hibernation, these humans are called Protos. Without navels or memories of childhoodm instead having strange and fragmented memories of another age. Physically they are incredibly hale, rarely getting sick.

The Deuter are their children, raised from babes in the Valley.

Quote from: NuminousOn what basis do they assert these claims?  The relative youth of the Awakened, or some kind of divine mandate?

They believe this because in the myths, they were created by Adnan the Shaper to inherit the earth. This often causes conflict with the khartedemo who have similar myths.

The more that's posted, the more I like what I'm seeing (e.g., the 'winterizing' of the aigagros, the antenna of the kthon). :)

How similar in appearance and memories are the Protos?

Can you describe the khartedemo in any greater detail?

The Pantheon

Vol
Vol is a mythic Hero from the Automatamachy, now worshipped as a god of thieves and secrets. Stories tell of daring exploits to steal information or relics from the Automata, both inside and outside the Nooscape. People seek his blessing when they have secrets they seek to steal or protect, to find or hide something in the depths of the Nooscape or to ward against the sight of the Automata. His rituals are all done inside the Nooscape. The priesthood of Vol can sell access to the Nooscape for a price, usually a seemingly unimportant errand, like a delivery. His holy days are announced seemingly at random. It is rumoured that the Priesthood receives instructions from their god from the furthest corners of the Nooscape.

Uncivilized Races

Neurakanthos
The biggest danger to the civilized races, the neurakanthos do not view any other creature as sentient, only chattel. Their body as much as they have one are a mass of long thorny vines radiating from hub-like pod.Without a host the neurakanthos does little more than breed and absorb nutrients. Hollow thorns contain nerve bundles that can entangle themselves into a hosts nervous system, if they pierce flesh. Soon after their body has been stabbed by the thorns, a creature will fall under the complete domination of the neurakanthos.

It is said that there is a lost Creche city deep in the southern jungles, in the middle of neurakanthos territory. There are far too many human hosts that appear for the amount of people who travel the southern reaches.