The Campaign Builder's Guild

Quote from: FREAKIN' AWESOME HORSEI'm envisioning a sort of private gladiatorial arena thing for the prison - the spires and chains serving as a barrier for any fae that decides to fight a mortal. Am I right in imagining this?

You say that succubi run brothels in Pandemonium, but who do they cater to? Is it just the mortals that pass through or are there a lot of varied fae that take interest?
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For the other Unseelie, mostly. Not a lot of mortals passing through hell; most are there to stay. I suppose they can service shades too. I haven't been real specific as to whether shades in the underworld can be corporeally affected, but since they can be tortured, I suppose they can. Or maybe the supernatural nature of the succubae is what allows it.

[ic=The Song of Orpheus]The giant glared down at me, all its many eyes radiating hatred. But it did not strike. It did not impede me as I rose from the ground, nor move to block my way as I went past it. I cannot say what the thing wanted from me--perhaps I was but a moment's curiosity, the single human foolish enough to enter this place of damnation.

Beyond the creature, beyond the spire, I found more giants, these with only one head and two arms. They languished here, reclining, not even bothering to converse with one another. At my entrance, their heads turned toward me. But as though the ennui was so thick as to paralyze them, not one moved or spoke to me. Perhaps these were the beings that the many headed giants watched over.

I approached one of the prisoners, if prisoners they were, and coughed. The giant sighed and rolled over on its side, leveling its head with me. It might have stood thirty foot tall, but even lying there, its head the size of my entire body, it left me trembling. "I am Orpheus. I come seeking a soul that was lost. You seem the greatest beings in this place, good giant."

If I had succeeded in my flattery, the giant didn't show it. Only it sighed, then spoke. "Amuse me, human, and I will speak with you."

I reached for my lyre before remembering it had broken in my fall. "I shall tell you a tale," I said. "A tale of sorrow and heroism, sacrifice and glory. I shall tell you my tale."

The giant reclined as I unfolded to it the events of my life and how I came to stand before it in the very depths of the underworld. I had thought that apathy so gripped these beings they could feel nothing, but I saw the glittering of a tear in the giant's eye when I spoke of my lost love. Perhaps even such as these had known love.

"You weave a good tale, Orpheus," the giant said some time after I finished. "I am Hyperion. I have been here for a very long time. Few have come to speak with us in that time. I do not know where your beloved has gone, but if she had a good heart, she might have found her way to the Skysea, the faerie paradise."

"I am grateful my lord. How do I reach this realm?"

"From Tartarus the journey would not be easy. But the salamanders of the Inferno are members of the Celestial Court. They must know the way. The Inferno lies beyond the river of fire, Phlegethon. Go there and seek the boatman Phlegyas to ferry you across his river."

I thanked Hyperion and fled from the Prison, careful to keep the spire tower between myself and the many-headed guardian. The river of fire seemed to run all around this place, so I supposed it did not too much matter which way I went. Brooding, lost in thought, I did not see the creature approach, but I felt the ground tremble as it drew near. I spun just as the beast scooped me up in its arms. It stood like a man, but over seven feet tall. It had blue skin and a horn jutted from its head. Whatever it said to me, I couldn't hear over the sound of my own screaming.

The ogre trotted along, carrying me under one arm like a bundle of kindling. "You good eats!" it told me when I begged it to release me. "Very nice thighs."[/ic]

[ic=The Song of Orpheus]"You don't really want to eat me," I told the ogre.

"No, no, you too tasty. Very good for eating."

Cradled under his arm, I had to strain to look him in the face. "Yes, I am a Deucalite, very tasty. But only if prepared correctly. Do you know the proper method?"

The ogre set me down in front of him then and glared, bending down to look at me. "Method?"

"Well the best way--and this is a secret recipe, so tell no one."

The ogre nodded with enthusiasm.

"First thing you need is fire wine." The ogre's eyes shifted from suspicious to confused. "From the Inferno, of course. But then, you'd have to go to find Phlegyas to get there, and I doubt you are prepared to do such a thing."

"Nah un. Got a bridge."

"Oh? A bridge? Well maybe you could get the fire wine. But you probably don't care about the best flavor do you?"

The ogre grunted, hefted me back under his arms and took off in a new direction. Given his great strides, we soon came to the river of fire. A small stone bridge crossed the flow. Even from my elevated position, the heat washed over me. I was sweating and panting when we stopped at the other side. My vantage made it difficult to get a good look at the place. But from what I could see of this cracked, volcanic wasteland, that was perhaps fortuitous.

"Where fire wine at?"

"Oh, great ogre," I began with a sigh. "The best fire wine is held by the salamanders. Should you take me to them, perhaps we can trade them for some fire wine."

The ogre grumbled and shook my under his arm. "Salamanders no trade with us. We go to afrit. They like salamanders. But better. City of Brass, this way."

"Excellent plan," I told him.
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[ic=The Song of Orpheus]My ogre captor carried me across the rocky waste, careful to avoid the sulfuric vents that leapt at his feet. The fumes they expelled smelled even worse than my companion.

When he said we would travel to the City of Brass, I did not realize there might literally be a city carved of brass. The city might have looked at home in the desert of Paran, had it not been carved of metal. As we entered a wave of heat washed over us, like the metal was intended to absorb the heat from the surrounding fires.

Metal statues of warriors guarded every entrance, though I cannot say what deterrent such lifeless objects might be to anyone fool enough to assault such a place. The beings--for I cannot call them people--that inhabited the city were as tall as my captor. But their skin was black as coal, their faces twisted as though burned, and their eyes glowed like fire. I presumed we had found the afrit my ogre sought.

"We trade for fire wine," the ogre told one of them.

The afrit cocked its head and leaned in closer to the ogre. "What do you seek earth spirit?"

"Fire wine. Salamander wine."

The afrit chuckled, though the sound was more like coals grating over a bed of rocks. "Ask the salamanders for their wine."

"Salamanders not trade with ogres."

I had not had the chance to consider what would happen if the ogre realized I made up the wine I sent him after. But perhaps the salamanders really did have their own wine. If only I could convince the ogre to bring me to them. "You just have to bring them something they want," I chimed in.

The afrit turned its gaze on me, and again cocked its head to the side, leaning lower so it could look in my eyes. "This soul has passion. Leave the human, ogre. And we shall reward you for him. He will make a fine addition to our army." Somehow being eaten by the ogre seemed better than what the afrit might to do me.

"Nah un. My human."

The afrit glowered, but did not attack. I cannot say why, for surely they had us outnumbered here. "Then be gone, earth spirit. We have no need of your kind."

We left the city only to see a train of goblins wheeling in cartfuls of some ore. I did not dare ask my companion.

"Sorry," the ogre said to me, turning back the way we came. "Guess I no get good flavor for you."

"You have not even tried to trade with the salamanders my lord. We will think of something to offer them, never fear."

The ogre nodded and turned in a new direction. After leaving the desert, we approached a field I might have called tidal pools, were they not filled with lava. I could barely think, much less speak. As we neared, a pair of salamanders--though far larger than those we had on Earth--rose up on their hind legs and awaited our approach.

"What we give them?"

"The salamanders are like the afrit," I rasped.

"Uh huh."

"And the afrit wanted me. So trade me for the wine."

"Smart." The ogre carried me over to the salamanders and thrust me out in front of them. "Give you human for fire wine." I pleaded at the lizard-like creatures with my eyes.

The two salamanders looked at one another, and then one slipped away. He returned a moment later with a rock urn that spewed steam from its top. The ogre dropped me and took the urn, hurrying away from the salamanders.

"I am glad there was such a thing as fire wine."

One salamander hissed at me. The one that had brought the urn spoke. "There isn't. It's filled with lava."

The hideous sound I heard some distance behind me told me the ogre had tried to sample some. I did not look back.
 [/ic]
The Inferno
Aliases: Muspelheim

Beyond the Phlegethon, river of fire, lies the volcanic wasteland known as the Inferno. Geysers of lava spew from the ground, chasms vent sulfuric fumes, and some of the most dangerous beings in the underworld lurk in the rocky wastes and underground mountains. The enormous cavern is bounded by rock on all sides.

Burning Roots
In this ash-ridden cavern the roots of the World Tree have extended all the way down through the sea and broken through the cavernous ceiling. Now hollowed, they provide a steep, winding passageway up to the Skysea, for those that can brave the sulfur vents and ash clouds surrounding this cavern. And, of course, the scorpion men that guard the entrance against Unseelie invasion.

Nastrond
The river Phlegethon splits the desert of Nastrond between the Inferno and Tartarus, but the greater portion lies in the Inferno. It is home to scorpion men and serim who wage never-ending war. The greatest site in Nastrond, however, is the magnificent City of Brass.

City of Brass
The afrit city, the City of Brass, is far larger than its inhabitants need, for it once belonged to the salamanders. The salamanders lost the city to their Unseelie counterparts, and though they outnumber the Unseelie, they cannot retake the city. For the afrit possess horrible automata built of orichalcum. These living clockwork statues are the greatest secret of the afrit--who will pay almost any sum for more of the metal. Though mindless, they are also tireless and almost indestructible: the perfect guardians.

The city itself is elaborately carved from brass. Its streets run with canals of lava, filling the entire city with steam. The great magma baths at the heart of the city are the pinnacle of its construction. The giant domed ceilings of the city stretch far into the sky, though some might call it all a mirage.

Salamander Pools
Most salamanders dwell in this ramshackle series of stone huts, spread out along pools of magma. The fumes keep the city baking, the magma provides a constant source of rejuvenation for the salamanders. But they ever plot the retaking of the City of Brass.

Ashfall
Ashfall is the volcano home of the fire giants. They are led by Surtur, the king, who is said to be unstoppable when wielding his flaming sword. He considers himself ruler of the all the Inferno. The fire giants have turned the mountain into a fortress, digging to runnels for the lava to flow during its almost daily small eruptions. They use this flow to create a moat of magma.

The mountain is now ringed by a series of parapets. The fire giants guard their lair jealously.

I added Ashfall (mountain) to the Inferno. How could I forget the fire giants!

Well I read the first post and I like it, it's very nicely built and described according to myth logic.

[ic=The Song of Orpheus]"Please," I said again. "I have to reach the Skysea. The titan told me you might know the way."

"We have no reason to help you human," the salamander hissed at me.

"But you have already saved me from the ogre."

"Getting an ogre to drink lava is its own reward." The salamander dipped a toe into a magma pool and then sunk in, in much the way I might have eased into a hot bath. I believe he liked it hotter than I would have.

"If there is a way to the faerie realm, how am I to find it without you? Surely there must be something I can offer you, salamander."

"Can you kill afrit? Reclaim the City of Brass? Disrupt their supply of orichalcum? Aid our warriors?"

"I cannot do those things. I am a poet and musician. But I can write a song of your plight, the stolen city, the noble fire elementals standing against their corrupt cousins. All that hear your tale will be moved by it."

The salamander seemed to consider my offer for a moment. "Then you shall play the Salamander's Ballad before the Celestial Court." I nodded. "Follow me. And start composing."

I hummed out a tune as I trudged after the salamander. It moved on all fours, scurrying ahead, then waiting for me to catch up, then scurrying ahead again.

At last we came to a new cavern. Within this cavern, the roots of some great tree had dug through the ceiling. Vents of steam obscured them, as they obscured, at first, the giant scorpions that now approached me. No, not scorpions, I realized, but scorpion-men. I have no words for such terrors.

And yet, when my guide assured them I had permission to be here, they moved aside without a word. I pity any soul that should come here without their leave.

We found one of the massive roots had been hollowed, and a narrow, winding staircase carved into it. This path, which might extend forever, this path I walked, alone.[/ic]

I'm sorry that I couldn't make the Q&A. Long trip yesterday, and I didn't get home until very late.

I almost end up feeling pity for the ogre. It's definitely a very humorous situation at least.

I've noticed you use a lot of familiar names, not just familiar places. Are you taking the same liberties with them as you do mythological places?

Orpheus seems to be getting further and further into debt with immortal entities... do I sense an eventual ultimate sacrifice?

A river of fire to separate two burning landscapes - sounds like the ultimate place for a great battle.

Yeah, sorry you couldn't make it. But things come up.

Quote from: FREAKIN' AWESOME HORSEI've noticed you use a lot of familiar names, not just familiar places. Are you taking the same liberties with them as you do mythological places?

Every named character in the setting is a character from mythology, if that's what you mean; like the places, they are adapted to the needs of the story, but they are supposed to be the actual characters/places.

Not that it really matters, but as Sparkletwist mentioned in the Q&A, the setting supposes that the real universe will exist after the end of Eschaton. The memories of these characters and places survive in the collective unconscious of souls, and thus inspire the myths, albeit somewhat altered from the historical (i.e. Eschaton version).

Quote from: FREAKIN' AWESOME HORSEA river of fire to separate two burning landscapes - sounds like the ultimate place for a great battle.

If someone ran an Eschaton campaign, that would be a neat spot for a climatic battle. Or like a lightsaber duel.


I think one of things I could use help with is description. Being kind of a minimalist writer, that's never been my strongest suit. And also more ideas to fantasy/fairytale up the landscapes. Like FREAKIN' AWESOME HORSE gave me this idea where Cedar Forest is under the effect of a continual shimmer, like viewed through a waterfall. My descriptions of magical realms feel sparse to me.

I'll definitely jump on for helping you describe things in more detail, but the way I see it the areas of the Underworld are already overflowing with things that would be obvious. The Inferno should take some serious inspiration from some of the hotter planets in Mass Effect (if you've ever played and visited them), with the jagged, unclimbable peaks and air that looks like it'd catch fire and burn the world if it were only a little hotter. It would add to the atmosphere I think if the place looked like it was above ground to a degree... in an eternal red sunset that looks like the sky in places... but if you look far enough back into the "night" you could see the "sun" glimmering on the high cavern ceiling.

All good ideas. These are the kinds of things I need more of :)

[ic=The Song of Orpheus] From the moment the light rose over the mountains I knew nothing I ever saw would be the same. When I could at last see the sky I realized that the island, for I had climbed through darkness to reach an island, was not in the sea, but in the sky. Clouds drifted by so close I could almost have reached out and touched them, did I not fear the edge. Trees bloomed in a hundred shades of green, and flowers in every color imaginable. But all of this paled before the myriad denizens. Where those below had been horrific, those above were ethereal. Some flitted across the sky on ethereal wings, some frolicked in the streams without fear of being swept over the side, and others peered at me from hiding places behind the foliage. The spirits of nature viewed me with as much curiosity as I saw them, though less fear.

I walked through vibrant fields in a daze until a woman stood before me. She bent almost in half to stare at my toes and then straightened as she examined every inch of me. Given her translucent shift, I felt it hard not to return the gesture.

"Where am I?"

"Mag Mell. Elysium, you'd call it." She poked me in the chest. "Hmph. Solid."

"I need to find my lost love Eurydice. Where would her soul roam?"

The woman shrugged. "Lots of shades in Kibu. But then we get some roaming the fields here, too. They don't like them in the cities too much. But I don't mind them in my fields." She leaned closer. "I don't mind you in my fields either."

"My lady, can you help me find Eurydice?"

She sighed. "If it's a soul you want, you might have to see the emperor. And good luck with that."
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The Skysea
Aliases: Alfheim, Svarga, Paristan, Tir Nan Og, Kaluwalhatian
The roots of the World Tree reach down from the Earth, from the unknown reaches of the sky in the underworld. Clusters of land have formed around these roots, creating islands in the sky surrounding Mount Mashu. This is the Skysea: glorious, shinning realm of the Seelie, and paradisiacal dream of the fallen.

These lands of eternal spring are home to many fae nations, all part of the Celestial Court which holds together the underworld. All bow before the wisdom and power of the Celestial Emperor.

The Isles
Eight islands compose the Skysea. The islands are Hsuan, Annwn, Mag Mell, Faylinn, Momur, Dilmun, Avaiki, and Kibu. Each island is ruled by a Minister who is king or queen of their island. They are in service to the Celestial Emperor, or High King.

Each isle operates as an independent and self-sufficient kingdom. Some other isles can be reached via the root network of the World Tree, bridges, or skystreams. Additionally, the Bifrost bridge connects the Nether Realm to Mag Mell.

Rivers from all the islands empty into the World Sea far below via waterfalls, and yet they never run dry. Fresh water bubbles up from the ground, perhaps brought by the roots of the World Tree. The Skysea isles are dreamlike and timeless paradises.

Hsuan is the largest of the islands, a mountainous realm with misty peaks and forests, and hidden lakes. Annwn is a misty isle of apple orchards and vernal forests. Mag Mell is a large island covered in plains, rolling hills, and light forest. Faylinn is home to the magnificent singing trees. Avaiki has the climate of a tropical island. Kibu is inhabited almost solely by shades.

The Celestial Court
The emperor's palace is located on the island of Hsuan. Below the various royal families, a large number of Ministers of other offices exist, such as the Minister of Storms, the Minister of Tides, and the Minister of Examinations. Each Minister is appointed by the Emperor or his subordinates. Beneath the Ministers are minor court officials that report to Ministers, and those beneath them. Beneath the court officials, even non-court fae may have specialized roles, such as patrons of various professions, or guardians of landforms. While shades can occasionally attain a rank, most merely flit about their paradise without thought beyond the present.

The imperial palace appears to be cut from gold. The rising sun causes it gleam in amazing light. Fishponds run parallel to its many walkways. It is an enormous, multi-tiered wonder situated high in the mountains. Thousands of steps carved into the mountainside lead up to the palace.

Because the emperor controls the flow of souls to the Seelie, they must petition him for the right to have children. He will generally grant this boon when souls are available, though ranking officials get priority.

The Skystreams
The fastest and safest way to travel between the isles of the Skysea is via skystreams. At the crest of waterfalls where river plummet into the depths of the World Sea, mist rises. This mist coalesces into cloud-like channels that a vessel with the proper hull can sail along as though the river had never ended. These skystreams will always connect to a river on another island. It's not always possible to go directly from a given island to a specific one, but you can always find a boatman that can navigate the kingdoms to get you there eventually. In this way, some say there is only one river on all the isles, and it stretches across land and sky in endless branches.

The Dragon Gate
There is one great fall from which issues no skystream. Around this waterfall is a massive arch called the Longmen, or Dragon Gate. As the dragons of the World Sea mature, some grow strong enough to try to swim up the waterfall and through the Dragon Gate. Those that succeed have learned to fly, and thus begin their personal evolution into more advanced forms of dragon. They must then fly on toward the imperial palace to receive the blessing of the emperor.

What happens if someone falls off one of the islands or a river snaking between them?

Where did the concept of the dragons swimming up the waterfall to learn to fly come from? Did you create it yourself? I've never heard of something like that before.

What is Kibu like? You say it's mostly inhabited by shades but I'm not seeing much of a physical description. Is it a lot more devoid of life and features except for the shades, or?

Thanks for the questions, Horse Man!

Quote from: FREAKIN' AWESOME HORSEWhere did the concept of the dragons swimming up the waterfall to learn to fly come from? Did you create it yourself? I've never heard of something like that before.

What is Kibu like? You say it's mostly inhabited by shades but I'm not seeing much of a physical description. Is it a lot more devoid of life and features except for the shades, or?
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I haven't really decided. I want to do a detail write-up for each island, but I on the other hand someone did advise me not to get too caught up in details for every land. Just enough to hint at depths. I'd like to see each island as physically different.

With Hsuan, I'm obviously going for mythic Chinese--which I found hard to describe, BTW.

With Avaiki, it's a generic tropical island suited to Oceanic myth.

With Kibu, I've considered the idea that it's like some giant valley, you know, curved inward. I was kind of thinking of it as more devoid of other life, but it shouldn't be barren, if only because dreary lifeless places belong in the Nether Realm. The Skysea is supposed to be paradise.


I had been thinking somewhere I wanted porous mountains that would "sing" when the wind blows through them. I'd also considered the idea of crystal mountains.