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kismet_s_guide_to_the_setting_of_sundering_shadows [2021/11/11 23:01] kismet created |
kismet_s_guide_to_the_setting_of_sundering_shadows [2023/09/29 00:28] (current) titania |
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- | Sundering Shadows is a high magic, low-tech fantasy setting. While originally based on the Dungeons and Dragons Forgotten Realms setting, it is now a highly unique world with its own lore, history, pantheon, and geography. In this guide, we will cover important aspects of the setting and mention things that every character living in our world would know and be impacted by. | + | Sundering Shadows is a high magic, low-tech |
+ | ===== Theme and Atmosphere ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Sundering Shadows is a dark and gritty world where monsters are very much real and roaming the lands. Everyday life is tough, and it takes grit and determination to carve a life for yourself in the harsh environment. Most civilized races gather in cities or villages to defend themselves against the forces of darkness – or in some cases against the forces of light. The recent decades have been filled with tribulations, | ||
+ | |||
+ | In this atmosphere, adventurers are both the heroes and villains of the world. Revered by some, hated by others, those that survive to reach the pinnacle of mortal power often become the movers and shakers of our world – for better or for worse. | ||
===== Law and Lands ===== | ===== Law and Lands ===== | ||
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The rules within each city vary, but most will have a sign set up at their main gates listing the important ones. Among the actions most commonly considered crimes are: Murder, assault, thievery, property damage, using offensive and/or dangerous magic, wielding weapons and displaying tools most often associated with thieves (lockpicks, etc.), and assuming a dangerous form, such as a dragon, wolf, bear, weretiger, etc. | The rules within each city vary, but most will have a sign set up at their main gates listing the important ones. Among the actions most commonly considered crimes are: Murder, assault, thievery, property damage, using offensive and/or dangerous magic, wielding weapons and displaying tools most often associated with thieves (lockpicks, etc.), and assuming a dangerous form, such as a dragon, wolf, bear, weretiger, etc. | ||
- | Note that most of these crimes aren't hard-coded. Unless an actual fight occurs, your avatars won't know you've broken the law. We ask you to consider the setting and your character when entering a city and think logically about things. Your character may not care about the law, but how would the guards react if a werewolf with whirling swords surrounding it suddenly stalked into town wielding twin battleaxes? Would they attack? Ask it to leave? | + | Note that most of these crimes aren't hard-coded. Unless an actual fight occurs, your avatars won't know you've broken the law. We ask you to consider the setting and your character when entering a city and think logically about things. Your character may not care about the law, but how would the guards react if a werewolf with whirling swords surrounding it suddenly stalked into town wielding twin battleaxes? Would they attack? Ask it to leave? |
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Given this reliance on magic, the advancement of technology has been slow, and in most cases, technology has a magic component. Examples of this include running water, clockwork toys and one known early-model version of a spelljammer. The recent decade has seen the rapid progression of technology, with the introduction of pistols and more advanced clockwork/ | Given this reliance on magic, the advancement of technology has been slow, and in most cases, technology has a magic component. Examples of this include running water, clockwork toys and one known early-model version of a spelljammer. The recent decade has seen the rapid progression of technology, with the introduction of pistols and more advanced clockwork/ | ||
+ | ===== The History of Sundering Shadows ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | The [[timeline_of_events|history of Sundering Shadows]] is marked by the many brave adventurers and villains who have inhabited it through the years. It is riddled with war, dragons, demons, allegiances, | ||
- | ===== History ===== | + | In recent years, a few events have had such world-reaching consequences that they would be widely known. The Long Night of 751 SG was particularly hard, and it is estimated that half the world' |
+ | === The First elemental storm, 736 SG === | ||
- | The history of Sundering Shadows is marked | + | [[geography|The Darkwood and Dagger regions]] are plagued |
- | In recent years, a few events have had such world-reaching consequences that they would be known by most people: | + | === The Silence, 737 SG === |
+ | [[kismet|Kismet]], | ||
- | (To be elaborated on.) | + | === The Second Elemental Storm, 738 SG === |
- | The destruction | + | With the elemental gods lost, the elements themselves are thrown into imbalance. Yet another season |
- | The Attack of the Tarrasque | + | === The Darkening, 740-750 SG === |
- | The Liberation | + | Following the famish |
- | The Shade Invasion | + | === The Rise of Ashra and the Third Elemental Storm, 750-751 SG === |
- | The Silence | + | As the darkness grows beneath the realm, Ryorik suddenly vanishes, casting the world into a third elemental storm. On Springtime 1st, 751 SG, a hole of pure darkness erupts outside the gates of [[antioch|Antioch]] and destroys most of the city. The darkness shoots up to the sky and covers all the lands in eternal night. [[ashra|Ashra, |
- | The First elemental storm | + | Despair spreads across the land during what will be known as The Long Night. Crops wilt from lack of sunlight or drown in freak storms, reservoirs succumb to rot or sudden wildfires. Monsters, either emboldened by Ashra or merely desperate for food, ravage the countryside, |
- | The Second Elemental Storm and the ascension | + | It is estimated that as much as half of the world’s population die during this period. |
- | The Days of Eternal Night | + | === Edea Awakened, 751 SG === |
- | The Awakening | + | On Autumnstime 8th, 751 SG, four artifacts known as The Elemental Hearts are united at the base of the World Tree. Their combined power tames the elemental storm and awakens [[edea|Edea, Celestial Light]]. She rises to battle her dark sister Ashra and her presence ends the eternal light, restoring |
+ | The tribulations are not done however, as shown by [[current_events|our timeline of recent events]]. For those wishing to delve deeper into these events, books on the Silence and the Long Night can be found in [[shadow|Shadow]] Library. | ||
===== Language and idioms ===== | ===== Language and idioms ===== | ||
- | There are many languages spoken in the world and most races have their own tongue. The human tongue, known simply as common, is the most widely spoken language and is used by traders on the surface. Undercommon, | + | There are many languages spoken in the world and most races have their own tongue. The human tongue, known simply as common, is the most widely spoken language and is used by traders on the surface. Undercommon, |
Note that humans all speak common, though there may be regional differences in speech patterns and expressions. | Note that humans all speak common, though there may be regional differences in speech patterns and expressions. | ||
- | When roleplaying, | + | When roleplaying, |
When referring to game mechanics, such as character levels, spell levels, weapon enchantments, | When referring to game mechanics, such as character levels, spell levels, weapon enchantments, | ||
- | Experience points (exp) is an out-of-character term (OOC). It can represent the amount of training it takes to learn a new ability (feat or stat point). It can also represent the relative strength of your soul and/or mind. | + | Experience points |
Examples include: | Examples include: | ||
- | >> | + | * //"This weapon took a lot of exp to create!" |
- | >> | + | * //"This monster is good exp!" = " |
Spell levels and character levels (CL) are OOC terms that represent your character' | Spell levels and character levels (CL) are OOC terms that represent your character' | ||
- | Similarly, a + 5 axe can be referred to as "an axe enchanted 5 times" or "a powerful axe" and a + 2 strength bonus can be referred to as "an axe that increases your strength by a small degree" | + | Similarly, a + 5 axe can be referred to as //"an axe enchanted 5 times"// or //"a powerful axe"// and a + 2 strength bonus can be referred to as //"an axe that increases your strength by a small degree" |
===== Races and racism ===== | ===== Races and racism ===== | ||
+ | Note that Sundering Shadows still uses the term " | ||
- | Racism abounds in the world of Sundering Shadows. Your race determines your strengths, weaknesses, and in many cases your demeanor and potential allies/ | + | Racism abounds in the world of Sundering Shadows. Your race determines your strengths, weaknesses, and in many cases your demeanor and potential allies/ |
- | Though there is only one human race, some animosity exists between the human ethnicities, | + | Some animosity exists between the human ethnicities, |
- | In some cases, racism | + | Racism in the world of Sundering Shadows |
It is important to differentiate between the game and the real world. The Sundering Shadows community is open to people of all ethnicities and real-life racism in any form is not allowed or supported. Similarly, real-life racial slurs have no place in a fantasy setting. | It is important to differentiate between the game and the real world. The Sundering Shadows community is open to people of all ethnicities and real-life racism in any form is not allowed or supported. Similarly, real-life racial slurs have no place in a fantasy setting. |