Lore and Worldbuilding

Cosmology

The World - Lorellia

Type: Planet ruled by all-powerful god (formerly "Mr Delero") Known Geography: Eros continent (only known continent)

Creation Myth: Bards believe the multiverse was spoken into existence through word and song. Magic is woven into reality's fabric.

Ancient History

The First Age

The First Races:

Dwarves and Elves created by gods to rule together
Coexisted peacefully with advanced civilizations

The Bane's Corruption:

The Bane is evil itself incarnate (not dragon/demon/god)
Has many names across races and time
Corrupted entire dwarven race
Corrupted dwarves turned against elves

The Great War:

Dwarves vs Elves fought to near-extinction
Only handful of survivors from each race

Dragon Gods' Intervention:

Multiple dragon gods ruled as THE gods
Bonded together to fight The Bane
One dragon god killed in final battle
Successfully imprisoned The Bane
Dead god's blood used in Bane Watcher ritual

Legacy:

Explains extreme rarity of dwarves and elves
Underground dwarven highway network remains
Bane Watchers founded after war
Ancestral trauma in both races

The Underground Roads

Description: Ancient dwarven tunnel network connecting cities, impressive engineering, now mostly abandoned

Significance: Monument to dwarven civilization before corruption, last remnant of First Age

Current Status: Dangerous - The Bane presence detected, collapsed sections, unknown creatures

The Bane - Ancient Evil

Nature:

Evil itself given form
Pure corruption and chaos
Existed before recorded history
Feeds on chaos, destruction, suffering
Nearly indestructible by conventional means

Capabilities:

Corrupts everything touched
Overruled entire dwarven race
Influences minds on massive scale
Plants dormant mental commands
Creates psychological curses
Manifests as: spectral green hands, possessing mist, voice commands
Feeds on trauma, guilt, emotional pain
Stronger in ethereal/other planes

Current Threat:

Released when horn blown (party involved)
Active and at large, location unknown
Strong presence in Belendar
Seen in underground dwarven roads

New Manifestations (Sessions 24-25):

Green glow on spells (progressive corruption)
Temporary trauma-triggered petrification (self-resolving with Wisdom saves)
Post-resurrection power transformations (Patriarch's unexplained strength increase)
Unpredictable effects (enhancement or disability)

Magic & Mysticism

Philosophical Views

Bards: Magic spoken into existence
Clerics: Channel divine power from Outer Planes
Druids: Magic flows from nature (animals, plants, elements)
Sorcerers: Magic innate, wants to be wielded
Warlocks: Magic is hidden knowledge in multiverse fabric
Wizards: Study systematic schools and theory

Eight Schools of Magic

Abjuration: Protection, barriers, banishment Conjuration: Summoning, teleportation, creation Divination: Information, foresight, revelation Enchantment: Mind control, manipulation of will Evocation: Energy manipulation, power, destruction (Led by Patriarch Siegfried Wildner) Illusion: Deception, perception manipulation Necromancy: Life/death manipulation (creating undead is evil, resurrection accepted) Transmutation: Change and adaptation

The Mages' Tower (Belendar): Each floor = different school (distinct color), multicolored skyscraper

Magical Phenomena

Dream Vision Trials (Sessions 28-30, RESOLVED Session 31):

Purpose Revealed: Bane Watcher training created by Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian
"Every Bane Watcher has to learn to control their hidden abilities and talents"
Tested five virtues: Truth (mirrors), Silence (gardens), Wisdom (statues), Courage (labyrinth), Forgiveness (central chamber)
Progressive trial system pulling multiple people simultaneously across locations
Physical bodies remain asleep in separate locations during vision
Steve Explained: Manifestation of Co'narr's training method (explains voice match, tactical intelligence, why only Elik'r perceived)
Most items/progress disappears upon waking (temporary dream constructs)
Exception: Items created through genuine emotional transformation persist (Dragon's Tear from forgiveness)
Corrupted entity remains can transform vulnerable individuals (Odonia's Warg ability from Khorrak's green ooze)

Warg Ability (Lady Odonia of Galantri):

Homebrew power replacing druid multiclass
Shifting tattoo: wolf/eagle/serpent
Warg into creatures within 30ft
Possible connection to wolf shrine (Orcish "EARTH")

Religious Beliefs

Divine Power

Clerics channel power from gods in Outer Planes
Direct connection to divine forces

Known Deities

Ilmater, God of Endurance:

Domain: Endurance, suffering, martyrdom
Worshipped by Ser Tessell Highfrost
Philosophy: Self-sacrifice for others' benefit

Mr Delero: All-powerful god ruling Lorellia (meta-level deity)

Unknown Deities: Various gods across Eros, celestial beings granting power

Religious Institutions

Cathedral of Gentle Redemption (Thalas'Miriel): Currently siding with rebels (deity/philosophy unknown)

Death and Resurrection

Cultural Views

Necromancy Taboo:

Creating undead inherently evil
Necromantic practices widely forbidden
True clerical resurrection generally accepted
Soul retrieval via ethereal plane deeply controversial

The Price of Return:

Death not easily reversed
Those brought back may be changed
Psychological trauma common
Officiating mages may sacrifice themselves

The Ethereal Plane

Nature: Realm between life/death, transitional space, not physical location

Characteristics:

Can manifest as memory/trauma recreations
Bane influence much stronger here
Time flows differently
Physical manifestations cause real harm

Dangers:

Psychic damage from entry/exit
Vision-induced trauma
Bane can plant commands in minds
Risk of becoming lost/trapped
May witness unbearable truths

Access: Requires powerful ritual, multiple high-level mages, physical bodies remain vulnerable

Cultural Practices

Warriors: Barbarians (community protectors), Fighters (death-acquainted), Paladins (cosmic frontline), Rangers (wilderness watchers)

Scholars: Clerics (divine intermediaries), Druids (ancient orders), Monks (personal development), Wizards (scholarly study)

Artists/Tricksters: Bards (wandering performers), Rogues (cunning survivors), Warlocks (knowledge seekers)

Innate Power: Sorcerers (born with power, feared or revered)

Military Traditions

Squire System: Multi-year apprenticeship, knights take squires for training, ultimate loyalty expected (die for master if necessary)

Mock Battles: Training exercises, split forces, tactical practice, single combat challenges

Entertainment

Bareknuckle Boxing: Popular at Crossroads Inn, tokens of pride Chariot Racing: International sport, high-stakes competition Bardic Performance: Music, dance, verse central to culture

Languages

Standard Languages

Common: Trade language (Common script) Elvish: Language of Odessia (Elvish script - also Sylvan, Undercommon) Dwarvish: Ancient First Age language (Dwarvish script - also Giant, Gnomish, Goblin, Orc, Primordial) Draconic: Dragons and dragonborn (Draconic script)

Exotic Languages

Planar: Abyssal (demons), Celestial, Infernal (devils), Primordial (elementals), Deep Speech (telepathic)

Found in Campaign: Orcish word "EARTH" at Sylobelle wolf shrine

Geography & Climate

Continental Overview - Eros

Northern (Nolunia): Colder, humans/centaurs, independent city-states Central (Odessia): Temperate forests, rivers, agricultural, mountains (northwest), balanced climate Southern (Immortal Draconic Empire): Unknown climate, hostile territory

Natural Features

Central Lake: Large lake with Bane Watchers citadel island Forests: Deep forests around Belendar, elven towns, sacred groves Rivers: River Silverdue through Belendar, multiple rivers, trade routes Mountains: Northwest Odessia, stone mining (Ulvenora), foothills Badlands: East of Odessia, dangerous, unexplored

Racial Cultures

Dwarven

Beards highly valued (cultural symbol of survival)
Skilled warriors, miners, craftspeople
Hardy and resilient
Ancestral memory of near-extinction

Elven

Elegant clothing and refinement
Long lifespans (750 years) = different time perspective
Physical maturity at human age, adulthood ~100
4-hour trance instead of 8-hour sleep
No facial hair

Goliath

Ferocious competitors, driven to excel
Self-sufficiency and individual skill valued
Defeat motivates improvement
Nomadic mountain culture
Ancestral memory of First Age

Halfling

Simple comforts valued
Bright colored clothes
Community-oriented, hospitable
The Porridgepots exemplify this

Dragonborn

Strong clan bonds
Honour and martial prowess
Walk within hours of hatching
No wings/tail (vs true dragons)
Breath weapon as rite of passage

Aarakocra

Short lifespans (30 years) create urgency
Flight central to identity
Males brightly colored, females subdued
Mature by age 3

Royal Family of Odessia

The Everglade Dynasty (Simplified)

High King Everglade (Deceased - Session 23) ├── First Son: Gaelin (Deceased, no legitimate heirs) │ └── with Elincia Flowers (affair) │ ├── Ser Alvar Flowers (Bastard, Falcon leader) │ └── Yavanna Lightwhisper (Bastard, Falcon conspirator) │ ├── Second Son (Deceased "at sea") │ └── with Verona (Deceased "at sea") │ └── Avicia - RIGHTFUL HEIR │ └── Hidden as doll for protection │ └── [Third line - Crown Princess's parent] └── Crown Princess Eilrora Everglade └── Currently ruling, age 24, GRANDDAUGHTER

Succession Order

First son's line: Extinct (bastards excluded)
Second son's line: Avicia (legitimate, rightful heir)
Third line: Crown Princess (legitimate but junior claim)

The Crisis

Avicia has superior legal claim but identity kept secret
Crown Princess currently ruling
Falcon faction (Gaelin's bastards) attacking palace
Three-way dispute over throne
Avicia likely "the vessel" from prophecy

Historical Pattern

Systematic elimination of royal line over time
Original heir and child: dead
First son: dead
Second son and wife: dead (Avicia survived)
Current King: assassinated (Session 23)
Long-running conspiracy suggested

##honourBane Watchers' Place in Society

Historical: Once honoured, saved world, given resources Current: Largely forgotten, seen as paranoid zealots, dismissed as eccentric Reality: Were right all along, now desperately needed but lacking resources Public Perception: Most don't believe in The Bane

Technology Level

General: Medieval fantasy - stone castles, chain mail, swords, bows, horse/elk/wolf mounts Advanced: Mages' Tower (magical skyscraper), chariots, river ships, advanced masonry Firearms: Exist but extremely rare/expensive (Pistol 250 GP, Musket 500 GP) Magic vs Tech: Magic common and accepted, technology enhanced by magic

Trade

Canathalas (western port), Crossroads Inn (5-road junction), Belendar (river trade)

Resources

Stone (Ulvenora), agricultural products (Sylobelle), potatoes (Crossroads Inn), magical components (Belendar)

Nobility System

Monarchy → Dukes/Duchesses → Knights → Advisors
Mixed race society in Odessia (equality under law)
Human-dominated supremacy in Immortal Draconic Empire
Free confederation in Nolunia

Current Era Mysteries

Major Unresolved Questions

The Bane:

Exact current location?
Full extent of powers?
How to defeat permanently?
What/who is corrupted in Belendar?

Purple Dragonborn:

Who is he? Why knows Elik'r Stormswallow's name?
Hero or villain? What if released?
Trapped since First Age?

Skull-Faced Man:

True identity and nature?
Undead, cursed, or inhuman?
Connection to royal murders?
How powerful?

Fizwidget Spindleflash:

True nature? (Fey/Archfey/deity/wizard?)
Coordinating with gnome army?
Reality reset complete or lingering effects?
Pattern confirmed (S27 & S33): Targets party during mission-critical travel
Expanded powers (S33): Age regression, equipment transmutation, ability suppression (flight/fire), environmental creation
Permanent consequences (S33-34): ToooAh kept as punishment (whereabouts unknown S34), Liora Emberveil did not return (fate unknown)
Why intervene twice? Testing party? Entertainment? Recruitment?
Will he return again?

Bane Transformation Pattern:

Can corrupt individuals into monstrous forms
Earthbound Dire Wolf (S31): Wolf transformed, attacked Sylobelle, earth shrine connection
Moth Queen/Oswick Porridgepot (S34): Halfling transformed into Moth Queen, disappeared 3 months prior
Timeline correlation: Bane released Session 18, transformations occurring S31 & S34
Unknown transformation mechanism (proximity? corruption? ritual?)
Similar to possession but physically transforms the victim
Victims appear to lose original identity entirely

Green Glow Corruption:

Why manifest as green glow?
Why affect spellcasting specifically?
Can it be controlled/cured?
Will it spread?

Patriarch's Transformation:

What happened during unconscious state?
Source of power increase?
Corrupted or blessed?
Can he be trusted?

Royal Conspiracy:

Who killed royal family members systematically?
Who ordered pursuit of Avicia's family?
Who transformed Avicia into doll?
Does Crown Princess know Avicia exists?

Dragon's Tear:

Why did it persist when all other dream items disappeared?
What are its properties?
Connection to Bane or forgiveness theme?

Timeline Summary

Ancient Era: First races created → Bane corrupts dwarves → Great War → Near-extinction → Dragon gods imprison Bane → Bane Watchers founded

Recent History: Various royal deaths → High King assassinated → Civil war erupts → The Bane released (horn blown) → Riders of the Storm formed and join Bane Watchers

Current Campaign: Sessions 1-33, currently mid-civil war during palace siege aftermath

Session 27: Fizwidget's 1st intervention (Carnival Realm)
Session 33: Fizwidget's 2nd intervention (Winter Realm, pattern confirmed)