[D&D] The Seres Chronicles - A Setting Creation Project
Alright...let's see if I can word this correctly.
As a few members might remember, last year I participated in the forum-based Visual Novel project and expressed interest in continuing to design the fantasy-based story proposal regardless of whether or not it was chosen. And, now, more than a year later, I have decided to try and make good on that expression.
Base Concept:
As with the Visual Novel project, the Seres Chronicles is meant to act as a collaborative project that focuses on the creation of a world, its people, and its lore, in a Dungeons and Dragons style format. That said, the core idea of Aer Seres, is that of a slowly dying planet and the struggles and triumphs of her people. However, the people of Aer Seres are not informed like those of Tethe'alla (Tales of Symphonia), but, rather, like those in the world of Nausicaä.
An Overarching Story:
For the purposes of the Seres Chronicles, there is no singular entity that can claim a titular role. The purpose is to allow everyone to participate, not a select few.
Physical Aspects of Aer Seres:
Spoiler:
During the initial stages of planning and development I had decided to use an extremely large, island-like continent surrounded by an island chain as the primary staging ground. However, I can't seem to locate a picture of it. I'll upload it when I find it.
Technology:
The average technological standard of Aer Seres is fairly consistent with that of Dungeons and Dragons (Medieval Ages - early Renaissance).
Rules I'll Be Using:
- Humans Dominate the Known World (i.e., The Kam, Shog, and Nonu)
- Magic is Real and Causally so are the Gods
- Good and Evil Oppose One Another
- Similarly the concepts of Wilderness and Civilization are Opposed
- Arcane and Divine Magic are Inherently Separate
- Non-Specified Magic are Closer to Arcane by Default
- Arcane Magic is Created Through the Breakdown of the Natural Laws in Order to Produce a Miracle
- Divine Magic is Created Through Drawing Strength from the Weave (or Whatever We Call It)
- Psionics Alters the Possibilities of Limitation In-Order to Produce a Miracle
- Any "Non-Enlightened" Creature is Considered a "Monster," Regardless of Intelligence
- Magic Items of "Common Levels" (1-9) are Considered Easily Available, with Less Common Iterations Becoming More and More Difficult to Find
- Magic, by Concept, does not Entail a Fee
References:
- Visual Novel Thread - Post Number: 82, 106, and 116.
- Hypertext d20 SRD
- Issuu
- Eberron Wiki
- Forgotten Realms Wiki
Random Information:
Campaign Setting: The Seres Chronicles
World: Aer Seres
Continent: Undecided
[Note]
With all that said and done, the actual concepts don't have to be written in a D&D format to begin with (as I can handle any eventual conversions is need be). All that's needed is a willingness to discuss and participate.
Last edited by Azazer; 09-22-2011 at 06:51 AM.
So what exactly do you want us to do? I don't even follow the story for one. D:
Make-up things as we go :3
The idea isn't to follow the original story idea, but rather the concepts of the setting.
First off; I like nasuverse. As such this story needs as much of it shoved into any and possibly every orifice we can shove it into.
That said how would you think that will fit with your story; maestro?
As much as I like the Nasuverse...probably not. While many of the concepts may work, their specifications might not necessarily match.
Fine fine; that aside want to get something more than a skeleton of the story out so we can add stuff in :3
The Kam:
The Kam are the most numerous and influential of the human sub-races on Aer Seres, and are occasionally referred to by me as [Race #1]. Unlike the other branches of humanity, the Kam use the racial traits described for Humans in the PHB and SRD.
History:
Of the three human sub-races, the most prominent and most common are the Kam. Known for their ruthless enslavement of the elven tribes that had once lived amongst the Greater Rim, and for their domination of a majority of the primary continent, the Kam are often described as the "primary movers and shakers of the realm." But this study of the present only touches upon the most recent incarnation of Kam society and fails to recognize their past as the least influential race of humanity.
Almost a millennia ago, the Kam were little more than a small band of human clans that lived within the mountainous heart of the Baltan region. Discovered by a small group of Shog explorers, the Kam were captured and used as conscripted soldiers against the Nonu, until their revolt in what would be known as the War of the Goddess. Six-hundred years later, in what could be described as the greatest of human migrations, the faithful of Althea began their push south until they hit the southern horn of the continent. Once there, the faithful uncovered ruins and artifacts thought to have dated back to the time of the first Prophetess and the Pistis. Since then these colonizers have called themselves the Holy Empire and have worked to spread their scripture across Aer Seres.
Today, only a small percentage of Kam continue to live within the Middle Kingdoms and many prefer, instead, to live within the reaches of the Holy Empire. Still, within the Middle Kingdoms there are a great number of Kam-led city states, many of which continue to act as the dominant powers within their regions. For most though, life within the Holy Empire has led to the creation of a political entity that has control over half of the primary continent, and has begun efforts in colonizing the Lesser Rim.
Physical Appearance:
The Kam are of average height for humans and of average build (though those from the Middle Kingdoms tend to be more muscular than their kindred from the Holy Empire). Of the human sub-races, the Kam are the least influenced by the Elemental Poles and, as a result, are less likely to develop odd hair or skin pigmentation.
Culture:
<I'll discuss the individual societies at some other point. For now, just use the Holy Empire asa reference point.>
Slavery:
For the Kam, slaves are a regular part of life and the lack of a slave would be considered an oddity.
In Kam society there are three types of slaves: Bondservant, a Thrall, and a Serf. Of whom make up anywhere between one-third to one-half the Kam population (in total). Of the three, Bondservants are the only slaves who are treated as full citizens under the law and are only only considered slaves out of obligation (possibly due to theft, unpaid debt, or gambling), and are the only group of slaves who may become free citizens. Thralls make up the second category of slaves and, like Serfs, are not considered citizens under Kam law. However, unlike Serfs, Thralls may not be killed (at least in public), and are expected to be treated in a "humane" manner. Many Thralls are typically employed as houseworkers and occasionally are used as untrained laborers. The last category of slaves are known as Serfs and are largely made up of elves and those criminals unfortunate enough to be caught multiple times. Serfs receive no protection under Kam law and are often used to perform hard labor (or any other task that a Kam citizen would not desire to be associated with).
so 1 race down and the skeleton for what is to be this world. What exactly do you want to do with this story?
RP, VN, LN, etc? What's the premise of the story, who's leading it, the plot, etc?
I have no idea what you're thinking and subsequently I'm lost. (Also dat sig :3)
None of the above, this is meant to be a campaign setting, not a "set story." And for this reason, I've been avoiding making any particularly strong plot or overarching story because, ultimately, I want the participants to come together and decide what this should be. In my case, I would probably design something along the original ideas included in the VN proposal.
[EDIT]
I'll even include a quote:
Originally Posted by Azazer
So in other words; this project will die before it even sets sail...
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