The setting of this campaign, Edrae (ee-dray), is a flat planet. It is mostly an expanse of water with three continents and a handful of islands.
The history of Edrae only stretches back a thousand years, when the great flood purged the land and created it anew. All texts and stories from that time were lost, though some architecture still remains.
The planet itself is divided into three parts: the surface, referred to as Edrae, the sky, referred to as "the heavens," and the underside, referred to as the "shadow realm."
Edrae - "The Surface"
The largest and most inhabited continent in Edrae is the elven-ruled Marunda (mah-run-dah), with its capital Saudeiln (sah-deh-ill-n) being the central living place for thousands of surfacers. While the majority of the population is elven (~65%), many halfling slaves (~20%) and other races (~15%) can be found. It is ruled by The Council, a group of a dozen highly regarded elves.
The frozen continent to the north, Boraen (bore-rain), is a place of harsh living conditions. Dwarves mostly inhabit this continent, though they are assisted by the half-orcs that they have taken in as slaves. Most have built cities into the mountains and down below ground -- and rumors have told of some dwarves digging a little too deep, finding themselves in the shadow realm. It is ruled by Lord Boraen; a title passed down and adopted by each generations' ruler.
Finally, to the south, is the human-controlled continent of Kanesen (kayne-sin). Kanesen is ruled by King Curdolt the Merciful, so named for his merciful act of beheading his wife to preserve her honor amid rumors of adultery. The continent itself is dark and gloomy; almost always overcast, with rain an almost daily occurance.
The Sky - "The Heavens"
The heavens are strange and alien to the average surface-dwellers. For gnomes, however, it is home. A strange, swirling sky spins around Edrae, blanketing the world and protecting it from outside forces. From a distance, if a person could look, the heavens would resemble a thick, stretched out cloud constantly circling Edrae.
Perhaps what is most strange about the heavens is the "continent" it houses. Rather than a body of land, however, Fazzdrack is an enormous stone dragon that flies around the world once daily. Its body casts a large shadow down wherever it is flying above, though this is such a usual occurance that many surfacers simply ignore it.
Many gnomes have ventured out from their home by use of "mecho-dragons;" small, winged mechanical devices that assist in reaching the surface. Few have even gone to explore the underside during Fazzdrack's flight over it; none have returned.
The gnomes are ruled by High-Dragon-Rider Nerzig, an elderly gnome seemingly on his last legs.
The Underside - "The Shadow Realm"
Not much is known about the underside, save for the stories of twisted, evil creatures occasionally finding their way to the surface. Some surfacers have claimed to have ventured to the underside as well, though there isn't much to back their claims.
Gnomes are most familiar with the underside, though even their knowledge is limited. They pass the "shadow realm" once a day, during Fazzdrack's rotation. However, a thick black smog beneath them blocks out nearly everything, but the occasional glimpse of a strange, sinister-looking building might be seen from time to time.
(Crummy drawing will have to do for now.)
The history of Edrae only stretches back a thousand years, when the great flood purged the land and created it anew. All texts and stories from that time were lost, though some architecture still remains.
The planet itself is divided into three parts: the surface, referred to as Edrae, the sky, referred to as "the heavens," and the underside, referred to as the "shadow realm."
Edrae - "The Surface"
The largest and most inhabited continent in Edrae is the elven-ruled Marunda (mah-run-dah), with its capital Saudeiln (sah-deh-ill-n) being the central living place for thousands of surfacers. While the majority of the population is elven (~65%), many halfling slaves (~20%) and other races (~15%) can be found. It is ruled by The Council, a group of a dozen highly regarded elves.
The frozen continent to the north, Boraen (bore-rain), is a place of harsh living conditions. Dwarves mostly inhabit this continent, though they are assisted by the half-orcs that they have taken in as slaves. Most have built cities into the mountains and down below ground -- and rumors have told of some dwarves digging a little too deep, finding themselves in the shadow realm. It is ruled by Lord Boraen; a title passed down and adopted by each generations' ruler.
Finally, to the south, is the human-controlled continent of Kanesen (kayne-sin). Kanesen is ruled by King Curdolt the Merciful, so named for his merciful act of beheading his wife to preserve her honor amid rumors of adultery. The continent itself is dark and gloomy; almost always overcast, with rain an almost daily occurance.
The Sky - "The Heavens"
The heavens are strange and alien to the average surface-dwellers. For gnomes, however, it is home. A strange, swirling sky spins around Edrae, blanketing the world and protecting it from outside forces. From a distance, if a person could look, the heavens would resemble a thick, stretched out cloud constantly circling Edrae.
Perhaps what is most strange about the heavens is the "continent" it houses. Rather than a body of land, however, Fazzdrack is an enormous stone dragon that flies around the world once daily. Its body casts a large shadow down wherever it is flying above, though this is such a usual occurance that many surfacers simply ignore it.
Many gnomes have ventured out from their home by use of "mecho-dragons;" small, winged mechanical devices that assist in reaching the surface. Few have even gone to explore the underside during Fazzdrack's flight over it; none have returned.
The gnomes are ruled by High-Dragon-Rider Nerzig, an elderly gnome seemingly on his last legs.
The Underside - "The Shadow Realm"
Not much is known about the underside, save for the stories of twisted, evil creatures occasionally finding their way to the surface. Some surfacers have claimed to have ventured to the underside as well, though there isn't much to back their claims.
Gnomes are most familiar with the underside, though even their knowledge is limited. They pass the "shadow realm" once a day, during Fazzdrack's rotation. However, a thick black smog beneath them blocks out nearly everything, but the occasional glimpse of a strange, sinister-looking building might be seen from time to time.
(Crummy drawing will have to do for now.)
