The Darkness Comes - Part One
This idea has been kicking around for a long time. I'll be the first to admit that the premise of encroaching darkness, and the monsters it brings, have been done time and again in fiction and (video game) RPGs. However, I think that the way the characters deal with this is a little different in the play mechanics.
First, the World:
Every two thousand years the orbit of the plane of darkness approaches this world's plane. The friction of the two planes crossing each other bends space, and allows portals to open between the worlds. Creatures from the plane of darkness seek out these rifts, and work to expand them, hoping to cross into world of light. A miasma seeps through the tiny rift, changing the plants and animals closest to it, allowing them to be dominated by entities from the other side. The miasma sickens and kills the animals and plants it does not change.
A small rift will sicken an area perhaps a mile in diameter, centered around the rift. The misasma would twist some of the plants and animals, and sicken many. The rift would be too small to allow any creatures to pass through. However, an entity on the other side could possess an human or animal on this side, as long as they stayed within the circle of miasma.
A medium sized rift would create a miasma cloud 2-3 miles in diameter. The miasma would get noticeably thicker as you move toward the rift. The plants and animals close to the rift would be changed or killed, those on the outskirts would be sickened. Small creatures (generally animals) could pass through the rift.
A large rift would create a cloud with a diameter of 5 miles, or more. It would kill or twist every living thing within the 3 mile diameter. The rift is large enough for medium sized creatures to pass through.
The larger the rift, the larger the cloud of miasma circling it. The cloud gets denser closer to the center. In a large cloud no human could survive the miasma, never mind the aberrations generated by it, or the malevolent beings that could live in it.
Third, the Cure:
In this world certain objects, animals, and plants have spirits. This is similar to native American spirits, or those of Shinto religion of Japan. They are forces of nature, bound to this world, and have some power to assist the humans of this world. However, they must be roused, and focused. A tree spirit is likely to slowly tend the trees around him, and not notice the miasma until it is ontop of him. At that point it may be too late. Humans must rouse the spirit and take him as an ally against the darkness.
Fourth, the Shaman:
Not just any human can communicate with a spirit. It takes a shaman to be able to interact with the spirit world. The shaman can leave his body and enter the realm of spirits to converse with the nature spirits. The shaman can also create an area around himself/herself free of miasma. He/she can also use the powers of the spirits to exorcise a possessed creature, and to close a rift. It is the job of the shaman to travel the world, searching for rifts, and closing them before they get too large to handle.
First, the World:
- Name - Not too important.... It's a fantasy world... Maybe Gaia
- Races - Humans only (no dwarves, elves, goblins, etc.). Also, Spirits of Nature
- Monsters - Yes, but not native to the world.
- Tech Level - Equal to Europe in the middle ages. Feudal.
- Magic Level - Low. Most people can do a cantrip or two by invoking the spirits of things. Some wise men or witches can command more power, but it is generally nature related.
- Religion - No overwhelming single religion. Pagan nature worshippers co-exist with monotheists. Most religions are peaceful, stress fertility and cooperation. Religious war is virtually unheard of.
Every two thousand years the orbit of the plane of darkness approaches this world's plane. The friction of the two planes crossing each other bends space, and allows portals to open between the worlds. Creatures from the plane of darkness seek out these rifts, and work to expand them, hoping to cross into world of light. A miasma seeps through the tiny rift, changing the plants and animals closest to it, allowing them to be dominated by entities from the other side. The miasma sickens and kills the animals and plants it does not change.
A small rift will sicken an area perhaps a mile in diameter, centered around the rift. The misasma would twist some of the plants and animals, and sicken many. The rift would be too small to allow any creatures to pass through. However, an entity on the other side could possess an human or animal on this side, as long as they stayed within the circle of miasma.
A medium sized rift would create a miasma cloud 2-3 miles in diameter. The miasma would get noticeably thicker as you move toward the rift. The plants and animals close to the rift would be changed or killed, those on the outskirts would be sickened. Small creatures (generally animals) could pass through the rift.
A large rift would create a cloud with a diameter of 5 miles, or more. It would kill or twist every living thing within the 3 mile diameter. The rift is large enough for medium sized creatures to pass through.
The larger the rift, the larger the cloud of miasma circling it. The cloud gets denser closer to the center. In a large cloud no human could survive the miasma, never mind the aberrations generated by it, or the malevolent beings that could live in it.
Third, the Cure:
In this world certain objects, animals, and plants have spirits. This is similar to native American spirits, or those of Shinto religion of Japan. They are forces of nature, bound to this world, and have some power to assist the humans of this world. However, they must be roused, and focused. A tree spirit is likely to slowly tend the trees around him, and not notice the miasma until it is ontop of him. At that point it may be too late. Humans must rouse the spirit and take him as an ally against the darkness.
Fourth, the Shaman:
Not just any human can communicate with a spirit. It takes a shaman to be able to interact with the spirit world. The shaman can leave his body and enter the realm of spirits to converse with the nature spirits. The shaman can also create an area around himself/herself free of miasma. He/she can also use the powers of the spirits to exorcise a possessed creature, and to close a rift. It is the job of the shaman to travel the world, searching for rifts, and closing them before they get too large to handle.
posted by Cyrunner | 7:37 PM
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