Mysteries of Andor (Campaign Seed)

Andor

Andor is a mix Fantasy/Post-Modern Setting, where a world shaped and changed by progressive civilization and warfare has somewhat collapsed under the weight of its own greed, yet found what appears to be some kind of peace. Subtle empirical movements, however, have been made. The world is involved in a great bloodless war, or so it seems.

Many races are integrated in the major kingdoms, and the continent seems to be returning to a very natural state once again. Heavily developed cities glow like lanterns in otherwise rural settings from the view of airship passerby, while roads are few and direct. Orcs and Leonin, once bitter enemies of humankind, now settle with an easy peace in most lands, though the eastern Orc villages are still bitter.

Goblins remain one of the most common enemy humanoids, as do Gnolls and Lizardfolk. Giants are more neutral to humankind, while Dragons have been hunted to endangerment, considered little more than wild beasts. The once-great territories of these majestic and wise beings are now competed over for food and wealth. Most of these territories are ruled by the humanoid races, or by the few proud and dignified Dragon Lords, ancient mighty Wyrms of exceptional power who guard deep secrets of the past, historical treasures, and artifacts. Dragon Lords are often puppeteers behind rulers of kingdoms in Andor's Western Empire.

Spirituality is strong in Andor. The Gods and the Demigods are worshiped in every city by a growing populace. Arcane Spellcasters typically resent the Churches and Temples established in the more "civilized" nations, leading to a certain strife between practitioners. The Wytches of the Old-Ways scheme and plot to supplant the Clerics and Bishops of the New-Age.

Spirits of the Dead are worshiped and prayed to by the followers of the New Temples, and the clergy of this Faith typically use these beings to further their religion's goals. Necromancy has become the officially recognized practice in most of the continent of Andor.

The history of Andor and its tumultuous past has been buried and scattered; most know next to nothing about the world's history. This Aeon is one of great discovery, however, and the heroes that arise will be chosen by Fate itself. The truth will be more astonishing than one could ever imagine.

Nations and Regions

Al-Vheda

Al-Vheda is also known as The Freelands. It is a democratic nation on a large island. It has no codified laws, but is governed by a judicial system. each city has a Mayor who doubles as a Local Court Judge, and a Jury. each State also has a Governor who doubles as a State Court Judge, and a State Jury. At the top sits the High Senate, a council board of 8 Senators and a 9th member, the Chancellor. All decisions and cases are handled in Court, whether Local, State or National. In all cases, the Judge/Chancellor has final say unless 5 of the 8 Senators or Jurymen agree to a contrary vote.

The Capital City has towering masonry buildings with beautiful carvings and architectural designs. Falling water from gargoyle mouths, huge fountain statues, layered streets and highways.

All races can be found here. Many citizens are cybernetic in some form or other, whether it be an enhancement or simply prosthetic. Cyborgs and androids are also on the market here. A Gold Dragon Lord lives in the sea at the north coast.

Al-Vheda was originally part of Nightfall Kingdom, until a group of Separatist Anarchists started a Revolution. War was declared, but in the end Nightfall Kingdom surrendered and Al-Vheda won it's independence. When Al-Vheda seceded and declared itself an independent Nation, it was founded on the principle that no law of man was greater than the law of Nature, and that Liberty and Equality were paramount. however, now that Al-Vheda is a Province of the Dajeet Empire, Dajeet Law overrules lack of legislature. Al-Vhedans, being Anarchists by culture, resent Dajeeti, and are violent towards them. for this reason, the Empire has put Al-Vheda under Martial Law to protect citizens from acts of domestic terrorism and hate-crime.

There is the High Senate, the ruling body of Al-Vheda. It is made up of eight Senators and one Chancellor. There is also TechCorp, the largest and most influential Technology Industry in all of Andor. Then there is The Al-Vhedan Supreme Crime Investigation Agency. Like The CIA of America, they serve the High Senate, but more importantly the nation. And The Navy, The City Guard, The Army, The Air Force and The Coast Guard. Various churches and ministries serve citizens as well. The Mist Society, which is a Magic Guild lies within Al-Vheda. The Second Bardic College teaches bards. The Cartographer's Guild is dedicated to information about maps and geography, as well as culture and bestiaries, and even the Planes. The Justice & Liberation League, an anti-dajeeti group of thugs who believe that the Empire is trampling on the rights of Al-Vhedans by forcing their "oppressive" legislature on them hold meetings every so often. Finally, The Peace & Liberty Union, which is a nonprofit organization that provides all services it can to anyone in need, has multiple buildings throughout the nation that all stay in direct contact to HQ.

Nightfall Kingdom

Nightfall Kingdom is a Monarchy run by a family of sorcerers. It's laws are subject to the whim of the Crown Ruler, be that the King or the Queen. An expansive and gorgeous marketplace is one of the kingdom's most prominent features, as the nation is anti-capitalistic.

The Capital City has prominent Classical-Style buildings; the largest set closer to the coast. A market plaza lies in the center of town and stretches westward Uptown (which is actually lower elevation). Highways are crossed by Chokri Trails often.

All races are found here, some more common than others.

Nightfall Kingdom was founded millennia ago, by King Nightfall. It was originally just a single small village, until Nightfall the Planeswalker, a powerful mage, established a tower here. His alchemical and magical innovations improved the productivity of the village which attracted more residents. Then, when outlying lands were being raided by Orcs and Leonin, the residents of villages and towns from all over the general region flocked to Nightfall's Tower. He was unanimously appointed their King and General, and he led them to victory. From that point on, his line has been the ruling Dynasty. The most recent King, Twilight Nightfall, was a practitioner of Shadow Magic. As a Prince, he was possessed by a Demon, and ran away in shame. After several years of worry that the only Heir of the Royal Family would never return, Twilight came back and assumed the mantle of Leadership. His possession by Demon is taken in mixed views by citizens. Since the Dajeet Empire took power, a large population of new-generation adolescent citizens have shown Warlock powers and sorcery ability. Some Citizens view this Demonic Power as a Golden Age for Nightfall Kingdom, and are loyal to the Crown of the Nightfall Dynasty while others see it as a Taint and favor Revolution, wanting to replace the Monarchy with a Republican Party and become a fully recognized part of the Dajeet Empire.

The Knights of Nightfall Kingdom are separated into two Orders, and those Orders each into two Branches. The Temple is devoted to the faith of all deceased. It draws it's power from the spirits of those who have passed on and still linger, more or less. Necromancy is focused on greatly here. Many other churches and ministries are located throughout the nation, mostly in the southern end of the capital city. The Justice Guild is an Assassin's Guild who's location is a secret. They are not assassins for hire, but self-righteous killers placing marks on convicted criminals or those who's crimes go unpunished. The High Bardic College teaches bards. The University trains and educates in all fields, and is the most renowned Adventurer's Guild as well. The Institute of Science & Technology is a Mage Guild and Science Lab dedicated to the pursuit of Knowledge. The Navy, The Nightfall Guardiands, The Airforce, The Army, and The Darkmoon Elite, which are Nightfall Kingdom's Special Tasks Forceare handle the problems that are too big for the Guards, the Army or other military to handle. The Nightwind Agency is the Secret National Intelligence of Nightfall Kingdom. Agents are call Stars, Executives are called Moons, and the Chiefs are called Masks.

The Shimmering Plains, a vast grassy expanse, lies between NightFall Kingdom and Ghaza.

Midnight Swamp, which lies to the east of Nightfall Kingdom, is home to another tribe of Fog Giants, under the control of one of the Dragon Lords. Mistveil Forest, a forest that blends into the Midnight Swamp to the south of it are home to the Vierah tribe (name), and a Wood Elf city (name).

Iclaria

Iclaria is a small city-state on a glacial plateau north of Ghaza. It is only accessible via a thick forest (which is home to two Elvish nations). The Palace of Iclaria doubles as a temple.

The capital is a beautiful palace build into the ice and designed to suspend in the air against a frozen cliff face, supported by gigantic pillars of marble. It is reachable by a beautifully designed ramp-like bridge over a gorge. Smaller buildings nearby are designed to trap heat inside the village on this tundra, which is guarded by beautiful a forest.

More dwarves, orcs, half-orcs and half-elves live here than in other nations. The only Ice Elves in Andor, an offshoot of the Night Elves, live in a crystal forest-city to the northwest of Iclaria. These elves have grey-blue skin and eyes any shade of pink, blue, purple or red. Their hair is white, silver, blue or black, and lightens to a glistening translucent with age.

Diamondwood, a frozen forest, lies to the Northwest of Iclaria and is completely controlled by Ice Elves.

Crystalwood Forest, a forest northeast of Ghaza, leads to the glacial plateau of Iclaria. Two Elven Citystates are found here, the High Elf nation (name), and the Night Elf nation (name), as well as a Fog Giant tribe, (name).

Mount Shido

Mount Shido is a sacred mountain, and ancestral home of the Leonin. It separates the western reaches of Andor from the eastern reaches. The mountain is protected by the Leonin, and also by the spirits of willing sacrifices.

The capital is a small town built naturally into the mountain around the pass near the middle reaches. The Leonin here guard the pass and have a set of trials that must be passed at the summit as well as a shrine that must be visited at the peak before they allow travelers to cross either end.

Leonin are the main inhabitants here, and their tribe is exclusive. Also, many spirits reside in or under the mountain. Several Dragon Lords make their lairs on perches along the mountain summit.

Nilyasevher, The City of Weeping Webs

A dark elf city-state located in a lake-filled cavern West of the Kuo-toa city-state (name), and below Khelika. The lake is fed by a river that runs off from a spring under Mount Shido. The river comes in through a tunnel, spills out into the cavern and then comes out on the other side in a wider tunnel that is used as a two-lane trading route. The cavern itself is full of stalagmites, stalactites, and columns, and littered with little islands. The buildings are carved from these rock formations and built on the islands, and the ruling house is built into a structure of columns on a large central island and is made of adamantite. Faerie fire decorates the columns so that the whole cavern glimmers faintly. The columns are connected by a network of suspended streets, though the lake is also used as a canal system. Nilyasevhr has abundant resources, as the lake is fresh water and teeming with aquatic life. The dampness of the cavern is also perfect for cultivating fungus, and many farms exist on the walls and islands of the city. Imported land meet and semi-aquatic reptiles and other animals round out the diet of the Dark-Elves of Weeping Webs. the style of dress here is simple yet striking. Materials used most often are silk, reptile skin, fish skin, leather, steel, mithril and adamantite. Commoners dress somber, while nobles dress frighteningly. Most outfits are either skimpy or form-fitting, so as to show off the body while allowing the wearer to swim unrestricted.

Inilaraafin, The Spiraling Cacoon

A dark elf city-state under (halfling nation). The city is a large cone-shaped cavern with a gigantic column extending down the middle. This column acts as the city clock, and the upper portion of it is also the ruling house (which also extends into a treehouse fort on the surface in the woods). The walls are carved in such a way as to spiral upwards with considerable sized layers with streets and buildings. Generally, noble houses are built into the wall while businesses and pathetic shelters are built on the layer itself. Some cars are used here, as surface trade allows the Dark-Elves of Inilaraafin to acquire oil without drilling too deeply for it (which would invoke the wrath of the Sea-Elves to the south).

Other regions

Tol-Quendi is the isle of the elves.

Ghaza is a democratic nation north of Nightfall Kingdom.

Khelika is a land steeped in deep occult mysteries.

Games and Sports

Many games and sports exist in Andor, including all the non-game sports of the real world, such as Ice-Skating and Bicycling and Racing. a few games are specific to this world.

Fieldball

Fieldball is played on a special terrain designed by the home team of the stadium it is played on. Each half of the court is identicle in setup, ensuring a fair game. The point is to get the ball into the goal on he opposite team. Whichever team ha sthe most goals at the end of 10 minutes wins the game.

The Field is a circle 360 feet in diameter, with obstacles and features specific to the stadium.

Each team has 7 players; 1 Goalie and 6 Fielders. They can be arranged in any formation before the game starts, but the Goalie must never leave the goal area, which is a hemisphere 5 feet in radius, and the no player can start less than 30 feet from the ball.

The ball starts off on a platform in the center of the field, and when the signal to begin sounds the players race from their starting positions for it. Tackling, intercepting, tripping, and grappling are all excepted, but hits below the belt, and excessive force get you a warning once, and then a personal foul. For each foul the offended player can make a Foul Shot from 30 feet away, and after 3 personal fouls a player must sit out the rest of the game.

The game is 10 minutes long, divided into 2 5-minute halves.

Team uniforms are specially designed to neither hinder nor help any player. they must pass scrutiny before being excepted by the Official Fieldball League. They grant a +2 armor bonus to AC, have a +8 max dexterity, 10% arcane spell fail chance, no check penalty, are enchanted with an ability to cast Water Breathing 1/day as a 5th-level wizard, and they weigh 3 lbs. they cost 6015gp.

Nightfall Kingdom Stadium

This stadium is designed with 18 pillars spaced 5 feet apart in a line on either side of the center platform. another pillar stands in the center of each quarter-court point, and a pool of water 60 feet in diameter and 30 feet deep surrounds both.

Al-Vheda Stadium

The Al-Vhedan Stadium is on of the most interesting ones. the platform in the center is 30 feet up a staircase encircling a gazebo, and the base of the platform is 30 feet wide. knotted roppes dangle from magnetic platforms hovering 30 feet above the ground and evenly spaced throughout the field. the goals are placed diagonally 60 feet up facing downwards at a 30 degree angle, and the goalie's platform is an elevator that reaches the goal.

Stadium of Iclaria

The center platform rests on top of a 60 foot tall icey precipice that is 60 feet wide at the base. two trees flank the area 20 feet from each goal, and a 10 foot deep, 5 foot wide trench with rope ladders on the inside span edge to edge another 30 feet from them. the area on the goal side of the trench is covered in slippery ice.

Stadium of Ghaza

The Ghaza Stadium is mostly a flat grassy expanse, but outcroppings and ledges surround the 15 foot wide straight path through the middle on either side.

(halfling nation) Stadium

The goals are each up a hill and the platform is in a sinkhole in the center, surrounded by trees, three to a side.

(gnome nation) Stadium

This stadium is a flat expanse, but is covered in trees with only 5 feet of distance between each one. only the area 30 feet from each goal is clear.

Templatyalie

Templatyalie is an elvish game, meaning "Game of Magic", though it is also a common game among the Viera. It is a match of magical prowess and physical/mental reflexes. Two players at a time, each on teams of 12, create balls of magical or psionic energy in their hands and must concentrate on it while attempting to shoot missle-type spells at a target facing towards the players right. one point is earned for each strike, but the other player can counter his opponents blasts and even attempt to break his opponent's concentration on his energy ball. The round ends when either players' energy ball ends, which causes that player a loss of 4 points. whoever has the most points at the end of the round wins. At the end of the game the team with the most total points wins the game, and awards are given out for each winning player and also the top scorer as well. Templatyalie is often played for lots or ante.

Novels

Story of the King, book 1

Detailing the story of a sorcerer prince of Nightfall Kingdom. His family was dedicated to the study of the mystic arts, but Prince Twilight developed an interest in darker magic. This frightened his father and mother, and denied him access to these dark studies. but he was an independant and crafty young man. he runs away from home and continues his studies, becoming possessed by an incubus. he thus spends his childhood in exile, furthering his dark studies while hiding from his royal family in shame. The royal family sends the knights on a quest to recover him and return him home, but he continues to evade them, journeying the lands, afraid to face the judgement of his parents who forbade him learn the dangerous dark arts. Along the way he finds that the temptations and cravings of the demon inside him grow stronger, and he succumbs to many things he regrets. Our hero becomes a simultaneous victim and villain, as he struggles to control his own soul.

Story of The King, book 2

Twilight, the self-exiled, demon-possessed prince of nightfall Kingdom meets a woman whom he lusts after more than anyone. this mysterious and exotic woman is the most beautifull, skilled, artistic and intelligent person he has ever met. unbeknownst to him she is a song dragon in disguise. He attempts many times to woo her, all the while avoiding letting his identity slip, and avoiding being caught by the Knights. he finds himself also having to hide the fact that many of the crimes recently happening are his doing, while he is already a very suspicious person, being a newcomer and extremely concerned with his privacy. He quickly becomes a suspect. When the woman discovers that he is connected to the crimes, he overpowers and kidnaps her, then explains his possession by a demon. She promises to help him to maintain his self-control while tutoring him in magic. But it does not take her long to connect all the dots, when she also discovers that he is hiding from the Knights, that he is also the missing son of the King. She stays true to her promise however, realizing that it is not yet time for him to return to his home. she reveals her true form to him and they escape the town.

Story of The King, book 3

The two continue their quest for Twilight's freedom of soul, and it s decided that he should attempt to use the dark powers for purposes of good only. it proves to be difficult enough, with the cravings and hysterias, but the two quickly build a small reputation in a nearby town as vigilantes. Also Aiy, the dragon woman, finds herself falling for twilight, and even growing jealous of his flirtations with other girls.

War of the Brothers

Long after Prince Twilight becomes King, and Aiy becomes his Queen, he announces which of his sons will be heir to the throne. he chooses his second oldest son, Dawn, as heir. Prince Star, the oldest, becomes jealous and enraged, believing it his birthrite. he declares war on Dawn, and begins funding this war illegally. Dawn catches his brother taxing the people extra and taking the money for his own treasonous campaign and threatens to kill him in the name of justice. their sister Eve is caught in the middle, forced to mediate and prevent her brothers from killing eachother, she searches desperately for a peacefull solution. this story shows the struggle of conflicting opinions of good and evil, right and wrong.

Prologue - details the family arrangement, and the basic jyst of the characters' personalities. Star is oldest son, who is head of the Temple. he has a warped view of what is fair, and is self-absorbed. Dawn is second oldest son, and Captain of the Knights. he is naive, and has no tolerance for what he believes to be evil, which is anything that isn't in the code of the Knights of Nightfall Kingdom. Eve, the daughter, is a freedom-loving woman who seeks peace and liberty above all else. she is Captain of the Guard.

Chapter One - The king names his second-oldest son, prince Dawn, his heir. Dawn's older brother Star becomes jealous, believing that it is his birthright to be heir. he declares war on his brother. Eve overhears her brothers' argument and falling out and worries, but keeps the knowledge to herself, as she wishes not to be a tattle-tail. She hopes to settle the dispute peacefully herself.

Chapter Two - Star is raising funds for his Campaign via the Temple. Dawn discovers this and declares war back on his brother. The Clergy is now very confused about what to do. they do not know who to believe, their leader prince Star, who is respected and influential? or the Crusading Knight prince Dawn, who has a reputation for absolute honesty but also for naivety and rash judgement? this conflict causes a schism within the Temple, and also all out war between the two brothers, who begin rallying armies and agents.

Chapter Three - Eve finally tells her parents, and the king and queen tell Eve that she must mediate the war and stop her brother's from killing each other. the queen also secretly sends her personal agent, Silver, to guide Eve. She believes that this family crisis can be turned into an important lesson for everyone involved.

Chapter Four - The king is angry and refuses to deal with it in any direct way. he decides only to reward or punish as he sees fit at the results. his wife attempts to console him, swearing that good will come out of this.

Chapter Five and on - Eve attempts to seek a peacefull resolution, and enlists the help of a very colourfull bunch of people, mostly independant of each other. meanwhile, her brothers begin their skirmishes and death threats, from assassination attempts to thefts. Eventually, plans for a battle on the fields are made, and a date for the showdown set. Eve's time is running out. she must convince her brothers not to fight, stop the suffering and warfare, and find some kind of peacefull compromise, all before a certain time. she seeks out her brother Dawn first, in hopes to make him see how rediculous he is being. at first he will not listen, and is appalled at how his sister would not stand up against evil. she introduces him to many of her own friends and allies, who were former criminals, or accused of evil or crimes, but who are good people. he insists that it is different. dawn later learns the full stories of many of Eve's friends and allies through their testimonies, and come sto understand better the motives behind many of the crimes he so naively battled against. he realizes that not everything is as simple as it seems, and that nobody is truly evil because they think they are evil, but rather they think thy are doing the right thing. still, Star has yet to be reached, and it doesn't seem likely that he will give up his goal without a fight. as time runs thin and the battle draws near hope seems lost.

Last Chapter - To stop Star's Treasonous Campaign Eve must place her brother under a strict arrest, and strip him of all his titles and rights. this is contrary to her own nature and beliefs in civil and human rights. Star is magically captured and bound, and arrested without a hearing, his army is subdued somehow....

Epilogue - Dawn is undisputed heir to the throne, and comes to understand his older brother's side of the story and point of view. he also understands how hard their actions were on the rest of the family, and how selfish they both acted. he apologizes to his sister, mother and father, and to all the people of Nightfall Kingdom. Eve comes to terms with her decisions, knowing that they were for the best. that she had to deny a person rights that he had abused in order to preserve the rights of others. a new head of the Temple is chosen.

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