The planes of Marrow: The path of Oberon Part 1 of 2

[merlin]

Title:

Summer lands of Marrow: Path of Oberon

Elevator pitch:

In the times following the war between the seelie and unseelie courts, humanities place in the world has never been more uncertain. Though the Seelie courts have won the war, the number of Fae have been reduced from a once great kingdom to seven nations, held together by the vows of fealty to the vanished Queen Titania.

It is in the small village Knot that our journey begins. You are a Mercenary, finding work with the company Vagabond Arms. Your first job with the company is a simple one. Hold the line of encroaching Nyx and protect the village from the monsters of the night.

Here you meet the Tavern owner Akila, Her brother the disgraced Cambion Sorcerer and the child Fatima. With them is the man only known as Moth, an aged drifter with a mysterious past. An encounter of seemingly little interest, yet one whose effects will leave the Summer lands forever changed.
History:

Key points in history:

• Three hundred years have passed since the last gods faded from existence, their power shedding and reforming into the Faery courts.

• For as long as man can remember the Summer lands lived in an uneasy truce between the Fae of the Seelie and Unseelie courts. A truce broken when the unseelie Fae Dullahan tore a drunken war path through the Titania’s wood, killing countless of the beasts living under her protection.

• The war raged on between the two courts, ending with the destruction of Titania and Mab. While No Fae can ever truly be killed, neither queen has reformed. Following the death of their queen, the remaining Fae of the Seelie court came together. By binding their magicks together, they sought to bring the war between the courts to an end once and for all. It was in the light of the setting sun the Seven Fae unleashed their curse upon their kin of the Unseelie court. A battle forever known as the Howling night.

• It was during the Howling night the Unseelie found themselves forever bound with the writhing Nyx; creatures of shadow who possessed the corpses left behind after battles. With the twisted powers of the Nyx infused with the Dark Magicks of the Unseelie court, the Kingdom of Titania was quickly over run. With each death, both of Fae and mortal alike, the Unseelie court grew more powerful. In a single night the once impenetrable Hold that was Titania’s home was torn asunder and the last members of the Seelie court surrounded. Yet as the sun rose over the hill, the Nyx’s weakness was revealed. As the light touched the powerful army of dark Faery and Nyx, they were obliterated, crumbling to ash. At the end of it all the Seelie court emerged victorious.

• Each of the Seven Fae would lay claim to the Summer Lands. From each a Cambion would be named King, A symbol of the union between the mortals and the Fae. A symbol most believed would last for the rest of time. Yet, tales of the Unseelie court exist to this day. Spoken on the words of Sailors returning from the night sea. Whispered in dark taverns by treasure hunters who delve into the crypts of the dead. Stories of Nyx acting differently. More intelligent, as if guided by an invisible hand.

A brief history of the world Marrow and its lore:

**The world of Marrow began much in the same way all worlds are made. A long-forgotten God who believed himself worthy of creation. Some idea of how the world should be ran. Not to heavily controlled of course. No god would want to be accused of Micromanagement. His creations would have free will of course. Just as long as they did everything, he expected of them.

Of course, this was how the world was supposed to be made. Not how it truly came to be. For as most new gods will tell you, creation rarely goes as plan. That is what most Gods would tell you, not this God, however. No, marrow would tell you no such thing.

Because Marrow is dead.

Murdered if you wanted to be specific. Killed by another of his kind. A god he had unknowingly created, but that is a story for another time.

Now, you may be wondering if our god is dead, how are we here having this conversation. The answer to this question is simple. Because Marrow still exists among us. In the air we breathe, in the water we drink and in a more literal sense on the ground we walk. For when Marrow was killed in the heavens above his corpse fell down to this existence he had created. From his body the continents formed. From his blood the seas were made and from his dying breath, all life was made.

From his final thoughts, the first gods were made, children of Marrow who would mold the world to his wishes. Gods who would fight, fuck, and kill themselves into more gods, lesser gods. Gods that would break down to the Fae who now rule the world today.

Now you may ask yourself what proof I have. The answer is none. Truth is I may just be another drunk, sitting next to you in this tavern. Or I might be the last of the High Fae, the last of a dying thought of a decomposing god. Either way it matters not. Where we come from does not matter. Only where we go next. Only what choices we make in the world we find ourselves today

-Moth, A man from no where**

Setting:

The Summer lands form the largest continent in all of Marrow. Once ruled by the Queen Titania of the Seelie court, the continent now finds itself split by the seven Royal Fae of the Seelie court. Our story begins in the village of Knot, set along the border between the kingdoms of Mana and Harvest.

Locations:

Knot:

A small fishing village set between the kingdom of Mana and Harvest The dark depths of the sea have always been a breeding ground for the Nyx, but nothing couldn’t be held back by constantly roving beam of the village lighthouse. Yet as of late, the Nyx have been agitated, more aggressive. Some Nyx have even been seen braving the burning light of light house beam, the burnt bones of their host found smoldering upon the shore. With the village set along the border and each army stating the protection of the village falls upon the other, Knot finds itself without a protecting army.

As the attacks of Nyx grow more common, The people of Knot have formed a militia, composed of any man and woman of fighting age. Amongst them being the local innkeeper Akila, a former courtesan of the royal court of Mana, a battle scarred Cambion Shaman known only as stitch, a young Cambion girl by the name of Fatima with a budding power she does not quite understand. As the attacks have grown however the locals have reached out to the best and cheapest mercenary company, The vagabond arms. Rowan, a Naguai berserker runs the mercenary company that hired you. And of course, you the player, a mercenary sent to hold back the dark tide of Nyx.

Nofoaga, the floating city of Mana:

Nofoaga is less a true city and more of a strange web of intersecting lines of rope, docks, and boats, many of which have found themselves forever trapped within the ever-expanding nest of seafaring residents. What started off as a small port town has expanded into an enormous city set upon floating piers. Many of the older ships in the city have long since found themselves blocked in, becoming permanent structures in the ever-growing city.

The city of Nofoaga is ruled its long time Monarch, Loa. Loa is quite possibly the oldest Cambion in existence. Despite this the man appears to be no older than his late teens. Loa is known for his apparent disinterest in the everyday rule of his kingdom. A point made ever clearer by the ramshackle city set below his castle or his refusal to take a wife and make an heir. Rumors run abound, often unchecked that the king prefers to take men to his bed rather than woman, but none say so to the king’s face. Despite this Loa has managed to defend his kingdoms from countless wars and incursions. Though he may be laughed at and mocked by his people, he is respected as a great warrior.

Few no what Loa’s gift entails. Some believe he can manipulate the waves or even drain the life force from his enemies. In truth Loa’s gift is simply the ability to heal as the Fae do. He can speed the process of healing to a point that makes him functionally unkillable.

The kingdom of Mana is protected by the ancient Seelie Fae Tano, who takes the form of a massive whale. It is through Tano’s power that the city of Loa is protected. The Fae has manifested magical creatures known as comet tail eels to light the ramshackle city at night.

The people of Mana are a strong and proud people. They pride themselves as being a seafaring people, often mocking the people of the other nations.

Zentra, the capital of Spindle

Zentra is a massive city, built upon the ruins of the former home of queen Titania herself. In this immaculate city, one can often wake to the sights of brooms brushing dirt free from the cobble stone streets, water flowing upward into troughs awaiting the many weary travelers and their steeds and even the rodents removing the occasional drunken reveled from the street.

The capital city off Spindle finds itself at in the middle of the continent, a central hub for all the seven kingdoms. Spindle is known for its artisans and craftsman. It is often a sign of wealth to own a weapon, instrument, or clothing in the style of Spindle.

While Zentra is the home of the royal family of Spindle, it is common knowledge it’s is the Royal Fae Rapone who is truly in control. He can often be found wandering his nation making deals with foolish mortals in exchange for various riches, though the cost of such deal often far outweighs any actual reward.

The gift of the Royal family of Spindle is promise. It is through this gift that the family makes its deals bound by Fae magic. This deal can range from people to animals to even inanimate objects. One such deal ensures the ring of Will’o moths encircling the city will always protect its residents from the Nyx.

The people of Spindle consider themselves high society, often looking down upon the other nations in the Summer lands. The mortal of this city often prides themselves on innovation, setting up a college to the Artificer and alchemist arts.

Castle Snow, home to the Royal family of Snow:

The Royal family of snow is one of the most ancient in all the seed lands, tracking their Fae blood line all the way back to Mab, the unseelie Queen of wind and darkness. The Royal Fae of House snow, Aurora, however, is of the Seelie court. The reason why is unclear, but some speculate it had something to do with the king of Faerie, Oberon himself.

The Castle of snow is built upon the peak of a mountain above a sprawling city. The main export minerals to include coal, silver gold, and copper. Occasionally miners will come upon a vein of iron, where they will collapse the mind and mark it off per order of the high king. An aura borealis protects the vast mountain range from the Nyx.

The Royal family of Snow commands the power of Ice, A rare gift amongst the Seelie Fae. They are capable of calling forth blizzards and can even form blades of ice from with their gift. An added benefit of their gift is the ability to with stand freezing cold which would kill any mortal. The royal family, led by the High King Baeor, is often seen walking about in nothing more than a tunic and pants regardless of the weather.

The people of snow are a hardened people who derive their wealth from days spent in the mines. Many have encounter Nyx and live to tell the tale, bearing the scars with pride.

The walking city of Sparrow tweet, Kingdom of Harvest:

The walking city is set upon the western plains of the Summer lands, ringed by the Apple trees of the Royal Fae, Gospel.

The walking city earns its name due to its nomadic nature. The once desolate plains run over with verdant crops, thanks to the blessing of Gospel. The walking nation follows Gospel harvesting the fruits and vegetables that seed the summer lands.

The Cambion ruler is a King by the name of Jon Bighorn. He is a man of the people, and unlike other Cambion, he has taken the Royal Fae of his house as his wife. The other Royal families look down up this choice, save Loa. Gospel urges her husband to take a mortal as his lover to produce an heir but Jon refuses.

The gift of the people of Harvest is the ability to change form. Jon Bighorn can grow to the size of a giant. It is a talent he uses often, when on the massive beasts of Titania’s woods finds their way into his land. He rarely kills the beast however choosing to simply wrestle the beasts into submission before dragging them from his lands.

The people of Harvest are a peaceful people who prefer leisure to hard work. Some of the other nations consider them lazy, but most are simply appreciative of the fruits and vegetables they bring.

The Roaring Dens of Mesh, Kingdom of Mesh:

The roaring dens of Mesh, is the most ancient dwelling for mankind, set into a massive cave system set into the dwellings of Titania’s wood. The entrances of these caves are protected by massive bon fires, blocking access to the caves from the few Nyx who plague Titania’s wood.

The ruler of Mesh is a woman by the name of Mora, a Cambion who has only recently taken the throne from her mother. She is the youngest of the Cambion rulers, but one of the most feared. The Mesh gift is the ability to speak to animals. Mora is bonded with a giant raven by the name of Glint.

The Royal Fae of house Mesh is Fen. Taking the form of a giant white wolf. He is respected by all Fae, believing him to be the most devoted to his role. He is a sworn enemy to the Naguai, next only to Rapone.

The people of Mesh are a fiercely independent people, earning their trade as hunters and gatherers. They sell the skins and meats of the beasts they kill.

The citadel of Song, Kingdom of Song

The citadel of song is set upon the banks of a large lake on the eastern side of the continent. The citadel, a massive amphitheater from which music can always be heard stands overlooking the lake from a cliff above.

The royal family of Song is quite extended. It the only kingdom in the land ruled by a council of siblings rather than an actual ruler. With their gift of Song, the ability to bend and flow the odds to their favors. Their singing can bolster and dampen the emotions of those around. Some of the greatest heroes in all the summer lands are from the kingdom of song. As are many more of the bastards in the summer land can trace their fathers to these wandering heroes of Song.

The Royal Fae of Song is Benza. Benza often takes the shape of a man, or a woman known for their beautiful singing voice and dancing. The night is held back over the Citadel by floating lanterns, of burning whit flame.

The people of Song, are often considered a frivolous people, placing their pleasures over the everyday toils of people. Despite this very rare a tavern of mention will not have a Cambion of Song entertaining their masses.

The dragon spire of Oberon, Kingdom of Oberon

The dragon spire is set to the farthest north corner of the continent. An eternal flame burns high at the peak of the tower, bright light shining all throughout the day and night, holding back the Nyx.

The mortals of this realm are a tough lot. The Cambion of which there are only a dozen, are even more so. The gift of the Oberon is the control of the elements. While each of the Cambion can control all elements, it is rare to find one with an affinity for more than one. Some of the first generation can command two, and the Queen can command all but earth. Only the Cambion Oberon can command all four.

The Cambion Oberon has only recently risen to power, claiming to be the descendant of the long-lost king of Fae. He has formed an ally with the dragons, ancient beasts formed by all the elements.

The Royal Fae who protects this kingdom is Kakia, the lady of the smoldering flame. No one has seen her for some time.

The people of Dragon Spire, pride themselves on being an independent people. They grow their own food; make their own weapons from minerals they draw from the earth themselves. They are also the only kingdom who uses iron, a lethal poison to the Fae.

Playable Races:

Human:

The mass majority of Mortals in the Summer lands are Human. Though they are the most short-lived species, they are the most driven by far. Many mortals accomplish more in their short lives then the other races of the Summerland. They are also the most likely to embrace technology. It it’s not unheard of to see a mortal Artificer with a flaming sword, armor hardened beyond any Cambion would believe capable or even a hand-crafted explosive. Some people even speak of a human Artificer in Zentra collecting lightning from the very sky.

Pros:
Increased experience gain
Ability to use iron bane.
Skill tree for ingenuity, allowing for weapon and armor modification.

Cons:
Inability to use magic.
No physical benefits

Cambion:

Born of Fae and mortal blood, each Cambion is blessed with a gift of their birth. This gift depends on which of the seven blood lines they descend from. Though Cambion are rare in the Summer lands, especially outside of the royal courts, they have been known to appear in some of the smaller villages, notably around whore house and taverns where traveling Cambion may have rested for a night.
(players cannot play as Cambion of Harvest or Mana)

Pro:
+1 point to speed, strength, and perception
Magic skill line depending on skill line.

Cons:
Iron bane cause 50% more damage, and 20 points of damage per touch

Naguai:

The cursed people of Titania’s wood. Shortly after the Howling night, the humans who dwelled in these parts found themselves by giant beasts. Seeking a way to protect themselves from the monstrous animals, they came to the Royal Fae Fen and asked for his aid in killing the beasts. The Fae wolf turned against the mortals, warning them to the Beasts were under the protection of the Queen of the Seelie court and if they wanted to kill them, they would have to do so themselves. It was then the wandering tribes called upon Rapone, knowing his reputation to make deals with human. At a crossroads set in the woods they met with the mischievous Fae, asking for the strength to fight the beasts of the wood. Rapone agreed, promising them a power equal to those of the beasts of the woods. All he asked in return was for them to deny any claim to any land, staying a nomadic people from this day forth. A deal was struck and Rapone gave them his “Gift.”

The people of the Titania’s woods found themselves cursed from that day forth, forced to constantly shift with the phases of the moon between the form of a human and the beasts they sought to see dead. This curse turned many Naguai mad, the battle of their human selves and the beast inside too much for them to handle. Still, those few who have managed to stay sane have proven themselves to be fierce warriors. Many a Naguai find themselves on the other side of the law, shunned by society due to their reputation for being unstable.

Pros.
Ability to take on human and beast forms.
+2 to all physical, agility, and perception checks
Access to primal skill tree

Cons:
Every day and every night, there is a 25% chance that the madness meter will increase. With each increase in level of madness, the player experiences a decrease to all charisma, wisdom, and intelligence checks.

Playable classes:

Hunter:

Agility based class specializing in stealth. Those who choose this class thrive in any environment, whether stalking their prey in the dense forest or moving unseen in the city, a hidden knife in The crowd. Hunters specialize in various weapons, from bows and spears to daggers and short sword.

Fighter:

Strength based class specialist in taking damage and giving damage. No fighter is built the same, some choosing to don plate armor and shields while others prefer the freedom and speed of light armor. Fighters specialize in all types of melee weapons, from bare knuckle brawls to bastard swords.

Herbalist (human/Naguai only)

Wisdom based class specialized in medicine and poisons. Learned from their close relationship with nature, those who bear the mantle of herbalist have learned to use the verdant life of the summer lands as both a weapon and shield. Herbalists fight with staffs, bows, and darts.

Shaman (Cambion/Naguai only)

Wisdom based class specialized in healing nature magic and destructive spirit calling. Shamans use their innate closeness with the land to use their powers to call forth the energies of the land, both to heal and destroy. Shamans fight with staffs or unarmed relying heavily on their magics.

Artificer (specialty: human only)

*Available at level 10:

Human fighters and hunters can specialize in the artificer class. This allows them to create weapons and armor of their own design to include grenades, crossbows, and melee weapons with modifications like fire and electric damage.

Alchemist (specialty human only):

*Available at level 10

Available to human hunters, high test, and herbalist. Through the advancement of science, they have learned to use the magic in the land to something they can control. Not only can alchemist make potions that allow greater healing and oils that can give weapons various attributes, but they can make potions that bolster character stats and change their physiology as well.

Fae knight (specialty Cambion only)

*Available at level 10

By embracing their Fae nature, the Cambion goes on a pilgrimage to meet with the Royal Fae of their house. By earning the favor of this being they see an increase to their gifts.
Fae knight choose to use this power to increase their physical gifts.

Fae sorcerer (specialty Cambion only)

*Available at level 10

Like the Fae knight, the sorcerer too must go on a pilgrimage to their bloodlines royal Fae. They however choose to increase the power of the Fae gifts over the physical ones.

Druid (specialty Naguai)

*Available at level 10

By embracing their curse, the beast man gains the ability to commune with nature, allowing themselves to call the trees plants and animals to their aid.

Berserker (Specialty Naguai)

Available at level 10

By embracing the madness of their curse, the beast man gains control of themselves. They gain the ability to control their form at will as well as increase their strength by 50% with a permanent decrease in charisma and intelligence.

NPC’s:

Rowan:

Age-120

Race- Naguai

Class -Fighter (Berserker)

Summary: A beast man who shares his form with the form of an enormous elk. He runs the mercenary company known as vagabond arms. Despite being a berserker, the Naguai is quite spoken and calm. He is the players first employer.

Fatima:

Age-12

Race-Cambion

Class- None

Summary: The daughter of Akila and niece to Stitch, Fatima is a 12-year-old Cambion girl, whose gift has manifested in the ability to bring her dolls to life. She uses this entertain the children of the village while they are huddled away at night from the Nyx.

Akila:

Age-32

Race -Human

Class -Hunter

Summary- Akila, a former courtesan from the courts of Loa who has been on the run for an unknown crime to all who live in the village. She runs the town of Knots tavern along with her brother Stitch and daughter Fatima. Her dark beauty belays a savagery and violence lying just below the surface.

Akila was a courtesan at King Loa’s court in her younger years. She lived in the life of luxury entertaining the king’s guests, with her dancing and singing. As most of King Loa’s Courtesan’s Akila worked as a spy, properly training in the art of seduction and when necessary, assassination. During her time there she believed herself a vital part of the Kings court. Until the day she met prince Merrick of Song.

After finding herself sent to the prince’s chamber, she found herself helpless to the touch of the cruel prince. After being beaten and assaulted she reported what happened to the king. Loa brushed it off as just dangers of the job. It was only after she found herself pregnant that she told her brother, a member of the Court in spindle. While he was able to take her from the court of Loa, his pride forced him to challenge Prince Merrick, getting himself captured and tortured in the process. It was Akila who saved him, taking the beaten and broken man to the small village of Knot.

Stitch:

Age-35

Race- Cambion

Class- Shaman

Summary: Stitch is Akila’s older brother and former Fae sorcerer. Originally a bastard of a royal, Stitch was brought up in the court of Spindle. During his time, he had rose through the ranks becoming a respected lord with large apartments in the city of Zentra. All that changed when he learned of Prince Merrick’s transgressions with his half-sister in the royal Court of Loa. It was at the sight of his sister battered and bruised, belly swollen with the prince’s child, he turned against the royals of his house.

Upon returning to the court of Spindle he challenges the prince to a dual. Prince Merrick accepted but prior to the arranged date and time had Stitch ambushed by his royal guard. Beaten and bloody, Stitch would ultimately lose his battle and ultimately his name in the conflict, Stitch did leave the king with a wound, tearing open the right-side Merrick’s face from the corner of his mouth to his ear.

For his act of treason, Stitch was stripped of his title and very name by the Royal Fae Rapone. He was thrown into a pit of Mistletoe, the poisonous vine feasting on his Fae blood, aging him, and weakening him to the brink of death. If not for Akila rescuing him, Stitch would have surely died. He now acts as the village of Knot’s primary doctor.

Moth:

Age-Unknown (appears as an elderly man)

Race -Unknown (appears human)

Class- Fighter

Moth is a mystery. He appeared one night passed out on the shore, apparently drunk and without clothes. If it wasn’t for Akila seeing him in the light of the roving light house he would no doubt have drowned in the coming tide, torn to pieces by Nyx or simply died of hypothermia.
Moth, a nickname gives to him by the child Fatima due to his seeming fascination with any source of light, helps around the town. While he is aged and by all appearance’s frail, he has proven himself capable with his sole possession, a dark staff of unimaginably hard wood.

Mobs:
-The Nyx: Dark tendrils of shadow that cling to corpses, bending and twisting them to their own cruel design. The Nyx can form into muscle and bone, needing only a frame to adhere to first.
-Bandits/ Mercenaries: Be weary of who you pass upon the roads. Banditry is common in the Summer lands an
-Goblins: Small green creatures with a love of all things shiny. They are one of the few races that brave the dark, fearing not the Nyx or the monstrous beasts who wander the land.
-Naguai- Many Naguai have formed clans looking to overthrow mankind and the Cambion who rule over them.
-Beasts: The creatures who call the Summer lands home can grow to monstrous proportions. Many our territorial ancient beings who will kill any who walk upon their lands.