By popular demand fucked around with this message at 23:34 on Jun 20, 2016

At long last, the thick and hearty atmosphere of Somewhere! Lo, the wreckage of ParaDice littered the atmosphere even now, and the five Gods swooped to avoid collisions. Not that they could be harmed by the stuff of this world, but they would need to be sparing with their interactions even so. Witness them, in their glory!

Animus, Guardian of the Essences
Thespias, God of the Arts
Ash, God of Mending
Enane, God of Boundaries

An anomaly. Two Wisps broke through the barrier with matched speed and intensity. Neither was willing to cede the advantage to the other, but neither was Somewhere able to support their combined energies. They forced their way onwards, compressed together by the walls of reality until…

Rebun-Ased, Bipartite God of Dawn and That Guy Over There

They all took in the world around them, their merest motions lighting the sky with colorful energy. They gazed upon the People of the great land, marvelling at their progress. Notably, many of the barriers of Material of provenance had fallen away, leaving groupings of many sorts of People living together in relative harmony. As was custom, they first made their way to the ancestral city of the Silver People - though in truth it no longer belonged merely to them.




Chromeport looked much the same as ever - with the notable exception of Mirror Lake and the Glass Spires. Legendairy's suicidal attack on the Lake - and the unexpected fearsomeness of his Moosiles - destroyed the fragile structure beyond repair, spilling the sacred waters of the Lake over the edge and down into the city. When the smoke had cleared and the disastrous echo of the fall of ParaDice had faded away, it was decided the best thing that could be done was simply to clear away the wreckage entirely. There was simply no repairing it - many Chromeporters carried a fragment of the Spires with them in rememberance of the disaster.

But in truth, that was long ago, and the average citizen is content - especially on such a joyous day! For the Gods have returned after their long absence, and they are welcomed once again! And such a crowd! Spilling out over the edges of the plaza, it is a riot of colour and fashion and People! Silvurtle, Aqueau, Verre, Fortugnat - and even Laitache! The Heavy Winged are by far the most numerous and affluent looking, but here and there can be seen a Light of either Earthbound or Winged Caste. The tour continues - the Market is bustling as ever, with Quest Icons appearing and disappearing at a frantic pace. Evidently, they have proven to be of great use in fostering a community atmosphere - when you stand to gain tangibly for helping your neighbour for no loss to yourself, why wouldn't you? The trade goods on display are numerous and varied, but clearly present are artifacts from all five Peoples. Chromeport is a truly cosmopolitan city!

The Gods move onto the great repository of History and Knowledge, the Discotheque. Deep within its bowels, Chromeport's homegrown Hero Lustre is hard at work categorizing the knowledge that makes its way here from every corner of the land. As you watch, you see her tenderly shine the Silver disc that commemorates the loss of Sterling, Hero of the Silvurtle (who perished - in his sleep - after a long life among the Lake Aqueau, and who left behind a wailing stone of Silver) and Shi, Hero of the Verre (who perished of age and injury among her friends and family, and who left behind a scattering of fine Glass dice). Quintzite, though he survived, has vanished - what else is new? With a sigh, she continues her work.

Looming over the horizon, the Chromedome Moosile Shelter sits in silence. Despite its proximity to Chromeport, none dare approach it without need. Even so, rumors fly about it; that it’s guarded by the divine golem Toil-In-Silence (which the Gods know to be false); that deep within its bowels lies the sealed tomb of Legendairy and the Tyrant King both; and finally that less... savoury elements of society make their dwelling within its cavernous expanses. None dare to verify them. Since that horrible night of the attack, when the gate fell open and provided them safe harbour, it has been treated with the silent respect of a tomb. It will be there should they ever need it. All pray they never do.

-O-

The Aqueau of Chromeport consider themselves Chromeporters through and through. Though nominally a ‘Silver’ city, they have been there since the very beginning - no doubt many of them consider themselves more strongly tied to their Silvurtle allies than to the Lake Aqueau. Indeed, there is a degree of snobbishness on both sides towards the ‘other’ Aqueau, though for the most-part good-naturedly. They have recently (relatively recently, anyhow) suffered a loss in stature due to the strongly-diminished cheese supply, but they are still relatively well off in the city.

-O-

The Verre of Chromeport have more or less integrated into society, losing many of their nomadic traditions. Their skills in the Glass-Shaping, the Milk Magic Milchemy, and the Glass Magic Cutting have many uses, and they are in high demand. While they often keep to themselves, they are not shy - and their great beauty makes them extremely popular especially among the Silvurtle who value such things. The Pyrexalted still live among them - though fewer and fewer every year. They simply leave, during the night, saying they’re going to ‘take a nap’ and then vanish. Those who search for them turn up empty handed.

-O-

The Fortugnat of Chromeport are still a relatively rare sight, but they are greeted with effusive joy whenever they make their way to Market. For all know of the terrible plight of generations of their ancestors, and it is good to see them rising in the world! For rising they are, and many strange and marvelous creations are flooding in from their southern island - treating them kindly is good business, if nothing else. The Fortugnat take the kindness in stride, though they suspect at ulterior motives. Ultimately, what’s the harm in simply allowing it?

-O-

The Laitache of Chromeport are a strange case. Universally, the sight of a Light Caste is greeted with suspicion and disdain - refugees or descendants of refugees from their fallen island, they were followers of Legendairy, and they cannot be trusted. Still, their skill in Moocoup and their intelligence makes them useful, so they are grudgingly accepted. On the other hand, the Heavy Winged rejected their insane master, rising against him before being thrown from their island. Over the generations, their strength and good cheer has made them extremely popular, and many have done very well for themselves indeed. Heavies and Lights seldom speak in public.

-O-
Deep in the depths of the Chromedome lies a strange Miracle. It thrums with fearsome power, but none wish to test its might. Something tells them they would not survive its use.


(Chromeport is a bustling city, with the highest population density by far on Somewhere. It boasts a Population of 40 Silvurtle, 35 Aqueau, 25 Verre, 15 Fortugnat, and 10 Laitache (6 Heavy, 4 Light) for a total of 125. The city is likely reaching its capacity - somewhere between 150-175 - though not this Age.

Chromeport is the custodian of the Artifact, Toils-In-Silence. It can be used once this Age, then it will vanish until next Age. It is indestructible. It can only be used by a God.

Chromeport is the custodian of the Artifact, What-Goes-Up. It can be used once this Age, then it will vanish until next Age. It is indestructible. It can only be used by a God or a Hero.

Morale in the city is for the most part optimistic and peaceful.)


The Verre Nomads range all across Somewhere, but the one place they would consider ‘home’ is Glasshenge, on the very eastern edge of the continent. There - deep in the forest of Glass - can they truly find connection with nature. The open air, the forest around them, the smell of the ocean on the wind - and beneath it, the smell of the Ocean. The alien strangeness of the Molasses swamp is as jarring as ever, but it, too, it nature, after all. Many Verre test their courage by wading into its centre, between the standing stones of Glass, and staying there as long as they can bear it. The sluggish magic of the Molasses tugging at them, not many can stand it for long before they pass out.

Not so with the Kittines - or rather, the Syrupikes. The companion beasts of the Nomads have grown long and lanky, their flesh a golden jade, all due to their consumption of the strange element. In the eyes of the Verre, the Syrupikes are the strongest exemplar of nature’s fearsome beauty, and they often adorn themselves to match - or even, in strange cases, apply their Glass-Shaping skill to their own bodies.

In stark contrast to the playful Verre of the city, they are dour and aloof, showing their enjoyment of the world only sparingly, and even then only while in their own tribes, far from civilization. They are not cruel or violent or rude - they are merely quiet. Intense and quiet. They form the backbone of trade between the cities, their caravans travelling well-worn routes between them. These in-between lands are still dangerous, whether from wild creatures or bandits, but they do not travel alone.

The Heavy Winged Laitache have found a strange home among the Verre since their exile from ParaDice. Preferring quiet themselves, they quickly made themselves invaluable with their strength and kindness. Generations later, neither People can imagine living without the other - and they have grown very much alike in temperment and culture.

-O-
In their travels, the Nomads came upon a strange Idol, clearly a Remnant of their Goddess. They carry it with them often, never letting it settle in one place for too long for fear of its power.


(The Nomads, scattered around the world, have a Population of 30 Verre and 25 Heavy Winged Laitache. Most groups are no larger than 3-5 at any given time, but up to a dozen congregate at Glasshenge for rituals or meetings.

Their morale varies with the seasons and inter-tribal squabbling, but broadly it is good.)


Keno and Roulette passed quietly, at the same time - but before that, they told their tale. Bondage under the Tyrant, the slaying of a God, hiding from Emperor Legendairy (and of those lost to his clutches), of the breaking of their fiendish home in the sky. Their People listened - but privately dismissed their words as the fears of the past. How could the young Fortugnat of today comprehend the muck and pain of slavery when faced with the glittering advances of today?

The Great Cave was great indeed. Powered by the Waterwheel of Fortune, the interior was a riot of motion, much of it cleverly automated. Long use of machinery and mechanisms, bolstered by their risk-taking nature, led to significant (and occasionally destructive) innovation. Many of the most esoteric devices only functioned in the hands of trained Riskers, however - they were simply too improbable otherwise.

Military development kept apace with civilian development almost accidentally. A device used to drive tie ropes was found to work equally well at driving stakes through distant targets. With a little practice, the Straightdraw can be used to raise the stakes all over the place!

Even so, life is peaceful - and that itself is exciting! The Fortugnat keep to themselves, and so far the other People have let them. The Fortugnat are a People poised to do great things, given the opportunity!

(The Fortugnat of Great Cave have rebounded, but they started from far less than most others. Within the Cave, they have a Population of 20 and increasing next round unless modified. Only Fortugnat are allowed in the Cave - they are a People with more secrets than most, after all!

The Fortugnat are custodians of the Artifact Truth-Wall-Scroll. It can be used once this Age, then it will vanish until next Age. It is indestructible. It can only be used by a God.

Their morale is extremely, almost recklessly good.)


The Lakes have quite a different ambiance than Chromeport. Life is slow and tranquil out there, and certainly not as crowded. Even in the wetstone structures, where most Aqueau and the smattering of other People live, the mood is one of playful exploration. And why not? The eponymous lakes provide everything they could ever hope to desire, and anything missing they could get from Chromeport in their weekly shipments. Besides, they had something Chromeport didn’t have - the Box.

Now, the Box had a rocky start, for sure - the first players were, on the whole, embarrasingly terrible - but many of the Aqueau remembered (or had at least heard stories of) the stories spun out of the ether by the Box during Gulm’s Age. With the God gone, all they had left of him was the Box and those half-remembered stories… and Brotato, the high priest of Gulm, if such a thing could exist. Brotato never gave up hope, not ever, keeping up the momentum even when others flagged. Chicken Wing Chun was a mastery of momentum, after all.

Through sheer bloody-mindedness, Brotato forced the Box into respectibility. Eventually, the audience began to stay through entire shows. Eventually, they cheered! By the time the Gods had arrived, the Box Theatre was a bona-fide institution, the pride of the Lakes’ eccentric community. The signs of the Gods’ arrival were written in the stars long before their coming, and as such Brotato and his company have had time to put together a show. With the Gods in attendance, it’s sure to be a hit!

-O-
One day, Brotato found a weird... thing in some forgotten corner of the Box. It smelled like chips and it looked like... nothing, really. He kept it around just in case!


(The Lakes are home to a variety of People, though chiefly Aqueau. By and large, they are heavier (some verging on obese) compared to ‘stock’ individuals of their given Peoples due to their consumption of chocolate Milk (and Chococheese). The area boasts a Population of 30 Aqueau, 15 Silvurtle and 5 Verre.

The Lake Aqueau are custodians of the Miracle Glee-And-Whimsy. It can be used once, then it will crumble away. Until it is used, it is indestructible.

Morale is decent and stable.)


The Rupture nearly broke the Laitache.

Nearly. Most records of the time were destroyed, but exploration of the wreckage helped explain matters somewhat. First and foremost - ParaDice exploded not from overuse of Moocoup (as some had feared) or due to Legendairy’s hubris (as most had assumed), but rather due to an imbalance in the island’s structure. The old God had lifted the island with his powers, thereafter setting in motion a Rising force and a Falling force to keep it in balance. Reckless mining and experimentation had destabilized the careful balance, and insufficient care was paid to it by their former emperor. Finally, the dicestone mountain had buckled under the pressure - and some had Risen into the high heavens and some had Fallen down to shatter against the waves. The rest spun madly around the skies of Somewhere - ParaDice Lost, home to the last dregs of the Laitache empire.

Most had perished in the first instant of the disaster, the titanic forces simply obliterating them. They were the lucky ones. Almost as an afterthought, the stores of HBX detonated, propelling huge fragments of the island in all directions. In some dark way, this was a blessing, as on these fragments, life persisted. The event continued for days, with some especially large fragments tossed up and down in the twisted gravity, cruelly swatting down the few safe islands. And then, suddenly, it ended, leaving the survivors to pick up the pieces.

A morbid inventory followed. All Earthbound Heavies perished - utterly - as well as a goodly portion of the Earthbound Lights. Those few surviving were driven mad by grief, many throwing themselves to their doom. The survivors were a coldly cunning lot (or else mad themselves), the best and luckiest of them all. Notably, the Mageec Schul survived the Rupture, and in the years to come would form the heart of the remaining community.

Drunk on Hoozebootch and reckless from grief, the Schul produced many strange compounds - and began to experiment with the strange magic Sacricotta, its fragmented power snatched from the dying moments of their Emperor.

More than ever, they keep to themselves, the few that descend to Chromeport only doing so when they could not bear the anguish of living among the tombs of their ancestors. Even so, they do not carry any animosity towards the surface-dwellers - merely a deep, racial nihilism towards life itself. To have fallen from so high to this state is more than most can bear.

(ParaDice Lost is full of scattered treasures of a lost Age, much of which is beyond the capacity of modern Laitache to understand. The area contains no more than a Population of 10 Laitache, and the number will decrease next round unless modified. Of that Population, most of the survivors are Winged, with only a scant few Earthbound.

Morale is basically as bad as possible without mass suicides.)

• Bipartite Gods get a combined Icon, both Specialties, a combined name, and 3 HP.
• Each member of such a God takes their own Action, and each rolls a d10 instead of a d20. If both parts make complimentary Actions, they combine their rolls to see the effect. If they make wholly different Actions, their rolls stand on their own.
• Regardless, for HP purposes, the total roll is the one counted - if the total is below 10, they lose an HP.
• Wisps may affect either aspect of a Bipartite God.
• If one aspect rolls a 1 (and it remains 1 after Wisp modification), only their Action backfires, though the combined God loses 2 HP. If both roll 1, that’s really bad luck! Also they die.
• If one aspect rolls a 10 on their Action, it functions as a critical success with slightly lesser power. If BOTH roll a 10 on their Action, something crazy happens.

Dog Kisser fucked around with this message at 23:28 on Jun 21, 2016

TheNabster fucked around with this message at 13:18 on Jun 21, 2016

Theantero fucked around with this message at 15:52 on Jun 21, 2016