01. Setting, playable races, classes, etc.
Doren pushed her back against a brick wall with a groan. Her handgun was empty, no extra bullets either. Brei crystal in her pocket. If she only could somehow plant it on him, it would block his abilities, maybe even she'd see him puke his guts out for a fun bonus. Shest is scrawny guy, she'd take him down and slice his throat easily. She shook her head and took a calming breath.
"Fucking bonelord" she muttered and took a deep breath "Hey, freak! Let's talk!"
No answer. She rested back of her head against the wall and closed eyes "Look, I have no bullets left. Let's talk a bit before you kill me, five minutes or so won't make any difference now, will it?"
"There's nothing to speak about" voice spoke above her "You're a Mor'oth cultist" next phrase originated somewhere behind her, on the left
"Your master is a sadistic piece of shit, you know that right?" Doren chuckled"The way I see it, Arlik lost it. He wants to start another war just because of a rumor. Rumor created by a five year old. He lost it, and you know it. But you're still doing this crap out of fear"
"Insulting me AND 'Aj chamnak? You think that will sway me?" small giggle just behind her right ear, she swore she felt his breath
"Owner of dead? As in yours?" Doren snorted "I'm not insulting you, far from it. You're smart, Shest, I respect that. But also a moron, when it comes to your career choices. Just find you still serving that powerhungry idiot absurd. You should've gone through the rite twice by now, he's using you" she winced "Just the facts. First, I'm not even a witch. Second, I am military, a loyalist, I don't do cults, for fuck's sake. I am not a cultist, I am a scapegoat" she sighted with annoyance "Just show yourself, will ya? Let's both behave like sentient beings for five fucking minutes"
Hooded figure jumped down right next to her. Well, not exactly jumped, just dropped, rather clumsily, next to her, with a tired groan. He straightened and flexed his arms before resting his back against the wall, next to Doren. He raised his hand and tapped the watch on his wrist.
"Go ahead. Two minutes"
That was unexpected. He was willing to talk? Doren chewed her lip looking at the man. He was wearing dark gray jacket and black pants, fingerless gloves showed callused fingers, the jaw with unhealthy skin were the only parts not covered by his clothing.
The apprentice wanted to listen to her. Doren's mind started spinning all kinds of weird tales about having an ear inside Arcane Council, someone who could report about Arlik's nasty plans to the Maple... the man clicked his tongue interrupting her thoughts.
"Stop gawking" he snorted "My Master needs entertainment, and this is going to be amusing"
The timing sucked. Doren wasn't sure whether it was a silent invitation, a cry for help from him, or a ruse to get more information out of her before horrid death. But that wasn't time for logic, she trusted her gut. She knew that Second Arcanist would probe his mind. Whatever she'd say now, cannot leave any imprint in Shest's memory.
She and the Maple needed someone like him as an ally. Problem is, she couldn't find a way to keep herself amongst the living as well. Her hand found a way to her pocket, retrieving something out of it. Before Shest had chance to react, she grabbed his palm and removed the glove, put the cold item in it and closed it.
"Brei crystal. Your thoughts are now your own, he won't reach here, you're safe" Doren licked her lips "I don't want a war with the Provinces. I plan to make Arlik a lunatic in the eyes of the Emperor and the rest of the Council, and you're going to help me"
Imagine magic and dieselpunk, zeppelins with exhaust pipes, the begining of modern world in a dystopian setting, in which magical beings can desintegrate you with no consequences. Also cyberpunkish Aztecs conducting sacrifices for the God of Information.
What's a Teria?
Races
Basic stats are changed for half-orc. They are highly intelligent, +2 Intelligence, +1 Strength. For the rest information refer to D&D booksLow magic?
Well, sort of. The world is not a very magical place, but you absolutely can go ahead and run full wizard party if you wish to. But remember that such individuals very often have problems surviving in Teria. Also magical items should have a purpose. They are quite sparse, and if they do exist, try to find some tech-y explanation.Additional information
All art is AI generated, stable difussion, night caffe, and artbreeder were usedAdventures, campaigns
Anything really. Arcana City is a gray place, there's always rain. People are depressed and meaningless. Everyone is tracked and watched, Arcanists can tear apart your mind without any consequences. You're just a dust. There are people who want to change things, or at best, keep them as it is, not allowing Arcanists to transform the Empire into another Dominion of Kori, where Arcanists would be worshipped as Dominion worships demons. Oh, and demons are real, by the way. Or gods. Or demon gods. Also glowing with white, blueish, light. And they do appear and change the world as they please. 'Ajkanih, the dead god, or demon, of information is scattered across all Teria, apparently Kori use its corpse as optical fiber. I don't think Arcanists can match their power. Hm. The Provinces, on the surface look like the Empire, just without the witches, a perfect place to live. Colors there are oversaturated, fake. There must be something rotten underneath it all. And then there's a potential threat or opportunity in the East, the new continent, as they call it. TL;DR: political intrigue; cults; espionage; good, old-fashioned cyberpunk information dealing, with a magical twist, also corporate espionage. Noir criminal would work too, why the hell not? The world is brutal, hateful. The theme of it is about dismemberment and using the pieces in constructing something more powerful. Reuse, recycling, cycles, curious destruction and meticulous, purposeful rebirth. Invention, advancement, re-invention. Think raging blood golem with cybernetic implants. In a tank.Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
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