The first conversations were had to begin a new campaign using the Dungeonworld system. This system invites the players to create their own world, which we undertook. Our inaugural concept was as religious agents of an evil empire. This was before the Eshan or anything else existed.
A simple fantasy setting was cobbled together with new ideas and tested stereotypes. Our intentions were fiendishly simple then- create something, run it, and see what happens. It included dwarfs, elves, and half-lings (though they were introduced as a destroyed people) along with other generic classics. Nothing quite resembling the later mythos was yet present.
We enjoyed those first sessions sufficiently to continue the concept. The evil empire idea faded away, but the divine (later Eshanic) elements were expanded.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Creating the Mythos
Art exists in its own time and true time. Hereupon the various stages and developments of the Awakening Dream's creation will be recalled as best as possible.
-
2015
10
Birth of the Mythos
Celestial / Cosmic -
2015
11
Zolrassal Created
Artistic creationA certain cerebral twinge always existed in the depths of my mind. It told me to create something, dedicate time to it. No regard was given to quality, but rather the mind-bogging enormity of quantity. In the immediate aftermath of the first Everos game, I set myself to work. Nobody asked for it but myself. It was a tome meant to contain everything. I first named it the "World Guide of Qadal" but later matured it into the "Zolrassal" which means Endless World in the fictitious Etayen language. For the past five years it has been a constant companion and thinking-pet. Its pages are the canon, heart, and spirit of the Awakening Dream.
-
2015
122017
/11
First Everos - Creation's Disdain
Military actionUpon creating a loose fantasy framework, we launched ourselves into the first Everos campaign. Its premise was that we were government agents dispatched to deal with a necromancer. Investigations through decimated villages began us, then we caught the trail to him. We slew the necromancer in a great battle and the matter was settled. Upon defeating him, however, we learned his rampage was a distraction for an elven invasion of southern Everos. This was where the first arc ended. About a year and some change passed before the second arc arrived. Work, school, and whatever else were to blame. In between the arcs, the entire first Othos campaign had been run to completion. This other game nailed down further world building details, began to add unique definition, and thus indirectly influenced the coming second arc. This second arc was more ambitious in scope. The elven invasion was to gather an artifact sown among the southern elves by Acolitus, the Creator, as an extension of his own machinations. The party was dispatched to gain it before the elves. They succeeded, but learned too late that its acquisition and use was Acolitus' aim. A rogue deity was born from the artifact, threatening to remake the world in the Creator's twisted vision. Another deity, Corgastor, came down to fight the rogue deity, and both were slain in battle. These events were era defining, and became the foundation for all the campaigns which followed. -
2016
22016
/8
First Othos - Final Prophet
Religious eventDuring the long interim between Everos arcs, a new continent and new campaign were devised. This place was called Othos, sister-continent to Everos. It was thus populated by its own races and cultures. The original idea was some competition between Holy Roman Empire, Roman, and Barbaric factions. Our groups' collective interest was history in those college years, and thus inspirations were drawn therein rather than other fantasies. The continent was divided in three equal parts between them, setting the stage for some immediate fallout. The campaign concept was that the party were followers of the Aspect Spirits of Typhon. They were later renamed to Esseythari of Typhon. These six spirits were derived from the same fallen Judge of Acolitus, and each were now attempting to subdue the others. Once again, the party was intended to be evil (which held better this time) and achieve victory for their Aspect Spirit- Sinestra. In this campaign, the world-building concept of the first Everos game were expanded and solidified. The Etayen moved away from being elves, just as the Daorhu moved away from being dwarves. A new race, the Odyrzid were added, and the Eshanic narratives were hammered down. The more gritty, realistic, yet divinely fantastical tone of the mythos was settled. The campaign ended with betrayal. An Etayen named Sordes, being the Final Prophet of Sinestra, was abandoned by his companions toward the end of the game. They returned as his enemies and slew him. This ending illuminated the unique dynamics which party conflict could create, and such interactions became a main-stay. -
2016
102017
/6
Second Othos - The War Not Won
Discovery, ExplorationThis campaign was meant to be a hold-over between arcs of another campaign, but took a life unto itself. The premise was a party exploring and mapping the miserable ruins of an annihilated land. It took place in ancient Othos, after the rampages of Typhon the Judge, when olundi attempted to restore lost civilization. The party mapped the destroyed lands, met its survivors, and prepared for the return of settlement. Along the way, their backgrounds came to challenge them. Exterior enemies sought to destroy them. Yet, the party endured the worst and became prosperous on waging the War Not Won. The free-form nature of the campaign allowed the mythology of Othos to explode outward. New material was hurled into the Zolrassal with each session. Moreover, the campaign highlighted the merits of party-defined stories and lore as a means to enrich free-roaming games. -
2016
11
Zolrassal Reaches 250 Pages
Artistic creationThe proverbial steam created by the first Everos and Othos games spurred a consistent, determined world-building effort. Nations, characters, and story-lines were created and recorded at a pace unprecedented for the group. Come the waning months of 2016, around one year after the first campaign began, the Zolrassal had reached 250 pages. It contained both campaigns and said world-building information. -
2017
62017
/9
First Nevan - Matters of Business
Financial EventThe first Nevan campaign was a rather short-lived venture which introduced a new continent, Nevan or Neyas, and a new game master into the fold. The campaign's base premise was that the party was deployed to halt the malicious business practices of some rogue trader. This was pursued to some extent, but the party turned themselves more toward running their own competing town/business operation. All the same, they managed to defeat the rogue trader and become rich on their labors. It was a swift affair. First Nevan's legacy was foundational beyond anything else. The story-line never returned in-game, but the characters, place, and history were regular references later. The campaign self-serviced itself by weaving Nevan in close connection with the other continents of the world. -
2017
102018
/5
Third Othos - The Third Son
RevolutionThe premise of this campaign was the return of the legendary Syrgus Pyrgos- Third Son of Lysander Pyrgos, founder of the Eurobasar Tresivar. He was long lost after a war against his brothers, and remained hidden in distant Voryndal, whereupon he washed up by chance. He remained there under the protection of an Eshan named Zelai for some 2,000 years. After the death of Corgastor, Aebaster, and the beginning of the Wandering Age, Zelai decided to hurl him back. Syrgus arrived in Othos with 5,000 warriors. They were known as Tarphry, and were themselves ancient exiles to Voryndal under Zelai's protection. Their union was a handsome match. The party came in during his triumphant march on Pyrgoros, the ancient dynastic capital. A coronation of the new Tressonara, Cesstecia Mitras, was in the midst- perfect opportunity. The party witnessed the crashing of the coronation, and were compelled throughout the game to take sides- for or against Syrgus. Over the course of the campaign, the decision became more difficult as Eshanic involvement and political shadows darkened the affair. In the end, the party remained half-opposed to Syrgus. When the final, make-or-break moment came, their resistance collapsed. The servants of Acolitus, who became involved in opposition to Syrgus, fled, while the others actively joined him. It was a strange ending, perhaps, and first among the Chaos Outcome series. In this case, full player choice was exercised, and thus their victory or defend was upon themselves alone. The reception was controversial. Never was a campaign more popular or spoken-about, yet the players' own creation was unpleasing to traditional sensibilities. It was the most entertaining game I ever offered. -
2018
4
Zolrassal Reaches 500 Pages
Artistic creationBetween 2016 and 2018 there was a lull in productivity. School is best to blame, for those were the deep years. Another 250 pages were written in that time, raising the total to 500 pages. The items which were sparse or lacked definition were given flesh. Now, 500 signified that this mythos was something more serious than idle musings or a passing phase.
-
2018
72020
Second Everos- The Second Feud
Disaster / DestructionAfter some delay and the passage of other campaigns, the Everos series returned. This new campaign centered on the culmination of Eshanic decadence and ignorance- the Second Feud, long theorized but never yet come to pass. The party came from diverse backgrounds, as is often the case, but were brought together under the guidance of Mesian. She increased their Eshanic power and prepared them to face against the crushing death of Voryndal colliding with Qadal. The party prepared themselves by attaining the assistance of those powerful domains left to the world in a Wandering Age. Vulred of Drakar was chief, followed by remnant Corgastodmar states and Eurobasar of Syrgus's lineage. At their head stood a common Aemardic warrior, Avrid, assigned to guide them. The game represents the changing of an age, from peace and adventure to divine apocalypse. Nothing worse could befall the world, for the Second Feud represents the aggregated sins of 11,000 years. Victory or defeat, whatever those conditions mean, Esha will be forever scarred. -
2018
11
Introduction to World Anvil
FoundingFor years the mythos lingered in obscure silence. Those few involved might interact with it, but no others. In the winter of 2018, the existence of a new platform, World Anvil, was introduced unto me as a means to communicate the mythos. I resolved, popular or not, enjoyed or ignored, that displaying the mythos upon such a platform was a necessary growing step. -
2018
12
Zolrassal Reaches 750 Pages
Artistic creationAfter the busy years of 2016 to spring of 2018 closed, the work pace increased. Senior year was spent deep in writing, expanding all elements of the mythos. This breakneck pace yielded fruitful results- 750 pages by December, or the same productivity in 3/4 a year as 2 previous years. At the same time, campaigns being run kept new content flowing and ideas evolving.
-
2019
12019
/11
Fourth Othos - Roots of Prosperity
ExpeditionIn the interim between parts of the Second Everos campaign, a new Othos campaign was intitiated. It was named Roots of Prosperity, and took place in southern Othos during the -2000s. The concept was that the party was ranging north to start a village for economic or personal purposes. This was done, but was complicated by aggressive neighbors, plagues, and then Eshanic involvement. Players took sides and fought to model this new place in their image or their ways. The climax was a great battle between two Eshan wherein all scores were settled and the village's ultimate fate was decided in conflict far beyond its inherent significance. Perhaps the greatest take-away was the success and necessary dedication required for such Chaos Outcomes games. Unlike the Third Son campaign, wherein the outcome was unprecedented and strange, this was more smooth in its destructive nature. The players were content with it, and eager to workout the epilogues of the survivors. -
2019
32019
/8
Second Nevan - Return of Nhyrshan
Life, RelocationLong after the first Nevan campaign came the second, though their story-lines were unrelated. This new account had the party fight a Nith'eshan named Nhyrshan, with a certain score to settle with Orduza and Syhlshei. The party explored the sparse populated south-west of the continent, learned things about their past, and built sufficient force to oppose Nhyrshan. When the final battle arrived, they destroyed Nhyrshan utterly. This campaign delved deeper into the mythology of Neyas, and further extrapolated Eshanic lore. The detail afforded this campaign created the first inklings of Qadayen Middle and Outer belts, or places considered superior and inferior to one another. It wasn't written to canon for another year, but Neyas became the greatest among the Outer Belt continents- separate in story-line and historical trajectory. -
2019
11
Zolrassal Reaches 1000 Pages
Artistic creationThe fruit of continued labor is a product worthy of pride. After near five years of labor, the Zolrassal reached 1000 pages in the waning months of 2019. No blank sections were left upon it. Races were well developed, Eshanic concepts vivid, and the narratives which created it deeply ingrained. The work continues, but this milestone marks the birth of the mythos as an adult being. Its future exists in depth of concept, rather than treading common, superficial ground. -
2019
12
The Awakening Dream - 5 Years Olds
Celestial / CosmicIt is difficult to comprehend the passage of artistic time. One moment an idea is born, the next its flesh and bones are aged. The Awakening Dream is no exception. It is now five years old, 1000 pages, and well established in spirit among those familiar with it. This author is astounded by the smoothness of its continued existence, and how unto me it feels as no burden ever existed. It remains graceful with time. The future is promising. A product which others might enjoy now exists. It shall be shared, and enjoyed by whatever number enjoy it. No pretensions need be projected to defend its position. The more work which continues upon it, the deeper its roots sink. -
2020
1
Creation of the Awakening Dream RPG
Artistic creationUpon reaching 1000 pages in the Zolrassal, a certain crossroads presented itself. In one direction was the Status Quo, biding me to continue writing in relative isolation for the sake of itself alone. This was not a terrible choice, for personal satisfaction can be achieved there just as well as anywhere. In the other direction was a New Path, prodding me to expand the mythos beyond its current boundaries and make something more (but not sellout) upon the work done over these previous 5 years. I chose the latter path. In pursuing it I contacted some old friends with contacts in the Roleplaying community, seeking to compose a team for this purpose. This was done throughout January into February. A great many talented people seek their full-time or part-time fortune in this business, and it was therefore not too difficult. All said the original lineup was 9 people: 1 Editor, 1 Layout Artist, 1 Consultant (the same friend who helped assemble all the others), 2 Content Artists, 3 Mechanics Developers, and myself. Our strategy was cleverly designed to spread the burdens of design across many releases. A series of five smaller releases would come out throughout 2020 and 2021, each with a unique adventure and growing corpus of rules. For example, the first release would only contain character building, combat, and negotiation, along with the adventure of course. The next adventure was planned to contain the rules for Nemeshir (magic), and so along. These would be followed up with a major, continental release with more worldbuilding content and the aggregated rules, etc. In this way we could release regular content rather than a long wait then a massive product drop, we could get feedback along the way to change as necessary, and gauge the success of the product in a much more consistent manner. -
2020
4
Release of 1st ADRPG Adventure
Financial EventAfter quite a lengthy period of assembling a team, devising a business plan, and actually executing said plan, the first release of the Awakening Dream RPG was released in the early days of April, 2020. The story was set during the Gathering Era, millennia before the current narrative timeline. It told the story of the wars between Odyrzid and Aemar, spurred along by the Eshan, and in particular the collapse of an Odyrzid pillar city named Noyedzar. The party was a group of warriors from neighboring Oyudyar dispatched to save certain members of their own city now endangered by the death of Noyedzar. Exploration, battles, and potential death follow. -
2020
42020
/9
Fifth Othos - Times of Need
ExtinctionIn April of 2020, much was happening at once. The first release of the ADRPG was published for the public on DriveThru RPG, while new people within close circles took interest in playing a campaign in the mythos. For this, a new campaign was started that same month, following on some of that momentum.This new campaign was set during the in-lore year of 3549, very soon before the events of the Second Feud (unfolding around 3551) and was set in the southern reaches of the Golbesh. The party was an eclectic gathering of misfits from across the continent swiftly gathered to reinforce a border fortress whose garrison has apparently gone missing. They arriving in dread conditions and discovered that the circumstances were much worse, and more strange, than expected. Vojun ran thick through the area, which was a power which grew upon greater concentrations of itself, and thus am immense well of energy was gathered here. Before long, as many things so become in this mythos, the Eshan became involved, partly on chance and partly on their own greed for the power thereabout. Two Nith'eshan, Vayas and Kastayos, became embroiled in the conflict, which in turn drew in Acolitus. The party made their choices, and destroyed first Vayas and her followers (including some of their own power) then sided with Acolitus to destroy this Kastayos and purge the region of Nith'eshan. -
2020
10
RELEASE OF 2ND ADRPG ADVENTURE
Financial EventAfter the first adventure came the second. This next installment was known as The Pretender's Secret and told the story of the Etayen when they first arrived in Othos. The party in particular was here to investigate an earlier Etayen colony which had gone silent. They encountered some of the lingering signs of the First Feud, met some of these forbidden races, and from them were introduced to the powers of Ackesh. Soon this led to conflict with Nith'eshan, chaos ensued, and they required good skills and some new allies to survive! -
2021
22024
THIRD EVEROS - BINDING OF HEAVEN
Political eventAfter the success of the In Times of Need campaign, folks wanted more to play. This became 3rd Everos, though it was NOT a continuation of the first two campaigns there, but same continent. For this new game, two of us came together and Co-wrote and Co-narrated the game. We created something earlier in history than the current frontier, turning the clock back in Everos to BEFORE the Great Conflict. It focused on the plight of an Etayen dynasty in an eastern Everosar city of Etumrassus- the Ikarits. They were caught in a deal to help restore their dynasty, but they required assistance. The players gathered together at their house from many backgrounds, classes, and motivations, but were all bound to the family through one personal connection or another. Now they need to come together and reacquire the object of the Ikarit's current plight- a box. They didn't know what was inside but knew that delivering it was THEIR key to deliverance. The party had to get the thing back so the Ikarit could finish their end of the deal. The family didn't have much on hand to reply with, but if everything went well then the work would reap dividends. Yet, nothing is ever so simple in Esha and chaos was bound to ensue! -
2021
2
RELEASE OF 3RD ADRPG ADVENTURE
Financial EventThe next ADRPG adventure, being the 3rd in the series, was Beasts of Burden. This introduced the Elivas and Gressar, being two of the bestial races formed off the models formed by Qazun. The events of the story take place in western Othos during the war of Tyrphos, the Judge of Acolitus who turned against the Maker as a result of broken promises and a broken heart. These bestial warriors align themselves with OTHER, more ancient races who fell into the service of Tyrphos. The player redeem them and together they defeat this enemy of Eshanic order. -
2021
6
RELEASE OF 4TH ADRPG ADVENTURE
Financial EventThe march continued and a new release was published. This one followed a similar body to the Final Prophet campaign (which was the First Othos campaign). Exploration mechanics were introduced along with the Daorhu, who had hitherto never gotten enough attention on real releases. The party begins with the quest to stop the gathering of artifacts meant to empower the former allies of Tyrphos (see Beasts of Burden adventure) who were now Eshanic spirits. The players meet all of these fallen spirits and then have to make a decision of whether to destroy their artifacts or take the power for themselves! Chaos is sure to follow. -
2021
10
ZOLRASSAL REACHES 1250 PAGES
Artistic creationLargely upon the shoulders of continual campaigns and the associated additions to the Mythos, the Zolrassal continued to grow and grow. The releases of the ADRPG adventures did slow the pace compared to previous years, but the achievement is still remarkable. When a new time or concept is introduced, it simply adds more and more content, much of it sinews which bind together other existing elements of the story. -
2022
2
RELEASE OF 5TH ADRPG ADVENTURE
Financial EventThe penultimate release of the ADRPG adventure series is the 5th adventure, Beyond the Sunset. It introduces the Axodraharik, being natives to the OTHER side of Esha, Voryndal. They came over to Qadal in ancient times to escape the turmoil of Voryndal, and brokered for themselves a deal with the Alor'eshan to stay. They had to defeat the Qazunari, Nith'eshanic renegades from the First Feud. They succeeded, and now dwell in Qadal- yet their deal demands they assist in guarding Qadal against any NEW interlopers from Voryndal. Now they march to fulfill their oaths, and chaos ensues! -
2025
Sharing on Substack
Cultural eventDuring the proceedings of the Binding of Heaven campaign that ran from 2021 to 2024, there was relative silence elsewhere. Now that the campaign is over and some of those materials are saved, I've come back around to exploring how to share/leverage the Awakening Dream.
Substack is a wonderful platform for sharing all types of writing, and therefore I've expanded there. World Anvil is where the Awakening Dream lives in public repository, while Substack is a place to share serialized versions of narratives, short stories, essays, and more.
It's all here: adomeythu.substack.com