The world was ripped apart in a great cataclysm 3,000 years ago. This is a Codex of the pocket realms created by that great sundering.
Codex introduction
The World
Originally whole, the world has since been sundered into hundreds of pieces. The cumulative lands of the undivided world were oblong in shape, rooted deep in a broad, impassable ocean. The gods decorated the sky with celestial bodies and set them on their courses, ensuring the cycles of day and night, summer and winter. The world was not a planet, not spherical. The lands lay flat across its surface, the entire world enclosed within a bubble, floating within the endless Ethereal mists.
The different races developed in their own ways and ignored each other, for the most part. The elves lived deep within the wilds where men feared to go, the dwarves dwelt in their high mountain valleys. Men wandered where they would, just one savage race fighting amongst others. But men were the more adventurous and, with the help of their gods, began to develop civilizations. Made aggressive by their age-old wars against the monstrous races, men eventually turned upon each other. Thus was born the Empire.
The Empire and the Sundering
The Empire itself had no name. It simply existed as The Empire. The first of its kind in history, all peoples fell before its armies, all lands swallowed up. In their hubris and unquenchable thirst for power, the Council of Wizards, those near-immortal advisers to the Emperor, were tricked by demons and lost all (as described in The Lost Empire.) The world was ripped asunder and the pieces flung into the Ether. Each a singular entity with no outside contact. Each left to its own devices, suddenly released from the Empire’s grasp.
Three thousand years have passed without change. In most places, the Empire is remembered only in vague, mythological terms. The sundering of the world figures prominently in myth and legend but its cause can only be guessed at. Each realm has moved on, surviving the devastating changes as best they can. Some had it easier than others, with tracts of arable land and productive mines. Others were left with few resources and bizarre landscapes. Some lands were stricken with truly strange effects, such as The Three Cities of Dusk, Dawn, and Luna. Some may even be barren of natural life.
The Role of The Crystal Tower
The only thread linking each pocket together is the Crystal Tower. In each realm the Tower wears a different face, and yet there is only one true Tower. Originally used by the wizards as a magical gateway for keeping tabs on the far flung regions of the Empire, it now stands as an impenetrable mystery. Inaccessible without the key, an artifact long lost to the demon realm, it is untouched by both mortal hand and time. If the key can be retrieved, the different realms may once again be traversed by strangers.
Who knows? Maybe this sundered world will become whole once more.
Scrolls
Twists, chapters, and details meant to stream with the submission — not general discussion.
No scrolls yet — leave one if you have a twist worth keeping.
Sign in to plant an idea scroll.
Award XP
Enjoyed this? Sign in to thank MysticMoon with blade clashes — 5 XP each, up to 25.
5 10 15 20 25Sign in to award XP.
Discussion
Reader talk, questions, and feedback — not scrolls.
No comments yet — be the first voice in the hall.
Sign in to join the discussion.
Continue the path
Three more steps through the hall.
- The Lost Empire by MysticMoon Bound
Other takes
No other takes yet — the best compliment on the Citadel is a Retelling.
Bonds
Outbound links for this Codex live in the gathered list above. Bind as Codex to add another piece to the shelf. Kindred Favors gather here too.
No bonds yet.
Not sure why there aren't any comments but I couldn't take seeing it without anymore.
Fairly basic creationalism with all the race stereotypes. That might be why the lack of comments. I will admit I haven't dug into the others but this just doesn't draw me in. There is no hook or uniqueness that really sets it apart and it makes it difficult to comment on.
I am certain once I dig farther there will be those things, but this main post doesn't draw me in.
Yeah, I wasn't expecting much on this one until I'd written up more realms. The one I've been working on (Anquocia) seemed a little blah, which was why I put it in Requesting Advice. Between feedback on that, helpful chats, and responses in Sagely Advice, I believe I will be able to deliver more creative realms. Due to outside time constraints ( which I'm sure everyone is familiar with :) ), it is taking me far longer than I expected to get to this.
Forgot to mention this, but I take your point on making the Codex itself more interesting.
Perhaps using this sub to detail the Crystal Tower would the best use of this Codex - nothing stops it from using that configuration and avoids this one being some utilitarian gathering point.
3.5 great cocept needs more entries, would love to up vote this!!!!!!!!
This has been on the backburner for a long time now, but someday...