Intrudoction

The Structure of The World

Contrary to many other worlds, Tempestas is a world plane not a planet. Just as the other planes, the Mooncolumn runs through the center of Tempestas as it's axis. As Tempestas is of the principle of light, the glowing shimmer of the sky and the dark shadows of the earth combats for dominance day after day. At dawn the sparking embers emerges from east and gallops across the darkened world, until the arch of the sky is wrapped from one horizon to another. When evening fall upon the world the shadows slowly awakens and starts crawling forth, to spread a black cover across all and to unite with itself in completion. This darkness can only be fought back by the light of the moon, the stars and by the warmth of the living flames. And the following day the battle between shimmer and darkness starts anew. Tales speak of the stars in the dark skies as being doorways to other worlds, whereas many lies beyond common comprehension. In theory it could be possible to journey yonder and through the doorways of the stars, but no one is known to have done so. Likewise the possibility of visitors from other worlds could be a reality, but not known to have been done either. As in other world planes the moon appears to be a round disk, despite the fact that it is a cylinder shaped silver column. However when observed from any of the world planes, from this point of view the only part visible of the Mooncolumn would be the cross section and therefore common reason dictates that the moon is a silver disc. But if travelling outside the world planes the moon would reveal itself in it's long glorious silver cylinder shape.

Because Tempestas is a world plane it has a definite border, called Selvage of Reality. This Selvage of Reality is normally hard to find, if not knowing what to look for. It can only be found if searching for something in non-existence, and in this state of non-existence it will be found. Looking in any other state, the search will end where it started and nothing will be found. The sections of the Selvage which has not yet been shaped is called The Ravelled Spots. This is where the matter of the world plane have not yet been braided into solid structure and can therefore change each time experienced anew. The Established Places is where the world is more reliable and where the laws of physical living can be fulfilled. Here the material structure is braided solid into a row of domains, which all surrounding things consists of. It is in these domains which the mechanics of Arcane interacts, when influence of the surroundings is wished upon. The material of the world is from time to time remodelled by an uncontrollable force, which everyone fears and no one understands. This force is called the Oddity, Memoria Dignus, and it's purpose is to have no purpose. It charges across the world plane in the form of storms and leaves reality deformed or destroyed, restructures the laws of matter into bizarre functions.

Astralscape

By the side of the physical world of Tempestas another one lies, the astral world which is Astralscape. Astralscape consists of a matter identical to that of the physical world, but with other structures and more alien domains. This otherly and strangeness makes the astral world more inconstant and fluid, therefore hard to perceive and even harder to enter. There, simple physical laws which in the physical world is taken for granted, do not exist unconditionally. The physical and astral world cling together as one. As not all which befalls a creature's mind and soul can be fulfilled in the physical world, places in Astralscape was kept to this purpose exact.

The Common Pantheons of Tempestas

After the placing of the God Towers, for about 4.000 years ago, the largest part of Tempestas has been governed by a three column god system, which was constructed by the Cosmic Gods. These three columns each follows a concept , the first column is of the Constructive principle, the second Equilibrium, and final of the Destructive principle. Four God Towers is placed as most important posts among the gods. The four God Towers was placed in the physical world to symbolize the returning power of the Cosmic Gods and to bind the god system to Tempestas. The towers are placed in the four corners of the world, and if travelling north, south, east or west afar, their mighty structures can be seen stretching high towards the sky. There is 34 posts in the god system besides the four God Towers. Only one god can occupy each post, but as there are more gods than posts a constant battle rages. These battles is mostly fought between the gods. But sometimes one or more human have been involved, and these people can only despair pity, fore they will never regain their humanity. Other Pantheons exist and is followed in Tempestas, besides the Cosmic Gods. The most pronounced of the pantheons are the Creative Forces, Vires Animi Creare, but the Creative Force is not strictly speaking god oriented. This sort of religion takes many shapes, and often combined with the worship of creatures assembled by *Animus Dignus. These creations are called the Lost Gods. This pantheon has a open structure and firmly embedded into nature, and thereby strongly attractive to folk living of and in nature. The Cosmic Gods has banned the belief of the Creative Forces and the Lost Gods. This banning is generally upheld in human societies, which early on was scattered across the world, but through time grew into the dominant breed.

Deep Down

Deep beneath the crust of Tempestas, burns the Eternal Flames of Deep Down and this is where the Diabolus reigns. Even though the Diabolus is feared and hated beyond all, they are still apart of the whole of Tempestas. Deep Down is ruled by 97 Deemon kings, these are the Diabolus Rex. Which constantly wrecks war upon each other, in ways far more terrible than imaginable, marching the Black Armies in the Never Ending War. Escape from Deep Down is the deepest desire of the Diabolus, as Deep Down is not their home but their prison. All Diabolus is bound to Deep Down by a contract, which states the reason for Deep Down to exist and the obligations of the Diabolus. But the contract also suggests an opening for escape. The obligations of the Diabolus is that of seduction, temptations of the weak and power hungry specimens of humans. Through that a way to the surface of Tempestas, and to grab hold and cling on to the very souls of these lesser humans to pull them below to Deep Down. There are tales of tunnels from the surface leading underground to Deep Down. It is usually said that these tunnels are sealed off by powerful enforced gates, but if all tunnels are sealed is one thing untold.

The Land of Penya

Penya is one of the largest kingdoms of Tempestas. The one who united the kingdom, and still reign, is King William Salisbury. In early years Penya was a collection of small kingdoms, which size and number changed constantly, because of great many and long term wars. But a common threat appeared, when Tuu Decularis started their feud against the Human race. William Salisbury was the individual who united the people of Penya against this common foe. Now Penya is divided into 22 Principalities, which each is governed by a Lord (even though a Lord can control more than one Principality). Many of the former kings has been degraded and now they perform as Lords. The image of the common enemy has changed over the years and now Discore Belldia is considered the worst threat. The main course of the disagreement between the two countries is that Penya is officially devoted to the Cosmic Order, while the population of Discore Belldia's faith is placed in the Lost Gods. But the disagreement goes deeper. Discore Belldia cuts Penya in the eye like a splinter of glass, as Discore Belldia is located so close and yet can not be conquered or dominated by Penya.

The Land of Discore Belldia

Discore Belldia lies just south of Penya. The countryside of Discore Belldia is ranged with wind-swept hills and deep grass clad valleys. Scars in earth shattered across the plains reopens to reveal long dead warriors arise from their deep slumber, to emerge as the Stomping Dead. In this rough environment lives the Belldians in clans. Their culture and traditions goes back before the God Towers, to the time when Vires Creare arrived. The base of the Belldian clans are structured by a collection of small communities. These communities is normally the size of five to ten houses, resembles small villages based on farming, fishing or hunting. The communities in a clan lies relatively close together, so a journey from a community to it's neighbours will rarely take more than an hour. Each community is lead by a Head Figure, which reports directly to the clan's Chieftain. In times of crisis all the Chieftains are called together to discuss the situation at hand. In these war times the Chieftains are rarely at their clan post, but is gathered to lead their armies against their hated foe, Penya.

The Breeds of Tempestas

Humans, as the dominant race in Tempestas, is rumoured as not being a direct creation of the Cosmic Gods. But despite this they are still the most loyal towards the Cosmic pantheon. The Humans has a relatively short lifespan, but their incredible reproduction makes up for this flaw. Humans has through time been divided into different ethnic groups scattered across the world. The residents of Penya is called Penyamen and characterized by their systematical bureaucratic structure and extreme discipline. Penyamen consider themselves as being at the very peak of human society and therefore seems arrogant and quite aggressive. Another division of the Human race is the Amentian Folk, a tribe based culture which traditionally is bound to live harmoniously in nature. The Amentian Folk is deemed as ferocious maniacs on the battleground with their predator-like cunning, but their society is build upon tradition and mythology, as well as mutual respect and honour. Belldians are the inhabitants of Discore Belldia. The Belldians share roots with the Amentian Folk, but have a more structured clan based society. The difference between the Amentian Folk and the Belldians, is that the Belldian's honour lies not in battle, but the protection of their land, their clan, their home and their family.

Pugnandi Cupidus is possibly the oldest breed still residing in the world, besides gods and deemons. Pugnandi Cupidus is the breed of war, created to maim and kill, and was observed by the Cosmic Gods more as machines than an actual breed. Through the passing of time Pugnandi Cupidus' function of destruction became unusable to the Cosmic Gods. So then they evolved into a creature with their own dreams and goals, but combat is still a integrated part of their nature.

Vires is the one breed that is deepest rooted in the Creative Forces. The Vires' society interlaced with nature and seen by some as protectors of the natural resources. Vires exists in different sub breeds, which individually is connected to each own part of the natural resources. The most common sub breed is the Vires of the tree: Vires Silva.

Tuu Decularis boasts a large collection of different species, all descending from a common branch. This common branch was created when Tuu Senectus, which original was intended to populate the world, experimented to grow forth a perfect breed, but the interference of the Oddity twisted the outcome gruesomely. The side effects of the failed experiment leaved the world in utter chaos and changed Tuu Senectus in horrible ways. From the broken bodies of Tuu Senectus evolved Tuu Decularis. Through time Tuu Decularis has evolved through different stages, and has passed the world quietly and largely unnoticed. Until the 5th time period in which Tuu Decularis suddenly arose and in a great war challenged the human breed for the dominance of the world and lost. The Tuu Decularis which typical populates the underground of the world now is the 11th stage, Tuu Decularis Sollertia, which strides towards peace and trade.

The Flute People was created by their goddess Lady Itonia to weep for the world, for what has been and for what shall be. Their whole culture and life is build around music and rhythm; all things are done musically. All Flute People are bound by a common rhythm set by Lady Itonia, a melody they can tap into and through this feel the presence of all Flute People. Flute People are generally a peaceful breed, but a small fraction has broken out and established an active combat unit, these are called the Lethal Clowns.

Hypogrophits are a mysterious breed, not much is known about their origin. This is the breed of chaotic creativity and the only known society is placed in Penya. This society has no known structure and has no leaders or anything resembling a system of power. The small town seems peaceful and defenceless, but above lurks a ancient mythical force which keeps all dangers at bay. The Hypogrophits themselves are extremely inventive, but the purpose of the invention is only clear to the inventor himself.

The Most Important Gods

Potestate Habere was the original being. Potestate Habere is chained to a endless slumber, but still his post stands in the Cosmic Order. His post is placed at the very peak of the column of Equilibrium. It is a general belief and hope that he will stay asleep and never break free from the chains. Because if the chain breaks, then again will Tempestas face a grand world shattering struggle for power. Aranea was among the first line of gods and it was she who weaved the material of the world. Aranea is placed beneath Deep Down, and on her back balances the foundation of the column of Equilibrium. Related to the subject of Deep Down, the name Tyranni Sedatio should be mentioned. He was forced onto the post of Tyranny and therefore owns the highest rank i Deep Down. His power over the Diabolus Rex represents him the responsibility to balance the war into actual eternity.

In the northern God Tower the god Magicus dwells. He is in direct contact with Entities of Arcane and therefore it is Magicus which the Arcanists speak through, when they contact the Entities to draw upon the Arcane power. The southern tower is occupied by Usus Rursum. He is assigned to keep all things in motion, to counteract entropy of the world. He reforms stagnated energy into active energy, so it can be used to recreate motion and therefore Tempestas can continue it's progress. Amabilis inhabitant of the eastern God Tower is the protector of embryos. The Being of Birth nurtures and grows the little soul and as the pregnancy progresses Amabilis teaches the embryo right from wrong in context of the Cosmic Order. In the final and western tower is Vepallidus, God of Death. He was the first Cosmic God to return to Tempestas, as he felt the absolute chaos of the lost souls. And then he constructed Shrine of Spirits, which later was remodelled into a plane for the dead: Dead World. Here he started to administrate the arrivals and departures of the couch which collected the souls of recently deceased. Vepallidus also started to direct the deceased into different groups of faith and send them off to pilgrimage to the doorstep of their god. Now he stands for all the administrative work, to improve and further develop Dead World. Moriturus Origo, the God of Bravery, was the only god who actually never left Tempestas. He fell during the Godwar, fighting side by side with Exercitus, but his essence never dissolved. Drifting above Tempestas, his essence slowly regained strength and early in the 4th Time Period his human rebirth was upon the world. Upon the return of the Cosmic Order Moriturus Origo was recognized by his sheer skill and was bestowed the post of Bravery. Moriturus Origo still roams Tempestas in his human body, the eternal general with his unbroken army, chasing battle and picking the fights down hand. Goddess of Nature, Naturuce, was the one who released the Creative Forces upon the world, as an answer to the chaos and hunger at the ending of the 3rd Time Period. The coming of the Creative Forces, orchestrated by Naturuce, evened the scale of balance between the Lost Deemons and the Lost Gods. Because of this all living beings started to worship out of respect instead of fear and Naturuce was hailed as the Mother of All Life. The other Cosmic Gods was enraged by this; Naturuce not only changed the environment in which their creations should grow and live in, and brought away the very nutrition which kept their conscience of the Cosmic Order alive, but also she was now placed as a prime force among gods. Naturuce was isolated and ignored among the gods, especially because she was proud of her creation and her everlasting support and defence of her creation, which was nature. The post of Craftsmanship is occupied by Umbra Farrasius, a brutal and loud mouthed god. Umbra Farrasius is a rude agitator, who thrives in the midst of his political enemies, pointing out errors, aggressively accusing the Cosmic Order for lack of visions and in general disregards the modern manner of the pantheon. He was the one who created Pugnandi Cupidus and has through the ages been their trustful companion, guide and one might argue their only friend.

Ancient Culture

The Archaeologists of Penya has found strong evidence of an extremely advanced culture, somewhere in the 4th time period. Evidence also dictates that this culture evolved from what is now known as the Macaulay Principality. Something made this culture to grow in numbers and advance in technology very rapidly. As the Ancient Culture was on the brink of being the dominant force, it suddenly faded. To leave behind a strange language carved in stone and parts of highly advanced mechanical contraptions, for the experts to unearth.