So this is very, very rough, and just something I was knoodling in my meager spare time.
History
Losaria was created by the high goddess, and brought to life by her minions (lesser gods) as a world protected from magical, astral travel. Six major races were created, three civilized (Dwarves, Elves, Gnomes) and three uncivilized (Goblins, Orcs and Lizardfolk). Although there was some conflict between the races, mostly it was confined skirmishing within the uncivilized races tribes (Orc vs Orc, etc.).
Unfortunately, were magical astral travel was high tech travel was possible. And so Humans came to Losaria via high tech portals, which disrupted magic and allowed tech to operate within an area. The first were refugees from an apocalyptical war on their own world (kind of Edain-like) and destroyed the portal after their escape. Later waves were invasions by Humans from the same world (having rediscovered the tech) bent on taking Losaria as their own world crumbled. Their initial strategy of opening multiple portals with overlapping tech zone, eventually produced a cataclysmic collapse of the existing portals but opening a tornado of random portals to random places. Despite the gods stepping in to stop them from destroying Losaria, to this day random portals will open.
The Humans were eventually able to reopen a portal and using an AI powered genetic engineering lab and prisoners from the native species, they were able to create the "demi-races" (Half-Elves, Halflings, Half-Orcs, Hobgoblins, Kobolds) as slave-soldiers to conquer Losaria. This plan too, eventually failed as the demi-humans rebelled, almost destroying the last portal, but making the area around it uninhabitable.
Humans, however, are nothing if not prolific and aggressive and they have over the centuries produced kingdoms and empires. Sometimes enslaving portions of the native and demi-races, and others, only enslaving themselves.
Modern
Today there is an uneasy peace, the races, though local conflicts still arise. Thanks to the wars with the Humans, societies have regressed to the early middle ages (or less) and populations have fallen leaving vast tracks of the world uninhabited, and in some cases, barely habitable. The ruins of ancient civilizations, both native and alien (dragged in via random "tornado" portals) dot the world. Random portals pull monsters and strangers into the world, and the AI still follow its last program turning out sub-species. Some are successful, and others die quickly.
Races
When discussing races, we are discussing differences at the genetic level, and without genetic engineering could not produce a fertile creature. Though through the use of magic some sterile "half" specimens have been created. Dwarves proved to be immune to genetic manipulation.
Elves - Long, long lived and tied very much to nature, Elves have chlorophyll in their blood making it green and Elves able to survive on only light and water. Though they do have a fun and frolicsome side (elves of the Hobbit novel), when outside of their communities they are much more of the stoic warrior (elves of he LoTR). Being long lived the are inversely as fertile. Elves prefer temperate and subtropical forests, but are found in the near boreal and tropical forests.
Dwarves - Once the most advanced and numerous of the native races, dwarves prefer mountainous, and rocky regions, either living cities in the mountains or carved into the caverns and cliffs. Dwarves delight in exploring the underground, mining and smithing.
Gnomes - The smallest of the races, and the most apt at tinkering with magical devices, they live in small woodland villages in hilly country, or in mansions carved into the hills themselves. Liked by both the Dwarves and Elves, and tolerated by the Goblins, the Gnomes have a specific niche in the world.
Lizardfolk - The most tribal and primitive of the native races, they live in the densest of tropical forests and swamps. Friendly to none, they attack any that violate their territory.
Orcs - Hulking, brutish, aggressive and destructive, Orcs live in extended families and preferring temperate grasslands, steppes and tundra. The are usually in conflict with others inhabiting these areas. They are very much the destructive force portrayed in LoTR.
Goblins - Standing in height about the same as a dwarf, but not so solidly built, Goblins are highly adaptable the very clan-ish. They can be found in the savannahs, subtropical grasslands and steppes.
I'm sure more will come to me, but that's what I have so far.
I really like the setting: starting without humans and having them be like the great monsters that come from beyond; it's a really cool idea. The whole random portal thing is so much fun. Adds some lovely and fascinating flavour to the overall setting.
Since it's such a peaceful planet, I'm assuming the first refugees got a decently warm welcome from at least the civilised races? How much time passed between their coming and the arrival of the next group of humans? How well settled were they? Did they ally with their fellow humans or did they stand with the natives?
What way are you imagining the AI? Is there just one super computer or are imagining multiple smaller AI focused on purpose? Are they/will they be an actual race like say warforged?
Are you imagining the realms as other planets - similar to Mark Sherlock Hulmes's Aerois campaign? Will these portals connect to the demon realms?
Two things I'd like to query:
1: What stopped the gods from crushing the invading humans when they first came and why are/were they so patient with them afterwards? They seem to be actively involved in your world so it seems unlikely that they would have sat idly by while these aliens caused so much destruction.
2: Some of your native races appear very war-like, especially the Orcs. It seems odd that things would have been so peaceful before the humans arrival. Was that the work of the gods or something?
I really like the setting: starting without humans and having them be like the great monsters that come from beyond; it's a really cool idea. The whole random portal thing is so much fun. Adds some lovely and fascinating flavour to the overall setting.
Since it's such a peaceful planet, I'm assuming the first refugees got a decently warm welcome from at least the civilised races? How much time passed between their coming and the arrival of the next group of humans? How well settled were they? Did they ally with their fellow humans or did they stand with the natives?
What way are you imagining the AI? Is there just one super computer or are imagining multiple smaller AI focused on purpose? Are they/will they be an actual race like say warforged?
Are you imagining the realms as other planets - similar to Mark Sherlock Hulmes's Aerois campaign? Will these portals connect to the demon realms?
Two things I'd like to query:
1: What stopped the gods from crushing the invading humans when they first came and why are/were they so patient with them afterwards? They seem to be actively involved in your world so it seems unlikely that they would have sat idly by while these aliens caused so much destruction.
2: Some of your native races appear very war-like, especially the Orcs. It seems odd that things would have been so peaceful before the humans arrival. Was that the work of the gods or something?
I'm looking forward to your next instalment.
Given that this was two morning in the shower.. LOT OF STUFF is up in the air. Like a map, which might help explain things (or change them).
Before Humans (the catalyst for change) arrived, raids and skirmishes were carried out with stone age weapons among the short lived races (Orc, Lizardfolk and Goblins). However, as each race had its preferred habitat and room to grow, conflict was usually internal and for status. It would be possible for the Humans to have a couple of years of piece before coming into conflict. As for the long lived races, would have, at best been stand-offish.
Time is a funny thing, and I think it doesn't flow at the same rate in Losaria as in the Human ex-world. Not different to the extent of Lion, Witch and Wardrobe, but enough for several generations on Losaria to pass, while only decades pass. This is what will partially lead to the need to establish tech on this side of the portal. What happened to the initial refuges is a good question. And borrowing from Tolkien, I was planning on placing them somewhere isolated like an island where they would develop a more unique culture and could later teach war-craft and advanced smithing techniques to the long lived races, while developing their own magical abilities over generations, becoming something like the Sons of Don. Or maybe have them swallowed by the later invaders. Or something of both. If/when humans become playable, they would be from this sparse populace.
As for the AI, this is a giant nursing facility with a computer core. It's sole purpose was to develop controllable races of magically capable soldiers by combining DNA with Human DNA. Due to damage, it just keeps trying to crank out a viable population of anything capable and desirable of conquest. Fortunately, most of its creations perish at the facility or in the wastes surrounding the facility. It's really just a tool for introducing new creatures. Where else would something like a mind-flayer come from. :)
As for Aerois, I looked it up as I hadn't heard of it, so no inspiration from there. But yes, the cataclysm which set off the random portals has now made it accessible to the Infernal and Abyssal planes.
What kept the Gods from destroying the Humans? Haven't figured it out yet. Maybe the foreknowledge of what happens when Gods meddle too much. I see the Lesser Gods more on the scale of the Maiar and not the Valar. Thus their power is much less and only by ultimately combining could they bring about the severing and closing of the portals. Which I am thinking would have, at the very least, set off a nuclear meltdown at the main portal and maybe worse on the Human ex-world.
As to the second question, if I haven't answered it, I think it is a combination of 1) sparse population, 2) in-fighting among the Goblins and Orcs, 3) Superior weaponry. It isn't until the Humans invade, and the Native Races sort-of work together that we get the technological leaps to an Early Middle (European) Age.
Areas and populations are general for "present day", and only indicate the large majority of settlements (as I am thinking today). Nothing below indicates that there might not be individuals, settlements or "misplaced" (via a portal) population anywhere.
Demographics:
Forbidden/Unknown
Elves and Gnomes, some Dwarves in the mountains and scattered Half-Elf, Halfling and Human Refugee settlements
Forbidden/Unknown
Human Invaders (pre-Human was Goblin and some Lizardfolk)
Ancient Dwarf Home, some Dwarves
Goblin, Hobgoblin, some Human Invader settlements
Orc, Half-Orc
Lizardfolk, some Human Invader settlements
Dwarf
Mixed, with many unique populations from other realms.
Biome
Dominated by an active volcanoes, the land has many hot springs, taiga.
Taiga in the far north, confer forests in the north west, deciduous trees in the south. Hills along the high mountain range and into the deciduous forests.
Deciduous trees
Prairie, deciduous forest along the north cost, swamp in the south, and a wasteland (AI region) in the south and savannah region in far east, tropical island with active volcano.
High rocky mountainous region with conifer forests.
Eastern steppes, southern hilly arid hill lands, central dark mountains and eastern desert
Plains type grassland, and tundra in the north
Central jungle surrounded by swamp to east, south, west
Thank you for the response and clarification. I think the idea of differently flowing time is another interesting one.
I like the idea of the Tolkien style island. Of the ideas you've raised, I personally like it more than them being assimilated with the invaders. It feels more of the diversity of humans to have some being genuine and peaceful refugees as opposed to greedy invaders (though of course this is entirely your imagined world and so humans can be however you conceive them) and I feel it has more potential worldbuilding and story-development wise if all humans aren't the same.
I think the AI as you've described it is an excellent idea. It allows you to freely and easily manipulate the races in your world without getting too contrived. Want Tortles - the AI tried to mix humanoid and animal DNA. This was one of the few viable races. Furthermore, the perpetual, random portals means you're not bound to this one method. So both really cool, excellent and fun ideas in my opinion.
The whole portal concept is honestly one of my favourite parts of this whole world's concept - it just allows for such amazing story and adventure potentials.
Those are some good ideas. You could also say a god of the humans came with them and the gods of Losaria couldn't move carelessly for fear of being attacked/hurt/sealed/destroyed. Or maybe they're not actually gods, but just very powerful entities who are not without limits. Or else just gods that aren't all-powerful. Or you could say that their people were so technologically inferior to the humans that they needed to concentrate their power on aiding the natives rather than challenging the humans (this would still be working on the idea of gods with limited powers)
(Hope some of this helps).
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So this is very, very rough, and just something I was knoodling in my meager spare time.
History
Losaria was created by the high goddess, and brought to life by her minions (lesser gods) as a world protected from magical, astral travel. Six major races were created, three civilized (Dwarves, Elves, Gnomes) and three uncivilized (Goblins, Orcs and Lizardfolk). Although there was some conflict between the races, mostly it was confined skirmishing within the uncivilized races tribes (Orc vs Orc, etc.).
Unfortunately, were magical astral travel was high tech travel was possible. And so Humans came to Losaria via high tech portals, which disrupted magic and allowed tech to operate within an area. The first were refugees from an apocalyptical war on their own world (kind of Edain-like) and destroyed the portal after their escape. Later waves were invasions by Humans from the same world (having rediscovered the tech) bent on taking Losaria as their own world crumbled. Their initial strategy of opening multiple portals with overlapping tech zone, eventually produced a cataclysmic collapse of the existing portals but opening a tornado of random portals to random places. Despite the gods stepping in to stop them from destroying Losaria, to this day random portals will open.
The Humans were eventually able to reopen a portal and using an AI powered genetic engineering lab and prisoners from the native species, they were able to create the "demi-races" (Half-Elves, Halflings, Half-Orcs, Hobgoblins, Kobolds) as slave-soldiers to conquer Losaria. This plan too, eventually failed as the demi-humans rebelled, almost destroying the last portal, but making the area around it uninhabitable.
Humans, however, are nothing if not prolific and aggressive and they have over the centuries produced kingdoms and empires. Sometimes enslaving portions of the native and demi-races, and others, only enslaving themselves.
Modern
Today there is an uneasy peace, the races, though local conflicts still arise. Thanks to the wars with the Humans, societies have regressed to the early middle ages (or less) and populations have fallen leaving vast tracks of the world uninhabited, and in some cases, barely habitable. The ruins of ancient civilizations, both native and alien (dragged in via random "tornado" portals) dot the world. Random portals pull monsters and strangers into the world, and the AI still follow its last program turning out sub-species. Some are successful, and others die quickly.
Races
When discussing races, we are discussing differences at the genetic level, and without genetic engineering could not produce a fertile creature. Though through the use of magic some sterile "half" specimens have been created. Dwarves proved to be immune to genetic manipulation.
Elves - Long, long lived and tied very much to nature, Elves have chlorophyll in their blood making it green and Elves able to survive on only light and water. Though they do have a fun and frolicsome side (elves of the Hobbit novel), when outside of their communities they are much more of the stoic warrior (elves of he LoTR). Being long lived the are inversely as fertile. Elves prefer temperate and subtropical forests, but are found in the near boreal and tropical forests.
Dwarves - Once the most advanced and numerous of the native races, dwarves prefer mountainous, and rocky regions, either living cities in the mountains or carved into the caverns and cliffs. Dwarves delight in exploring the underground, mining and smithing.
Gnomes - The smallest of the races, and the most apt at tinkering with magical devices, they live in small woodland villages in hilly country, or in mansions carved into the hills themselves. Liked by both the Dwarves and Elves, and tolerated by the Goblins, the Gnomes have a specific niche in the world.
Lizardfolk - The most tribal and primitive of the native races, they live in the densest of tropical forests and swamps. Friendly to none, they attack any that violate their territory.
Orcs - Hulking, brutish, aggressive and destructive, Orcs live in extended families and preferring temperate grasslands, steppes and tundra. The are usually in conflict with others inhabiting these areas. They are very much the destructive force portrayed in LoTR.
Goblins - Standing in height about the same as a dwarf, but not so solidly built, Goblins are highly adaptable the very clan-ish. They can be found in the savannahs, subtropical grasslands and steppes.
I'm sure more will come to me, but that's what I have so far.
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
I really like the setting: starting without humans and having them be like the great monsters that come from beyond; it's a really cool idea. The whole random portal thing is so much fun. Adds some lovely and fascinating flavour to the overall setting.
Since it's such a peaceful planet, I'm assuming the first refugees got a decently warm welcome from at least the civilised races? How much time passed between their coming and the arrival of the next group of humans? How well settled were they? Did they ally with their fellow humans or did they stand with the natives?
What way are you imagining the AI? Is there just one super computer or are imagining multiple smaller AI focused on purpose? Are they/will they be an actual race like say warforged?
Are you imagining the realms as other planets - similar to Mark Sherlock Hulmes's Aerois campaign? Will these portals connect to the demon realms?
Two things I'd like to query:
1: What stopped the gods from crushing the invading humans when they first came and why are/were they so patient with them afterwards? They seem to be actively involved in your world so it seems unlikely that they would have sat idly by while these aliens caused so much destruction.
2: Some of your native races appear very war-like, especially the Orcs. It seems odd that things would have been so peaceful before the humans arrival. Was that the work of the gods or something?
I'm looking forward to your next instalment.
Given that this was two morning in the shower.. LOT OF STUFF is up in the air. Like a map, which might help explain things (or change them).
Before Humans (the catalyst for change) arrived, raids and skirmishes were carried out with stone age weapons among the short lived races (Orc, Lizardfolk and Goblins). However, as each race had its preferred habitat and room to grow, conflict was usually internal and for status. It would be possible for the Humans to have a couple of years of piece before coming into conflict. As for the long lived races, would have, at best been stand-offish.
Time is a funny thing, and I think it doesn't flow at the same rate in Losaria as in the Human ex-world. Not different to the extent of Lion, Witch and Wardrobe, but enough for several generations on Losaria to pass, while only decades pass. This is what will partially lead to the need to establish tech on this side of the portal. What happened to the initial refuges is a good question. And borrowing from Tolkien, I was planning on placing them somewhere isolated like an island where they would develop a more unique culture and could later teach war-craft and advanced smithing techniques to the long lived races, while developing their own magical abilities over generations, becoming something like the Sons of Don. Or maybe have them swallowed by the later invaders. Or something of both. If/when humans become playable, they would be from this sparse populace.
As for the AI, this is a giant nursing facility with a computer core. It's sole purpose was to develop controllable races of magically capable soldiers by combining DNA with Human DNA. Due to damage, it just keeps trying to crank out a viable population of anything capable and desirable of conquest. Fortunately, most of its creations perish at the facility or in the wastes surrounding the facility. It's really just a tool for introducing new creatures. Where else would something like a mind-flayer come from. :)
As for Aerois, I looked it up as I hadn't heard of it, so no inspiration from there. But yes, the cataclysm which set off the random portals has now made it accessible to the Infernal and Abyssal planes.
What kept the Gods from destroying the Humans? Haven't figured it out yet. Maybe the foreknowledge of what happens when Gods meddle too much. I see the Lesser Gods more on the scale of the Maiar and not the Valar. Thus their power is much less and only by ultimately combining could they bring about the severing and closing of the portals. Which I am thinking would have, at the very least, set off a nuclear meltdown at the main portal and maybe worse on the Human ex-world.
As to the second question, if I haven't answered it, I think it is a combination of 1) sparse population, 2) in-fighting among the Goblins and Orcs, 3) Superior weaponry. It isn't until the Humans invade, and the Native Races sort-of work together that we get the technological leaps to an Early Middle (European) Age.
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
Areas and populations are general for "present day", and only indicate the large majority of settlements (as I am thinking today). Nothing below indicates that there might not be individuals, settlements or "misplaced" (via a portal) population anywhere.
Demographics:
Biome
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
Thank you for the response and clarification. I think the idea of differently flowing time is another interesting one.
I like the idea of the Tolkien style island. Of the ideas you've raised, I personally like it more than them being assimilated with the invaders. It feels more of the diversity of humans to have some being genuine and peaceful refugees as opposed to greedy invaders (though of course this is entirely your imagined world and so humans can be however you conceive them) and I feel it has more potential worldbuilding and story-development wise if all humans aren't the same.
I think the AI as you've described it is an excellent idea. It allows you to freely and easily manipulate the races in your world without getting too contrived. Want Tortles - the AI tried to mix humanoid and animal DNA. This was one of the few viable races. Furthermore, the perpetual, random portals means you're not bound to this one method. So both really cool, excellent and fun ideas in my opinion.
The whole portal concept is honestly one of my favourite parts of this whole world's concept - it just allows for such amazing story and adventure potentials.
Those are some good ideas. You could also say a god of the humans came with them and the gods of Losaria couldn't move carelessly for fear of being attacked/hurt/sealed/destroyed. Or maybe they're not actually gods, but just very powerful entities who are not without limits. Or else just gods that aren't all-powerful. Or you could say that their people were so technologically inferior to the humans that they needed to concentrate their power on aiding the natives rather than challenging the humans (this would still be working on the idea of gods with limited powers)
(Hope some of this helps).