Ooh, hi there! Tl;dr... I get frustrated with the state of the game at my shop. Wanted to homebrew something different. Hours later, had the skeleton of this whole thing and was sorta amped about it. I started looking for players to see if anybody would even want their fictional buddies setting foot in there. Yeah. Response was kind of overwhelming. Since I wanna get the ball rolling on this, flesh it out into a whole thing, and have it not feel totes half-assed, I figured it would be a good idea to post here and get feedback from the community (and give these players a peek at what’s in store). The basic gist is the world gets destroyed by magical war and a wizard manages to save some, but just scraps. It’s essentially a big “flat Earth” sort of landmass with several smaller ones that float inside this atmosphere bubble. It all “orbits” around the capital city, Cieldormir. I’d love feedback.
The Orbit: the highest + the lowest
Approximately one thousand years ago, a war broke out in a world overflowing with magic. The powers at play were great enough to tear the realm from it’s moorings within existence. In an instant, almost every living creature was wiped from being. Only through the intervention of a powerful Wizard was anything saved. As parallel planes shattered together around her, she used her abilities to reach out and save whatever she could.
In the void that remained, she had created a bubble of life, that floated slowly through it. Inside the pocket she opened were the scraps from different realms that she had managed to preserve. Some lands had been merged, others hovered in space, and a few were even hidden. Those that would become the ancestors of the races of this “world” were all touched by her in some way.
Before she ascended to a crystal palace in the sky, she crafted the foundation for the capital city of the Orbit, Cieldormir... Of course, these are all just legends. The myths of creation. The world is old enough that those that were there at the beginning are long gone, but young enough that their oral traditions remain. The people of the Orbit still talk about Ciel and wonder if she really is up there. Some stories question if she was the only one to survive the death of her reality.
Cieldormir and it’s surrounding territory are a melting pot of races, classes, and ideas. Unlike the origin lands for the various races, which display xenophobic tendencies, a progressive mindset prevails. The city itself is divided by a river into two districts: Odette and Odile. Odette is polite and tidy, the haven of the old bloodlines of the Orbit. Odile is grim and gritty, a place where the desperate come to make dreams come true.
Magic fuels both halves of the city. A number of magical conveniences make life in the city unlike anywhere else in the Orbit. There is public transit, sanitation, law enforcement, and all the other infrastructure of a living city. Many industries are dependent upon, or at least aided by, the strong magic that exists within the realm. Magic items are frequently created, bought, and sold. Some bloodlines are more attuned to this inherent magic and have turned that into industry, and influence, within the city.
Over the past two centuries, a Senate has formed in Odette to represent all the citizens of the Orbit. This has firmly established Cieldormir as the capital of the world, as well as Odette’s position as the city’s crown jewel. Odile became where all the dirty secrets were kept. So by coincidence or design, this led to organized crime using it as a central meeting location.
The people of the Orbit are predominantly content. There has been widespread peace for decades. Resources are abundant. It’s not difficult to make an honest living. However... be it simple wanderlust, the thrill of adventure, the want for money, power, fame... Not all are so complacent.
There are myriad ways to get what one wants, or where one wants. In Odette, the power games are politics, secrets, and celebrity. The ambassadors from the other lands of the Orbit, hungry aristocrats, and aspiring artists. In Odile, it’s sex, violence, and drugs. Courtesans, assassins, and dealers. And all of it dipped in magic.
Outside of Cieldormir and the surrounding lands, there are the many other territories of the Orbit.
Cieldormir has a democratically elected Prime Minister and two Senate Houses. One Senate is elected by the people and directly controls the legislature of the city. The other Senate is comprised of ambassadors from the outside territories, and serves to keep peace in the Orbit. The Prime Minister’s main functions are to facilitate the relationship between the two bodies and serve as a leader for the city.
Factions of Odette hold a great deal of sway over political matters, legitimate business dealings, and law enforcement. In addition to the listed Factions, there are smaller Noble houses and guilds that exist. These families and organizations may not have the resources or status to match larger entities, but still have some influences.
The Orbit Senate: Members of the Orbit Senate are among the most powerful people. They represent their lands in the capital city and wield great amounts of influence.
The Ciel Senate: The Ciel Senate is comprised of elected citizens of the city. Members come from a variety of different backgrounds, as each is elected by a specific district.
The Ciel Shadow: The “secret agents” of the Cieldormir government, they answer directly to the Prime Minister. Little is known about their tactics, agents, or possible headquarters.
Children of Ciel: The predominant faith within the Orbit, which directly worships Ciel. The main chapel resides within Odette and is overseen by the Ciel Clair, a position with a life-term and elected by the highest members of the faith. The Ciel Clair decides the stance of the faith on political and social matters, which makes it a powerful title. The current Ciel Clair is Kirby Claremont.
The Nailo Family: A powerful family of spell casting Elves that made their name in politics. While they have been fearsome and ruthless in the past, the current head of the family has made many efforts to become a beacon of good in the city. The current family head is Ilithyia Nailo.
The Wallbuilder Group: A union of Dwarves (with a smattering of others at the lowest level) with interests in construction, agriculture, mining, and other manual labor industries. They use their position in the city to usurp contracts from smaller guilds. Controlled by a cloister of old bloodline Dwarves.
Blacklillys: The Blacklilly family established itself within Cieldormir as healers, creating a number of medical centers within the city. They are known for their philanthropy and efforts to bridge the gap between the cultures in Odette and Odile. The family is currently under the direction of Darla Blacklilly.
The Wedge: A group of entertainers, rich kids, and social climbers that blur the lines between an Odette and Odile specific faction. The leader and roster seem to fluctuate with the seasons, with few longstanding members. Only the most “hip” get invited to their parties or travel within their circle.
Factions of Odile control the less savory elements of the city. The magic black market, illicit intoxicants, and all other vices are within their domain. While several large Factions Control a majority of the action, there are smaller gangs and fallen bloodlines that are hungry for a bigger cut.
The Ciel Shields: The “beat cops” of Cieldormir. They serve both sides of the divide, but the overwhelming majority of the guard reside in Odile. Some are honest, some are crooked.
The Thorne Family: The largest organized crime operation in the city, controlled by Tycoon Thorne. Mostly involved in heists, drug trafficking, and racketeering. Maintains a legitimate front as an importing and exporting business.
Madfactory: A guild of intoxicant producers and peddlers led by Madfingers the Bold, a Gnome rumored to be as old as the Orbit. The organization is shadowy and quick to jettison anyone they fear may betray their secrecy.
Orchid Club: The controllers of the highly-profitable world of prostitution. Legal within Cieldormir, they hold a considerable amount of power despite the negative attitude toward their business. The current Madam Orchid is Kenzie Blacklilly.
The Orc Union: The Orcs of Cieldormir learned long ago that there strength was better put to work than to war. Assembling into a Union, they fought to earn equal wages to less monstrous creatures and established themselves in many of the manual labor fields. The most honest of the Odile Factions, but still not above using strong-arm tactics to get their way.
The Wobbly Clan: An organization of orphans and bastards of the old bloodlines. Their connection to magic is stronger than the average citizen, but for whatever reason, these individuals find themselves cast out from their powerful families or guilds. They control much of the entertainment industry within Odile, such as taverns, clubs, and theatres.
I totally on board with your Politics, Factions, and Government in Cieldormir section post... nice knowing the general world creation don't get me wrong for glossing over that, good to know the world in general backstory... but then the politics and stuff are the meat on the bone at least to me. Anyway, descriptions are very direct... to the point, easy to read through and get a good understanding of it all and how things interconnect to a good extent.
Some of the groups I see are actual families (at least my impression from the quick read) comprised of a particular race like The Nailo Family (Elves) does that include Half-Elves related on their Elf side? Which leads me to the question... are there more than one variety of say Elves... subraces of Elves in the world... High Elves, Wood Elves, Dark Elves, etc.?
The Thorne Family and the Ciel Shieldslove where you are going there.
The Blacklilly family no indication of any specific race connected there as the others do... so is this a total mix or a mystery thing?
Will players like me... looking to submit a character to you be able to backstory and place their character into an established family or organization? Maybe not at the top or anything but within... like an entry or mid-level thing? Or have a general connection like a group/family as an ally another an enemy? Could be fun to require player character pick at least one of each category for flavor or the GM assign for the player to discover and deal with through play.
A lot to work with, in any event for players to draw from in fleshing out their characters and backstories so that is the main thing many will look for that you have well established. I love urban settings, gritty noir crime, mysteries and the occult lurking under and in an urban setting much more than the wilds so very appealing to me and those of the same bent.
The races present if the Orbit are a result of what Ciel was able to save from collapsing realities. Humans, Elves, and Dwarves are believed to be what populated her home world, and when attempting to preserve these races as well as an impossible variety of animal life... Other races were birthed. Gnomes and Halflings were blurs of the traits of the original races. Humanoids with animal traits were created through the mixing of creatures’ essences.
It is whispered about that many monsters were also inadvertently saved by Ciel, but that the most fearsome of them were locked away in vaults beneath the largest landmass of the Orbit. These creatures’ beings were also intermingled and gave the new world a far greater variety of strange monstrosities than had been present in the reality that had been destroyed.
The First Races of the Orbit
Humans: Humans come in all manner of variations or skin tones, hair colors, eye hues, body types, sexualities, faiths, and tastes. Their lifespan is roughly one hundred years. They are regarded as the most well balanced of the First Races. Humans have a balance of magic ability, as well as more traditional strengths, such as manufacturing and farming.
Their origin place is Egalaria, the largest landmass of the Shattered Lands. Known for it’s acceptance of other races and loose legal code, it is now home to a variety of different creatures, but Humans remain the vast majority. The predominant exports of Egalaria are agricultural goods and textiles. Kauf is the capital of Egalaria.
Elves: Elves are possibly more diverse than humans in the permutations that are displayed. Beside general differences in physical characteristics, there are many varying ‘breeds’ of Elf. Each seems to have unique aspects to how it’s Elven parentage presents itself. The Elves are very strongly connected to the inherent magic of the Orbit. They are not very well versed in mechanical devices or in construction.
The homeland of Elves is the Hanging Valley, a large free-floating landmass comprised of an enormous river valley, with lush forests, palpable magic, and plentiful resources. The Valley has a strict legal code and caste system based upon magical ability. Immigration is minimal. The largest exports are lumber and magical services (crafting magical items, dispelling curses, etc.). The capital of the Hanging Valley is Nailos.
Dwarves: Dwarves have the smallest number of variants. While they have many differences in physical traits as do the other First Races, there are less major sub races of Dwarf. While they excel in construction and other physically demanding tasks, they show the least connection to the magic of the Orbit among the First Races.
Originally settled in the Flying Mountains, a massive mountain range that hangs in the air just off the ‘coast’ of the largest landmass. The Dwarves have constructed a heavily reinforced bridge that extends from the Flying Mountains to the mainland to help expedite trade and other travel. The Dwarves equally value tradition and progress. There is a fair amount of immigration (particularly among more monstrous races), mostly taking up residence in the mountains. The main exports of the Dwarves are stone and other mined materials. The Dwarven Capital is Strut.
The Offspring of the Orbit
“Half-Elf”: The term “Half-Elf” is widely regarded as a misnomer, as most individuals with only one Elf parent still usually identify as an Elf.
Gnomes: Gnomes are the product of an Elf and a Dwarf. They are known for the creation of magical devices and machines.
Halflings: Halflings are the result of a union of a Human and a Dwarf. They are known for their hospitality.
There are also several races that appear to be the blending of a humanoid and an animal. Including Tabaxi, Tortles, and Kenku, among others. They predominantly exist in the Shards, the smaller ‘islands’ of the Shattered Lands. Each has a separate culture with it’s own traditions and mores. While each of these lands is visited frequently for trade or tourism, immigration is relatively low.
More monstrous races are also a part of the Orbit society, including Orcs/Half-Orcs, Tielflings, and others. Counted among the ‘monsters’ collected by Ciel accidentally, some have become civilized and established their own settlements. More often than not, the truly sociable of these creatures migrate to Cieldormir or another heavily blended city.
Odette The Senate House. A large building constructed out of the finest materials, elaborately detailed with architectural accents. There are many magical wards and other security measures in place. The most heavily guarded place in Cieldormir (and presumably the Orbit). It is where both Senates operate from, as well as the Prime Minister. The Orbit Senators and the Prime Minister all maintain quarters there, and there is also a large live-in staff.
Ciel’s Sphere. The largest temple to Ciel in the Orbit. Home to the Ciel Clair and many other functionaries of the faith. The top of the building is a large dome with an opening at the top to serve as a ‘direct path’ to Ciel.
Varholt Theatre. A large auditorium that plays host to the biggest performances in Cieldormir. The lobby has an enormous skylight, the interior of the theater is illuminated by magical chandeliers, seats are upholstered with the finest cloth. Truly a luxurious experience for those that can afford it.
Nest. The fanciest tavern in Cieldormir. Each item costs what a feast at anywhere in Odile would cost. They serve only the most affluent clientele. The entire interior of the tavern is a stark white and the furniture is minimal. There are small tables, low to the floor. There is no seating and no actual ‘bar,’ as everything is delivered by servers. There are no weapons, armor, or shoes allowed beyond the entranceway. There are many wards in place to prevent spell casting.
Thorne’s. The classic gangster bar with dim lighting and shady characters. While located in Odette, the majority of the regulars are Odile residents affiliated with the family business.
Also in Odette...
SwanSong Stores. Located throughout Odette. Stores that exclusively sell magical items created by SwanSong.
Alshum Oddities. The upscale magic shop.
Blacklilly Healing. Multiple locations, even a few in Odile. Medical facilities for Cieldormir. Operated by the Blacklillys and their associates.
Velzmart. Many clean, convenient locations. General provisions. The employees pretend not to hate you.
Wallbuilder Weaponers. There are a few different outlets throughout Odette. Armor and weapons. Owned and operated by the Wallbuilder Group.
Odette Academy. The school system of Odette is housed in a number of different locations and provided education for all age levels and in all fields.
Odile The Shield Shed. A large building that houses the Ciel Shields headquarters and courthouse, as well as a subterranean prison for the felons of the Orbit. While the building serves an important function, it’s location in Odile leaves it short in funding. The building itself is well-constructed, but shows disrepair in many places.
BH0LdRs LAiR. The most popular nightclub in Cieldormir. The resident DJ is, in fact, a Beholder, and the club is his lair. The music is very loud. The drinks are very expensive. The girls are very easy. And the DJ could probably kill everybody inside very easy. Owned by the Wobbly Clan.
Orchid Mansion. The home of the highest in Orchid Club pecking order. The most opulent, lavish living quarters one could imagine. The mansion itself is huge and has two separate buildings that serve as servants’ quarters, in addition to a large stable. It’s invitation only. Security is possibly second only to the Senate House.
Madfactory. Hidden somewhere in Odile is the facility that produces the majority of the illicit intoxicants and other illegal substances of Cieldormir. The proprietor is Madfingers the Bold, and his organization is named after his greatest achievement.
The Lonely Orc. The most visited dive bar in all of the Orbit. What it lacks in amenities or atmosphere, it makes up for in opportunity. It’s place in Cieldormir history is firmly established. Many adventures have begun here. So have lots of fights. Be careful!
The Barfbarian. The local watering hole that caters to the Ciel Shields. A bare bones kind of tavern with simple wooden tables and stools. There is a strictly enforced ‘no weapons’ policy while on premises. Home of sick karaoke.
Other Odile Locations...
Flower Shoppe. Several throughout Odile. Taverns that also provide company for a price. Controlled by Orchid Club.
Dealers for Madfactory are pretty easy to find. Especially at...
Keviths. General provisions. Run down, little bodegas. The employees hate you.
Orc Shops. Weapons and armor manufactured by the Orc Union. Not as fancy as Wallbuilder equipment, but more cost effective.
Tataow’s Magic Outlet. The magic pawnshop. Run by Tataow, the Magician. Cheaper than Alshum’s, but buyer beware.
Odile Public School. The school system (and juvenile detention facility) of Odile. Not nearly as well funded as the Academy, OPS offers less of everything in less buildings with less staff, except lots more opportunity to grow up to join Madfactory or Orchid Club.
Beneath the city...
It has long been rumored that under the city, below the service tunnels, subways, and sewers, that there are hidden vaults. Supposedly, the greatest treasures of Ciel's home dimension were collected and locked away here. The heart of all the magic in all Cieldormir, the Singularity, is perhaps the greatest legend. Those that have ventured into these subterranean areas, and returned, have told stories of unimaginable monsters.
There's also a giant sized list of NPCs. Most of the details exist in all my little handwritten notes at the moment, but this is the list of the who's who. I'll edit with (probably entirely too much) additional info later.
Important People of Cieldormir and the Organizations they Oversee
Government:
Prime Minister Jarrett Cornette
Odette Senator Eltamar Varholt
Odette Senator Puddles
Odette Senator Drake Greyson
Odile Senator Bell Thorne
Odile Senator Naomi Fumbledown
Odile Senator Bailey Steward
Mick Fumbledown is the Captain of the Ciel Shields.
Faction Heads:
Jah Wobbly is the leader of the Wobbly Clan.
Kenzie Blacklilly is the Madam of Orchid Club.
Ontus Ignon is the Chief of the Orc Union.
Madfingers the Bold is leader of Madfactory.
Esme York is the current Queen of the Wedge.
Family Heads:
Ilithyia Nailo is the matriarch of the Nailo Family.
Some of the groups I see are actual families (at least my impression from the quick read) comprised of a particular race like The Nailo Family (Elves) does that include Half-Elves related on their Elf side? Which leads me to the question... are there more than one variety of say Elves... subraces of Elves in the world... High Elves, Wood Elves, Dark Elves, etc.?
The Thorne Family and the Ciel Shieldslove where you are going there.
The Blacklilly family no indication of any specific race connected there as the others do... so is this a total mix or a mystery thing?
Will players like me... looking to submit a character to you be able to backstory and place their character into an established family or organization? Maybe not at the top or anything but within... like an entry or mid-level thing? Or have a general connection like a group/family as an ally another an enemy? Could be fun to require player character pick at least one of each category for flavor or the GM assign for the player to discover and deal with through play.
First thing... All the Elves. I love Elves. It’s a thing. They all exist, just variations like we see in humans. No Spider Queen or any of that. It’s just a genetic difference.
Blacklillys will be explained. It’ll be fun.
I’m perfectly happy if somebody wants to roleplay a common thief on his first day, or a lady with a rediculous position in high society. That’s some of the most fun for me. Finding out how to make it all work!
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Ooh, hi there! Tl;dr... I get frustrated with the state of the game at my shop. Wanted to homebrew something different. Hours later, had the skeleton of this whole thing and was sorta amped about it. I started looking for players to see if anybody would even want their fictional buddies setting foot in there. Yeah. Response was kind of overwhelming. Since I wanna get the ball rolling on this, flesh it out into a whole thing, and have it not feel totes half-assed, I figured it would be a good idea to post here and get feedback from the community (and give these players a peek at what’s in store). The basic gist is the world gets destroyed by magical war and a wizard manages to save some, but just scraps. It’s essentially a big “flat Earth” sort of landmass with several smaller ones that float inside this atmosphere bubble. It all “orbits” around the capital city, Cieldormir. I’d love feedback.
The Orbit: the highest + the lowest
Approximately one thousand years ago, a war broke out in a world overflowing with magic. The powers at play were great enough to tear the realm from it’s moorings within existence. In an instant, almost every living creature was wiped from being. Only through the intervention of a powerful Wizard was anything saved. As parallel planes shattered together around her, she used her abilities to reach out and save whatever she could.
In the void that remained, she had created a bubble of life, that floated slowly through it. Inside the pocket she opened were the scraps from different realms that she had managed to preserve. Some lands had been merged, others hovered in space, and a few were even hidden. Those that would become the ancestors of the races of this “world” were all touched by her in some way.
Before she ascended to a crystal palace in the sky, she crafted the foundation for the capital city of the Orbit, Cieldormir... Of course, these are all just legends. The myths of creation. The world is old enough that those that were there at the beginning are long gone, but young enough that their oral traditions remain. The people of the Orbit still talk about Ciel and wonder if she really is up there. Some stories question if she was the only one to survive the death of her reality.
Cieldormir and it’s surrounding territory are a melting pot of races, classes, and ideas. Unlike the origin lands for the various races, which display xenophobic tendencies, a progressive mindset prevails. The city itself is divided by a river into two districts: Odette and Odile. Odette is polite and tidy, the haven of the old bloodlines of the Orbit. Odile is grim and gritty, a place where the desperate come to make dreams come true.
Magic fuels both halves of the city. A number of magical conveniences make life in the city unlike anywhere else in the Orbit. There is public transit, sanitation, law enforcement, and all the other infrastructure of a living city. Many industries are dependent upon, or at least aided by, the strong magic that exists within the realm. Magic items are frequently created, bought, and sold. Some bloodlines are more attuned to this inherent magic and have turned that into industry, and influence, within the city.
Over the past two centuries, a Senate has formed in Odette to represent all the citizens of the Orbit. This has firmly established Cieldormir as the capital of the world, as well as Odette’s position as the city’s crown jewel. Odile became where all the dirty secrets were kept. So by coincidence or design, this led to organized crime using it as a central meeting location.
The people of the Orbit are predominantly content. There has been widespread peace for decades. Resources are abundant. It’s not difficult to make an honest living. However... be it simple wanderlust, the thrill of adventure, the want for money, power, fame... Not all are so complacent.
There are myriad ways to get what one wants, or where one wants. In Odette, the power games are politics, secrets, and celebrity. The ambassadors from the other lands of the Orbit, hungry aristocrats, and aspiring artists. In Odile, it’s sex, violence, and drugs. Courtesans, assassins, and dealers. And all of it dipped in magic.
Outside of Cieldormir and the surrounding lands, there are the many other territories of the Orbit.
I’m working on all the outer lands.
More? Yeah, there’s more.
Politics, Factions, and Government in Cieldormir
Cieldormir has a democratically elected Prime Minister and two Senate Houses. One Senate is elected by the people and directly controls the legislature of the city. The other Senate is comprised of ambassadors from the outside territories, and serves to keep peace in the Orbit. The Prime Minister’s main functions are to facilitate the relationship between the two bodies and serve as a leader for the city.
Factions of Odette hold a great deal of sway over political matters, legitimate business dealings, and law enforcement. In addition to the listed Factions, there are smaller Noble houses and guilds that exist. These families and organizations may not have the resources or status to match larger entities, but still have some influences.
The Orbit Senate: Members of the Orbit Senate are among the most powerful people. They represent their lands in the capital city and wield great amounts of influence.
The Ciel Senate: The Ciel Senate is comprised of elected citizens of the city. Members come from a variety of different backgrounds, as each is elected by a specific district.
The Ciel Shadow: The “secret agents” of the Cieldormir government, they answer directly to the Prime Minister. Little is known about their tactics, agents, or possible headquarters.
Children of Ciel: The predominant faith within the Orbit, which directly worships Ciel. The main chapel resides within Odette and is overseen by the Ciel Clair, a position with a life-term and elected by the highest members of the faith. The Ciel Clair decides the stance of the faith on political and social matters, which makes it a powerful title. The current Ciel Clair is Kirby Claremont.
The Nailo Family: A powerful family of spell casting Elves that made their name in politics. While they have been fearsome and ruthless in the past, the current head of the family has made many efforts to become a beacon of good in the city. The current family head is Ilithyia Nailo.
The Wallbuilder Group: A union of Dwarves (with a smattering of others at the lowest level) with interests in construction, agriculture, mining, and other manual labor industries. They use their position in the city to usurp contracts from smaller guilds. Controlled by a cloister of old bloodline Dwarves.
Blacklillys: The Blacklilly family established itself within Cieldormir as healers, creating a number of medical centers within the city. They are known for their philanthropy and efforts to bridge the gap between the cultures in Odette and Odile. The family is currently under the direction of Darla Blacklilly.
The Wedge: A group of entertainers, rich kids, and social climbers that blur the lines between an Odette and Odile specific faction. The leader and roster seem to fluctuate with the seasons, with few longstanding members. Only the most “hip” get invited to their parties or travel within their circle.
Factions of Odile control the less savory elements of the city. The magic black market, illicit intoxicants, and all other vices are within their domain. While several large Factions Control a majority of the action, there are smaller gangs and fallen bloodlines that are hungry for a bigger cut.
The Ciel Shields: The “beat cops” of Cieldormir. They serve both sides of the divide, but the overwhelming majority of the guard reside in Odile. Some are honest, some are crooked.
The Thorne Family: The largest organized crime operation in the city, controlled by Tycoon Thorne. Mostly involved in heists, drug trafficking, and racketeering. Maintains a legitimate front as an importing and exporting business.
Madfactory: A guild of intoxicant producers and peddlers led by Madfingers the Bold, a Gnome rumored to be as old as the Orbit. The organization is shadowy and quick to jettison anyone they fear may betray their secrecy.
Orchid Club: The controllers of the highly-profitable world of prostitution. Legal within Cieldormir, they hold a considerable amount of power despite the negative attitude toward their business. The current Madam Orchid is Kenzie Blacklilly.
The Orc Union: The Orcs of Cieldormir learned long ago that there strength was better put to work than to war. Assembling into a Union, they fought to earn equal wages to less monstrous creatures and established themselves in many of the manual labor fields. The most honest of the Odile Factions, but still not above using strong-arm tactics to get their way.
The Wobbly Clan: An organization of orphans and bastards of the old bloodlines. Their connection to magic is stronger than the average citizen, but for whatever reason, these individuals find themselves cast out from their powerful families or guilds. They control much of the entertainment industry within Odile, such as taverns, clubs, and theatres.
I totally on board with your Politics, Factions, and Government in Cieldormir section post... nice knowing the general world creation don't get me wrong for glossing over that, good to know the world in general backstory... but then the politics and stuff are the meat on the bone at least to me. Anyway, descriptions are very direct... to the point, easy to read through and get a good understanding of it all and how things interconnect to a good extent.
Some of the groups I see are actual families (at least my impression from the quick read) comprised of a particular race like The Nailo Family (Elves) does that include Half-Elves related on their Elf side? Which leads me to the question... are there more than one variety of say Elves... subraces of Elves in the world... High Elves, Wood Elves, Dark Elves, etc.?
The Thorne Family and the Ciel Shields love where you are going there.
The Blacklilly family no indication of any specific race connected there as the others do... so is this a total mix or a mystery thing?
Will players like me... looking to submit a character to you be able to backstory and place their character into an established family or organization? Maybe not at the top or anything but within... like an entry or mid-level thing? Or have a general connection like a group/family as an ally another an enemy? Could be fun to require player character pick at least one of each category for flavor or the GM assign for the player to discover and deal with through play.
A lot to work with, in any event for players to draw from in fleshing out their characters and backstories so that is the main thing many will look for that you have well established. I love urban settings, gritty noir crime, mysteries and the occult lurking under and in an urban setting much more than the wilds so very appealing to me and those of the same bent.
So, there’s still oodles more...
Races in the Orbit
The races present if the Orbit are a result of what Ciel was able to save from collapsing realities. Humans, Elves, and Dwarves are believed to be what populated her home world, and when attempting to preserve these races as well as an impossible variety of animal life... Other races were birthed. Gnomes and Halflings were blurs of the traits of the original races. Humanoids with animal traits were created through the mixing of creatures’ essences.
It is whispered about that many monsters were also inadvertently saved by Ciel, but that the most fearsome of them were locked away in vaults beneath the largest landmass of the Orbit. These creatures’ beings were also intermingled and gave the new world a far greater variety of strange monstrosities than had been present in the reality that had been destroyed.
The First Races of the Orbit
Humans: Humans come in all manner of variations or skin tones, hair colors, eye hues, body types, sexualities, faiths, and tastes. Their lifespan is roughly one hundred years. They are regarded as the most well balanced of the First Races. Humans have a balance of magic ability, as well as more traditional strengths, such as manufacturing and farming.
Their origin place is Egalaria, the largest landmass of the Shattered Lands. Known for it’s acceptance of other races and loose legal code, it is now home to a variety of different creatures, but Humans remain the vast majority. The predominant exports of Egalaria are agricultural goods and textiles. Kauf is the capital of Egalaria.
Elves: Elves are possibly more diverse than humans in the permutations that are displayed. Beside general differences in physical characteristics, there are many varying ‘breeds’ of Elf. Each seems to have unique aspects to how it’s Elven parentage presents itself. The Elves are very strongly connected to the inherent magic of the Orbit. They are not very well versed in mechanical devices or in construction.
The homeland of Elves is the Hanging Valley, a large free-floating landmass comprised of an enormous river valley, with lush forests, palpable magic, and plentiful resources. The Valley has a strict legal code and caste system based upon magical ability. Immigration is minimal. The largest exports are lumber and magical services (crafting magical items, dispelling curses, etc.). The capital of the Hanging Valley is Nailos.
Dwarves: Dwarves have the smallest number of variants. While they have many differences in physical traits as do the other First Races, there are less major sub races of Dwarf. While they excel in construction and other physically demanding tasks, they show the least connection to the magic of the Orbit among the First Races.
Originally settled in the Flying Mountains, a massive mountain range that hangs in the air just off the ‘coast’ of the largest landmass. The Dwarves have constructed a heavily reinforced bridge that extends from the Flying Mountains to the mainland to help expedite trade and other travel. The Dwarves equally value tradition and progress. There is a fair amount of immigration (particularly among more monstrous races), mostly taking up residence in the mountains. The main exports of the Dwarves are stone and other mined materials. The Dwarven Capital is Strut.
The Offspring of the Orbit
“Half-Elf”: The term “Half-Elf” is widely regarded as a misnomer, as most individuals with only one Elf parent still usually identify as an Elf.
Gnomes: Gnomes are the product of an Elf and a Dwarf. They are known for the creation of magical devices and machines.
Halflings: Halflings are the result of a union of a Human and a Dwarf. They are known for their hospitality.
There are also several races that appear to be the blending of a humanoid and an animal. Including Tabaxi, Tortles, and Kenku, among others. They predominantly exist in the Shards, the smaller ‘islands’ of the Shattered Lands. Each has a separate culture with it’s own traditions and mores. While each of these lands is visited frequently for trade or tourism, immigration is relatively low.
More monstrous races are also a part of the Orbit society, including Orcs/Half-Orcs, Tielflings, and others. Counted among the ‘monsters’ collected by Ciel accidentally, some have become civilized and established their own settlements. More often than not, the truly sociable of these creatures migrate to Cieldormir or another heavily blended city.
Sights of Cieldormir
Odette
The Senate House. A large building constructed out of the finest materials, elaborately detailed with architectural accents. There are many magical wards and other security measures in place. The most heavily guarded place in Cieldormir (and presumably the Orbit). It is where both Senates operate from, as well as the Prime Minister. The Orbit Senators and the Prime Minister all maintain quarters there, and there is also a large live-in staff.
Ciel’s Sphere. The largest temple to Ciel in the Orbit. Home to the Ciel Clair and many other functionaries of the faith. The top of the building is a large dome with an opening at the top to serve as a ‘direct path’ to Ciel.
Varholt Theatre. A large auditorium that plays host to the biggest performances in Cieldormir. The lobby has an enormous skylight, the interior of the theater is illuminated by magical chandeliers, seats are upholstered with the finest cloth. Truly a luxurious experience for those that can afford it.
Nest. The fanciest tavern in Cieldormir. Each item costs what a feast at anywhere in Odile would cost. They serve only the most affluent clientele. The entire interior of the tavern is a stark white and the furniture is minimal. There are small tables, low to the floor. There is no seating and no actual ‘bar,’ as everything is delivered by servers. There are no weapons, armor, or shoes allowed beyond the entranceway. There are many wards in place to prevent spell casting.
Thorne’s. The classic gangster bar with dim lighting and shady characters. While located in Odette, the majority of the regulars are Odile residents affiliated with the family business.
Also in Odette...
SwanSong Stores. Located throughout Odette. Stores that exclusively sell magical items created by SwanSong.
Alshum Oddities. The upscale magic shop.
Blacklilly Healing. Multiple locations, even a few in Odile. Medical facilities for Cieldormir. Operated by the Blacklillys and their associates.
Velzmart. Many clean, convenient locations. General provisions. The employees pretend not to hate you.
Wallbuilder Weaponers. There are a few different outlets throughout Odette. Armor and weapons. Owned and operated by the Wallbuilder Group.
Odette Academy. The school system of Odette is housed in a number of different locations and provided education for all age levels and in all fields.
Odile
The Shield Shed. A large building that houses the Ciel Shields headquarters and courthouse, as well as a subterranean prison for the felons of the Orbit. While the building serves an important function, it’s location in Odile leaves it short in funding. The building itself is well-constructed, but shows disrepair in many places.
BH0LdRs LAiR. The most popular nightclub in Cieldormir. The resident DJ is, in fact, a Beholder, and the club is his lair. The music is very loud. The drinks are very expensive. The girls are very easy. And the DJ could probably kill everybody inside very easy. Owned by the Wobbly Clan.
Orchid Mansion. The home of the highest in Orchid Club pecking order. The most opulent, lavish living quarters one could imagine. The mansion itself is huge and has two separate buildings that serve as servants’ quarters, in addition to a large stable. It’s invitation only. Security is possibly second only to the Senate House.
Madfactory. Hidden somewhere in Odile is the facility that produces the majority of the illicit intoxicants and other illegal substances of Cieldormir. The proprietor is Madfingers the Bold, and his organization is named after his greatest achievement.
The Lonely Orc. The most visited dive bar in all of the Orbit. What it lacks in amenities or atmosphere, it makes up for in opportunity. It’s place in Cieldormir history is firmly established. Many adventures have begun here. So have lots of fights. Be careful!
The Barfbarian. The local watering hole that caters to the Ciel Shields. A bare bones kind of tavern with simple wooden tables and stools. There is a strictly enforced ‘no weapons’ policy while on premises. Home of sick karaoke.
Other Odile Locations...
Flower Shoppe. Several throughout Odile. Taverns that also provide company for a price. Controlled by Orchid Club.
Dealers for Madfactory are pretty easy to find. Especially at...
Keviths. General provisions. Run down, little bodegas. The employees hate you.
Orc Shops. Weapons and armor manufactured by the Orc Union. Not as fancy as Wallbuilder equipment, but more cost effective.
Tataow’s Magic Outlet. The magic pawnshop. Run by Tataow, the Magician. Cheaper than Alshum’s, but buyer beware.
Odile Public School. The school system (and juvenile detention facility) of Odile. Not nearly as well funded as the Academy, OPS offers less of everything in less buildings with less staff, except lots more opportunity to grow up to join Madfactory or Orchid Club.
Beneath the city...
It has long been rumored that under the city, below the service tunnels, subways, and sewers, that there are hidden vaults. Supposedly, the greatest treasures of Ciel's home dimension were collected and locked away here. The heart of all the magic in all Cieldormir, the Singularity, is perhaps the greatest legend. Those that have ventured into these subterranean areas, and returned, have told stories of unimaginable monsters.
There's also a giant sized list of NPCs. Most of the details exist in all my little handwritten notes at the moment, but this is the list of the who's who. I'll edit with (probably entirely too much) additional info later.
Important People of Cieldormir and the Organizations they Oversee
Government:
Prime Minister Jarrett Cornette
Odette Senator Eltamar Varholt
Odette Senator Puddles
Odette Senator Drake Greyson
Odile Senator Bell Thorne
Odile Senator Naomi Fumbledown
Odile Senator Bailey Steward
Mick Fumbledown is the Captain of the Ciel Shields.
Faction Heads:
Jah Wobbly is the leader of the Wobbly Clan.
Kenzie Blacklilly is the Madam of Orchid Club.
Ontus Ignon is the Chief of the Orc Union.
Madfingers the Bold is leader of Madfactory.
Esme York is the current Queen of the Wedge.
Family Heads:
Ilithyia Nailo is the matriarch of the Nailo Family.
Darla Blacklilly is the head of the Blacklillys.
Tycoon Thorne controls the Thorne Family.
Anders Varholt runs the Varholt Family.
First thing... All the Elves. I love Elves. It’s a thing. They all exist, just variations like we see in humans. No Spider Queen or any of that. It’s just a genetic difference.
Blacklillys will be explained. It’ll be fun.
I’m perfectly happy if somebody wants to roleplay a common thief on his first day, or a lady with a rediculous position in high society. That’s some of the most fun for me. Finding out how to make it all work!