This is all I have to offer for now. I assure you that much more lurks beyond. There is much yet that they fair folk would prefer to presently keep hidden. Is there something worse than a nightmare conspiracy, cross planar war or the elimination of countless lives? Hard to say. The fey will remain an eternal enigma to even most planars.
Author’s Note: Special thanks to King Corn and ripvanwormer of thepiazzaforums for some incredible ideas! Anyway, that’s it for me in terms of fey politics, intrigue and factions. Additional thanks to everyone who participated in the January 2022 RPG Blog Carnival! More after the jump.
Seelie, Unseelie, Four Seasons and a few minor houses. There is more from there. And by all means, all of them scheme and dream. All of them seek to triumph over the rest. And worst of all, to see one of them fully succeed would spell the end of the fey. Even those devout to Rhiannon would bring about their queen’s deepest fear. In the end, the politics and ways of these creatures are too alien to fully understand. How would they avoid absolute destruction? How would they rebuild? It would take a lot of speculation to imagine how pieces would be picked up by such truly unique creatures. But, a mix of Real Speak and Chant alike has been formulated into some well crafted notes. So, by all means read ahead and dare to discover how much of it is actual truth. Normally, I strive for truly gripping information that holds the tests of scrutiny. But, for cabals and corridors this deep, such endeavors are impossible. Perhaps I have been mislead by rivals? It is the fey way, after all.
Author’s Note: The last of them, at least for now. These remaining sects, like the three before, hold less overall political power and tend to be less centralized. However, most of them are some level of crazy, even by fey standards. Also, huge shout-out to The Piazza forums. Their ideas helped really bring this to life.
Your journey went as well as ours? Good, good. At the very least, you have gained a larger understanding of the mainstream political groups that dwell within the so-called Good Kingdom, Wyld Realms and many other a name. Regardless of what they courts may call themselves in that moment, they still hold sway and much command. Do not let their chaotic forces fool you, those who fully oppose them can for the moment unite in near legion. That Narrator is certainly not welcome within their grounds, letters within Sigil have made that clear. Though, I’m not sure that this mysterious figure is as insensitive or cruel as many make them out to be. That’s a matter that shall be discussed later. In the meantime, let us form a lecture around more looks into the fey. For the time being, we shall continue to look at the major power groups found within their realms, who they cooperate with and how they maintain a very tenuous cease fire. After all, tales of the epic sylvan war resulted in no winners and no conclusion. Fully realized organizations and groupings came from the schism. But in the end, none came to a common consensus or attempted to reconcile in full.
What has been stated before covers the 4 primary courts of the seasons within the Deep Ethereal pockets belonging to the Fair Folk. Many fey exist beyond the bickering of four seasons. Once one leaves the Ethereal and reaches for the Outer Planes, they may witness conflict over two distinct “newer” courts. The two so-called “traitor courts”, as they are called by the traditional fey of the Ethereal, act within Upper and Lower Planes. They are the Seelie and Unseelie respectively. For the Seelie, they are often found in Arborea, but not always. Likewise, the Unseelie typically dwell within the most wicked pits of Pandemonium. But, who are they? Likewise, the Seasonal Courts aren’t alone in the Ethereal. There are those who are not aligned with mainstream fey politics? Why certainly! There are tales of outsider societies as well as religious sects dedicated to ancient ways, ancient even by sylvan standards. From obnoxious rebels to the fey equivalent to heretics, many divisions and groups have formed.
Author’s Note: Part 2 of my look at fey factions, politics and the like. As I’ve said before, spirit type creatures needed more umph for the Planescape setting. So, this is my way of accomplishing that. So, let’s look at Upper Planes, Lower Planes, outsider societies and cults. By all means, most of this is supplementary (and some minor degree of altering) to what has been written about Seelie and Unseelie via the Monstrous Mythologies as well as Planes of Chaos and Planes of Conflict. In terms of outsiders and cults, that’ll need another post too. Stay tuned for that! This does not cover everything in detail, much like with part one. Consider looking under this link for much more.
The Mad Mage, he holds a key to various incarnations of reality, jumping from one image to the next. This portal gateway is unlike any other, as it explores different timelines and possibilities rather than other planes and worlds alone. Should you make your way beyond Halaster Blackcloak and his minions, you may unlock countless possibilities.
Who I am is not important. I leave all public record and identity to my humble guide, another reality traveler. The bipedal feline creature, known as Ramon DeLeon, has had experience with dark mirrors adjacent of reality on the Prime. The one I gaze upon, a Toril shredded by seemingly unending violence, this one frightens me. However, his words are reassuring. What is disconcerting is that “few will remember him”, whatever that is supposed to mean. But, when one has a reputation that precedes them, events can transpire almost any way.
Author’s Note: A post about the Forgotten Realms itself? Impossible! And yet, here we are! Many of my earliest gaming days were spent in Abeir-Toril. This post was meant to be made and posted a while ago, but yet that didn’t happen till now. Well, here is an expansion on an old post detailing parallel universes. The Torilian one, torn by war, is actually the version of the Realms I’ve played with for over a decade. Also, behold the final piece to the Antorek plot thing… even though it’s actually the first thing that started this whole mess. Literally. This is where the character came from. Is this the last of my looks at D&D realities? Probably not, but perhaps this is another sign I hope to move away. Anyway, Happy New Year, to arms and battle stations! Likewise, stay tuned for my January 2022 RPG Blog Carnival! I have a few more tricks up my sleeve! Also, thank last year’s Twilight Zone marathon for inspiring the thick of this!
Gather quickly, my free time is limited. I have dire and gruesome fortunes to unearth.
Alleissa, the protege of Midwife Mebbeth can do more than treat what ails ya and talk about the art a bit. Did you know I have some knack for fortunes and looking at possible events? Don’t just take my word for it… Gaze into this crystal ball and allow me to show you. Why are you reluctant? Despite this adorable fuzzy rodent face, I swear I won’t call ‘The Us’ to you. Between you and I, the Brain-Muncher Vampires from the Below make better friends than the Cranium Rats… at least the ones who aren’t too barmy. Anyway, divination. Sure! Let me see likely scenarios and the unlikely…
Hmm… Hmm… Oh my… All of these look rather grim. Day to day in the Cage already brings its own ample bad news. But, one always finds a way to adapt and perhaps normalize the horrors around them. On a much better note, good can always come from these bad events. After all, a mad tinker “pure blood” married I, a witch and a mutant. I already know the next of kin will be healthy. Plus, I’ve made sure many young in The Hive live and grow, in addition to seeing their own first light of day. Even the aging and old, they’ve continued better thanks to my mentor and later me. So, perhaps that’s a sign of positives among rather negative days. But, onto the readings themselves, I warn you that the foreboding you sense is warranted. Dark things lie ahead. Do you still want to hear more? Should you not want to, it’s understandable.
Author’s Note: Alleissa, the rat mutant, returns. This is just a series of scenarios based on what CAN happen with the plot hooks I set up. I don’t know if I’ll touch on them beyond this or the after effects. After all, you’re all free to use my plot hooks as you’d like. And yes, I straight up ripped off the Halo trilogy and a bit from Buckaroo Banzai! Likewise, let’s tie up some plots with the Acts of Balance. For now, I want to close the door on some Planescape metaplot. And with that, have some Sigilian nightmares this chilly season.
The Steam Titan is a curious host. The world itself is hostile to most life, but its moons offer a diverse array of habitats and beings. None the less, the gases within the world have proved most useful in propelling already technical societies far forward, with fascinating innovations. But, what of other worlds within the sphere?
Author’s Notes: To keep in line with the fiction of the era, many of the worlds refer to various dime novel/pulpy tropes and then some, such as the lost world, masked heroics, divine revelation, proto-cosmic horror and then some. Likewise, a poke at the genre mashup and rules-Frankenstein needed to make all of this possible. Hell, one of the worlds is even more tie-in to my RavenScape stuff. Anyway, here’s a post JAM PACKED with content! Enjoy! Perhaps at some point, I’ll return to Steamspace.
“So, what you’re trying to tell me is that you’re not an elf?”
-“No, sir.”
“And this isn’t the North Pole?”
-“It could be!”
“So… Sargent, have you been trying to mess with my goddamn mind this whole time?”
*”I’m in the fog as much as you are, Major! This ain’t Earth, it’s aliens. Roswell and all! Aliens!”
“Get a grip of yourself. This, err, non-elf can help us. Now, isn’t that right?”
Author’s Note: Two instances of New Jersey in the multiverse. Why? Because it ain’t as bad as everyone likes to say! Also, it’s a little smaller this time. Look out for next time, it’s a big one!
A fascinating cluster of worlds unlike any other. There is one true world within steamspace, an incredible Gas Giant that bounced between several sun-like star shapes. Orbiting the giant are many moons which foster life, while acting as a means of sampling the greater world for the benefit of the denizens below. This charter details the various inhabitants upon each of the moons. The Known Moons of the Gaseous Body, a cosmic cradle that harbors a bubbling and steaming watery world below known as “Steam Titan”, are as follows: Bashar, Destiny Expanse, Victoriana, Noire, Metallum and maybe even more. Splinter from the Iron Coil Gnome crew became a vital part in the infrastructure and well being of the moons themselves. While the company presence in the Crystal Sphere fizzled as fleets of Minoi entered roughly ten years ago, they left behind means of survival on otherwise hostile worlds. Enter moons built on extremes and oddities. Behold a fantastic gas giant that tethers all of them together, the very source of wondrous power here. But for today, let us look at the first two moons.
Author’s Note: Remember my Weird Western? Al’Bashar? Bits on Space Victorian British? Blatant Stephen King rip-offs? Well, it’s all part of the same world cluster! Also, expect a handful of homages to bits of pulp, sci-fi and then some. In fairness, this is the kind of insane crack I’d come up with when I did more with 2E AD&D. In short, mixing Spelljammer with Masque of the Red Death Ravenloft and Gamma World 4th Edition mechanics together would make something like this.
Some mad scholars and greybeards speak of the Demiplane of Dread in hushed whispers. But, this is not the only accursed place to float within the Wheel. No. Other planes have been covered, including rather lightly from Ramon the Planes Chronicler. But, his information is too sparse to be helpful to many. I, a humble scribe assisting “The Narrator” shall regale you with wonders and horrors alike. Know that the planes isn’t just dangerous at times, it’s an unending nightmare. Prepare to never wake up again and let us continue our journey.
Author’s Note: Happy Halloween from The Planes! I figure it’s time to mix things up. So, RavenScape madness continues as I also look at nightmares of the Great Wheel both canonical and fanon.
I realize that my lesson started and shifted a but abruptly. But, you seek the worst and weirdest that arcane space has to offer. Why would I slouch on a golden opportunity to explain all that is delightfully dooming in the stars beyond? Ah, yes. Do stop me at any moment. As much as I relish spreading nightmares, it could be bad for the tutoring contract. So, young one, let us talk particular subjects involving space today. After all, fear not when being taught by the famous Jermaine the Arcane. I always provide means of rescue advice.
Author’s Note: Spelljammer, at last! All the same, October kinda of usurped a bit of that. And so with that, have some RavenJammer! Likewise, conspiracies and mysteries within the setting too. Also, the largest heresy to the alternate cosmologies, they’re just Crystal Spheres with Planar elements… Don’t be mad at me! Plus hey, I love a good conspiracy angle, the retcon fits the Great Wheel and its many mysteries to some extent. Primers be damned! (But, mostly Clueless.)
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Daemons & Deathrays 
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