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  1. #1
    Grimwell, Cerilian
    Guest

    Mortal, Shadow World relations

    I sent this direct to Adam first, and he gave it his approval. :) Now I'll
    share it with everyone here. Comments welcome.

    The first real metaphysical question I developed about the Shadow World was
    this: Before the Shadow came, what was it, why was it, who made it, etc.
    This is what I worked out for an answer that works for me.

    The Shadow World was originally more akin to a Faerie Realm as described in
    some mythologies. The creatures there were mostly benign when they held
    sentience, and mostly normal when they were animals.

    The only dominant race that was on the plane was that of Halflings. Yes,
    there was an odd assortment of Pixies and other members of the Fae, but by
    and large the race that "controlled" this plane were halflings.

    Where did they come from? How did they inherit (what I interpert as
    being...) such a paradise and come to make it their own? If this was the
    creation of some God(s), why are there no competing races, as is common to
    other worlds??? Simple, direct, and valid questions. Not from the Cerilian
    point of view, but from a designer/context feel.

    My answer was this: What is now called the "Shadow World" was originally a
    demi-paradise vision of Cerilia created by Yondalla (mother goddess of
    halflings) as a way to reward certain special members of her favored race.
    Yondalla was able to manipulate some kind of
    universal/metaphysical/astronomical/magical twist that was linked to the
    fact that Cerilia/Abernis has no Crystal Sphere, or other "normal" planar
    contact as found on other worlds. Cerilia seems to be isolated in it's own
    small universe and does not abide by the rules of other known worlds.
    Yondalla was the first "other Universe" God to discover the small pocket
    universe that held Cerilia, and she found, in it, a good way to create a
    special place for members of her faith who had yet to break their mortal
    coils.

    In short effect: Yondalla was able to mirror Cerilia and make a special
    paradise to bring her people to when they were threatened with genocide on
    other worlds. She made a safe place to hide them and protect them. How long
    this went on as so, I have yet to wager a guess. It's just a nice little
    paradise for the living faithful of Yondalla, from worlds where they might
    not have thrived.

    When the time of Shadows came, the essence of Azrai spread easily over
    Yondalla's mirror plane, and broke many holes between it and Cerilia.
    Azrai's corrupting essence completely defiled Yondalla's creation, and the
    shadows that rose up began to oust her people. In short time the entire
    demiplane that is the Shadow World had been completely corrupted, the plants
    and animals either took on aspects of the Shadow, or died out entirely. The
    creatuers of Fae fled or died as the Shadow crawled across this plane.

    The halflings, being the most populous, took the brunt of the effect of the
    Shadow over the land. They were put on the run, fleeing the hordes of
    undead, and worse, that swarmed over their plane. Many died in flight, but
    over time, a few others escapted through portals into the "light". This is
    what brought halflings into Cerilia.

    These halflings, as a result of the Shadow's corruption, took on new
    abilities and traits that made them different from Yondolla's pure stock.
    Thus their Shadow abilities. In the course of this change, and their flight,
    all traces of Yondolla's religion were lost. Initially, some halflings
    rememberd faint ideas of a mother goddess protecting them, but these
    memories slowly faded as the halflings remained on Cerilia and began to be
    dominated by Cerilian Gods.

    Why? Because a part of what made Yondolla able to mirror Cerilia initially
    also prevented the intrusion of her, or any other offworld God from fully
    entering the world of Cerilia. Add in the effect of the coming of the
    Shadow, and her memory was entirely lost. Note that even Goblin deities have
    a hard time making any headway agaisnt the native Cerilian gods.

    What impact did this have on the halflings? Driven from their homes,
    loosing their goddess, being corrupted by the Shadow... It was not a good
    one. All halflings have a "hole" in their soul. One that was once filled by
    Yondolla. As they approach their teen years (similar to bloodlines) this
    hole becomes felt intuitively by halflings. They begin to yearn for
    something more, fufillment. In some ways, this yearning is akin to the
    "wanderlust" of a Kender on Krynn. It's primary difference is that it's not
    a desire to get out and see more; it is, instead, a feeling of a void, a
    lack of purpose, that must be filled.

    All halflings go through this. They have a period of soul searching wherein
    they dig down deep into their essence and lives and try to find something to
    make it all worthwhile. They can acutely feel this void, and unless it is
    filled, it usually ruins a halfling.

    Now then, how does a halfling fill the void? Well, finding a lifelong
    vocation is the usual method. One of my major halfling NPC's in Roesone is
    a brewer. He runs a very successful brewing house in the northern provinces
    of the land. If he were a PC he'd have a Guild level 0. The ales and drinks
    of Stout Ur'Quelle are in high demand on the Southern Coast.

    Not all halflings need be this successful. Some find joy in the simple life
    of farming, weaving, or shepharding. After a time of search, the halfling in
    question finds some kind of satisfactin and fufillment in the taking on of a
    particular lifestyle. When they find this "filler" for the hole in their
    soul, they go at it with tenacity unseen anywhere else in Cerilia. Often,
    halflings are among the best of whatever vocation they take on. There is no
    such thing as good enough, and the halflings appear almost manically driven
    at persuing their life's vocation. To them, this is natural, second nature,
    and right. To others, it is an impressive amount of drive. Pity that most
    Cerilians don't bother to look down at the halflings and see how good they
    are at some things.

    This "hole" also explains the number of halfling adventurers. Having found a
    life of wandering to fill the hole, or still being in search of some
    purpose, many halflings take to the roads and see what it brings them. Those
    who have taken this on as their fufillment are usually quite cheery and
    enjoy visiting new places and trying new things. Those who are wandering and
    in search are often somewhat darker and troubled. Because of this
    wanderlust, the halflings, in general, are amongst some of the most well
    travelled people in Cerilia, seeking out new thrills all over the continent
    (and beyond where possible). These halflings sometimes resemble Kender, but
    are often far more practical and understanding of the concept of property.

    So what happens to the halflings who can't fill the void?? Those who find no
    meaning, purpose, or fufillment in life???? They tend to be amongst the
    darkest, and most troubled souls of Cerilia. Alcoholics, murderers,
    psychopaths. The empty feeling in their soul leaves them with no value, no
    remorse, nothing. They are cold shells that bring no light to the world.
    Instead they usually bring malice, hatred for those who have purpose, and
    evil. In essence, they are as if they have given themselves completely over
    to the Shadow. Their soul is lost before they have died. These halflings are
    amongst the most despicable people in the world.

    As an extension of this, I have a concept of some "Shadow Hunters" who are
    halfling adventurers who foray into the Shadow World for fufillment. They
    feel the void acutely, but also feel that the answer is in the Shadow World,
    and quest there, seeking this answer. They have become quite skilled at
    fighting the undead and manipulating their abilities to get between the
    worlds. It's something I have yet to really work out, as I have yet to have
    a halfling PC.

    Finally, the key to filling this "void" and becoming normal for any
    halfling is to find Yondolla. Note that a few thousand years have gone by,
    and nobody has. There is, in my Shadow World, one altar to Yondolla that
    still stands. If a halfling were to find this altar, and come before it,
    Yondolla would be able to make contact. This will only happen to a PC, so it
    has yet to have a chance to work out. In effect, it could become a campaign
    to take back the Shadow World; one that would almost be cursed to failure
    from the start, but a fun one to try none the less.

    Well, there you have it. My take on the reason the SW exists, and what it's
    current situation has done to the halflings. I am not obsessed with
    halflings mind you, I just have a penchant for taking things too far when I
    get an idea. Please do comment some. I have my first halfling PC coming in
    when I start my next game, so it's something I will begin to hint at (but
    plan on having many campaigns slowly get the parts to. It will take YEARS to
    really uncover this for my players).


    >
    Grimwell, wizard of Cerilia
    The Birthright Revival is NOW! :)
    When you've had the best, why buy the rest?

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  2. #2
    BloodofAzrai@aol.co
    Guest

    Mortal, Shadow World relations

    After reading the history of the shadow world by Grimwell, I remembered
    something. Somewhere it says(maybe someone can give me an exact page and
    book) that the Shadow World is a mix of the ethereal plane, the demiplane of
    shadow, and the astral. So how could Aebrynis be totally isolated?

    Siele Arrowsong, blood of AzraiTo unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com
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  3. #3
    Mark A Vandermeulen
    Guest

    Mortal, Shadow World relations

    On Fri, 17 Sep 1999 BloodofAzrai@aol.com wrote:

    > After reading the history of the shadow world by Grimwell, I remembered
    > something. Somewhere it says(maybe someone can give me an exact page and
    > book) that the Shadow World is a mix of the ethereal plane, the demiplane of
    > shadow, and the astral. So how could Aebrynis be totally isolated?

    Like this: in order to get to Cerilia, you have to pass through the Shadow
    World. The Shadow World is dangerous (and similar to Aebrynnis, restricts
    non-blooded magic-users to Illusion and Divination spells). There is no
    passing directly into the astral, or directly into the etheral, all paths
    to and from Cerilia must pass through the Shadow World. Make the Shadow
    World dangerous and deadly enough, and few will make it through. Thus,
    it's not totally isolated, but pretty darn close.

    Mark VanderMeulen
    vander+@pitt.edu
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  4. #4
    Grimwell, Cerilian
    Guest

    Mortal, Shadow World relations

    >From: BloodofAzrai@aol.com
    >After reading the history of the shadow world by Grimwell, I remembered
    >something. Somewhere it says(maybe someone can give me an exact page and
    >book) that the Shadow World is a mix of the ethereal plane, the demiplane
    >of
    >shadow, and the astral. So how could Aebrynis be totally isolated?
    >
    >Siele Arrowsong, blood of Azrai

    Well, to be honest I came up with that in the same summer that the game came
    out. I never had any halfling players, so it was something I really didn't
    have to explore. I now have one coming, so I will.

    One thing to note, I was listing it as a separate universe. An entire
    universe of its own. I'm not a planar expert, by a long shot, but does this
    not mean it could not have it's own etheral and shadow, and astral planes???
    In a separate universe?

    Not copping out. Either way, what I did entertained me at the time, and I'm
    going to use the most of it in my game. If you find flaws, please dig at
    them and post what you come up with so I can see it, then go with your
    heart. :) Right now the game is yours and mine and everybody's. Do what fits
    your mindframe best.


    >
    Grimwell, wizard of Cerilia
    The Birthright Revival is NOW! :)
    When you've had the best, why buy the rest?

    __________________________________________________ ____
    Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.comTo unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com
    with the line

  5. #5
    BloodofAzrai@aol.co
    Guest

    Mortal, Shadow World relations

    In a message dated 9/17/99 11:57:16 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
    grimwell@hotmail.com writes:

    >

    I wasn't sayin that. I certainly could have its own of those planes. But i
    figured that TSR was probably striving for consitency, and if it Aebrynis had
    those places, they ould probably be just like the other planes of that type.

    Siele Arrowsong, blood of AzraiTo unsubscribe from this list send mail to majordomo@lists.imagiconline.com
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