Portal to the Realms - Overview of the World of Shashnia

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Nov 20, 2009, 10:29pm

Portal to the Realms :: Shashnimyn :: Starting an Adventure :: Overview of the World of Shashnia

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Topic: Overview of the World of Shashnia (Read 34 times)

wurmspawn
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Overview of the World of Shashnia
« Thread Started on Apr 7, 2007, 3:47pm »

Geography

Shashnia is a planet somewhere beyond Orion where the Shashnimyn live. It is a rugged planet which is mostly dense jungle, perilous mountain ranges and unforgiving deserts. The planet is larger than Earth and contains a diversity of plants and animals that is almost beyond comprehension. The rich life of the planet flourished when the ambient levels of magic rose dramatically in recent history.

The major zones of the planet are defined in the conceptual map below.
[image]

This map forms a basis for design of new regions; immediately connected lines are adjacent whereas all others must pass through a travel route to connect. Travel routes are paid passage upon beast, wagon, airship or boat.

Biology

The Shashnimyn themselves are a humanoid race showing a variation typical of their planet. They range in form from short & squat, to massive & bulky, to lean and trim. Their features and colourations are regional. To our eyes these features can appear feline, elven, troll-like, aquatic, undead, dinosaur like... there seems to be no limits to how they look.

Shashnimyn have 6 digits on each hand and foot. Their hands are essentially mirrored down the middle and they possess two thumbs. Also, the lower sections of arms and legs have an additional joint compared to us, which varies in flexibility from completely fused to allowing 'chicken-walking' and the like.

History

The Shashnimyn have a historical record which stretches back 20 000 years. There have been three world wars and numerous other conflicts. Each of these wars has lead to major cultural change. Presently the culture is peaceful but competitive. The political structure is loosely defined and variable, but adherence to ethics and honour is highly valued.

There are three main nations.
Red/White form the two largest nations but are primarily artifacts from the Evolution war. The colour Red stands for the blood of the free and the colour White stands for the purity of the guardians. The two nations will compete with each other through the olympics and community competitions but are not aligned in any wars.

Within these two nations there are 8 Great Tribes. These tribes have communities in both Red and White nations. There are also a handful of minor Tribes.

The Barbarian nation was once very powerful, but through a deterioration of democracy, isolationist and exploitative foreign affairs they brought about the disgust of the rest of the world. The Red and White nations declared war on the Barbarians and drove them into the ocean to an isolated isle so that they can kill themselves. Individuals who do no follow any code of Citizenship are stripped of their rights and deemed barbarians. Barbarians still roam the lands, seas and skies as brigands and savages.

Magic

Magic is ever-present in Shashnia. Only the more basic organisms of the planet do not incorporate magic into their bodies, but only the more recently evolved species can use it actively. Magic has allowed the impossible to flourish.

There is also a pantheon of Gods on Shashnia. This pantheon is 'ruled' by the Dual, a pair of Gods which represent Birth/Death, Light/Dark, and other duality. The rest of the pantheon include nature gods, demigod heroes and spirits.

Magic allows the distortion of reality, bending of rules that we typically accept. The more unlikely the feat, the more magical energy is required to make the effect. There is a distinct 'observer effect' which makes unseen magic easier to cast.

Danger

Although the Shashnimyn are mostly a peaceful race, the world is by no means safe. There is very high infant mortality due to animals, monsters and magical accidents. Even for adult myn some places are not safe to wander. Tribes cover the full range from pacifist to brutally agressive.

The primary threat to the Shashnimyn world is the Demon Siege. At the North pole the fabric of space time is ruptured and fused with chaotic magic. This has created a portal through which Demons flow. The Demons are mostly contained by the massive Elemental Fortresses and the Guardians, but they continually escape. The number of Demons entering Shashnia seems to be growing...

« Last Edit: Apr 25, 2008, 4:58pm by wurmspawn »

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The Shashnimyn Encyclopedia
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