Shadow World
Encyclopedia
Shadow World is a high-fantasy campaign setting
situated on the fictional planet
of Kulthea. Originally produced for the Rolemaster
role-playing game
system
, the setting is owned by Iron Crown Enterprises
(often referred to as I.C.E.). It is currently maintained by the primary author of the setting, Terry K. Amthor of Eidolon Studio.
The setting blends traditional fantasy
elements, such as elves, dwarves, magic
, etc., with science fiction
, including such elements as space and time travel
, and, to a degree, futuristic technology.
, relatively normal people being caught up in events much larger than themselves, and the interplay of religion
, racism
, sexism
, and homophobia
as tools of social control.
. The order of planets is as follows: Kuluth, Rhogan, Thasia, Ithaneus, Nemeris, Kulthea, Liis, Ombari, Shiron, Xio, Atalan, Deisa, and Ianoris. Kulthea's solar orbit
takes 350 days.
Five moons
orbit Kulthea. Orhan is the largest (it can be seen in full daylight) and circles Kulthea in 70 days. This moon is very important to peoples and cultures of Kulthea, and is home to the Lords of Orhan. Many calendrical systems
are based on Orhan's movement through the sky. Varin is the second largest moon, and is orange in color. With its polar orbit and red color, Charon, the third moon and home to the Dark Gods, is greatly feared. The waxing of Charon, as well as the time when it reaches its zenith
, are considered by many cultures to be a period of ill omen. Also, conjunctions
of Charon and Orhan can disturb Essænce Flows on Kulthea (see below), causing havoc to the planet's weather and general climatic stability. Mikori is the final moon that orbits Kulthea while Tlilok, counted among the five Kulthean moons, is technically a satellite of Orhan.
and Jaiman. Including these two continents, the western hemisphere contains 14 continents or, more appropriately, aggregations of fractured islands. Some of the more important ones with sizable landmasses include Agyra, Falias, Folenn, and Thuul.
See List of Shadow World Races
Additionally, some regions give rise to Local Gods, whose power extends only as far as their sphere of worship.
The "current date" of the campaign (i.e., the date to which recently published material refers) is 6054 of the Third Era. It should be noted that this date has changed, as early versions of the Master Atlas and supplementary materials dated to T.E. 6050. The more recent versions of the Atlas add material to the overall chronology up through T.E. 6054.
. However, they became increasing corrupt and, led by the Empress Kadæna, create an artifact of unsurpassed power: the Shadowstone. A rebellion, led by Kadæna's cousin Lord Ûtha (who leads the Duskwalkers), challenges Kadæna and her empire. Wielding the Soulsword, Ûtha slays Kadæna but dies himself. The rebellion, which occurred approximately 112,000 years before the present, destroys the Althan Empire, nearly all of the K'ta'viiri, and lays waste to Kulthea (nearly all life on the planet was killed). The planet would descend into a 100,000 year long period of regrowth referred to as the Interregnum, also known as the Long Night.
Little is known about the Interregnum other than minor references concerning the rise of two empires, the Jinteni and the Wôrim in southwest Emer and Gaalt, respectively, who war constantly with the elven realms of the distant east. Both succumb to famine, disease, and natural disasters (as well as warfare) and disappear approximately 5,000 years before the beginning of the Second Era.
One of the first empires to rise out of the ashes of the Interregnum is that formed by the Masters of Emer
in central Hæstra. The Masters are a cabal of six Titans who, making their home on the Isle of Votania in southern Hæstra, decide in S.E. 800 that order needs to be restored to the region. By S.E. 1000, their servants begin by driving out garks and lugrôki from Hæstra, but people of the Shay race begin to flee as well (to Jaiman). They are replaced by the Masters’ favored race, the Laan, who settle the now-vacant land and begin to build strong yet beautiful cities. While their empire began in Hæstra, by S.E. 1230 they have conquered all of the Emer.
Through several millennia of stability, the Masters rule Emer, in many areas worship as gods (though they are not). Discord, in the form of internal conflict among the Masters’, takes root around S.E. 3000 and over the next several thousand years the Empire decays as revolts and invasion wrack it from all sides. It recedes until only Hæstra is held and by S.E. 5000, their empire is no more.
On Jaiman, the Zori (related to the Laan) begin to consolidate and centralize a kingdom in Tanara. When the Shay, fleeing the Masters of Emer, arrive, they are subjugated by the Zori and transformed into a serving underclass that become locally known as the Jameri. The Zor kingdom exists for several millennia, but was eventually destroyed in an unknown cataclysm at the end of the 4th millennium. Today, the former central region of the kingdom of Zor is a wasteland.
Around S.E. 3400, Lorgalis the White builds a citadel on Ulor in western Jaiman. This mysterious servant of the Unlife, his origins a secret, establishes a realm that immediately begins to attract lugrôki and trogli. Following the domination of Ulor, Lorgalis expands southwards into and conquering Ly-Aran. His expansion is stopped only by the assistance of Andraax and the smith Tethior, who forged powerful artifacts imbued with the raw Essænnce (the Six Crowns) to help the free kingdoms, including Zor and Rhakhaan.
Campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A campaign is a series of individual adventures, and a campaign setting is the world in which such adventures and campaigns take place...
situated on the fictional planet
Planets in science fiction
Planets in science fiction are fictional planets that appear in various media, especially those of the science fiction genre, as story-settings or depicted locations.-History:...
of Kulthea. Originally produced for the Rolemaster
Rolemaster
Rolemaster is a role-playing game published by Iron Crown Enterprises. Rolemaster has come in four separate editions. The 3rd edition, first published in 1995, is also known as the "Rolemaster Standard System" . There are two editions currently in production...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
system
Role-playing game system
A role-playing game system is a set of game mechanics used in a role-playing game to determine the outcome of a character's in-game actions...
, the setting is owned by Iron Crown Enterprises
Iron Crown Enterprises
Iron Crown Enterprises was a publisher of role playing, board, miniature battle, and collectible card games.ICE was incorporated in 1980 shortly after the principal founders graduated from the University of Virginia...
(often referred to as I.C.E.). It is currently maintained by the primary author of the setting, Terry K. Amthor of Eidolon Studio.
The setting blends traditional fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
elements, such as elves, dwarves, magic
Magic (fantasy)
Magic in fiction is the endowing of fictional characters or objects with magical powers.Such magic often serves as a plot device, the source of magical artifacts and their quests...
, etc., with science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
, including such elements as space and time travel
Time travel
Time travel is the concept of moving between different points in time in a manner analogous to moving between different points in space. Time travel could hypothetically involve moving backward in time to a moment earlier than the starting point, or forward to the future of that point without the...
, and, to a degree, futuristic technology.
Themes
Shadow World deals with a number of topics, including the path of the heroHero
A hero , in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion...
, relatively normal people being caught up in events much larger than themselves, and the interplay of religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
, racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
, sexism
Sexism
Sexism, also known as gender discrimination or sex discrimination, is the application of the belief or attitude that there are characteristics implicit to one's gender that indirectly affect one's abilities in unrelated areas...
, and homophobia
Homophobia
Homophobia is a term used to refer to a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards lesbian, gay and in some cases bisexual, transgender people and behavior, although these are usually covered under other terms such as biphobia and transphobia. Definitions refer to irrational fear, with the...
as tools of social control.
The Universe
Kulthea is the seventh planet (of 13) in its solar systemPlanetary system
A planetary system consists of the various non-stellar objects orbiting a star such as planets, dwarf planets , asteroids, meteoroids, comets, and cosmic dust...
. The order of planets is as follows: Kuluth, Rhogan, Thasia, Ithaneus, Nemeris, Kulthea, Liis, Ombari, Shiron, Xio, Atalan, Deisa, and Ianoris. Kulthea's solar orbit
Orbit
In physics, an orbit is the gravitationally curved path of an object around a point in space, for example the orbit of a planet around the center of a star system, such as the Solar System...
takes 350 days.
Five moons
Natural satellite
A natural satellite or moon is a celestial body that orbits a planet or smaller body, which is called its primary. The two terms are used synonymously for non-artificial satellites of planets, of dwarf planets, and of minor planets....
orbit Kulthea. Orhan is the largest (it can be seen in full daylight) and circles Kulthea in 70 days. This moon is very important to peoples and cultures of Kulthea, and is home to the Lords of Orhan. Many calendrical systems
Calendar
A calendar is a system of organizing days for social, religious, commercial, or administrative purposes. This is done by giving names to periods of time, typically days, weeks, months, and years. The name given to each day is known as a date. Periods in a calendar are usually, though not...
are based on Orhan's movement through the sky. Varin is the second largest moon, and is orange in color. With its polar orbit and red color, Charon, the third moon and home to the Dark Gods, is greatly feared. The waxing of Charon, as well as the time when it reaches its zenith
Zenith
The zenith is an imaginary point directly "above" a particular location, on the imaginary celestial sphere. "Above" means in the vertical direction opposite to the apparent gravitational force at that location. The opposite direction, i.e...
, are considered by many cultures to be a period of ill omen. Also, conjunctions
Lunar conjunction
A lunar conjunction is the event when the earth, moon and sun, in that order, are approximately in a straight line. It is sometimes referred to as the new moon, though traditionally and Biblically new moon refers to observance by earth bound individuals of the first visible crescent of rebuilding...
of Charon and Orhan can disturb Essænce Flows on Kulthea (see below), causing havoc to the planet's weather and general climatic stability. Mikori is the final moon that orbits Kulthea while Tlilok, counted among the five Kulthean moons, is technically a satellite of Orhan.
Geography
Most of Kulthea's written history concerns that which occurs on the planet's western Hemisphere. This is mainly because the eastern half of the planet has been cloaked behind an impenetrable magical barrier for thousands of years, and remains for the most part a mystery. Dominated by water, the majority of lands in the west consist of fractured islands. A few land masses are large enough to be considered continents. Two of the most heavily documented continents thus far are EmerEmer (Shadow World)
Emer is a continent on Kulthea, a fictional planet that serves as the backdrop for Iron Crown Enterprises’ Rolemaster campaign setting called Shadow World, created by Terry K. Amthor. Roughly located within the center of the western hemisphere, this large and diverse land consists of a multitude...
and Jaiman. Including these two continents, the western hemisphere contains 14 continents or, more appropriately, aggregations of fractured islands. Some of the more important ones with sizable landmasses include Agyra, Falias, Folenn, and Thuul.
Races
Below is a list of Shadow World races.See List of Shadow World Races
Religion & Gods
The deities of Kulthea are generally divided into two spheres: the Lords of Orhan, which are considered good by most human societies, and the Dark Gods of Charon, regarded by most as evil and chaotic. As their names imply, they reside on the moon after which they are named. A number of organized religions worship the Lords of Orhan, either as whole (i.e., the entire pantheon), or according to individual Lords. Uncountable informal cults, sects, and other groups also worship them. Their prevalence and visibility will vary according to geographic, racial, cultural, and/or political context. Religious organizations dedicated to the Dark Gods of Charon certainly exist, and are quite prevalent, but they are much less visible than their good counterparts and generally exist among the underground. As with the Lords of Orhan, an unknowable number of formal and informal cults also worship the dark Gods.Additionally, some regions give rise to Local Gods, whose power extends only as far as their sphere of worship.
History
The history of Kulthea is a convoluted and violent one characterized by the cyclical rising and destruction of countless races, kingdoms, and empires. Local wars are common as competing polities vie with one another for resources, people, tribute, or ideological reasons. Vast global conflicts have been fought between the powers of Light and Darkness, and each one has marked the transition from one Era to the next. These wars have nearly destroyed the planet, laying waste to entire continents and leading to millennia of cultural and political stagnation. Kulthea's history is divided into three eras.The "current date" of the campaign (i.e., the date to which recently published material refers) is 6054 of the Third Era. It should be noted that this date has changed, as early versions of the Master Atlas and supplementary materials dated to T.E. 6050. The more recent versions of the Atlas add material to the overall chronology up through T.E. 6054.
First Era
The First Era of Ire is vastly long and concerns the history of the Althan race and the rise of the K'ta'viiri. Little is known about this latter group, and it is unknown whether or not they were a specific race, sub-group, faction, or ruling lineage of the Altha. They are known to have led to the Altha and established an interstellar empire that encompassed nearly a quarter of the galaxyGalaxy
A galaxy is a massive, gravitationally bound system that consists of stars and stellar remnants, an interstellar medium of gas and dust, and an important but poorly understood component tentatively dubbed dark matter. The word galaxy is derived from the Greek galaxias , literally "milky", a...
. However, they became increasing corrupt and, led by the Empress Kadæna, create an artifact of unsurpassed power: the Shadowstone. A rebellion, led by Kadæna's cousin Lord Ûtha (who leads the Duskwalkers), challenges Kadæna and her empire. Wielding the Soulsword, Ûtha slays Kadæna but dies himself. The rebellion, which occurred approximately 112,000 years before the present, destroys the Althan Empire, nearly all of the K'ta'viiri, and lays waste to Kulthea (nearly all life on the planet was killed). The planet would descend into a 100,000 year long period of regrowth referred to as the Interregnum, also known as the Long Night.
Little is known about the Interregnum other than minor references concerning the rise of two empires, the Jinteni and the Wôrim in southwest Emer and Gaalt, respectively, who war constantly with the elven realms of the distant east. Both succumb to famine, disease, and natural disasters (as well as warfare) and disappear approximately 5,000 years before the beginning of the Second Era.
Second Era
The Second Age of Ire begins with the founding of the College of Loremasters on the secret isle of Karilôn by three individuals: Kirin T'thaan, Ilmaris Terisonen, and Andraax, all believed to be Iylari Elves. The purpose of the Loremasters is to gather knowledge and to disseminate it among the free peoples for the advancement of civilization. One of their first tasks is to create reliable calendar based on the phases of the moon Orhan. Following this, history is more accurately recorded according to “Loremaster Reckoning.”One of the first empires to rise out of the ashes of the Interregnum is that formed by the Masters of Emer
Emer (Shadow World)
Emer is a continent on Kulthea, a fictional planet that serves as the backdrop for Iron Crown Enterprises’ Rolemaster campaign setting called Shadow World, created by Terry K. Amthor. Roughly located within the center of the western hemisphere, this large and diverse land consists of a multitude...
in central Hæstra. The Masters are a cabal of six Titans who, making their home on the Isle of Votania in southern Hæstra, decide in S.E. 800 that order needs to be restored to the region. By S.E. 1000, their servants begin by driving out garks and lugrôki from Hæstra, but people of the Shay race begin to flee as well (to Jaiman). They are replaced by the Masters’ favored race, the Laan, who settle the now-vacant land and begin to build strong yet beautiful cities. While their empire began in Hæstra, by S.E. 1230 they have conquered all of the Emer.
Through several millennia of stability, the Masters rule Emer, in many areas worship as gods (though they are not). Discord, in the form of internal conflict among the Masters’, takes root around S.E. 3000 and over the next several thousand years the Empire decays as revolts and invasion wrack it from all sides. It recedes until only Hæstra is held and by S.E. 5000, their empire is no more.
On Jaiman, the Zori (related to the Laan) begin to consolidate and centralize a kingdom in Tanara. When the Shay, fleeing the Masters of Emer, arrive, they are subjugated by the Zori and transformed into a serving underclass that become locally known as the Jameri. The Zor kingdom exists for several millennia, but was eventually destroyed in an unknown cataclysm at the end of the 4th millennium. Today, the former central region of the kingdom of Zor is a wasteland.
Around S.E. 3400, Lorgalis the White builds a citadel on Ulor in western Jaiman. This mysterious servant of the Unlife, his origins a secret, establishes a realm that immediately begins to attract lugrôki and trogli. Following the domination of Ulor, Lorgalis expands southwards into and conquering Ly-Aran. His expansion is stopped only by the assistance of Andraax and the smith Tethior, who forged powerful artifacts imbued with the raw Essænnce (the Six Crowns) to help the free kingdoms, including Zor and Rhakhaan.
External links
- Iron Crown Enterprises - Their community forum contains a Shadow World section.
- The Shadow World Primer
- Jaiman Source Web
- Eidolon Studio