Time of Ages Maps

[Knightfall]

Okay, I've been working on Kulan so hard that my other worlds aren't getting much love. So I figured I'd finalize the map for my Time of Ages campaign world. This world can best be described as "Chronomancy meets Spelljammer meets Steampunk meets Treasure Planet". You can also thow in some "Dinotopia".

The world is part of my Steampunk Spelljammer universe, which I've also been negecting. Hopefully, I'll give the world and universe some more lovin'.

Introduction
Here is where the world has been...

Islands of Malecade... Warped World... these campaign names have always referred to my first world... Rielun (the world has had more names then I can remember). A campaign that started out with one map of a small portion of the continent Malecade. For years this campaign grew and grew — to a size roughly twice the size of Earth. By this time I was completely lost in a mass of maps that didn't have any consistency or theme. So... I tossed the worst ideas, archived the original core of maps for the campaign, and transferred other ideas to other worlds. Warped World died with a whimper but Malecade lived on in my soul... lost but not forgotten. And now I feel I must revive it with a new name but true to the original concept - Time of Ages.

And here is where the world is now going...

Time of Ages was never supposed to be a straight fantasy world. Magic would play a vital role in the development of the world but so would technology. The original concept was to blend magic and technology together in such a way that prevents technology from existing on the world without magic to power it. I've referred to this combination of magic and tech in numerous ways — technomagic, magitech, etc. — but the idea has stayed the same. Dragonstar and several other technological rich d20 campaigns have inspired me to change Time of Ages. The campaign is now becoming more like my original concept than every before. I will be able to justify the creation of the super cities and the technology, while still allowing for the wild nature of the worlds inherent magic. The powers of time, druidism and arcane science can now come together into one world.

I had intended for this world to become part of my Arcanum of the Stars Dragonstar campaign but after thinking it over, Time of Ages doesn't fit very well into the feel of Dragonstar. Thus, the world and its moon, Jarad, will be a campaign unto itself. The campaign will neither be a part of the D&D Spelljammer Cosmology or the Dragonstar Universe. Instead it will be part of my Spelljammer Gone Wild Cosmology. This will separate it from both Arcanum of the Stars and World of Kulan and Dark World.

Rielun's Geography
Rielun has five continents... Argethon (south pole), Heuveon (north pole), Malecade, Trasunia, and Biarr. Beyond this and many islands both large and small, Rielun is covered with dark purple-green oceans. Thus, Rielun is roughly 60% to 75% covered by water but is also deceptively shallow in many places (less than 500 to 1000 ft.) The climate is arctic to temperate for the most part; only the regions near the equator rise to subtropical levels.

Background/History to come... needs some modifications. Plus, I'll be posting the map of Rielun's moon, Jarad. Jarad is a inhabited moon with its own unique feel. "Spelljammer + Steampunk + Victorian Age + High Magic" This sub-campaign is known as Magiclight.

Cheers!

Knightfall1972

[Knightfall]

Malecade
Ok, this is my first continental map for Time of Ages. Malecade is the main campaign area. It is dominated by huge steam metropolis's on its coasts, while the interior is a region known as the Wildlands.

The Steam Cities of Da’aphet, Eld, Forester, Gravenhague, Heath’s City, Mathere, Shuuvan, and Vecar are the major centers of 'steamwork' civilization on the continent. (No city symbols are on this map as it's at too large a scale.) The other cities and towns of Malecade run more towards standard medeval society but are either under the protection of a Steam City or its citizens consider steam technology to go against the natural order of the world.

The magical, isolated communities of the Wildlands outlaw steam technology for the most part. Regardless, steamwork gear has a tendency to malfunction if used in the Wildlands. Traditional magic is enhanced in the Wildlands.

The Wildlands don't have a true border, but you'll know when you've crossed into it. The land comes alive of its own accord and is said to be connected to the souls of the first three races of the Ethma'rieluna, or Children of the World. (The races known as the Teres, Tigé, and Trooda. More on them later.)

Biacc is a island state of minotaurs, who are both noble and savage. They limit their use of steam technology to weaponry and armor as they find other uses for steamworks to be a waste of resources.

Nogard is part of a group of islands that has its roots in barbaric culture. Steam technology is considered tabboo here, although it works fine if brought to the island.

Champagne is one of the mysterious islands of Rielun. It doesn't appear to have intelligent life but often tales are told of strange fogs, mysterious lights, and the sound of music and laughter echoing across the Northern Strait. Most believe the island is haunted or controled by fey.

The Isles of the South often pay homage to the rulers of the Southern Colonies of Malecade. They are infested with pirates and the Sermath'kah (evil sea-faring goblinoids). The Southern Colonies are those cities, towns, and villages that pay homage to the Lords of Forester. The Steam City of Forester sits on the Tehin River on the Coast of Chuol and its citizens are said to use dark magic and drink the blood of their dead, and whle these are just rumors, it is known that the denizens of the Isles of the South do practice evil magic and the many goblinoid tribes are cannibals.

Cheers!

KF72

[Knightfall]

Okay, this is where it all started!

Rielun was my first campaign world and the area on this map is where the first group of characters came from. These characters eventually became known as the Lions of Malecade becoming great heroes across the continent.

Those heroes have now becomes legends, centuries after their deaths, and the region is now known as The Lions' Gap.

This region is dominated by three cities: Heath's City is one of the steam metropolis's of the world and the communities near it, Edgewater and Sawburg, use steam technology. Asdor is a community of humans, elves, and halflings and controls the towns of Stortic and Gremlin Home. Mason is a human and dwarf dominated city and controls the towns of Ceodic and Minward.

The communities around Asdor are known as the Homelands of the Lions, while the communities around Mason are known as the Mason Holds. The Homelands of the Lions sit on the edge of the Wildlands and steam technology often fails there. The Mason Holds are more accepting of steamworks but there are some restrictions. Note that the towns of Celd and Eodrith are independant communities but do have strong ties with the citizens of the Mason Holds.

The fortress known as Sunset Skymountain is home to a clan of dwarves who have mastered both martial arts and steamworks. Many of their numbers are monks or fighter/monks.

The structure known as The Clock Tower is an ancient steamwork construct that is both a fortress-like tower and a timepiece that has kept perfect time throughout the centuries. It chimes at the end of every year and was built by Marty Lionmountain, also known as The Steam Sorcerer. (He was one of the Lions of Malecade.)

The structure known as The Sorcerer's Hold, in turn, is the ancient magical manse where the Steam Sorcerer once lived. The building is a complex clockwork construct and many believe that Marty Lionmountain did not die and continues to live there.

The ruins of Perc are that of a destroyed steam metropolis. It is one of only two known ruined steam cities. The other is Citnow, which is located on Malecade's eastern coast. Perc is said to be haunted by clockwork undead and strange twisted monsters. No one remembers how the steam metropolis was destoyed as it was ruined even before the Lions of Malecade were born.

Two other things are worth noting on this map. First, are the strange looking constructs with blue fire coming out of them. These are powerful magical Steam Engines, which give power to Heath's City and its surrounding communities. The steam metropolis requires a LOT of steam-power to run its many comforts and conveniences. For example, the city has an internal network of tracks for its steam railway. Note: This railroad doesn't extend out to its surrounding communities as it isn't feasible to protect the rail from the many dangers of the region (i.e. bandits).

Second, is the remians of an ancient dinospawn known as the Bones of the Thunderer. This creature was similar to a T-rex but must have been nearly three times the size of one. Now, its remains form a strange ruin of bones. The skeleton is colossal is size and is partially buried in the ground. The creatures ribcage has become a shrine for the many wild humanoid tribes in this region (i.e. lizardfolk).

Cheers!

KF72

[Knightfall]

Trasunia
The second largest continent on Rielun is Trasunia. The continent use to have a much sillier name, but I won't be mentioning it here. The second group of characters that actually got some major playing time came from this continent.

There is a medieval-style city called Rames on the continent's southern shore. It is ruled by three elven siblings who are also triplets. (These three elves were the PCs.) These three elves adventured all over the continent as well as Dragon Island and the time-shrouded shores of Biarr with their companions. There last name is Brass, a very unelven name but highly appropriate for this setting.

Steamworks aren't forbidden in Rames as the youngest of the Brass triplets (Timethon) has been known to dabble in the craft himself. However, it is controled within the city and there are many regulations regarding its use within the Dominion of Rames. Steamlocks and the like are strictly controled as are any type of steamworks that are dangerous.

The continent's east coast is dominated by the steam metropolis known as Dragon City. The Black Emperor is a vicious man that would love to conquer all of Trasunia and then the world. (Bwah-ha-ha!) His black-hearted steam knights are feared and loathed across the continent. In truth, the Black Emperor's bark is worse than his bite. He has to answer to so many levels of government that his personal power tends to be tightly controled.

The continent's west coast is one of the few places on the continent where the old tradtions stand firm. Steam technology is outlawed here and the denizens of the region will go to any lengths to keep it that way. The region is the wildest place beyond the boundaries of the Wildlands of Malecade (and the untamed seas of the world).

The continent's north coast is dominated by the peaceful traders of Islet Bay and the wine merchants of, well, the Bay of Wine. This region is the least developed part of Trasunia. After all, I just made that first line up right now. Seriously, I expect this region to be a mix of steamworks and the more traditional medieval-style.

There are only two major islands near Trasunia. The first is Redheart, the home of the wandering hero and outlaw named Ryane Smilodon. The entire island fall under one government and that government has never been known for being good-hearted. The citizens of Rames often refer to Redheart as "that bloody place" or "Bloodheart."

The second major island barely appears on the map. Dragon Island is the traditional breeding territory of all of Rielun's dragons and is considered holy ground by all dragons. The island is infested with giants and the like, however, no matter how often the dragons try to clean the riff-raff off their home of booty calls.

Steamworks are forbidden on this island. In ages past the Emperors of Dragon City use to pay homage to the dragons of Rielun but that hasn't been the case for centuries. Now, the monarch of Rames (Darwin Brass) pays tribute to the dragons as the Dragon Samurai. (That's right, the ruler of Rames is an elf named Darwin and is a samurai. Deal with it! )

Another group of islands is worth mentioning. The island chain known as The Brass Ring is a group of islands controled by the Dominion of Rames. These islands use to be completely wild until the Brass triplets convinced the inhabitants to become vassals of Rames. The largest island in the chain, Christina, is named after the oldest daughter of the Lord of the Dragon.

Cheers!

KF72

[Knightfall]

This map show the moon for for the world of Rielun. It is called Jarad and is its own campaign setting called Magiclight.

Note that is far from being finalized.
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[Knightfall]

Just a bump to note that I added a description for Trasunia.

[jaerdaph]

Excellent work as always, Knightfall.

I'm getting an itch to start world building now myself....

[Knightfall]

Originally Posted by jaerdaph

Excellent work as always, Knightfall.

I'm getting an itch to start world building now myself....

Thanks.

World building is my favorite pasttime; maybe even more than gaming. Well, its a closetie anyway. It's not hard for me to map out this campaign world; it was my original campaign world, so I know it really well.

Of course, reinventing it for 3rd Edition has been a bit of a challenge; however, I might make it a True20 world, but I'm not sure yet. I still don't have the revised version of True20 RPG yet, so I won't know until I read through that book whether or not it has the right feel for this game world.

From what I've seen and read, True20 might work better for Dark World (see in my sig). Dark World uses the generic classes from UA, so it woudn't be hard to go from that to True20. Plus, the damage track for True20 would be perfect for Dark World as it is very dark and gritty.

Time of Ages isn't really that gritty. It's more high fantasy mixed with steampunk and a lot of spelljammer. Think a combintion of the rules from Spelljammer: Shadow of the Spider Moon with FFG's Sorcery & Steam. There likely will be a lot of influence from such things as the movie Treasure Planet and maybe even Freeport.

Since Rielun and Kulan don't exist in the same cosmology, it isn't too much of a stretch to think that there might be a Freeport on both worlds. One a traditional fantasy piriate cit and the other a floating steampunk city that moves with the winds. A berth for steamworks spelljammers, zepplins, and hot air ballons.

Cheers!

KF72