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[Ardent Debater]

Let's collaborate to make an unique Fantasy setting!

Thread Guidelines Below

- To contribute, make a post adding a detail to the Setting.
- Posts should be complete sentences. Paragraphs are fine to.
- There can only be one detail per post, and posts cannot contradict other posts.
- If you add a detail to another poster's post, quote the post to avoid confusion.
- Don't double-post.
- Don't insert Standard Fantasy Races or Monsters, be original.
- Humans are fine, as long as they're not a single homogeneous culture.
- Not every post needs to be of world-shattering importance, don't ignore the little things.

That's It, Actual Thread Below



The Main Continent has a Geographical makeup and Climate very similar to that of Iceland, although the Continent is roughly the size of Europe. The World is very cold overall, and volcanoes are common. As far as the Continent's inhabitants know, beyond there is nothing but turbulent ocean, and the occasional nearby island.

[VoidSlayer]

While there are volcanic mountains, there are also mountains and hills composed of land coral.  The living polyps are on the surface, letting out long strands and blades to catch ambient magic energy and feed.  The mountains of coral have caverns and tunnels and in some cases huge crevasse where new coral also grow.

The color of the living coral and dead skeletons often are different and the species and color vary from area to area and mountain to mountain.  The types of magic available and common in the area depend on what is absorbed by the different species of coral. 

A wide variety of animals and plants make their homes among the mountains, with many animals feeding on or working with the coral or as higher level predators.

(is this too much?)

[helmacon]

While there are volcanic mountains, there are also mountains and hills composed of land coral.  The living polyps are on the surface, letting out long strands and blades to catch ambient magic energy and feed.  The mountains of coral have caverns and tunnels and in some cases huge crevasse where new coral also grow.

The color of the living coral and dead skeletons often are different and the species and color vary from area to area and mountain to mountain.  The types of magic available and common in the area depend on what is absorbed by the different species of coral. 

A wide variety of animals and plants make their homes among the mountains, with many animals feeding on or working with the coral or as higher level predators.

(is this too much?)

A subspecies of the coral has become carnivorous. They snare passing animals with thier tendrils, and grow to infect thier brains. They then use these captured predators as both guardians and hunters, using them to attack other animals that stray to near the coral mound. The tethered predators return thier kills to the base where the coral slowly grows over them, absorbing the nutrients. As a result, the coral is often grown into the eerie shapes of dying animals and beasts. On a foggy day, this is excellent nightmare material for one exploring the base of such mounds. (not to mention, there is an infected coral beast roaming around somewhere)
Fortunately for the rest of the worlds population, these particular corals grow extremely slowly. A coral large enough to hunt humans would need to be several hundred years old at the very least.

[Ardent Debater]

(To VoidSlayer: Not at all!)

The World is orbited by two small suns, one pale white, and the other, light blue. The two suns are a large distance from the World, and do very little to heat it, this isn't a problem, as frequent volcanic activity warms the World to above freezing levels. Instead, they provide light, and keep both sides of the World in perpetual daytime. Their orbits are highly elliptical, and seasons are characterized by subtle differences in light levels, not temperature changes.

[RAM]

Despite the cold climate the world maintains a population of spiders preying upon the smaller fauna. While generally smaller than those of most worlds, they appear large due to projecting hairs that serve to insulate them. Web-spinning variants are quite rare, only succeeding in densely-wooded regions where there are abundant hollows in which to seek protection from the elements. As far as venoms go, they are typically very potent, though seldom considered a threat as the various species are universally cautious and reserved. An interesting note is that all spiders construct pockets in which to rest. These "spider houses" are often harvested as, while difficult to work with, the material is quite sturdy and smooth, although harvesting is generally a poor profession, as the quantities are never sufficient and a concerted effort will quickly depopulate the region if nests are harvested before they are abandoned and the nests are generally quite well hidden which adds a level of tedium and delay to the work...

Spider-folk, on the other hand, are not actually spiders, being more akin to a marsupial as they are conventionally warm-blooded and generally over two metres long when fully grown. Their seemingly-smooth exoskeleton is actually just a dense layer of overlapping scales which can be quite apparent if it becomes damaged and they do actually possess an internal skeleton. Their anatomy is a bit odd however, with their heart being central in their bulbous body with their brain just in front of it and their lungs beneath, fed by a blow-hole on their belly(they are notoriously apprehensive about flooding) with their head being mostly bones and muscle with a dedicated nerve cable for their sensory input. This leaves them being somewhat slow to react to stimuli but that suits their sedentary lifestyle. All that considered, that they even consider themselves to be related to spiders is no surprise considering their eight long-pointed legs, the ability to produce fibres(though they are not adhesive, then again, spider-folk know of many methods by which to manufacture adhesives...), bulbous bodies(though notably absent of hairs), large, venomous fang-mandibles, and numerous eyes. Their only means of fine manipulation is a dense cluster of mandibles around the mouth, which lends them a poor reputation amongst other civilised species as they excrete waste from their mouths in the form of compacted pellets(their digestive tract is a circuit that loops back to the mouth) which, while generally(disease can have an effect upon digestive efficiency...) clean, suggests to other races that they defecate upon their hands...

Due to their tendency to use dangerous traps extensively for hunting, a poor reputation that is largely undeserved, a fondness for small, compact communities of only a few dozen individuals, and a talent for building communities in small, naturally defensive sites(such as caves or dense groves of overlapping and twisted branches) they rarely interact with others beyond an occasion visit from familiar traders or the like. It is not unheard of to see them taken as slaves for their fibre-production and great climbing ability, though most will be traumatised merely from the inappropriate population density and either lack of familiarity with their surroundings or constant exposure to the outside world, and thus they rarely survive long in captivity. Though a few rare individuals either have a natural inclination for the outside world or learn to overcome their isolationist nature for some reason or another and can be found wandering the world for whatever reason. Quite often a few such individuals will be trained as such and sent with traders, as having spider-folk with them helps to navigate safely to the spider-folk colonies and helps the spider-folk to trust the traders, though the practice is sometimes regarded as cruel...

P.S.
 Spiders AND spider-folk, sorry about breaking the rules already, but the whole thing was on my mind and I couldn't just sit on it...

[VoidSlayer]

(To VoidSlayer: Not at all!)

The World is orbited by two small suns, one pale white, and the other, light blue. The two suns are a large distance from the World, and do very little to heat it, this isn't a problem, as frequent volcanic activity warms the World to above freezing levels. Instead, they provide light, and keep both sides of the World in perpetual daytime. Their orbits are highly elliptical, and seasons are characterized by subtle differences in light levels, not temperature changes.

The light blue sun projects a supernatural radiation which is caught and distributed onto the planet by magnetic fields.  Living things can absorb the radiation for food, like the coral and many plants, or in special organs to produce specific telekinetic effects.  Many intelligent creatures have these structures in their brains, which allow a broad range of telekinetic manipulation.

The pale sun and volcanic vents also produce different types of supernatural radiation which vary with the season.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Going with the whole seasonal thing, instead of just color lets go with magic and plant food types.  What do does the pale sun and volcanoes produce?  Let's see.

[micelus]

The continent's severe lack of trees has caused the population to produce interesting and novel adaptations in many culture with many cultures considering wood a luxury resource, instead making use of other materials. In general, stone and coral is preferred by wealthier folks while poorer folks rely on mud, clay and plant materials.

[ATHATH]

The world is a cube, causing gravity to behave wonkily at the world's edges.

[Egan_BW]

Long ago, the main continent was home to a very highly advanced civilization, though none of its current inhabitants are capable of utilizing this technology. A large area towards the southern end of the continent is a ruined city, with jutting spires of metal and glass still standing, proof of their sturdy construction. The local intelligent creatures often visit the city as a source refined steel and other materials that are now difficult or impossible to synthesize. For this reason, control of the south is hotly contested.

Deep below the city is a bunker still powered by a geothermal power plant, maintained by machines. Within, an exceedingly powerful computer runs a simulation. This is a simulation of a world with one main continent, shaped like a cube, orbiting two suns.

((Sci-Fi bits because I can. Also Recursion.))

[micelus]

(I'm going full-on with !NotIceland!)

The Koralfur are less a race and more a phenomena resulting from the interaction of several magical and mundane factors. Many organisms have developed a method by which to make use of magical energies in the atmosphere. In many cases, this is limited to converting it into food, telekinesis or other specialised adaptations. Many of these organisms however tend to only make use of a specific component of magical energy. The remainder is discarded and left to wander and in some cases, are eventually absorbed by a specific taxonomic family of coral. Over time, this magical waste accumulates within the coral and over the span of millennia, eventually begins to coalesce, forming new bonds on the subatomic level until a visible accumulation is formed. At this point it ceases to be magical waste and becomes an infant Koralfur. At this moment it absorbs the host coral, as well as much of the surrounding environment, and shapes itself a new body fit for its desires. Usually, infant Koralfur are quickly discovered by older Koralfur, who quickly raise it as expected of their society. Sometimes however, an infant is left to grow on its own, to the detriment of all.

Koralfur are naturally alien to all life. Not truly alive or even really possible to kill, a Koralfur has difficult seeing the difference between a dog and a tree. To the Koralfur, both are organic accumulations that seem to possess the ability to reproduce. To the Koralfur, both are equally valid companions, food or materials. This extends to even sapient species, which most Koralfur find amusing. If the Koralfur were merely alien lifeforms, the world would sleep a little more and perhaps it would be a nicer place. Unfortunately, the Koralfur are magic energies made sapient and as such, they command immense power with boredom and interestingly specific weaknesses being the only defences against a Koralfur. Tales of Wild Hunts, stolen children and odd time discrepancies are heavily associated with the Koralfur.

[Ardent Debater]

P.S.
 Spiders AND spider-folk, sorry about breaking the rules already, but the whole thing was on my mind and I couldn't just sit on it...

(It's fine, and added depth to the Setting. Inspiration is fickle and doesn't come often, if I were you I would've done the same.)

The world is a cube, causing gravity to behave wonkily at the world's edges.

(You mean it's like an Ice-Cube?  )

Actual Post:

Several very aggressive, carnivorous, semi-amphibious, highly territorial, and enormous species of Mollusk and Crustaceans often scourge Fishermen and Sailors, and rarely, will attack coastal villages. Luckily, they are rather rare, usually solitary, and don't stray beyond their territory often. A particularly intrepid nomad tribe has discovered the secret to taming them, and they use their titanic war-beasts as mobile homes/fully amphibious war-machines, and they often hire themselves out as mercenaries in exchange for materials they can't find on the Ocean. They can be as much as 30 feet long and wide in size, and weigh roughly 60,000 pounds, but these specimens are extremely rare. Typically, they are 12-18 feet and weigh roughly 15,000-20,000 pounds.

[VoidSlayer]

The western coasts are home to a complex and well established coastal human civilization.  The People of the Earth as they call themselves comprise at least six distinct cultures with large coastal cities and many smaller villages both on the coasts, smaller islands and inland.  Although they have the specialization of a late bronze age culture and several different government forms bronze metallurgy is rare and expensive while iron is almost unknown except from trade with other cultures.  Most technology relies on wood, bone,coral and stone although the craftsmanship can be of the best quality.

They are mostly peaceful with occasional raids on each other and other civilizations.  They have a variety of agriculture from hearty plants, hunting, fishing and herding.  Most of their settlements are heavily fortified for protection from both warfare and the elements.  They have a society of highly secretive scholars and mages who advise and control many political areas.

They have two different belief systems.  One follows a pantheon of human like gods who battle against monstrous evil and the other is a system of ancestor worship.  Although the two are not directly in conflict the ethos and priesthoods are distinct.

[Egan_BW]

One unique species of sea-beast are the "Slugs of the Waves", an enormous aquatic Gastropod. They spend most of their time deep underwater consuming algae and small creatures, only surfacing to breathe once every few days. In order to cope with the high pressure and low temperature under the ocean, these creatures secrete a blubbery mucous, high in both chemical and magical energies, which is highly valued as a fuel by land dwelling societies.

[birdy51]

Living near and on top of the coral reefs, a subrace of humanity known as the Koralli. They build their homes on top of the reefs, using the reefs natural defenses as their defenses in turn. Throughout entire generations, they have propagated the coral reefs and have helped them to become as abnormally large as they are. In appearance, they are tall, nearly albino transparent men, often with clammy skin. Their eyes are taught and tight from looking across the waves for long hours and they are well adapted to their environment.

The enormous Gastropod's blubbery mucous is valued highly for it's medicinal and ritualistic elements, and they often are forced to thwart the efforts of the The People of Earth from to from taking it from them. However, their numbers are limited and their culture is dying slowly. They worship a variety of Koralfur as ancestors in believe chiefly in the great sea goddess to whom they dedicate their praises.

They are slow to accept outsiders or change their own beliefs from subsequent generation to generation. Their longevity is nigh legendary, with some Koralli individuals living up to three hundred years before finally passing on. Most however only live to the ripe age of two hundred or so.

[micelus]

The easternmost cultural group of the People of the Earth are the Ainfolk. Culturally, the Ainfolk are the least Earthen of the People, having only become accepted by most people after declaring a king of the People the Presider. This term, foreign to most of the People, refers to the nominal head of the Ainfolk governing body, the Ting. Even saying that the Ainfolk have a government is a small lie in itself as the Ting only presides over judicial and legal matters.

As a people, the Ainfolk are seen as being more rustic and simple than their western neighbours. Indeed, their cities are usually far smaller and serve more as marketplaces than anything else. Most of the Ainfolk instead live in the countryside, with most owing their loyalty to sigmaur, the landowning elite. The sigmaurs inhabit relatively grand dwellings of coral and stone, with a few extremely wealthy men using wood and soft jewels. While all it takes to be a sigmaur is owning a large amount of land, acquiring land legally is often difficult even though much of it is uninhabited. As such, most ambitious souls instead go about their business violently, by marriage or colonise frontier land, a task made dangerous by the Koralli and their evil gods.

Ainfolk worship similar gods as the rest of the People although their form of ancestor worship revolves around rivers due to their belief that rivers are how souls are led into the afterlife. These same rivers are the namesake of the Ainfolk, being the centre of any Ainfolker's spiritual life. Indeed, many Ainfolk still live along the rivers with some permanently living on the rivers on their boats.