Difference between revisions of "The Book Of Earth/Krisvati"
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== Krisvati, The Isle That Dreams == | == Krisvati, The Isle That Dreams == | ||
| − | Krisvati is a | + | '''The Island:''' Krisvati is a large island in the Bordermarches far to the west of the Neck in the Western Ocean. It's exact location varies, and it is perpetually shrouded by thick mists. Those few who chance upon it and return describe it as a fantastic land of many wonders, and eventually perish attempting to return to it. Brimming with lush and colorful flora, rolling hills and waterfalls, the island is a picture of tranquil beauty, and the many fauna found there are unusually docile. |
| − | Krisvati is populated by a people who call themselves the Deva. Numbering a little over a few | + | '''The People:''' Krisvati is populated by a people who call themselves the Deva. Numbering a little over a few million, the Deva population is mostly centered in the capital city of Ketu, whose soaring spires and stupas are strangely invisible from the sea, with thousands making a living in small villages scattered across the isle. While appearing much as ordinary Westerners, the Deva are an unnaturally beautiful people, often decorating their well-shaped bodies and attractive faces with colorful fabrics, precious jewelry, elaborate tattoos and alluring perfumes (many of which act as Alchemy, whose effects take place as they slowly absorb through the skin). Both sexes wear long wraps of brightly colored fabric, wear their iridescent hair long and full and bear facial adornments and designs that indicate social status. The Deva speak an exotic varient of Seatongue, and often trade with the floating merchant-city of Denzik when it comes into their waters. Their major exports are incredibly fine clothing woven from the silk of mutated giant worms, jewelry crafted from fine gems and woods readily available throughout the isle, and various potions and drugs created with a Thaumaturgical finesse unmatched in Creation. |
| − | + | Theirs is a sybaritic culture, which seems engineered to create a succession of constant celebration and spectacle. Even their organically graceful architecture, whether in stadium-like halls or cathedral-like homes, is ornately crafted to channel the continual flow of music and incense, and stimulates all the senses to best effect. They worship no gods known elsewhere in Creation, but instead follow their own unique religion, which involves the "tithe" of one hundred of the best, brightest and most beautiful among them each generation to the strange gods living in the volcano at the center of the island. Amazingly, most of these "tithes" return, laden with fantastic gifts from their gods... | |
| − | Deva society divides itself into 5 Castes: Priests, Warriors, Entertainers, Workers and the Unnamed. The Workers live quiet lives providing the materials and processes that support life for the other castes, of which the Entertainers are by far the most populous, especially in Ketu. The Priests and Warriors tend to stay out of sight, except for ceremonial roles in the many processions down the wide avenues of the capitol. The Unnamed | + | Deva society divides itself into 5 Castes: Priests, Warriors, Entertainers, Workers and the Unnamed. The Workers live quiet lives providing the materials and processes that support life for the other castes, of which the Entertainers are by far the most populous, especially in Ketu. The Priests and Warriors tend to stay out of sight, except for ceremonial roles in the many processions down the wide avenues of the capitol. The Unnamed (who are often clearly foreigners and are always kept out of sight of visitors) are put to endlessly repetitive tasks aiding the Workers. |
| − | '''The Truth about Krisvati''' | + | '''The Truth about Krisvati:''' Krisvati is actually an ongoing experiment created by the Fair Folk, a deliberate attempt to copy the Thousand Stream River projects of the Lunar Exalted. The nearby Agate Court created this society long ago and continue to maintain it for their own pleasure to this day. This explains the near constant parties and spectacles, as the Deva seek to fill their inherited hunger with all the emotion and passion that they can squeeze from each other and their visitors (that this also feeds the nearby Raksha is, of course, a happy coincidence). The Unnamed caste are actually the Enchanted and Ravaged castoffs of the Deva's hunger for dreams. |
| + | |||
| + | The Raksha enjoy watching newcomers slowly assimilate to their artificial culture, as well as making their sport with the "tithe" they receive from the island, often sending many of the women back with child. In this manner, an unusually large strain of Fae-Blood runs through the Deva population. Dwellers on the isle may possess the full range of Fae-Blood Merits and Flaws, which explains the impossibly consistent superior quality of the goods and services found in the City, as well as the City itself (treat most items found there as Exceptional or Perfect quality). Many of Krisvati's Half-Caste inhabitants are Enlightened Essence Users: The Commoner-born Warriors practice a Terrestrial Martial Arts Style that uses long garroting scarves and khatars as Form Weapons, and some of the Noble-born Priests (who are essentially Ravagers) know a few Terrestrial Circle Spells. Use of the Alchemy, Enchantment and Husbandry Arts of Thaumaturgy are widespread among Workers and Entertainers, but the rest of the Arts have been forbidden to them. The Deva also practice the skill Craft (Glamour) and can produce equisitely detailed and addictive dreams for Dreamstones. Due to the entire culture having assimilated to the Wyld's story of a Seductive Paradise, Mutations are practically nonexistant. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''The Raksha:''' The Deva love and worship their inhuman patrons, who sometimes walk among them, both in hidden guise and in their full splendor. They abjure the worship of the true gods of Creation as blasphemy, and only Priests and Shamen will receive a cold reception among them. The nearby Freehold does seem to care for their toys, after a fashion. While not one of the Living Islands of the Deep Wyld, Krisvati does possess many similar properties, although it is beyond the control of those living on it. This is partially the source of the dread the Deva have for their Raksha parents, who can wipe out the entire culture within a day if they so choose... | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Agate Courts' Freehold is located in an ornate obsidian palace in an enormous underground cavern, accessible by entry through the smoking, fiery mouth of the small volcano at the center of the isle. This way is guarded by Magma Men (Hazard 3 Hobgoblins). While as fractious as any group of Fae, the Courtiers are united in never revealing the weaknesses of the Raksha to their mortal followers. All members of the Agate Court gain a Cult and Gossamer rating of 5 from the constant worship of their human congregation. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The head of the Agate Court is Princess Kailasa, who is revered by the Deva as a Goddess of Love and Beauty. Tall, with dark violet skin and long, lustrous black hair, the Entertainer-Diplomat is one of the finest dancers the Raksha have ever produced. She has sworn herself and her Court to an Tirobhava Adjuration Oath, which has given them all the Multiple Arms and Millipede Mind Mutations. She also has many potent Glamour Spells, which are maintained by Court functionaries. Kailasa has attained the Root of the Perfected Lotus Mutation by her own efforts, and is a practioner of Dreaming Pearl Courtesan Style; she wields six Gossamer warfans and sashes to deadly effect with this graceful style. Kailasa has embedded her Staff grace into a Waypoint of the Freehold, giving it a Throne Room Waypoint. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Ratan, The Weeping Lord, is one of the more powerful Nobles of the Court. A Xia, he serves the Court as chief of security and the Deva as God of War. The Warriors are pledged to him and he longs to take them into open battle against a worthy opponent. He has had his Sword Grace forged into a mighty Daikalbar, with which he can strike with the fury of the storm itself. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Vishal is the premier Craftsman among the Agate Courtiers. A Heroic Commoner with the features of a Bull, he makes most of the elaborate gifts the mortal visitors take back to their people. The Worker Fae is also reknown for his skill at forging Wyld Artifacts from the Graces of his Courtmates. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Esha is the Heroic Commoner Diplomat charged with handling the Deep Wyld Horror serpent-like Behemoth Nagarashi. Nagarashi normally sleeps underwater near Krisvati, but can be roused and turned onto its enemies with a song from the butterfly-like Esha. | ||
| − | |||
== Comments == | == Comments == | ||
Latest revision as of 23:31, 3 August 2007
Krisvati, The Isle That Dreams
The Island: Krisvati is a large island in the Bordermarches far to the west of the Neck in the Western Ocean. It's exact location varies, and it is perpetually shrouded by thick mists. Those few who chance upon it and return describe it as a fantastic land of many wonders, and eventually perish attempting to return to it. Brimming with lush and colorful flora, rolling hills and waterfalls, the island is a picture of tranquil beauty, and the many fauna found there are unusually docile.
The People: Krisvati is populated by a people who call themselves the Deva. Numbering a little over a few million, the Deva population is mostly centered in the capital city of Ketu, whose soaring spires and stupas are strangely invisible from the sea, with thousands making a living in small villages scattered across the isle. While appearing much as ordinary Westerners, the Deva are an unnaturally beautiful people, often decorating their well-shaped bodies and attractive faces with colorful fabrics, precious jewelry, elaborate tattoos and alluring perfumes (many of which act as Alchemy, whose effects take place as they slowly absorb through the skin). Both sexes wear long wraps of brightly colored fabric, wear their iridescent hair long and full and bear facial adornments and designs that indicate social status. The Deva speak an exotic varient of Seatongue, and often trade with the floating merchant-city of Denzik when it comes into their waters. Their major exports are incredibly fine clothing woven from the silk of mutated giant worms, jewelry crafted from fine gems and woods readily available throughout the isle, and various potions and drugs created with a Thaumaturgical finesse unmatched in Creation.
Theirs is a sybaritic culture, which seems engineered to create a succession of constant celebration and spectacle. Even their organically graceful architecture, whether in stadium-like halls or cathedral-like homes, is ornately crafted to channel the continual flow of music and incense, and stimulates all the senses to best effect. They worship no gods known elsewhere in Creation, but instead follow their own unique religion, which involves the "tithe" of one hundred of the best, brightest and most beautiful among them each generation to the strange gods living in the volcano at the center of the island. Amazingly, most of these "tithes" return, laden with fantastic gifts from their gods...
Deva society divides itself into 5 Castes: Priests, Warriors, Entertainers, Workers and the Unnamed. The Workers live quiet lives providing the materials and processes that support life for the other castes, of which the Entertainers are by far the most populous, especially in Ketu. The Priests and Warriors tend to stay out of sight, except for ceremonial roles in the many processions down the wide avenues of the capitol. The Unnamed (who are often clearly foreigners and are always kept out of sight of visitors) are put to endlessly repetitive tasks aiding the Workers.
The Truth about Krisvati: Krisvati is actually an ongoing experiment created by the Fair Folk, a deliberate attempt to copy the Thousand Stream River projects of the Lunar Exalted. The nearby Agate Court created this society long ago and continue to maintain it for their own pleasure to this day. This explains the near constant parties and spectacles, as the Deva seek to fill their inherited hunger with all the emotion and passion that they can squeeze from each other and their visitors (that this also feeds the nearby Raksha is, of course, a happy coincidence). The Unnamed caste are actually the Enchanted and Ravaged castoffs of the Deva's hunger for dreams.
The Raksha enjoy watching newcomers slowly assimilate to their artificial culture, as well as making their sport with the "tithe" they receive from the island, often sending many of the women back with child. In this manner, an unusually large strain of Fae-Blood runs through the Deva population. Dwellers on the isle may possess the full range of Fae-Blood Merits and Flaws, which explains the impossibly consistent superior quality of the goods and services found in the City, as well as the City itself (treat most items found there as Exceptional or Perfect quality). Many of Krisvati's Half-Caste inhabitants are Enlightened Essence Users: The Commoner-born Warriors practice a Terrestrial Martial Arts Style that uses long garroting scarves and khatars as Form Weapons, and some of the Noble-born Priests (who are essentially Ravagers) know a few Terrestrial Circle Spells. Use of the Alchemy, Enchantment and Husbandry Arts of Thaumaturgy are widespread among Workers and Entertainers, but the rest of the Arts have been forbidden to them. The Deva also practice the skill Craft (Glamour) and can produce equisitely detailed and addictive dreams for Dreamstones. Due to the entire culture having assimilated to the Wyld's story of a Seductive Paradise, Mutations are practically nonexistant.
The Raksha: The Deva love and worship their inhuman patrons, who sometimes walk among them, both in hidden guise and in their full splendor. They abjure the worship of the true gods of Creation as blasphemy, and only Priests and Shamen will receive a cold reception among them. The nearby Freehold does seem to care for their toys, after a fashion. While not one of the Living Islands of the Deep Wyld, Krisvati does possess many similar properties, although it is beyond the control of those living on it. This is partially the source of the dread the Deva have for their Raksha parents, who can wipe out the entire culture within a day if they so choose...
The Agate Courts' Freehold is located in an ornate obsidian palace in an enormous underground cavern, accessible by entry through the smoking, fiery mouth of the small volcano at the center of the isle. This way is guarded by Magma Men (Hazard 3 Hobgoblins). While as fractious as any group of Fae, the Courtiers are united in never revealing the weaknesses of the Raksha to their mortal followers. All members of the Agate Court gain a Cult and Gossamer rating of 5 from the constant worship of their human congregation.
The head of the Agate Court is Princess Kailasa, who is revered by the Deva as a Goddess of Love and Beauty. Tall, with dark violet skin and long, lustrous black hair, the Entertainer-Diplomat is one of the finest dancers the Raksha have ever produced. She has sworn herself and her Court to an Tirobhava Adjuration Oath, which has given them all the Multiple Arms and Millipede Mind Mutations. She also has many potent Glamour Spells, which are maintained by Court functionaries. Kailasa has attained the Root of the Perfected Lotus Mutation by her own efforts, and is a practioner of Dreaming Pearl Courtesan Style; she wields six Gossamer warfans and sashes to deadly effect with this graceful style. Kailasa has embedded her Staff grace into a Waypoint of the Freehold, giving it a Throne Room Waypoint.
Ratan, The Weeping Lord, is one of the more powerful Nobles of the Court. A Xia, he serves the Court as chief of security and the Deva as God of War. The Warriors are pledged to him and he longs to take them into open battle against a worthy opponent. He has had his Sword Grace forged into a mighty Daikalbar, with which he can strike with the fury of the storm itself.
Vishal is the premier Craftsman among the Agate Courtiers. A Heroic Commoner with the features of a Bull, he makes most of the elaborate gifts the mortal visitors take back to their people. The Worker Fae is also reknown for his skill at forging Wyld Artifacts from the Graces of his Courtmates.
Esha is the Heroic Commoner Diplomat charged with handling the Deep Wyld Horror serpent-like Behemoth Nagarashi. Nagarashi normally sleeps underwater near Krisvati, but can be roused and turned onto its enemies with a song from the butterfly-like Esha.
