Elanthia is a large planet of extraordinary contrasts. With a circumference of 27,000 miles, this seventh of fifteen worlds holds relatively few large landmasses compared to the vast seas, which cover most of it. Numerous volcanic atolls and islands dot the rugged surface of the Shadow World, which is largely unexplored and seismically unstable. Flora and fauna of every manner flourish, a dearth of heavy elements keeps technology at a primitive level. The world holds in orbit five moons, but only one---Liabo---significantly affects tides and currents.
The world of Elanthia lies constantly under the threat of the dark corrupting presence of Chaos (also known as the Unlife). To the people of Elanthia the Unlife is a real and growing horror, its dangers are two fold; the Unlife is born from potent energy that sweeps over the world like a slow poison, polluting the land and fouling the waters.
This energy course through demons, animates the dead and causes mutations and twisted monsters to be born, creatures with many heads and scaly skins, fiery breath and other foul and unnatural powers.
The second and most obvious danger of the Unlife comes from these creatures. Chaos creatures hide in the deep forests, and high mountain ranges, and beneath the world from which they emerge to burn and destroy.
Although it may seen hard to believe, there are men and other rational creatures who willing embrace the Unlife be joining marauding bands of Chaos creatures to serve the whimsical and ultimately powerful Lords of Darkness. Their reward is power, for as they mutate they become more powerful and the most successful of all may gain the ultimate gift of immortality. Few ever attain this goal, for they become so heavily mutated that their minds and bodies are destroyed. These mutants may be nothing more than a writhing mass of tentacles with bloated organs spilling onto the ground. No vestige of their former life remains except a vague memory of the lives they have gambled and lost.
On Elanthia immortal Elves, resolute Dwarves, passionate Men, and unassuming Halflings give battle against overwhelming odds. Fighting prejudice, greed, fear and temptation, as they struggle amidst the shadowy currents of a world torn asunder.
Flows of Mana
The most fascinating aspect of Elanthia is the presence of Mana flows, shifting and unseen energy fields akin to radiation. Mana originates in another universe where the laws of physics differ from those which we study and employ. Like a gateway, Elanthia rests upon the threshold of the other universe and is thus affected by the flows passing to and from the other plane. In all other ways, the Shadow World of Elanthia is firmly anchored in the dimensions of time and space which we all recognize. Some powerful beings have learned to tap the flows and to channel the Mana for both good and evil purposes.
Invisible and almost undetectable, Mana Flows shift haphazardly and can form temporary but genuine barriers (which can also be erected by skilled mana-users of the highest degree). Non mana-users rarely recognize a mana flow and are baffled and frustrated by it. No shield or spellcasting mastery can completely overcome or defy the power of mana. Even more terrifying are mana storms, a radical flux in the energy that can drain or quadruple mana points in an instant. Triggered by a solar flare or a conjunction of moons, flow-storms are accompanied by high winds, lightning, and other unusual and destructive weather patterns. When caught in a flow storm, the best advice is to take cover and offer prayers to the gods.
A more reassuring aspect of mana is its tendency to form foci, permanent and temporary concentrations of pure mana. Hundreds of greater and lesser foci exist on Elanthia, often rooted to a location or an object (an ancient tree, for example). Foci might boost mana points or even distort or increase the intrinsic power of spells cast in proximity to the foci. A very few skilled users can control and even tap some mana flows.
The Lords of Liabo and the Three Eras
(A Whirlwind History of Elanthia)
The most powerful of all deities are the Lords of Liabo, immortals from Elanthia's largest moon who predate the First Era. Rarely intervening in the affairs of Elanthia, Laiboians are immune to the vagaries of mana flows and can transport themselves instantly between their home-moon and Elanthia. The Lords of Liabo are unparalleled in power and often appear as extraordinarily beautiful humanoids, alternately standing 8' to 10' tall.
Imbued with extraordinary powers by a freak flare of mana, the immortal Lords ruled over the lands and waters of Elanthia for thousands of years until two camps formed.
A titanic struggle ensued, tearing the world apart. Races were buried by rock and flooded by mountainous tidal waves; lands sank and islands emerged. The wicked Empress Gosaena was slain, her head severed. This upheaval ended the First Era, and with it faded the power and presence of the Lords of Liabo.
The Second Era saw the healing of the land and the reawakening of the few races of beings that survived the cataclysms. Erratic mana flows tortured the world for 100,000 years, if certain Sages are to be believed.
Descendants of the Lords, Sages appeared to guide the healing of Elanthia in the Second Era. Able to tap mana flows at will, these demigods tutored the eight races in their recovery over the course of several centuries, then all but disappeared into the mists of myth.
The Unlife a vast power, which feeds upon destruction, brought to light (and to darkness!) cults and orders dedicated to evil. Wise but twisted in spirit, the servants of the Shadow offered knowledge beyond that which the Sages deigned to give such "lesser beings", and the power of the Unlife grew unfettered in the Second Era.
The 300 year long War of Dominion concluded the Second Era. Weary Sages at last overcame the forces of the Unlife. At great cost in blood and power, the world was once again at rest, however uneasily, at the dawning of the Third Era.
Now
The mighty and righteous Lords of Liabo remain aloof from the affairs of Elanthia; dark cults and religions, and monstrous races and beasts flourish and multiply with impunity. The sages are rarely seen and offer only words of advice, never the promise of power or weaponry, This is the Third Era, the Time of the Shadow.
Written by Sir Msiri Msalama, Knight of the Militant Order of Kai, Servant of the Great Spirit Voln.
I was not able to ascertain if Sir Msiri still resided in the lands, but as his work is good and no longer accessible through the other portal, I've placed it here.
The quality of a person's life does not depend on the circumstances of his life as much as the attitude with which he faces those circumstances..."Javan"
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