Draft:Ancestral Campaign Setting

Overview

Ancestral Campaign Setting is a complex fantasy setting where divine and mortal forces interact, shaped by a cyclic history of creation, destruction, and rebirth. The setting is governed by The Eternals, and mortal empires spread across a vast world consisting of diverse realms and planes. Ancestral Campaign Video Presentation

Creation Myths

The Ancestral cosmology centers around two primal deities: Matter and Oblivion, whose clash gave rise to creation. In the early phases, known as Spyres, the universe was dominated by these opposing forces. As they grew weary of their endless struggle, a third entity, Harmony, was born to balance creation and destruction. Harmony’s essence split further, bringing forth gods who shaped the physical realms. These realms are inhabited by various races and overseen by a pantheon of deities, each governing aspects like time, fertility, war, and nature.

Pantheon of Eternals

• Matter and Oblivion: Representing creation and destruction, these dual gods are the core forces of the universe, locked in eternal opposition.
• Harmony: A mediator deity tasked with balancing creation and destruction, Harmony brought forth life and order.
• Chronus: The eternal god of time, transcending form, and overseeing the cosmic flow.
• Astarte: Goddess of fertility and growth, worshipped by the Fey and other forest-dwelling races.
• Halshire: Known as the god of war, celebrated for guiding mortals through times of conflict.
• Ydor: Deity of rivers and lakes, revered for bringing life-sustaining water to the realms.

Each Eternal has their own worshippers, temples, and mythological stories associated with their domains and influence over mortals.

Geography and Realms

The Ancestral Campaign Setting is composed of multiple realms across both physical and metaphysical planes, including:

• Thera and Theril (Prime Material Planes): The core physical world, divided into two realms representing day and night. Thera is the main material plane, hosting mortal races and their civilizations.
• Astral Plane: A boundless, desolate plane linking various realms, home to the remnants of ancient empires and powerful beings.
• Ethereal Plane: A misty, mirror-like realm reflecting Thera and Theril, used as a pathway by planar travelers.
• Elemental Planes: Including Fire, Water, Earth, and Air, these planes are pure manifestations of their respective elements, inhabited by elemental beings and ruled by powerful Elemental Lords.
• Nightmare and Dream Realms: Planes connected to mortal dreams, with the Nightmare Plane crafted by Oblivion to haunt both mortals and gods, while the Dream Plane offers refuge and renewal.

History and Timeline

The history of the World is divided into Spyres (epochs), each marked by significant events and divine interventions. The early Spyres saw the formation of gods, followed by the rise of elemental beings and ancient empires. Later Spyres include epic wars between gods and mortals, the establishment of the first mortal kingdoms, and a cataclysmic war known as the Godswar, which reshaped the world's landscape and peoples.

Races and Cultures

Thera is inhabited by numerous races, each shaped by divine influence and cosmic events. Key races include the Thergen (stone-like beings connected to the earth), Drakil (an ancient dragon-race), and various mortal races, such as humans, elves, and Fey. The cultures of these races are deeply intertwined with the myths of their creation, with elaborate social hierarchies, and each race often follows the deity most aligned with their worldview and lifestyle.

Writers

Ancestral Campaign Setting has been developed since 2008 from Konstantinos Sakellakos, Vaggelis Georgakakis & George Paouris.

References

Ancestral Campaign Setting on Youtube

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