Prepare yourselves friends for today is what we have been preparing for all these months. It is time for our first true expedition. Lace up your boots, fill up your waterskin, and turn your eyes to the horizon. Tomorrow we wake upon new shores. Now, let’s depart for a Voyage!

Destination: Hoclon

The Primordials

Before civilization, before humanity and legends there strode the embodiments of the natural world, the primordials. Fire. Storm. Sea. And many more. Where they walked, their moods shaped the landscape around them while their bodies twisted and shifted to suit their desires. When chance brought them together there were only three results. They passed one another without interaction, not even acknowledging the other’s existence. Not even a wave or head nod. Or they instead chose to work together. On a whim they would twin their powers together and create wonders that had never been seen before. Sadly the last result is they fought. Their clash wreaking havoc on the landscape and carving deep scars across the land. All the while they remained mostly unharmed. It was believed they were invincible beings. After all who could imagine a being able to shrug off blows that sundered mountains could be mortally wounded. Let alone even consider they could die.

Until one day.

In the Northern Ocean a conflict between Air and Water escalated to new heights and accomplished the impossible. The death of the Primordial of Water.  As Air roared in victory, Water’s body began to change. The once crystalline waters that poured from his body became a foul dark ichor guttering violently from his corpse. All life touched by this ichor was twisted. Plants withered and became toxic. Creatures swelled in size an aggression. Tsunamis battered the coast and brought the waters miles inland. The unrelenting surge of water began to push further and further.

To save what life she could, Earth raised great plateaus above the water levels. Entire ecosystems were saved as they were spared the water’s embrace. But it wasn’t enough. The waters surged past the plateaus spreading further still. It was then that the Plant joined in her effort. Together they created a ring around the entire Northern Ocean. Earth raised the sea beds while Plant created vast wetlands. Their powers in unison created the Great Bog and stopped the encroaching waves.

Both Earth and Plant exhausted themselves and were left at the brink of death. Fearing their own death’s they hid themselves away. Following their suit, the remaining primordials began to vanish. One by one till none were left. Are they hidden where mortals cannot tread? Did they abandon the world entirely? To this day, no one is sure.

The Fetid Ocean

What was once the Northern Ocean and where the body of the Primordial of Water still spews dark corrupted waters. Enormous waves crash against the Great Bog to the south. Ships are unable to sail very far before they are capsized or swarmed by twisted creatures.

The Great Bog

Okay well technically it isn’t a bog. Well not all of it. It is a mega continent sized collection of different wetlands. Fens, bogs, swamps, you name it! The northern half of the Great Bog is called the Dread Bog. That’s where the nastiest of the corrupted creatures and the most twisted plants are. Don’t eat the berries. Ever. No matter how safe you think they look. The region is exposed to too much fetid water for anything to be even remotely friendly. That cute looking bird? Probably spits acid. Meanwhile the southern part of the Great Bog is called the Clear Bog. This is where things get a bit friendlier. There are (mostly) clean bodies of water purified by the vegetation. It’s still a good idea to be careful about what you eat or drink though. The fetid waters influence is minimal, but still present. Failing to prepare your food properly can lead to a dire consequences.

The Midlands

The lands immediately to the south of the Great Bog. Things are mostly safe here. Aside from the occasional fetid rainstorm or creature running about. The fetid creatures are slain and disposed of with all haste. Plants impacted too heavily by the rainstorms are burned. Scout towers keep watch to protect against both those threats. In the shadows of the great plateaus are vast deserts protected from the fetid rains. Water in the desert may be rare, but it is almost always safe to drink. Well as safe as desert water normally is. Which as far as I’m aware is very safe. Always a good idea check with locals first anyway though.

The Pristine Lands

The southernmost lands in this world. No ecological effects of the Fetid Ocean have reached the Pristine Lands. In fact, many people in modern days think the Fetid Ocean has either disappeared or never existed in the first place. The Pristine Lands used to be pretty war-torn from people trying to flee the midlands who feared the Fetid Ocean. But in the last few generations the lands were united by the Harmonious Triplets. They weren’t really triplets by the way. They were just really good friends according to historians. Each of them were able to unite a significant portion of the Pristine Lands and when their borders met, they called for peace instead of trying to expand.

All right everyone, rest up for now. We are just getting started with this voyage and we don’t want to wear ourselves. Charge up your social batteries, next time we are going to get a chance to make some new friends.

Onwards to adventure!

CozyPandaDragon