Worldbuilding things

For loose worldbuilding bits. Please credit if used.

[have-some-universe]

I aim to post worldbuilding bits weekly. Much of this stuff is written for D&D, and whilst I'll try to make it more generic I'll also post suggested stats for some of it. It will probably focus on objects and creatures, though there will be a few locations (with details on what objects and creatures live there)

Worldbuilding bits are usually queued.

Main is @many-larp-characters-in-a-body

[have-some-universe]

Doing a worldbuilding thing and realized that Frankenstein-like homonculi or golems would likely suffer from autoimmune disorders, as their immune system in one part is of different origin to each other part of their body, that is to say that the immune cells of the arm would constantly assault the torso, the other arm, and so on. My current and unusual style of writing is due to the tone of the worldbuilding; it will likely be gone soon.

[have-some-universe]

Blackweed

A species of waterweed that secretes magical substances which repel light. These protect it from the full force of the stream, and can be secreted in lesser or greater quantities depending on the plant's immediate needs. These plants are often cultivated by local magicians and alchemists to harvest the secretions.

BONUS (because it's too small for its own entry): Brightroots

All root vegetables grown nearby accumulate liquid light, allowing them to be used as a weak lamp for up to a week after harvesting.

[have-some-universe]

Starfruit

A tree species native to the Shining Streams and the area around them. The species is a unique citrus, living very well in the warm, bright environment. The name comes not from the shape of its fruit — they are in the traditional rounded form — but from the bright glow of said fruit, present due to liquid light absorbed in the groundwater; meaning that from a distance they look like clusters of stars. The orchards of these fruits grown by some nearby towns are very popular at night. Regularly eating these fruit causes one's eyes to glow faintly, and eating too many can lead to a brighter light and potential damage to vision.

[have-some-universe]

Seraphish

Yet another fish native to the Shining Streams, these ones in the upper course. They are far more magical than the other fish of the streams- as is their environment — and do not need either food or respiration. Instead, they draw energy directly from the heat and magic of the liquid light, with a modified circulatory system to allow it to flow in or out freely. Adapted from the same original species of flatfish as lensfish, they spend most of their time on the base of the river, absorbing falling nutrients to grow and heal. Their fins have developed many long filaments resembling feathers, and split, appearing as a set of four wings. This, combined with a large false eye and gentle glow, have led to their name, and many people believing them related to angels.

[have-some-universe]

Lensfish

A fish native to the middle course of the Shining Streams, evolved from flatfish. Due to the brightness making sight largely useless, they have begun to develop echolocation. Their body and internal organs are translucent, and they can curve themselves to focus light through themselves. This is used as a hunting method, cooking prey (mainly birds) out of the sky.

[have-some-universe]

Greenfin

Another fish native to the Shining Streams. They live in the lower course, so as to have easy access to both water and the bright light of the streams. They get their name for the large chlorophyll deposits in their fins, obtained from plants in a manner similar to some sea slugs.

[have-some-universe]

Greenfin

Another fish native to the Shining Streams. They live in the lower course, so as to have easy access to both water and the bright light of the streams. They get their name for the large chlorophyll deposits in their fins, obtained from plants in a manner similar to some sea slugs.

[skribblegurl]

some people think writers are so eloquent and good with words, but the reality is that we can sit there with our fingers on the keyboard going, “what’s the word for non-sunlight lighting? Like, fake lighting?” and for ten minutes, all our brain will supply is “unofficial”, and we know that’s not the right word, but it’s the only word we can come up with…until finally it’s like our face got smashed into a brick wall and we remember the word we want is “artificial”.

[heywriters]

I couldn't remember the word "doorknob" ten minutes ago.

[bumblewyn]

ok but the onelook thesaurus will save your life, i literally could not live without this website

[breelandwalker]

REBLOG TO SAVE A WRITER'S LIFE

[myfairkatiecat]

LIFE SAVED

REBLOGGING TO SAVE ANOTHER WRITERS LIFE

[sirowsky]

I use this every time I sit down to write. It's the best tool in the world and I would be lost without it!

[have-some-universe]

Anglers

A species of angler fish lives in the ocean deep below the estuary of the Shining Streams, and had learnt to use the light (at around 42% concentration, for safety) rather than expending energy on bioluminescance. They have developed an exchange membrane at the base of their lure to maintain the concentration, and occasionally swim higher toward the stream if the concentration gets too low.

[have-some-universe]

Features of the Black Fleet

The material

The most obvious oddity of the fleet is, of course, the darkness from which it is made. Produced from the liquid light. The process requires magical cold — actual temperature is irrelevant, only the amount of power dumped into it per m³ of light. Once it has solidified, it is powdered, with [setting-specific alchemical bits] added. It is then centrifuged at high power. The darkness left in the center solidifies, and can be worked at high temperatures. Due to its repulsion from light, strong fires or blowtorches are often used to both make it malleable and provide force to work it.

The propulsion

The fleet cannot use conventional fuel sources.[(in sufficiently advanced worlds) combustion or steam power is ineffective due to the light released, and its effect on the ships.] Sails work, but ruin the effect of the fleet – and branding is important to its owners – as well as the stream having little wind most days. Paddles or oars are impractical because the stream is massless; it tends to function as waves more than particles. It remains to be seen if this is for a sensible reason, or a great cosmic pun.

Instead, they rely on the repulsion to light experienced by the darkness the ships are comprised of. A number of mirrors in each ship (location varies) are used to channel light to a fiber-optic cable. This cable is mounted to a system that allows it to rotate on a horizontal plane around a pillar in the 'engine room' of each ship, controlling direction. Separate mechanisms can restrict flow of light, and various methods can be used for short-term light production (it can be funneled from a small box of opaque material without issue, but large-scale use would be more expensive than it's worth).

The ships

Ships are as follows:

Flagship:

One large flagship, fitted with supernatural means of communicating with other ships, as well as a high-security vault and various defensive measures.

Merchant ships:

The original portion of the fleet, created for cargo transport. As a result, they are a little simpler in design. They have a lot of cargo space, of various security levels, and basic accommodation. Each also has a larger suite for the merchant who owns it, the fleet having began as a consortium.

Industrial ships:

2 or 3 of these follow the fleet at a time. 4 in total exist, with the spares either undergoing or assisting with dry docked repairs, or construction of new ships. All are capable of the darkness production process, and of shaping it. They also have varied options for refining the products traded along the streams, particularly short-lived potions, to sell along the way.

Fishing ships

Apart from their materials and production, these are mostly ordinary. The fish of the streams are strange, with special equipment needed for processing to an edible form, but this is housed on industrial ships. The main oddity of these boats is probably in the combination of their light-intake mechanisms with the means fish are taken in from the nets.

Cruise ships

These days, one of the larger income sources for the fleet. The larger, named the ballroom, is roughly 75% ballrooms and similar venues, with several musical and 'party' venues. The remaining quater is assorted sports, reading, and eating facilities. The deck holds a swimming pool of 10% liquid light, and is kept well above the main river. The smaller of the two, the Afterparty, is largely given over to bedrooms, with some fishing and reading capacity. Transit between the two is achieved via a number of small shuttle ships. A third is under construction, primarily focused on childcare and schooling whilst parents are on the other boats. There are also to be facilities for adults to learn about the streams. It will be constructed to allow observation of the river through heavily tinted portholes on the lowest deck.

Combat ships

Built to guard the fleet, these have especially sturdy construction. Their weapons focus mainly on using the light as either a weapon or energy source. Though rarely used, they are built to extremely high standards, as the equipment used is difficult to replace.

Scout ships

The most advanced ships in the fleet. They have 45-60% of their surface being covered in mirrors to funnel light into their propulsion chamber. As well as being more hydrodynamic and more powerfully propelled than other ships, their steering mechanism is more advanced. They hold a magically suspended sphere of darkness, with light focused on it from any angle. This can either be controlled manually, or via a panel at one side of the chamber (or partially through each, one controlling direction and the other flow of light). This allows for more complex maneuvers, including limited jumps out of the water, using high-intensity light on the lower hemisphere, or partial submersion. Some varients instead use a set of variously-places light inputs, with control based on flow through each.

There is also a subphotonic vehicle in the experimental phase. Current controls are based both on the usual propulsion, and the ability to reverse the panels that make up the exterior between mirrored faces, and faces of darkness. It has very strongly tinted sheets of glass, which can be pulled down over the windows when it is submerged or about to submerge.

[have-some-universe]

Notebook filled with worldbuilding

[have-some-universe]

Oops ran out of queue. Ordinary service will resume shortly.

[have-some-universe]

Traproot

A tree species, related to mangroves. It's roots rise up into low archways, particularly over small trails. If pressed on from below by an unlucky animal, or human's foot, it rapidly constricts. The wood of the plant is hard, making escape difficult if possible, and trapped animals are usually killed by a nearby predator, before the tree sends up roots through the corpse's bones to extract the nutrients, with leftover flesh eventually decaying into compost. Vulture bees often live in the branches of traproot trees to take advantage of the steady supply of bodies.

[have-some-universe]

Angler kelp

A species of kelp, in whose roots bioluminescant compounds build up over time, some produced by the plant and others taken from anglerfish corpses. At night, the glow of these roots draws fish towards the kelp. Older specimens have brighter roots, due to increased buildup over time, drawing fish into the heart of kelp forests. As it grows lighter and fish begin to leave, the kelp's spines, usually tucked into it's fronds, extend, trapping or killing fish. A weak magical sentience directs the kelp to twist to spear fish more effectively, preventing escape. As blood from the fish seeps out, larger predators are often drawn in and slain, and when the corpses reach the surface, a varient root system (which does not glow), absorbs nutrients trapped in their bodies.

[have-some-universe]

Wounded willow

A close relative of the weeping willow, most initially assume the name comes from this tree's bright red leaves. In fact, it is due to a gash which opens up in the trunk as the tree grows, around head height, leaking red sap. The sap is a paralytic [stats as per purple worm mucous], with most creatures unfortunate enough to touch it held still until their death by dehydration, eventually acting as fertiliser for the tree.

Eventually, the gash opens wider, and a hive of specially adapted insects [stat as a swarm of poisonous snakes with immunity to the paralyzed condition] moves in. These bugs live in the trunk of the tree, feeding on it's sap. When a creature dies nearby, or disturbs the hive, they drag parts of the body to the tree to fertilise it. They also kill the saplings of other trees nearby, leading to these trees taking over large areas if not cut back at a young age.

[have-some-universe]

Wings of the fallen

Magical items made from the wings of fallen angels. Different types of angel, and the nature of their fall, affect the level of power, and the purpose, of the wings. All grant at the very least the ability to glide a short distance, but many grant a variety of benefits, such as the ability to use the wings themselves as a shield.

Variations (most sets will have a variation for the angel, and a variation for it's fall)

Flaming feathers:

Found on those wings whose owners were angels of battle, these wings burn with spectral fire. This is usually cosmetic, but on the command of the wearer can lash out at a nearby target. The wearer can cast the 'firebolt' centripetal if they couldn't already, and can cast the 'burning hands' spell once each short rest. Both use the maker of the wings' choice of charisma, intelligence, or wisdom as the spellcasting modifier.

Shields of sky:

Wings taken from angels of protection. The feathers of these wings usually appear to be made of metal, and the wings are unusually strong and shock-resistant. They can be used to shield oneself, or those nearby. The wearer can cast the 'shield' spell on themself, or an ally within 5 feet, 5 times, regaining all uses on a short or long rest.

Aerial aid:

Wings taken from angels of mercy and healing, these often glow faintly. The wearer often finds themself healing more rapidly than normal, and can release bursts of healing to the aid of any wrapped in these wings. The wearer can cast the 'cure wounds' spell from the wings 3 times, and the 'mass healing word' spell once, regaining all uses on a short rest. Both use the maker of the wings' choice of charisma, intelligence, or wisdom as the spellcasting modifier.

Philosopher's flight:

Wings taken from angels of contemplation and knowledge, the feathers of these wings each have a perfectly realistic image of an eye on the end. The wearer can see through all these eyes, gaining the benefit of a 'robe of eyes'.

Bloodied wings:

Wings taken from angels who fell due to cruelty. They drip blood at all times, and cause a faint pain any time the user acts out of kindness. Anyone wearing them gains +2 to all damage rolls.

Shrouded wings:

Wings taken from an angel who lied to their god. These wings cannot be seen clearly, and are shrouded by mist. The wearer gains +2 to deception and stealth rolls.

Blinded wings:

Wings taken from angels who fell due to callousness, these wings look initially similar to 'philosopher's flight' wings, but the eyes can never be seen straight-on, always looking away from the viewer. (If these are also 'philosopher's flight' wings, then the eyes always appear to be looking at something behind what they are actually viewing). The wearer of these wings is immune to the Charmed condition, and gains advantage on saving throws to prevent themselves from being controlled.

Grasping wings:

Wings taken from angels who stole out of greed, they appear to split slightly near the end, into five sections. They often twist towards nearby valuable. The wearer gains advantage on sleight of hand checks, and their carrying capacity increases by half.

Speed of the wings is based purely on the power of the angel that they come from.