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Roseade

The Roseade Archipelago is a massive chain of volcanic islands stretching along much of the southernwestern hemisphere of Yalda. The Zyllan Empire attempted to colonize the archipelago in their heyday, but were repelled by unfamiliar wildlife, magic, and societies. In time, those societies turned into Empires of their own.

The saying goes: “Empire could not take on Roseade, so Roseade took on Empire.”

The Roseade Empire, however, fell into disrepair. Warring nations, a figurehead of an emperor, and the inability to control the individual lords of islands forced the archipelago into splinters. Some (most) prefer it this way.

The Free Islands are the more western islands that the Empire doesn't consider their territory. They’d like to, but they can’t.

The most populous island is Tagi Tohe, massive city of benevolent tribals who enjoy trade, music, and challenges of strength.

As you get further southeast, you run into the mermaids, the island fortresses, and the fishermen. This is generally the nicest place to retire. Maybe some stuff from Atlantis is here.

Jungles with sages and monks. Yuan-ti worshiping Naga. Lots of odd snake superstitions. East-Asian dragons.

(The Yuan-ti aren’t evil like they are in core D&D, obviously. They mainly care about defending their home from the bad stuff in the jungle, their gods, and maybe opium.)

The southernmost reaches host a variety of warlike tribals dedicated to eliminating Imperial culture. They refer to the Empire and all associated with them as ‘sandrakers’, a mocking of the terrain of some of the Empire as well as their religious beliefs. They have magical arcane tattoos and will bond with you for life. These are some ride-till-die motherfuckers.

The Empire, or The Old Rose, is ‘pseudo-Japan’ in the same way Ludum is basically 'pseudo-Renaissance-Europe if it was haunted by angels and other stuff with wings'. Also steal stuff from Yoon-Suin probably.

This is Sengoku-era stuff. Near-constant military conflict, and a lot of opportunities for roguish ninja heroes to do some damage via espionage and arson and assassinations. Or maybe you’re bound to a local lord and serving as a samurai? Could get interesting.

Oh yeah, and everyone's getting tormented by ancestral ghosts and all your kids are getting fucking eaten by Oni. Some kind of curse?

There’s even weirder stuff to the south, but it heavily involves the drow. I’ll get into them in later posts.

#setting information #roseade