SW 4th Era. Thoughts on revisions.

For me, it’s very clear that any new version of Shadow World should be distinct and new and just more of the same. Personally, I’d be fine continuing to write Shadow World material under Terry’s established work, but two factors require a differing approach: ICE’s reluctance to open up Shadow World to third parties and the publication of RMU. What is also clear, through various comments on this blog and elsewhere that people already have modified Shadow World to their liking and any new Shadow World books will be judged through these preconceptions and biases.

So the 4th Era should allow for some deviation; but informed by the events at the end of the 3rd Era. I’ll be writing more about what I see as the end events of that Era; I think Terry laid out a pretty clear pathway through the Grand Campaign, Northern Eye and Shadowstone narratives.

Deviations should serve 2 purposes: bridge any gaps between the Shadow World setting and the new RMU ruleset and bring a fresh, new angle to Shadow World for old and new users. With that in mind I would offer the following thoughts for comments. I’m curious how comfortable people are with bold changes to the setting.

1. The Unlife. The Unlife has served as an existential threat to Kulthea since the Loremaster series. It’s arguable that any of Terry’s major adventure arcs were focused on addressing or solving the “Unlife Problem”, so it’s not clear what the Unlife would look like in the 4th Era. However, the Unlife was introduced into Kulthea through the same dimensional rift that brough the Essaence and the Lords of Orhan so it’s likely that the disposition of the Northern Eye and the greater battles could have impacted that insertion point. I like the idea of reducing the role of the Unlife; it’s an abstract concept and subject to much debate online. There are second and third tier baddies that could become prominent in the new Era and pose a more mundane threat to the PC’s and the world. A few options.
   • The Unlife on Kulthea is severed from the source as the dimensional rift is closed or restricted.
   • The rift opened up temporarily or permanently and a new more powerful manisfestation of the Unlife entered Kulthea.
   • Narratively, the Unlife is an alien force but de-emphasized in the 4th Era.
2. The Dragonlords. A power unto themselves, the DL’s are both immortal, incredibly powerful but physical and tactile in a way different than the Gods of Orhan or Charon. Most have dabbled in mortal affairs for millenia and are well situated to fill any power vacuums. Some options include
   • Some or all of the Dragonlords take advantage of the era ending Chaos and consolidate power and holdings. They now rule over major parts of several continents and Dragon Kings.
   • The Dragonlords were instrumental in the end of the Era. Some were killed/destroyed, fled into hiding or escaped to the East.
   • Dragonlords ascended and joined the Orhan/Charon pantheon. They are now Gods with cult followers, churches and priests.
3. The Loremasters. I’ve already alluded to some of my thoughts on the disposition of the Loremasters but an argument could be made for their ascendance into more power and influence. A few options:
   • The Loremaster organization is destroyed and scattered. (Order 66). After decades they are a lost and forgotten order of wizards and meddlers, mostly fiction.
   • The Loremasters take their place as open advisors to key leaders, Kings, cities and cultures. They become benevolent advisors but perhaps prone to corruption.
   • There is a change in leadership and the Loremasters are led by a secretly evil persona. Andraax is gone (again)!!
4. The Essaence. Here I have to be careful, since we can’t make too many changes that interfere with the RMU ruleset. Personally I would love to see a big change but realistically it can’t happen. Option:
   • The throttling of the dimension rift, also inhibits and throttles the Essaence. Power cost goes up, PP recovery is slower and magic becomes more rare and harder to learn. The mechanics around realm differences become much more meaningful.
   • Volatility. Despite the placement of the Northern Eye, world wide Essaence is disrupted. Foci are impacted, flows redirected and weather patterns permanently change. Spell failure increases, but output can be amplified. Basically volatility in all aspects of spell casting.
5. Demons. Demons have always been a integral part of the setting. We also saw Demons participate in the final battle at the end of the 1st Era as well as the Wars of Dominion. “Legends of Shadow World” (chapter 4) involves a significant invasion from the Pales into Shadow World. Running with that possibility, adding in the fluctuations of Essaence, volatility in dimensional gates and perhaps the direct involvement of some of the gods of Charon, the 4th Era could signify a more omnipresent Demon population. (think Warded Man). I’ve done some basic work with my “Book of the Pales”, but the hierarchy, culture, society and even races of Demons can be expanded dramatically. I envision a Demon invasion, one where they do establish a beachhead on Kulthea. Where would that be…
6. Weather & Climate. Assuming some polar ice melt and changes to Essaence flows it’s likely their would be subsequent changes to climate. Shadow World already had some microclimate effects baked into the cake from the Loremaster series. Whether it’s a “sciency” based approach or something more random, changing climates could be interesting! Desserts becoming wetter and foliated or lush plains turning arid and creating population displacement.
7. Lords of Essaence. It’s possible that the great barrier is breached, if only temporarily, and allows the entrapped Lords of Essaence back into this hemisphere. How would the few remaining Ka’ta’viir handle that? Probably not well?

Overall, my goal is to change the nature and scope of power in Shadow World. Rather than have a small group of Tier 1 foes, I see the 4th Era as a mix of more attainable villains. Ones that could conceivable be challenged by a PC group directly, or represent more attainable goals than “saving the world”. Does Kulthea become subject to the Great Powers approach? Active involvement of Lords of Essaence, Dragonlords and Demon Lords that rule over large parts of the world? None dominant, but all in conflict. Perhaps in this case, the PC’s choose the lesser of “evils” and ally with a Dragonlord or a less offensive Ka’ta’viir?