Overview
The Chaos Lands are to most just a place of legendary evil. A nightmare story told around campfires or to scare small children. Almost nobody has ever been there.
But in reality, it is a place where the barriers between this dimension and others such as the Realms of Chaos or the Elemental planes and the have hopelessly eroded. Creatures such as demons and elementals, whom otherwise can only remain in this realm for a limited time can remain in the Chaos Lands. And if they can find a way to expand the weakening barriers, then they can expand the parts of Driax that they can move freely.
The denizens living here also strike into the other lands through a combination of magick portal, ritual, dreams, and traditional raiding. Their goal is usually to find other souls to drag back into their lands, as all of their Dark patrons draw power from the suffering inflicted. They also love nothing more than to break a proud or powerful soul and bend that person to worship them. Suffering boosts their power for a time. But more followers boosts their power forever.
History
This area was once part of the Silverestri Forest, and the home of the elves. But as the elves slid further into perversion, debauchery and hedonism, they inadvertently birthed the Goddess of Perversion, Saleercki. Her birth caused incredible damage to the elven lands, causing massive earthquakes which destroyed entire cities, and rose up a massive mountain range that ran down the middle of what had been their forest. And it damaged the seal between dimensions.
Rifts to Chaos opened all over and many elves perished in those moments, crushed by the mountains, tortured and killed by demons or perhaps just driven mad by the massive amount of magickal energy unleashed upon the world. A lucky few elves fled through a portal to the western part of their realm, but the rest were trapped and forced to endure great horrors as the demons came. The city of Silvanus became the centre of a chaos landscape, ruled by a Demon Princess of the newly birthed Goddess. Here those souls that remained were encouraged and forced into ever increasing acts of debauchery and sin. Today rifts are a common sight all over the Forsaken Lands, and each of the Dark Powers has claimed an area of the place for themselves, as have some of the Elemental-kin.
Amongst this chaos Drezzim saw an opportunity and offered her protection to many of the surviving elves. Through an increased ability to manipulate this realm, she created an area of perpetual darkness from which she could protect her new followers. These elves would become the Dark Elves. They would raid into the lands of the west through magick portals and deep tunnels, capturing slaves and spreading terror in the name of Drezzim, before attacking and enshrouding much of Drasak in eternal darkness, and then later doing the same to Koryl.
Common Races
Elves
The original inhabitants, most elves are either now slaves or are one of the Dark Elves (Daerthanon), who are the descendants of those elves saved by Drezzim. Dark Elves look like normal elves during the day, but in darkness their skin turns black and their hair goes light, usually white. Despite similar appearances in daylight, all elves can always tell a Dark Elf.
Demons
Demons from all of the Chaos Powers roam freely here. There is some link between the number of slaves and followers each Dark God controls with how many demons there are for that power, but nobody truly understands it. The Demons love to torture and kill mortals but will frequently fight each other too.
Elementals
Each of the Elemental realms has also poured into this region, although mostly they are found in the World’s Edge Mountains, far away from the old elven settlements. They usually avoid each other, although conflict between opposing elements is not unheard of.
Slaves
Those mortals unlucky enough to be captured, and transported back to this area, then live the most wretched and tortured lives as playthings for the demons. If they become true believers, then they might last years, but only becoming truly depraved will they ever potentially find joy again.
The Hive
As if the Chaos Lands weren’t dangerous enough, there is also a spire of the Hive growing at the ancient site of Crysalis Tower. With some of the Hive growing to 12’+ tall, they are most formidable. Exactly what the Hive night be feeding off is unclear. Perhaps they can live off demon matter in the same manner they can any other organic matter. So far the demons have not felt threatened enough to unite against it, but if not soon, then might not be able to.
Cities
Silvanus
.A desolate dead forest, with a looming black crystal city in its midst, Silvanus is a grim and foreboding place for the living. A giant rift to the chaos realms hovers over the city and demons walk the streets.
Na’Shar’Ri-La
The Land of eternal darkness. Na’Shar’Ri-La has a massive purple crystal at its heart, an artifact gift from Drezzim, which shrouds the city and the surrounding lands in eternal darkness in which only followers of Drezzim can see. In this land, the Dark Elves are safe, and after many failed attempts to conquer it, most of the demon know to leave it alone.
Crysalis Tower
The ancient crystal tower of the Elves always looked like a Crysalis, but now it has been taken over by a Hive Queen and may actually be one. Nobody knows quite where they came from, but now they are eating something, presumably organic matter, and using it to grow both their settlement and their numbers.
Tower of the Rising Sun
This small tower fortress was one of the greatest collection of Elven magickal knowledge, particularly on forbidden magick. Legend also says it is where kept a lot of powerful artifacts, and possibly imprisoned some evil creatures which could not be killed. Unbeknownst to anyone, the Tower remains. It is guarded by an incredible amount of magick concealment, a portal system linking it to the west, and a rotating cadre of the best the Elves have to offer. Clearly, there are things here that cannot simply be moved, and the risk if they are released is too much.
Tower of the Stars
This tower originally served many purposes. It had powerful telescopes to study the stars and to learn of the universe, it was a powerful lighthouse and magick beacon for Elven ships, and it was originally home to the Seers. Now it is the base for the forces of Tzy-Lord in the Lands of the Forsaken, and is a place where any chaos power may send magically capable recruits, and they will be instructed in magick. Only Kazak’Ta does not make use of this, and has in fact launched three failed attacks on the tower in the last 100 years alone.
Organisations and Suggested Characters
Dark Elf Priestesses
The Priestesses (all priests are female) of Drezzim guided their people to safety and have been the rulers of their society since. They ensure Drezzim is fed with souls and slaves are taught to worship her in return for her continued protections against all of the other evils living in the Chaos Lands
Ranks
- InitiateLevel 0 guideline
- AcolyteLevel 2 guideline
- NightsoulLevel 5 guideline
- NightwalkerLevel 8 guideline
- NightbringerNo fixed level listed
- The Dark OnesNo fixed level listed
Dark Elf Warriors
In a land as dangerous as this, all Dark Elves are taught to fight. Over time their preference has moved from bows to crossbows, and many Dark Elves have repeater crossbows. The Dark Elf warriors make extensive use of poisons on their blades and crossbow bolts. The Warriors form the bulk of the fighting force, and usually under the command of the Priestesses.
NigWings
A corrupted version of the Silverhawks, the NightWings are darker, with nearly all being adept at launching fireballs or lightning bolts at targets while they fly overhead. They retain the ability to fly and detect magick, but they are slightly less capable scouts but a much more capable strike force.
Ranks
- AcolyteLevel 3 guideline
- NightwingLevel 6 guideline
- Nightwing-CaptainLevel 9 guideline
- Nightwing-CommanderNo fixed level listed
- Lord of the NightwingsNo fixed level listed
Soul-Reapers
Using horrific psionic helms, the Reapers stun and paralyse an enemy as they charge towards it, then they use their scimitars to send their souls straight to Drezzim. There are few more feared sights on the battlefield than a Reaper charging towards you.
Ranks
- AcolyteLevel 3 guideline
- Soul-ReaperLevel 6 guideline
- Soul-Reaper CaptainLevel 9 guideline
- Soul-Reaper CommanderNo fixed level listed
- Lord of the Soul-ReapersNo fixed level listed
Spiders
The Spiders wear a special back piece from which can extend eight magickal limbs. These limbs can climbs surfaces like a Spider, or spray magickal web over their prey. A favourite technique is to use the spider limbs to walk up and across vertical surfaces, while leaving both hands free to attack or cast spells.
Ranks
- AcolyteLevel 3 guideline
- SpiderLevel 6 guideline
- Web-LeaderLevel 9 guideline
- Web CommanderNo fixed level listed
- Lord of the WebsNo fixed level listed
Shadow-Walkers
Tapping into Drezzim’s mastery of shadow, the Walkers use magickal cloaks to allow them to Shadow Step from one shadow to the next. As they rise in ranks they gain the ability to take Shadow form as well. The Walkers are equal parts spy, thief and assassin, and there may be nowhere they can’t get to.
Ranks
- AcolyteLevel 3 guideline
- ShadowLevel 6 guideline
- Shadow MasterLevel 9 guideline
- Hands of the ShadowNo fixed level listed
- Lord of the ShadowsNo fixed level listed
Cultists
There are some mortals who become faithful enough to the Dark Powers they just remain in the Chaos Lands by choice, or travel back to the West to try and spread the cult of their Dark Masters. Sometimes there sanity is very badly damaged by this stage, and all will bear the Mark of their Master in some way.
Demonspawn
The demons have been living in these lands for a long time. As such there is now a reasonable number of Demonspawn also in these lands. They are often perfect candidates, provided they are not too badly marked physically, to travel back to the West either to capture slaves or to start a chaos cult. A rare few just seek to escape, and wish nothing to do with the will of the Dark Gods.
Regional Life
Relations
The Chaos Lands has almost no relations with any other empire. Apart from raids to capture slaves, kill, loot and cause general mayhem. And there isn’t anyone brave enough to risk the Chaos Lands as the riches aren’t really there to make it worthwhile.
Clothing
Clothing varies a lot. Demons tend to wear little or nothing. So do many who favour Saleercki. But others are dressed as well as they can (although high fashions are rare this side of the Mountains). The Dark Elves tend to dark colours and mostly black. Kazak’Ta and Cyrus followers will often wear the heaviest armours they can find.
Women
The Dark Elf society is one of the rare cultures that highly favours females. Amongst demons power matters far more, and a demon can climb the ranks regardless of gender. The Elementals often don’t differentiate genders, although some of the lesser Elemental-kin do.
Cities
Key settlements: Silvanus, Na’Shar’Ri-La, Crysalis Tower, Tower of the Rising Sun, Tower of the Stars.
Trade
The Chaos Lands will steal things, but many things are scarce in the Chaos Lands specifically because they don’t trade with anyone.
Exports: None
Imports: Metal, weapons and armour, slaves (scarce, this comes from raids and not real trade).
Arms
The Chaos Lands are a very dangerous place, and every creature in it is prepared for combat at nearly any time. Weapons of all sorts can be found here, although each area has its own preferences. Elves like crossbows and lighter blades, while the followers of Kazak’Ta prefer much heavier and powerful weapons.
Language
There are a great many languages spoken in the Chaos Lands, with Elven, Demonic, and then the specific language for each Dark Power all being common in certain parts of the Chaos Lands. The generic Demonic is what most groups use when communicating with each other. The ability to read and write varies between culture, but it is common in most places, with the primary exception being the Elementals and the followers of Kazak’Ta and Malar.
Religion and Magick
There is a lot of religion in the Chaos Lands, as each area tends to be highly devoted to a particular Dark Power. The churches will often not look like those in other regions, but apart from the extreme nature of some of the religious observances, the function is still the same. Magick is common because so many of the followers of the Dark Gods have gifts and other natural powers. Arcane learning is much rarer, and is mostly confined to the Tower of the Stars, where the followers of Tzy-Lord will teach anyone with the attitude and aptitude.
The Chaos Lands (Lands of the Forsaken / Worlds Edge Mountains) Lore Points
Ill’gata, Lady of the Pleasure Grove
The ruler of Silvanus and the most powerful follower of Saleercki in the Chaos Lands (and possibly all of Driax) and the most influential leader in the Chaos Lands. Ill’gata is breathtakingly beautiful, seductive and has strong vices towards sex, drugs and hedonism. She is also highly intelligent and manipulative, but incredibly vain and jealous.
Prince Drath’Devar, Herald of the Apocalypse
The chosen of Drezzim, Drath’Devar is a strikingly attractive Dark Elf who also happens to be naturally gifted at everything, including fighting and magick. It is prophecised that he will lead the Dark Elves to their greatest glories. He frequently travels to and from the Dark Elf lands here and those in the west. If the Dark Elves have a major plan in operation, Drath’Devar will never be too far away. He is not universally loved by the Priestesses however, as some are jealous that a man has been elevated so highly by Drezzim.
Elemental-Kin
There are Elemental-Kin from all four of the elemental realms in the Chaos Lands. Mostly they avoid the demons and mortal races, so that tends to mean they live high up in the mountains. The exception is the Water elements, who also may be found along some of the coastlines.