EMPYREAN

Yrd Yrd is the power of the collective flow that chains events into the apparent sequence of action and reaction. A stream of deeds that necessitate from a primordial origin unto the destiny that awaits everything in the cosmos. Indeed, Yrd, is the concept of cosmic Fate. It is also the concept of flow, of water, Karma - as some call it- and even, to some extent, time. All of these things are hid in Yrd, and more. For there is understanding there, inherent, innate, the gift of insight, as some call it and thus the ability to know, which supersedes the ability to see or feel, or which includes both of these. In Yrd, knowing and seeing and feeling are not at odds, but are as one. Thus, Yrd is the power of divination, revealer of the Past, Present and Future. The Mirror Pool:  You reach deep into the forces of Fate, questioning the unknowable and gaining valuable insight into what was, what is, or what might be. You gaze into a mirror-like surface, gleaning visions from the p...

Another attempt to depict the wildly changing climate of Arandor in a single shot. From the Desolate Wastelands in the basins and valleys of the world, to the Glacial Highlands in the higher altitudes.

The Rune "Sha" Sha:  It is impossible to form an action without generating a reaction, equal to the force that was applied. Together the pair of action and reaction form the friction that generates the spark which sends the whole universe to turn like a primeval cog inside an invisible colossal machine. Because of the principle behind friction, the whole universe could be seen like a giant tempest, riddled with infinite smaller storms erupting in different speeds and time within its body. Sha is the concept of the Tempest and the Vortex, and this is the implication of eternal motion which can simply be said to be one thing: Energy. By itself, Sha enhances movement and delivers liberty. The vortex grants wings with which one can fly across the aetheric currents, or perhaps actual wings to traverse the more familiar winds of Arandor.     Aetheric Wings :  You gain the power to fly on a movement equal to your [Soulforce] + [Spell Power]. Typically your wing...

The Rune Da   Da :  The second among the Prime Runes, is the Rune of Formation, Structure and Order. The Prima Materia of the Empyrean's world is the prime crystallization of energy. This is the arch-matter that begets all matter. The substance that lies at the root of all of creation. Thus, while Aes is the Flame Eternal - the purest form of the essence of Aether that ultimately flows in all of creation, Da is the archetypal form of creation. The perfect specimen of structure and form is the potent Adamant, whose quality is both that of great endurance - unbreakable and untamed, but also the substance that cuts through all other matter. Likewise Da can be called upon to fortify defensive and protective qualities, but also to resolve an attack in its most basic form - the blade of a sword. Thus Da is a basic rune in many melee-based attack spells, but also in spells of powerful warding and defense. When used by itself, Da is great for enhancing physical items, endowing th...

The rune Aes Aes : The rune of Fire. But not just any fire. Aes is the rune of the Flame Eternal, the sacred fire that beats in the hearts of all Empyreans. In that regard, Aes is the most essential of all the Prime Runes. Aes is an essential rune to all Fire-based magic, but it is also used often to enhance other magic often adding a fiery effect. Aes is especially potent in restoration and purification magic, due to the holy properties of the Flame Eternal as a power of creation and a force that cleanses corruption. Using the rune Aes by itself allows the invoker to call upon the light of the holy flame, illuminating the space around them with the power of a well-lit torch. It is also possible to make variations in this, by manifesting the flame as an aura that surrounds the invoker, or even an unnatural glow in their eyes. Bearing a small portion of the power of the light of the flame causes some discomfort to creatures of darkness and evil. Spells :     Sacred...

The magic of Empyreans is a mystery. The key to unlock this mystery is the Empyrean Runes. Only Empyreans trained in the Aether Weave and Empyrean Invocation can successfully use these powerful symbols, in order to channel their forces, and even combine them successfully. The Runes are the most accurate representation of how Empyrean magic actually works. Although an involved system, they are actually recommended to players who want to thoroughly explore the role of the Empyrean Invoker. In fact, the Empyrean Invoker is, in many ways, the foundation of Empyrean itself. Being creatures with strong spiritual ties, Empyreans fit best to the role of the Invoker, than any other concept. It is therefore recommended to use the Empyrean Runes extension, at least conceptually, in all aspects of Empyrean. This will truly help emphasize the intense relationship of Empyreans to the world of Spirit. Each Empyrean Rune is a nexus of forces that the Empyrean can tap onto, just by mentally...

Magic in Empyrean :  Empyreans are already highly spiritual creatures with very strong, phenomenal powers. The magic system is meant to enhance the diversity between different kinds of Empyreans, but is also meant to introduce an element that is already present with the most formidable of Empyrean Powers.  For this reason, the magic system is an optional extension of Empyrean that cannot easily coexist with the existing power system. With using the Magic System, Empyrean Powers become more subtle.  To reflect this, it is recommended that the following powers become increasingly difficult to acquire, or perhaps they are only available as spells. - Aetherean Edge - Bane - Celestial Panoply - Empyrean Wings - Eternal Flame - Shroud of Night - Soul Blade - Tempest Magic is meant to be the only means for the Empyrean to manifest spectacular effects. When magic is available, Empyreans are overall considered to have more subtle "psychic" pow...

Like all the other legendary citadels, Anatheras was built on top of a vast older city that was abandoned during the great wars that led to the Age of the Fall. These cities were huge complexes, and often could be compared only with industrial hives with many layers containing a mix of habitats and industrial sites. A separate power grid was installed on the citadels, much more advanced and superior to the redundant old technologies that were swiftly abandoned. Only a few names remain of the old cities that now lie buried deep within the hollow bowels of Anatheras, and yet millions of souls have found home there, able to dwell beyond the immediate rule of Akronas and the Hexad. Anathon, Aedras, Aethra, and Adraca were only a few of those names - none of them verified. And yet, thousands of small settlements still persist, having developed their own laws and means of survival. Many survive due to part of the old power grid still functioning thanks to huge solar panels that are mi...

An ancient, thousand-year-old legend persists in the bowels of the citadel of Anatheras. A sect of ancient mystics once built a wondrous underground city. Some believe that the fabled White Citadel is one and the same with this city - the mystic city of Acheron. Built underground, Acheron was built in three levels: the first level was a cemetary, filled with tombs, graves and catacombs, but also a place of worship. Underneath it, was built the second level which was the living quarters of the mystics. In the final level, there was an underground lake with an island in the middle. Within the island was the fabled hidden chamber which was protected aggressively. Only the most enlightened members of the mystic society could enter this chamber, and what they did there, or what they had remains unknown. Some speculate that the chamber was a place of miracles - that since the mystics of Acheron apparently dealt with mysteries of death, spirituality and the afterlife, their artifacts ...

Spreading to the south of Haedras, the entire domain of Balkorra has had many names and used to belong to many nations. Right now, all of Balkorra is utterly subdued to the most fearsome warlord of the Hexad: Torrugon Ironbound, the embodiment of the Hexad's cruelty and tyrannous will. The Citadel of Balkorra is the largest and most heavily fortified among the six citadels. Within it dwell easily many more than fifty million people, a lot of them huddled in the deep bowels of the citadel which are said to be interconnected with a network of thousands of subterranean tunnels that lead elsewhere inside, or even beyond the domain. Filled with tales of great legends, the Hyperian Mountains tower to the north and east of the citadel, whilst the Kul'rathan wilds make home for at least five different abhuman tribes, and a big variety of warped Beasts. The Akheris springs are rumored to be the home of a huge Death Cult who have found the means to extract their victims from ...

The Aethons are the burning spirits of Yrion, born in the dawn of the Age of Rebirth. They are embodiments of ideals, avatars of nobility, or simply wild and fiery spirits, driven by pure bright passion. Their exact origins are unknown. According to some celestial scholars, the Aethons are reborn celestials. Others say they are ascended souls of mortals that have come from one or more Prime Worlds. Some postulate they , like the Ashar, are direct emanations of Akaon, who simply chose them to come to existence during this age for reasons of his own. Since their birth, the Aethons have risen fast to eminence amongst other celestials, because they are an especially powerful and evolved species. Few of the Ashar and the Vaenu remain, and fewer yet choose to actively involve themselves in the exploits of Yrion, it is said many have departed into the beyond for reasons that simply remain unknown. On top of that, the Aldoren are no more. The last council were a shadow of their ...

A chronological summary of the major cosmic ages of the Universe of the Unfolding Dream and the most important events of each age. Click the Image above, or the following link to visit the post in the Unfolding Dream blog. Cosmic Ages of the Unfolding Dream .

We have moved all the (mostly mythological) material of the Unfolding Dream, which regards the rich background of the Aethons to its own Blog . This was done so that this blog will focus purely on material specific to Empyrean, including the lore of the world of Arandor. While Empyrean is a tale of two worlds, in some regards, because the incarnated Aethons may carry with them memories of past events, which may prove to be meaningful in the grand scheme of things, it is still, ultimately, not a persistent thing.

In the midst of the six domains of the Hexad spans the realm of Haedras, with the colossal citadel of Anatheras rising as its crowning jewel. The city’s steel-blue walls of ancient, ferrous concrete, circle around gigantic structures that house more than twenty million souls, all of them floating upon the ancient lake that gave the city its name. Towering in the midst of the giant habitats, lies the titanic palace-temple of Nalatoth, god of the Hexad, ruler of the seas, master of strategy and god of Blades. The city also hosts a magnificent port, whence the gleaming vessels of the realm spread across the turbulent North Sea and beyond, to trade and barter goods with all the other realms, and lift levies and taxes from all the lands that remain in awe of Anatheras' mighty naval forces. It is also home to the titanic Stadium of Swords, where millions of souls gather to witness spectacles of slaughter and carnage – a necessary daily sacrifice that will appease the great G...

Award each participating player 1 Development point for each completed story chapter. A story chapter is equivalent to a coherent story unit within the ongoing storyline. A storyline can consist of many stories, and each story can consist of many chapters. A single gaming session will rarely complete more than a couple or three chapters, and sometimes a single chapter is barely completed during a single session, and may need to span across two or three sessions. You can devise additional story milestones and achievements that award bonus Development points as necessary.  Avoid handing out Development points for feeling generous, because these tend to create a precedent of expectation, it must be clear why someone has gained a Development point. Avoid handing Development points to specific players. Players share their achievements, it is part of the benefits of group play, so the results of achievements are also shared between the players. If you do choose to award indi...

Empyreans can further refine their powers so that when they're already activated, they can pour even more of the force of Destiny to create a mighty burst of power, called a Surge. Following are some examples of what can be achieved using the Surge mechanic: Aetherean Whirlwind:  (Requires Aetherean Edge). Your melee attack for this round attacks all enemies within melee range. In addition you can disengage from melee and move up to your movement at no action cost. Dimension Edge:  (Requires Aetherean Edge). You can make a ranged attack with your melee weapon. You attack the air, tearing the space that divides you and your target in order to teleport your attack to them. The ranged attack receives supremacy, and you maintain all the benefits of Aetherean Edge. Winged Avenger:  (Requires Empyrean Wings). Your empyrean wings harden, doubling as weapons for the round, granting you Supremacy to melee attack rolls, allowing your melee combat roll result to be used as a...

The following talents are available exclusively to Empyrean characters. Empathic Soul : (Requires Insight Level 5, and Empyrean character). You are inherently attuned to your spirit, having subconsciously trained your Insight to adjust to the ebb and flow of the Spirit World. This has made you a natural Empath with an improved ability of Second Sight and Soul Speech. You can use Insight instead of Spirit when rolling for Second Sight or Soul Speech. You can also spend 1 Destiny to gain an exceptional vision from the near future. If you use this during combat, you gain a number of bonus dice equal to your successes as bonus dice to any rolls made in the next round. You can actually swap the successes between bonus dice or additional rounds of duration. Unrelenting Spirit : (Requires Resolve, Spirit Level 4 or Level 5, and Empyrean character) You fight without hesitation or fear, naturally channeling your Inner Fire into your attacks. You gain +1 dice in your melee combat roll...

Empyrean Powers are a natural extension of the "Surge of Inner Fire" / Empyrean Inspiration / Supremacy mechanic. They are meant to enrich this experience by making it more specific and more diverse, implying that different Empyreans will have access to different powers and not just invoke the benefits of Supremacy for a given type of rolls. Most Empyrean Powers work in a similar way. They are activated as a minor action by spending 1 Destiny, and they remain active for an entire scene. Their success, magnitude and power are also measured by a Spirit roll made when the Empyrean Power is first invoked. This spirit roll does not benefit from Supremacy. When using the Ability system, the Spirit roll is the Invocation power. A character can maintain 1 active Empyrean Power at a time, plus an additional Power if they have Spirit Level 4, or three powers at a time, if they have Spirit Level 5. Empyrean Powers can be further developed through the concept of surges (which i...