Why You're Here
186 years ago, a mage discovered a way to create a bridge between worlds. Not just between planes, but between other universes - other versions of our own material plane, many quite similar to our own. That discovery was quickly stolen by the major powers of the planet, and soon every nation had a way to visit new worlds.
Naturally, this changed the global balance of power significantly. Exploration became the driving focus of the entire globe; trade followed, as merchants found resources that could be exploited and other civilizations to trade with. Not all civilizations that were encountered were contacted peacefully, though, and a number of wars were fought over resources, religion, and territory. Most were minor, but there were three significant, multi-planet conflicts that together left over two billion dead.
Eventually, to consolidate the process of exploration and ensure security for the homeworld, the major powers merged their sovereignties together to create the Interplanar Federation. By presenting a united front representing the resources of a multitude of worlds, significant conflicts have been prevented, and a coherent process of exploration and extra-planetary trade has been implemented.
You aren’t part of that, though. You’ve decided - whether on your own or under orders - to journey to a world named Python, explore the wilderness there, and make your fortune. World Phi-Theta-0000694 (not-entirely-fondly nicknamed Python by the 3000 or so souls living there) was discovered 22 years ago, and has been a nagging thorn in the side of the Federation Expeditionary Corps ever since. They’re happy to have a group of adventurers available to help with the issues that their outpost on Python has been dealing with.
The ruins of multiple different civilizations have been discovered on Python’s surface, but none of the original inhabitants have been found. The ruins are currently inhabited by dangerous beasts and savage humanoids, and every expedition very far outside of the fortified town around the Bridgehead - to clear land, gather resources, or collect artifacts - has been wiped out for some reason or another. This wouldn’t normally be a problem for the FExCorps (they’ve dealt with savage worlds before), but they’ve consistently had higher priorities than Python - more rewarding natural resources, better trading partners, etc. - and so haven’t been able or willing to devote enough manpower and military equipment to the planet to properly deal with the dangers.
To add insult to injury, there are highly advanced magical wardstones scattered across the planet’s surface that have completely nullified attempts to scry details of the landscapes or inhabitants. Previous bands of adventurers have cleared the wardstones from the areas immediately adjacent to the town, but they disappeared in the wilderness before they had a chance to clear any further, and since then the wardstones’ effects have returned in full force.
That’s where you come in. There’s been a standing offer of payment for adventurers who work in the wilderness around Python, rendered for services to Bridgetown, resources and trade goods gathered, or artifacts collected and returned to the FExCorps. Particularly, there’s a large standing reward on offer for the removal of any of those wardstones that have been giving the cartographers and diviners at the FExCorps outpost such trouble. The head cartographer is also offering a smaller sum for accurate maps of any areas explored (the last batch of adventurers were terrible map-makers) and samples of the flora and soil to assist with his scrying.
In addition, there’s been an interesting development in the previous year: a seer has prophesied that thirteen magical artifacts, described in a handful of minor and rather poorly understood prophecies , can only be found on Python, and that they will be found in “the deepest depths of the Elders’ private manses.” Naturally, a number of secret societies and other organizations with interests in these prophecies have begun trying to find people to go investigate, and ideally retrieve these artifacts.
You (whoever you are) have grouped up with others like yourself, adventurers who have been through combat a few times and would like to explore and make your fortunes on an uncharted world - one without much competition, either, as Python has a bit of a dire reputation in adventuring circles. Whether you’re just there for the cash, the thrill of discovery, or simply by direction of your superiors seeking these artifacts, your first steps will be to ingratiate yourself with the powers that be in Bridgetown, and from there begin charting the wilds of Python.
Naturally, this changed the global balance of power significantly. Exploration became the driving focus of the entire globe; trade followed, as merchants found resources that could be exploited and other civilizations to trade with. Not all civilizations that were encountered were contacted peacefully, though, and a number of wars were fought over resources, religion, and territory. Most were minor, but there were three significant, multi-planet conflicts that together left over two billion dead.
Eventually, to consolidate the process of exploration and ensure security for the homeworld, the major powers merged their sovereignties together to create the Interplanar Federation. By presenting a united front representing the resources of a multitude of worlds, significant conflicts have been prevented, and a coherent process of exploration and extra-planetary trade has been implemented.
You aren’t part of that, though. You’ve decided - whether on your own or under orders - to journey to a world named Python, explore the wilderness there, and make your fortune. World Phi-Theta-0000694 (not-entirely-fondly nicknamed Python by the 3000 or so souls living there) was discovered 22 years ago, and has been a nagging thorn in the side of the Federation Expeditionary Corps ever since. They’re happy to have a group of adventurers available to help with the issues that their outpost on Python has been dealing with.
The ruins of multiple different civilizations have been discovered on Python’s surface, but none of the original inhabitants have been found. The ruins are currently inhabited by dangerous beasts and savage humanoids, and every expedition very far outside of the fortified town around the Bridgehead - to clear land, gather resources, or collect artifacts - has been wiped out for some reason or another. This wouldn’t normally be a problem for the FExCorps (they’ve dealt with savage worlds before), but they’ve consistently had higher priorities than Python - more rewarding natural resources, better trading partners, etc. - and so haven’t been able or willing to devote enough manpower and military equipment to the planet to properly deal with the dangers.
To add insult to injury, there are highly advanced magical wardstones scattered across the planet’s surface that have completely nullified attempts to scry details of the landscapes or inhabitants. Previous bands of adventurers have cleared the wardstones from the areas immediately adjacent to the town, but they disappeared in the wilderness before they had a chance to clear any further, and since then the wardstones’ effects have returned in full force.
That’s where you come in. There’s been a standing offer of payment for adventurers who work in the wilderness around Python, rendered for services to Bridgetown, resources and trade goods gathered, or artifacts collected and returned to the FExCorps. Particularly, there’s a large standing reward on offer for the removal of any of those wardstones that have been giving the cartographers and diviners at the FExCorps outpost such trouble. The head cartographer is also offering a smaller sum for accurate maps of any areas explored (the last batch of adventurers were terrible map-makers) and samples of the flora and soil to assist with his scrying.
In addition, there’s been an interesting development in the previous year: a seer has prophesied that thirteen magical artifacts, described in a handful of minor and rather poorly understood prophecies , can only be found on Python, and that they will be found in “the deepest depths of the Elders’ private manses.” Naturally, a number of secret societies and other organizations with interests in these prophecies have begun trying to find people to go investigate, and ideally retrieve these artifacts.
You (whoever you are) have grouped up with others like yourself, adventurers who have been through combat a few times and would like to explore and make your fortunes on an uncharted world - one without much competition, either, as Python has a bit of a dire reputation in adventuring circles. Whether you’re just there for the cash, the thrill of discovery, or simply by direction of your superiors seeking these artifacts, your first steps will be to ingratiate yourself with the powers that be in Bridgetown, and from there begin charting the wilds of Python.
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