Source: jyangart
Guide to Cadia and the outside
Whale Fall takes place inside Cadia, a miles-long creature vaguely shaped like a whale that lies on a landmass of indeterminate size. Not much is known outside Cadia, and oral and written history do not have any records of how we have come to coexist with Cadia. We are entirely dependent on Cadia for food, shelter, and protection from the outside, which float with spores that eat any creature alive.
Souces: TodoArtist on DeviantArt, Nautilus house, Hang Nga guesthouse (modified by
@Peregrine)
Cadians have learned to make efficient use of Cadia, and blend her bones, organs, and vasculature into masterful hybrid architecture through science and magic. Cadia provides a seemingly inexhaustible supply of raw material, which might be because our settlement only numbers in the tens of thousands.
Among the many guilds and other organizations that naturally arise from cloistered living, the Council is charged with keeping peace and stability in Cadia, and the Long Range Patrol is an eccentric group of daredevils that range into the outside for months at a time. Their reports are a source of information, wonder, and also nighttime stories to scare children.
Guide to magic
Sources: Magic the Gathering, various
Only one thing is known about magic, that it fades outside of Cadia. This phenomenon is known because of the reports of the first scouting parties that returned. The Long Range Patrol will take an infusion of blood from Cadia before they begin their patrols, which only seems to last about a month. There is an incredibly diverse array of schools of magic, and it is even possible to teach yourself magic if you have an aptitude for visualization.
Guide for writers and players
Themes: Decay, inevitability, exploitation versus conservation, exploration and discovery, mystery, surreal fantasy
Style: Low to mid fantasy, where magic is an aid to many every day activities but not the main focus.
Races: Anything is permitted.
Technology: Medieval level, a bit before the Renaissance.
Aesthetic: Materials harvested from Cadia play a prominent role, so think bioorganic sculpture, enhanced with metal, wood, and other traditional materials.
Society and culture: Shelter and food are in abundance, so society punishes aberrations with social exclusion and, at worst, exile (which has not occurred in recent memory). The pace of life is generally relaxed, with a focus on self actualization and intellectual pursuits. Social strife is uncommon.
Posting speed: I hope the IC gets a post about once a week or so.
Length of posts: Whatever gets the job done.
Roleplay style
A guided storytelling upheld by an agreement to cowrite and compete
Whale Fall is co-GM'd between me,
@fatalrendezvous, and
@Mglo. We will write in the style of a "No Dice, No Masters" roleplay, where the success or failure of actions are determined by
narrative heft; did you write in a fun, plausible way that contributes to the story?
Hijacking is possible if it will make a scene flow better, or a collaborative post can be done.
Write with us! GM with us! If this setting appeals to you as more than a player, ask us anything. We are willing to divulge all our thoughts on short, medium, and long term arcs, the setting, and also our characters. OOC collaboration is essential for writing that is fun to read.
Player sheet
[ Name ]
[ Picture ]
[ Race ]
[ A unique trait, whether it be magic, personality, position, or attachments? ]
[ Everything else can be revealed ingame! ]
