Before the first strike, know the anvil. This is Elyndor: a world hammered from star-bone and sin, where power scars your soul and every shadow hungers. No dumps here—just the essentials to temper your read. Dive in; the hammer waits.
The World: Elyndor – Scars of the Cataclysm
The Great Cataclysm: A thousand years ago, the first smith-gods forged too deep, cracking the continent and birthing rifts—tears in reality that spew Void horrors (shadow-beasts from an endless abyss). Rivers run slag, mountains bite like broken teeth, and the air tastes of rust. Survival? Forge or flee.
The Void Emperor: The big bad, a fallen god who rules the rifts. His hordes—voidlings (scout bugs) to Rift-Titans (city-eaters)—endless war fodder. He corrupts Tapers (magic users) into thralls, hungry for the Eternal Forge to remake the world in shadow.
The Empire: "Heroes" on paper—legions fighting the Void with conscripted blades and runes. But they're tyrants too: purge independents, chain Tapers to their machine. Villages like Ironhollow churn weapons; cities like the Whispering Spires scheme in gold.
Factions in the Shadows:
Stormclans: Nomad beast-riders in endless dunes, binding thunder-drakes with wind-runes. Free spirits, hate the Empire—think wild allies with epic mounts.
Bone Wastes Priestesses: Spectral healers from the afterlife fringes, forging life from death-souls. Void-tainted but noble; forbidden romance vibes, risky pacts.
Shadow Guild: Thieves and smugglers peddling rift-crystals (magic fuel). Journeyman spies like Lirael—quick blades, deeper grudges.
The Power: Tapers and the Forge Ladder
Magic ain't free—it's forged from your soul, like blacksmithing with your veins as the bellows. Only "Tapers" (soul-bound users) climb the ranks; most folks are Muggle-scrap, swinging plain iron. Overdo it, and the Void-leak creeps in: shadows in your blood, madness whispering. The Eternal Forge? Mythical anvil in Elyndor's heart—births gods, chooses saviors... or destroyers.
Temper Ranks (The Climb – Weak to Strong):
Novice Temper (Starting Scrap): Basic runes (e.g., Shatterstrike = smash-wave blast). Gain "Essence" (XP from kills/trials) for points. Threshold: 50 to Journeyman. Risk: High leak—power flickers, exhausts fast.
Journeyman Binder (Mid-Grind Edge): Chain runes into relics (e.g., veil-illusions, soul-daggers). Threshold: 200 Essence. Tools like Lirael's blades get fancy; fight squads, not bugs.
Master Forger (Legend's Temper): Weave soul-armor, bind beasts/gods. Threshold: 1000+. Chieftains and priestesses here—city-crushers, rift-sealers.
Void-Lord (Peak Tyrant): Half-god, chain worlds. Emperor's level—corrupt, rare. Prophecy whispers a "Tempest Smith" to shatter 'em.
Key Mechanics:
Runes: Magic "spells"—etched symbols (anvil/flame/serpent) that ignite on command. Born from the hammer/anvil bind; each costs Essence, leaves a soul-scar.
Essence & Leak: Kill voids = loot Essence (fuel/levels). Overdraw? Void-leak—cold shadows that tempt madness or villainy. Quench with trials (quests) or allies' elixirs.
Relics & Trials: Hammer-forged gear (e.g., Whisperblade = truth-cutting dagger). Trials = rituals to rank up, risking break or boon. The anvil whispers guidance... or lies.
The Prophecy: Tempest's Edge
In the heart of the Eternal Forge, a whelp shall strike the star-bone anvil. Brands of flame and serpent will scar the chosen—Tempest Smith, savior or shatterer. Allies from storm and bone shall temper the blade; the Void Emperor's chains will crack... or bind eternal.
No more scraps—Kael Thorn's just a forge-rat, but the hammer chose. Void-winds howl; the climb begins. Ready to swing? Chapter 1 awaits.