Diaspora. That is your word to learn today. This is a land of perpetual diaspora. Whether it be people fleeing from the Chelaxian slavers or the more recent Terwa Lords, this is a land of refugees. The Lirgeni, the Lizardfolk, the humans, the boggards, the grippli. Nothing seems to stand the test of time in these lands. Perhaps this land is a testimony to the power of ideas. The ideas of decay and nothingness. This is what the Cult of Nothingness would want you to believe. Yet, even here there is life. A desire to reclaim what was lost. Not even the gods themselves can stop these people it seems.
Note from your teachers: Remember! The local cultures are heavily steeped in astronomy and prophecy. Please be respectful when the locals describe life “guided by the stars” or one being born under a certain star-sign. There is also the custom of the Passage of the Stars. Anyone who displays no sign of violence and can divine by means of the stars is to be granted safe-passage. Thus is the decree of the Terwa Lords, the boggard clans, the Grippli villages, and Fliptown. But, be careful, anyone caught lying about this will be subject to excommunication and in the case of the Terwa Lords, execution.
Lore
The Sodden Lands are the lands of loss, perpetually stuck in the past, perpetually worried of the future, where all decisions are made under the ever watchful Eye of Abednego. To the north lie the Boggard cultists who see the Eye of Abednego as a promise. A promise that soon Rovagug will awaken and devour the world. To the south lie the Terwa Lords and the various villages of lizardfolk caught up in the conflict. The Council of Warcallers is constantly convening and proclaiming a new target for forceful acquisition into the new burgeoning Iruxi Empire, giving uneasy feelings that time is repeating itself. First the Chelaxian slavers, now the Terwa Lords. This land seems cursed. And perhaps it is.
To the east lie the various flooded cities that used to belong to the proud Lirgeni Astronomers. After the flooding from the Eye of Abednego, the Lirgen people had to flee. But, a few remained. Working with various magical forces, such as a Brine Dragon and some naga, a small group is attempting to reclaim the long lost centers of astronomy and to recover the long lost texts detailing navigation by means of the stars as well as prophecy. For the Lirgeni believe that the stars hold the answer to the future and that to know the stars is to be prepared for the coming apocalypse. And, perhaps to prevent it, to prevent Rovagug.
Major Locations
Parallax University
Parallax University used to be the major university of the area. Specializing in astronomy, prophecy, space travel, and anything to do with the elemental plane of water, this Lirgeni University was flooded by the Eye of Abednego. The libraries flooded, the information lost to time. But, rumors persist of long lost knowledge carved into the walls.
Ruins of Bloodsalt & Kiutu
Little is known of the Ruins of Bloodsalt besides the eerie blood-like color of its soil that turns the nearby lake red. Despite being a potential boon of ancient knowledge, few venture into this land for a singular reason, the deadly poison. Known as Dead Man's Breath, it has claimed many would-be adventuring groups. Invisible, odorless, it comes and goes with little rhyme or reason. The only thing known of this city is that the few murals that have been excavated have all shown the same thing, murals of humanoids sprouting dragon-like wings. In academic texts, they've been nicknamed The Dragon-Speakers.
The nearby village of Kiutu serves as a place to restock for would-be adventurers. But, it serves an even more important function to many in the sodden lands. The Bonuwat humans and Mbe'ke dwarves that live here work together to produce some of the finest rivercraft in the Sodden Lands. But, due to the small size of the village, supplies are largely limited to just fish and watercraft, barring the occasional trade skiff from Jula or Kokutang.
Fliptown
A grippli known as Flip the Lucky ventured into Ng's Well and disappeared into the land of the fey. Believed to be dead, he came back a year later, surrounded by manifestations of the First World, a head full of tales of whimsy, and a flying barge that he turned into a giant casino and Grippli village known as Fliptown. He now sails around the Sodden Lands. Few would dare to attack him for the barge is constantly filled with all manner of denizens from the First World, the Elemental Plane of Water, and other outsiders who use his barge as a sort of neutral ground for the trading of secrets, knowledge, drinks, and a few rounds of gambling.
Player Information
If you choose this area as your starting location and you’re a lizardfolk, you can start as a Terwa Lizardfolk. You are more politically motivated and motivated by a prophecy that lizardfolk must be united under truth and practice minimalism as homes and possessions are just other names for weaknesses your opponents can exploit. All you need are the stars above, the spears by your side, and the swamp below. Consider playing as a Bard, Oracle, Cleric, Fighter, or Barbarian as these are the leaders in the group.
If you don't want a Terwa lizardfolk, consider being a member of one of the peaceful villages. Perhaps you are a refugee fleeing the conflict. Perhaps your village is right on the outskirts of the conflict and you're constantly worried about your familiy back home. Consider being a druid, cleric, oracle, or ranger to reflect this background. It would be recommended to take Draconic and Grippli as your languages.
This is a lush swampland, filled with aquatic creatures. If you are a lizardfolk, you’re probably from here. The land is dotted with small villages populated by lizardfolk, grippli, and naga. If you are Lirgen, this is your ancient homeland. Some Lirgen still live in this area, searching the ruins for knowledge of the stars. A naga and a few Lirgen are attempting to rebuild a Lirgen library and possibly, a new university.
This area is currently in an all out war of conquest and unification by the Terwa Warlords.