Shades Lore

In The Shades of Dominion each Realm acts as massive Shade Vessel that the players can draw from…with consequences.

Not all Realms start as “full”, in fact more than a few might be dangerously close to empty when your players arrive.

Each realm has a Realm Shade Track that is measured like a Shade Vessel with several levels

At level 7:

The Realm is a Paradise. All rivers and lakes are Fountains of Youth. Utopian trees feed the scant peaceful populace, the Beasts speak and the humanoids live in perfect harmony. Anything you could dream of can be found here.

At level 6:

The Realm is only slightly less of a Paradise. Maybe the Realm is a bit more crowded, has only a Fountain of Youth or two, but still you could find anything within your imagination.

At level 5:

The Realm has enough Shade to power a robust and thriving economy, trade, and a few items of power and wonder. These items exist in the Realm’s Shade economy and function normally within it. Shade-powered weapons are normal, but there is a hierarchy to the realm that is either Capitalistic or Feudal in nature. Animals don’t talk except for legendary Dragons, Sphinx’s and such.

At level 4:

There is much less Shade to power fewer items. The economy is generally much more inclined to feudalism and intrigue. The Shade is known as a force to be reckoned with and the populace is always on guard for Shade Mages.

At level 3:

The realm is feral and deadly. Warlords and despots rule. Dragons lose the power of speech and faery folk exist in hidden enclaves. Humanoids began to view “magic” as unreliable and too complicated to seek after. They begin to look after inferior technology to fill their needs.

At level 2:

Not even the dragons or even goblins exist. The humanoids rely on nothing but technology.  Scant traces of The Shade exist in the form of supernatural hauntings, ley lines, random miraculous coincidences, and religion. But most of these are looked upon as superstition. Most are completely unaware of The Shade that holds their Realm together.

At level 1:

There is so little Shade the realm can barely support life.  Not even basic forces like electricity can be relied on without heavy accommodation. There is just enough Shade to keep whatever exists in this Realm alive and perpetual.

At 0:

The Realm breaks apart.  Find a way out from it or die with the Realm.

After a Realm is dropped down a Level, that is it’s fate. It can not return to its former glory.  And everyone will notice and look for someone or something to blame. That something will likely be you. It probably was you.  The point is you will have done irreparable damage to that Realm and the inhabitants will want your blood for it.  I hope that it was worth it.

Whenever players enter a Realm or lower it by a level, roll 3d6 and add 3. That is how much Shade can be pulled from the Realm before it drops again to a lower state of existence, or is destroyed entirely.