Setting Intro: Starhaven

 After the fantasy generator post, I was like "Okay. Next one's gonna be Khaosmor I swear." But then a new setting hit me over the head so!

Intro

Starhaven is a world in Khaosmor's multiverse that's my attempt at making a traditional high fantasy setting (and failing). It has themes of transhumanism(?) and an emphasis on space fantasy. The world operates around Patchworks and Mantles, physical manifestations of magic that can be traded or stolen. 

The mortal species have Patchworks, small specific magic tricks (minor/noncombat magic) that manifest as ragged patchwork cloaks; the supernaturals, or Courtly creatures, have Mantles, great magic (entire spell lists) cloaks that billow from their bodies. Mortals may cast higher magic by obtaining Mantles and metamorphising into Neomorphs.

The Basics

The primary environment of Starhaven is the Endless Forest–a vast landscape of trees of varying sizes and species with all sorts of other plants tangled around their trunks and branches. Farming hasn't been developed because of this; the population is entirely small scattered villages that rely on hunting and gathering.

Mining is rare on Starhaven, given their arboreal civilization and how mining damages trees. Gemstones, gold and other metals are extremely scarce; the only way they're sourced in is when the remnants of a Lair falls to earth and are absorbed into trees.

 Gemstones and gold are a major part of the various Starhaven belief systems due to their role in magic. Some worship the treasures themselves; others say they are a gift from Celestials or other Courts. And indeed, there are some spirits of gem and gold who have started cults.

The critters

Celestials. 

Angels, the rulers of Starhaven. Own the power of creation. In constant conflict with the other courts of supernaturals. Hold the ideal of Order.

Fiends

The eternal enemies of the Celestials. Masters of destructive power, especially that of flame.  Frequently exchange patchworks with mortals. Hold the ideal of Chaos.

Fey

The nature spirit tricksters. Own the power of Enchantment, be it of objects or creatures. Enjoy playing pranks. Hold the ideal of Pragmatism.

Elementals

The building blocks of the universe given flesh. Masters of divination and alteration. Have been gathering up steam for a private rebellion against the Celestials. Hold the ideal of Altruism.

The main sapient race are the Neonatelings. Basically anthro creatures of any sort, the only things they have in common is a) the small, fleshy patchwork ponchos they use to cast minor magics, and b) undergoing metamorphosis when they take Mantles. Nephilim are Celestial Neomorphs, Orcs are Fiend Neomorphs, Elves are Fey Neomorphs, and Alchemicals are Elemental Neomorphs.

However, multiple Mantles may produce different creatures. So far the only combos discovered are the Dragon (Fiend + Fey) and the Witch (Fey + Elemental). These are orders of magnitude more powerful than other Neomorphs and are known as Scions; their creation can be predicted by astrological patterns.

(There have also been some creatures created by a variety of Patchworks; a Firebolt/Eldritch Blast/Minor Illusion creates an Imp, for example).

When a new Scion is finally formed, a new celestial body for Patchworkia's very cluttered sky forms alongside them in a tiny, localized supernova. The old body crumbles to dust, and a part of their soul forms the core of the new celestial body.

This is the Scion's Lair, a place of great magical power like a sort of personal demiplane. The more hoard, influence, and followers the Scion gathers on earth, the larger and more fertile their lair grows; therefore earth is the stage for the Scion's power plays. A Scion's hoard is often stored within Dungeons (which are themselves living, and maybe sapient) as part of a mutual agreement. 

 

Some Scions also choose to venture into the depths of space to pillage and consume other Lairs for resources; a high-risk high-reward endeavour. Deep within 'spacecrawls', some dragons and witches have discovered an eldritch society they were not meant to know …