Welcome to Folklore and Folly!

This will be the official guide for the setting and will contain any campaign specific mechanical information like any added rules, homebrew content, races, classes and feats. As well as subjects like worldbuilding, lore, locations, non-player characters and much more. (Because clearly I have a problem.) Folklore and Folly is Gaslamp Fantasy setting with a hard folk-horror/horror fiction twist. It is visually and mechanically based on 1910s, 20s, and 30s America and the events during that time period. (Similar feel and visuals to AtLA: Legend of Korra for a soft media similarity.)

Campaign Setting

Taking place in the world of Faunus, this campaign will start in the country of Aquila at the auspicious Steward's Tower. The country is still recovering from the Convergence. And have been attempting to put of a front that things are doing great. Prior to this world altering event, Aquila was recognized as one of the most advanced countries in the western continents. With great minds like Aluana Shobi and [[]] leading the way in technological and magical advancements, Aquila was able to being expanding into areas previously too rural or dangerous. The expansion created many new mining and logging towns as industry and trade demanded the goods. Though social and political unrest also began occurring as certain events and towns began to slip through the cracks. Unfortunately the trouble beneath the surface was greatly over shadowed by the commerce at the time.

It was in the spring of 1837 the Convergence happened. In the middle of the mid and south western area of Aquila, the first documented storm rift opened to rip through the area. Approximately 2,423 miles wide and lasting nine hours. While the storm raged magic and the technology that'd built up Aquila came crashing down. After the storm a huge percentage of technology no longer worked, railways had been destroyed, and magic users reported spells going wild after the event. All of this paled in comparison to the wider effect on the world. The oceans were no longer sailable, coastlines rose and those displaced from coastal cities now had to find homes else where. Aquila has spent over 80 years trying to recover from the disaster to varying degrees of success and failure.

Now in the year of 1920, you have traveled to the Aquila capital Calstien. Specifically to join the Steward's Tower. An independent contracting organization run but the mysterious Faustius Gehanne. Opening its doors to the public, Faust invited people from all walks of life inside to record their experiences, folklore and strange encounters. Better yet he promised to pay to be able to record these experiences. News quickly spread of the easy money and soon the operation expanded. Faust began hiring adventurers and taking various requests. The tower's reputation is now known far-and-wide, with many rather approaching the tower over their own government. Whatever has drawn you to the tower, you're here now. And after 'donating' a story and signing a somewhat vague contract, you are now a adventurer of the Steward's Tower. Until your story ends. Whatever that means.

Official Playlist

Players

Ana: TBA | TBA | Part-time
Emily: TBA | TBA | Full-time
Ray: Dantalion (Danni) Pierrot |TBA | TBA
Ren: B1-RD | Fighter (Echo Knight) | Full-time
Tobi: Kuria Sang | Cleric (Circle of Life) | TBA
Sam: Juniper | Barbarian (Wild Magic) | Full-time

Setting Rating/Hardline Topics

For the comfort and respect of everyone at the table the following subjects will not be included in any plot, quest line or roleplay as they received one or more higher level flags on the consent form. Or were requested to be avoided or removed entirely. Any subject listed here are non negotiable topics and in order to remove a subject from this list it must have full unanimous agreement from everyone playing. Players are asked to avoid these topics and should not include them in backstory or as personality traits of characters. Characters are still more then welcome to be brooding, moral grey, or generally unpleasant in spaces. But if these topics are included as characteristics or gratuitously in backgrounds/backstories you will be asked to remove them so we can have a safe and fun space at the table. The topics are the following:

Sexual abuse or violence, sexual assault, racism (fantasy specific or otherwise), police aggression or brutality, homophobia or transphobia, religion based violence towards LGBTQIA+ and women.

This list is subject to change and topics may be added if something does come up that makes one or more individuals feel uncomfortable or unsafe. And can be addressed directly to me to be added to this list. This list can also be found on the Folklore and Folly discord server in the 'House-Rules' channel. After reading this, please go to the server page and hit the checkmark icon to let me know you've read everything! Thank you in advance!

Running Themes in this Setting

Tradition versus Advancement:

As the world moves forward with new thoughts, ideas and beliefs should a space remain for tradition? Advancements in science have led to questions in faith and technology sometimes seems at war with magic. Medicine and doctors have begun to outnumber practicing holy healers like clerics and paladins. Science pushes to prove the existence of a 'soul' and the Highest Power. And ever since the Convergence event the world seems to always be looking over their collective shoulder.

In the cities traditions are forgotten in favor of the pursuit of answers and advancements. Education and access to information pays in many tangible ways. While in the rather regions traditions are held with iron fists. Believed to be the only true way to protect yourself from things that go bump in the night. Modern advancements like telegraphs, trains and automobiles have connected the world in a way only magic users could before. But with it has come a type of corruption none could have expected. And it certainly hasn't stopped the monsters that may or may not be lurking in the dark. Can these things co-exist or will one consume the other?