Bridge Worlds: Soterion

by Randy Blackwell

  232 B.E. Restoration of Suchikos - King Pacal’s first order as King was that the city be restored to its prior beauty. After seven years, Phlox had been restored.

  224 B.E. – 212 B.E. (See History of Loefel Meren) War with Loefel Meren

  COMMON KNOWLEDGE

  THE BATTLE OF EPHER (See History of Emerailda)

  1 P.E. (Post Epher) (See History of Emerailda) The Warrior’s Gauntlet.

  20-30 P.E. (See History of Loefel Meren) The Guild Wars

  40 P.E (See History of Loefel Meren) Reformation of the Rogue’s Guild. 100 P.E. – 104 P.E. Drakoni Invasion - The Drakoni attacked and took Phlox within one night. The Drakoni killed the Queen and all four princes but left King Pacal alive and in a prison cell. The carnage of the battle was more horrifying than any battle that had ever taken place on Soterion. For four years the Drakoni ruled over and enslaved the Adam. Rebellions broke out all over Suchikos. After a year of rebellion the Drakoni had broken the will of the Adam. Some of them even gave over to worshiping the Drakoni Dragon god so that they would be treated better. Hundreds of the Adam were secretly taken to Mt. Drakonge by the Dragon. King Pacal was bled daily because the Drakoni believed if they drank his blood they too would live past normal life expectancy for their race. Erestar Lurin and King Alagaar Eben worked together to put together a group of lethal warriors who could take back Phlox and rescue King Pacal. It is said that in one night King Erestar, King Alaagar, and a group of five highly trained Adam warriors took out most of the Drakoni population in Phlox. The Drakoni fled back to Drakonge.

  132 P.E. – 137 P.E. Spectre Wars - Once again an evil force threatened the citizens of Suchikos. Shades (creatures made of shadow) began infiltrating villages from the north. In the first raids and attacks a farmer and his wife were attacked by 15 Shades. Surprisingly the farmers (Myles and Kasey Callaghan) destroyed 12 of the 15 shades. Kasey was dragged off into the night never to be seen again as Myles lay unconscious. The Callaghans were no simple farmers. Kasey had been the fastest to finish the first Gauntlet ever held in Philos. She was made the first female General and first Adam General of the Giant Guard of Philos. Myles had helped Omar Metzger found the Magi and became the only Magi to obtain dual citizenship between Caelsis and Suchikos. After serving the Magi for many years, Myles retired to Suchikos with his wife to become simple farmers.

  Myles woke to find that his wife had been abducted by the Shades. Shadow creatures leave no tracks. Myles went to Suchikos and braved the Gauntlet with no warrior training. He did so well at the Gauntlet that King Pacal sent for him. Myles went before the thrown of Suchikos and the King told him that he could have any gift that he desired from him. He asked for his wife. King Pacal nodded to Myles and said, “I cannot give you your wife, but I will give you an army of ready soldiers to fight those who took your wife.” This began the Specter wars. Myles Callaghan became the most famous General to ever lead an army in all of Soterion. He became a devout follower of Adonai as he led the army into victory after victory. He fashioned himself a metal staff that he called a phlox-rhabdos (meaning fire staff). The phlox-rhabdos could shoot fire from either end of the staff which most of the time immediately killed his opponent. Myles used many Magi secrets in battle but that was not what got him all of his victories. The hordes of shades were far larger than the armies of Suchikos but Suchikos won every time, sometimes without losing even one soldier.

  Myles had prophesied that one day a Shepherd would come to lead the flock of Su - chikos. It was believed that Adonai’s hand was on all that Myles did. The Spectre Wars lasted five year with the last battle against the shades and the Kalat. Suchikos tasted victory once again but at the cost of their prized General. Several soldiers saw Myles fall from his horse as he was bombarded by attacks from both shades and Kalat. The Suchikos army chased after Myles’ captors but all that was found was his bloody armor and sword by a Kalat cooker with bones inside of it. Visitors from all the Kingdoms came to the funeral. The phlox-rhabdos was given to Omar (head of the Magi) and Myles’ armor was given to King Erestar Lurin for safe keeping.

  219 P.E. Advisor to the King - A woman approached King Pacal and informed him that there would be famine for 3 years in Suchikos and he had 3 months to prepare for this famine. When asked how she knew this, she claimed to be a prophet of Adonai. Pacal told her that he would prepare for famine and if the prophecy had not come true she would be stoned in the streets like all false prophets. Three months later the famine began and Suchikos was prepared. Pacal announced that from that day on the woman (Tatiana) would be known as his chief advisor and Prophet unto the people.

  The year is 225 P.E. and King Pacal Bahlum has grown ill. Tatiana basically runs Phlox and most of the Kingdom with the King only making major decisions. Rumors have spread that Tatiana is not a prophet and is poisoning the King but they were squelched quickly. Those who started the rumors were thrown in the dungeons. News has spread that Lord Maveth has repented for his evil deeds and released from his prison for giving away important information on the Kalat.

  King Pacal

  89 Much mystery surrounds this co-founder of the Magi. One day he was second in command of the Magi and the next he had given his title over, not leaving the Magi, but leaving Caelsis. Many legends surround Myles: He became a pirate, he was imprisoned, he became a King and ruler of distant lands, he became a vampire killer or that he saved the life of a emperess. Years after Myes disapearance he was seen with Kasey Phoenix. Myles married Kasey (former general of the armies of Philos) and moved to a farm in Suchikos. There was much controversy in Suchikos over Kasey living in Suchikos as none but the Adam may reside in Suchikos. Myles tired of the condemnation coming from the temple so he scheduled a meeting at the castle with the King. Myles, Kasey, Omar, the Elder, King Erestar Lurin, King Pacal, and the High Priest of the Temple all met in the courts of King Pacal in Phlox. None know what was said that day but the result was after the meeting the King announced that Kasey would be the first and only non-Adam to gain citizenship in Suchikos. The High Priest declared that the Law was satisfied with the personal knowledge that he gained of Kasey. Some say that Myles and Kasey used their former diplomatic contacts to sway and put pressure on the High Priest. Others say that Kasey was once an Adam and somehow was transformed into a Miyka which would satisfy the Law.

  Myles later became the General of the Suchikos Armies in a romantic quest to retrieve his wife from the Shades. In a battle he was knocked off of his horse and carried away by the Shades never to be seen again. Some believe that Kasey and Myles lived somehow and there are several Legands surrounding this rumor. King Pacal erected a statue of Myles and Kasey back to back with weapons drawn. The statue is in the Gardens of the Phlox Castle and can still be seen to this day.

  Kasey Phoenix

  Kasey Phoenix is known as the Champion of The Gauntlet and the first General of the King - doms of Soterion. Although none know how, she has been known to have ties to the Magi as she is one of the only people on Soterion to have a Magi only pet (a Kuon) named Davaag. Only known to the most elite of Magi is that Kasey came from earth with Myles, Omar, and the rest of the Magi and trained their warrior class the Alexandros as she had been an assassin back on earth. But Kasey became a devout follower of the Shepherd. Kasey and Myles married and Kasey was taken in an attack by Shades. Kasey’s daughter Misia is known to travel Soterion and is seen regularly at momentous events but she has yet to step up as a public figure such as her parents did. Misia’s citizenship has always beein in Philos. She is known to have a home just north of Lake City.

  Chapter 2:

  Introduction To Classes, Guilds, and Characters A character, when created, begins as either an Aristocrat subclass or a Commoner subclass. This represents the character’s background. A player may choose his own background, or the Narrator may assign it. Within this background the character learns “the funda- mentals,” or basic skills, of living in Soterion.

  Each kingdom has its own culture to identify which
background the character is part of. Once the character obtains 4 levels of experience, he or she may petition entry into one of the seven Guilds of Soterion for further character development. Petitioning occurs when the character seeks out one of the guilds and requests membership.

  So what are guilds? Historically, guilds are groups of like-minded individuals who join together for greater learning and protection as well as a voice in government. Guilds galvanized into singular entities to form one guild for each character class after the Battle of Epher and the Guild Wars. Guild unification ensures that no one particular group or social class could war against another to obtain power. In a greater sense, it also creates a “family” in which nationality plays little part. This is not to say that all warriors get along. That they don’t; however, there is a common bond between all warriors. It is a brotherhood.

  The guilds of Soterion are Aristocrat, Bard, Commoner, Magi, Ranger, Rogue, and Warrior. As stated, characters may petition entry into one of the guilds when they attain 4 levels of experience. Characters that have not been accepted into a guild cannot attain any further levels of experience. First through fourth level (1-4) Aristocrat subclass and Commoner subclass represent most of the population of Soterion.

  Note: Aristocrat and Commoner guilds are different from their 1-4 level classification. The 1-4 level classification identifies the character’s background (where they come from). The Aristocrat and Commoner guild, once a character petitions and enters the guild, represents the character’s identity (who he is).

  Characters must possess qualities related to the guild of their choice. For example, an Adam with a physical strength of 6, below average for an Adam, is not a likely candidate to be accepted into the Warrior guild. Thus character’s must “earn” entry by completing a series of quests. If the character succeeds in the quests, then the character obtains experience level 5 and may join the ranks of their class.

  A character’s “character level” is the sum total of all his class/guild levels. For ex - ample, Timmons spent his first four character levels as an aristocrat subclass. Upon complet- ing his warrior’s quests, he gained one level as a warrior. Thus, his character level is five (4 aristocrat subclass levels and 1 warrior level). Character level indicates the character’s overall ability within the game and is determined by a singular table. A character gains or achieves a new character level when enough experience points have been awarded to warrant the increase.

  Sometimes, the desires of a person change. Warriors can tire of battle and Rangers can grow weary of cold nights under a winter sky. All characters may petition another guild for entry at every ten levels of experience in their class. Adam, however, have a flexible na- ture about them. An Adam may petition another guild (change classes) at every 5 levels in his class. A character joining a new guild becomes a 1st level member of that guild and retains all previous skills and levels. Looking back at Timmons, let us assume that he gained nine more levels of experience as a warrior. He currently has ten levels of warrior experience. He decides to change guilds and becomes a member of the Aristocrat guild. Through the course of the game, Timmons gains enough experience to become a 1st level Aristocrat. His total character level is 15: four base aristocrat, ten warrior class, and 1 aristocrat class.

  What makes a class or guild? All characters are, for the most part, equal in their base ability. Therefore, what defines a class or guild is skill. Warriors have a set of skills only they possess, as with Bards and Rangers. What separates Timmons the warrior from Regis the rogue is the set of skills each possesses. Although Timmons may not be able to sneak around, he does have the skill to wield a sword. Guilds teach those skills to the character. Characters, upon gaining levels of experience, receive skill points that they may spend to buy or increase skills allotted to the guild/class. Skills available for the initial 1st through 4th Aristocrat subclass and Commoner subclass are considered “general” skills all society has access to. Skill sets available through guilds are learned tricks of the trade.

  Character Levels and Gaining Experience:

  Characters are awarded experience points during the course of the game. Character levels are then determined by how much experience points the character has gained. Chapter Three discusses the experience point process and how it relates directly to character level.

  Aristocrat

  Steeped in affluence,

  aristocrats are the nobles of Soterion. Either by birth or by appointment, Aristocrats are the “ruling” class. They are sent as diplomats to other kingdoms, ap

  pointed advisors to rulers, and even given portions of land to rule over. While unified with other Nobles of Soterion, each Kingdom has a different style of Aristocrat. In Marasimlah one must be descended from King Alagaar Eben or adopted within the king’s lineage (though the “noble” receives no special rights other than title). In Loefel Meren, only Miyka may become Aristocrats (in fact, Miyka who do not choose to become Aristocrats are despised for forgoing their birthright). There is no Aristocracy in the Emerald Forest.

  In Caelsis the Nepsah, Kat-ken, ‘Am Mayim, Remmys, and Magi are allowed to join the Aristocracy. The only Kingdom where aristocracy is not determined by birth is Philos. King Erestar Lurin’s view is that one must first learn to serve to be able to lead. Thus, Aristocrats in Philos are required by King Erestar Lurin to serve the kingdom. Those who refuse to serve or lack a servant’s heart for the people are stripped of Aristocrat status. Thus, those who seek a position of power tend to shy away from becoming an Aristocrat in Philos. Even Commoners may be squires and may be acknowledged as knights. Only Aristocrats, on the other hand, may accept the titles of Baron, Count, Duke, Advisor, Ambassador, or King/ Queen.

  Class skills: Animal Handling, Appraise, Balance, Bluff, Brawling, Defense, First Aid, Fishing, Gather Information, Intimidate, Hunting/Tracking, Jump; Language: Speak, Language: Read/Write, Listen, Memory Recall, Profession, Read Lips, Ride; Running-Distance, Running-Speed, Search, Sense Motive, Spot, Swim, Tumble, and Weapon Group: General.

  Bard Bards are generally known as entertainers, though they are not limited to simple juggling, singing, playing of instruments, simple tricks, and acting. The Elder instituted the Bards Guild after the fall of Emerailda--And who better to start such a guild than the oldest known creature on Soterion. The Elder travels the world of Soterion telling stories of days that have long passed. He is also an honorary guild master in every Kingdom of Soterion. Bards are first and

  foremost the storytellers of Soterion.

  Skills: Balance, Bluff, Brawling, Defense, Defense: Improved Defense, Disguise, Escape Artist, First Aid, Fishing, Forgery, Gather Information, Hide, Intuit Direction, Jump, Language-Speak, Language-Read/Write, Listen, Lore, Memory Recall, Performance, Ride, Running-Distance, Running-Speed, Search, Spot, Swim, and Weapon Group: General. Commoner

  While somewhat unbecoming of a hero archetype, Commoners are the backbone of Soterion. They are only one of three classes that may craft items and the only class that may choose multiple crafting styles (for example armor smith, weapon smith, blacksmith). Commoners also have the distinction of being only one of two classes that may choose a profession (useful for generating revenue). (See skills).

  Sometimes unassuming, other times overlooked, commoners are well known as underdogs and have the ability to be resourceful. Skills: Animal Handling, Appraise, Balance, Brawling, Craft, Defense, First Aid, Fishing, Gather Information, Jump, Listen, Memory Recall, Profession, Ride, Running-Distance, Running-Speed, Search, Sense Motive, Spot, Swim, and Weapon Group: General.

  Magi

  To the citizens of Soterion, the Order of the Magi is a mysterious order that teaches its members to do the impossible. When the accusation is cast their way, Magi have always sworn that what they do is not magic. No one believes them, most likely because Magi do not let others know how they do what they do. Once a member of the Magi, one finds that what is commonly mistaken as “mysterious arts” is actually a combination of sleight of h
and and applied science.

  Known Beginning of the Magi (story told amongst Magi only)

  Omar Metzger (Akana leader of the Magi) discovered the secret of science several hundred years ago.

  He began to develop the different sciences to an alarmingly advanced level. He dared not share such dangerous knowledge with the citizens of Soterion for fear of abuse. Omar met an Adam Bard named Myles Callaghan who was a Master Illusionist. Together Omar and Myles founded the Order of the Magi.

  Full Story of the Beginnings of the Magi on Soterion (Only known amongst the most renowned and high ranking Magi) Omar Metzger was the greatest scientist on Earth. He discovered more efficient ways to convert solar energy and even trash into usable energy for everything from vehicles to weapons. He found a way to travel dimensionally, a power which ultimately led him to Soterion. Omar took his trash-powered motorcycle, a solar-powered laptop with an entire scientific library, and a heavy arsenal into the dimensional portal with him. Myles Callaghan was an Illusionist con artist trying to turn over a new leaf when he accidently went through a portal. At this time Omar and Myles met and developed the Magi to combine science with illusion. They formed the Magi and built a tower on an island, only to find out that the island belonged to Queen Ariana.