Briefing Doc: The World of Seregon

Source: Excerpts from "Start Here - Notes - Kanka"

Setting: Seregon, a bustling city-state on the jungle-covered island of Moog, set on the post-apocalyptic world of Phoor.

Themes:

• Urban Fantasy meets Cosmic Horror: The setting blends elements of classic fantasy with Lovecraftian themes, placing players in a vibrant city struggling for survival amidst the ruins of ancient civilizations and the threat of cosmic entities.
• Exploration and Survival: The dense, zombie-infested jungle surrounding Seregon presents a constant danger and the key to unraveling the mysteries of the apocalypse. Exploration is crucial but perilous.
• Social Intrigue and Moral Choices: Seregon is a city rife with political tension, hidden agendas, and moral dilemmas. Players must navigate complex social interactions and make choices that impact the city's future.

Important Facts and Ideas:

• The Zombie Apocalypse: An airborne disease known as Amber Fever has ravaged the world for 120 years, turning the infected into zombies. Seregon has adapted, but the threat remains ever-present, contributing to a "winding down" atmosphere.
• The City of Seregon:Amsterdam in the Jungle: Seregon draws inspiration from 1800s Amsterdam, with a bustling harbor, diverse districts, and a focus on trade.
• Built on Ancient Magic: The city is built atop the remnants of the Olmoy civilization, with their powerful magic woven into the city's foundation, leaving Seregon vulnerable to otherworldly forces.
• Fungal Infection: A deadly fungus, the source of Amber Fever, plagues the island. The Greycaps, a faction of Myconids (mushroom people), maintain a fragile peace with Seregon, cleaning the city of the fungus and the dead in exchange for non-interference.
• Key Districts:Kerkhof Ferry District: Home to artists, tradespeople, and adventurers like the player characters (the "Yard Rats"), who reside in the abandoned Kerkhof Station.
• Harbour District: Gritty and crime-ridden, a hub for trade and the arrival of essential Seregon Serum.
• Starfire Hill District: Home to the wealthy elite, wielding power and influence.
• Upper District: The center of government and embassies, potentially a site for political intrigue.
• Old Knot District: A den of poverty and crime, housing the Seven Sins Thieves Guild and the enigmatic Temple of Set.
• Westerpark District: Location of Temple Way, a place of diverse worship, and the Sacred Grove.
• Travel and Trade:Airships: The safest (but expensive) way to travel between cities and islands, vulnerable to the dangers of the jungle.
• The Seas are Closed: Deadly fungal blooms make sea voyages perilous, limiting travel and trade.
• Pirates and Slavers: The Ravaged Sea Corsairs and the Crimson Slavers pose threats to the region.

Quotes:

• The Setting: "Planet Phoor: A mid apocalyptic world of Law Versus Chaos, where the chaos forces of the Great Old Ones battle the orderly forces of man. The Elder Gods created the universe; they are not alien invaders from the stars. They are the stars."
• The City's Foundation: "Seregon is a sprawling metropolis built atop a nexus of ancient magics, where the boundaries between realms are as thin as whispers and as dangerous as the forgotten gods themselves."
• The Myconids: "Myconids, mushroom people, emerge from the sewers at night and remove dead bodies, those in the throes of transforming into zombies, along with trash and refuse. They scrub the city clean of deadly fungus."
• The Jungle: "The jungle cannot be cleared or tamed. It swallows everything, forcing explorers to go in and get back as quick as possible."

Overall Impression: The world of Seregon offers a rich and detailed setting for an urban fantasy campaign with Lovecraftian horror elements. Players face the challenges of surviving a zombie apocalypse, exploring a dangerous jungle, and navigating a complex city full of secrets and intrigue. The campaign promises episodic adventures, social encounters, and moral dilemmas as the heroes seek to understand and potentially overcome the forces threatening Seregon and the world of Phoor.

Exploring Seregon: An Urban Fantasy City Guide

I. Setting Overview: A City Under Siege

• A. A World in Crisis: Introduces the world of Phoor, ravaged by the 120-year-long zombie apocalypse caused by the fungal disease known as Amber Fever.
• B. Seregon: Amsterdam in the Jungle: Explores the bustling city-state of Seregon, inspired by 18th-century Amsterdam, but built on the remnants of the ancient Olmoy civilization and surrounded by a treacherous, zombie-infested jungle.

II. City Districts: A Tapestry of Society

• A. Kerkhof Ferry District: Details the working-class district home to the player characters, the "Yard Rats," who reside in the repurposed Kerkhof Station.
• B. Harbour District: A gritty and bustling hub for trade, marked by crime and the constant need for Seregon Serum to combat Amber Fever.
• C. Starfire Hill District: Contrasts the affluence and power of the city's elite residing on this hill with the struggles of other districts.
• D. Upper District: Examines the seat of government and diplomacy, potentially a source of political intrigue.
• E. Old Knot District: Explores the dangers and mysteries of this impoverished district, home to the Seven Sins Thieves Guild and the enigmatic Temple of Set.
• F. Westerpark District: Focuses on the cultural significance of Temple Way, a place of diverse worship, and the natural refuge of the Sacred Grove.

III. The Myconid Pact: An Uneasy Alliance

• A. Sovereign Morel and the Greycaps: Analyzes the complex relationship between the city and the Myconid Sovereign Morel, whose faction cleanses Seregon of the dead and the deadly fungus that causes Amber Fever, following a past conflict with deadly consequences.
• B. Ethical and Social Implications: Discusses the implications of relying on the Greycaps for survival, raising questions about the balance of power and the potential for future conflicts.

IV. Survival in a Post-Apocalyptic World: Challenges and Adaptations

• A. The Threat of Amber Fever: Examines the constant threat of the disease and the reliance on costly Seregon Serum, creating social and economic disparities.
• B. Travel and Trade in a Limited World: Explores the limited travel options due to the dangers of the jungle and the sea, highlighting the importance of expensive airships.
• C. The Role of Technology: Discusses how technology, reminiscent of the 1800s, coexists with magic in Seregon, impacting daily life, transportation, and the fight against the undead.

V. Adventure in the Jungle: Seeking the Source

• A. The Unconquerable Jungle: Highlights the dangers of the jungle and the need for experienced guides to navigate its ever-growing, zombie-infested depths.
• B. The Quest for Answers: Focuses on the main objective of adventurers: uncovering the source of the zombie apocalypse and seeking a solution to end the century-long crisis.
• C. Encounters and Discoveries: Explores the potential for encounters with remnants of the Olmoy civilization, dangerous creatures, and other survivors, offering opportunities for discovery and conflict.

VI. The Cosmic Influence: Gods and Ancient Powers

• A. The Elder Gods: Architects of Creation: Delves into the Lovecraftian influence of the Elder Gods, powerful beings who created the world and hold immense sway over its fate.
• B. The Pantheon of Phoor: Examines the roles of other deities in this world, their influence limited by the Elder Gods, often acting through subtle manipulations and leaving the major challenges to mortals.
• C. Remnants of the Olmoy: Considers the lingering magic and potential dangers tied to the remnants of the Olmoy civilization, suggesting their past practices may hold clues to the current crisis.

VII. Character Options: A Diverse World

• A. Humans and Cultures: Details the human cultures of Seregon, including those with Dutch-inspired backgrounds, and the possibility of incorporating other cultures like the Sultanate of Sahar or the drug-ridden city of Al-Strahal.
• B. The Immortals of Karsis: Explores the unique background of Dragonborn characters, all considered "Immortals of Karsis," engineered warriors from the fallen empire of Bamasuj.
• C. Minor Species: Provides information on playing less common species like Loxodon, Darakhul (undead survivors of Amber Fever), and Tabaxi, each with their own unique traits and connections to the world.

VIII. The Central Tension: A World on the Brink

• A. Law Versus Chaos: Analyzes the ongoing struggle between the forces of order and the chaotic influence of the Elder Gods, framing the conflict as the driving force behind the narrative.
• B. Moral Dilemmas and Choices: Discusses the ethical considerations faced by characters in a world grappling with survival, highlighting the potential for morally grey choices and their impact on the city and its inhabitants.
• C. Seeds of Hope and Despair: Explores the balance between the grim reality of the apocalypse and the glimmers of hope represented by the city's resilience, technological advancements, and the enduring spirit of adventure.

Seregon: A City Guide FAQ

1. What is Seregon and where is it located?

Seregon is a bustling city-state located on the Island of Moog, a tropical island plagued by dense, zombie-infested jungles. Moog sits on the world of Phoor, a planet shaped by the cosmic forces of Lovecraftian Elder Gods. Seregon is inspired by 1800s Amsterdam, known for its harbor, trade, and diverse districts.

2. What is the main threat facing Seregon and the world of Phoor?

The world is in the midst of a 120-year-old zombie apocalypse caused by Amber Fever, a deadly, airborne fungal disease. While Seregon has adapted to this threat, it remains ever-present and casts a shadow over daily life.

3. Who are the Greycaps and what role do they play in Seregon?

The Greycaps are a faction of Myconids, or mushroom people, led by Sovereign Morel. They have a complex relationship with Seregon, as they cleanse the city of dead bodies and the deadly fungus, preventing the further spread of Amber Fever. However, this uneasy alliance stems from a past transgression where the Greycaps killed Seregon's entire population.

4. How do people travel in this world, and what challenges do they face?

Long-distance travel is primarily done via airships, as sea voyages are hampered by dangerous fungal blooms, and the jungle is too hostile for extensive travel. However, airships are expensive and vulnerable to accidents. Additionally, pirates like the Ravaged Sea Corsairs and slavers from Elephant Island pose constant threats.

5. What is Seregon Serum and why is it so important?

Seregon Serum is a costly alchemical concoction that prevents people infected with Amber Fever from fully turning into zombies. Its high cost creates a stark social and economic divide between those who can afford treatment and those who cannot.

6. What are the different districts within Seregon and what are they known for?

Seregon is divided into several districts, each with its own unique character:

• Kerkhof Ferry District: Home to artists, tradespeople, and adventurers, including the player characters known as the "Yard Rats." They have made their base in the abandoned Kerkhof Station.
• Harbour District: Known for its bustling trade, but also its gritty atmosphere and crime.
• Starfire Hill District: Home to the wealthy elite who wield considerable power and influence.
• Upper District: The center of government and diplomacy, a potential hotbed of political intrigue.
• Old Knot District: Impoverished and riddled with crime, it houses the Seven Sins Thieves Guild and the mysterious Temple of Set.
• Westerpark District: Home to Temple Way, a place of diverse worship, and the Sacred Grove, a natural sanctuary.

7. Who are the Immortals of Karsis, and what is their connection to Dragonborn characters?

The Immortals of Karsis were a legion of Dragonborn warriors engineered by wizards in the fallen Empire of Bamasuj. All Dragonborn characters in the setting are considered descendants of these Immortals, carrying the legacy of their lost empire.

8. What role do the Elder Gods play in this world?

The Elder Gods are powerful Lovecraftian entities who created the world of Phoor. They represent primal forces of chaos and cosmic horror. While their direct influence on current events is unclear, their presence looms large, suggesting a potential connection to the zombie apocalypse and other looming threats.