Introduction

Background

Far above the Empty Center, two weeks’ trek by wagon ride from the Keep of Squares, marked only by a feeble line of scraggy brush, lies the serrated edge of the Northern Strata. No two strata imitate each other–they are each the judgment of gods. 

Six hundred years ago, the gods were all murdered. Pursuing them across the far edges of the Earth, Philosopher Queen Ishiba and her logician cults surveyed the high peak of Mount Vairon, where she defeated Crom in single combat. As the last of his kind fell, a great chasm broke across his feet, growing into a twisted mass of fissures.

For two centuries, the strata were largely abandoned, home to no more than beasts and forgotten colors. Then, after the proclamation of Zarathustra III in 286 A.D.G., came wanderers, thiefs, and soldiers, seeking the heterogenous glory of land and rare minerals. Dwarven mines ran deep beneath granite mountains, and lines were drawn and redrawn. 

Then, disaster. Little is known aside from fishermans’ tales and the hurried inscriptions of lyric poets, a song about peacocks. The few who returned are said to have had fits of muffled laughter, to have always slept with a hammer. 

Factions

In the present, the territories of the Northern Strata are nominally claimed by Geometer Prince Rawlos, who, for obtuse Euclidian purposes, maintains a small military fort of 37 soldiers along the coast. In practice, the region is home to mostly researchers and religious simpletons, along with a few loosely organized bands of desperados who have heard the tales of vast and unclaimed natural wealth.

• Of considerable aesthetic erudition is Frigar Hothmiar (Magic-User 6), disciple-in-residence of the Tower of Hum. Although Frigar’s ongoing studies of coral shellfish has landed him only a temporary residence of meagre earnings, his post has been annually renewed for the last 30 years, making him the longest known person to live in the region.
  
• Leader of the Free Thonians, the young and highly charismatic Eldritch Smith (Cleric 3) has established a small but loyal community of 200 or so followers beyond the administrative reach of the Principum. Having recently accomplished the excavation of a caved-in entrance to Mount Aaron, his true intentions are unknown.
  
• Captain Gerard Hom (Fighter 5), dutifully has watched over his fellow soldiers for the last three years at Fort Ray (PAGE). Although he was initially reluctant to accept such a remote assignment, he has since developed a passion for dog sledding.
  
• Four miles within the twisted scrub, Genealogist Clarisse Clément (Elf  4) and her 8 children continue to trace the roots of the Ur-Tree ever northward.
  
• Thronwill Elmsleep (Dwarf 3) his 11 dwarven comrades operate a small but extravagant bird watching tour expedition across Lake Ahab. They are currently preparing to welcome Lord Obtuse and his entourage, who have traveled from afar to find healing song of the Black Ptarmigan.

The main natural product of the area is letch, a rare moss that grows within the western caves, and which, when boiled, acts as a mild hallucinogen.