Where We Learn The Origins of Fayn
The Imp, though apparently bashful about his appearance, is quite chatty when pressed about Fayn lore. He spent the better part of an evening explaining the scant knowledge collected about how Fayn came to be…
“In eons past, there existed a race we only know as the Archons. Their domain stretched across several dimensions and planes of existence, for their magic could warp reality into whatever shape they desired.
In time, they encountered an enemy they referred to as the Devourer. Apparently, the Devourer had a necromantic affinity for the flesh of dead Archons and sought out their corpses wherever they lay in rest. The more he consumed, the more terrible he became.
To protect their dead, the Archons constructed a demi-plane to serve as a mausoleum. Why they shaped it to resemble a living world, we do not know. Perhaps its appearance had metaphysical bearings on its nature; perhaps they simply liked pretty landscapes.
The rules they created to sustain this demi-plane have one overriding law: anything from outside that spends three sunrises here is forever trapped.
The Devourer, despite his seemingly mindless lust for their dead flesh, instinctively understood this trap and stayed out.
Over the centuries, the Archons brought their dead to be interred here, especially around a large inland body of water we now call the Sepulchral Seas. The sea shores (and far inland) are dotted with sealed tombs and other structures which today only the bravest adventurers dare enter—well, them and the raving mad.
At some point, for reasons unknown, the Archons retreated from this demi-plane and sealed all their magical entrances to it. Thus, this land lay dormant for centuries.
Some believe the Archons always meant to return and tend to their dead, though no more corpses were entombed here after their disappearance. They left behind nine enigmatic beings we call the Faynarchs. These entities move throughout the land according to their own unknowable agendas and only interact with us when it suits them. Of the nine, we only know the names of seven: The Seherina, Iduna, Hekate, Baht-Zhol, The Death Angel, Malk-Tas, and Zhiva. We’ll speak of each one later, when I think you’re ready to hear about them.
After a time, people and creatures from other planes of existence fell through into this place and found themselves trapped here. They gravitated to the Sea region and began to multiply.
Later, the Naglfar began to appear and put ashore its otherworldly passengers on the Sea’s shores—people who claimed to have no idea why they had been brought here or how it happened. They said they had been dead and were now alive, and all professed to have come from a place they called the World of the Sons of Adam.
One such person rose to prominence, established a city among his fellow wanderers, and gave a name to this world: Fayn. In his native tongue, the word meant “some place I do not know.”
There’s much more to tell, but you also asked about the settled lands of Fayn. I only really know about the kingdoms and powers around the Sepulchral Seas. They are, in order of vague importance: Great Staraya (including the Naej), Rath Talorr, Ak’Kor, Pohjal, Shieen, Aetic, the Onrothy, Zagaroth, Wydyr, and Waerda.
I have good information that there are independent powers farther out past the borderlands of those I have named. For example, there is a cold kingdom far north of the Hundred Mouth Swamps where the barbarians placate Zhiva. There is also Najhas Taloth to the south, but no one sane goes there who wishes to keep his soul.
In the Seas, there are many islands, mostly sunken or too boggy for large settlements. Four are worth mentioning: Hod, Sodh (where I reside in the greatest of the Seven Towers), Iot, and Da’ath.
Many more things I will tell you when we next meet. Until then, write down what I have given you.”
To learn more about Fayn and the area surrounding the Sepulchral Seas, subscribe now. It’s only $5.99/month and you’ll have upfront access to all Fayn lore and gaming information that comes with it.