Basalt Tides Campaign Setting

Basalt Tides is a meld of ancient to medieval cultures rebuilding after a clash that forever changed the world. Legendary power stems from intsnef, the special basalt-infused water mixture ebbing from an ever-erupting volcano, with the ancient cultural centers positioned to best inherit its magic; the humans and birdmen have cities built alongside intsnef rivers within the walls of a canyon (the term "intsnef" literally means blood of the valley), the lizardfolk/kobold swamplands have intsnef mist sprayed in a constant stream past the mountains blocking the direct flow of lava, the dwarven/peluman plateau is rich with minerals infused by underground rivers of intsnef, and the deserts of the barbaric catfolk, gnolls, and kreen have remnants of intsnef-tainted water lap upon their shores from a current pushing water from the volcano up the Great Strait.

A brief history: Like all dragons in his remote desert-based city-state and its neighbors, Kolek was originally a powerful human wizard. When he learned of distant lands with simpler magics and easier life, he sought to conquer them, but he soon found himself out-classed in waterbourne warfare. The pursuing navy was caught in his escape spell, which was mangled by their countering magic, and both armies were brought to a new land filled with comparably primitive peoples. The dragon began to enslave the natives and build a new empire, while the naval commander, easily the inferior on land, prepared a counter-offensive to free the people. After an epic war, the influences of the two warring cultures on the previously isolated cultures led to an interesting blend of cultures and technology both old and new. Each native people has an ancient home, predominantly inhabited by a single race, though there are many multi-racial cities elsewhere, especially in the Free River Valley.

Progress report: Languages describes the sounds of each tongue and provides insight for how they were created. Races are almost complete. Classes will be largely scrapped soon, in favor of using the standard classes. My rules on magic will remain, albeit revised/revamped. History is brand-new and needs to by synced with my notes for consistancy and updates. Pantheon (horribly out of date) describes the gods, tightly intertwined with the races and geography of the world.