Journeywoman's Journeys, A Fantasy Age of Exploration Worldbuilding Quest (Updated Daily)

[AKuz]

[ ] …First Dawn

It is an Age of Firsts: the first empires struggle to be born, the first explorers set out to push back the boundaries of settlement, great chiefs and warriors vie to set their stamp on the world, and the sages and intellectuals strive mightily to build the first foundations of knowledge and wisdom.

The Adventurers of The Dawn Era seek to be the first to see and to do all that there is to see and to do, to challenge a yet untamed creation.

In science fiction terms, this era will be one of bold explorers setting off into the unknown cosmos, for high fantasy this era is one of gods and heroes laying down the bones of future creation myths, for low fantasy this era is one of wild frontiers and rugged adventurers. Though don't let your imagination be limited to the standard setting tropes, everything will be permitted as long as it fits in a era that could be called "First Dawn"

This quest takes place at the first stirrings of the setting. Optimism, dynamism, novelty and vigour are the watchwords of this time and place.

[ ] …Golden Age

It is an Age of Empires: The great empires are vast and strong, vying mightily against each other for prestige and prosperity, emperors and generals command vast resources and bend their wills towards the accomplishment of great feats once believed impossible. The proud academics and philosophers of the age turn their intellects towards learning the deepest secrets of reality as legendary artists compete to create the greatest works of art yet seen.

Adventurers of the Golden Age strive to accomplish the impossible, to learn the unknowable, and to challenge the heavens.

In science fiction terms, the Golden Age is one where the Galactic Empire is at its height and controls entire entire galaxies with technology indistinguishable from magic, in high fantasy this era is the one where the great wizard-kings send their armies crashing against each other for control over magic itself and in low fantasy this is the time of the great empire whose borders spread from sea to sea to sea, unchallenged and invincible.

This quest takes place at the height of this setting's civilization. Hubris, strength, vibrancy, and challenge are the watchwords of this era.

[ ] …Twilight Era

This is an Age of Monsters: The empires have receded into small pools of uncertain safety and the light of civilization recedes before the expanding darkness. Huddled communities contend with the shadows for mere survival. Knowledge and wisdom of the highest order is no longer available to all, and what remains is watched over by the last of the learned and tended like a sputtering fire.

Adventurers of the Twilight Era are the guardians of what remains, and may be the last burning brands that can reverse a seemingly unstoppable tide of decay.

In science fiction settings this is the age of ignorance where feudal houses hold together realms that were once vibrant republics and empires as their technology slowly decays, in high fantasy the dark lord has all but won, his armies on an unstoppable march, in low fantasy The Twilight Age is one where petty lordlings and bandits stab each other in the back for fractional gain even as a great horde bears down upon them.

This quest takes place at this setting's nadir. And desperation, ignorance, sacrifice, and Hope are the watchwords of this era.

(Write in: 190 Words)

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Spoiler: Write In Options:

[ ] ... Age of Change

It is an age of Change. For whatever reason a status quo that reigned over a planet, a galactic arm or further is in the process of falling apart. Internal contradictions, external pressure and an uncaring or out of touch elite have allowed the situation to spiral where society is in the first stages of contestation.

Adventurers in an Age of Change offer a path forwards for a moribund society and people. They will challenge structures long held sacred and face those who do the same.

In science fiction settings this is where republics and empires fall apart, this is not the end of civilised society but the birthing pains of a new one. In high fantasy some new technology or magical conception has come about and levelled the playing field and races held in bondage now seek their own power, in low fantasy the Age of Contention is the enclosure of fields, the dislocation of old economic and political power structures.

This quest takes place in the middle of this settings civilisation or civilisations. Society finds itself in a period of innovation, challenge, contention, violence, collapse and rebirth.

Every Era has its heroes, the names that echo throughout history and live on the tongues of storytellers and in the inkwells of historians. Our protagonist will be one such person.

But each Era needs its own kind of hero. Dark Knights and larger than life Demigods exist in different places and times, as do bold scientist-adventurers and mystical masters of the lost arts.

As they say, Destiny produces the (wo)man for the hour.

Each era has its own tone and narrative expectations, so consider the preceding options as not strictly proscriptive, as they are not a date in time as much as they are storytelling vibes for me to hone in on as at this time I am mostly interested in painting general vibes as we work from the broadest strokes downwards towards the fine details of the world we are building together.

Also feel free to create your own writing in setting up an era and a vibe, just make sure that it is the same length as the base options. (190 words

 

[Astra Myst]

[X] …Twilight Era

 

[Doctor Elsewhere]

[X] …Twilight Era

 

[clockworkchaos]

[X] …Twilight Era

You know what SV quests need? More gay monsterfucking.

 

[Anchises]

[X] …First Dawn

 

[Mr Apollo]

[X] …Twilight Era

 

[notbirdofprey]

[X] …First Dawn

 

[sportoner]

[X] …Golden Age

The Golden Age sounds magnificent, in both its hubris and brilliance.

 

[HeWhoAdds]

[X] …Twilight Era

 

[Rossum]

[X] …Golden Age

In science fiction terms, the Golden Age is one where the Galactic Empire is at its height and controls entire entire galaxies with magic indistinguishable from magic

Click to shrink...

A galactic empire with magic indistinguishable from magic, aye? Consider me interested.

The Golden Age sounds magnificent, in both its hubris and brilliance.

Click to shrink...

I'm just imagining a civilization that has developed incredible technology, but actual scientific literacy is on the decline. They can use AI, psionics, teleportation, etc with incredible user interfaces and most people barely feel the need to understand how exactly their tech works or where it comes from. And there are plenty of religious nuts or con men ready to offer supernatural explanations for their own tech. Also flat earthers in a universe where artificial habitats exist but even the most insane habitat builders agree trying to build a "flat world" wouldn't work even with their best technology.

Then comes the inevitable collapse when stuff breaks down and way to many people have no idea how to cope.

Which of course can only happen in a futuristic fantasy setting.

 

[Consensus]

[X] …First Dawn

 

[TheMaskedReader]

[X] …Twilight Era

 

[StellarMonarch]

[X] …First Dawn

 

[Estro]

[X] …Golden Age

They say we have Hubris! Hubris! Bah. Our ego shall not be contained in such a limited word as Hubris!

 

[Tayta Malikai]

[X] …Golden Age

I for one cannot wait to see where CUWAQ goes.

 

[the Iron General]

[X] …Golden Age

 

[Satsuma Red]

[] …Twilight Era

 

[flotter]

[X] …Golden Age

Let's see where this takes us.

 

[natruska]

[X ] …Twilight Era

Personally, I'm eager for a Saga set in Twilight

Was this inspired by the discussion in one of the Winterfest threads about how a good quest should have its character creation 100k words in?

 

[Satsuma Red]

I'd also like to offer a write in, just as an idea.

[X] ... Age of Change

It is an age of Change. For whatever reason a status quo that reigned over a planet, a galactic arm or further is in the process of falling apart. Internal contradictions, external pressure and an uncaring or out of touch elite have allowed the situation to spiral where society is in the first stages of contestation.

Adventurers in an Age of Change offer a path forwards for a moribund society and people. They will challenge structures long held sacred and face those who do the same.

In science fiction settings this is where republics and empires fall apart, this is not the end of civilised society but the birthing pains of a new one. In high fantasy some new technology or magical conception has come about and levelled the playing field and races held in bondage now seek their own power, in low fantasy the Age of Contention is the enclosure of fields, the dislocation of old economic and political power structures.

This quest takes place in the middle of this settings civilisation or civilisations. Society finds itself in a period of innovation, challenge, contention, violence, collapse and rebirth.

 

[Regency]

[X] …First Dawn

 

[notbirdofprey]

I'd approval vote for First Dawn and Age of Change.

 

[Chlof]

[X] …Twilight Era

 

[Asterism]

[X] …Golden Age

 

[AKuz]

[X ] …Twilight Era

Personally, I'm eager for a Saga set in Twilight

Was this inspired by the discussion in one of the Winterfest threads about how a good quest should have its character creation 100k words in?

Click to shrink...

Honestly, no, but it is a nice bonus

I'd also like to offer a write in, just as an idea.

[ ] ... Age of Change

It is an age of Change. For whatever reason a status quo that reigned over a planet, a galactic arm or further is in the process of falling apart. Internal contradictions, external pressure and an uncaring or out of touch elite have allowed the situation to spiral where society is in the first stages of contestation.

Adventurers in an Age of Change offer a path forwards for a moribund society and people. They will challenge structures long held sacred and face those who do the same.

In science fiction settings this is where republics and empires fall apart, this is not the end of civilised society but the birthing pains of a new one. In high fantasy some new technology or magical conception has come about and levelled the playing field and races held in bondage now seek their own power, in low fantasy the Age of Contention is the enclosure of fields, the dislocation of old economic and political power structures.

This quest takes place in the middle of this settings civilisation or civilisations. Society finds itself in a period of innovation, challenge, contention, violence, collapse and rebirth.

Click to shrink...

Valid, edited into Threadmark

(According to GDocs this is 192 words, but I'll let you off with a warning this time. >: P)