The Forge Sphere

The Spheres are mysterious places and haven’t always been as easy to reach as they currently are. Subjects of stories and legends to the people of Elandra there is little known and confirmed about them and their inhabitants and so the known information is varied. Discovering secrets of the Sphere and interacting with their inhabitants is designed to have an exploration element.

The Realm of Creation and Process

Geography

The central areas of the Plane of Emberthrone are beautiful in their geometry, with a perfectly flat landscape. The mirrored cities of Calvar and Ravlac are perfect reflections of each other. Towering wooden buildings jut into the sky like a forest without a canopy, linked by bridges a hundred feet in the air made of ornately carved stone and crystal.

The surrounding plains are a marvel of artifice and artistry, filled with wooden flora and stone-crafted animals. These lifelike recreations of natural ecosystems “live” as in true nature, with massive, lumbering stone beasts grazing among the wooden grasslands and delicately carved insects flitting between flower-like structures carved from amber and quartz. These creatures mimic their natural counterparts with an uncanny vitality, creating an ecosystem that is both “alive” and otherworldly.

The insects, crafted from smooth wood and inlaid with shimmering gemstones, hum softly as they move from one amber bloom to another. They act as pollinators, carrying flecks of glowing resin between flowers, perpetuating the cycles of this crafted ecosystem. The flora, in turn, seems to respond to the presence of these creatures, their crystal structures vibrating softly as if in silent communication.

As dusk falls, Emberthrone’s plains come alive with soft luminescence. The resinous flowers and stone-carved animals emit a faint, warm glow, bathing the landscape in gentle light. The Twin Cities shimmer with embedded crystals that catch and reflect the starlight, and the stone bridges between them radiate a serene brilliance, casting delicate patterns on the plains below.

Beyond the plains rise the Sky Spears, a jagged range of monumental stone peaks. While the Pinnocs reside in peace within their cities, the Sky Spears are the domain of the Rustwraiths, a reclusive and haunting presence. Pinnocs only venture to these mountains in groups when seeking the elusive Crystalline Fruit, a rare, magical “plant” essential for empowering their most intricate creations.

Denizens of Forge

The Pinnocs

There is only one sapient species inhabiting the Plane of Emberthrone. Known as Pinnocs, these humanoids are the result of unparalleled craftsmanship and precision. Despite their lack of spiritual essence, which limits their ability to innovate and create new things, they excel in shaping and maintaining the intricate workings of their world with astounding skill. Their bodies, finely carved wood and reinforced with polished stone or crystal veins, are a masterpiece of craft, with joints and limbs that move smoothly and efficiently, reflecting The Ferrothan’s dedication to aesthetic perfection.

Each Pinnoc is powered by a crystal in place of its heart, holding both a store of magical energy and also, seemingly, the personality of each Pinnoc. The bodies can be destroyed, but as long as this Lumenark is undamaged, it can simply be placed into another created body, and the Pinnoc will be reborn. This, however, is a curse and a blessing, for the Rustwraiths that inhabit the Sky Spears require Lumenarks to keep themselves powered. Pinnocs who wander too far from others within the mountains will find themselves attacked by Rustwraiths, who will consume the energy from the Lumenark, leaving nothing but a husk behind. 

The Pinnocs believe they were created by The Ferrothans, enigmatic beings of stone and metal who once shaped Emberthrone but retreated to the Sky Spears as their clarity of purpose faded. They believe they were created to ensure Emberthrone’s future, being entrusted with the Ferrothan’s legacy before vanishing into self-imposed exile in the mountains. Pinnocs believe that the Rustwraiths consumed the Ferrrothans, as their condition left them vulnerable and unable to protect themselves. 

The Pinnoc society is incredibly organised and hierarchical, with each individual having a specific role and function within their community. Their hierarchy is based on the complexity and precision of their craftsmanship. Doyens, the most skilled and experienced among them, hold the highest positions and are responsible for overseeing large-scale projects and the creation of new Pinnocs. Governance among the Pinnocs is based on merit and efficiency. The Doyens lead through example and expertise, making decisions that ensure the smooth operation of their society.

Despite their lack of creativity, the Pinnocs possess an immense collective knowledge base, passed down through meticulous records and schematics. Their society values precision, order, and the flawless execution of established designs. Mistakes in crafting are deeply shameful in Pinnoc culture, and an error is seen as a personal failure to honour the Ferrothan’s legacy. Flawed creations are carefully dismantled, and their parts are reused on future projects. 

The Ferrothans’ culture revolves around their craftsmanship. They are tireless workers dedicated to maintaining and continuing Emberthrone’s mechanical and crystalline infrastructure. While not from their designs, their creations are of unmatched quality and detail. Every piece they produce, from towering structures to delicate machinery, is a testament to their skill and dedication.

For a Pinnoc, perfection is considered the norm and is something to strive for in all things. They strive for accuracy and faultlessness in all their works, following catalogued blueprints from the vaults of The Ferrothans. These creations are functional and symbolise their society’s values and heritage. However, the primary limitation of Pinnocs as a people is their inability to innovate. Their lack of spiritual magics means they are creatively stunted, and obtaining and implementing a new blueprint is seen as a massive symbol of status amongst the Pinnocs, with great respect and praise being heaped on the first of the people to make something new before the designs are ceremoniously added to The Library, the repository of knowledge that all Ferrothans can use. 

The Ferrothans

The Creators of Pinnocs now lost. Information on them is prized by the forge realm

Rustwraiths

A species that hide within this plane that need working Lumenarks from Pinnocks to keep themselves alive. 

Quick Reference Guide

• Emberthrone’s Geography: Features geometrically perfect, flat plains with mirrored cities (Calvar & Ravlac), towering wooden structures, and artificial ecosystems crafted from wood, stone, amber, and quartz.
• Living Ecosystems: The artificial ecosystems on Emberthrone mimic nature with stone beasts, wooden grasslands, and gemstone-inlaid insects that pollinate the crafted flora.
• Sky Spears: Beyond the plains lie the Sky Spears, a range of monumental stone peaks, home to the reclusive and dangerous Rustwraiths.
• Pinnocs: The sole sapient species, meticulously crafted humanoids made of wood, stone, and crystal, excelling in maintaining Emberthrone.
• Lumenarks: Pinnocs are powered by a crystal “heart” called a Lumenark, containing their personality and magical energy; essential for rebirth but coveted by Rustwraiths.
• The Ferrothans: Pinnocs believe they were created by the Ferrothans, enigmatic beings who retreated to the Sky Spears after shaping Emberthrone.
• Pinnoc Society: Highly organized and hierarchical, based on craftsmanship. Doyens, the most skilled, lead through example and maintain societal function.
• Emphasis on Perfection: Pinnoc culture values precision, order, and flawless execution, with mistakes seen as shameful failures to honor the Ferrothan legacy.
• Limited Creativity: Pinnocs are creatively stunted due to a lack of spiritual magic, relying on established designs and meticulous records to maintain their world.
• Rustwraiths Threat: Rustwraiths, residing in the Sky Spears, pose a constant threat to Pinnocs, consuming Lumenarks for energy, leaving behind only lifeless husks.