Rules of Engagement

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Map created by: "Stonepledge" by EnsedaKimri and S.D. Nightshade.

A Strange, New World...

We knew we never should've launched.
We knew the risks were just too high.
But we never imagined just what we'd find.
Let alone who'd live or die...

Images graciously provided by: "The Approach" by EnsedaKimri, "Beauty" by JohnnyRed777 (zoomed).

We were supposed to be the best of the best.
For three generations they’d refined us, perfected us.
And then they threw us into the deep end of the pool.

The deep-space probe sent back hope, if not promise.
For years they designed and built a ship to get us there.
Innovative, cutting-edge technology.
But the public still called it a suicide mission.
We were the solution to the inquiry.

But we didn’t know what was waiting in the shadows.
We weren’t ready for the deaths.
We weren’t ready for the disappearances.
And we certainly weren’t ready for the natives.

FREEFALL

Survey 1 - The Antefores

Lost, marooned, with no way back,
No lifeline binding crew to home.
But, oh, do others ever await -
If only we'd left well-enough alone...

Image graciously provided by: "Shield of the Gods" by Svet the Fallen, "Overpass Patrol-Charlie Platoon-Delta 7-16" by Seconds Past 12, ""Where It Fell" by Zalmunna.

MAELSTROM

We were the pride of Earth, the promise of our generation.
Given the best schools, the best food, the best cozy little safe haven you could hope for.
Idiots. What were they preparing us for - dinner parties with alien dignitaries?
Now we'd been scattered across the deep end of the cosmic pool - at night, during a sandstorm.

By the time I came to, alone in those ruins, I didn't know which way was up.
By the time I finally escaped, I didn't even recognize myself.
My first attempt at first contact won a full-scale attack.
My first plea for help chased me into a cage I'd never escape.

But sometimes kindling just needs a little fire to wake it up.
Sometimes that fire gets hungry, and spreads.
And unless I can find a way to contain the fury inside -
This storm might burn the whole forest to ashes.

The Cast

Meet the captivating crew that brought this story to life!

(Or at least the images that inspired the Maelstrom characters...)

Asam Hillmonk

Festiva Sweepcoast

Akaire

the Harvester

Spearleaf

Greenteal

Lysikeli

• * SPOILER ALERT *

• * SPOILER ALERT *

Gracefell

Kareb

the Supreme

Fasharrek

Handdrawn & Cliffmist

Blessforge

Makira Axefell

Jainel Stillwater

Spearward

Bowhawk the Archer

Verdandi

Ribcrown

First Death & Thorncrown

Firewall

Images graciously provided by: "Echoes of Once-Were" by EnsedaKimri; "DnD Dwarf Waitress" by Bergionstyle, "Sad News" by KZaphire; "Untitled" by Devioustoc, "03797" by FutureRender, "Fae Nobility" by Priestess of Light 777, "Fairy 0086" by Grimwalds; "Alien Cold and Dark" by Bergionstyle, "Midjourney 6834" by Javier Lluesma, "" by ArtbyMorganCMorgan, "Tending to the Flame of Inspiration" by Priestess of Light 777, "Lady Lilac and Purple Moon" by Bergionstyle, "Windley" by Xanadu; "Elven Kind and Princess" by Warhollium, "Myahl - Elven Lord of the High Council" by ArtbyMorganCMorgan, "Dandelion Medieval Knight" by BergionStyle, "Falconeer 1" by KonimoTsinui, "Falconeer 2" by KonimoTsinui; "Lady and Golden Dragon" by BergionStyle, "Abersil the Hearthguard" by EnsedaKimri, "Goth 006" by AI Portraits (and "4k Wallpaper by AI Portraits 010 by AIPortraits) "Trexit - Guardian of the Oluth Temple" by EnsedaKimri, "Duoliel - Guardian of Duality" by ArtbyMorganCMorgan, and "Cannaboss the Celestial Defender" by Devioustoc. The "Artifacts of Valutichec" is a collage of images created by EnsedaKimri and copyrighted by S.D. Nightshade Publications in 2025.

Artifacts of Valutichec (C)2025 SDNP

WHERE IT ALL HAPPENS

The secret to a good setting?

Make it just close enough to home -
but just different enough to beg exploring for more...

the Archives of Toshornou,
the Hallowed Lands

the Mystery of Darkfears bridge

the Archives of Bishtanou, the Freewilds

the Deep Archives of Valutichec,
Hallowed Lands

Beinoveur, Unknown

Fleeing Enusheric with Wycheikal

First Encounter - the Wardens of Surakim

the Hall of Hearings, Surakim

the Ruins of Jasharic, the Hallowed Lands

the Freewilds by Losthead

the Whistling Willows meets the Freewilds
by the Lily River

the Freewilds forest floor

Greenbow, Well of Summits range, Surakim

the Sunder of Arms, Keephold

Images graciously provided by: Untitled Screenshot of an Ayleid Ruin from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion video game by S.D. Nightshade, "The Temple of Khram IV" by EnsedaKimri; "Spinestone Ridge" by Enseda Kimri, "Cascading Delight" by DrewHopper, "TropicalJungle3D1" by Hamaterasu, "Ancient Surrounds" by DrewHopper, "Enchanted Wilderness" by DrewHopper, "The Great Gondwana" by DrewHopper, "Majestic Lushness" by DrewHopper, "Palace Bedroom" by Maher Dabour on Pinterest, "The Library of Odulec" by EnsedaKimri, "Hawaiian Rainforest" by JoeyArtist on DeviantArt, "Jungle With Waterfalls 8" by Bouzid on DeviantArt, "Terracina Plantation" by EnsedaKimri, "Executors Palace" by EnsedaKimri, "Enraptured" by DrewHopper, "The Library of Ishta Wanket" by EnsedaKimri, "Brave Background" by Draco Awesomeness, "The Library of Hassen Kraff" by EnsedaKimri; "Strange World" by Digitonaut.

Inquirium Keystones, Camaric

Inquirium "Trapemids", Camaric

the Wallgate range

First Encounter - Akaire

the Whistling Willows

the Whistling Willows, by the Dorans' Nest

Book 3

Survey 2 - The Almacrans

From highest heights to deepest depths
They tried to run, to hide.
But the darkest truths to wary meet
Are those left kept inside...
.

Image graciously provided by: "Jungle04" by hz-designs, "Jaina Proudmoore" by Mathias Judias, "Banewulfe Hollow, Drokkanshire" by EnsedaKimri.

DISTANT SHORES

I’d survived the crash. I’d survived the cave.
But by the time I surfaced I had no idea where I was.
They call this world Wernomin – and I couldn’t agree more –
This is a planet where no man should’ve landed.

Its lands are lush. Its seas are wild.
Cut off from anything familiar or safe.
It’s all I can do to survive a day.
But life has a spark that blooms bright in darkness.

Its tribes are primitive. Its sunken cities boast a lost age.
I couldn’t help but follow the clues.
I had no idea the story they’d tell –
Or how the answers would change my fate.
.

The Cast

Meet the captivating crew that brought this story to life!

(Or at least the images that inspired the Distant Shores characters...)

Olamey the Glazefielder

Masseyala

Asden

Cardamons Bloodwaters

Bearded Spearmen

Lemurs by Gourdant

Ursal Farmer's Mount

Hascor the Tiler & Sequa the Reeder

• Dryad by Bellowbelly

Macen the Javelin & Taya Softgill

Isoki at Bellowbelly

Mytzi Stargatherer

Hashyren

Docran

Gurco

Consort Fairfins

Conaru

Asmerone

Jelosan

Ju Rem Kis

Masietroc

Wickcheck

Images graciously provided by: "I Followed a Moonbeam" by EnsedaKimri; "What Were You Expecting - Full-Suit Dragonscale?" by EnsedaKimri; "Siren of the Sea" by Mathias Judias, "Pukwudgie" by Rob Powell, "Ringbrows" by EnsedaKimri, "Malgas" by EnsedaKimri; "Simpler Times, Simpler People" by EnsedaKimri, "A Male Elf Rogue" by DnDHeadshots, "On the Rocks 9" by Melisand3, "On Our Own Field" by Melisand3, "Lazy Days" by EnsedaKimri, "Dryad of the Reedwood" by EnsedaKimri, "Seeker of Secrets" by SteveArgyle"; "Medieval Menial" by EnsedaKimri, "A Good Bait Still Needs a Good Wait" by EnsedaKimri, "H96ven Women Wash Clothes in The River - Fantasy Fe" by Silver7ight, "Betta Mermaid by Rob Powell"; "Thoughtful Adventurer" by SvettheFallen, "ComfyUI 147418" by StablestRrubbles, "Feathey Beauty 21 by Stablestrubbles, "Feathey Beauty 13" by StablestRubbles; "Dunkleosteus Mermaid" by Rob Powell, "A Male Druid" by DnDHeadshots, "Golden Gaze" by DanielBDesigns; "Cozy Home" by Medieval Queen, "Explore" by Medieval Queen; "Creepy Angel Mermaid Thing" by Rob Powell, "Myahl - Elven Lord of the High Council" by ArtbyMorganCMorgan, "An Elven Ranger" by DnDHeadshots, An Elven Fighter" by DnDHeadshots; "Elioseris" by EnsedaKimri, "HRH 12" by Melisand3, "Carp" by Kotikomori, "Mermaid 58" by MyK3yZ; "Scylla Spaceship Modification by Enjoylingerie, "Random Merman" by Melisand3, "Surreal Daemon Geisha in Ethereal Glory" by Nana1970; "Birdy 2" by StablestRubble, "Beauty Will Never Be the Same Tomorrow" by CosmicBlessedWithEye, "Koi Mermaid" by Medieval Queen, "Comfy UI 140998 by StablestRubbles, "S Portrait 26" by Warhollium, "Aetherian Empress' Veil of Sapphire Smoke by ElCryp7ostrike, "Emerald Enigma, the Gilded Veil by ElCryp7ostrike, "Statue and Sculpture Comfy UI 152621 by StablestRubbles, "Seer of the Veil by SvettheFallen, "Wild Tropics" by EnsedaKimri, and "Solan of Ginnsfolk" by EnsedaKimri.

Ey Set Ni

Mateysac

Hasuchi

Whisper Arrow

Hide Collar

Inspirer Blessforge

Dainukot

Highshell Absiegran

Bascan, a Man of Washuven

Saduji

Kaytzi Heavenseye

Laref Lacefin

Ettiniel the Eelscale

Survey 6

Shargamine

Mocatrex the Godalisan

Nighthaunt of Dead Man's Cove

Nighthaunt of Dead Man's Cove

Gov. Chails

Prince Sterngale

Rán

Ambient

Lifeborn

Safehold

Chaperone

• Salamanders by Bellowbelly

WHERE IT ALL HAPPENS

The secret to a good setting?

Make it just close enough to home -
but just different enough to beg exploring for more...

Udu Sharen

Duru Tsana

Eular

Shorebridge

Hashu Recara

Akel Tsok

Bellowbelly Bridge

Hrost

the Rootnet River & Corpseswallow Swamp

the Gourdant River

Beardmen Beach, Cardamons Bay

Beardfur Mossweed, Cardamons Bay

Ovar Runu

Walking Trees, Sartugal Bay

Images graciously provided by: Benagil - Shutterstock by Rad Raddu, "Scaled Sandscrub" by EnsedaKimri; , "The Sea Gave Back in Plenty" by EnsedaKimri, "Underwater City" by EquinoxEC64, The Kylemore Abbey Estate by Jess Friedman, Nusa Penida by Reeflex Divers, Manzanillo Beach - Costa Rica by Kryssia Campos, "Amazon Jungle Yasuni Ecuador by Aditi Partha, Nusa Penida Kelp Farm by PharmerSea, "Stalked Kelp 01" by Eiko Jones, "Downport Mireton" by EnsedaKimri, "Built to Last" by EnsedaKimri, "Violets at Rootbridge" by EnsedaKimri, "The Kemmins Commons Aftermath" by EnsedaKimri, "Port Rotroot" by EnsedaKimri, "Mystic Pond" by Blister17, "Underneath Waterworld" by SvettheFallen, "The Earth Got Hungry and Stopped for a Bite" by EnsedaKimri, Untiled Image of Connemara National Park by Residence Hotel Galway; " The Ruins of Mooncrest Metropolis"by EnsedaKimri, Irrigated Rice Terraces in Bali Indonesia by Glen Allison, "Cross Your Heart and Hope Not to Die" by EnsedaKimri, "Abyssal Abominations" by EnsedaKimri, "Crowley Lake Stone Columns" by LiveThatAdventure, "Church No More" by Tomahawk29, "Lake City" by SvettheFallen, Lumajang Viewpoint of Tumpak Sewu by Jess Matoaka, "DnD Underground City" by Bergionstyle, unknown (underwater wreckage), Co Thatch Binh Thuan by Vietnam Travel, unknown (flooded stone path), "WitchwinterConcept - Bayou" by Magnus on DeviantArt, "The Fields at Night" by Zalmunna, "Jungle 04" by HZ-Designs, "A Ray of Sublime Rave" by EnsedaKimri, "The Depths of Aspiration" by EnsedaKimri, "Sunlit Ruins" by VRStylish on DeviantArt, "The Lockbox of Renstar" by EnsedaKimri, "Banewulfe Hollow, Drokkanshire" by EnsedaKimri, the "Artifacts of Tokalchec" is a collage of five images created by EnsedaKimri and copyrighted by S.D. Nightshade Publications in 2025, "Fireworks in Palms" by EnsedaKimri, the Lion's Castle - Kassel Germany by Explorow, Banana Beach Principe by Lonely Planet, unknown tropical sunset. Background: "Reef of Jewels" by EnsedaKimri.

Filebore Cave, Foremast Cove

Filebores

Hailward Peninsula, West

Hasab Qua, Swellcrest Bay

Rabescon

Swellcrest Bay

the Hallowed Lands

the Perilous Plunge

Gargantuas

the Pillars of Safe Resting

Duru Matchits

Lake Sorrowfalls

Washuven

Gandamon

Rosha Nicam

the Ghosts of Highmoon Cove

Walkrock

Dead Man's Cove

Dead Man's Cove, Shoreline

Neverventure Forest, Daytime

Darksun Cove

Owan Tsep

the Archives of Orshanou

the Deep Archives of Tokalchec

Ganderic

Artifacts of Tokalchec (C)2026 SDNP

Sunburn Beach

Porval

South Rendezvous, Foremast Cove

Garden of Vines

Book 4
Survey 3 - The Sushirs

From deep roots grow the strongest trees,
Beneath their shadows the screams we hear,
Never knowing when we'll meet our end,
By tooth or claw, by net or spear...

Image graciously provided by: "The Winds Were Contrary" by EnsedaKimri, "Moon Sprites" by Irulen, banner courtesy of Seripha Begum.

Book 5
Survey 4 - The Hashefs

Tis said they once lived in shadowed caves,
Tis said they once hunted for meat,
A meal's a meal for a hungry jaw,
Far less a matter where it finds its treats...

Image graciously provided by: "Of Earth & Stone" by EnsedaKimri, banner courtesy of Seripha Begum.

Book 6
Survey 5 - The Tirogens

All life springs from a seed or two,
But not all seeds follow predicted paths
Sometimes life disagrees with life
And subdues both with grafts...

Image graciously provided by: "Of Earth & Stone" by EnsedaKimri, "78f45070_7bcd_4ef4_bd58_a47146f39210" by Konimotsinui, banner courtesy of Seripha Begum.

Book 7
Judgment Day...

When a star first bursts and accretion churns,
Who can tell what stories have just begun?
What worlds will form, what life could emerge,
What wars might be fought - and whose hearts might be won?...

Images graciously provided by: "Plumes of Rebirth" by EnsedaKimri, banner courtesy of Seripha Begum.