Rules of Engagement

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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.

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 try to run, to hide,
But the darkest truths to wary meet
Are those left kept inside...

Image graciously provided by: "The Slumbering Depths" by EnsedaKimri, banner courtesy of Seripha Begum.

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.