[Hourglass of Zihaja] Chapter 0: How it All Began

[Juhn]

I was just reading through the Darshan one, which reminded me of it. Mainly because their followers seem to have it mostly right.

[Elfstone]

The Maqur info is really interesting... But the basic principle that everything burns is kinda cool.

[Juhn]

I wasn't aware they were so focused on arson. I'd had them pegged as the "stab them in the back and poison their drink for good measure" type.

Also, I certainly hope there's nothing right about their opinions on the afterlife.

Also, the real Maqur was half-Lizardfolk? That's distressing.

[afroakuma]

I wasn't aware they were so focused on arson. I'd had them pegged as the "stab them in the back and poison their drink for good measure" type.

It's a metaphor. Though they also love arson. The sort of juvenile, Chaotic Stupid behavior you'd expect from the vice-loving children of the idle rich who turn to Maqur to be daring and avant-garde and counterculture.

Also, I certainly hope there's nothing right about their opinions on the afterlife.

Always a kernel.

Also, the real Maqur was half-Lizardfolk? That's distressing.

For some reason I seem to have a recollection of that not being the case, but it's quite hazy and I see no reason to speak with Zeta about revising that point.

[Juhn]

It's a metaphor. Though they also love arson. The sort of juvenile, Chaotic Stupid behavior you'd expect from the vice-loving children of the idle rich who turn to Maqur to be daring and avant-garde and counterculture.

There is not a big enough to express my thoughts on these people.

Always a kernel.

There's some truth to "Oblivion for Everyone!"? ...Oh dear.

For some reason I seem to have a recollection of that not being the case, but it's quite hazy and I see no reason to speak with Zeta about revising that point.

She just seems very... un-Lizardfolk. But then, half-demon, so...

For posterity, I'd been under the impression that if she was anything non-human, she was probably a she-da-zhong.

[afroakuma]

There is not a big enough to express my thoughts on these people.

As it should be. Which just makes the more involved members of Maqur's... there is a certain irony to the word "faith" here, but I'll use it regardless... anyway, makes the more involved members of Maqur's faith that much more dangerous. For being probably the least-worshiped Aspect, she's got a surprising threat level.

There's some truth to "Oblivion for Everyone!"? ...Oh dear.

As I said, always a kernel. Of one size or another.

She just seems very... un-Lizardfolk. But then, half-demon, so...

For posterity, I'd been under the impression that if she was anything non-human, she was probably a she-da-zhong.

That's sort of what I thought too... that or half-demon/half-efreet. Meh.

[Juhn]

You know, I still wonder what Johoum, as a being literally made of Chaos and Evil (and a pretty prominent one, at that) thinks about the Aspect that bears his name being possibly the most Lawful deity in the setting.

[afroakuma]

You know, I still wonder what Johoum, as a being literally made of Chaos and Evil (and a pretty prominent one, at that) thinks about the Aspect that bears his name being possibly the most Lawful deity in the setting.

He's not so very aware of that. Not a lot of news gets into his particular can.

[Juhn]

Ah. I was a little fuzzy re: the specific order of events regarding the subsumation of his divine power versus his being jailed. I take it he was firmly locked away by the time Johoum became an Aspect, then.

[afroakuma]

Pretty close together, yeah. As you can see from his miscellaneous churches, he's been a popular fella in his absence.

[Juhn]

Well, yeah. Being the first Aspect we ever heard about, I'd have expected he'd be pretty prominent.

On that note, where are you guys planning on putting the loreposts? Interspersing them throughout the chapters? Putting them all in the "bonus materials" chapter?

[afroakuma]

On the forums I expect they'll be relegated to bonus; I don't know how Zeta plans to do the PDF layout, but I wouldn't be surprised if they cropped up in the main body.

[Juhn]

It may just be that I've been immersing myself too deeply in White Wolf's fare, but I've grown fond of opening chapters with in-universe fiction. It does a nice job of setting the mood.

Now if only they could do that without jamming fluff all over and around every piece of crunch as well...

Well, that and having loreposts within the release makes it a bit more familiar for those of us who've been following this project through all these threads.

[afroakuma]

Two more deities to get through until the one you've been drooling over for so long is at last unveiled. Hope you're excited.

[apocalypsePast2]

Hmm, will we ever truly learn exactly what the afterlife is? In most campaign settings they have one true set afterlife, example: Forgotten Realms: if you worship a deity you go to their afterlife plane, otherwise, have fun slowly and painfully becoming a wall. Will we ever get the bottom line?

[afroakuma]

Hmm, will we ever truly learn exactly what the afterlife is? In most campaign settings they have one true set afterlife, example: Forgotten Realms: if you worship a deity you go to their afterlife plane, otherwise, have fun slowly and painfully becoming a wall. Will we ever get the bottom line?

Oh sure; heck, I released the bottom line in one of the discussion threads a while back.

Really, the only piece of info I think will never be publicly announced is Zihaja's identity.

[Zeta Kai]

Really, the only piece of info I think will never be publicly announced is Zihaja's identity.

Think again.

[Juhn]

Yup; he's on the list for chapter 10, right near the end. I actually commented on that back on the... first page of this thread, I think.

Two more deities to get through until the one you've been drooling over for so long is at last unveiled. Hope you're excited.

I count a few more than two, unless you're being very specific about the use of the word "deities".

And yes, I want my sig banner already.

Oh sure; heck, I released the bottom line in one of the discussion threads a while back.

Yup. There are ahmuglees involved.

And as I said a short while back, the Darshan one seems to be mostly right.

[afroakuma]

Think again.

Well, given that:

1) We did promise to give out copious hints on the matter,
2) It's far more fun to do the above and leave the conclusive answer up in the air and
3) I'm still pretty sure I'm the only one who knows, and you won't squeeze it out of me...

I feel quite comfy.

Honestly, though, the amount of backtracking we'll be providing regardless should lead them to the answer they most like. Far more interesting to do it in that fashion rather than just state flat-out that Zihaja is Elton John.

[Zeta Kai]

Well, given that:

1) We did promise to give out copious hints on the matter,
2) It's far more fun to do the above and leave the conclusive answer up in the air and
3) I'm still pretty sure I'm the only one who knows, and you won't squeeze it out of me...

I feel quite comfy.

Honestly, though, the amount of backtracking we'll be providing regardless should lead them to the answer they most like. Far more interesting to do it in that fashion rather than just state flat-out that Zihaja is Elton John.

Dammit all, Afro. I wanted to tell them! You've ruined it!! That's it, shows over!!! The whole project is cancelled.

...Did they buy it? Can I go home to my family now? Please?

[Juhn]

Zihaja is Elton John.

I knew it!

[apocalypsePast2]

And so I collect the bet winnings

[Zeta Kai]

And so I collect the bet winnings

What, the extra-large banner wasn't enough? You may be the only one to have gotten one, as I replaced those shortly after launch.

Also, Martuakh is up. More banners on the way. Unless Afro kills me, which is more possible than usual.

[Owrtho]

More banners on the way. Unless Afro kills me, which is more possible than usual.

For some reason this and Zaia's symbol remind me of a phrase. I believe it went something like:

Your head.

I will cut it.

Off.

Owrtho

[Salbazier]

Now, joining in publicating this awesomeness

[Mercenary Pen]

Zihaja is Elton John.

Darn, there goes all the gp I placed on Zihaja being David Bowie

[Athaniar]

I like the various connections to "standard" D&D. In fact, I like everything of this. Keep it up!

[apocalypsePast2]

What, the extra-large banner wasn't enough? You may be the only one to have gotten one, as I replaced those shortly after launch.

Also, Martuakh is up. More banners on the way. Unless Afro kills me, which is more possible than usual.

I refuse to submit! Thanks alot though, now I feel unique. Campaign setting already looking great. You should've done this earlier, then you would've beaten Eberron in that contest.

[Juhn]

Think you might want to include a link to this thread in that banner of yours. Might attract more players to the project if they have a direct path to it when they see a banner.

[afroakuma]

Oops, forgot about the extra gods in the way, Juhn. Guess you have... three more gods in the way, rather than two. My bad.

On the bright side, next up is Nathar, who makes Martuakh look like an angry green noodle.