RakholmIndex | Time Under Chaos | Concerning Chaos | The Black Zone | Rakholm Profile
DescriptionRakholm is a world that would have taxed the physicists of Shadow Earth to their limits, for it seems to violate just about every physical law that exists. A world made of two flat disks, Rakholm has four levels- two outward facing surfaces and two surfaces that face each other. A hole runs through both disks, into which a perpetual waterfall runs through from the tops of both disks, to disappear into the orb of unknown origin floating in between the two halves. The upper side of the upper disk is always in sunshine though no radiant source is visible, a tropical paradise. Mostly composed of water, the high court of Queen Ardinay is held on one of the islands that exist on the upper disk. The inhabitants of the court are wispy creatures which call themselves by the name of the Arcanians. Most of the Arcanians’ substance is composed of arcane energies that they wield with considerable aplomb. The most able of the sorcerous beings- Queen Ardinay included- can solidify their energies so that they appear humanoid, for the sake of interaction with the peoples of other shadows. Though godlike in this shadow, the Arcanians are of limited use in any Shadow that deviates from the High Magic found here, and indeed begin to wither and die in any shadow that does not have a sufficient magical level. On the upper inner level reside the birdlike Shrykar. Their avian abilities help them in dominance over their realm-partners the stone-skinned Karnaks, as though gravity reverses along the center of the sky, the Shrykar can easily raid the Karnaks through the process of flying until the gravity reverses, then racing towards the other surface. But fortunately for the Karnaks, the Shrykar rarely visit- the two sides are very different, with the upper inner level benefiting from the bright side of the sun that hovers between the two disks, even as the constantly evaporating water makes it a steamy, over humid jungle. The lower disk is dourer, since the lower half of the orb radiates cold, instead of heat. The water falling through from the top disk freezes before it ever reaches the orb, then falls back to the ground as a perpetual snow, keeping area in an arctic freeze. The outer bottom of the shadow is a wasteland, which no light reaches. Only the edges of the disk have landmass- the inner portion is a swirling vortex of water that to enter is to risk obliteration or worse as everything is whisked through to the orb in the center of the world. Demons roam the cratered landscape, attempting to exert dominance by prowling the edges of their disk, making suicidal raids over to the inner disk. Most simply disappear into the void that surrounds the disk, misjudging the effort needed to make the transition from their side to that of the Karnaks. But those that do make it wreak havoc among the stone-skinned race. A minor house of Helgram, House Chanicut, claims this realm as its own, which is fitting considering the sorcerous bent of that House. They have representatives among the Arcanians, to study the phenomena of this strange shadow, and hopefully harness it to the benefit of their patrons. |
