Redshift Expeditionary Commission
Proposed in 1217CER by Decus Az-Moryna, Professor of Abberant Studies at the Fon'luré Academy of Metanatural Sciences; the Redshift Expeditionary Commission's (R.E.C.) purpose is to enter the magically hostile and unknown territory of The Redshift Zone, a region located east of the Holy Cradian Empire primarily including the ancient abandoned land of Vessoth, to discover the cause of The Redshift Phenomenon which originates within, and, if possible, to put an end to it for the good of mortalkind.
The R.E.C.'s greatest asset is the invention of the Obelisks which repel the disastrous effects of the Redshift thanks to a complex marriage of abjuration and conjuration algorithms able to ensure that reality, and the people living in it, are kept stable. These devices were invented by Decus and are the first known creation capable of such a feat.
In 1218CER, after approval and organization backed by the Empire, the R.E.C. began recruitment for Expeditionists and construction of their first forward camp, Fort Merakkus, on the outskirts of the Redshift Zone - under protection of the first Obelisk Veritas.
Since its inception the R.E.C. has gradually pushed forward toward the center of The Redshift Phenomenon: the impossibly tall Star Tower located in what was once Vessoth's capital, Ves. While even the professor's knowledge of the origin or nature of the Redshift is sparse at best, it remains the ongoing hope that by reaching the center of this phenomenon it can be better understood.
Obelisks
Several landmarks throughout The Redshift Zone have been reclaimed and come under the protection of the Obelisk network. The R.E.C. is able to survive under the Redshift within these small forts and set out on expeditions when the Redshift wanes every several days.- Fort Merakkus: The first foothold of the R.E.C. Located adjacent to a major river and far from any dangerous environments. Close to the Holy Cradian Empire's eastern borderland, so supplies can be regularly received.
Keep Ignis: A manse previously owned by Prince Morioh and taken after his defeat. Due to the realized danger of scrying by Morioh's siblings the R.E.C. has abandoned this location.- Grandmother's Grove: The natural home of an ancient dryad called Grandmother. After abandoning Keep Ignis most Expeditionists in the area were welcomed here to retain the foothold in the area.
- Keep Silex: An old Vessian keep in the shadow of a mountain.
- Fort Orvis: The second major foothold of the R.E.C. Located in the ancient Vessian city, Orvis, after its darkness was repelled and purified by the Aces. A valuable location in the midst of the southern bog.
- Keep Harpum: A small building located at the coast of the bay east of Orvis. Claimed by the R.E.C. to use as a launching point for nautical expeditions.
- Keep Castus: A repaired temple north of Orvis. Believed abandoned, it was learned to be possessed by the spirit of the priest who perished in the original Redshift, who breathes and speaks as the rumbling bricks of the building itself.
- Fort Van: A northwestern foothold established by Captain Vantherxexiath when the R.E.C. decided it was in their best interest to establish a redundant supply route into The Redshift Zone.
- Keep Cantum: An ancient amphitheater reclaimed by the R.E.C. a short journey from Fort Van.
- Arisa's Tower: The home of the last Witch-Guardian of the Flower Sea, a melted tower. The site was given protection under an Obelisk when it was learned that Witch-Guardian Arisa Loamfield survived as a sort of ghost in this location.
- Fort Shose: The third major foothold of the R.E.C. When the Great Glass Wall was annihilated and the pass through the Vessian range finally opened after centuries, the Commission made way into the ancient city to launch further expeditions deeper into the desert and closer to Ves.
Notable Expeditionists
Three years after its inception, the R.E.C. now employs hundreds of people from all over Des Forabis: people who are willing, for one reason or another, to risk the disastrous un-reality of the Redshift to assist in the mission. A majority of Expeditionists have skills in engineering, scouting, or the labor required to oil the cogs of a large organization. The remainder are warriors: people skilled in martial or magical arts who are able to defend their allies, strike into the dark and haunted parts of the zone, and put down the bizarre anomalies born from the region's broken magic.- Angela Mortier
An Expeditionist who has become the de-facto leader of an ace squad of heroes. As a devout young woman hailing from Alberna Kingdom, she has long sought to emulate the ideals of her goddess Haenhelia. For Angela, the Redshift is an abomination that threatens to corrupt and destroy goodly life and cannot be abided. - Kuromizawa
An Expeditionist who runs with Angela's team. Kuromizawa is always happy to help do some heavy lifting around the base camps, but the golden dragonborn thrives on the battlefield. After long years of service to his people in Coterra he ventured out into the world when his talents were no longer needed at home. - Jabberlax
Jabberlax was one of the goblin natives to the Redshift Zone; the only sapient species known to be able to survive under the magical storm. When they became infected by nilbogism their clan enlisted the help of the recently-arrived R.E.C. to cure him. The experience changed them, and Jabberlax has become a dedicated ally to Angela's team permanently. While some of their brethren would prefer that the Redshift not be disrupted and interfere with their peaceful way of life, Jabberlax has continued to associate themselves with the R.E.C. at what they believe to be a noble goal. - Mr Sharp
A dapper man whose tongue and attire match his name. He was sent as the R.E.C.'s second envoy from the Crafters' Corner Club where he worked under an Overseer named Alcoze. He has a colleague's history with Expeditionist Alvisstavver but has kept his personal motivation for visiting the Zone, if any, close to his vest. Whatever his intention, he has proven a valuable addition to the roster of wizards in the R.E.C. - Lufael
A young elf exulting a passion for magical study of her own, arrived to the Redshift Zone from a faraway land. While inexperienced - being an Expeditionist is her first opportunity to adventure - she holds a mind flush with book knowledge and primed for learning and improvement. She does sometimes let her thoughts run ahead of her tongue. - Smithy
A talented iron gnome hailing from a quiet corner of the Holy Cradian Empire. Smithy's magnum opus is his titanic automaton, Gabora, who does most of the smith's heavy lifting and hammering. Smithy has the skills required to make all sorts of useful tools, and his joining the R.E.C. was a great boon to the Commision's ability to build camps and keep their gear and weapons in order. - Saurianna
The alchemist who keeps the R.E.C. alive when things get most dire, Saurianna has adored anything fungal or floral since she hatched. The kobold's talents are unorthodox, but none can say her taste-testing and explosive experimentation does not pay off in the end. - Pontus
A monster-hunter's armorsmith, Pontus joined the R.E.C. for the promise of strange beasts and all the creative applications of their furs (and more). While his interests are in the obscure and weird, his talents as a smith are commendable, and he and Smithy have together formed the backbone of the R.E.C.'s manufacturing division. - Mercuccio
A cheerful tiefling from a little town in the Holy Cradian Empire, Mercuccio came to join the R.E.C. with his young daughter, Sofia, in order for them to get away from their previous life. He is happy to help manage the Commission's supplies and has eased the Brigadier's job of doing the same. He also fancies himself a chef and has always tried to make a point of bringing cheer to weary Expeditionists who make it back from their harrowing missions. - Nami
A skilled carpenter originally from the Halcyon Kingdom. The chill tabaxi can make anything, so they say, and the R.E.C. has put their skills to use as a shipwright as well as everything else from wagons to windmills. - Maizie
An old friend of Decus' who happens to be a pixie. When the R.E.C. proved a need for an animal handler, Decus sent word to an expert. Befriending and keeping safe animals of all kinds comes naturally to a fae and despite her stature Maizie has tamed lions and owlbears in her time.
Type
Expedition, Scientific
Notable Members