Time before this point does not exist. Time after is warped, and artificial. The time before time existed in Purgatory is lost. Instead, all that remains is constant background white noise outside the tower. In the early days of the Era of Construction, when Locorin first appeared, time ran differently. A thousand years of labour and work could pass before you even realized it.
Historical
The timeline of the tower of souls. Important historical dates of construction, completion, and decline is noted here.
Era of Construction
... 500 BcA
The time before time existed in Purgatory is lost. Instead, all that remains is constant background white noise outside the tower. In the early days of the Era of Construction, when Locorin first appeared, time ran differently. A thousand years of labour and work could pass before you even realized it.
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0 EC
1 January1000 EC
1 January
Construction begins
Era beginning/end
Era of Accumulation
500 BcA 471 BcA
In the beginning, for a short period of time, everything worked as necessary. People who died were given a second chance at life within Synthacrosia. The tower floors worked together in harmony, and Locorin frequently traveled up and down the tower, interacting with his creation.
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1 EA
1 January
Synthacrosia
Construction beginning/endThe tower's name is coined, and the great machine, for that's what it is, turns on.
The tower construction is complete, and Locorin turns on his great machine. Floors stretch upwards to an impossible height. Space outside the tower is rendered into nothingness, and all that can exist within purgatory now exists within Synthacrosia. -
2 EA
29 EA
Souls Appear
Construction beginning/endSouls begin filtering in to Synthacrosia, being given a second chance at life within the tower in Purgatory. Retaining most of the memories of their previous life, the recently dead had to first overcome the realization of their own death. As they adapted to their surroundings, they were able to begin building new lives.
Era of Decline
470 BcA 0 BcA
During this time, the machinery all began to power down. Those who had appeared in the Tower in it's early years began to worry, as the lights began to dim. Travel between the floors became more rare, as things got darker and more dangerous. People began murdering eachother for their remains , and started using them as a system of trade.
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0 ED
24 March
Locorin Disappears
Life, Failure / MishapThe towers mastermind suddenly disappears.
Locorin resides at the top of Synthacrosia. Known for travelling up and down the tower and visiting it's main hubs, he is well known and well liked. However, in the 30th year of Synthacrosia's operation, Locorin disappeared. It was from this moment on that the tower entered it's decline. -
50 ED
First Soul Coin Terminal
Discovery, ScientificMachines that are activated via soul coins begin to appear between floors. These terminals contain a slot to fit a soul coin into, which will power up the machine and complete whatever task it has been set to.
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70 ED
Jaxton Arrives
Life, DeathA powerful young man's life is cut short, and he appears in a dark and declining Synthacrosia.He finds this new world to be a sad and twisted place full of murder and deceit. Filled with the loss of what he had in his previous life, he is left only with anger.
Current Era
1 AcA and beyond
The clockwork have put the tower in a constant state of fear. New souls entering Synthacrosia are processed, and either given a bracelet, or killed for their coins. Those with bracelets are set loose onto the first floor of the tower, where nearly all knowledge of the rest of the tower has been lost. The idea of more floors above Floor 1 has become a myth.
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0 CE
1 January
The Clockwork Awaken
Cultural eventAfter having entered a deep sleep, or standby mode, the clockwork once again begin to stir. Very few people are left who remember the early days of Synthacrosia. Those who do remember are filled with joy as the clockwork begin to stir and move about the tower as they once did before.
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0 CE
14 January
The Clockwork Turn
Disaster / DestructionTwo weeks after awakening, joy and hope turns to fear as it seems the clockwork begin to follow new directives.
Souls, new and old, used to be free in Synthacrosia to live unburdened as they choose. It was their chance to live a second life. However, when the clockwork turned, souls once again became burdened. The clockwork began systematically scouring the floors, starting with floor 1, collecting those who lived there. It became known as "processing". Those collected and processed were given crystal bracelets to mark them as survivors. But not everyone made it through processing -- seemingly at random, nearly half the souls brought through processing were murdered, and their soul coins were collected. -
10 CE
21 July
Jaxton is processed
Life, MilestoneJaxton, while on the run from a group of clockwork soldiers, is captured. He's one of the lucky ones as they bring him in for processing. As they put the bracelet onto his wrist, Jaxton is filled with a sudden power. He destroys the clockwork around him, and enters hiding.
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997 CE
The Records are Wiped
Disaster / DestructionAt the height of the conflict between the souls and the clockwork, the secret stash of records and plans on floor 1 is destroyed. Rumour has it that there are still small etchings of plans found in hidden spaces.
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1949 CE
Jaxton Returns
Civil actionJaxton returns from hiding, stronger than before. He begins telling people that the myth of higher floors is true, and that there is more to find. He begins assembling followers and soul coins.
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1998 CE
28 April
Welcome to Death
ExpeditionIn a rare case of multiple souls arriving at the same time, the 5 heroic souls appear together. Going through processing, they all receive bracelets -- rare powered editions. Going against the norm, they fight their way out of processing, and into Floor 1, meeting Jaxton. Full report: Welcome to Death
Location
Coalescent Dome -
1998 CE
7 September
First Steps into the Dark
ExpeditionAfter falling back asleep for a few months, the party reawakens. Feeling as if no time had passed however, they look at Jaxton's map, and make plans. They head north to the plateau cliffs, and follow them westwards to the sounds of heavy machinery, where they find and destroy a Clockwork Excavator that has been rampaging out of goblin control. Full report: First Steps Into the Dark
Location
The Mine -
1998 CE
5 October
And yet more goblins
ExpeditionThe party once again entered a deep sleep inside their bracelets, before returning to consciousness. They retrace their steps east, before continuing east to the head of mining operations. Finding it also under goblin control, they kill the goblins and the goblin naga behind it all. The party continues east before reaching the city marked as "Assholes" on Jaxton's map. Full report: And Yet More Goblins
Location
Goblin Mining Camp -
1998 CE
24 November
Ryder takes note
Diplomatic actionRyder Kabalyero is an old soul to Synthacrosia. However, he has long since remained dormant inside his bracelet. Long enough that he's lost all memory of this tower -- thus when he finally emerges from his bracelet, right in the middle of a conflict, he is extremely confused. The self published cult researcher begins taking notes as soon as he regains a writing utensil. What follows is Ryders personal notes on his introduction to this world. Full report: Ryder Takes Note
Location
City of Assholes -
1998 CE
9 December
The Stairs are in use once again
Life, Achievement/ WinIn a twist of fate, the cult researching Ryder disappears into his bracelet, mere hours before the party reaches the north eastern stair, home to the cult of ascension, a family of fervent followers who are harvesting soul coins to pay the toll of ascension. After a brief battle, the party bests the cult, takes the coins, and climbs the stair. They've done what no one has done in many years, and left floor 1 -- and the tower begins to take note. Full report: The Stairs are in Use Once Again
Location
North Eastern Stair -
1998 CE
16 December
First Floor Intermission
ExpeditionWhat was 4 before, is now 6, as Ryder re-awakens, and Xora joins the group. After brief introductions, they begin to explore level 1-i. As they progress, the party finds the area to be maze-like, and full of clockwork -- it's going to be a challenge to get through here. Full report: First Floor Intermission
Location
Level 1 Interstitial -
1999 CE
4 January
Attempting to escape the maze
ExpeditionXora remains in her bracelet as the rest of the party unpauses from the freeze in time. With one fewer member, they continue to attempt to make their way through the level 1 interstitial. Tiddles, Naro, Ryder, and Opal search as a group, finding chests and keys, and taking care of small clockwork, while also having to deal with a tough to kill clockwork mage. Full report: Attempting to Escape the Maze Meanwhile Rusticus is on his own, going toe to toe with massive clockwork guardians.
Location
Level 1 Interstitial -
1999 CE
13 January
The center
ExpeditionTiddles and Rusticus retreat into their bracelet, as Opal, Ryder, and Naro continue to explore. With only three of them, the task of finding the center of this floor becomes that much harder. Finding more keys and map pieces, and powering themselves up along the way, the trio makes their way around to discover 4 magically locked doors. Finally solving one of the puzzles, they open the door and find themselves face to face with Jaxton Full report:The Center
Location
Level 1 Interstitial -
1999 CE
26 January
The chase is on
Diplomatic actionNearly defeated at the hands of Jaxton's clockwork minions. However thanks to an assist from the mysterious Lisk , and some quick buffs from Ryder Kabaleyro , they manage to survive and destroy the constructs. After the party takes looks around the control room, they ascend the stairs to find themselves in a quaint village at the head of the river The Spillway. Full report: The Chase is On
Location
The Floor of Dexterity -
1999 CE
3 February
A Boat Down the River
ExpeditionLisk takes time out in his bracelet, while Tiddles the Partizan re-appears after a short absence. Together, Tiddles, Opal , Naro Velis , and Ryder Kabaleyro continue with the original plan -- pay Alfrida and Remi the agreed upon total, and rent their boat for a voyage downstream. Full report: A Boat Down the River
Location
The Spillway -
1999 CE
9 February
The Two River Cities
ExpeditionThe Party meets catfolk Isamu , who tells them what he saw at Tamworth . The party decides to instead head to Beachcastle , but what they see there sends them fleeing in terror back to Tamworth, where they must use their stealth to make it by the guards, and ascend to floor 3. Full report: The Two River Cities
Location
The Floor of Dexterity -
1999 CE
2 March
A Trial of Sand and Scorpions
ExpeditionEntering the third floor, the party was overcome with an urge they hadn't felt since they appeared in the tower -- thirst. Their bodies reacted to the air and heat of the third floor by immediately reactivating one of the base needs to survive, thirst. What follows is a brief, but frantic, search for water in the Village of Mold . Within the village, the party finds some water + supplies, and a brief encounter with a barrel. After dispatching their foe, and collecting the supplies, they make their way out into the desert, at a double-speed pace, only to find themselves in the company of many, many scorpions. Full report: A Trial of Sand and Scorpions
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1999 CE
16 March
The pause between chapters
MiscellaneousHaving almost died to a giant scorpion, the party collectively decided "yeah we don't care what's in the cave, let's go" and left the area. A few hours later, they found themselves lost in a sandstorm. Walking in circles in the heat was exhausting them. But they saw something in the distance, and made their way towards it... meeting a new friend. Full report: The Pause Between Chapters
Location
The Floor of Health -
1999 CE
22 March
Quicksand, Sandstorms, and the Pits
ExpeditionLisk takes time out, while Rusticus re-appears. The party makes their way from Zinnia's humble abode, out into the desert. Soon they run into more of their favourite substance: sand. The sand is sinking, the sand is storming, and the sand is hiding a terrifying encounter that nearly kills two party members. They just barely escape, only to run into an animal abusing alchemist, who's set traps that reveal a secret about Naro Velis ... Full report: Quicksand, Sandstorms, and the Pits
Location
The Floor of Health -
1999 CE
6 April
A chance meeting with the creator
Gathering / ConferenceWith Naro Velis being revealed to be drow, and the party in pain from dealing with a terrifying hungerer, and crazy alchemist, the party decided to sit down to rest. Upon leaving the ruins they are currently resting in, they may continue trekking towards the ever nearer tower of stairs. Saving a parasitized druid, and making their way through the swamps of Sanctuary , the party found Locorin who died before their eyes, not before leaving them with a parting gift. Full report: A chance meeting with the creator
Location
Sanctuary -
1999 CE
4 May
The Swarm
Plague / EpidemicAfter hearing what they need to do from Locorin, the party found they were stuck waiting for the door to the 4th floor to unlock. Not only that, but all of the time-frozen insects they passed through Sanctuary had begun moving once again, making a bee-line straight for them. They needed to prepare and fortify the shack they were in, fast. Full report: The Swarm
Location
Sanctuary
This world was started as a homebrew world for use with Paizo's Pathfinder, and as such, any references, systems, characters, locations, etc, that are specifically from Pathfinder, belong to Paizo. The rest of the world as it exists, the characters, locations, themes, histories, etc. belong to me, Stormbril.