Scope
The motivation behind building The Chasm of Cavum
The main motivation behind Cavum is to create a fantastical magical world with a unique geography, in which all kinds of races struggle to live together. Things should be wonderous but gritty. Unexplainable but also incredibly human.
The goal of the project
I hope to get an incredible, fleshed out world, suitable for a fresh and fun DnD campagin.
The Chasm of Cavum's Unique Selling point
What makes Cavum unique is the fact is it's topography, which a massive chasm. There is no way to reach the top of the chasm, nor has anyone reached the bottom and lived to tell the tale. Golden "Tears" of molten ether, burning brightly as the sun, slowly fall down the chasm, bringing with them a day and night cycle to the many different levels of the Chasm. These tears are called Aurum. On each level of the Chasm, different nations reside, alongside diverse flora and fauna.
Theme
Genre
The theme of Cavum is High Fantasy, with a touch of magipunk-brutalism, all of which is fueled by magical energy gathered from the Aurum. Instead of complex machinery, magic items are broken into their basic shapes.
Reader Experience
When exploring the world of Cavum, one should feel a sense of wonder, being taken aback by the many wonderous sights and unique locations. They should also feel a little bit trapped though. Cavum is dangerous, and there are few places where life is easy.
Reader Tone
The world itself is a relatively dark one, however it is not without it's beauty. It is beautiful and wonderous in a kind of dangerous, destructive way. The people and nations within Cavum also tend to take on a darker tone.
Recurring Themes
Unique and creative locations, with unique flora and fauna, survival gimmicks, and visual representations.
Almost nobody has it easy. Everyone is stuggling to stay alive. The strongest will survive. Many think of themselves first and foremost.
Forgotten history. Cavum has a rich history, some of which is lost to time, some of which is being withheld by higher powers (Nations, Deities, Etc.)
Character Agency
The characters are at the center of the story, and will have the agency to make major changes in the politics of the world. They will not, however, have any agency over the worlds overall workings.
Focus
Government presence: There are a few large government super powers, many of which are waiting for a chance to go to war and claim the power of Aurum for themselves. The first nation to make a move becomes the defacto enemy of them all. The largest nation, the human nation of Aurelies, who resides furthest up the hole, is the most technologically advanced and currently in a postion to take contol of the Auram before any other nation can. The Aurelies also have the most military power, and control most magical items.
Race Relations: Racism is a large part of many of the interactions within the world. Each race has some sort of opinion of the other races, and each race has been greatly effected by another race. This has caused racial tensions to grow.
Class Relations: The poor are disatisfied with their lives, and having to fight to survive each and everyday, whilst the rich live in relative oppulance. The poor are either relegated to cheap inner city housing, where they work in factories or other low level jobs, or are pushed out to the frontier as farmers. Some decied to risk their lives as adventures, exploring uncharted areas within Cavum.
Military and Technological Influence: These two kind of go hand in hand, as the Militaries of various nations are making breakthroughs in Magic related weapons, as they're trapped in a weapons race waiting for some new development to push just far enough so that they can justify waging a war.
