Astromantic Society
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It is well known that some mighty rituals can peer into the future, though the accuracy of these visions is always in doubt - they only show possible futures, not certain ones, and if the diviner is willing and able to act on them, they tend to become very unreliable indeed. Only very experienced and wise diviners can thus predict the future with anything resembling accuracy. One of these diviners - possibly the best seer ever to appear among the humans - was Durgoth of Byblos.

Durgoth lived in the 13th century NA and often peered centuries into the future. Accurate copies of the transcripts of his visions are still highly sought after (though these are increasingly hard to find amidst the many forgeries in circulation), and his prophecies almost invariable turn out to be true, though maybe not in precisely the way the reader expects.

Eventually, Durgoth encountered a phenomena during his divinations that has come to be called Durgoth’s Wall: Even his mightiest spells failed to peer further into the future than the year 1727 NA. This deeply troubled him, and he withdrew from society to study this problem. Some claim that he meditated on the top of the Tower of Horag for five years, but the truth of this matter is unknown.

What is known is that he reappeared in 1237 and proclaimed his conclusions to society at large: The world of Rothea was doomed to destruction in the year of 1727 NA through some unknown means, and there was nothing that could be done to prevent this. Humanity’s only hope of survival was moving to other worlds and planets.

After this announcement, many people ridiculed him openly, and others refused to think about events that might or might not happen nearly four hundred years in the future. But others took him seriously, and in 1245, a group of notable scholars, wizards, and wealthy merchants came together in Bodenwald to found the Astromantic Society. The declared purpose of this society was the exploration and eventual colonization of other planets.

Today, the Society has become large and influential. Bodenwald still serves as their headquarters, but they have chapters in many cities and several thriving and rapidly expanding colonies on other planets. While it may be impossible to save every human in 1727, the leaders of the Astromantic Society remain confident that a large number of humans (and other civilized races) will escape the coming catastrophe. Society members frequently clash with the natives of other planets, who resent being colonized, or who have dark designs for Rothea on their own…

See Also

  • Dreaming Circle - another organization which might shape up as a serious rival in the exploration of other planets… much to their surprise.

Adventure Ideas

Designer's Notes & Resources

Space exploration and colonization is underrepresented in many fantasy worlds, even when available magical effects, such as teleportation and interdimensional gates, would make it feasible. The Astromantic Society exists as a patron for those adventuring groups interested in exploring other planets, though a GM not interested in that aspect of the setting can easily ignore it.

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