The Many Dreaming Worlds of Sesamara

[Administrator]

Whether by chance or design you find yourself in a small alcove of the Nexus Portal Nexus. The alcove is paved with marble slabs in a checkerboard pattern, alternating between a rich red and onyx. A single portal stands at the far end of the alcove.

The first portal is also the largest, flanked with two golden statues draped in flowing red sashes, faces frozen in an inviting smile. Snakes of burnished platinum weave around the statues' necks and up their arms. the statues hold a golden banner above the portal, it's warm surface gleaming with words that re-arrange themselves to remain intelligible for any viewer:

"Welcome, O noble visitor!
Welcome, O honored guest!
May you who traverse Indrasena's body be blessed beyond measure.
May you who rest in Indrasena's grace be blessed beyond measure."

The portal opens into Aham-Sphurana, variously known as the City of Rivers, The Basin Town, and, perhaps most importantly, The Heart of Indrasena.

Indrasena is an equatorial world, filled with humid rain forests, arid deserts, tropical islands, and vast rolling steppes. The population is diverse- Deva, Humans, Dwarves, Beastmen Humanoids, and Elementals fill the cities and roam the remote reaches of the world. Djinni, once the undisputed rulers of Indrasena are reduced to roaming the wastes, granting wishes, or, if slighted, pouring horrible catastrophe upon those unfortunate enough to anger them. The powerful Princely States spread across the southern reaches of the continent, pulling more and more authority under their auspicious umbrella. To the north, beyond the life-destroying Desert of Heretics, the Pashubi Beastmen gather under the banner of their new leader, Iron Aslan, preparing to carve a bloody path through any foolish enough to dispute their power and authority.

The Archipelago League stands poised to adapt and exploit Indrasena's newest Base Elements, and the fragile Peace Concord between the League and the Princely States frays. The shadow of War falls across the world.

[Pathaky]

Indrasena Portal Noticeboard

The Princely States:

--The Knights of Heaven are occupied in a long-term struggle, operating alongside the Temples of Indrasena, in keep the Princely States safe from the depredations of demons that have slipped into Indrasena following the approach of Pisuna-Pratipaksha, The Divided Star. The princely state of Kawaman, known for it's rich growing lands and bountiful arbors, has been a particular target of late. Would-be do-gooders are invited to join the knights and warrior-monks on their patrols.

Aham-Sphurana:
--A small, formally printed notice from The Onyx Arm, a order of warrior-monks who follow the Jnana-Marga Temple of Indrasena, asking for help in dealing with the suspected resurgence of a highly organized group of intelligent Undead that have been somehow inured to their traditional weaknesses. Applicants are urged to arm themselves accordingly, and report to The Shrine of Atyushnaa, 23d Avatar of the Sublime Indrasena, in Aham-Sphurana. (*)

--A letter, penned with truly wretched handwriting, inviting offworlders to help the Cinnabar Society and the Cartographer's Guild with a new, exciting opportunity: charting an extra-dimensional, potentially lethal, fractal subspace. Interested parties (Tolva Jofr Excluded, it notes) are instructed to ask for Foxhead at the Cinnabar Society in Aham-Sphurana.

Aham-Tatheta
--A note, scrawled on the back of what looks to be a page out of an old encyclopedia: "I've FOUND IT! Or, rather, I've found out WHERE to FIND IT!! The Tourmaline Delve, Lost Palace of the Dao! And I KNOW WHERE the MAP is! But I need HELP. And MUSCLE! Find ME, RISHI SAMDI, IN AHAM-TATHATA!!"

A smaller script, in a much neater hand has amended the note: "Rishi Samdi and his apprentice, Maya, can be found in the Library of the Twin Loves in Aham-Tatheta."(*)

--The Pandit Kanada Upasani was teaching a course at the Library of the Twin Loves regarding the development of the four Yogamarga Paths throughout the faith's history before he vanished. His TA, Rani Punja, is seeking educated offworld scholars to: 1. Serve as a guest lecturer while she scrambles to prepare her own material to finish Upasani's course, and 2: Investigate the pandit's disappearance.

Desert of Heretics
--A posting printed on heavy cream-colored paper: "Love to fight? Love money? Love getting paid to fight? The Spicemonger's Pit is always looking for New Blood! Fight local favorites, or exotic beasts from the far-flung islands of the Archipelago League! Bask in the adoration of the crowd! Crush your opponent's skulls beneath your feet!" There is a printed portrait of a devi winking and giving the viewer a thumbs-up. "The Spicemonger's Pit is located in Atishayokti, on the edge of the Desert of Heretics. Join today!"

Archipelago League:

--The Cartographers are looking for respawnable reliable help in helping explore the newly emerged Islands of War, and ascertaining the fate of the previous team of explorers, if possible. (*)

--A number of scientists in Vada-Vatsu, Technology Island, have reported bouts of inspiration, making leaps in progress on projects that have been stagnant for years. Lishanthi L., junior research supervisor, Experimental Materials Division, is concerned that the recent Upheaval may have dangerously effected the technology and psychology of these researchers, but wants to make clear that she's certainly not just jealous of their progress, no sir. Since no-one here is taking her seriously, she's turned to asking for an off-world investigator to help her get to the bottom of this.


(*) Denotes quests that are, or may be higher-level than the others, depending on how far into the locations one gets/how lucky one is with rolls. Mostly hovering around the 30s-40s/potentially-50s mark, with some higher points depending, again, on luck/where one goes.


Outdated Notices:

--A letter, scribed on expensive-looking paper. It reads: "Looking for Outland Aid to help settle a Manner of Honor. I, Tarabai Gurnani, of House Gurnani, seek a second for a duel against a disreputable rogue.
--A letter, scribed on expensive-looking paper. It reads: "He thinks he can intimidate me with an Outlander as a second? Two can play that game! I, Kanak Mukhtar, of the illustrious House Mukhtar, seek a second for a duel against a pathetic reprobate.
With the death of Kanak Mukhtar in his duel with Gurnani, and Tarabai' Gurnani's subsequent assassination, the need for duel seconds has been lost

--"The new elements found in these places beyond The Portal are fascinating beyond belief! Offworlders! If you are in possession of a connection of one of these rarefied elements, please come visit me at the Cinnabar Society, located in Aham-Spurhana." The note is signed "Alamaster Sozen". "completed" by one Tolva Jofr, whose visit culminated in the extradimensional transfiguration of Alamaster Sozen and his entire Laboratory.