Sometimes a painting is just a painting.

This is not one of those times.

The First Men buried their Kings and 'Big People' (Nobles and other Important people) in underhills - tombs made under hills of earth called Barrows. While this custom seems quite common, the First Men were not. The First Men were closer to The Mythics - The Shidhe (Elves) and Dwarves - and The True Dreaming Magics than Modern Men. Thus entering their barrows means you are entering a different world and time.

Doom and hope, misery and joy, are but two sides of the same mirror to this ancient force that has withstood the annihlation of an entire culture..

As with any eco system, there is a pattern of life and death. Unfortunately when there is death, there is often trapped emotions, suffering, and other things that 'complicate' the process of transition. Add to this mix the presence of magic and gods and the chances of complications multiply. These complications are known to the mortals as Ghosts, Spectres, and various forms of material Undead.

One thing that has been stressed over and over on this site is that fantasy can emulate reality. There are so many different real world events that can be transformed into gaming material that one should literally never run out of new content.

This item has been moved about the lands throughout the ages, lost and found by various people. Always it seems that the unsuspecting are the usual and unfortunate ones to find them. It is vague but throughout history events of misfortune and chaotic nature seem to follow in the path of this item, sowing the seeds of disorder and discord. However it is when all four of these set items are found and placed together, does anarchy truly reign.

Nobody, as long as he moves about among the chaotic currents of life, is without trouble.

- Carl G. Jung

'Malghoul Etra Galad Morta, Malghoul Etra Galad Morta!' This booming chant repeats itself over and over; I clutch my head wishing it to end. Physically it doesn't cause me pain, but my brain seems to want to explode from some unseen pressure. Wait something is happening, the bloodied mist has finally settled and I feel refreshed from my hard days. I wonder what this bloodied chalice has in store for me.

-Torren Wayhon, Adventurer, lost soul

"The Pegoran saw the circle as the link between this world and the next," the mage said. Before he could pontificate further, "So the door rolled in Raygar to send him to the next?" the rogue blathered, "What a mad peoples!"

The dread Tower of Inversion, lair of the vile lich Zarakoth Xorast, contains five layers, each containing different tools of dark magic.

Enacted roughly 4 years ago, the Dungeon Preservation act sought to map out and better understand the dungeon ecosystem, and to protect it.

Department of Dungeon Preservation

From a low hillock in a vast plain, the entrance to the Noil Ruins is as unobtrusive as it is a gateway to wonder...

The ornate flintlock pistol of a highwaymen, consecrated to Nahrem, God of the Crossroads

Through mud and hate and rain,
Through blood and rot and pain,
The bell tolls for victim next,
To save Saint Ithiel, the Ashfeather Hex

-Nursery Rhyme

The abominable spawn of Ll'hhrau, the Thing Behind The Sky, the Minotauri descend from above, hideous and awful perversions of natural life.

Have you ever looked at a game in progress and wondered, 'i dunno wat this is about.'

Allow Moonhunter to posit an answer.

The Arrival of the Regiments has commenced

The story of Alvis

(Transcripted, and adapted from Sealab 2021, episode 21, Feast of Alvis)

In a sparse and hungry land, the kha-nyou have no problem finding food and flourishing.

"Thentr was made from moonlight and flame; he has killed one of the mighty rulers of the skies; he has yet to return home".
-Old Cro, the story teller