Quick Update: Last of May Content + June's Theme (Patreon)

Hey, everyone! Hope you all had a great long weekend and enjoyed some time off!

Just wanted to give a quick update on the state of content currently and for next month:

Crimson Shadows: The Shattered Core Part 2 is just a teensy bit behind schedule and I'm wrapping that up hopefully by EOD tomorrow or Friday at the latest.

This adventure will include another 5 new monsters, 4 new magic items, and a new sorcerer subclass (The Gunmage) that I'm still tinkering with.

That will wrap up the May's "Steampunk Wilderness" theme and I have to say, it was a lot of fun!

Now on to June!

There's no time to slow down, otherwise we'll be late late late, and since June is my birthday month, we're going down down down and seeing just how far this rabbit hole goes... into...

DARK WONDERLAND

(Malice in Wonderland? Still mulling over the title...)

(some concept art from my theme board to give an idea of what we're going to be looking at)

Note: I took the "Eldritch Planewalkers" and "Mythical Noir" options (the next two top ones from the last theme poll) and kind of mashed them together. Some of this is subject to change, of course, but here's a taste of what I'm putting together.

The Premise

The realm once known as Wonderland has fallen into darkness and despair, as a cruel and malevolent new ruler has seized control. Alice, once the innocent girl who stumbled into the realm, is now the bloodthirsty Queen of Hearts. Having killed the old queen, she now governs the region with an iron fist. The characters once known for their whimsy and nonsense are now agents of her cruel regime or rebels fighting against it. Welcome to Wonderland, a land where once-bright colors have dulled, laughter has turned into sobs, and wonder is replaced by fear.

Regional Description

The setting is a haunting, bleak, and distorted version of the original Wonderland. The region is marked by an eternal twilight, a constantly shifting landscape full of carnivorous plants, treacherous marshes, and maddeningly winding mazes.

Key points of interest include:

1. Crimson Castle: The castle has grown like a cancerous growth in the heart of Wonderland, its blood-red towers are a constant, oppressive presence that can be seen from everywhere in the kingdom. This is the domicile of the Queen of Hearts, Alice.
2. Rabbit Warrens: The underground network of tunnels used by the White Rabbit and his chronomancer secret police. These tunnels span the entire realm, allowing the White Rabbit to appear seemingly anywhere at any time.
3. Hatter's Refuge: Hidden in the Tulgey Woods, this area is a secret base where the Mad Hatter and his resistance fighters regroup, plan their actions, and hide from the Queen's forces.
4. Tulgey Woods: The dark, twisted forest that covers most of Wonderland is full of monstrous creatures and dangerous anomalies. It is here that one might stumble upon pockets of resistance against Alice's reign.
5. The Wailing Lake: A large, bleak body of water that continually produces eerie noises, as though it's crying. It's said to be haunted by the spirits of those who've drowned in its depths.

Major Factions

1. The Heart Regime: Led by Alice, the Queen of Hearts, they rule Nethergloom with an iron fist. The Card Soldiers, who once served the previous queen, now act as enforcers, brutally suppressing any opposition.
2. The Rabbit Watch: The secret police of the realm, led by the White Rabbit. They are feared for their sudden and unexpected appearances, and are known to make dissenters disappear.
3. The Hatter's Rebellion: This ragtag group of rebels is led by the Mad Hatter. They're working in the shadows, planning and executing missions to undermine the Queen's rule and restore the realm to its former self.

Major NPCs

1. Alice, the Queen of Hearts: Once an innocent outsider, she's now the ruthless ruler of Wonderland. Her paranoia and anger are as unpredictable as the realm itself.
2. The White Rabbit: As the head of the Rabbit Watch, he uses his knowledge of the land and its people to maintain order and crush any signs of rebellion.
3. The Mad Hatter: Once known for his insane tea parties, he now leads the Hatter's Rebellion, utilizing his madness as a strategic tool against the oppressive regime.
4. The Cheshire Cat: This enigmatic character remains a wild card in the political turmoil. His loyalties are unknown, and his ability to appear and disappear at will makes him an elusive and potentially dangerous figure.
5. The Caterpillar Sage: A wise but reclusive figure residing in the Tulgey Woods, the Caterpillar could prove to be a valuable ally or a cryptic hindrance to anyone daring to seek his knowledge.

Special Features

1. Temporal Distortion: Time behaves strangely in Wonderland, perhaps a side effect of the Queen's madness. In certain areas, time may slow down, speed up, or even flow backward.
2. Madness Mechanic: A character's mental stability is as important as their physical health. Extended exposure to Wonderland's twisted reality could result in bouts of madness, hallucinations, or even temporary alignment shifts.
3. Morphic Landscape: The geography of Wonderland constantly changes according to the whims of its ruler, making navigation a true challenge and maps essentially useless.
4. Surreal Flora and Fauna: Inspired by the unique inhabitants and plant life of Wonderland, you'll encounter creatures such as sentient flowers, birds made of origami, and cats that can disappear at will.
5. Riddling Conundrums: Much like the original Wonderland, the world is filled with puzzles and riddles that must be solved to progress, offering an extra layer of challenge to the players.
6. Tea Magic: Tea in Wonderland holds unique magical properties. Different blends could offer temporary buffs, induce invisibility, or perhaps even provide glimpses of the future.
7. Eldritch Influence: Unseen, ancient forces from beyond the veil of reality might have a stake in Wonderland's fate, providing a Lovecraftian horror element to the setting.
8. Rebellion Mechanics: Players can participate in and influence a large-scale rebellion, making tactical decisions and experiencing the consequences of their actions on the world.
9. Chaos Quotient: The inherent chaos of Wonderland is amplified in Wonderland. Unpredictable events, such as spontaneous weather changes, bizarre physics, or nonsensical phenomena, occur frequently.
10. Dream Logic: This world is governed by a sort of dream logic, where things often make sense in a twisted, nonlinear way. This can affect both the narrative and the mechanics of the game.

Stay tuned, folks, it's going to be a wild ride! :)

~ TJ Phoenix