Magefell: A High Magic Fantasy World

An introduction by the Lorekeepers

Magefell: A Compendium

The record-keepers and lore-writers of the Sanctum of Ascendant Genesis, Cosmic Chronology and Peopled Histories present the genesis, history, and ongoing recordance of Magefell and its peoples.

Applicable Disclaimer: High-Standard.

Magefell constitutes a significant risk even to well-seasoned lorekeepers. Some knowledge presented as fact may have alternative viewpoints. The Sanctum accepts these detractions as permissible within our directive that some recorded knowledge is better than none at all.

Cosmic Structure

Universe

The following quote is attributed to Grangar Tass, a Spelljammer pilot known across many worlds. We select this quote, regardless of the poetic merit you may find in it, to express the experience of those on Magfell; theirs is a world separated from others.

The bounds of space are not declared; no god has deigned to make it known, nor is it sure they are aware. Endless space that I have seen, stretching out to never end, yet only ten there I have been.

The rest nameless.

Tass by his declaration here at the time of this statement has seen only ten planets, leading us to doubt the validity of the attribution. Nevertheless, outside of the Spelljammers who visit Magefell, interstellar contact is limited and mythic to most cultures.

Galaxy

Magefell lies within the Torvaliel Galaxy, an active, high magic galaxy¹. Only one space guild calls Torvaliel home, as the magic makes travel far less predictable and dangerous. The upside to this is that Valiel Helmsmen command impressive sums of money and reward, especially outside of Torvaliel. Valiel spelljammers consider space travel outside of Torvaliel to be trivial. Their prowess typically supports their bravado.

The Valiel maintain a list of explored solar systems within Torvaliel, but hold this list close, as well as the proper means by which the different systems should be traveled to. To what degree skill or maps allows predictable and safe Torvaliel travel is unclear; Valiel Spelljammers hold the lists as if they contain great secrets, yet it is common knowledge that in the millenia since Magefell’s discovery², most safe routes have been mapped. Despite this, Valiel Spelljammers continue to travel faster and more predictably than peers, leading most to assert their maps reveal unmapped, better ways.

Lorekeeper Iagratis Vralack notes: “Valiel performance in unknown space is reliably superior to all others. Maps then mean nothing, and it proves the facade of their keeping of them.”

An unnamed Lorekeeper notes: “Torvaliel is the most unstable space out there. The Ascendants themselves would need maps.”

Solar System

Magefell calls the Arnix system home. The Arnix system is an easily navigable system as a whole, but Magefell, while most densely populated, is the least space-navigable planet³. Most species and races on Magefell are thought to owe their creation to Ascendants, but ongoing research has yet to determine their genesis in relation to other like-species across galaxies. Some hold that Magefell could be the true origin for progenitor species like the dwarves.

Mystara, a more distant, larger planet, serves as the touch-point for system entry, and the home planet for the Space Guild Valiel.

The Valiel originally made Magefell their home, but entry and exit was so dangerous and unpredictable they moved to Mystara. Entering and exiting Magefell is considered a high achievement even within the Valiel. No known outsider has ever successfully navigated it; success contingent on navigation that reaches the destination, and does so without damage to the ship or goods within it.

Planet

The planet of Magefell orbits a medium sized star; a standard Spelljammer ship would take a day to reach it (~100 million miles).

Magefell is a cylinder, not a circle. The planet is hollow. As such, further references to the world will include the specification of relating to the external or interior of the planet, when necessary.

Of significant note for space-faring travelers and those looking to compare Magefell to other lands – Magefell is small in comparison to many other worlds. Traveling the whole exterior land across its circumference is a distance only of 8,000 miles.

Seasons

The exterior world experiences four seasons, with each season alternating a warmer and colder year.

Urmengal can significantly affect the weather.

Magefell seasons are created by a combination of the cylinders tilt, and alternating elliptical orbit. The diagram is exaggerated to illustrate the mechanism; Magefell’s cylindrical tilt is of greater impact on the seasons than the orbit. This is why spring and fall occur when the tilt is not facing the planet.

The First Season: Referred to by many as the “unruly season”, while the springs and falls are gentle and good for growing, the exaggerated summer and winter makes for worse outliers. A good cold winter might kill many of the crops a farmer expected to sell, were he to gamble with fragile foods that year.

The Second Season: Referred to by many as the “grow year”, Magefell’s cylindrical structure means most places receive the same amount (though the tilt affects intensity) of sunlight year-round, theoretically allowing most plants to be grown anywhere. As most farming plants endure heat better than cold, this season is better suited for growing.

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1. High magic systems make space travel extremely complicated and often dangerous

2. By The Sanctum

3. Among all planets recorded by the Sanctum as of 5722GT