Talmanthian Plateau

Home Above the Clouds

Just before the frigid north of a large continent lies an immense mountain plateau. The plateau is commonly known as Angel’s Table to those who live below the sheer cliffs that make it all but inaccessible. Atop the cliffs, a scenic landscape of rolling plains and small forests cover the immense majestic plateau. The creatures and tribes of this unique and exotic landscape call it Talmanthian. Below are the details for a unique and unexplored landscape for your party to explore, and possibly discover the ancient treasure and secrets of this remote landscape.

Table of Angels

The immense plains and thick wild copses of trees are mainly untouched by the world below, with flight being the primary method of accessing Angel’s Table. Clouds constantly break and roil around the massive limestone cliffs like a sea of white and grey that hide the plateau from below for most of the year. From above the constant ocean of clouds veils the world below, with many of the nomadic tribes of the sprawling plateau believing the world ends at the sheer cliffs of their homeland. Melted snow and ice from the northern reaches of Talmanthian flow across the land in small creeks and brooks, converging upon a great lake in the south east of Angel’s Table. This lake houses many species of unique fauna that are only found upon the plateau as well as a kingdom of merfolk that live upon the lakebed. Countless nomadic tribes of Humans, Elves and the unique Uqwauy roam endlessly upon Talmanthian, each with their own folklore of the origins of their homeland. At such altitude, trees grow slowly and fruits and grains take many years to come to harvest, thus hunting the animals and birds of the region has become the primary source of food for the tribes of Talmanthian. The scope of the plateau allows the tribes to live in relative peace, rarely clashing over rights to a particular herd of beast, however the harsh landscape means these rare clashes between tribes are often brutal wars that only end with the complete destruction of one tribe. This harsh lifestyle has bred fierce and survivalist warriors within all the species that call Talmanthian home.

Wanderers of the Plains

A species of humanoid-bipedal horses, the Uqwuay roam the endless plains of the plateau in nomadic tribes. With a great respect for the land they live upon and undying loyalty for their family and tribe, the Uqwuay are often ignored by the few adventurers that visit Angel’s Table, as they are believed to be simplistic beasts. In truth, this intelligent race of horse-men has learned to live in harmony with the almost barren terrain of the plateau, and is the most willing to communicate with the few adventurers that encroach upon their isolated homeland. These noble vagrants spend their time following the numerous snowmelts and rivers to stay with the most luscious of the slow growing foliage the covers the plains of Talmanthian. The Uqwuay hold their connection to the land in highest regard and anything that they find to be desecrating their sacred home are viciously and constantly attacked until either repelled or destroyed. These attacks are swift and powerful as the warriors use skirmishing tactics to constantly charge at their enemies with spears and staves, whilst archers and magically imbued Uqwuay attack from a distance. The speed and strength of these noble warriors is rarely matched in the high altitudes of Talmanthian, with very few warriors able to stand against their sweeping tactics. The countless tribes of Uqwuay are filled with powerful warriors and skilled rangers, but positions of respect are held for any Uqwuay that becomes magical connected with nature, especially wardens. The communal society within the tribes ensures that all members are cared for and no single member misses out on food or medicine. Often the Uqwuay will take in and heal injured and sick creatures they find in their travels, including injured humans and elves, who actively hunt these horse-like people.

A Harsh Lifestyle

It is unclear how humans came to live upon the remote cliff tops of Talmanthian, but like the rest of the places of the world they have found a way to adapt to the harsh conditions and thrive. However the survivalist environment and lifestyle has bred savage and vicious clans of humans that attack outsiders and prey on sight. The lack of a stable food source upon Talmanthian has encouraged the human tribes to revert to cannibalism in order to survive. Tribe members that fail to provide through hunts, or prove weak within the ceremonies of fire that each tribe holds, often are sacrificed and feasted upon for the betterment of the tribe. Humans not known to the tribe are immediately killed, unless they can kill their attackers first. Any outsider that kills a tribe member upon the battlefield is offered the prime cut of meat then challenged at the next fire ceremony for a permanent place within the tribe. This vicious and barbaric lifestyle has left no room for the weak and over countless generations of life upon Talmanthian, the humans have evolved beyond their softer counterparts from the world below, making just one Talmanthian a severe challenge for a squadron of veteran warriors. Shamans and mystics control every aspect of the human tribes from their lavishly decorated huts that mark the centrepiece of each human camp. These fire and cloud worshipping mystics delegate everything for their tribes. From mating engagements and hunting parties to cooking and gathering duties. The power to hear the will of the clouds at worlds end and manipulate the life giving flame marks these shamans to their people from a young age. Each child with the gift of Fire and Cloud must engage in the trials of the lake in order to gain the status of shaman. Each child that passes this test is delegated half the tribe and sent away to create their own separate settlement. 

Ghosts in the Trees

Within the copses of gnarled and warped trees the cruel and spiteful Elves of Talmanthian lurk. Banished skyward by their old gods many millennia ago for unspeakable crimes, these malicious creatures have found life upon the harsh and untamed plains enjoyable. The long-lived elves are small in number but their magic and abilities far surpass the creatures and tribes that surround them. A twisted desire to kill and pillage all life is evident in the self etched scars and tattoos that adorn the pale skin of these spiteful creatures. Countless trophies hang from their thin necks and the hilts of their ancient blades. The toughened tribes of Talmanthian have developed methods in which to repel these evil beings when attacked on the plains and learned which forests to keep a distance from, but when these psychotic killers begin to track a target very few things have ever lived to tell the tale. No living creature has ever returned from the forests of Talmanthian since the elves arrival. An ancient pact for power and immortality with a primordial demon from the abyss known as Whethal is the cause of elves banishment and source of the deranged lust and ghostly powers. Within their blood lies a demonic infection that could possess any living elf with the deranged fury and blood lust in the space of minutes. These demonic aspects of Whethal have strived endlessly to reach the surface world again, as the urge to spread their joyous infection burns fervently through their veins.

In A Lake Above the Clouds

The great lake that lies within the southeast of Talmanthian is known by countless names; however, its inhabitants call it Horm. The merfolk city that lies beneath the vast crystal like waters of the lake is unlike any other in the world. Coral spires and pearl buildings cover the immense limestone lakebed. The sun-dappled merfolk that live in these waters have been collecting the worlds information for generations. Within the grand coral spires, endless libraries and vaults house a concise history of the world and of the innumerable kingdoms that have risen and fell throughout the years. Powerful secrets, world ending knowledge and maps to mighty artefacts are all held within a lake above the clouds. Merfolk dug tunnels in the limestone bed lead to subterranean tunnels and rivers that exit out into the worlds oceans, rivers and sewer systems. The merfolk of Horm are masters of illusory and transmuting magic. Masking their pristine city from the prying eyes of any that live above the water with powerful illusions. Their presence within the courts and armies of the world goes unnoticed through their powerful transmuting spells. The ruling council of elder magicians deals with all intruders that either seek out the knowledge of Horm, or stumble upon the location by accident immediately. The only penalty for any crime within Horm, is death.

What Happens On The Plateau…

Scholars and explorers have forgot the isolated plains and secluded woods of Talmanthian. The towering and sheer mountainous cliffs ensure that only the most steadfast and dedicated will ever see the sprawling summit of Angel’s Table, but for those who seek adventure, this isolated location holds many treasures and countless perils. Kings and Wizards have hidden their fortunes and relics of power buried within the soil of the plains and left untouched for countless years and forgotten by all but the faded scrolls of ancient libraries. The Elven aspects of Whethal have begun working fervently to return to the world below in an effort to infect their cousins by capturing and training the dragon broods that soar over the enormous plateau. The fate of countless kingdoms and people in peril could be saved with a single scroll from the endless libraries of Horm. Curious adventurers and wizards have endeavoured to summit the grand peaks of Angel’s Table, only to never return, their fate unknown. Whilst ancient and confusing riddles hint at the monumental mountain imprisoning a forgotten god for reasons not yet deciphered. All these reasons and many more call out to adventurers throughout the world.