Hwydascae

Memory is held by trained reciters because they keep no writing.

from Annals of the Cracked Earth, by Creothyld, reciter

The ground cracks into deep fissures during the dry season. Rain fills these splits until they swallow small animals whole. The light is dim and red and eyes here are large.

Fissures

The land cracks into deep fissures during the dry season; rain fills these splits until they swallow small animals whole.

Poisoned Ground

Some ground is poisoned by something old and it glows faintly at night.

Atmosphere

The space is filled with open vacuum: dark, cold and airless between the bodies in it.

The ban on certain technology is enforced harder than any other law.

from Primer on Moisture and Metal, by Goflehwan, elder

The world's gate opens on Dimensional Station sector 2. The Flabigask leave offerings of sand near the broken wall as a sign of respect. This custom marks the opening without naming the gate itself.

Passage Cost

Passage costs ten credits a head and a thousand a hull; cargo goes free.

Weapon Policy

A drone meets any arrival carrying a weapon. The greeting always opens with these two sentences: "There is no violence in the Dimensional Station. Violent offenders will be removed."

Removal

Violence in the D-Station ends with the offender sent back to their own world and barred from returning.

A council of elders settles disputes when lines bleed dry; they hold power only until a new eldest woman takes her seat. Something has been found under the capital and the finders have gone quiet.

Machines run here but overheat within hours unless cooled by water. The seam is tight: gates open slowly and at a cost and few things fall through.

Ambient Power

Ambient power is steady: Ability Sets are common and the world feeds them.

Nexus Shards

The Nexus gives away shards.

1. 
   01

   Flabigask

   Short and broad with sand-coloured scales, spines along the back and long pointed ears

   Alignment

   Neutral but respectful toward the gate.

   Economy

   Herds serve as wealth and a family's standing is counted in animals they tend.

   Governance

   A council settles disputes until lines bleed dry.

   People

   They walk on four legs mostly but stand upright when offering respect to the gate, a custom of the Flabigask near the broken wall.

   Looks

   Short and broad, sand-coloured scales, spines along the back, long pointed ears.

2. 
   02

   Daemy

   Amphibian with frog-like limbs, black and yellow skin

   Alignment

   They stand neutral and respectful near the gate.

   Economy

   Herds store wealth, and families count their standing by their herds.

   Governance

   Elders settle disputes until lines dry or a woman sits.

   People

   They live near the cracked ground and use feathery external gills to breathe air above water, while avoiding the poisoned soil that glows faintly at night.

   Looks

   Amphibian, frog-like, black and yellow skin, moist skin, feathery external gills.

3. 
   03

   Gydon

   Avian with parrot-like build, vivid green and red plumage

   Alignment

   They remain neutral yet respectful toward the gate.

   Economy

   Herds hold wealth while families measure status through their animal counts.

   Governance

   Elders choose the highest flyer during dry winds.

   People

   They sing songs to memorise trade deals because writing is forbidden on Hwydascae, so memory holds all records of exchange.

   Looks

   Gydon are avian with parrot-like bodies, vivid green and red plumage, broad wings, and wing-hands.

4. 
   04

   Meacryld

   Avian with parrot-like build, snowy plumage

   Alignment

   They stand neutral yet respectful toward the gate.

   Economy

   Families count standing by herds; wealth rests in those animals they keep.

   Governance

   Elders end disputes when lines run dry.

   People

   Meacryld use their hooked beaks to carve memory stones because writing remains forbidden by law on Hwydascae.

   Looks

   Avian, parrot-like, snowy plumage, a hooked beak, a long tail fan.

5. 
   05

   Birdfolk

   Bipedal with feathered bodies and wings on the arms, taloned feet and beaks for eating

   Alignment

   They stay neutral but honor the gate.

   Economy

   Families count standing in animals while herds serve as wealth here.

   Governance

   Elders settle disputes until an eldest woman takes her seat.

   People

   People dwell close to the capital where a discovery lies beneath the earth, yet those who found it remain silent now.

   Looks

   Bipedal, feathered, winged; feathers, beaks, wings on the arms, taloned feet.