VERTICAL WORLDS

Some natural fantasy campaigns are characterized by a vertical exploration of the setting: the story often starts on the surface and develops underground, but the opposite is also possible.

For example, the campaign might focus on the long descent into the depths of a chasm containing a huge variety of ecosystems, or the gradual ascent of a world tree so vast its branches host entire regions, lakes and colossal ruins.

For the sake of brevity, no matter if the story develops toward the top or the bottom, from this point on this kind of setting is called “abyss”.

Although playing Fabula Ultima with an abyss setting isn’t much different from usual, there are a few adjustments to consider during World Creation (see Core Rulebook, page 148) and throughout the campaign.

Abyss Setting Considerations

• World Creation. The flowchart on page 149 of the Core Rulebook should be replaced with that on the next page, designed specifically for this kind of campaign.
• Origins. The Player Characters’ birthplaces are almost never visited during this type of campaign, but the Origin Trait can be invoked as usual.
• Antagonists. The main Villain is often an environmental antagonist (see page 174) with a corrupting presence, but they might also be someone who exploited the group’s curiosity to open the way toward the heart of the abyss and its treasures.
• Traveling the abyss. Journeys across a single stratum follow the normal rules (see Core Rulebook, page 106), but moving between two adjacent strata requires some kind of connection, like a tower, a flight of stairs, or a frozen waterfall. In addition to the connections established during step 5 (see next page), your group might introduce or discover new passages and shortcuts during the campaign.
• Safe zones. To ensure that the group has a chance to rest, buy and sell items, or be rescued in the event of a total Surrender, make sure to periodically introduce safe havens across the various strata of the abyss, or include “fast travel” options to and from the main settlement (ancient elevators or portals are good options).

Visit www.fabulaultima.com to download the abyss sheet for this kind of campaign.