Campaign Design Blueprint: The Abyss

I. Conceptual Foundations (The Source)

What is the role of magic and technology in the starting settlement? How do common magical or technological applications differ from those found deep within the abyss?

• Consider if magic can only be used while inside the abyss.

II. Structural Geometry (The Abyss Sheet)

1. Direction and Shape: Choose whether the abyss develops upward or downward. Is it a great chasm with an unseen bottom, or an endless tower stretching past the clouds? Has it been given a specific name?
2. The Starting Point: Place the starting settlement at either the top or the bottom of the abyssal sheet where the game begins. Each participant must contribute at least one NPC or landmark (e.g., a well-stocked general store, an archaeologist librarian).
3. The Heart Goal: At the opposite end sits the heart of the abyss and the campaign’s main goal. Define what it is: Is it a world-saving resource, the answer to a terrible question, or an entity that must be sealed?

Create the strata of the abyss: Define five distinct areas that separate the starting settlement from the heart.

• For each stratum, provide a name and define its ecosystem, flora, and fauna.
• Ensure at least one connection is established between each pair of neighboring strata (including connections to the start and the heart).

IV. History, Mystery, and Conflict

1. Lore & Enigma: For every stratum created, establish a historical event deeply ingrained in the settlement's memory, as well as an associated enigma or mystery. What kind of theories do the exploring parties hold about this mystery?
2. Threat Assessment: Create a distinct threat for each layer (environmental danger, curse, or monster). Note that the most terrifying threat should reside within the core heart—this can be broadly defined now or left until later in the campaign.