Here we go again...

Surprise! While you weak mortals spend the night slumbering and resting, I spent it thinking about games. More precisely, a new game. Yes, yes, here I am once again thinking about a new game while I still haven't finished Path of the Aram Thyr, Empire Undying, Under Ashen skies, and Across a Thousand Dead Worlds is not even out yet. Before you yell at me though, hear me out! Path of the Aram Thyr is done, it just needs art and that's an ongoing process. I'm working on the layout but that's easy, it just takes time and I'll have it done way before Nestor sends me all the missing illustrations. Empire Undying is always on the back of my head and I'm in no way abandoning it. As a matter of fact, all these side projects I'm working on do contribute to EU because I get to develop ideas that I'll later use on EU as well. Under Ashen Skies is finally getting to a good spot since I've been working on it lately, and I'm confident this time around it will be done. It's not a small project though, so it's also going to take some time. 

This takes me to this new idea, which would be another one of my month-long projects. I'm confident I can have it done in a month, as it was the case with Sacrifice and Path of the Aram Thyr. I would once again base it on my personal take on the D20 ruleset, so that's all combat and such taken care of; I would only need to work on the mechanics and content that are unique to this game. But before we get to that, let me introduce to you: Godshard. Are you ready for a lore dump?

The gods raged war over Zephorus. At first, the different cults clashed against each other, shedding blood across the four continents. Then the gods themselves intervened, and gathered into two separate factions: one led by Axor, God of the Earth, and the other one by his sister Aphion, Goddess of the Sea. The war was short but brutal, and in the end only Aphion stood, the corpses of her siblings shattered at her feet. In a wave of rage and sorrow, she swept Zephorus and covered it completely in water: the four continents, and with them all of civilization, were gone.

It’s been four hundred years since Aphion’s Rise. Life for the descendants of those who survived the cataclysm is not easy, but mankind is anything but resilient. While most live on large floating cities, the rumors seem to be true: the waters are receding. Small islands are appearing here and there, still nothing more than specks in the middle of a vast ocean, but people are being quick to take advantage of the situation. The bravest ones are even setting up new settlements, taking advantage of the resources found on these new stripes of land. Wood, stone, fresh water: these have all been precious things that are now becoming available for the ones who dare risk and explore these new lands.

Among these newfound resources, one is undoubtedly the most precious: godshards. Since the death of the gods, and more particularly the death of Qhanas, God of Magic, sorcery has been all but impossible to rely on. The simplest of spells can have the most catastrophic consequences, a small spark spell easily becoming a raging firestorm, or tearing the very fabric of reality and allowing creatures from the other side to pour unto Zephorus as a hungry, pustulent wave of hunger. Indeed, magic is a dangerous thing, and those attempting to practice it are usually shun away, cast into the seas to fend by themselves.

This is all changing now thanks to the power of the godshards. These small objects, taking the appearance of crystallized light, are all that is left from the bygone gods and goddesses of Zephorus, their very essence made solid. A single one of these shards though is enough to stabilize any spell, and with them guaranteeing power beyond anyone else’s to those with access to them. Even further, the ancient cults have returned, and are attempting to gather as many godshards as they can in order to resurrect their deity of choice. For these zealots, spending a godshard to securely cast a spell is the greatest of heresies, and their floating temples are always recognizable thanks to the many corpses of so-called heretics hanging from their masts, with entire flocks of seagulls and other birds in their wake.

Godshard main features and ideas:

• Dark fantasy post-apocalyptic world.

• Magic is dangerous, often forbidden.

• Players play as Drifters, people who travel the One Sea in search of small islands to scavenge. Godshards are the most desirable item to be found, but relics from the dead world are also valuable, as well as resources to survive and to upgrade their boat with.

• Common enemies are beasts, other Drifters, zealots, and abominations from beyond the veil.

• Ocean hexcrawl with a focus on exploration and scavenging. Explore ancient ruins, lush islands, floating derelicts.

So what do you think? Should I pursue this? I think it's a really cool idea, but maybe it's just me.