Great Journey

The **Great Journey** is the main oceanic body on the planet of Io. This ocean covered most of the planet and saw much maritime trade and piracy in its time. It also held a great many mysteries and legends that were shared from ship to ship and sailor to sailor. Tales of sea witches, lost cities, giant krakens and uncharted island circulated across the oceans as the currents did below. Since the Shattering, the Great Journey has become divided amongst the many Arks of Io.

## Appearance

The Great Journey is a massive ocean of water, similar to the oceans of Earth today. All manner of small islands can be found across it, boasting different climates, ecosystems and histories.

## History

### Early History

The Great Journey was likely created as part of the Auroran Repopulation Project, which terraformed all of Io to resemble that of Auroran Prime. Given the importance of water and the influence of the ocean on humankind, the Great Journey became a single massive ocean that spanned the entire planet. Before the creation of airships, and even during their usage, naval vessels became the primary method of travel across this vast expanse of water.

### The Tragedy of Krakesque

Some time after the Repopulation, the city of Krakesque, a relic from before the Jupiter Incident, became populated by Io's new inhabitants. Over many years, the city became a veritable bastion of knowledge and wealth, accumulating treasure in all possible forms. Its inhabitants developed new arcane techniques to further their prowess. Krakesque's society became so intrinsically linked to its wealth that its ruler was determined by who laid claim to its massive treasure hoard. However, such an age of prosperity was not fated to last.

A man named Jiang rose to the title of Warmaster of Krakesque and began to make moves to cement his power and usurp the throne by convincing the people that outsiders wished to bring ruin to them. After some time however, his deception became unmasked for the bare-faced warmongering it was. Jiang was stripped of his titles and banished from the city. While in exile, the Warmaster came into contact with a being from a shadowy plane called the Deep One, who spoke through a colossal kraken. The Deep One agreed to aid the Warmaster in his quest for revenge provide he serve him faithfully. Together, the two returned to Krakesque and laid waste to the city. Through the power of the Deep One, the city became submerged beneath the waves, its treasure and people lost to time. Some of its citizenry survived, as some elves from the continent of Ishtar could trace their ancestry to the city, but most perished in the cataclysm. The Warmaster too died with his city, forced to linger as a vengeful wraith for hundreds of years.

Though the city was drowned, it did not stay as ruins upon the depths. Rather, the city became trapped in a precarious purgatory between life and death, where the lost souls had little concept of their current state. In the Prime Plane, the Deep One's Herald took the lands surrounding its nesting grounds, which included an ancient ziggurat sealed away from the outside world. To safeguard this new territory, one of the Deep One's subordinates, Sholo Maa, was tasked with the role of caretaker for the island and the lost city for the centuries to come.

### The Age of Piracy

After the death of the gods DIV and VOID, the people of Io adapted to the new paradigm they found themselves in. Societies advanced and began to usher in a new age of naval travel and navigation. As trade routes became established across the Great Journey, so did the Freeport of Kreshart, an independent island state with a focus on liberty. But, where mercantile trade is to be found, so too is piracy. Many pirates sailed the Great Journey, often using Kreshart as their port-of-call. One such example was the veteran buccaneer Cornelius Armstrong, captain of the Miss Demeanor. Though a brigand in name, Armstrong exercised a more benevolent form of piracy, leaving most vessels he deemed innocent alone and having more interest in treasure hunting and exploration.

However, none quite set their mark like Captain Ironside. About 500 years after the death of the gods, Ironside began his pirating career. He was extremely successful, amassing an impressive fortune and eventually commanding an entire fleet of pirates. His fearsome reputation became known to almost all pirates and traders across the Great Journey. However, Ironside began to consolidate his power and turn away from conventional pirating in favor of more diplomatic methods.

### The Massacre on the Lady Luck

Around the year 725, tragedy struck the crew of the Lady Luck. Sailing under Captain Vaughn, the crew chanced upon a great treasure on an abandoned island. The crew rejoiced at their stroke of fortune, believing themselves set for life. However, what they did not realize was that the treasure hoard they uncovered came from Krakesque and was haunted by the spirt of the Warmaster. One night at sea, the curse of the treasure took hold of the crew, causing them to turn their blades on one another. One of the crew, Layton Beardthrone, was able to resist the madness for just long enough to grab hold of a greatsword within the hoard to defend himself.

This greatsword, known by the name Immortality, then chose Layton as its wielder, assuming direct control of the sailor for a time. Though Layton had no recollection of the following events, it is apparent that the crew of the the Lady Luck were slain by his hand, and Layton himself lost his life in the conflict. Immortality relinquished its command of Layton and used its power to allow him to endure in the world of the living. It also claimed the souls of his 25 crewmates, urging him to add more to the collection. Haunted by Immortality's call and the specter of the Warmaster, Layton ran the ship aground in Kreshart. For the next 10 years, he remained on the beach next to his ship, traumatized and constantly under the compulsion to repair the ship and collect souls for the sword in the hopes to cleanse himself of his sins.

## Phase 2 Story

### The Hunt for Krakesque

The fabled city of Krakesque never left the minds of the seafarers of the Great Journey. In the year 735, Captain Ironside had devoted his energies to finding the lost city for his own ends. He heard of a coin matching the description of Krakesque gold falling into the hands of a merchant ship, and raided it, only to find nothing. The wreckage attracted the attention of Cornelius Armstrong, who enlisted his friend Lunafiera and Layton Beardthrone to investigate. As they travelled, a boy named Alice forcibly landed on their ship as result of a magical mishap. The four found a survivor aboard the wreck, Captain Ikrab, who had the coin Ironside sought in his hands. He relinquished it to the Miss Demeanor in exchange for passage to Kreshart. Upon arriving, the crew came to the conclusion that the coin was of Krakesque and it was the same as the hoard of treasure in the hull of Lady Luck. Layton placed the coin within the pommel of Immortality, which emitted a beam of light pointing to Krakesque. Unexpectedly, the Lady Luck began to move on its own in the direction of the city. Armstrong, Layton, Luna and Alice boarded the Miss Demeanor and set sail after the ruined ship.

They tracked the Lady Luck to an island inhabited by friendly Lizardfolk and a dwarf engineer named Laurence. The ship had run aground, unable to pass through the land before it. While the crew tried to deduce what had happened, the Lady Luck suddenly began to fly over the island. Manifesting at the helm was the ghost of the Warmaster, who taunted Layton and announced his intention to take Krakesque. A fight ensued where the crew and the Lizardfolk unsuccessfully attempted to stop the ship's departure only to be impeded by the enslaved ghosts of Layton's former crew. Using the unearthly power of the Deep One, the Warmaster killed the Lizardfolk to a man and took their souls for his own. The Lady Luck continued on its voyage to Krakesque unimpeded, while the Miss Demeanor and Laurence sought to empower themselves to better face off against the Warmaster by detouring to Gubwater Keep, the historical home of the Fallen Heroes.

### The Wreck of the Fortune's Favor

The Warmaster's journey to Krakesque went unimpeded with the exception of a single incident along the way. In the midst of a terrible storm, the Lady Luck crossed paths with a pleasure cruise ship called the Fortue's Favor. The ship was bound for Llwendolyn, ferrying many passengers who passed the time with entertainment shows and gambling. Jiang saw an opportunity to add more souls to his new army, and rammed the Lady Luck into the cruise ship, causing it to capsize. His efforts were met with some little resistance from five of the passengers, but they were also tossed into the raging waters with their ship. With the souls of the drowned revelers in his possession, the Warmaster soon arrived at Krakesque.

The wreckage of the Fortune's Favor washed up on the deserted isle of Nevermore. The five passengers that tried to defend the ship survived along with one of the ship's employees. Stranded upon this desolate waste, the survivors got in a tense standoff with a group of cannibals, whose charismatic leader directed them to the massive tower in the center of the island, claiming it had food and riches beyond their wildest imaginings. The survivors managed to do what the cannibals could not and entered the tower, only to discover an oppressive dystopic society reliant on the mercy of their magical overlords. After instigating a failed uprising, the survivors lost one of their own, a Kitsune called Nala. Nala's soul found its way to the Shadow and forged a contract with the Deep One. Manifesting through her body, the Shadow overran the Tower of Archimedes, causing it and all its people to be subsumed into the accursed veil.

### The City of the Dead

Some weeks later, the Miss Demeanor arrived at the maelstrom that marked the entrance to Krakesque, where the tumultuous conditions caused the ship to be run aground on a nearby island. There, they met Sholo Maa, the caretaker of Krakesque. The kobold informed them that the Warmaster had entered the undead city with the intent to stake his claim as its lord. He briefed them on the history of Kraskesque and its fall and the Warmaster's plan to raise an undead army to conquer the world. The crew declared their wish to pursue the Warmaster and put a stop to him, only to be told that the nature of the undead city would kill them should they do so. However, Sholo offered them protection against the city's deadly nature, in exchange for the soul of one of their number and the recovery of an egg of the Deep One's Herald.

Reluctantly, the crew acquiesced to Sholo's demand, with Armstrong offering his soul as part of the deal. After a brief detour in the nearby ziggurat, the crew returned with the egg, fulfilling their side of the bargain. Sholo then conducted the ritual and granted the crew a spiritual ward to protect them, as well as a means of escape. With their friends and ship safely teleported away, Armstrong, Layton, Luna and Alice descended into Krakesque. While there, they encountered the abandoned ruin of the Lady Luck and managed to recruit Layton's old crew to aid them in fighting the Warmaster. They made their way to the palace of the undead city, observing the of the souls bound to the city. Within the throne room, the crew found the Warmaster atop the throne, claiming lordship over the city. Defiant, the crew berated the Warmaster and began to duel him. The fight in the throne room brought the attention of the Deep One, who used his Herald to witness the battle. Midway through the battle, Jiang's resolve faltered, and the Deep One seized the opportunity to enact his punishment on his former vassal. He warped Jiang into a hideous tentacle-ridden beast, driving the undead warmonger into a feral state. As the throne room began to flood, the pirates valiantly stood their ground. With a final blow from Immortality, Layton slew the warped Warmaster, ending his rule of the dead city and sparing Io his ghastly conquest. After the defeat of Jiang, the crew of the Miss Demeanor were teleported away, drifting into a month-long slumber.

### The Battle of Kreshart

A month after the defeat of the Warmaster, the crew of the Miss Demeanor returned to Kreshart to find it under occupation from Captain Ironside. Ironside, having no leads to Krakesque, captured Kreshart to give himself a strong geographical base and political power over maritime trade between Ishtar and Qethos. Though Ironside's forces were numerous, many in Kreshart were discontented by the loss of their independence and sought to resist the occupation. The crew of the Miss Demeanor's return made waves through the island after they successfully stole back their ship from Ironside. Arriving in the TellTale Tavern, Armstrong met with another pirate called Ushwin, who was organizing an attack on Ironside's fortress. Armstrong, after a brief duel with Ushwin, agreed to join their cause. The duo then incited a miniature uprising in the tavern, dispatching Ironside's men within and rallying more to their cause. Ushwin then informed Armstrong of their plan to blow up some of Ironside's fleet via power kegs smuggled aboard, after with the resistance's fleet would attack the fortress.

Some time later that day, the Miss Demeanor joined the other pirates in the assault. Ushwin's plan to destroy Ironside's ships went perfectly, allowing the resistance the chaos they needed to begin the attack. The defenders found themselves on the backfoot, rapidly loosing ground despite their fortifications and artillery. Leading the charge was the crew of the Miss Demeanor and Ushwin. Leaving their orc ally to coordinate the attack, the crew carved their way to Ironside's fortress. There, they confronted the infamous pirate, denouncing his rule over Kreshart. Ironside's rebuttal did nothing to dissuade them, so the half-giant responded with force. He and his men clashed with the Miss Demeanor, resulting in Ironside succumbing to his wounds. However, a VOID seed Ironside had picked up in the Crater of Atlas took control of his body, turning it into a Avatar of VOID. Though a deadly threat, the crew of the Miss Demeanor successfully managed to fell the undead creature, liberating the Freeport of Kreshart.

### Braving the Serpent's Smile

A few days after the Battle of Kreshart, the crew of the Miss Demeanor set sail once more. With the encroaching threat of Kaasma Khara on the horizon, the crew intended to seek out the Exodus Academy, either to enlist their aid against the creature or prevent them allying with it. To do this, they needed to travel to the continent of Ishtar, which meant travelling through the deadly storm pattern known as the Serpent's Smile. A permanent fixture between Kreshart and Ishtar, the Serpent's Smile was immensely dangerous, with many a ship having entered and never come out. However, Captain Armstrong, who had braved the Smile once before, was confident in his ability to do so again. To improve their chance, the pirates had their ship upgraded by a crew of monodrones loyal to the Astral Academy, their otherworldly allies in the fight against Kaasma Khara. Now possessing a steam engine and a reinforced hull, they set forth to fight their way through the Smile.

Their voyage was difficult, as the ship was battered by heavy winds and relentless waves. The crew rotated in shifts to stave off tiredness, though the Smile allowed for little to no comfortable rest. For a week, the Miss Demeanor struggled through the storm-tossed seas, gradually making progress with each day. However, the Smile held more peril than high winds and high waves. During their voyage, the crew faced off against the ancient kraken that was the source of the storm, a vicious lightening elemental and the mythical Sea Witch of the Smile. These terrifying encounters were overcome with masterful sailing, quick thinking and timely assistance from their newest crewmate, Sterling Smiles. Near the end of their voyage, the crew also landed upon an uncharted island in the midst of the storm, only to quickly leave upon spotting a gargantuan monster. Though the journey was exhausting and near fatal at times, the Miss Demeanor managed to survive the Serpent's Smile, breaking through to the other side to continue their journey to Ishtar, where a momentous confrontation awaited them.

### The Return of the King

With the conclusion of the War of Shadows, the crew of the Miss Demeanor set sail on what would be their final voyage together. Layton, having fulfilled his debt to the sword Immortality, was venturing to Krakesque to claim his rightful place as its ruler. With the sword to guide them, the crew returned to the undead city with heavy hearts, for to rule over Krakesque was to leave the land of the living forever more. Once again, the pirates entered the throne room, its vacant seat awaiting its new master. Layton said his farewells to his crew, only to discover four of them, Zehani, Khairen, Nicholas and Luna, wished to stay with him to help him in his new role and to help Captain Armstrong in his quest to find a new soul. Armstrong and Alice chose to return to Io, as Armstrong couldn't bring himself to leave his ship and Alice wished to create a new school for magic to provide a better future for children like himself. With a teary-eyed and heartfelt farewell, the crew separated. Layton Beardthrone claimed the throne of Krakesque, going into slumber for 500 years to ascend to godhood and usher in souls to the next life. Meanwhile, Alice and Armstrong returned to their ship and sailed away, leaving the jubilant souls of the city to rejoice in the return of their king.

## Phase 3 Story

### The Shattering of Io

When Lagos, the Emissary of the End, attacked Io 500 years after the Shadow Invasion, the Great Journey was caught up in the resulting catastrophe. However, Io was saved by the new gods, who held the planet together via chains of energy constructed from the Deitic Veil. The Shattering divided the Great Journey across the new Arks that were created to preserve the landmasses, ending its days as a continuous water body. The waters of the Great Journey managed to be contained in each of their separate Arks, but the reliance on naval travel was greatly diminished. Instead Ionians utilized Shardships to travel from one Ark to another. Kreshart and other island like it were preserved as well, however they were restricted to smaller miniature arks and became quite isolated from the rest of the planet as a result.

## Notable Locations

### The Freeport of Kreshart

Located midway between the continents of Ishtar and Qethos is the Island of Kreshart. This port city is completely autonomous and its position and neutrality made it an invaluable trading post in days past. Due to its libertarian society, the freeport became a stomping ground for pirates, smugglers and brigadiers. However, despite this notoriety, the people of Kreshart welcomed all visitors and merchants with open arms. Since the Shattering of Io, Kreshart became isolated from the other Arks of Io, and lost its status as an important supply stop and trade port.

### The Serpent's Smile

A notable phenomenon within the Great Journey is the perennial storm pattern that exists between Kreshart and Ishtar; the Serpent's Smile. Deadly, unpredictable and full of perils, travelling through the Smile is not a journey taken lightly, for many a ship has gone in and never come out. Though certain routes exist that minimize the dangers, such routes are kept secret to maintain an edge over their rivals. Sailors tell of strange things they've seen whilst braving the Smile; mysterious islands, terrifying beasts, ungodly waves and a great Kraken that some claim keeps the storm in motion.

### The Isle of Nevermore

Much of the Great Journey has yet to be explored, and many uncharted islands await both the curious and the unfortunate alike. Nevermore was one such island; a barren wasteland of dead trees and dead hopes. The site of many a shipwreck, any survivors were trapped on the island by the deadly waters surrounding it. In the center of this godforsaken rock loomed a colossal tower, silently tempting all who stood in its shadow. The Tower of Archimedes was once ruled by a magiocracy called the Founders, who enforced worship and ignorance upon their subjects. However, some time before the War of Shadows, the Tower was consumed by darkness and transported to the Shadow along with all its inhabitants.

### The Sunken City of Kraquese

For everything that lies on its surface, naught compares to that which lies below. Maritime legends tells of terrible things beneath the waves; colonies of viscous seafolk, the devilish Herald of the Deep One that stalks the abyss, and the fabled city of Krakesque. Krakesque was once a great city, founded before the recolonization of Io and reclaimed by its new inhabitants. This prosperous utopia was supposedly rich beyond measure, in gold, knowledge and magical prowess. However, tragedy befalls all that seek to soar ever higher, and Krakesque was no different. At the combined hands of its power-hungry former Warmaster and the Deep One, the city and its inhabitants were dragged beneath the waves to be trapped in limbo between life and death. Centuries later, the Warmaster was defeated during another ill-fated attempt to take the city. Its throne was instead claimed by Layton Beardthrone, who became Lord of Krakesque and the new Ionian God of Death.

## Campaigns

The following campaigns and events take place on the Great Journey.

# **The Altered Miss Demeanor**

## Mechanics

*Main article: Technical Details*
The world of Io is a heavily homebrewed setting with many experimental mechanics working at the same time. As an example, there are mechanics that apply only to a single campaign, and there're mechanics that are shared between multiple campaigns.

## Etymology

A "journey" is the act of travelling from one place to another. It can also be defined as a a long and often difficult process of personal change and development. The phase "a great journey ahead of you" is a common expression that emphasizes the scale and significant of an endeavor a person will be embarking upon.

## Trivia

* The Great Journey first appeared in Miss Demeanor Season 1 Episode 1.
* In the alternate reality of the Altered Miss Demeanor, the Great Journey is a world-spanning sea of sand called the Great Terror. Ships and scooters travel across the sands in much the same manner as they would an ocean.