WovenRealm

***WovenRealm*** is an award nominated weekly actual play web video series where a group of friends with voiceover, storytelling, artistic, and acting talent and plenty of RPG experience play the *13th Age* tabletop roleplaying game set to a story of their making. Originally premiering in 2021, the show is part of the Chromatic Chimera’s lineup of flagship actual play content that places a heavy emphasis on narrative, the setting’s lore, and roleplaying while also remaining connected to a larger meta-narrative. Audiences are bound for a good time with an ‘at the table feel.’

Before launching *WovenRealm*, Chromatic Chimera has been streaming the *13th Age* ruleset as independent broadcasters with official support from the game’s developers and publishers at Pelgrane Press. The series has been one of the most viewed *13th Age* Actual Play series currently present in the medium.

*WovenRealm* is currently in its 5th season and final season. Part of the draw to the show is a rotating game master format that keeps storytelling and mechanics fresh. The game masters utilize many homebrewed rules created for the *13th Age* ruleset. Viewers of the show express great interest in the story and plots of the campaign, especially being invested in the deeply developed and nuanced characters that make up the Emerald Caravan as well as the worldbuilding and unique setting lore.

*WovenRealm* premieres new episodes live on Chromatic Chimera’s Twitch channel on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm ET/6pm CT/4pm PT, and archived episodes can be viewed on their YouTube channel.

## History

After running *Agora's Bells* for 2 years, the campaign was reaching its natural conclusion. *SteamSpell* had not premiered a new episode, marking its indefinite hiatus as the show's conclusion. Chris and Alex discussed what their desires were for the next campaign. They wished to break the biweekly schedule the previous games were on to form one cohesive weekly game but to 'not play favorites' with the settings. They wanted to ensure both still got to enjoy both roles of GM and player, and to achieve their goals, they decided to narratively explain the settings combining into Evarencia and adopted the rotating GM/player format. Already independent broadcasters for the *13th Age* system, they both decided with the cast it was the system they wanted to use to tell *WovenRealm'*s story.

Chris utilized the finale arc of *Agora's Bells* to set into motion the setting of *WovenRealm* with Alex changing the framing of *Madam Curio's Bizarre Bazaar* into a spiritual prequel. It was decided that along with being the combined setting, *WovenRealm* would be a spiritual successor and sequel to *Agora's Bells* and *SteamSpell*, taking place approximately 30 in-game years after the events of both previous campaigns. The name *WovenRealm* was chosen as it represents the nature of the setting being both Alex and Chris' settings woven together as well as being memorable and lacking TTRPG rules based puns.

## The Show

The show of *WovenRealm* is a live-streamed campaign of the *13th Age* tabletop roleplaying game. The players (cast) embody and act as their characters in a traveling group called the Emerald Caravan as they adventure across the world of Evarencia created by both gamemasters Alex and Chris. What makes the campaign unique is the deeper meta-narrative surrounding the setting and campaign and the rotating GM format with the co-GMs switching for 'seasons.' As a RPG campaign, *WovenRealm* places a great emphasis on character, narrative, and homebrewing parts of the game. *WovenRealm* premiered in March 2021 with Alex in the GM's chair for Season 1. Chris was the GM for the second season with Alex transitioning back into the GM's chair for Season 3. Chris returned to the narrating role of the GM for Season 4.The 5th and final season saw Alex's return to the GM's seat to conclude the epic tale.

### Schedule

*WovenRealm* premieres episodes as live-streamed RPG sessions on Chromatic Chimera's Twitch channel every Wednesday at 7:00pm ET/6pm CT/4pm PT. Previous streams are archived on the group's YouTube channel.

### Themes

*WovenRealm's* narrative places a focus on themes that may be commonly observed in fantasy stories, but many other themes are present in the campaign that are unique to *WovenRealm* and its setting.

* Clairvoyance and what it means to each character is what brings the Emerald Caravan together in the first place. It is also what allows the mortals in the group to traverse the planes.
* Family and found family are major themes present in *WovenRealm*. Many character backstories focus on family as well as the trauma inflicted over generations.
* Names and their significance have been major themes across Chromatic Chimera's work, and it certainly is a major theme for most of the characters.
* Destiny, fate, and making one's own bear major importance as the cast interacts with higher powers and beings outside of their mortal coils.
* Approaching godly figures and heroes from an angle of being involved directly with their drama.
* The meta-narrative surrounding the setting of Evarencia.

### Meta-narrative

*"The Unifier’s attempts to steal Talencia’s power during Agora’s Bells were thwarted, but in the process, the very fabric of the planes was undone. The Astropath Arcanum connected with the reality that it had originated… the reality of Evaryn, the world of SteamSpell. The two worlds fused and became one. Evarencia. This unknowingly thrust both worlds into chaos and conflict. Nations and gods would oppose each other, but the inhabitants of these combined realms will never know what has happened… except for those who are Clairvoyant."*

- Introductory text to *WovenRealm's* setting

Although *WovenRealm'*s narrative stands alone, the show makes refence to the spiritual predecessors with many of the members of the Emerald Caravan having a connection to a previous player character from another campaign. Former player characters are present as NPCs within the campaign. Evarencia's own lore, with the merging of two realms becoming one, is the result of a previous campaign. Even magic items such as Parting Gift and the Helm of Serenity reappear in *WovenRealm.*

#### Expanded viewing

* ***Agora's Bells*** provides context to how the realms came to be combined, especially its finale. The Gods of the Land come from Talencia along with Albion, the Order of the Weave, and the Watchers. The Moonlit King is featured as a villain in the campaign and the DeRunes are introduced as a power dynasty.
* ***SteamSpell*** gives great context into the setting, especially the industrialized world. The geography, gods of the realms above, Imperial Kovith, and the Black Coats come from *SteamSpell*. The technology, Cult of the Immortal Engine and biomancy also are introduced in *SteamSpell.*
* ***Madam Curio's Bizarre Bazaar*** serves as a 'spiritual prequel' introducing the NPC Madam Curio as well as setting into motion events that take place in *WovenRealm,* especially Absinthe Morrigan's rise to Raven Queen. *Madam Curio's Bizarre Bazaar* is also essentially the 'backstory' to Tryss Delmont's character.

#### Character connections to previous campaigns

* Constance's creation at the hands of the Good Doctor as Minerva gives her a direct connection to Lady Katarina Steele and the plot of *SteamSpell.*
* Ezara is the granddaughter of the Moonlit King, an antagonist from *Agora's Bells* and member of the DeRunes family.
* Oleander is connected to St. Orianna (the Sovereign in Alabaster) and is the ward of Katarina Steele. Fae also stayed briefly with Maus in the Baumer Haus orphanage.
* Soren is the son of infamous NPC Tawn Tenderlove and is a member of the Watchers organization that appeared at great length in *Agora's Bells.*
* Vercingetorix is the adopted son of Maus Ponyhosen and worships Marlfax. He is revealed to be the nephew of Juan Muertos, an antagonist from *SteamSpell.*

### The Campaign

#### Season 1 - *'Clairvoyance Converges'*

*WovenRealm* premiered in April 2021, kicking off the series' first season with Alex in the GM's seat. Season 1 followed the Emerald Caravan's chance meeting through their early adventures where many narrative beats were established as well as many foundational experiences shared by the group with Emi's death being perhaps the most significant. Most members of the main cast of character's were introduced, with Fenris appearing in the last quarter of the first season. Season 1 was 23 episodes in length, including its epilogue in October 2021.

#### Season 2 - *'The Domed City'*

The campaign continued into its second season immediately after the end of the first with Chris stepping into the role of GM. Fenris was featured as a player character for the first time. In season 2, the story of *WovenRealm* followed the Emerald Caravan as they worked primarily to aid Briar with their issues. The Emerald Caravan planar traveled to Hex at one point, and Soren returned to the party after his arrest. The second season marked the solidifying of the main narrative of *WovenRealm* as well saw the Emerald Caravan grow closer. Season 2 was 16 episodes in length, transitioning into the third season mid-episode.

#### Season 3 - *'Flight of the Damselfly'*

*WovenRealm*'s third season premiered in February 2022 during the final episode of season 2 with Alex swapping with Chris back into the GM's seat. The third season is marked by the Caravan's acquisition of the airship known as the Damselfly. The season focused on the Caravan aiding Lady Steele in Higard as well as saving Fenris' soul from Gehenna. The plots of the first two seasons together were also aligned narratively. With the acquisition of an airship, the adventures of the Emerald Caravan in the 3rd season take them the furthest their adventures have yet, to faraway new lands while further exploring each character's unique backstory. Season 3's runtime was 24 episodes and concluded with its finale in late September 2022.

#### Season 4 - *'Queen's Fall'*

Season 4 saw Chris' return to the GM's chair, and Alex returns to the other side of the screen returning to his role of Fenris, now going by Vercingetorix Morgenstern. Season 4's focus is primarily on the war between the Empire of Kovith and Maywood with the investigation into Tawn Tenderlove's death also serving as a major interest to the Emerald Caravan. The major goal has been overthrowing the Queen of Maywood and preventing her from turning the Marrow swarm on the realm. Season 4 has been a proving ground for the reunited Emerald Caravan as they strive closer to their destinies. Season 4 is reaching its culmination in early June 2023.

#### Season 5 - *'The Reckoning of Heaven'*

The fifth season sees Alex reclaiming the GM's seat with a plot focused on deciding the ultimate fate of the moon known as Lycus and Goerwyr's crusade against Heaven. The season begins with the Emerald Caravan celebrating their victory and tying up some loose ends before joining the divine campaign against the holy order.

### The Future of *WovenRealm*

According to official statements by the cast, Season 5 is intended to be the conclusion to *WovenRealm* and the adventure of the Emerald Caravan after playing the same campaign for over 2 years. In spite of this, the cast intends to continue to tell stories in the Evarencia and have gone as far as to say that next campaign will serve as a continuation of the story told in *WovenRealm* with new characters. There will be a connection to the larger Chromatic Chimera meta-narrative, and there is the potential that the player characters next campaign, like the party in *WovenRealm*, will have connections to the previous campaign(s). There have been no official statements as to what rules system the cast intends to use, or if they will continue to use the *13th Age* TTRPG ruleset.

## Game Mechanics

### *13th Age*

As a TTRPG actual play production, *WovenRealm*'s story is told through the *13th Age* game system published by Pelgrane Press. *13th* *Age* is a part of the 'd20 fantasy' genre of TTRPGs that includes popular games such as *Dungeons and Dragons* and *Pathfinder.* The *13th Age* system places an emphasis on characters, narrative, and flexible gameplay. As a game itself, *13th Age* plays similarly to other TTRPGs like *Dungeons and Dragons* with gameplay centered around player created characters that resemble those found in *Dungeons and Dragons* along with a unique set of races and classes to choose from. A unique mechanic present in *13th Age* are Icons, which represent important NPCs within the game world.

What sets *13th Age* apart from other rules systems includes the use of "One Unique Thing," which helps players form unique narratives while simultaneously helping them stand out in an already extraordinary world. *13th Age* also utilizes a set of rules around 'Icons,' powerful NPCs meant to be a part of the world that the characters have affiliations with and that can affect the narrative and flow of a session. With the cast's familiarity with the homebrewed setting of *WovenRealm* as well as the inclination for roleplay in the campaigns playstyle, *WovenRealm* does not heavily feature or utilize the Icon system.

### Homebrew

*WovenRealm* features a vast variety of homebrewed rules created by co-GMs Alex and Chris to expand on the *13th Age* game system with homebrewing itself heavily supported by the ruleset. Some of the homebrewed rules are as simple as creating new conditions while others are done so to make combat more dynamic in the online platform through the use of zones and stunts. Other homebrews are extensive add-ons to the *13th Age* including rules for modern weapons, social encounters, wilderness travel, airship combat, and non-combat sequences. Other homebrewed abilities and items add to characters giving them more abilities to use to expand on their concept. Many other parts of the game are homebrewed to better fit the unique setting the campaign takes place in.

### Setting

Evarencia, the setting of *WovenRealm* is the combination of the settings created by Alex and Chris for their own homebrewed campaign worlds. The setting itself is in a technological period not commonly found in fantasy settings, with the world in its Industrial Era, making its technological level something more akin to the 1800s than the 'Ren Faire fantasy' often portrayed in other settings as a combination of elements from the medieval period and the Renaissance. The industrializing world includes technologies such as steam powered engines, fire arms, railways, telegram, photography, phonographs, and airships. The setting boasts a unique and complex history that has shaped the world the characters adventure in today, and the cultures they come from.

## Cast

### Main Cast

The main cast appears in most episodes of *WovenRealm.*

* Alex (@MrPuddins) as the S1, S3, &, S5 Game Master, Vercingetorix Morgenstern
* Chris (@touchoftiefling) as Soren Silverthorn, the S2 and S4 Game Master, and NPCs Krukazel Scalecut DDS, Egon Morgenstern/Poven Zaran, and Raven Queen Absinthe Morrigan.
* Sam (@thesamwiesest) as Oleander Morgenstern and Stars of Emerald and the NPC Maus Ponyhosen.
* AJ (@PleasentSludge) as Constance Solaris and NPCs Mother Superior Temperance; Yvette, Malikath's Queen; and Pocket. AJ is also the tech jockey for the stream.
* Lucy (@bluebirddraws) as Ezara Solaris and NPC Katarina Steele. Lucy is also the official character artist for WovenRealm.

### Guest Stars

Guest Stars were intended for the show, and these guests bring new characters into the Emerald Caravan's fold. These guests may play their own character or as an established NPC turned player character. In Tryss' case, one is a reprisal role from a previous campaign.

* Kate (@KathleenHenryVO) as Virwen Galerion and Violetta Cyantessia
* Nevi (@NeviDay13) as Tryss Delmont, a role reprised from *Madam Curio's Bizarre Bazaar.* Nevi appears as Tryss in S3 and S4.

## Community

*WovenRealm* has developed a devoted fanbase that regularly views the streams/episodes, discusses the contents of the show, and makes memes about the series. The cast interacts with their fans on a regular basis. Many of these interactions take place in Chromatic Chimera's discord channel.

## Awards

### 2022 gameHER Awards

In September 2022, Chromatic Chimera was nominated by The\*gameHERs for the *TTRPG Campaign of the Year* award for *WovenRealm.*

## External Links

* Chromatic Chimera Twitch Channel
* Chromatic Chimera Youtube Channel
* Chromatic Chimera Twitter