Tides of Chaos

**Tides of Chaos** is a a 3-episode introductory one-shot to Delvqua, an original seafaring setting. Set sail on this pirating adventure filled with comedy, action, drama, ship combat, sea shanties, and the tumultuous waters beyond...

## Background Lore

In one of the many beginning ages, called the Age of Aquatic Creation (AAC) by some, all the Sphere was covered in a thick, murky, and muddied water. The earliest beings of the Sphere, who would eventually rise to become its supreme deities, were the most formidable creatures of the ocean: enormous serpents, shark, kraken, and whales. They ruled unopposed—except by each other—and all existed in chaos and therefore harmony. Many ages passed in this way, until one deity set upon themselves to create an amusement: life. By swimming along a jagged rock, they split open their side, turning the ocean red. From this gash, poured all manner of aquatic beasts. For the first time since creation, the Gods of Old were forced to share their once solitary Sphere.

Another age passed, and the ocean became crowded. Some of the Old Gods remained neutral or even protective over the thriving aquatic ecosystems, others missed their solitude and sought to destroy what they deemed “distractions.” No matter their feelings, the Old Gods all learned something from the newest inhabitants of the Sphere: hunger. Unrelenting, Insatiable, growling, hunger became the Gods’ obsession. They feasted and gorged in excess until their bellies were ready to burst. This age would become known as the Great Binge.

In the aftermath, life began to dwindle and the God’s were forced to address the diminishing resources needed to satiate their appetites. For once they knew the pangs of hunger, they could think of nothing else. Thus were borne the Merfolk, and anointed shepherds of the ocean. These magnificent creatures tended to all life below the water’s surface, charged with protecting and cultivating a healthy supply of food for the Gods. In exchange they were granted sentience by way of herbs grown in the shallow waters of the Sphere’s reefs.

Balance was briefly restored to the Sphere, until one day, something fell from the sky. The force of its fall caused the ocean to part, compressing some of the infinitely murky water into the first solid ground. This place would become known as the Crater of Creation. What emerged from the Crater was a celestial being of unmatched power. This celestial found themselves surrounded by the Gods of Old, and a great battle ensued. During this battle, the Gods gifted the Merfolk magic, and charged them to guard the Crater for fear more devastating creatures would emerge. It was here the first great civilization was born in the shadow of war.

When the fighting finally stopped the Old Gods shackled the Celestial out of fear or necessity and cast them back into the sky. The Celestial came to illuminate the night and though defeated has an immense pull and influence on the Sphere. Thus the tides were born as each night the Celestial attempts to break their chains and finally assert dominion over the Sphere.

As the Old Gods licked their wounds, a new age was borne: the Primordial Reckoning. First, a calm fell upon the sea; serene silence before the impending storm. Stillness was finally broken by a deep and resonant Rumbling. The Rumbling grew until the sea was in turmoil, waves reaching out to touch clouds. What happened next would change the Sphere forever.

Some 20,000 leagues southeast of the Crater of Creation, an eruption of water pierced the sky from below, which quickly changed to steam, and then fire. Heat and flame rained down on the sea and the first Primordials crawled from the depths to ravage and terraform the Sphere. Many of the Old Gods were slain or gravely wounded in the cataclysm which consumed them for at least a millennia, maybe more.

When it finally ceased, land ruled where sea had once reigned. Long held at bay by the magics of the Old Gods and the force of the Merfolk, terrestrial life would finally swarm forth from the Crater of Creation to make home in this brave new world. Disgraced and defeated, some believe the Old Gods slipped away into the deepest depths of the ocean, where they lie waiting to seek their revenge or bring salvation, others say The Old Gods died, while many more contend that they never lived at all.

## Characters

### PC's

* Alaric Valendess, Vampire Sorcerer/Warlock
* Marlowe Brushark, Triton Barbarian
* Howling Gale, Tabaxi Rogue
* Murph, Plasmoid Paladin