Ravensgate

Ravensgate, the heart of Albion and a sprawling steampunk metropolis, stands as Ecliptica’s last bastion against the resurgence of the Calamity of the Void’s horrors. Built on the ruins of an Aetherian stronghold, Ravensgate is under a magical lockdown to contain Veil rifts, through which Eldritch Gods—Azagorth, Elysia, Morgrath, Nyrathos, Seraphel, Vortulon, Xyraxis, Zaladria, and Zephyrus—exert their influence. A mysterious plague, echoing Calamity-era afflictions, ravages the city, driving Plague Doctors to uncover its source, craft a cure, and banish a god. Factions like the Saffron Veil, Iron Quill, and Ebon Star clash amid the lockdown, while districts like Desolation and Mists teem with eldritch corruption, threatening Ravensgate’s survival.

Description:
Ravensgate is a labyrinth of smog-choked spires, steam-powered machinery, and arcane wards, its skyline pierced by the Crownspire, a towering relic anchoring the lockdown. Cobblestone streets wind through districts scarred by Veil rifts, where shadows flicker with eldritch whispers. Factories belch smoke, airships hum overhead, and arcane lanterns cast eerie glows. The air hums with tension—Zaladria’s illusions distort alleys, Seraphel’s light sears the unwary, and Vortulon’s hunger starves refugees. The plague manifests as psychic despair, radiant burns, or wasting hunger, tying it to gods like Xyraxis or Morgrath. Ravensgate’s atmosphere blends industrial grit with cosmic dread, a city teetering on the edge of annihilation.

History:
Founded post-Calamity (300 years ago) on the Aetherian Empire’s ruins, Ravensgate inherited the empire’s arcane infrastructure, including Veil anchors that sealed the Calamity’s rifts. The city became Albion’s capital, a hub of trade and innovation, blending steam technology with magic. However, cults like the Ebon Star and Radiant Dawn persisted, exploiting Veil scars to summon gods. The “Lightstorm Riots” (pre-lockdown) saw Seraphel’s zealots burn Spires estates, while Zaladria’s “Nightveil Riots” sowed betrayal. Vortulon’s “Famine Riots” starved nobles, and Xyraxis’s “Ashfall Riots” reduced districts to rubble.

The current lockdown, enacted a decade ago, uses Aetherian anchors to seal rifts but strains under cult rituals. The plague, emerging recently, mirrors Calamity-era afflictions like the Whisperplague (Zephyrus) and Ashbloom Plague (Seraphel), suggesting a new Veil breach. Cults like the Famine Cabal and Cult of Shadows weaken anchors, risking a second Calamity. Plague Doctors, backed by the Saffron Veil, navigate this chaos to save Ravensgate, uncovering links to gods like Azagorth or Nyrathos.

Districts:

  1. District of Order: Home to the Crownspire and City Watch, where Seraphel’s Radiant Dawn conducts eye-burning rituals to destabilize anchors.

  2. District of Secrets: Veilcrypt hub of Nocturne scholars and Zaladria’s Cult of Shadows, weaving illusions to hide plague sources.

  3. District of Desolation: Ruined Basilica, base of Xyraxis’s Cult of Desolation and Vortulon’s Famine Cabal, spreading decay and starvation.

  4. District of Mists: Mistspire, where Zephyrus’s Breathseekers amplify whispers, and airships navigate foggy canals.

  5. District of Spires: Iron Quill’s noble estates, tainted by Morgrath’s mirrors and Elysia’s veils, hoarding relics.

  6. District of Iron: Ironreach forges, scarred by Azagorth’s devouring and Nyrathos’s shadows, crafting lockdown tech.

  7. District of Shadows: Saffron Veil’s healing sanctum, resisting gods like Morgrath and Zaladria, aiding refugees.

  8. District of Science: Alchemists’ labs, tainted by Seraphel’s light and Vortulon’s hunger, researching plague cures.

Characters:

  1. High Arbiter Vaelor Crownspire

    • Description: City Watch leader, radiant helm, stern gaze.

    • Backstory: Order District enforcer, resists Seraphel’s purges, tasks players to secure Crownspire (Persuasion DC 14).

  2. Dr. Lysara Veilwhisper

    • Description: Science District alchemist, shadowed goggles, trembling.

    • Backstory: Researches plague cures, tainted by Nyrathos’s whispers. Offers serums (Investigation DC 16) but fears deception.

  3. Lord Kael Ironquill

    • Description: Iron Quill noble, mirrored cane, sly smile.

    • Backstory: Spires schemer, hoards Morgrath’s mirrors, trades relics for power (Persuasion DC 15).

  4. Captain Talia Mistwind

    • Description: Skyrunners’ Guild pilot, misty leathers, wary eyes.

    • Backstory: Mists smuggler, hears Zephyrus’s whispers, trades reagents (Insight DC 14).

  5. Sister Vionna Saffronveil

    • Description: Saffron Veil healer, golden robes, steady hands.

    • Backstory: Shadows medic, resists Elysia’s illusions, seeks relics to stop plague (Religion DC 14).

  6. Toren Ashforge

    • Description: Ironreach smith, ashen scars, grim resolve.

    • Backstory: Iron District forger, crafted Xyraxis’s Ashshards, aids Plague Doctors with tech (Arcana DC 15).

  7. Sylva Witherbloom

    • Description: Verdant Covenant druid, withered vines, calm gaze.

    • Backstory: Mists herbalist, purifies Mistspire from Vortulon’s hunger, trades anti-plague herbs (Nature DC 12).

  8. Duskcaller Zorath

    • Description: Ebon Star cultist, void-scarred face, manic grin.

    • Backstory: Desolation zealot, serves Azagorth, spreads plague via rifts. Fights players (CR 3, Cult Fanatic).

  9. Madame Elyra Gloomweave

    • Description: Syndicate seer, inky veil, cunning whisper.

    • Backstory: Shadows fortune-teller, uses Zaladria’s illusions to scam, trades plague lore (Deception DC 14).

  10. Windcaller Aeloria

    • Description: Breathseekers leader, misty robes, whispering voice.

    • Backstory: Mists zealot, channels Zephyrus’s whispers, fights players (CR 4, Cult Fanatic) to spread Whisperplague.

Impacts on Denizens:
Ravensgate’s denizens bear the Calamity’s scars, amplified by the lockdown and plague. The Saffron Veil heals refugees but struggles against Vortulon’s starvation and Morgrath’s madness. The Iron Quill hoards relics, tainted by Elysia’s veils and Nyrathos’s secrets, fueling paranoia. The City Watch, led by Vaelor, battles Seraphel’s purges and Xyraxis’s decay, losing ground to rifts. Skyrunners navigate Mists, dodging Zephyrus’s whispers and Zaladria’s illusions. Ironreach smiths, scarred by Azagorth’s devouring, craft lockdown tech but fear relapse. The Ebon Star and other cults exploit Veil weaknesses, spreading plagues like the Starveplague and Witherplague. Refugees suffer psychic despair, radiant burns, or hunger, echoing Calamity afflictions. Plague Doctors, navigating this chaos, must uncover the plague’s source—potentially a god like Xyraxis or Azagorth—while stabilizing the lockdown to prevent a new Calamity.