Planescape: Aqua

Well Met Travellers,

Welcome to another of my worldbuilding sessions. Last Time, I talked about the Fairie, a whimsical and dangerous place that the Fairie Lords govern and the Tales we tell our children are the truth.

This week, I will be diving into Aqua, The Elemental Plane of Water. This is one of the Planes Known as the Mirrors, Planes whose landscape reflects the Landscape of Antediluvian. These Mirror planes contribute their respective elements into the world.

The Landscape of Aqua is that of Antediluvian but covered into a great fog. The Fog does not impair sight, rather, it allows aquatic creatures and terrestrial creatures to cohabitate. It is not uncommon to see creatures like elves watching a pod of whales swimming overhead. Merfolk can swim while humans can breathe.

The Plantlife in Aqua appears to be various forms of Aquatic plant life such as seaweed and algae. Trees appear to be made from Various coral and anemones. Many aspects of the sea are exaggerated, such as giant sea creatures, and legendary monsters of the sea are more common here.

Being that Aqua is as large as Antediluvian, there are thousands of mirrored and interesting locations, many of them run down, eroded, and ruined. Since so many locations exist, I shall cover only the Most Important.

Infradis

Infradis is the Capital City of the Merfolk, often considered the capital city of the Plane. Infradis is a city built from coral. The architecture is similar to that of the Minoans, often incorporating bright colors and pre-greek Designs. The city is a hub of trade; exotic goods from Aqua being traded for the more mundane goods of Antediluvian.

The Leviathan Bone Yard

The Leviathan Bone Yard is the name given to the location where these mysterious creatures congregate near the end of their exceptionally long lives. This area is marked by the colossal bones and exoskeletons of the various types of leviathans. Many creatures (ie Fish, crabs, sharks, etc.)  live among the bones, using them as homes and hideaways from creatures that fear the Leviathan.

Ur'Jauregia

https://goo.gl/images/tFFHFr

This is the Palace of Salis the Purifier, the Primordial Elemental of Water and the Immortal of this realm. This Palace is built in the style of the Mycenaeans. It is crafted in deep blue and green stones. It features large expansive spaces and statuary whose visage has long been eroded by the constant flow of water through the Palace.

At the Center of this palace, rather than a throne room, there is a large fountain, this fountain is the 'throne' of Salis. When not Preoccupied on some other mission, this is where he rests.

Dásos tis Thálassas tis Thálassas

This has no true translation from the Primeval Language spoken by the elemental creatures, but it roughly translates to Tomb/Prison of the Sea Daemon. Many centuries ago, a creature of incredible power rose from the depths of the sea to challenge the might of Salis. The battle was long and fierce, for neither creature could harm the other. After many attempts to wound the creature, Salis decided that an attack would never work, so he devised a trap to hold the creature.

Little is known about this trap or how it worked; all that is known is that the beast now lies trapped beneath a massive grate at the bottom of the Dragarias Trench, the deepest part of the ocean in Aqua.

Wreckage of the Grail of the Damned

The Grail of the Damned was a Pirate Ship captained by the Infamous Samantha "The Witch" Carslile during the Age of Magic. Carslile used magic to transition her ship between Aqua and Antediluvian. Her career was so bountiful that she became known as the Pirate Queen by much of the world. Her teleporting ship made it difficult for any to even attempt her capture, that is until Jasko "Black Mane" Spooner came onto the scene. Jasko, a talented Mage, brought the fight to Carslile by transporting his own ship into Aqua.

This Maneuver had been attempted in the past, and it had always failed. Jasko, however, had an ace up his sleeve. He had made a bargain with the Pirate Queen's First Mate, who felt slighted by his lack of gain under Carslile. A battle began, and as it did, both mages conjured a massive storm. When the battle began to turn against Black Mane, the First Mate shot The Pirate Queen in the back, death was painful. As she lay dying, she placed a curse upon her entire crew, condemning them to eternal servitude aboard the Grail. With her dying breath, she cast a spell that sent the Grail under.

https://goo.gl/images/oZzAkY


A few centuries later, the Grail re-emerged as a ghost ship, it's Femme Fatal of a captain back at the helm. She now seeks out any at sea who would dare conspire against their captain, or ships that break the pirates' code (taking their treasure as her own of course).

There are many creatures that live in Aqua, so here are a few of the more important or well known.

First and foremost,
Salis the Purifier
https://www.deviantart.com/art/Water-Elemental-273684219

Salis the Purifier is the immortal lord of Aqua. He is the Primeval elemental of water. He is a fickle being, his favor shifting as often as the tides. Being that all immortals mentioned so far are lesser gods, Salis acts as a lesser god of Water.  He is worshiped by sailors and those who worship the elements. He appears as a large swirling mass of water that could engulf even a ship.

Water Elementals
https://www.deviantart.com/art/Blood-of-the-Elements-Cover-531380297

These creatures are the kin of Salis, his first children. Their form mirrors his. These creatures are water spirits, sentience born among the element from which they are created. These creatures, much like mortal creatures of Antediluvian, have their own drives, their own ambitions, their own hates, their own loves.

Merfolk
https://www.tumblr.com/search/arthur%20spiderwicks%20field%20guide%20to%20the%20fantastical%20world%20around%20you

Some of the most prevalent creatures in Aqua are the Merfolk. Now, these merfolk are likely not what you envision when you hear the word. While it is true that they have some resemblance to humanoid creatures, they lack true hair and they are very reminiscent of the sea life which surrounds them, for they are well suited to the life below the water. There are two varieties of Merfolk: a crustacean type and a fish type. These merfolk live in relative harmony, however, they also live in great fear of the leviathan and the Kraken.

Leviathan
https://www.deviantart.com/art/Leviathan-198103007

These are creatures of the primeval oceans. Some speculate that they are cousins to the Titans, a variation born to live in the seas. No two Leviathan look alike, yet they all share some common characteristics. They all have hide harder than stone, resemble some form of sea animal, and dwell close to the heated vents near the sea floor. Leviathan are mostly trapped in Aqua, however, occasionally one slips into Antediluvian and rages across the ocean before Salis notices and drags it back.

The Kraken
http://emgn.com/entertainment/14-chilling-facts-about-the-kraken-a-terrifying-and-mysterious-mythical-creature/

Perhaps the most Famous of sea monsters, the Kraken is a mighty beast of the sea. It resembles a giant squid but is more than capable of crushing and destroying vessels. In recent decades, scholars have begun to think that the Kraken may even be sentient, though these claims have yet to be confirmed by actual fact.

On top of all of these specific creatures, there are all kinds of normal sea life, anything from sharks to plankton. Giant variations of these creatures also exist, but are far less common.


I think that is all for this time. As always, leave your thoughts in the comments, and if you want to see more from me, click the follow button in the sidebar.

Until Next Time,
Farewell and Safe Journeys, Travelers.

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