Mystara is the second (or third)[note 1] celestial body in orbit around the system primary of the crystal sphere known as Mystaraspace. This size E spherical hollow earth body is home to the MYSTARA, HOLLOW WORLD, SAVAGE COAST and RED STEEL Campaign Settings.[1][5][2]
Overview[]
Mystara has a diameter of 6,190 miles (9,962 kilometers) and is hollow. Despite this, Mystara has the same gravity as similarly sized planets, such as Oerth or Toril, due to its mantle of super-dense molten lava known as the Worldshield. This layer of magical molten rock runs though Mystara's crust, which is only about 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers) thick, producing a gravitational effect that pulls everything towards the Worldshield from both sides, providing gravity to both the outer surface of the world, as well as the inner surface of the Hollow World.
Not all of the Worldshield is molten; there are hot spots as well as cool spots, and in some areas the crust is entirely solid. This means that natural tunnels and caves, as well as a few artificial passages and mines, can penetrate right through the Worldshield in these areas, possibly providing access between the Hollow World and Mystara's outer surface. Gravity tends to work in strange ways in these areas, with "up” and “down” becoming erratic concepts at best, as the still-molten lava that surrounds the cooler, solid areas slowly shifts and moves. The Worldshield is also strongly anti-magical, and all mortal magic tends to stop functioning within three hundred miles (483 kilometers) of the lava layer.
Mystara is also enveloped in a naturally occuring energy field known as the Skyshield, which contains the planets' atmosphere within a fifteen-mile (24 kilometer) thick layer over both the outer and inner surfaces of the world. This bubble of transparent energy makes it difficult for anything, including air, to pass into the void of wildspace that surrounds both the planet as well as the red sun at the center of the Hollow World. Small objects can exit the Skyshield with little difficulty, but anything larger than a horse, including a spelljammer or a skyship, is slowly deflected as it approaches the limits of the atmosphere.
Occasionally, the Skyshield will develop a temporary rip or tear, usually caused by the passage of some object (i.e. a meteor or a spelljammer), or by natural but unexplained fluctuations in the Skyshield's strength. Whenever a tear occurs, some atmosphere escapes into the void with incredible force, creating a freak tornado, known as a ripstorm, whirlhole, or 'Vortigem Vortex' (after the Alphatian wizard who first studied the phenomenon). Brave and talented pilots have learnt how to use these ripstorms to pass through the Skyshield.
Mystara's atmosphere blankets the surface of both the outer and inner worlds and extends up to 80,000 feet (24 kilometers). Mystara's atmosphere maintains the same pressure from sea level up to the Skyshield; however, the oxygen level drops dramatically with altitude, making breathing difficult above 15,000 feet (4.5 kilometers).[6][2]
The Hollow World[]
Within Mystara's interior is another world, known as the Hollow World. A primitive land of floating continents and dinosaurs, this interior world is about 3,790 miles (6,099 kilometers) in diameter and is lit by a magical red sun. Two tubular polar openings allow access from Mystara's surface to the Hollow World. On the surface their curvature is so gradual as to be unnoticeable except from high in the air. The openings on Mystara's surface measure 1,500 miles (2,414) in diameter, but taper to a 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) where they open into the Hollow World. The anti-magic effect of the Worldshield extends across both polar openings in a band 600 miles (966 kilometers) thick. The fact that magic items and spells are rendered useless, combined with the perpetual storms and deadly cold on the surface, ensure that few travellers dare cross through these openings into the Hollow World.
The red sun hanging at the world’s center bathes the Hollow World in perpetual daylight, meaning there is no night, only eternal noon. This means that the inhabitants of the Hollow World sleep when they are tired and eat when they are hungry. Weather is also different because there are no seasons: temperate lands are always mild, deserts are always hot, jungles are always warm and humid. Bui even without the natural forces that drive weather patterns on the outer world, the Hollow World does experience storms, which blanket the land every few sleeps, blanketing the land with lots of rain or snow.
Satellites ranging from boulders to worldlets the size of large islands orbit the central sun, casting their shadows on the Hollow World's surface. The movements of these "floating continents" help the natives of the Hollow World tell time. Some orbit in the airless Void above the Skyshield; others orbit within the atmosphere. Many of these “floating continents" support life and may be populated by interesting life forms.[6]
The Spell of Preservation[]
The Immortals of Mystara[note 2] use the Hollow World as a sort of museum where animals and cultures at risk of extinction on the outer world can thrive. The Immortals cast a powerful enchantment called the Spell of Preservation over the interior world, which was designed to preserve, intact, all those cultures sent to the Hollow World. It discourages changes in language, technology, and culture.[7]
Inhabitants[]
Mystara is a world of diverse cultures, savage monsters, and warring empires. The best known region lies on the large continent of Brun, located in the northern hemisphere of the planet. The inhabitants of this region call their lands the "Known World", which is bounded by the Sind Desert and the lands of the Red Steel to the west, the Sea of Dread to the south, the Sea of Dawn to the east, and the vast wildernesses of Denagoth and Norwold to the north. More than a dozen small nations, cultures, racial territories, and empires lie within this region, all seeking their own destinies. Of particular interest are the nations of Karameikos, the Kingdom of Adventure; Glantri, the Kingdom of Magic; Darokin, the Kingdom of Gold; and Thyatis, the Empire in Ruins.
The ecology of Mystara is as diverse as any other major planet, such as Oerth, Krynn or Toril, as are its inhabitants. Mystara is inhabited by representatives of all major humanoid races, including some that are unique to this world.[2][3]
Satellites[]
Mystara has two moons, although most of its inhabitants are only aware of the existence of Matera, since Patera is invisible.[8]
Matera[]
Matera is the first moon of Mystara. This size D spherical earth body[9][note 3] is a silvery, crater-marked voidworld, and is uninhabited.[8]
Patera[]
Patera is the second moon of Mystara. This size C spherical earth body[10] is small, magical and invisible, and its existence is known to few outsiders.[8]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ After the destruction of Damocles and the formation of Mercury, Mystara becomes the third planet from the Sun.
- ↑ The Immortals of Mystara are similar in scope and power to the deities of other spheres, but with fundamental differences.
- ↑ Matera is essentially identical to the real world moon, including size and general characteristics.
External Links[]
- Mystara article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
- Mystara article at the Dungeons and Dragons Lore Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from every edition.
- Vaults of Pandius, the official Mystara Homepage.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Frank Mentzer, Dungeons & Dragons Immortals Rules, Dungeon Master's Guide to Immortals, 1986, (TSR Inc.), ISBN 978-0880383417, Home System section, pages 5-6
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Jeff Grubb, Aaron Allston, Karameikos: Kingdom of Adventure, Explorer's Guide, 1994, (TSR Inc.), ISBN 978-1560768531, chapter 6: Beyond the Borders, page 100
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ann Dupuis, Poor Wizard's Almanac Vol.III & Book of Facts, 1994, (TSR Inc.), ISBN 1-56076-918-1, Geographic Overview, pages 7-83
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Aaron Allston, Wrath of the Immortals, Book 2: The Immortals' Fury, 1992. (TSR Inc.), ISBN 1-56076-412-0, The Calendar, page 4
- ↑ Ann Dupuis, Poor Wizard's Almanac Vol.III & Book of Facts, 1994, (TSR Inc.), ISBN 1-56076-918-1
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ann Dupuis, Poor Wizard's Almanac Vol.III & Book of Facts, 1994, (TSR Inc.), ISBN 1-56076-918-1, Physical Properties of Mystara, pages 3-6
- ↑ Ann Dupuis, Poor Wizard's Almanac Vol.III & Book of Facts, 1994, (TSR Inc.), ISBN 1-56076-918-1, The Hollow World, page 5
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Ann Dupuis, Poor Wizard's Almanac Vol.III & Book of Facts, 1994, (TSR Inc.), ISBN 1-56076-918-1, The Moons, page 5
- ↑ Aaron Allston, Wrath of the Immortals, Book 1: Codex of the Immortals, 1992. (TSR Inc.), ISBN 1-56076-412-0, City of the Immortals, page 126
- ↑ Ann Dupuis, Bruce A. Heard, Champions of Mystara, Heroes of the Princess Ark, 1993, (TSR Inc.), ISBN 1560766158, Myoshima (Patera), page 93