Community Adventures
Embers of the Cycle
World
In the ever-cycling world of Cinder & Shadow, reality is a fractured tapestry woven from the decaying remnants of countless fallen kingdoms. Great civilizations rise powered by primal fire or arcane enlightenment, only to inevitably succumb to stagnation, madness, or an encroaching, corrosive darkness. The sun itself hangs as a sickly, fading ember in a pale sky. The land is a geography of impossible verticality and recursive architecture: the crumbling cathedral city of Lothric borders the fungal depths of a blighted swamp, which rests atop the petrified forest of Ash Lake, all connected by teleporting bonfires. Gravity is a mere suggestion in places like Cainhurst Castle or the Painted World. A relentless "Curse of Undeath" plagues the inhabitants. Beings called "Ashen Ones," "Bearers of the Curse," or "Hunters" cannot truly die; they merely return to a designated nexus of power, slightly more hollowed and mad with each revival. This world is populated not by common folk, but by demigods driven insane by power, vengeful spirits, colossal dragons, and beasts born of blood and nightmare. The narrative is told through cryptic item descriptions and environmental storytelling. The player’s constant, brutal struggle is not to save the world, but simply to find a fleeting moment of peace or usher in the next, equally doomed, cycle of existence.
Story
The core conflict is the eternal struggle between Linking the Fire (prolonging the current, dying age) and allowing the Fire to fade (ushering in an Age of Dark/Humanity). Throughout the ages, powerful beings have sought to usurp the First Flame or manipulate the cycle. A cryptic prophecy whispers that a being of sufficient strength can choose the world's fate. You are that being—a pawn chosen by primordial serpents (Kaathe and Frampt) and the remnants of the gods. Your task is to acquire power necessary to reach the Kiln of the First Flame. This involves three key objectives: Ring the Bells of Awakening: Travel through the decaying kingdom of Lordran to ring the two massive Bells. This act reveals the path forward and summons Kingseeker Frampt, who explains your greater destiny. Collect the Great Souls: After ringing the bells, you must traverse diverse, hostile realms—the lava-filled Demon Ruins, the poisonous depths of Blighttown, the majestic Anor Londo—to slay four ancient lords and collect their "Great Souls." These souls include those of Nito (Gravelord), the Bed of Chaos (Izalith Witch), Seath the Scaleless (Archdragon), and the Four Kings (New Londo). Link the Fire (or Walk Away): Once all Great Souls are acquired, you gain access to the Kiln of the First Flame. There, you confront the final challenge: Gwyn, Lord of Cinder, the once-powerful deity who sacrificed himself to kindle the Flame ages ago. The final objective is your choice.
Disclaimer: The monsters contained within this compendium are the result of generative AI processes, created without specific intent or design towards any existing intellectual property. Any resemblance to characters, creatures, or entities from Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), Pathfinder, Warhammer, and other RPGs (such as Star Wars RPG, Cyberpunk 2020, Shadowrun, Call of Cthulhu, World of Darkness), tabletop games, video games, literature, or any other media is entirely coincidental and unintended. This compendium is not affiliated with, endorsed, sponsored, or specifically approved by any company or publisher. Our aim is to explore the creative possibilities of AI and to provide unique and imaginative monsters for entertainment and inspiration.
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