Torg Eternity Preview #5 – Aysle and the Cyberpapacy

This week, we head to Europe where the British Isles and Scandinavia suffer under the sway of the magical realm of Aysle, and the Inquisition has returned to France and Spain, this time with nanosecond response time!

Just a note that we’re covering the World Laws very broadly. We go into more detail in the book, and a lot of the flavor comes out through the use of Cosm Cards, which we’ll be previewing soon.

Aysle (Magic 24, Social 16, Spirit 18, Tech 14)

Aysle offers questing adventure to excite fans of Lord of the Rings, political intrigue to engage fans of Game of Thrones, and an epic battle of good and evil to inspire fans of Once Upon a Time. It also embraces wholeheartedly the roots of fantasy roleplaying.

The cosm teems with magic. It’s everywhere. Those even slightly skilled in magic can use “improvised magic” to perform all sorts of tasks, while the greatest spellcasters can even transform the landscape. Faith is strong here too, though not to the degree seen in the Living Land.

It’s also a world filled with darkness, illuminated by points of light. The forces of darkness are led by Angar Uthorion, former lieutenant of the Gaunt Man, whose forces nearly wiped out the dwarves and elves. The forces of light are led by the paladin Tolwyn, and Lady Pella Ardinay, who had been possessed by Uthorion over most of the last century.

Unlike the rest of the invading realms, Aysle did not invade from above, but below. The Underground of Earth is teeming with caverns, dungeons, and other dark places which have merged with Aysle’s Land Between. Treasures abound in the darkness, protected by fearsome monsters and deadly traps.

World Laws

Aysle’s World Laws highlight the incredibly magical nature of the cosm, as well as the quests, traps, and monsters that dwell within it.

Law of Magic: Magic is strongly entwined with life in Aysle. Skilled spellcasters can push themselves to the limit, accepting additional Backlash in order to increase the power of their spells. Magic can be fickle or favorable as the Cosm Cards Mana Surge and Fickle Magic will show.

Magic is strongly entwined with life in Aysle. Skilled spellcasters can push themselves to the limit, accepting additional Backlash in order to increase the power of their spells. Magic can be fickle or favorable as the Cosm Cards Mana Surge and Fickle Magic will show. Law of Light and Darkness: Honor and depravity are palpable forces in Aysle. They are reflected by Cosm Cards that run the gamut between courtly treachery and romance, and duels between champions. Light Perks are supported by this World Law.

Honor and depravity are palpable forces in Aysle. They are reflected by Cosm Cards that run the gamut between courtly treachery and romance, and duels between champions. Light Perks are supported by this World Law. Law of Enchantment: Magic is so ingrained in the world that items can become spontaneously magical, usually when an incredible feat is performed nearby, worthy of stories across the ages.

Cyberpapacy (Magic 14, Social 18, Spirit 16, Tech 26)

Just like in Original Torg, the Cyberpapacy is the (currently) most advanced cosm technologically, filled with cyberware, laser weapons, and hovertanks. The dominant religion is a perverted abomination of Catholicism, infused with medieval beliefs and totalitarian control. It’s a world where technology is infused with magic and faith as well, where cyberwitches and cyberwarlocks fight against the forces of the Cyberpope.

Unlike in Original Torg though, the Cyberpope has been using this high technology for years, and understands its use well, not only to aid his Church Police, but also to monitor and suppress resistors. The GodNet has arrived as well, and the intelligence at its heart monitors and acts on the lower tech networks in Core Earth and Pan-Pacifica.

Cyberware in the Cyberpapacy is sleek and fashionable but is directly connected to the pervasive GodNet. Those who don’t want to be tracked by the GodNet either use Perks to purchase cyberware, or go to chopshops, which have their own sort of risks involved.

World Laws

The World Laws of the Cyberpapacy reflect the oppressive nature of the religion and society found within its borders. Cosm Cards can induce cyberpsychosis, or force mandatory ‘upgrades’ on people’s technology.

​ Law of the One True Way: The Cyberpope’s dogma enhances the miracles of his followers, while inhibiting those of all other faiths (but it’s a simple modifier, unlike in Original Torg).

The Cyberpope’s dogma enhances the miracles of his followers, while inhibiting those of all other faiths (but it’s a simple modifier, unlike in Original Torg). Law of Heretical Magic: Being a spellcaster in the Cyberpapacy is harsh. A Mishap occurs on a 1-4 when casting spells. You’ll see why in a soon-to-come preview how that’s a problem.

Being a spellcaster in the Cyberpapacy is harsh. A Mishap occurs on a 1-4 when casting spells. You’ll see why in a soon-to-come preview how that’s a problem. Law of Suspicion: ​Cosm cards can result in the heroes being reported to the authorities, or having their faces plastered across the screens of the GodNet realmwide.

Do You Want to Know More?

If you’d like some more details on what we previewed here, head on over to our forums. But beware, the GodNet is watching.