tales-from-the-underseas

[tales-from-the-underseas]

Updated the map btw, it’s got more islands now

[tales-from-the-underseas]

Sserawni, portmanteau of hot and soup in the drow language, is a popular dish in the Collective where a pot of flavorful fish and mushroom broth is heated and boiled on a lowered hearth with seating around it. The dish is cooked by skewering fish, seaweed and mushrooms and cooking them in the communal broth. After the skewer is fully cooked, it’s dipped in a sweet and salty sauce made with sweet mushroom sap and salt. It’s notably one of the few drow dishes that are served hot.

Broth, sauce and skewer ingredients vary depending on location, but the popularized dish is that of the sserawni sold in the fishing capital of Paike.

Sserawni is the go-to meal for the Collective holiday called Union where sserawni is served out of large pots to share with neighbors.

It’s also a very popular tourist meal and on the must-try list for anyone visiting the Collective.

Originally a dwarven dish, it became popular with Drow because eating from the same pot assured that there was no poison in the food, and is now a common Collective meal to where most people don’t know it’s dwarven origin.

Most people who grew up in the Collective have fond childhood memories of the nights where it was announced that they were having sserawni for dinner.

[tales-from-the-underseas]

Some first drafts of Undersea currencies!

Republican marks are the commonly accepted international currencies and almost every port in the Opal accepts them as payment.

Collective ports do not accept empirical crowns, and the Githian Empire do not accept knife money in their ports.

Daric coins will vary with motifs depending on what tribe has minted them.

Yes, you can find shards that are sharp enough to injure someone, and yes, there have been recorded cases of people being killed by these coins. Just as the drow like it.

[tales-from-the-underseas]

In times of international crisis, as of the year 2147, the nations each send the following representative to speak to the Opaline Union*

- Prime Minister Ronja Kiths of the Hammer Party, representing the Alloyan Government and the Alloy Republic of Ojn. (Female, Duergar, labor party leader and actual head of state for the Republic)

- Governor Signe Rockhewer, Governor of the Alloy Territory of the Belt Islands, representing the Svirfneblin’s interests. (Female, Svirfneblin, always invited to sit alongside the Alloy Prime Minister to represent the voice of the Belt)

- High Councilmember Vesgi’doss and High Councilmember Mirael Vithea, representing the interests of The Collective. (Agender, Illithid, second in command and represents the will of the Elder Brain) (Female, Drow, acolyte of high priestess Djarna of Lolth and represents her will) **

- Hand Imon Jerra, Hand of the Empress, representing the will of Empress Vlaakith Dou and the Githian Empire. (Male, githyanki, the empress most trusted advisor and warrior, extremely important in the empire) **

- Batul Durz Saltswimmer, Representative of the Council of Tribes, speaking for the Orc Nations. (Male, Orc, one of 30 representatives from each tribe that take turn addressing the Opaline union)

- Khazin, speaking for the people of Voider*** and the Githzerai. (Male, Githzerai, trusted Acolyte of the Zaerith, only rarely addresses the opaline union) * The Opaline Union is an international representative government that speak on international affairs, similar to our world's United Nations.

** The Collective and The Githian Empire never send their actual heads of state out of fear the other will kill them. *** Voider is technically not in the Opaline Union, but in times of extreme crisis, is invited to consult and make the people of Voider's voices heard.

[tales-from-the-underseas]

I drew Abbie for @rollinwiththepunches 's birthday but I forgot to post them here ausoajdjskdkdjaodkaodjd anyway. Here's one drawing of Abbie plus a bonus of Abbie but smooth, quite cursed sight.

I laughed so much when I forgot to put the layer of face details on visible.

[tales-from-the-underseas]

A WIP of Abbie’s back piece tattoo!

[tales-from-the-underseas]

Cannot believe I never finished the earthsea trilogy before because it feels like such an obvious place to draw inspiration from

I’ve realized

- I need more islands and archipelagos on the map

- I need an island or city famous for its mages and wizards

- more island need to be named

- more mysteries clearly visible from the map alone

[tales-from-the-underseas]

The Hive Discord Server

We cordially invite you to The Hive, a discord server dedicated to the small but enthusiastic community who love Illithids! It’s a chill place to make friends and discuss our characters and our aforementioned favorite D&D monster!

Please note, that this is not a general Dungeons & Dragons server, but only focused on Illithid and assumes you have a familiarity with Illithid lore.

We discuss characters, show off art, talk, share memes and headcanons and have a general good time! DM me for an invite link!

[tales-from-the-underseas]

Happy Pride Month everybody!

Here’s a reminder that none of my characters are straight.

[tales-from-the-underseas]

WOW longtime coming!!!! THese designs are polished from designs i made in like WOW what 2017?? The designs were old, and I wasn’t particularly happy with them now that I know the characters better! I will be posting some redesign notes over the coming notes if anyone is interested over the decisions taken! Left to right: Xalli'hion “Xall” [pronounced like Shawli-Hion] Illithid They/Them Gunner/Cook Battlemaster Fighter Xall is the oldest member of the team (relative to lifespan) and is an old guard captain from Illiad who retired to become a fisherman, and then retired again to seek the thrill of the ocean in other ways. Xall is sort of a grandparent to the whole crew; endlessly wise and seems to be an endless well of experiences and odd knowledge. They’re the resident cook, which comes with their hobby of fishing recreationally, and they’re often seen on deck with their fishing rod during down time. Many will agree that Xall is absolutely terrifying. Abster'sine “Abbie” [Abster-seen] Illithid They/Them Captain Swashbuckler Rogue/College of Swords Bard Abbie is the charismatic and confident Captain of the Apocalypse. They’re incredibly driven and determined, with a scary amount of competence to back up their self-esteem. Always one for theatrics, Abbie doesn’t care if things are done right as long as they are done in a cool and impressive fashion. They come off as being very self-absorbed and kind of a stone cold bitch, but underneath that is a very competent captain and loyal friend. Surprisingly good at music, Abbie often sits and plays on a keyed string instrument called Ilsensine’s Harp that they are distressingly good at, usually while First Mate Reithe sings. Qilax “Qil” Argith [Kill-axe Argh-ith] Drow She/Her Mechanic/Shipwright Battle Smith Artificer/Path of the Storm Herald Barbarian Qil is the oldest member of the crew in sheer years, and arguably the most intelligent, she’s a magician with engines and loves the Apocalypse as if it were her own child. She loves to laugh and always brings a good sense of humor about things with her, making her a joy to be around, even if maybe she lost you in the complicated engine rant. She often does puzzles during downtime, either crosswords or rubik’s cube like tactile puzzle boxes. Haddal Doath [Hadd-all Do-ath] Drow He/They Navigator/Quartermaster Gloom Stalker Ranger/Trickery Domain Cleric Abbie’s equal in fashion, Haddal cares very much for his appearance, dressing in drow fineries to show his dedication to Lolth in his everyday life. He’s a passionate cartographer, and the calm energy needed for supply ordering, and often the voice of reason in arguments. Haddal’s joints don’t always work as intended, but don’t view his limp as a sign of weakness, he has a deadly aim and Lolth is not a particularly merciful goddess, best not to try his patience. Reithe Philond [Reith-eh Fil-ohnd] Drow He/Him First Mate/Helmsman Thief Rogue How and when Abbie and Reithe decided they were best friends is a bit of a mystery, given they do nothing but absolutely dunk on each other. But trust they do, seeing as Reithe is the second-in-command and acting Captain when Abbie is indisposed. Reithe is a bit of an impulsive dumbass to put it mildly, but thankfully his instincts are very often correct. Reithe can be an absolute firecracker who can be hard to calm, but sometimes you need that kind of ride or die friend in your life. Has a beautiful singing voice that he often uses to pass the time at the helm.

[tales-from-the-underseas]

A Map of the Opal Sea, made by the incomparable Uzobelyn! 

Mapping out the current territories of the Opal Sea, as well as the most updated version of the global Lumen Map (the white dots mapping out the glowing crystal clusters over cities and shallows).

HOO boy was this a fun challenge! I kind of messed up in making the rhumbline network, so I kind of decided to just add navigational lines from all major ports.

We also have a scale for the area! It’s all in all slightly smaller than the Mediterranean ocean, which should give everyone an idea of distances for sailing purposes.

[tales-from-the-underseas]

A Map of the Opal Sea, made by the incomparable Uzobelyn! 

Mapping out the current territories of the Opal Sea, as well as the most updated version of the global Lumen Map (the white dots mapping out the glowing crystal clusters over cities and shallows).

HOO boy was this a fun challenge! I kind of messed up in making the rhumbline network, so I kind of decided to just add navigational lines from all major ports.

We also have a scale for the area! It’s all in all slightly smaller than the Mediterranean ocean, which should give everyone an idea of distances for sailing purposes.

[tales-from-the-underseas]

Actually I fucked up the maths on this

This is the actual maths

They use metric time!

I decided to get in to the wild world of making my own calendar and timekeeping and I regret everything

[tales-from-the-underseas]

Whoa guess who’s working on an actual wiki for this! There’s not a lot on here beyond a WIP map and some half finished articles but! Enjoy!

[tales-from-the-underseas]

MATHS

An undersea day is 1.08 days long and the year is 324 of our days long

I decided to get in to the wild world of making my own calendar and timekeeping and I regret everything

[tales-from-the-underseas]

I am slowly solidifying how one expresses dates and time but making it it all match up to a year that makes sense is HARD

I decided to get in to the wild world of making my own calendar and timekeeping and I regret everything

[tales-from-the-underseas]

I decided to get in to the wild world of making my own calendar and timekeeping and I regret everything