Sal'Param : RPG Setting

A 1902 Dieselpunk Desert 5e Adventure of Magic, Technology, Empires, and Colonies

⊚ World

At the turn of the century the world is one of magic and technology, two sides shifting in constant turmoil. Empires have expanded and colonized nearly all continents save the most treacherous. Sal'Param is one of the last uncharted territories on the map. Its lands are barren deserts surrounded on the coasts with cities known for trade, the largest on the Southern coast being Al'Sumas. From the depths of the continent are rumors of ancient ruins, aggressive creatures, and volatile tribes.

The precious bounty of the region is a highly workable resin known as Formican. It's been used for tools and structures for thousands of years by the indigenous peoples. Unseen outside the continent, they are described to resemble large beetles with statures and silhouettes of humanoids.

𝔄𝔇≋ THE HOT SHEETS

Magic

Magic has taken a peculiar shift with the creeping advancement of technology. It's as though the gods and realm itself have diminished its potency to the point where powerful magics can only be held where lifeforce exists in abundance. A desolate land like Sal'Param cannot be traversed and explored with magic by itself. Few still seek to master these old ways, the Elves and other Fey who have seen generations believe an arcane resurgence is inevitable.

Technology

Engines of steam and oil have rapidly powered industrialization across the map in the past 100 years. These innovations were led by the recklessly ambitious humans together with the mechanically-minded Dwarves, Gnomes, and Kobolds. Beyond the machinery, vehicles, and weaponry, the most spectacular creation was that of sentient life.

Beings of metal known as Automatons have walked the realm for the past 40 years. There is still dispute on exactly how their consciousness came into existence and whether they contain living souls but they are here to stay.

After the first several waves were built they began to create each other on their own. Their population and mindset is fragmented, a growing subset is determined to express their free will but the majority still seem set in their ways following directives with machine-like purpose. The land of Sal'Param holds a special place for their identity; a group of Automaton revolutionaries established a sanctuary settlement known as Quox somewhere deep within the lands safely away from organic life.

⧄ Sal'Param Trading Company

The Sal'Param Trading Company hails from the Balkhari Empire and employs 180,000 soldiers in a private army. Individuals join SPTC from all backgrounds, some wishing to reinvent themselves and others searching for adventure in a new frontier. The Company seeks to regulate trade in the continent but has faced hardships with the unforgiving landscape.

Outpost Zœthl is a small outpost established by the Sal'Param Trading Company just 3 years ago. It is situated adjacent to an oasis that has been used for millennia by all manner of travelers and creatures. Shipments of supplies to Outpost Zed have recently gone missing or faced attacks causing SPTC to reconsider employing outside entities.

★ ENLIST TODAY ★

⨻ Sanborn Electric Co

Originally a manufacturing company of farming equipment and vehicles, SECO eventually grew towards provisioning for other organizations. They are now known for their specialized fleet of Road Trains, rugged traction engines pulling chains of freight carriages. These behemoths run on a hybrid of fuel-guzzling hot bulb diesel engines supplemented with arcane electrical and energy storage systems.

Sanborn Electric's most elite tier of service provides a crew of seasoned operators along with an equipped Road Train. Such a crew has been tasked with delivering munitions and goods to Zœthl in the coming days.

ALL ABOARD № ➤