Maelstrom is in many ways a familiar world, almost an alternative history with social structures and traditions that we would recognise in our own world. However, it is also a dark steampunk fantasy with strange technologies and terrifying abominations of nature. The following information is designed to guide you through the familiar and not so familiar aspects of the game world :
The Maelstrom Calendar :
In designing Maelstrom we decided to follow the example of Tolkien and record the passage of time with a familiar Gregorian calendar. The game started on the 17th August 509.AE with the monstrous account of Mavromichali Mortimer and his bizarre thaumaturgical experiments.
The Maelstrom is a boiling mass of cloud that smothers the entire planet. It churns and bubbles like tar on the boil and occasional sparks of energy flickered between its clouds, green streaks of death that could burn an airship to cinders if its captain was not prepared.
The Nexus is a man made thinning of the Maelstrom directly above the Roost in Dusk. Skyriders make the climb through this gateway to trade with Elesium. The Nexus is formed by technology built into the underside of Elesium.
Flagesium is a fantastic material that is a core element of the game world. It is mined from the ground as a green laced coal-like substance commonly known as Flagslag in the city. This flagslag is used in steam technology much the same as normal coal would be, except it is much more potent and longer lasting.
In Dusk Flagslag is passed through the Flagtech Refineries to create refined flagesium which is use both in the city and shipped to Elesium as a primary form of trade. It is refined flagesium that keeps the vast city of Elesium afloat.
Refined flagesium has the quality of enhancing the natural properties of elements and compounds and is known to cause mutation in living organisms. Its use is at the heart of most of the fantastic technology within Maelstrom.