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The Lost Continent of Nocturnus - Setting Handout

Player Handout for Campaign Setting

Here's our setting details which I also added to the Party Log:

The Lost Continent of Nocturnus

We're in the Forgotten Realms, but on an isolated continent across the sea from Faerûn.

The Setup

Harcourt and the other towns from our horror adventures exist on Nocturnus; a "lost continent" that's technically part of Toril (the Forgotten Realms world) but separated from Faerûn by treacherous seas. Think of it like Maztica or Zakhara, part of the same world but isolated.

Known Locations on Nocturnus

Settlements:

  • Harcourt - Trade city of ~3,000 (where you start)
  • Middledew - Farming village plagued by shadows
  • Waymoor - Port town shrouded in mysterious fog
  • Scarsnik - Mining settlement with sleep troubles
  • Garrenhollow - Estate town with old family manors
  • Helm's Grove - Village with a "Springtime Curse"

Notable Places:

  • Gloamswood Forest - Dark woods between settlements
  • The Wistful Way Inn - Waystation inn on the forest road
  • The Tallest Peak - Icy mountain (name unknown)
  • The Infinite Cathedral - Somewhere... expanding

Geography Notes:

  • Small settlements connected by dangerous roads
  • Dense forests between most towns
  • Mountainous regions to the East
  • Coastal access through Waymoor
  • Each town is 2-7 days travel from others
  • Wilderness is genuinely dangerous

What This Means for Your Character

If you're from a Forgotten Realms location:

  • You can absolutely be from Waterdeep, Baldur's Gate, Evermeet, etc.
  • But you ended up on Nocturnus somehow:
  • Ship passenger/crew - Storm, shipwreck, or navigation error
  • Magical accident - Teleportation gone wrong, portal mishap
  • Exile/fleeing - Escaping something, voluntary or forced
  • Trade expedition - Part of failed/stranded merchant venture
  • Born here - Your parents/grandparents made the journey
  • Don't remember - Mysterious circumstances (good for horror!)

If you're a non-human:

  • You can be from established FR homelands (Evermeet for elves, Citadel Adbar for dwarves, etc.)
  • OR from small Nocturnus settlements we'll create together
  • Either way, you're currently stuck on this continent

Why You Can't Just Leave

  • Ships rarely survive the crossing (storms, sea monsters, supernatural fog)
  • Teleportation magic fails or goes wrong trying to leave
  • Those who try to leave... don't come back
  • Most people born here have never seen Faerûn

The Horror Angle

Nocturnus seems to attract dark forces:

  • Ancient evils sleep beneath its soil
  • The barrier between planes is thinner here
  • Dark magic works a little too well
  • Things that are myths in Faerûn are real here

Your Starting Point

Harcourt is one of the "safer" trade cities on Nocturnus. You've been here at least a year, your powers just awakened, and now something terrible is about to happen...

So tell me:

  1. Are you FROM Faerûn originally, or born on Nocturnus?
  2. If from Faerûn, how did you end up here?
  3. How long have you been in Harcourt specifically?