Map of the Strellus Nebula.

Click here for a larger version of the map in a new window

Link to a map of the Andara Cluster.

Click here for a larger version of the map in a new window

Links to larger maps below.

Click for a large version of the above relief map (new window)

Click for a lg. version with an imposed grid (new window)

Click for lg. map of DOM c. - 20,000 (new window)

Click for lg. map of DOM c. -14,800 (new window)

Click for lg. version of Uranta relief map below (new window)

 
Click for lg. version of Uranta political map (new window)

Click for crude map of DOM city in 1830 (new window)

I wrote LINK for several reasons.  I hate looking at a “DM Screen” while telling a story.  Players should mind their own stats.  I do not want to use a different game system when switching from medieval to space.  I do not want anyone to have to purchase a stable of expensive books.

The LINK "links" genres.  I felt it necessary at first to establish a sort of “Prime Directive” to keep space marines from trashing medieval worlds.  So I place the worlds in different dimensions.  Those traveling from one to the other are of an “Order” dedicated to preserving “neutrality”.  They would travel between dimensions using a star of light/point of super-consciousness known as “the Link”.  This was originally based in the Gygaxian “alignments” to regulate player action.  But the LINK took on a life of it’s own, and taught me that dimensions open to someone, can eventually be opened by anyone.  You cannot stop progress.  No one wants to go backwards.

The LINK universe contains everything and nothing.  The “nothing” is the Astral Plane.  An infinite void in which everything resides.  The “Everything” I divide into an infinite number of dimensions.  Each of these dimensions containing one Prime Material Plane (where we exist, eat and sleep), one Negative Material Plane (where we dream), and an infinite number of Ethereal Planes (where we consort with spirits and deities). 

To add to the fun, I have utilized phenomenon that does not exist (or that we have not yet discovered!) Molium becomes an element that contains within it’s cosmology a perfect picture of the “big bang”.  It is used as a fuel in the game for hyperspace travel.  Special “Moluim Oscillation Drives” encourage the Molium to establish localized duplicate descriptions of reality.  You are at once here, and also very far away.  The engine allows you to choose to be there instead of here, and so you are.

Magical “Power” also contains the blueprint of the universe, but it is ephemeral/spiritual, not matter based.  It is used in the game by spell-casters to cast spells, and even power magical ships.  Magical Power is kind of alter ego to Molium, but can only be tapped spiritually, through either the worship of a deity (whom you believe gives it to you) or directly by yourself (if your character has evolved to that level). 

What does make for a good adventure is change and conflict.  Because the game universe is a constantly evolving shared reality, there are always those that want to alter that reality to one of their own choosing.  They want to understand reality, and so they attempt to describe it to themselves and to others.  The more of their reality that is accepted by others, the more they understand of it.  The description of reality used in DOM (where a lot of our story takes place) divides cultures/powers/religions into; two polarities, three modalities and four elements.   Like Astrology.  Why astrology?  Because it is comprised of archetypes that we all understand.  In a game requiring some common base of understanding, this is very useful.  These “forces” mix in different ways to motivate cultures, religions, magic and just about everything else.  These  give rise to conflict, and therein lies a tale... or several.

More information on the Planes of Existence can be found in the GM Notebook (free .pdf download).

I must acknowledge the fallible and arbitrary choices made as to what is told, and what is not told here.  What was deemed important and what is not.  What actually happened, and what I have made up.  What things have been stereotyped, and what curious and unexplained things have been left a mystery.  For in the telling of tales, choices have to be made.  I have attempted to get as much game-history as correct I can, but as much is drawn from memory (and a sketchy one at that), I may have erred here and there.  Those that were at the appropriate game that have a clearer memory (or actual notes!) may comment.  I am open to revisiting portions of the tale to correct factual errors.

We share archetypes with this game world.  For the tale to be told, some common understanding must be found.  As every novelist or playwright before me, I borrow.  I steal and make new.  I have also stereotyped nations and cultures.  The Traisge are decidedly French, etc.  But all is done with respect and affection.  I hold no racial or cultural bias, I just want quick recognition by my readers, and as a Game Moderator, I like doing funny accents.  After all, it's just a game.  No hate mail please!

This story involves deities and descriptions of reality given existence and power by those that believe in them.  Deities un-worshipped do not exist.  In the game world this can mean either that they exist only in the minds of those that believe in them, or they actually exist.  In effect - it does not matter.  The outcome is the same.  If you say a deity exists, then he does for you, and you act in his name.  This gives the deity the power of one.  Get a movement going, and the deities power grows as well.  This works for entire descriptions of reality as well.  If you describe the universe to each other in a certain way, then that's just the way it is for you and yours.  Get a movement going, and your description may become the norm.  Making absolute sense is secondary, the important bit is to believe - and get others to believe.  This is a story about one of those descriptions of reality and how it grows and changes by those that influence it. In this case, the movers-and-shakers are the players.  I may have built the vehicle, but I am not the sole driver.

This story is told from several viewpoints, but is vaguely centered and experienced around a single culture known as DOM.  This is a kingdom on a single planet made up of various classes of sentient creatures.  The classes (and the story itself) owe a huge debt of gratitude to Tolkien, Gary Gygax, Lovecraft, Carl Jung, Zanoni, Gene Roddenberry, George Lucas, Carl Sagan, Steven Hawking, and just about everyone else that I have come in contact with, but especially to the players without whom the story would have no life at all.

Here is how to enjoy this grand epic:

Want every bit of backstory?  You love backstory?  Then proceed on to the next entry above this one in the Preface:  "Link and Link Metaphysics".  Then proceed by clicking on the next Category and read the older entries on the bottom, then proceed to the newer ones above it.

You want SOME backstory?  You want a little context, but not too much?  Go to Category:  "7.0 La Dame Divin and the Ascent of Man" and proceed (by number) from there, from bottom of page to top.

You just want to start the story already and do not care a hoot about backstory?  Go to Category: "8.0 THE DOM TRIPLO CAMPAIGN" and proceed (by number) from there from the bottom of the page to top.

Herein will slowly appear the tales of the worlds and heroes of DOM, Strellus, Andara, and The Zalob Brotherhood created over 30 years by umpteen players in countless LINK RPG sessions.  Ranging from magic and medieval fantasy to post-modern space in an epic tale spanning generations.

Is this just boring game notes?  No, it is a long novel really.  Hopefully interesting to any reader.  Beyond the "Preface" and "Players" Categories there is no mention of dice, rules or stats in this grand tale.  It is the story, unfettered by any game mechanics beyond brief acknowledgement of the players involved.

This tale is by no means yet complete.  As of September of 2011, perhaps only 10% of the part that has already occured since the 1980s has been written up here.  And the story is still ongoing, every Wednesday night. 

Here is how to enjoy this grand epic:

Want every bit of backstory?  You love backstory?  Then read on from here with the next Category: "Preface" and read the entries from bottom to top.  Then do the same for all of the other Categories after that, starting always at the older entries at the bottom of the page and moving to the top.

You want SOME backstory?  You want a little context, but not too much?  Go to Category:  "7.0 La Dame Divin and the Ascent of Man" and proceed by reading entries from bottom to top (by number).  Then do the same for all of the other Categories, starting always at the older entries at the bottom of the page and moving to the top.

You just want to start the story already and do not care a hoot about backstory?  Go to Category: "8.0 THE DOM TRIPLO CAMPAIGN" and read entries from bottom to top (by number).  Then do the same for all of the other categories after that, starting always at the older entries at the bottom of the page and moving to the top.

Have fun.

jserembe