The Fade: an Introduction

Though Aversill is the name of the current human colony on the continent of Phemerhon, it is clear that something once called this place their home as well. Throughout the entire colony and especially on the Sentinel Plain are scattered hints and remnants of a vast and powerful civilization that was, during one catastrophe or another, ground nearly to dust. That race, whatever they might have been, seems to have been swallowed from the face of the Earth. Now all that remains of their physical likeness are the statuary that occasionally survives whatever disaster that destroyed the race.
Antiquarians refer to these beings as Phemerhonians, but most other refers to these creatures as the faded ancestors or simply the fade. In appearance, they seem to be human in their build but in all statuary appear emaciated and often bent into positions which would be otherwise unnatural for humans. All figures in face statuary are lacking in hair. Because of the devastation of Fade civilization, it is impossible to tell the scale of the race. Fade architecture often seems gargantuan by human standards (for instance, the Denzibal Temple in Streckhorn or the Asternil Gate in Starfell) but other examples of the style suggest human proportions. Experts debate the proportions in relation to the Fade as some antiquarians suggest that the Fade may have had slave races—especially the Dwarves, Orcs, and Goblins who call Phemerhon their ancestral home. Thus the human sized architecture pertains to these races. Others disagree, seeing the Fade as ancestral to one (in not all three) of these races.
Unfortunately, so far at least, divination acts offer no help in discovering the true nature of the Fade. The last catastrophe seems to mark a stopping point beyond which no mortal eye can look. If the gods know the true nature of the Fade, they are silent on the subject. One source that is rumored to have achieved some success is the use of remnant magic. However, as such magic is dangerous, and opens one up to powers beyond the scope of sanity, few are willing to risk their lives or minds to pursue information on this subject. As such information is branded heretical and those who do return with secrets are often reticent to share. One of the rumors circulated throughout the Sentinal Plain (and believed as gospel truth in Streckhorn) is that Codphetomus, the Fade God represented by the Codphetumus Statue in Streckhorn can still be contacted through rituals known to only a select few.
Of all areas of human settlement, nowhere have Fade ruins been so well preserved as in Streckhorn. Indeed the great unnamed Fade city has for the most part simply been repopulated by the citizens of Aversill in order to found Streckhorn. Structures have been built only where old structures have completely decayed. Thus, the great tier and tower system is a remnant of the Fade as is the great statue of Codphetomus and the six gargantuan statues of unnamed Fade Gods that flank the central colossus. Streckhorn itself accounts for roughly a third of the above ground ancient city and none of its tunnel system which the Streckhorn government closes off, as a rule, through engineered collapses.
In addition to the tiers and statues, Streckhorn is also surrounded by what remains of a great wall radiating five miles out from the city center. Near its extremities, the wall still exists some 200 feet high where it is anchored to the mountain face. Most of the wall has been reduced to ruin or covered over with time. Streckhorn scholars believe that the “hill country” particular to the Streckhorn region of the Sentinel Plain is made up of stone from this gargantuan construction.

The Fade and Streckhorn

Because of the strong tie to the ancient past, Streckhorn is considered by most of the frontier cities to be the spiritual center of Aversill—a reputation that is nearly unaniomously supported by its own citizenry. Tales abound of “hidden staircases” that lead to tiers that appear only on full moons and the like. There are numerous rumors of doorways that appear to the blessed (or cursed) and countless tales of people who’ve gone up the wrong staircase never to be heard from again. In fact, the most popular work of literature from all of Aversill, “The Market of Archeon” concerns a traveler who stumbles upon a phantom tier where devils and demons are holding a market for human souls. The man finds his wife’s soul there and wonders at how the devil (Necrabon—a local legend) has gained possession of her spirit. Numerous possibilities are given, but there is no closure in this haunting tale. Gilfan (the poem’s hero) trades his soul for his beloved’s (Annatruce) and is imprisoned in her stead for all eternity. Less popular outside of Aversill, but more popular on the Sentinel Plains are the works of Allistair Stark (Tales of the Unknown Stair, Words of Wisdom, and the non-fiction work The Tiers of the Gods). Stark works generally in shorter poetic form putting local legends and superstitions into verse structure. The Tiers of the Gods is considered to be the premier guide to understanding the architectural complexities of Streckhorn.
Numerous works of art have their origins in Streckhorn (both due to its architecture and mystique). The fresco adorning the colony capital building in Seacourt, “Denzibal at Dawn” is considered the greatest work of Aversill’s most gifted painter, Halu Pehmions. All of the most famous studies of the Sentinel Plain were taken from the tiers of Streckhorn, and of course, the artists Jean Kandelbrot and Strinton Sheetcooper both hail from Streckhorn (Sheetcooper considers his art non-fade).
The strongest work of art to originate from Streckhorn is the very play that superstition prevents being produced in the city: The Geas of Codphetumos. Rumor has it aht if the play is performed in Streckhorn, all who watch it will suffer from the Geas. Sources vary as to what this will actually mean. According to legend, the play was delivered to its anonymous playwright the year Streckhorn was founded by Octavious Streck. It was produced later that year causing a citywide disaster.
The play has been produced several times in other cities without ill effect, but Streckhorn civil law expressly forbids production of the Geas of Codphetumos within fifty miles of the statue.