Elsai Overview

Elsai is a small planet and the only inhabited one orbiting its star. From its spaceport—nothing more than a flattened chunk of rock used by stellar scum—Elsai resembles a drop of gasoline on water. At its center is its blue ocean, the Lonely Sea. Circling that is a green whip of fertile land where life clings to existence. Beyond that is the Red Barren Wastes, pockmarked with the junk of the civilizations of Elsai's subsector that call her their dumping grounds.

Circling the Lonely Sea are the Eight Great Cities from where the eight lich kings rule. The Great Cities survived the apocalypse unscathed but none of the minor cities were that lucky.

Elsai was a modern world rife with luxury, innovation, and decadence before its Apocalypse. Afterwards life became a struggle for survival for most. Inhabitants were forced to cave to a life of slavery under the lich king's magitocracy or risk life inside the wastes with raiders and nomads.

The setting invokes the sword and sorcery of Conan, the post-apocalyptic action of Mad Max, and the trappings of pulp sci-fi. In truth it is a galloping gonzo setting where nothing is as serious as it seems.

The lich kings are feared—and for good reason because they are quite powerful. But they are just as lost to the going-ons beyond their planet as anyone else; and, like an apathetic manager who just realized all of their crew suddenly quit, they are trying to salvage the pieces before its too late. 

In that regard, I guess you could say Elsai is both a parody and celebration of the genres it siphons inspiration from. But what do I know. I'm just along for the ride. 

by Luka Rejec