Xenology of Trudvang: Aliens and Aberrations
While Trudvang is grounded in earthy folklore, it possesses entities that are fundamentally “alien”—beings that originate outside the natural order of the world, whether from the cold void of the stars or the entropic realm of death. Unlike the tentacled horrors of the Far Realm in other settings, Trudvang’s “aberrations” are often ancient, mythological forces that predate humanity.
The Star-Born: Illmalaini Elves
The most literal “aliens” in the setting are, ironically, the Elves.
- Origin: The high elves, or Illmalaini, did not evolve on Trudvang. Lore states they arrived from the Dark Void (space), riding upon rays of starlight to escape a dying existence elsewhere.
- Alien Mindset: Because they are not native to this world, they suffer from a metaphysical condition known as the “Sorrow of Time.” They view the mortal world as a temporary cage and often possess a detached, blue-and-orange morality that humans find unsettlingly cold.
The Mist-Warped: Anomalies of Dimhall
The Mist acts as a radiation zone for the realm of death, Dimhall. Creatures native to this plane are not merely “undead” in the traditional sense; they are anti-life entities that warp reality around them.
- The Grendel: Described in bestiaries as ancient, solitary horrors, Grendel are effectively aberrations. They are seemingly immortal, possess anatomy that defies natural biology, and exist only to consume. They strike with a primal terror that bypasses courage, akin to the “Fear” mechanics of Lovecraftian games.
- Dark Dwellers: Subterranean nightmares found in the depths of Muspelheim. They are not of the stone like Dwarves, but shadows given form—living entropy that unstouches the physical world.
Chaos Beasts: The Othiwhaalio
The Othiwhaalio is the raw, unshaped essence of chaos. When this energy leaks into the world (often in the Darkwoods), it twists natural creatures into chimeras. These are Trudvang’s “mutants”—bears with too many eyes, or trees that bleed. While not “intelligent” aliens, they represent the breakdown of natural law.
I wonder…
- If the Illmalaini came from the stars, are there other “Void Travelers” who arrived but were not benevolent?
- Could the Great Dragon be considered a cosmic entity, given its slumber spans geological eras?
- Is the “madness” inflicted by the Mist actually a form of psychic contact with a hive mind in Dimhall?
- Are there Dimgates that lead not to other places in Trudvang, but back to the Void where the Elves came from?
References
- RiotMinds. (2017). Trudvang Chronicles: Game Master’s Guide (Elven Origins).
- RiotMinds. (2017). Trudvang Chronicles: Jorgi’s Bestiary (Grendel, Dark Dwellers).