(1/19)What if fantasy were not based on European but African myth? This is the premise behind the world Wagadu,a #5e setting and an upcoming online multiplayer RPG by @twindrums: below a teaser of people, creatures and places. Join here to follow project: mailchi.mp/e41af56f1ed1/t… 
(2/19) In the Upper Realms, life is mostly peaceful and safe. For unknown reasons, every few years, people "fall" into a realm of wild spirits and powerful nature: Wagadu. People band together to survive and even thrive in its savannas, deserts and rain-forests. art @Gordiluv
(3/19) There is no such thing as "races" in Wagadu, everybody is one people. Ancestry manifests in different ways, they call them "lineages" - you are usually born in one, but for various reasons some people can switch during their lives. art @igsonart
(4/19) There are 7 lineages. The Lionblood (or "Izingonyama"), are proud savannah people who love to hunt and consider themselves lion spirits. Their sports competitions are legendary and their religious festivals awash with sorghum beer. art @igsonart
(5/19) The Swala tend to share the savannas with the Lionblood. Descendants of an ancient queen and an eland doe Spirit, they are the best herders and animal handlers in Wagadu. They worship harmony and powerful nature entities. art @igsonart
(6/19) The Emere usually live deep in the rain-forest, surrounded by carefully tendered nature. They are known for their old magic, mystical drum-dances and fine crafts. Wagadu is dotted with many ruins of their ancient city-temples dedicated to their 33 gods. art @igsonart
(7/19) The Ironmasters (or "Hyerenn") are the finest smiths of Wagadu. They are the most devout ancestor worshipers as well, believing in ascension after death. They most often live with other lineages and have influenced many cities with their technologies. art @igsonart
(8/19) The Daa'ima (or Moth People) are intimately connected to darkness. They worship oblivion & death as the ultimate peace and they are devoted to their two-faced goddess, Addeessa the Moon. Their are split in New-moons, the recluse, and Full-moons, the urban. art @igsonart
(9/19) The Ikaki (or Fish Folk) are often fishers, traders, soothsayers and even pirates. They are practical, hands-on people who love the sea. Ikaki tend to absorb traditions and beliefs from people around them, so their cultures are very colourful and diverse. art @igsonart
(10/19) The Asiman (or Elementals) are masters of the desert. They are known for their advanced alchemy, elemental temples and wonderful caravans.They ruled powerful empires in the past. As a teenager every Asiman joins one of the Four Clans: fire, water, air or earth. @igsonart
(11/19) The Henndu -windy- travel and trade across Wagadu. The Yiite - fiery- typically rule Asiman oases. The Ndyam -watery- worship knowledge. The Laka -earthy- can grow and tend plants in the harshest climate. The biggest oases are a melting pot of all clans. art @igsonart
(12/19) Wagadu's culture are multilayered and blurred, lineages being just one element. The Ibanuje forest for instance is known for its combined Emere and Ironsoul capital where these two lineages' magic, crafts and even worships blend into one unique culture . Art @Gordiluv
(13/19) Wagadu's map is not stable, but locations shift, appear and disappear all the time. Every time a new cycle of people "fall", things change. Some places seem to persist through most cycles such as the Thunderfalls and the City of 1000 gods. Map detail by @AllanCudicio
(14/19) Wagadu is heavily influenced by three powerful entities: the distant gods, nature spirits and the ancestors. For instance The Finu (@NadimArnaout )are helpful ancestors with an affinity to dogs while the Bonu Amuen are vicious bush spirits (@Chaim_Garcia)
(15/19) "Monsters" are usually spirits or ancestors gone astray. For instance the hand-standing Aigamuxa once got a taste of human flesh and just cannot stop, while Dubiakus are ancestor children that try to save people from mortality by turning them to stone. Art @Chaim_Garcia
(16/19) The relationship with animals in Wagadu is special. They can often speak and are protected by spirits. A hunt is a spiritual affair, typically consensual and does not end with the death of the animal but a material or spiritual exchange. Art @igsonart
(17/19) Magic is often infused in everyday items such as the "Cup of Endless Palm Wine", "Cane of Good Winds" and the "Hunting Horn of the Mighty" (reference pictures from "General History of Africa" by UNESCO).
(18/19)The world of Wagadu is an original creation of @AllanCudicio for #dnd campaigns and for an upcoming online videogame. It started as personal research on his own African roots and an answer to the lack or representation and it evolved thanks to the work of @TwinDrum's team
(19/19) (Pics above about our field research, including music sampling with @MarkusZierhofer) The first #5e adventure will be out for free soon with more info on the videogame as well! Join the newsletter to receive relevant updates: mailchi.mp/e41af56f1ed1/t…
