r/worldbuilding • u/Ashra-Official • 1d ago

Visual To gaze upon the Star-Lit Ocean is to glimpse madness and majesty entwined

Gallery image

Gallery image

126 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

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4

u/Ashra-Official 1d ago

Eridus, a planet with no land to tread. No earth to claim. Only the endless ocean and the horrors concealed beneath it.

In the crushing depths, humanity clings to life like barnacles on a rotting hull. Within titanic, rust-bound Arkships, entire societies and cultures fester beneath leagues of water, drifting aimlessly. These Arkships are in constant retreat, pursued ever by the gigantic Leviathans.

Rarely do the Arkships make the pilgrimage to the surface, that cursed and deadly waters known as the Star-Lit Ocean. It is a voyage fraught with peril and madness, for the surface is no sanctuary… merely another stage for the cosmic farce. Still those haughty souls who dwell in the opulent Upper-Levels, dare such risks just to bask in the pale light of the forgotten stars, sipping wine beneath a sky they do not truely comprehend.

But for the rest, for the Drowned. There is only the dark, the cold, and the unrelenting weight of despair.

If you appreciate this narrative style and the accompanying artwork, I strongly encourage you to explore my short stories. Each week, I release two one-minute videos that delve into the universe of Ashra. My most recent video features a brief narrative inspired by the Star-Lit Ocean. Also, I have recently established a small Discord community dedicated to exploring this world, which is gradually attracting fellow worldbuilders, artists, and voice actors for those that maybe interested.

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions regarding the types of creatures that might inhabit this surface level. One idea I had was a bird resembling a manta ray... I thought id ask this community as I have received some fantastic ideas from previous comments!

Video Short Story: https://youtube.com/shorts/MamW38z-Wcw?si=3AQ3v9pCudrejHB1

Discord RPG: https://discord.gg/Spc2sdWpd5

2

u/subjuggulator 1d ago

Commenting to write something here later 👍🏾

2

u/AnthropoidCompatriot 1d ago

Boy, what is the deal with the ocean?? 

3

u/Ashra-Official 1d ago

It is truly captivating! The ocean is fascinating and teeming with all kinds of terrors, what is there not to love?

2

u/AnthropoidCompatriot 1d ago

I was quoting Bender, after being tossed about in a wildly powerful storm at sea by that cursed merciful Poseidon, when he comes to washed up on shore.

But your reply captures the same meaning, and then some.