The three fundamental Forces govern the D&D universe of Fantasia: Percussion, Strings, and Wind. These cosmic forces cycle through ages, with different champions rising to rule in each era.
Percussion
The Drums of War
Percussion represents war, violence, chaos, and raw physical force. Associated with drums, rhythm, and martial power.
Characteristics
- Themes: War, conquest, violence, chaos, primal energy
- Instruments: Drums, percussion instruments
- Colors/Aesthetics: Red, blood, raw power
- Philosophy: Might makes right, survival of the fittest
Historical Rule
Age of the Belle:
- Belle (Terribelle) ruled as god of war
- “Ravaged the land” across all 7 planes
- Warfare and conquest dominated
- Contact between planes was common
- Ended when Piano Man led seven nation army rebellion
The Binding:
- Belle’s power bound using Chords of Power
- Percussion suppressed for age of Strings
- Influence minimized but not eliminated
Current Status
- Weakening of Strings creating power vacuum
- Drummer Boy emerged as undead percussion entity
- Red caps (violent fae) gained political power
- Drums mentioned in riots: “You cannot hear the drums in your head?”
- Belle’s bound power possibly resurging
- In Orchestral Plane dream: drums section showed “ripped portals (2,3,4,5)“
Representatives
- Belle/Terribelle - ancient god of war
- Drummer Boy - undead child with drum powers
- Red caps - violent fae who rose during riots
- “Tambourine man” - previous percussion champion before Piano Man
Strings
The Order and Diplomacy
Strings represents reason, order, diplomacy, and structured civilization. Associated with string instruments, harmony, and lawful governance.
Characteristics
- Themes: Order, reason, diplomacy, cooperation, structure
- Instruments: Piano, violin, double bass, lyre, string instruments
- Colors/Aesthetics: Refined, structured, suspended (tensegrity)
- Philosophy: Reason over violence, diplomacy and cooperation
Historical Rise
Overthrowing Belle:
- Man of Strings united seven nation army
- Organized resistance across all planes
- Eradicated Belle’s influence through The Binding
- Established age of reason and diplomacy
Age of Strings:
- Hundreds of years of peace
- Planes separated, no contact
- Tensegrity established with presence in every plane
- Diplomacy replaced warfare
- Chords of Power maintained order
Current Status
- Piano Man’s reign crumbling and ending
- Physically frail, requires Tonic to maintain power
- Augur of Melodies proclaimed wind champion rising
- Paradise City showing decay and deterioration
- Uptown Girl, Amras, and Elyas attempted The Coup
- Piano Man foiled the coup by stabbing himself with Knife of Transposition
- Intentionally trapped his own soul to deny conspirators their prize
- Self-sacrifice act of defiance, quoted Fuck You as final statement
- In Orchestral Plane dream: strings section strong (2 strong cords)
- Transitioning to Wind age
Representatives
Wind
The Change and Transformation
Wind represents change, transformation, freedom, and the unknown future. Associated with wind instruments, breath, and prophesied renewal.
Characteristics
- Themes: Change, transformation, freedom, prophecy, renewal
- Instruments: Pan flutes, wind instruments, brass
- Colors/Aesthetics: Movement, air, transformation
- Philosophy: Change is inevitable, transformation brings growth
Prophecy
Augur’s Proclamation:
- “The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind”
- Wind champion prophesied to rise
- Will succeed Strings age
- Piano Man mused: “it can’t be worse than the tambourine man”
Current Signs:
- Revolution brewing in Paradise City
- Winds section in Orchestral Plane dream: “pristine”
Potential Representatives
- Unknown wind champion yet to fully emerge
Future Age
The coming age of Wind remains largely unknown, but prophecy suggests:
- Transformation of current order
- Piano Man’s reign ending peacefully (voluntarily gave up place)
- Possibly more chaotic than Strings but less violent than Percussion
- May involve party members as agents of change
- Return of planar contact/movement
The Cycle
The three forces cycle through ages in an endless rotation called the Cantum cycle:
- Percussion Age → Conquered and ruled by force
- Strings Age → Overthrew Percussion, ruled by reason
- Wind Age → Prophesied to succeed Strings, nature unknown
- Return to Percussion? → Cycle continues?
Maurice is bound as conductor of this cycle, seeking escape by having party destroy the instruments that perpetuate it.