The Crossing - Steampunk meets the Supernatural for D&D 5e

About the adventure

One world, two realities, and between them a people struggling to find the balance. To the West: the Unity, a continent spanning state that arose from a thousand years of sectarian war, religious strife, and uncontrolled magic. It has brought peace, democracy, and shared prosperity, to all the lands it rules, creating a world where the achievements of mortal kind are self evident. It has brought fourth technical marvels never before dreamed: its armies carry decisive gunpowder weapons, it's skies teem with airships, and its newly laid rail network ensures the connections between its many populous cities. Progress comes at a cost however - under the Unity divine worship and arcane practice are outlawed, dissent is curtained - not by totalitarian enforcement, but by unrelenting social pressure - and all bonds between individuals are secondary to their loyalty to the state. Society is always moving forward as technology continues to advance, but in recent decades the land itself has begun to fail. The Unity always has the answers, but for this mystery none have been forthcoming. The the East: the Sacred Lands, a wild continent of small rural settlements and independent tribes, all watched over by the Old Gods, powerful spirits who ensure the primacy of nature of the desires of the mortal races. The peoples of the east live a slower way of life, and while there are towns and cities of a kind, most live in close harmony with nature under the protection of the great spirits. Not all these spirits are welcoming to mortal kind however, and some among their number have begun to question if they should continue to allow these creatures to continue to live among their unspoiled lands. In between them lies the Perfect Isles, an archipelago created by mortal magic. Centuries ago, magical practitioners both arcane and divine, fleeing persecution in the west, set about their great project with hearts full of hope and all the skill of their arts, creating a land where their descendent can thrive in peace. Around these isles they erected a magical barrier, obfuscating them from the world at large and ensuring their people could live their lives without the violence of war. Utilizing their airship technology the Unity has founded colonies in the east, seeking to develop the resources of the Sacred Lands to make up for the unexplained loss in their own. These efforts have brought them into conflict with the people of the region, and the Old Gods have begun to move against them. Among the isles of the archipelago the people and spirits have become restless as well. Many here continue to fear discovery by the Unity and the loss of their unique way of life, while some are calling for the islanders to finally take their place among the peoples of the world. Amidst the tumult, the Oracle has made a pronouncement: a new Circle has been called, a group of mortals who will speak directly to the spirits on behalf of the people for the first time in centuries.