This document provides information on various aspects of the setting of High Skies, a steampunk world. It discusses careers requiring licenses, challenges of travel between islands due to lack of infrastructure, the important minerals that power their society (floatstone and sinkstone), the political situation under the Crown Prime alliance, the importance of new technology and inventions, and the rarity of traditional magic in a world where magic is controlled by the wealthy.

1. Things to Know

2. 
 Careers are important and having the proper license is
even more important. Illegal labor is prohibited and
everyone must pay their share in taxes. To curb piracy the
C.I.L. ( pronounced “seal”) requires that anyone mining,
selling, trading or buying goods or services must be
capable of providing a license to undergo that business.
 This creates “paper” crimes which the wealthy use to
control the poor. Players should consider whether they
will be “legal” or “scoundrel” workers. If caught
scoundrelling labor they may face imprisonment (where
they will be forced into labor) or heavy fines.
 “Are we legit?”
Careers

3. 

4. 
 Prime includes many large bodies of land but most
are small anchored islands and this makes travel
difficult. On the mainland there are several ways of
moving about but between islands they really are
only two ways; by airship(public or private) or by
beast. There are several flying creatures that can be
tamed and taught to ride but many chose to avoid
thme for long trips. The most common are the
skysoars a variety of fish like creatures. Players
should keep this aspect of the setting in mind while
preparing for travel
 “How are we getting there?”
Travel

5. 

6.  High Skies is a steampunk based setting which means; gears, cogs,
wheels and steel. Metals and minerals are in high demand and that
means power. The two most important are Floatstone (Fs) and
Sinkstone (Ss). Fs is what keeps everything flying, from the
landmasses to the Sohr-whales, it is vital but very cheap it can literally
be found everywhere. Ss is very rare but it’s what keeps the Fs from
sending everything in space. A single ounce of Ss keeps the largest
ships balanced in the air. Other metals and minerals are used as
currency but the most common form is a stamped system of coins and
paper bills called “gil” minted by the CIL and forced into use by the
mainland. The Department of Minerals and Metals is charged with
these important supplies and formed an alliance with the TriWing
Trading company to control trade.
 “Got any gil?”
Minerals and Metals

7. 

8. 
 The Crown Prime(CP) is actually an alliance between
opposing royal families. Emotions still run high after
generations of war but the mainland has been in peace
times for the last 100 years. Most common folk go about
their lives unaffected by politics but some have made it
their business to destroy what the CP has built. Rebel
groups form “pirate” crews to help operate and supply
the phantom market. Some like the Brothers without
Tethers and the Specter Machine have lots of power off
the mainland and pose considerably threat to CP.
 “Are we pirates?”
Politics

9. 

10. 
 Steampunk is all about technology and High Skies is no
different. New creations of tinkerers and artisans are
everywhere, the prized patents and secret techniques are
the topics of discussion all over Prime.
 There is a lot of gil to be made for new inventions that out
last or out work others and many engineers hire out
guards to help protect prototypes. The Ministry of
Originations and Services has been established to track
new inventions and compile patents.
 Technology needs power and in High Skies steam and
wind power are the most common. Krackling power
captured in the Rise is the newest type of power and is
slowly taking over Crown Prime.
 To build or not to build?
Technology

11. 

12. 
 Humans have only been practicing magic for the last
100 years. Formerly only used by Merbs and Avian
shamans, magyk has been “killed out” by the skilled
hand of artisans and mechanics. Wealthy families
have spent lots of time and money developing their
own magyk and any player wishing to use magyk
must also be wealthy. Traditional ideas of magic is
extremely uncommon and players interested in
using magic in game will find their presence
unwelcome.
 “Do I really need to?”
Magyk vs Magic