Welcome to Secrets of the Sunhallow, a passion project for TTRPG players who crave a world full of mystery, danger, and the bonds forged in the face of both.
Hi! I'm Annie! I'm a writer and I am feral for storytelling, especially interactive and collaborative.
Secrets of the Sunhallow is a passion project I'm working on solo right now,. It's definitely nowhere near polished, but I'm trucking along!
If you're interested in what you see or just want to geek out about D&D, storytelling, or just chat, please don't hesitate to send me a DM on Discord at annqii (or visit my website at annieshi.me!)
Created as part of RPG Writer Workshop's "Publish Your Own TTRPG Setting" course!
Gameplay
As a "diver," you'll navigate two worlds: the depths of the mysterious mega-dungeon known as Sunhallow, where danger and secrets await, and the chaotic streets of Fortune's Rest, a gritty, lawless city perched on its edge.
Explore treacherous terrain, uncover lost relics, and battle eldritch horrors in the depths of Sunhallow—then return to Fortune's Rest to engage in tense sociopolitical relations, build alliances (or rivalries), and maybe even carve out your own niche in the city's black markets and ever-shifting power dynamics.
The City of Fortune's Rest
In Fortune's Rest, the price of a life is measured by what it can take from Sunhallow's depths.
Perched on the edge of the mysterious abyss, the city is a chaotic, cutthroat melting pot of trade, crime, and camaraderie.
Inspired heavily by the Kowloon Walled City, the city is a dense and dynamic hub where lawlessness reigns, and everyone's just like you: trying to survive another day—at any cost.
It’s not all gloom and doom, though! Divers share a sense of community, shaped by their shared struggle. Amidst the danger, you'll find the kind of solidarity that comes from knowing you’re all in the abyss together, chasing after the secrets and treasures of Sunhallow.
The Dungeon of Sunhallow
Sunhallow itself is an enigma—a bottomless chasm filled with alien flora, dangerous fauna, and lost technology from a bygone era.
The chasm’s influence reaches far and wide, from its radiation-like corruption to the artifacts that divers bring back to sell in Fortune's Rest.
Sunhallow has only had its first three layers explored: The Rim, The Deepwood, and The Oubliette. No one yet has ever delved deeper into the fourth level... or if they have, they haven't come back to tell the tale.
The Players' Role
Unlike sprawling settings with dozens of cities and kingdoms, Secrets of the Sunhallow zeroes in on a singular mega-dungeon and its surrounding city, creating an intensely localized experience.
You, as a player, are at the forefront of diving into the abyss, unearthing secrets, and shaking the foundations of the city itself. Your actions shape the world: discoveries in Sunhallow can revolutionize technology, draw attention from powerful factions, and change the balance of power.
Whether you uncover ancient relics or make alliances with the city's shady gangs, the world of Edeni will react to you.
Diver Culture & Motivation
Why dive into the abyss? It varies for everyone. Some come for glory, others for wealth. Scholars might wish to uncover Sunhallow’s secrets, while desperate souls seek anything that can tip the balance in their favor as darkness threatens the world.
Your characters are part of an evolving, living culture—a place where you'll meet fellow divers with their own dreams, rivalries, and reasons for facing the dangers of the chasm.
Living World & Evolving Story
As a diver, your influence can ripple beyond Fortune's Rest and into the wider world. The relics you discover might change how factions operate: the Solari, sun elven enforcers, might send more troops to tighten their grip on the city, or gnomish inventors might flood in if particularly intriguing technology surfaces.
Artifacts sold to inventors could even become mass-produced, influencing diver culture and sparking rivalries over newly-accessible resources. Every expedition into Sunhallow can alter the city's trajectory, turning your journey into a dynamic story that evolves with each session.
Factions, Allies, and Rivals
From the sun elven Solari who seek to impose order on Fortune’s Rest, to the enigmatic Luminary who carves a path through the abyss, Secrets of the Sunhallow is filled with factions, both friend and foe.
These groups will grow and react to your actions, changing the city’s social landscape. Align yourself wisely, make powerful allies, and be prepared to navigate a labyrinth of ambition and treachery.
A Setting for Storytellers, Roleplayers, and Worldbuilders
Secrets of the Sunhallow invites all kinds of players, from those who crave storytelling and roleplay to those who love gritty survival, political intrigue, and deep lore.
That said, you'll get the most out of this setting if you're a player eager to shape a living, breathing world alongside your character—or if navigating the complex, morally-gray landscape of treasure-hunting factions, artifact smuggling, and eldritch horrors sounds like your kind of adventure.
Why This World?
The creator of Secrets of the Sunhallow (hi, that's me!) seeks to capture a unique blend of East and Southeast Asian culture, capitalism commentary, and LGBTQ+ themes.
Drawing from a life spent in places like Singapore and China, this setting aims to bring a fresh perspective and narrative depth to traditionally "Westernized" medieval fantasy TTRPG settings, while also exploring big themes like capitalism vs. nature, religious trauma, and racial tensions.
But it’s also a love letter to storytelling—a world where you, the player, can explore, discover, and make a mark on a landscape filled with mystery, danger, hope, and love.
