Notes on Albion

Albion has never been fully described in the WFRP book, or the WFB world. I see this as an opportunity rather than a deficiency - if the island is initially mysterious, I suggest that we keep it this way.

Since the Dark Shadows campaign right now is part of GW canon, I will formulate my suggestions to fit loosely with its concepts.

First of all Albion is a significant magical site. Why? Just as Ulthuan is mentioned as a critical place, Albion is given even greater power, but neither island is given a reason why it serves as a magnet for strange and esoteric powers. A handful of reasons are given below.

Ley Lines

Like other forms of energy, psychic energy had laws that governed its behavior, and the consciousness of the sentient beings of the planet circulated the globe in predictable patterns, and one of the focal points or the nexus was high above the sky of Albion. This nexus focused psychic energy and now continues to channel warp energy, the winds of magic, and pure raw chaotic energy.

A Sheer Veil

Certain locations in the physical world are closer to the warp and the Realm of Chaos than other places, and by some chance there exists only a thin fabric between the physical world and the unseen world throughout Albion.

The Crystal Hammer

Thousands of years ago an asteroid continued its billion year trip through time and space, to fall screaming to the earth and shatter Albion. This meteor had unusual properties, being composed of a peculiar crystal that serves as a focus for warp and magical energy. Maybe the crystal is deep within the earth and still continues to function drawing and focusing energy, or maybe it shattered into millions of pieces and its remains lie scattered in the earth where it has infused the very soil.

A Ritual Awry

The Slann were known for their powerful rites, yet even they were not beyond failing. Perhaps the Slann practiced strange rituals on the lonely isle, but maybe for any of the other reasons here they chose this place as a site for a ritual. Maybe a ritual took place long before the collapse of the warpgates, maybe it occurred as the warpgages failed, or it could have been after as a last minute attempt by the Slann to stave off the worst of the Warpgate catastrophe. Regardless the failed Slann ritual awoke the earth - gave the earth some psychic consciousness which manipulates magic energy and draws it to the earth.

An Open Door

Both the powerful warp gates at the poles collapsed causing momentous change - but what if some of the smaller gates had remained stable and were aimed away from the Realm of Chaos and into warpspace? If these portals to the warp that remain open and functioning to some degree they could allow for the peculiar nature of the island.

It seems that Albion should have a mystery at its heart. A GM could use one of the above or develop one of their own. The players themselves need never know what was at the center of the mystery, but some clarity on the GMs part would allow for the GM to take into account what sort of processes have taken place on the island.