The Strange is a game published by Monte Cook Games. It is, at least in part, set in the normal world, but there are other worlds out there, in the Strange. This list has ten rumours for that setting, similar to the various different adventure hooks in the books, and these can be used as adventure hooks or simple misinformation.
- Baldran’s Maw in the Strange is a dangerous nexus whose flexing fundament can crush a traveller in moments. Those who venture to the centre of the Maw have the opportunity to try and invest a reality seed, but there are rumours that sometimes seeds invested at Baldran’s Maw turn out in unexpected and unplanned ways.
- Brachistochrone dust can often be found in Baldran’s Maw, which is one of the reasons why travellers visit such a dangerous nexus. Some say that the dust from the Maw is different to that found in other parts of the Strange, but so far no-one has been able to confirm this.
- Five chambers are set aside for investiture in the Orb of Worlds for those who come to the Orb with a reality seed. Naturally, given how rare reality seeds are, most of the investiture chambers spend their time empty. There are rumours that, on occasion, all five chambers have been used, and all by the same part, which some claim is the Order of the Orb itself, using reality seeds for their own purposes.
- Nexuses are where the fractal energy waves of the Strange naturally meet and reinforce each other. Such locations are valuable to those who know how to channel their energy, and though only three have been catalogued by Ruk explorers, many more are believed to exist. It’s rumoured that expeditions have been dispatched by Ruk factions in order to locate more of these nexuses and, presumably, utilise them.
- Radical organisations out of Ruk have attempted to take over control of the Orb of Worlds in the Strange on more than one occasion, only to be prevented by the Order of the Orb. It’s rumoured that one of the factions has decided to use a stealthier approach; instead of anything overt, they are gradually infiltrating members into the Order to slowly take control of the Orb from within.
- Rive-shamash is one of the most proficient battle teachers of the Order of the Orb on the Orb of Worlds. There are rumours that she checks out those who visit the Orb very carefully, with some saying that if she doesn’t approve of them in some way, the Order will not permit the visitor to stay.
- The interior of the Kray Nebula is crawling with kray of all kinds, as well as eggs that are as yet unhatched and larvae. Recently, there have been rumours of kray eggs being found drifting through the Strange in large numbers, all apparently originating from the Nebula, and seemingly being dispersed in quantity from it.
- The Kray Nebula is a nexus in the Strange that most with any sense would stay clear of, given that it is home to the kray. And yet, there are rumours that travellers have been seen travelling to the Nebula from Ardeyn and, perhaps worryingly, returning safely again afterwards.
- The Nexus of Baldran’s Maw is a great beacon that can be seen from hours away due to its glow, and the vibration from the vibrating fundament inside it is also transmitted through the Strange as a groaning raw that can be heard a day away. Some say that both of these properties of the Maw will sometimes act as a lure, drawing travellers to the Maw where they can be crushed inside it.
- The Orb of Worlds is a nexus in the Strange that is guarded by an order of monk-like caretakers originally hailing from Earth. The Order of the Orb has prevented the Orb from being infested by dangerous creatures, though some claim the Order itself has been subverted by parasitic organisms that know control its members for their own purposes.