The Demiplane of Cockaigne [Archive] - Wizards Community

The Demiplane of Cockaigne [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
JulesCARV
11-13-07, 04:32 AM I'm wondering what the role of Cockaigne might be in D&D. Just being an indulgent, superficial paradise seems like it wouldn't be of much interest. Why would anyone bother going there, unless they wanted to use D&D for creepy wish fulfillment fantasies? (more than usual, that is) So my thought is that it would innately be a sort of morally neutral place of culinary indulgence, but that the culture developed among its inhabitants would make it a sort of recruiting ground for the Abyss. Cockaigne wouldn't be evil by nature, but it's society has no safeguards against evil tempters like succubi and glabrezu, and the mentality of most people on the plane makes it very easy for them to do their work.

I'm thinking that in D&D, perhaps Cockaigne could be a demiplane of sorts. It's not really oriented toward the elements or alignments, so it doesn't seem like it "naturally" falls into the classical D&D cosmological "system." So I'm thinking that maybe it was originally an semi-sentient artificial plane created by an Mysterious, Ancient, Very Advanced Magical Civilization (MAVAMC).

The MAVAMC initially created as a sort of vast, semi-intelligent version of a sustaining spoon or cornucopia type thing -- it was supposed to create an everlasting supply of food, which could be transported through transplanar gateways to their cities. The food created by the demiplane of Cockaigne is created, effectively, by a combination of create food and drink and extended prestidigitation. Food eaten soon after creation on the plane is highly flavored in a diverse manner. After two hours, it becomes flavorless and bland, although still nutritious. After 24 hours, it becomes inedible.

After the MAVAMC mysteriously collapsed, food was no longer shipped from Cockaigne to their cities, but the "create lots of food" command was never really "turned off," so the plane found itself overflowing with food. The demiplane viewed this as something of an unpleasant situation, so it tried to draw people in to eat it, and tried to create the most tempting-looking and tasting food possible, although its inhuman, slightly insane psychology leads it to sometimes create foods which are a bit disturbing, even as it tries to tempt people to eat it: lakes filled with stew, pre-roasted pigs with butchers' knives in their backs that run around trying to find eaters, gingerbread houses, and the like.

As a demiplane, Cockaigne's only concern is to get as much of its food eaten as possible. However, because of the relaxed atmosphere and social mores of the plane's visitors and inhabitants, other forms of sensual indulgence also flourish among its visitors, with widespread promiscuity and disregard for most social conventions from outside the plane. As a result of the frequent, often anonymous sexual encounters, the Abyss sees a fertile recruiting ground in Cockaigne, and succubi infiltrate among the populace, trolling for souls to drain. As a demiplane, Cockaigne has no biases in terms of alignment, but the combination of an anarchic social environment without much in the way of organized safeguards against demonic infiltration and the low priority of many would-be demonhunters in protecting the people of this plane means that there are few forces which counter the Abyss's recruitment drive. A few attempt to drive off the demons who frequent this plane, but for the most part the succubi and glabrezu who ply the plane operate without difficulties.

PCs in Cockaigne might attempt to find a way to open and redirect the gates, directing a limitless supply of food that might feed a famine-stricken city or the like. While there, though, they might find out about the massive Tanar'ri infiltration of the plane.

Thoughts?
Kain_Darkwind
11-13-07, 01:09 PM This is a demiplane where a magical white powder covers the ground year round? Where is it from?
pogrom666
11-13-07, 04:03 PM Where did you find out about The Demiplane of Cockaigne, or did you just make it up yourself? Because it does sound pretty sweet. Especially the roasted pigs trying to find someone to eat them. :P
The Ubbergeek
11-13-07, 04:34 PM Cocagne?
Sorcen_Anenooata
11-13-07, 04:52 PM Nice job. I'd say you got everything right. You left it open enough that there is alot that can be done with this idea. I'd make some sort of comment about this being the Feelgood Hit Of The Summer, but alas its almost winter.

Nice job, have a :cookie: , with extra confectioner's sugar *nudge nudge ;) ;) *
Bull-of-the-Pit
11-13-07, 10:01 PM It's kind of like the holo-decks used in the Star Trek franchise. A magic device/location that gives you whatever you want. As you say, it isn't 'evil', but it could certainly lead to certain abuses...over indulgence, sloth, ego and greed spring to mind immediately.

Perhaps in a particular bar you always run into a perfect duplicate of some tough, bullying individual you know. He always picks a fight with you, and appears even more threatening than normal...but he can be defeated with the slightest effort. This would allow weaklings to live the fantasy of defeating their tormentors. The same tavern might have duplicates of individuals you always found attractive, but would never dare approach. Here, they immediately fall for your charms (no matter how awkward you are). Maybe, periodically, a duplicate of a person you highly respect will track you down and proceed to complement you on some topic. For example, an old teacher finds you, greets you warmly, tells all in ear-shot you were his finest pupil, etc...feeds the ego.
Johnny_Angel
11-13-07, 10:46 PM It sounds cool to me. I'd be interested to see how the NPC characters of Tony Montana and Bobby Brown interact.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JulesCARV 11-13-07, 04:32 AM	I'm wondering what the role of Cockaigne might be in D&D. Just being an indulgent, superficial paradise seems like it wouldn't be of much interest. Why would anyone bother going there, unless they wanted to use D&D for creepy wish fulfillment fantasies? (more than usual, that is) So my thought is that it would innately be a sort of morally neutral place of culinary indulgence, but that the culture developed among its inhabitants would make it a sort of recruiting ground for the Abyss. Cockaigne wouldn't be evil by nature, but it's society has no safeguards against evil tempters like succubi and glabrezu, and the mentality of most people on the plane makes it very easy for them to do their work. I'm thinking that in D&D, perhaps Cockaigne could be a demiplane of sorts. It's not really oriented toward the elements or alignments, so it doesn't seem like it "naturally" falls into the classical D&D cosmological "system." So I'm thinking that maybe it was originally an semi-sentient artificial plane created by an Mysterious, Ancient, Very Advanced Magical Civilization (MAVAMC). The MAVAMC initially created as a sort of vast, semi-intelligent version of a sustaining spoon or cornucopia type thing -- it was supposed to create an everlasting supply of food, which could be transported through transplanar gateways to their cities. The food created by the demiplane of Cockaigne is created, effectively, by a combination of create food and drink and extended prestidigitation. Food eaten soon after creation on the plane is highly flavored in a diverse manner. After two hours, it becomes flavorless and bland, although still nutritious. After 24 hours, it becomes inedible. After the MAVAMC mysteriously collapsed, food was no longer shipped from Cockaigne to their cities, but the "create lots of food" command was never really "turned off," so the plane found itself overflowing with food. The demiplane viewed this as something of an unpleasant situation, so it tried to draw people in to eat it, and tried to create the most tempting-looking and tasting food possible, although its inhuman, slightly insane psychology leads it to sometimes create foods which are a bit disturbing, even as it tries to tempt people to eat it: lakes filled with stew, pre-roasted pigs with butchers' knives in their backs that run around trying to find eaters, gingerbread houses, and the like. As a demiplane, Cockaigne's only concern is to get as much of its food eaten as possible. However, because of the relaxed atmosphere and social mores of the plane's visitors and inhabitants, other forms of sensual indulgence also flourish among its visitors, with widespread promiscuity and disregard for most social conventions from outside the plane. As a result of the frequent, often anonymous sexual encounters, the Abyss sees a fertile recruiting ground in Cockaigne, and succubi infiltrate among the populace, trolling for souls to drain. As a demiplane, Cockaigne has no biases in terms of alignment, but the combination of an anarchic social environment without much in the way of organized safeguards against demonic infiltration and the low priority of many would-be demonhunters in protecting the people of this plane means that there are few forces which counter the Abyss's recruitment drive. A few attempt to drive off the demons who frequent this plane, but for the most part the succubi and glabrezu who ply the plane operate without difficulties. PCs in Cockaigne might attempt to find a way to open and redirect the gates, directing a limitless supply of food that might feed a famine-stricken city or the like. While there, though, they might find out about the massive Tanar'ri infiltration of the plane. Thoughts?
Kain_Darkwind 11-13-07, 01:09 PM	This is a demiplane where a magical white powder covers the ground year round? Where is it from?
pogrom666 11-13-07, 04:03 PM	Where did you find out about The Demiplane of Cockaigne, or did you just make it up yourself? Because it does sound pretty sweet. Especially the roasted pigs trying to find someone to eat them. :P
The Ubbergeek 11-13-07, 04:34 PM	Cocagne?
Sorcen_Anenooata 11-13-07, 04:52 PM	Nice job. I'd say you got everything right. You left it open enough that there is alot that can be done with this idea. I'd make some sort of comment about this being the Feelgood Hit Of The Summer, but alas its almost winter. Nice job, have a :cookie: , with extra confectioner's sugar nudge nudge ;) ;)
Bull-of-the-Pit 11-13-07, 10:01 PM	It's kind of like the holo-decks used in the Star Trek franchise. A magic device/location that gives you whatever you want. As you say, it isn't 'evil', but it could certainly lead to certain abuses...over indulgence, sloth, ego and greed spring to mind immediately. Perhaps in a particular bar you always run into a perfect duplicate of some tough, bullying individual you know. He always picks a fight with you, and appears even more threatening than normal...but he can be defeated with the slightest effort. This would allow weaklings to live the fantasy of defeating their tormentors. The same tavern might have duplicates of individuals you always found attractive, but would never dare approach. Here, they immediately fall for your charms (no matter how awkward you are). Maybe, periodically, a duplicate of a person you highly respect will track you down and proceed to complement you on some topic. For example, an old teacher finds you, greets you warmly, tells all in ear-shot you were his finest pupil, etc...feeds the ego.
Johnny_Angel 11-13-07, 10:46 PM	It sounds cool to me. I'd be interested to see how the NPC characters of Tony Montana and Bobby Brown interact.