Highlun and the Labyrinth

I was asked if the Labyrinth of Psi-wars is present on Highlun, with the suggestion that Skairos could function as "Fairies in the Mist". I had totally not thought of that as a possibility, and I was struck by two thoughts: 

• The Labyrinth and its monsters are a fantastic flavor fit for Highlun
• Highlun is not about the Labyrinth

Where is the Labyrinth?

As a testament to how well the Labyrinth fit's Highlun's themes, I immediately knew where on the planet you can find the Labyrinth: 

• Under Ruined Liff cities in the Winding
• Under Ruined Liff cities in the Mawlands
• Underneath Olkessel in the Midmon

The Winding is where the accessible ruined cities of the Liff are. They're not particularly advanced or useful, due to the atmosphere, but they're well known, poorly guarded, and reasonably close to human habitation. Its a very convenient way to get to the Labyrinth. Its also probably the easiest route for the Skarios to get to random humans.

The Mawlands also has ruined cities, but unlike the Winding, the terrain surrounding it is fantastically hostile. Its a good place to dump failed adventures who are being too reckless with their navigation rolls, and its a good place for a Skairos to disappear into without letting itself be tracked. Its closer to Highlun's population center, and the jungle can function as another layer of the labyrinth.

Olkessel has the labyrinth under it, because of course it does. The palatial complex has always had something weird to do with House's Alacapa's psionics, destiny, and mysterious history. The Liff highland temple ruins are in the area, and the House has always had a knack for exploring the unknown. Tying this into the Labyrinth and Skairos just plays into the vibe the old palatial complex has always had.

House Alacapa is tied to exploration and trail-blazing for the greater houses, and this very much draws them to the labyrinth. They love secrets, new places, and even hidden passages. They're very much suited to handle the physical aspects of the Labyrinth, even as they're likely to struggle with some of the more metaphysical ones. They're likely to be experts at guiding others who can through their weight around a bit more once the destination is reached.

Not Persephone's Labyrinth

Highlun has a fairly antagonistic relationship with the labyrinth. The Skairos would much rather work with the Time-oriented Oracles of Persephone than with the Space-Oriented House Alacapa. There are fewer spots to interact with the Labyrinth, and the people live farther from them: even Olkessel is half abandoned. Persephone is the heart of the Akashic mysteries, while Highlun is merely the seat of a Barony.

Highlun also has an abundance of ruins that are not Skairos. The Liff and the Skairos seem to be two different peoples, and the Skairos are of far more power and consequence. The Liff have their own secrets, though at their core they may too have fallen under the sway of the Labyrinth. The link Alacapa has with the planet seems to be at least as much Liff as Labyrinth. 

Its worth remembering that the Labyrinth is deeply tied with black canon: things that are intentionally left unknown. But the Labyrinth is a good inclusion for Highlun. Its a good idea, and worth putting on the blog. Thanks to Calmquist again. (who has his own GURPS blog, by the way). I hope you enjoy Psi-wars and Highlun.