) Core Ethos Sentence
   Valiant Crucible is a medieval fantasy world that explores heroism in the face of cataclysmic resource scarcity.

) Who are the heroes?
   Adventurers have their place in Crucible.  However, the threat posed by the Ebb calls heroes of all backgrounds.  Leaders, diplomats, and visionaries are heroes as well.  

  Anyone who can fight the Ebb, does.
 
) What do they do?
   A child priest inspires Flamefall refugees despite his own crisis of faith.   A nomadic revolutionary crafts a haven for the Artless in Ebb-stricken lands.  A woman-at-arms repels raids on her league's last grove.  A profiteering golem explores ruins for new sources of Amber, and new ways to use it.  A guild secretary embezzles to provide the poor with magical sanitation.

   A hero creates hope.  

) Threats, conflicts, villains
   On a world dependant on magic, there is no greater danger than magic's disappearance.
   On Crucible, magic's disappearance is called the Ebb.
   Vanishing resources foster intrigue and warfare between age-old enemies, and age-old allies.  Disasters and monstrosities well up in the Ebb's wake.  The weak suffer, while the strong hoard their wealth.  

   In tragic times, some see only opportunity.
  
) Nature of magic
   On Crucible, magic is a commodity.  In its physical form, Amber, it is exchanged for any imaginable goods or services.  With rare exceptions, societies universally integrate magic into all aspects of life.  

   All magic requires harvested Amber.    
 
) What's new?  What's different?
    Valiant Crucible is a dynamic, fully-developed fantasy world faced with a threat more relevant than the ubiquitous "Evil Overlord".  The setting accomodates any gamer's preferred level of power and sophistication.  In addition to supporting traditional adventure gaming, Valiant Crucible offers a rich milieu for cooperative and social roleplaying.  

    Valiant Crucible provides increased verisimilitude without sacrificing accessibility.  


) Entrant  
  Ben Williamson