OOC: Port of Crossing World Info
World Name: ICO/Shadow of the Colossus World
Area: The Castle in the Mists
Description: From a distance it appears as a mighty fortress built over three islands just off-shore. Upon closer inspection, it is derelict, seemingly abandoned and falling into disrepair. Though the architecture is comparable to Earth's middle-ages, there are metal contraptions such clockwork drawbridges, rail carts and piping throughout.
In the bowels of the fortress is a chamber filled with sarcophagi. They are covered in strange runes in a language you don't know and they gave off a foreboding feeling. The room in general feels oppressive and smells musty and of decay. You shouldn't linger long. Even to the dullest minds, this place feels cursed.
There is another room, with a staircase spiraling up to the top of a tall tower. A cage with a spiked base lays abandoned on the bottom most floor, its door open and whatever was inside long since gone.
There are deep hallways, antechambers and courtyards. You may stumble across a waterfall that the castle has built itself around, or a small grassy knoll where an old, creaky windmill turns. You can stumble across explosives, or sticks or rusty old swords. The castle is huge.
You may find your explorations hindered by strange, shadowy creatures. Some are humanoid, and seem to be made from black smoke. They're insubstantial and alter their shapes, sometimes to grow what seems to be spindly wings. At the heads of the creatures where their eyes might be is simply a bright, bluish ball of light. If you have been to the Forbidden Lands, these specters may seem all too familiar.
Permanent portal location: At the gate, leading out to the bridge that connects to the opposite shore.
Information link: This is a little long-winded, but it gives a good description of each area in the castle, as well as visual accompaniment.
Area: The Forbidden Lands
Description: Part of the same world as the Castle in the Mist, these lands are expansive, ranging from shorelines, to dense forests to deserts. They are littered with ruins, indicating they were once populated but that was thousands of years ago. At the center of these lands is a temple, it's only connection to the world outside a long bridge that spans for miles over a desert. However, should you reach the end of the bridge and try explore outside these forbidden lands, a portal will just take you back to Atlas. Should you try to leave by means of flight, a strong wind current will force you back.
This world is desolate. The only sign of human life are the ruins and those have long since succumbed to nature. Some temples seem relatively intact. This world seems uninhabited except for the occasional wild animal.
That is, until you get a little too close to what seems like a grassy pile of rubble. When it gets up, you get the overwhelming feeling you just might be screwed.
There are sixteen of them, all behemoths and each distinct. They are seemingly indestructible, whatever you try. Some are hostile if you so much as set foot in their territory, some merely perplexed by your existence unless you get all up in their grill. Whatever they are, this is their land and they are guarding something. You can't destroy them and it's possible that you shouldn't even if you find the means.
In fact, you should probably leave. There's a reason people don't live here anymore.
Notes about the Forbidden Lands: If your character is in possession of a magic sword (for example, the Master Sword from Zelda, a Keyblade from KH or Gourry's Sword of Light from Slayers or hell, the actual sword from Shadow of the Colossus) your character may actually stand a chance against the Colossi if they choose to go after them. Note that slaying a colossus will cause shadow tentacle rape your character to actually fall under a pretty powerful curse, becoming tainted by essence of bad, bad god. Speaking of bad, bad god, if you are in possession of a magical sword, Dormin will actually talk to you in the temple with that creepy, echoy disembodied man/woman voice. He will tempt you to slay colossi to bring back a loved one, but also warn you that the price you pay may be very, very steep.
...And it will be.
Permanent portal location: One at the end of the bridge connecting the temple to the world outside the forbidden lands, and one in each of the collossi's locations, near the 'save' shrines.
Information link: Information on the Forbidden Lands
A map of the Forbidden Lands