Mistralis Overview

The world of Mistralis has a rich history built on heroic deeds, evolving technology mixed with arcane magic and wounds caused by a long a devastating war raging across the continent of Khorvaire.

Magic is built into the very fabric of the world and is a part of everyday life for many, especially in the larger cities and the lands overseen by the great Dragonmarked houses. Great cities in which towers scrape the sky prosper again throughout the continent, though even these have seedy underbellies and have yet to fully repair the damge from the Last War.

Overseeing all of this is the great floating city of Aetherhold, the seat of the new continental government which moves from nation to nation since the Treaty of Thronehold was signed just seven years go. It is from here that high councils meet, all major trade agreements are struck and, bubbling beneath the surface, crime and corruption begin to lurk.

Mistralis is a realm of action, intrigue and just a dash of shenanigans. Stories here do not always end well, and not every problem has a perfect answer or solution. There is fabulous treasure to be discovered, ominous mysteries to be solved and various factions making moves towards their own ends for both good and ill.

Some additional information that all inhabitants of Mistralis who haven't just been awakened from a centuries long enchanted sleep would know:

1. The Last War is over...

The Last War plunged the continent of Khorvaire into civil war more than a century ago, shattering the Five Nations that made up the kingdom of Gildemark. The war ended just seven years ago with the signing of the Treaty of Thronehold which established twelve new nations and a tenuous peace. The anger and pain, however, remain and some of these new nations seek advantage in the dark as they wait for a new conflict to spark.

While the nations are officially at peace, ancient threats still linger in addition to new ones created in the aftermath of the war, all of which are waiting for heroes (possibly quite unlikely ones) to take up the cause.

2. The Dragonmarked

The great Dragonmarked families are barons of industry and commerce throughout Khorvaire and beyond to distant continents. Their influence transcends political boundaries and they mostly succeeded (at least publicly) in remaining neutral. While they are not technically part of any specific nations, they make their homes in palaces, manors and enclaves throughout Khorvaire. The houses derive their power from dragonmarks - hereditary arcane sigils that manifest on certain individuals within the family, granting limited but useful magical abilities associated with the trade guilds each family controls.

3. Magic & Technology

Technology and Magic are blended together in Mistralis, in a way we might imagine the industrial revolution on earth proceeding if a portion of the population had magical materials and talents to work with. A working class of minor mages, known as magewrights, uses spells to provide energy and other necessities while artificers tinker with their machines. This lends much of the world, and especially the cities a Steampunk feeling. Additionally it means that traveling the vast landmasses via lightning train or airship is quite possible as long as you can afford the ride.

4. The Metaverse of Dungeons & Dragons

Everything from the D&D multiverse potentially has a place somewhere in Mistralis (though not necessarily native to Khorvaire). However, many familiar elements may play a different role here. Notably, mortal creatures are more likely to be the products of culture and circumstance rather than the direct creation of any particular god. Consequently, be wary of assuming the intention of a creature based on what it might be in Greyhawk or the Forgotten Realms.