World Meta

SCOPE

The continent of Tanera has been constructed for a Dungeons & Dragons (5e) campaign, which has been running since 2018.

It is a setting designed to be suitable for first-time players, for a full campaign playthrough from level 1 to 20.

THEME

Genre

Tanera in 829OE is based flexibly on the classic fantasy-medieval style, in line with campaign 1 Critical Role and Dragon Age. Similar to those worlds, all genders and sexualities are considered generally equal, though discrimination on the basis of nationality and (fantasy) race exists in some communities.

Low level magic is extremely common and there is usually at least one magic user in any settlement. High level magic is usually restricted to academic circles and the religious elite.

Gods are generally accepted as real, but level of worship varies and it is rare for the average person to have direct experience or interactions with them. Similarly, knowledge of the planes, other metaphysical concepts, and pre-Flood history in the lay community is limited.

Sophistication of technology varies between kingdoms, but is broadly pre-industrial.

Player Experience

Adventurers should feel primarily excitement and a sense of mystery regarding the hidden past of the continent, the history and nature of the gods, and the planes. Threat is usually comparatively short-lived, though increasing with character level.

Player Tone

Tanera in 829OE is a broadly peaceful place to live, with good diplomatic relations overall between kingdoms and no contact with other continents. Disease, including localised plague, has been an issue in the recent past, but is not currently a widespread threat.

Danger from magical sources is not unknown for common people, but is usually on a community rather than world level.

Recurring Themes

Death and resurrection, and the ethical implications and consequences of the latter, are a recurring theme.

Personal agency, particularly with regard to interactions with gods, and responsibility for one's actions are also important themes.

Character Agency

Adventurers have a high level of agency, where their decisions make significant changes to the world.

FOCUS

Metaphysics.

The nature and interactions of the non-Material planes, natural history of the world, and how these aspects affect the present day.

Folklore.

Influence of the gods, including their relationships with each other now and in the past, and how this affects the culture of communities on the Material Plane.

Personal politics.

How relationships between individuals have wide-reaching effects. Including societal structure, but with a focus on how this influences relationships at an individual level, and vice versa.

DRAMA

The push for gods to re-enter the Material Plane.

Including the rise of cults, rediscovery of lost artefacts and locations of power, and thinning of the borders between planes.

Paranoia of the King of Cannis.

As the most densely populated and powerful kingdom, King Aden II's increasing paranoia causes increasing concern among the other nations.

The God Killer.

The creature known as Nevdath gained increasing influence in the Underdark, with ambitions to expand its control to the surface. While The Folly successfully defeated it, the repercussions of its rule and of its demise are ongoing.