The Core Principles

The world's age and history

The World Is Ancient

Empires rise and fall, leaving few places that have not been touched by imperial grandeur or decay. War, time, and natural forces eventually claim the mortal world, leaving it rich with places of adventure and mystery. Ancient civilizations and their knowledge survive in legends, magic items, and their ruins. Chaos and evil often follow an empire's collapse.

Much of the World Is Untamed

Wild regions abound. City-states, confederacies, and kingdoms of various sizes dot the landscape, but beyond their borders the wilds crowd in. People know the area they live in well. They've heard stories of other places from merchants and travelers, but few know what lies beyond the mountains or in the depths of the great forest unless they've been there themselves.

Conflict Shapes the World's History

Powerful individuals strive to make their mark on the world, and factions of like-minded individuals can alter the course of history. Factions include religions led by charismatic prophets, kingdoms ruled by lasting dynasties, and shadowy societies that seek to master long-lost magic. The influence of such factions waxes and wanes as they compete with each other for power. Some seek to preserve the world and usher in a golden age. Others strive toward evil ends, seeking to rule the world with an iron fist. Still others seek goals that range from the practical to the esoteric, such as the accumulation of material wealth or the resurrection of a dead god. Whatever their goals, these factions inevitably collide, creating conflict that can steer the world's fate.

The Supernatural

The World Is Magical

The Soulforge is a convergence of magical energies, a cosmic crucible where the lingering essences of the departed coalesce. Their wisdom, power, and even echoes of their personalities are embedded within the magical weave of the Veiled Realms. This creates a profound connection between the past and the present, allowing those attuned to magic to tap into the collective knowledge and experiences of those who came before.

The Gods and the Power of Faith

The gods are a direct result of potential gathering and becoming reality. They are real and embody a variety of beliefs, with each god claiming to preside over an aspect of the world, such as war, forests, or time. Gods exert influence over the world by granting divine magic to their followers and sending signs and portents to guide them. The follower of a god chooses tyo dedicate his life to the concepts their god embodies. They seek to further the ideals of that god and defeat its rivals. While some folk might refuse to honor the gods, none can deny their existence.