Filled with wonder, mysteries, treasures, and danger, the world of Arkterra is a land of clockwork, steam power, and magic. Even after the last 5000 years, there are still lands and seas yet to be added to any maps. Of what is known, there are three continents on the west, east, and north sides of the planet. Eos, Rithia, and Logios. Scattered between them throughout the vast untamed seas are a plethora of islands, large and small, and not all charted. The open ocean is unforgiving, filled with dangerous creatures, unpredictable currents, and bizarre weather, making seafaring a difficult feat meant for only the brave or foolish. Closer to land masses on the other hand, the climate is considerably more stable and the seas are calmer with a few exceptions.
The Goddess Shard; A massive sapphire the size of mans head cut in the shape of a diamond and worth a small fortune. Legend has it the shard is one of many that came from an even larger sapphire of unimaginable proportions. The shard belongs one of the royal families beneath the World Kingdom who value it greatly. However the precious shard was stolen in a raid two years ago. Ever since, there has been an ever increasing reward for its return, as well as sizable bounties on the heads of those who took it; A shady gang of cut throats and savages who call themselves the Red Fang Pirates. After making away with the Goddess Shard and disappearing over the seas for the last two years, leads pointing to their location have finally arose. The Jolly Roger of the Red Fang Pirates; A snake skull above crossbones, was sighted at the docks of Old Runeria; the Relic Island, home to Port Runeria also known as the Bay of Thieves to the wise or wicked. Now it's a race to see who can find the thieves and the precious treasure they posses, and who will be strong or cunning enough to succeed.
The oldest known recorded history is 5,000 years ago, when the age of light began. The oldest living civilization was established just over 4000 years ago on the massive continent of Eos on the west side of the world, the largest of the three. This civilization is known as the World Kingdom, and reigns over the majority of the Arkterra. There are many cities and towns of varying wealth and status, all ruled by a royal family within the capitol of Olympia near the center of Eos. From here, the World Kingdom has spread its sovereignty across the charted lands and seas through the might of the World Military. There are other kingdoms and colonies spread throughout the world, but most of them fall under the jurisdiction of the World Kingdom. All others are either uncharted, avoided, or filled with those trying to escape the law. The further the land or seas are from the Kingdom, the more lawless they tend to be.
Half the size of Eos, Rithia is a cold and mostly icy land on the north side of Arkterra. The inhabitants are few and far between due to the frigid and in some places inhospitable temperatures that plague the more inland areas. People who are able to weather this land tend to have stronger wills and enduring spirits, as it's needed to survive the constant cold. Much still remains unexplored, mostly due to the harsh climate, however of what has been discovered and colonized, there is the capitol of Hysperia, also known as the City of Steel, due to the metal resources it exports.
Known to some as the Shadow Continent, this mysterious land sits far east in the heart of treacherous seas and gets its infamy from the chilling stories that are shared with its name. Tales of frightening malevolent entities and dark curses that damn any souls that even sail close to the continents waters. Being on nearly the opposite end of the world from Eos, Logios is out of the World Kingdom's reach. In place of a land mass, most maps feature this land instead as a leviathans gaping maw. That or they just say 'stay away!'
Pressurized steam power, pulley lever systems, gears and bolts, and clockwork style winding mechanisms are what's available around most of the world. Tesla coil power is used only commonly in radio broadcasting and transmitting equipment, or lighting apparatuses. However, In a few places, either royal or scientific, tesla power is made use of on a greater scale to power things such as buildings, vehicles, or other inventions. In even fewer fringe areas, one might find rune based power. Transit over shorter distances is usually handled by riding horseback, locomotive, and in rare cases, automobile. When traveling over seas, One tends to use an airship or specifically designed ships which travel along designated currents and paths through the sea deemed the safest possible routes.
Many different species and races populate the world of Arkterra. Some have yet to be discovered. The majority of civilization is populated by Humans, Beastmen, Elves, Dwarves, and to a far lesser extent, Giants. There are many other diverse and eccentric races that call the planet their home, though all tend to be few and far between.
One person out of every few hundred are born with the ability to awaken certain powers within themselves. They are known well throughout the world as the Gifted, for lack of a better name or simplicity. While most use their powers to contribute to society either in their jobs or just daily lives, some hone their skills for battle and even war. Even the World Military makes use of these individuals among their ranks. This trait is well known enough to have been categorized into six different categories;
Embodiment - The ability to transform ones self physically, usually to the effect of increasing strength, speed, durability, or utility among other things. Can range from transforming into a beast, to transforming a body part into a weapon. The most powerful users of Embodiment are often mistaken for deities or demons.
Elementalism - The ability to manipulate specific forces of nature such as flames, water, earth, electricity, and so on. Any one person can only manipulate a single element. However legendary users of this ability have been known to become the element they control.
Illusionism - The ability to effect the appearance of reality, contorting what others can see, hear, smell, and in some cases, touch or taste, to their own will. Rumors tell of illusions with the ability to do actual physical harm.
Summoning - The ability the manifest objects or entities that act as extensions of the user. Various weapons, tools, beasts, and beings can be brought forth with this ability. However the user must have a high affinity for what they summon, and usually can only summon one kind of thing throughout their life. Stronger users can bring forth hordes.
Enchanting - The ability to enhance an object, entity, or ones self granting extraordinary strengths and/or powers. Using this ability on an object can increase its size, density, power, or pretty much any aspect of that object. When used on an organism, it will usually grant additional strength, enhanced senses, and/or adaptability.
Bloodline Trait - As few that have abilities, even fewer have a rare inherited ability usually obtained through a parent or parents. A handful get this trait by other, often more diabolical means. Unlike with the five previous categories, a Bloodline Trait can appear in someone, even if they already have an ability. A few scattered families train their descendants to use these abilities. However, this power often only shows itself after a traumatic or life threatening experience and often comes with a cost.
Other than the more magical aspects of the world, more common but still skilled people and civilizations use techniques such as chi; Manipulation and in some cases, weaponization of ones life force, and Telekinesis; Effecting the physical world without making physical contact. These traits are present in everyone though not everyone chooses to awaken them.
A handy little list of where the main cast has been and where they will be going.
(Current)Old Runeria
Old Runeria is a Island covered in dense jungle filled with the scattered ruins of an ancient magical civilization said to be from before the Age of Light. What once was a great towering kingdom is now a colossal decrepit and overgrown graveyard populated by horrifying beasts and giant crumbling structures. However, along the coast of the threatening island is a bustling trade colony of merchants, dealers, and mercenaries known on any map as Port Runeria. Almost anything you need, you can find here, as long as you don't mind the rust, dust, or possibility that it was stolen. Among the crowded bazaars and stalls are a plethora of bars, inns, and clubs where travelers can take a load off, though should never let their hands stray too far from their possessions...or their weapons.
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