Continent of Arkania

Ebelreich

Ebelreich is a once-great empire now shattered by its defeat in the Great War. Once a bastion of military strength and arcane innovation, it now suffers from economic collapse, corruption, and internal strife. The capital, Stahlburg, was once a beacon of industrial might, but now its factories stand half-empty, and its streets are patrolled by desperate mercenaries instead of disciplined soldiers. Other notable cities include Dunkelheim, a shadowed den of smugglers and war refugees, and Greifstadt, the last stronghold of Ebelreich’s remaining elite. Ruled by the weakened Chancellor Reinhardt von Strasser, the nation clings to a fragile parliamentary system, but the real power lies with warlords, criminal syndicates, and remnants of the old military elite. The once-loyal aristocracy is divided, some seeking to restore Ebelreich’s former glory, while others sell their lands to foreign powers. The country is a breeding ground for revolutionaries, mercenaries, and exiled mages, all trying to carve their own fate in the ruins of war. Despite its decline, Ebelreich still possesses remnants of its legendary arcane weaponry, including rare firearms like the Feuerzaubersturmgewehr FZ-81, now mostly in the hands of black-market dealers and rogue soldiers. The war may be over, but its scars remain, and many still dream of vengeance. Ebelreich holds bitter hostility toward Aurania, blaming them for orchestrating its downfall. It despises the Sarmian League, accusing them of betrayal during the war, and views the Ferron Confederacy with suspicion, as many Ebelreichan defectors have fled there. The northern Waldenheimers remain neutral but wary, while the distant Zara’Tan traders exploit the country’s desperation, offering supplies at outrageous prices. The once-mighty empire is now a fractured shadow of its past, caught between its tragic history and an uncertain future.

old eras

First Era: The Dawn of the Sentient (Years 0–1149) At the dawn of time, the gods descended upon the world, creating sentient races, each reflecting their divine ideals. Humans, elves, dwarves, beastfolk, and aquamorphs all emerged during this period, enriching the world with their diversity. However, the gods’ ambitions led to conflicts known as the Wars of the Gods. These devastating battles ended in the year 1149 when the races united, establishing balance and choosing their patrons among the gods, thus marking the end of the First Era. Second Era: The Age of Kingdoms (Years 1150–1730) With the end of the divine wars, civilizations flourished. Powerful kingdoms and empires arose, each with its own traditions and culture. Magic became an integral part of life, with its use varying from nation to nation. However, in the year 1730, one kingdom, having relied excessively on magical technology, triggered a catastrophe that annihilated it and set the world’s progress back by centuries, bringing the Second Era to an end. Third Era: Restoration and Oblivion (Years 1731–2310) Following the catastrophe, the world plunged into chaos. Much knowledge was lost, and the races struggled to reclaim what had been forgotten. Magical artifacts from that era became rare, their value skyrocketing. By the year 2310, the world had stabilized, ushering in a new era. Fourth Era: The Age of Enlightenment (Years 2311–2890) During this period, science and the arts experienced a renaissance. Universities and academies opened their doors to all races, fostering knowledge exchange. Magic was studied systematically, and its use became more regulated. However, in 2890, a great plague swept across the continent, claiming countless lives and bringing the Fourth Era to a close.

new eras

Fifth Era: The Age of Isolation (Years 2891–3360) After the plague, many nations isolated themselves, fearing further calamities. Trade and diplomacy diminished as each country focused on its internal affairs. However, by the year 3360, the necessity of unity in the face of new threats brought the peoples together once more, paving the way for the Sixth Era. Sixth Era: The Age of Conflicts (Year 3361 – Present, Year 385) Despite efforts at unification, the world once again teetered on the brink of war. In the year 372, the Great War began, lasting for 12 years and concluding in 384. Ebelreich, one of the leading nations, suffered defeat, falling into poverty and corruption. Magical artifacts, such as the Feuerzaubersturmgewehr FZ-81, once wielded by elite soldiers, have become rare and are now considered mythical.

Additional information of the world

Peoples and Races The world is inhabited by numerous races and their subraces. Humans vary in skin color and cultural traits. Beastfolk include subraces such as the goatfolk, a small population with unique physical characteristics. Aquamorphs, dwellers of the deep, have subraces adapted to different environments. Monsters and other creatures also populate this world, creating a rich biological diversity. Nations and Politics Each nation has a unique political system and stance on magic. Some countries strictly regulate the use of magic, considering it dangerous, while others integrate it into daily life. After the Great War, the political map of the world changed—some nations grew stronger, others weakened, and some vanished entirely. Religion The pantheon of gods is diverse, with each race having its own patrons. After the Wars of the Gods, a balance was established, and now the gods play a significant role in mortal lives, guiding and protecting them. Technology and Magical Artifacts Technological advancement in the world is slow, and many societies still rely on medieval-era technology. However, artifacts from ancient civilizations, such as magical weapons, have survived and are highly valued. These rare items possess immense power and are considered legendary.

Waldenheim

Waldenheim is a cold, mountainous nation of hardened survivors, where the land itself is as merciless as its rulers. Its capital, Eisendorf, is a fortress city nestled in the frozen cliffs, its stone walls thick with frost and its streets lined with burning braziers to ward off the endless winter. Other key settlements include Wolfshafen, a hub for traders braving the icy roads, and Drakenvakt, a remote stronghold guarding the nation’s northern borders against unseen horrors lurking in the glaciers. Ruled by the iron hand of High King Ulfric Brandt, Waldenheim follows a strict monarchic rule, where the king’s word is absolute, yet his power is constantly tested by the Jarls, warlords who govern vast territories in his name. Power shifts like the snowdrifts, and only the strongest survive. The people of Waldenheim are fiercely independent, valuing honor, strength, and loyalty above all else. The nation thrives despite its harsh climate, relying on skilled hunters, expert blacksmiths, and legendary beast-slayers to sustain its economy. Its warriors are among the most feared in Arkania, trained to fight in brutal conditions, wielding massive enchanted axes and runic weapons passed down through generations. While magic is not forbidden, it is viewed with suspicion, and only battle-proven shamans earn the right to wield it openly. Waldenheim remains isolated, neither seeking war nor fearing it. It distrusts Ebelreich, seeing their fall as proof of weakness, and remains wary of Aurania’s expansionist ambitions. The Sarmian League is tolerated for trade, but its politics are seen as cowardly. Zara’Tan mystics intrigue the northerners, but their ways are foreign. The only nation they truly respect is the Ferron Confederacy, whose warriors share their brutal pragmatism. Waldenheim stands strong against time and tide, a land where only the worthy endure.

Sarmin League

The Sarmin League is a coalition of powerful city-states bound by trade, diplomacy, and mutual profit rather than loyalty or shared heritage. Its de facto capital, Sarmina, is a sprawling metropolis of towering guild halls, lavish markets, and shadowy alleys where gold dictates law. Other key cities include Vellanor, a maritime stronghold controlling vital sea routes, and Drusk, a den of spies, mercenaries, and assassins operating under the guise of neutrality. Governed by the Council of Merchants, the League operates as an oligarchic republic, where the wealthiest guild leaders hold sway over politics, military actions, and foreign affairs. Corruption is rampant, yet efficiency remains unmatched. Here, contracts are sacred, and breaking a deal is worse than treason. The League thrives on commerce, financing wars, supplying mercenary armies, and dealing in rare artifacts, including forbidden magical relics smuggled from ancient ruins. Sarminians see war not as a tragedy but as an opportunity. Their fleets dominate the western coasts, their caravans reach every corner of Arkania, and their spies whisper in the ears of kings. While the League lacks a standing army, it employs the most elite mercenary companies, including former Ebelreich officers, Ferronian warbands, and even rogue Waldenheim warriors. The League profited from Ebelreich’s fall, secretly funding its enemies while discreetly salvaging abandoned war technologies. It fears Auranian imperialism, knowing that conquest would end its autonomy. It views Waldenheimers as useful but uncultured brutes, tolerates Ferron traders for their craftsmanship, and sees Zara’Tan mystics as dangerous rivals in the black market of forbidden artifacts. The Sarmin League has no permanent friends or enemies—only fluctuating interests and ever-changing alliances.

Auranian Empire

The Auranian Empire is the largest and most powerful nation in Arkania, a realm of grandeur, discipline, and unyielding ambition. Its capital, Aurania, is a marvel of towering spires, marble palaces, and vast military academies, where strategy is studied as deeply as philosophy. Other key cities include Velmoria, the empire’s industrial heart, known for its steel production and shipyards, and Orvess, a holy city where priests and scholars dictate the spiritual life of the empire. Ruled by Empress Celestine IV, Aurania is a centralized autocracy, where the imperial family’s will is enforced by the ever-present Imperial Legions and the feared Inquisitors. The empire sees itself as the guardian of civilization, bringing "order" to weaker lands through conquest, diplomacy, or economic dominance. Magic is heavily regulated, allowed only for state-sanctioned mages and warlocks bound to imperial service. Aurania thrives on military expansion, its legions trained in both traditional and arcane warfare, wielding weapons infused with forgotten magics. It actively seeks lost artifacts from the fallen empire of the Third Era, believing they are the key to absolute supremacy. The empire’s roads, fortified outposts, and disciplined bureaucracy allow it to control vast territories with ruthless efficiency. Aurania views Ebelreich as a broken enemy, keeping it weak through economic control. It sees the Sarmin League as useful but treacherous, wary of its financial influence. It respects Waldenheim’s warriors but dismisses their isolationism. Ferron’s independence is tolerated, though imperial agents stir unrest. Zara’Tan’s merchants are both allies and rivals, as their magical knowledge threatens imperial dominance. Aurania’s future is one of endless conquest, for it believes only one empire should rule Arkania.

Zara'Tan

Zara’Tan is a vast desert realm of shifting sands, ancient cities, and powerful magic. Its capital, Zar-Tashir, is a dazzling oasis of golden domes, towering minarets, and sprawling bazaars where merchants trade everything from rare spices to lost arcane relics. Other key cities include Mazhira, a fortress guarding the empire’s western borders, and Sihab, a coastal port where ships from all over Arkania dock in search of wealth and mystic secrets. Zara’Tan is ruled by the enigmatic Sultan Alhazir IX, a cunning leader whose word is law. The nation follows a theocratic monarchy, where both political and religious authority are intertwined. Magic is revered, and the Sultan’s court is filled with powerful sorcerers, seers, and alchemists, many of whom claim to wield knowledge older than the current era. Nomadic tribes roam the deserts, some swearing loyalty to the Sultan, others serving as mercenaries, traders, or outlaws. Zara’Tan thrives on knowledge and secrecy, preserving ancient technologies and magical artifacts lost to the rest of the world. It is whispered that the Sultan’s scholars have uncovered forbidden texts from the fallen empire of the Third Era, giving Zara’Tan an edge in both commerce and warfare. The nation’s warriors are trained in both swordplay and magic, blending the two in unique combat styles that outsiders struggle to counter. Zara’Tan sees Aurania as a dangerous rival, wary of its growing expansion. It manipulates the Sarmin League, using its merchants to spread influence. It profits from Ebelreich’s desperation, supplying weapons and goods at high prices. It respects Waldenheim’s warriors but finds them too rigid. It sees Ferron as a land of opportunity, using it as a gateway to western markets. Zara’Tan does not conquer with armies—it conquers with gold, knowledge, and secrets whispered in the dark.

Ferron Confederacy

The Ferron Confederacy is a land of rugged highlands, deep forests, and fiercely independent city-states bound together by necessity rather than loyalty. Its capital, Ironhold, is a fortress-city carved into the mountains, where each district belongs to a different ruling house. Other key cities include Velstag, known for its master blacksmiths and weapon forges, and Raven’s Hollow, a lawless frontier town where mercenaries, hunters, and fugitives gather. Ferron is governed by the Council of Lords, a loose alliance of warrior-chiefs, guild leaders, and clan elders. Though officially a confederation, in reality, it is a realm of shifting alliances, where deals are sealed with blood oaths and betrayals are repaid in kind. Every city and stronghold has its own militia, but when the confederacy is threatened, these forces unite into a devastating war host, wielding weapons of unmatched craftsmanship. Ferron thrives on industry, crafting the finest steel weapons, armor, and siege engines in Arkania. Its mercenaries are feared across the continent, hired by kings and warlords alike. While it lacks a centralized army, its people are born warriors, trained from childhood to survive in the harsh lands. Magic is tolerated but viewed as unreliable—steel and strategy win wars, not spells. Ferron holds no trust in Aurania, seeing its empire as an oppressor. It respects Waldenheim’s strength, though the two often clash over border disputes. It deals cautiously with the Sarmin League, knowing its merchants wield daggers as well as contracts. Zara’Tan’s exotic goods are welcomed, but its magic is eyed with suspicion. It profits from Ebelreich’s decline, buying weapons and armor once forged for a fallen empire. In a world ruled by power, Ferron endures—not through unity, but through unbreakable resolve.

Alvian Dominion

The Alvian Dominion is a theocratic kingdom ruled by a powerful caste of priests and warrior-monks who claim divine right over their lands. Its capital, Solmara, is a city of towering cathedrals, marble halls, and sacred relics, where the faithful gather in devotion. Other key cities include Veylor, a military stronghold guarding the eastern frontiers, and Eldrin’s Rest, a holy site where ancient prophecies were first recorded. The Dominion is ruled by High Pontiff Aelric III, whose word is considered law, guided by the Sacred Synod, a council of high priests, warlords, and mystics. It functions as a strict theocracy, where religion dictates politics, laws, and even daily life. Magic is viewed as a divine gift but is tightly controlled, with rogue sorcery punished as heresy. The Dominion enforces a rigid social order, with priests, knights, and commoners each bound by strict traditions. Alvia thrives on religious devotion and military discipline, maintaining one of the most elite knightly orders in Arkania. These warriors, clad in blessed armor and wielding weapons inscribed with sacred runes, see themselves as protectors of the righteous and scourges of the unfaithful. Their banners have flown in countless wars, and their missionaries spread the faith far beyond their borders. The Dominion sees Aurania as both a rival and an ally, sharing a hunger for conquest but differing in ideology. It despises Zara’Tan’s mysticism, calling its magic corrupt. It finds common ground with Waldenheim’s warriors, though distrusts their lack of faith. It views Ferron as little more than godless mercenaries and the Sarmin League as irredeemably corrupt. As for Ebelreich, the Dominion remains divided—some see its fall as just, others as an opportunity to bring them into the faith. For Alvia, all of Arkania must one day bow before the light.