World Story

''On the first day he crushed the dust off of his hands and cried the oceans On the second day he planted the trees of the world On the third day he shaped the world, lifted the mountains On the fourth day he breathed the air into our lungs On the fifth day he created the humanoids in different images On the sixth day he rested. On the seventh day he saw his mistake and left this world. That was 15 years ago….''

World facts:
When Humans came over from their land called “Arf” (The oldest written records that have survived are in dwarven. No old common document survives, as they were lost in a wars and church purges.) The humans brought their religion and spread it across the land. Their god quickly took over the other gods and those who worshiped the old gods were considered outsiders and pagans. (Some blame these pagans for God abandoning the world). The traditional pantheon is called the forgotten gods. The forgotten gods are now only mentioned in myths. The truth is surrounded by legends, making it impossible to determine if they were ever real. In the time when God’s light being brought to the land, all races and all lands prospered. This time was known as the golden era. This lasted for many years some say hundreds while others say thousands. This continued until about 500 years ago when clerical magic began to fade. Clerics across the land were losing the divine touch that their God had granted. The world itself is also sad state. Around 700 years ago a terrible spell plague broke out ravishing the lands and stealing the planets life. The lands have since grown barren. The Ocean waters have turned to silt. The loose surface silt is very fine and so is difficult to traverse and very easily coats the lungs making naval navigation difficult. A great project started around this time to create a sky rail system across the ocean. It has been left abandoned and half finished as the workers were dying from Silt storms and the new creatures that roam the “oceans”. Many natural resources are missing and most use stone and bones for weapons and tools. Less than 5 (according to rumors) cities still have natural births. No one knows what keeps these cities going. Almost all women have miscarriages in the second trimester unless they are in one of the birthing cities. And the ones that you do know about each have a different reason. Also 2 of them can be found in the country Mirekal. Liberty believes it’s the power of their clerics and the self-flagellation preformed bi weekly Grunga believes that orcs are more potent than humans and that the orc gods protect them.

Mirekal
Many clerics of Mirekal sacrificed themselves making what is called the Soul barrier around the country. It is an invisible barrier that blocked the spell plague that destroyed the planet and aged the sun. Beheading someone (even the undead) is only saved for the worst of criminals. It is a crime punishable by torture. Undead must brought to a cleric who can guide them to a peaceful rest.

Liberty
Founded by the first travelers from Arf the city is the biggest city in the world. It is home to many treasures ancient and new. The town is known for its odd designs and symbols from the other world. It is run by an elaborate democratic system with 3 branches Judgment, Body, and Inspiration. Wizardry and witch craft are banned. The town has a very strong caste system. n Famous sites-

The founder - a statue of a man ringing a bell. His name has been lost and the only thing known is he founded the town. Philosophers are known to gather here to think The Stairway to heavenThe Stairway to heaven- An elaborate tower (some wrongly think the tallest in the world) built by the dwarfs as a show of good faith in the alliance between the clans of Human and Dwarf. The building is heavily damaged after the inquisition against forgotten spawned a few terrorist acts. It is considered one of the most holy sites in the world. Notre York - Famous Cathedral at the heart of the city The Grove of the forgotten god- A holy forest said to be planted by a messenger of God himself. The tree in the center is frequently mentioned in myths to talking to people seeking God’s wisdom. Also a small creature called God’s bear lives in the tree. There is only one in the world but he has always been there since as far as records can trace. He always asks visitors for their wine sacs. It is considered good luck to give him a drink. The warden Brick is said the be the direct descendent of the Mother and Father of the garden. One of the few natural forests in the northern kingdoms. Gyoto Monastery- Known for their discipline and good turtle soup this monastery is one of the few places in the world that Human martial arts traditions still carry on.

Lumbridge
Second largest city in the region. Considered a military breeding ground. The city is full of kind people who are tough and rumble. The people were better suited to a farmer’s life but formed the city as a means of protections against barbarians. Also the city of merchants, having the best port in the country. Ran by an elected Mayor.

Famous sites

The Chrispits- A gladiator pit dug 5o feet down in the center of town square. Is now mostly used for wrestling and prize fighting, but once was a place where slaves were forced to battle to the death.

Bell Market. This is actually a chain of markets that are linked together by a bell shaped portal at least one can be found in every major region.

Smash den – A local bar full of hooligans and rouges famous for its fast music, fast women, and faster pick pockets.

Gastonia
The third largest city in the region. It is known for its scoundrels and its rejection of the church. Forming churches are banned and Clerics are not welcome. It is ruled by a congress that is elected via fraudulent bi-yearly elections. It is seen as a terrible place by Liberty

Famous sites

The Den of Blades- The HQ for Rhapsody of Blades

The arts center- The greatest bards and artist in the country perform here.

The wizards college/ alchemy labs the country’s biggest research center some say if it received public funds it could fix the problems with birth in less than 5 years. It has been purged of its greatest minds and now is a shallow hull of what it used to be.

Bell Market. This is actually a chain of markets that are linked together by a bell shaped portal at least one can be found in every major region

The Arsonist’s Planes
A ruined village that was burned down. No structure could be built there for 1000 years without being burned to rubble. No one remembers why but now it’s a plane where Orcs and Goblinoids gather in large numbers to prevent the cities from marching on their smaller bands.

They deal with the dead by beheading all. This is considered barbaric by the rest of Mirekal

The Orcs rarely leave their camp and more gather there every day. They are starting to construct relics to the old Orc god. The people of the camp are divided on the issue (and some say war with Liberty is inevitable).

Steel Halls
An old dwarven city where tunnels once were often lined with natural veins of mithral as thick as an arm. Now it is a place where the dwavres have gathered to pray to their Old gods. Most predict war with Liberty in the near future so the dwarves are doing what dwarves do best….building a bunker

The finest smiths in the world work here. These caves are the only home for dwarves in the country. To protect their craft only trusted merchants ever meet the reluctant miners. The mountain is also terribly booby trapped and well defended.

Leader- Ruenor Deathhammer- A blustery and fiery dwarf who is "Gruff even for a dwarf"

Kurn
Kurn is the country next to Mirekal it was once the proud home of the Crusader Knights. Since the Clerics of Mirekal didn’t come to their aid the country has since become a breeding grounds of usurpers and sorcerers.

Tyr
Is the home of dark arts. It is considered the world’s greatest black market. It is a dangerous place for anyone to go. One moment you could be accepted by a grand master of sorcery, the next you are part of his flesh golem.

Leader- Ram Abbalah Not much is known since she (he?) likes to keep her identity hidden. In a land where the most powerful is in charge it’s sometimes best to hide.

Myr
Is a den of cheats and thieves, it is the free trade capital of the world. Simply there is one law and only one law “No weapons or magic are allowed within the city”. Most people hire lockers or even burry their weapons outside of town. It is run by a trade cartel known as the “Observers”. They profit by the charging docking fees, weapon protection fees, and of course loaning out muscle to merchants with enough coin. Anything except weapons can be legally bought and sold in this city. Beware that swindling and thievery are perfectly legal. (Acts of violence are illegal but you can always bribe your way out of the charges).

Fyr
Fyr – is another city run by a mage. Lord Commander of Kurn and Protector of the world, master of arcane, gentle yet fierce, watcher of the tower, the sovereign leader of Fyr, RA. Fyr is the capital of Kurn…well it’s the most famous city with the strongest army. No city swears to Fyr but in a normal kingdom they would. Fyr is often rumored to have been the source of spell plague. It is a beautiful city with wonders unmatched in the Northern Kingdoms. Very few ever enter since it is a floating city. u Fyr is ruled by Lord Commander of Kurn and Protector of the world, master of arcane, gentle yet fierce, watcher of the tower, the sovereign leader fo Fyr RA. (Don’t ever forget the title). This mage is an experimental fellow who actually rather not be leader but was made leader via blood rite. (A process where blood of the strongest mages are made into golems and fight to the death to decide the leader). RA is a fickle Human Wizard.

Lyr
City of outcasts. This city is where outcasts and leper have settled. It is said to be so harsh that an outsider entering the city will instantly contract a disease. Mostly a large sprawling ghetto.

Lead by Whiskers. A half-ling with whiskers on his face. He is a known alcoholic and is said to have a Harem of wives.

Davos
Davos is a country that is mostly comprised of fishing villages and a few trade posts. It is terribly underdeveloped. History books say that before the plague it was home to many jungles. Now it’s full of swamps and fog. One does not travel near the swamps without a guide for they are filled with undead who have wandered there over the years. n As a country Davos is ruled by a tribal king. He is selected from one of the four major tribes (Gru, Warhawk, Mistborn, and Sharkfin). Every 10 years the four leaders of the tribes have a trial by combat to decide the next leader. The leader is said to be a mistborn currently but that is all that’s known.

Onion town
A small town on the far south of the peninsula. This small sleepy town is the only fertile ground on the peninsula. It’s main crop Onions are a rare commodity these days and go for a high value. Recently some investors have been scooping up land. Dust

Dust
is a desert kingdom ruled by 7 sheiks. These Sheiks command strong armies. The country is highly militarized and could destroy almost any nation in a war. The people there have some strange customs to outsiders such and drinking the blood of their friends and family shortly after death. The Sheiks are all family and live in seven identical castles in seven identical cities all named Dust. If the 7 sheiks ever joined power the kingdoms would be conquered in a year. Luckily for the neighboring Kingdoms politics has gotten in the way of family.

Sheik Vanaka- A man more of questions than answers. His kingdom is known for masterful strategy and deception. This kingdom has the best skirmishers and assassins in Dust. Sheik Monticata- Known to be quite sleepy. This Sheik can surprise some with her revengeful ways. Sheik Rebak- The weakest of the sheiks. He has devoted himself to studying the old arcane ways of dust. Has been a bit antisocial the last few decades Sheik Yoseene- Known for his brash attack patterns and his large army. Always brings a big army. Also the best riders in the kingdom. Sheik Bryed – The diplomat of the group. Tries to keep peace with the other sheiks Sheik Stevark- The outsider. His family has been banished from dust many times but they keep returning and reclaiming their city. Known as a womanizer and an aggressive fighter Sheik Rene- This Sheik went missing a few decades ago. His kingdom seems to go along without him. No one has seen him yet a new leader has yet to be elected.

Kingdom of Steel
The Kingdom of Steel is considered a relic of the past. When the 3 kingdoms were separated, they were what were left of the old regime. They conquered the Kingdom less than 10 years ago. The Brothers of Metal stormed the castle killed the usurpers and it was said the puddles had a depth of 3 inches of blood. The people of the Kingdom have taken their cause after years of tyranny. Beware that this is a very lawful kingdom and any crime will be avenged seven times. They are said to be lead by a blind guardian who once stood toe to toe with Demons and Wizards. The nation is in the process of being converted to a false god named Crowley

Capital- Renamed to Camelot after the human myth.

Avantasia
This is the land of music. It was considered the happiest place to live. The people here sing with a heart full of love and passion. Being a bard isn’t a job here it’s a way of life. Stories from all parts of the world gather in this small country. Every day at sunset people gather in their city squares and sing the song of history together called Avantasia.

Capital Crescendo
Leader- Hansi Kürsch