[Information] The Known World

[GrimDarkOtter]

This thread will contain all the fun world-building information, incorporating some player contributions as well. Do not post in this thread.

The Known World   Over a thousand years ago, a great wizard whose name has been forgotten to time used his power to unite the disparate tribes of his land. Around that wizard's tower grew a city, and that city became Lycenae. That wizard drew others of talent to him, and taught them powerful techniques. With their magics they gave the peoples of Lycenae order, and expanded to conquer or colonize all the surrounding lands. The Lycene Legions brought order, civilization and structure to a great many provinces, but it was not to last. In the inauspicious year of 1,111 years after the first Emperor, Lycene was assaulted by undead minions from Sessera. None can say where the multitude of bones and corpses came from, but even the magics of the Senate and their apprentices could destroy them all. Desperate, some in the Senate concocted a plan to breach the barriers between the planes to summon forth their own limitless army formed from the very elemental forces of the universe. Yet somehow it all went wrong, and Lycene was wracked with storms and earthquakes, shattering the city. The arcane forces destroyed Sessera's great army, but the Senate as well. In the aftermath, the Legions attempted to retain order, but swiftly warlords rose up to claim lands and keeps, and fighting broke out across the whole of the Empire. Now, 111 years after that fateful day, peace can be found in some places, but chaos and warring fiefdoms yet persist.   Rhozar: Once the furthest expanse of the Lycene Empire along the western coast, Rhozar is now a rustic kingdom governed by the line of House Osmund. Surrounded by sharp, severe mountains, it is well protected from incursions, but has little area to expand. Great Raast: The fabled province in the far east of the Lycene Empire, Raast was a power in the Tepid Sea ages before Lycenae. Its walls are of polished white marble, somehow ensorcelled to resist even the strongest siege weapons. The jungles and moors that surround Raast hide all manner of mysteries. Lycenae: Once the capitol of the Lycene Empire, Lycenae is now a blasted ruin, shattered by the arcane forces harnessed by the Senate on order of their Emperor. Now it is haunted by strange spirits and vengeful liches, but the surrounding countryside is still populated. Villagers live in quiet slavery, dominated by one warlord or another. Sessera: The dark forests north of Lycenae are primeval waste where the first men once hunted. As the Empire grew, the unwanted and outlawed fled there. As these outcast tribes grew, Lyceane feared their power and the dark magic that flowed through the forests. It was this fear that drove Lycenae to their doom. AND MANY OTHERS!   Humans are by far the dominant and most numerous race in all the world. Other civilized races have little to do with the remnants of the Empire, having fled or hidden from the Empire's reach in their time. Elves, dwarves and others exist in secret strongholds, but some do venture out into the world, and they are not entirely forgotten. Barbarian: Though the tribes of the hinterlands have been supressed, their legacy lives on in the blood of their successors, and the rare warrior may tap into that rage. Bard: Spellcasting is rare, but some wandering minstrels have mastered a cantrip or two to assist in their shows. Bard variants that lose spellcasting are welcome. Those without a license who demonstrate arcane ability are often persecuted. Cleric: As rare as magic is, some individuals are granted the power of miracles by their divine patron, and they can be a source of great inspiration to the commons. However, their powers also make them an uncomfortable nuisance to the majority of priests and the church structures. Thus a spellcasting Cleric may be given a special remit rather than a stable perish or administrative office. Ranger: Variants that lose spellcasting are welcome. (see Complete Warrior p. 13) Paladin: Variants that lose spellcasting are welcome. (see Complete Warrior p. 13) Wizard/Sorceror: The practice of magic is heavily regulated in Rhozar by the court's Magisterium. All who show talent must either forsake arcane skill or undergo mandatory training. Wizards from other lands must prove their skill and control to receive an official license. Those without a license who demonstrate arcane ability are often persecuted.   The Lycene Empire spread its gods as well as its power. One of the early Emperors worshiped what are now known as the Graven Gods, a pantheon of seven deities that represent all aspects of life. Most clerics serve them as a unified whole, though some monastic orders will choose one aspect to venerate. The Empire imbued the Faith with a strong hierarchy, one that has survived the death of Lycenae and its Patriarch. Now the Archbishops of the Faith rule as supreme ecclesiastic powers in their own kingdoms. Though the far majority of the people worship the Graven Gods and their icons (especially among the nobility) there are still those who follow other deities, some supressed and some forgotten.

[GrimDarkOtter]

The Map of Lieutenant Davers. There are few notes for scale, but roughly judging it seems over 1,000 miles from Opus Prison to Caer Massad.