Eorzea

This is a high-fantasy world shaped by cyclical catastrophe rather than linear progress. Civilization rises, fractures, and rebuilds atop the ruins of prior ages, leaving history layered rather than buried. Magic is real, powerful, and dangerous, derived from an ambient force that saturates the land itself. Its overuse can scar regions, destabilize societies, and even invite existential threats. Technology exists but rarely eclipses magic; instead, the two exist in uneasy parallel, often clashing culturally and philosophically. A defining element of the world is that belief has weight. Faith, ideology, and collective will can alter reality—sometimes catastrophically. Gods may answer prayers, but they are not benevolent abstractions; they are forces with appetites, limitations, and consequences. The world’s central tension is not “good versus evil,” but survival versus hubris. Every age believes it understands the mistakes of the past—and every age is wrong in new ways.

The known world is divided into several major regions, separated by seas, mountain chains, and aether-scarred wastelands. The Heartlands (Primary Civilized Region) A temperate continent dominated by rival city-states rather than unified empires. These states cooperate only when existential threats force them to. Verdelune Concord – Forest-bound city-states governed by druidic councils and elemental pacts. Expansion is tightly controlled, and outsiders are tolerated but rarely trusted. Saffron Crown – A desert trade power built around wealth, mercenary companies, and ancient crystal mines. Political authority is diffuse and corruptible. Thalassar Free Ports – Maritime city-states founded by raiders and explorers. Law is pragmatic, strength respected, and loyalty transactional. The Aurelian See – A cold northern theocracy built around a singular divine doctrine and centuries-old holy war. Rigid caste systems and unquestioned dogma define daily life. The Fringe The Shattered Marches – Lands devastated by a prior magical catastrophe. Reality here is unstable; ruins from older ages surface and sink without warning. The Ironbound East – A technologically inclined imperial power that distrusts magic and seeks to dominate through magitek, industry, and conquest. The Deep Wilds – Untamed regions where civilization failed entirely and nature—or something older—has reclaimed dominion.

Though united by trade, war, and shared catastrophe, the peoples of Eorzea remain deeply shaped by ancestry, environment, and historical memory. Race is not destiny—but it is history, and history leaves marks. 1. Hyur - The hominin race of average height and build. The Hyur are the most populous and widespread of the races. They are divided into Midlander and Highlander clans. The Hyur are the most numerous and geographically widespread people of Eorzea, making them both culturally dominant and internally fractured. Their short lifespans compared to other races have driven them toward adaptability, ambition, and political agility. Hyur societies tend to emphasize: Nationhood over ancestry Law, trade, and military organization Rapid social mobility—both upward and downward Hyur are often viewed as restless by longer-lived races, accused of lacking patience or foresight. In truth, they are acutely aware of time’s limits and act accordingly. Subcultures Midlanders dominate the central city-states, favoring diplomacy, scholarship, and administration. Highlanders, traditionally marginalized, value strength, self-reliance, and martial honor, often thriving as mercenaries or soldiers. Reputation: Pragmatic, ambitious, politically dangerous in large numbers. 2. Elezen - The elfin race, tall and slender. They have slightly longer life spans compared to the other races. The Elezen believe they originated in Eorzea and that it was once their sole dominion. They are divided into the Wildwood and Duskwight clans. Tall, long-lived, and keenly aware of their ancestry, the Elezen were once the preeminent power in much of Eorzea. Their decline still shapes their worldview. Elezen culture prizes: Lineage and recorded history Scholarly and religious authority Aesthetic refinement as a marker of legitimacy They often see themselves as custodians of civilization, a belief that borders on condescension. Many Elezen institutions still quietly assume that leadership is their birthright. Subcultures Wildwood Elezen favor forested regions, valuing self-sufficiency and tradition. Duskwight Elezen live in caves and ruins, historically ostracized and associated with crime—often unfairly, though survival has forced some into the margins. Reputation: Arrogant but capable; traditionalists clinging to a fading golden age. 3. Miqo'te - The feline race, possessing large ears and furred tails. They migrated to Eorzea during the Age of Endless Frost in the Fifth Umbral Era. They are divided into Seekers of the Sun and KEepers of the Moon. They are largely Hyur in appearance, but with feline ears and long feline tails. The Miqo’te are a nomadic people with strong clan identities and an instinctive connection to land and sky. Their societies developed outside traditional state structures, which continues to shape how others perceive them. Miqo’te culture emphasizes: Kinship over citizenship Oral tradition over written law Survival through awareness and adaptability They are often misunderstood as primitive or unserious, but Miqo’te social bonds are exceptionally strong, and betrayal within a clan is one of the gravest sins imaginable. Subcultures Seekers of the Sun are organized into matriarchal clans, each tracing lineage to a single patriarch. Keepers of the Moon favor smaller family units, nocturnal lifestyles, and matriarchal leadership. Reputation: Free-spirited, untrustworthy to outsiders, fiercely loyal within their own. 4. Roegadyn - The Roegadyn''s massive muscular frames make them distinguishable from afar. Descended from maritime people that roamed the northern seas, they are sometimes considered a barbaric race. They are divided into the Sea Wolves and Hellsguard. Physically imposing and culturally stoic, the Roegadyn hail primarily from maritime or tundra regions where survival demanded cooperation and strength. Roegadyn societies value: Collective labor Clear, direct speech Honor defined by deeds, not words Despite stereotypes of brutishness, Roegadyn cultures are often deeply communal and emotionally reserved, with complex systems of mutual obligation. Subcultures Sea Wolves dominate naval life and trade ports. Hellsguard inhabit volcanic and mountainous regions, with traditions tied to fire, endurance, and ancestor reverence. Reputation: Dependable, intimidating, slow to anger—and terrifying when pushed. 5. Au Ra - They are a superficially reptilian race, with horns, some scales, and lizard tails. They are divided into Raen and Xaela clans. The Au Ra are newcomers to Eorzea, and their striking appearance has made them targets of myth and fear. Their cultures are shaped by extreme environments and historical oppression. Au Ra society traditionally centers on: Survival through hierarchy Clan loyalty enforced by law or violence Spiritual beliefs tied to land and ancestry Their horns and scales are often misinterpreted as signs of monstrosity, a misconception that has fueled persecution. Subcultures Xaela are nomadic, clan-based, and fiercely independent, often embracing ritualized warfare. Raen favor settled lives, communal harmony, and strict social codes. Reputation: Exotic, dangerous, or pitiable—depending on who is telling the story. 6. Viera - They are a superficially leporine race, with long fur-covered ears and lithe features. They are divided into Rava and Veena clans. Viera ears are bunny-like in their appearance. The Viera are forest-dwelling guardians who live apart from most civilizations. Their isolation is deliberate, born of ancient oaths to protect their homelands. Viera culture is defined by: Sacred duty to the forest Gender-segregated roles (traditionally) Oral law enforced by exile rather than punishment Those who leave their forests are considered to have forsaken their people, and few ever return. Reputation: Aloof, enigmatic, lethal when threatened. 7. Hrothgar - They are an imposing leonine race with a fearsome bestial appearance. They are divided into the Helions and The Lost "clans", though it is more accurate to say that these are social groups instead of implying a geographical origin as in a traditional clan. The Hrothgar originate from harsh northern lands marked by conquest and displacement. Their societies are clan-based and martial, shaped by centuries of loss. Hrothgar culture emphasizes: Strength as protection, not dominance Loyalty to clan and chosen family Personal honor earned through defense of others Their homeland’s destruction scattered them across the world, leaving many Hrothgar as mercenaries, bodyguards, or soldiers of fortune. Reputation: Fearsome warriors; surprisingly gentle outside of battle. INTER-RACIAL DYNAMICS Relations between races are shaped less by inherent hostility and more by: Competing historical narratives Unequal access to power Fear of the unknown Prejudice is structural rather than universal. Laws, guilds, and institutions often favor Hyur and Elezen norms, forcing others to adapt or remain marginalized. Yet shared catastrophe has also fostered unexpected solidarity. In moments of crisis, cultural barriers crack—and sometimes break entirely.

The world stands at the edge of another turning point. Imperial Expansion – The Ironbound East advances westward, framing its conquest as liberation from “dangerous superstition.” Primal Manifestations – Faith-born entities have begun appearing with alarming frequency, draining the land of magic and destabilizing regions. Alliance Fractures – The city-states of the Heartlands argue over how much autonomy they are willing to sacrifice for survival. Ancient Secrets Resurfacing – Ruins from a forgotten age reveal truths that contradict accepted history—and some factions are willing to kill to keep them buried. These tensions create fertile ground for adventurers: spies, mercenaries, scholars, rebels, and reluctant heroes.

Magic flows from an omnipresent force often called the Aether—a mutable energy that permeates land, life, and thought. Arcane Magic is learned, studied, and controlled—dangerous but predictable. Primal or Faith Magic is fueled by belief and sacrifice. It is immensely powerful and catastrophically destabilizing. Natural Magic is mediated through spirits, elementals, or ancient pacts rather than direct manipulation. Not everyone can wield magic safely. Those without aptitude risk physical corruption, madness, or death. Religion is fragmented: Some worship distant creator-figures. Others venerate living gods that can physically manifest. Many city-states regulate or outright ban certain forms of worship due to historical disasters. The gods are real—but not kind.

Other planes exist and exert pressure on the material world. The Astral Realms represent ideals, concepts, and perfected forms. The Umbral Depths embody entropy, decay, and forgotten truths. Echo Planes mirror the material world during moments of great catastrophe, trapping remnants of past ages. Planar breaches are rare but devastating, often leaving permanent scars on reality.

The Age of Dawning – Mythic creation and the first civilizations. The Gilded Age – Magical supremacy, flying cities, and god-like mages. The First Sundering – A catastrophic sin that reshaped the world and erased truths from collective memory. The Ashen Eras – Repeated cycles of collapse and rebuilding. The Current Age – A fragile peace built on incomplete history. Ruins from earlier ages are everywhere—and almost always dangerous.

Currency varies by region but is often backed by crystal weight or precious metals. Trade Routes follow rivers, coasts, and ancient aether-stable roads. Magical Resources are tightly controlled, taxed, or monopolized by powerful factions. Adventurers often serve as independent contractors, relic hunters, or deniable assets in economic warfare.

Justice is local and inconsistent. Some regions favor rigid codes and brutal punishment. Others rely on arbitration, guild law, or divine judgment. Adventurers are: Tolerated where they are useful, Feared where they are powerful, Hunted where they are uncontrollable. Most societies see them as necessary evils.

Threats include: Faith-Born Behemoths summoned by desperate or manipulated peoples. Ancient Sealed Evils bound beneath the land since prior ages. Imperial Magitek Legions that treat magic itself as a weapon to be dismantled. Secret Orders dedicated to preserving false histories for “the greater good.” The greatest villain, however, is forgetting—because every catastrophe has happened before, and someone chose not to remember it.