Iskandar Empire

Magic Level: Low Magic, obtained or granted only to a select few, known as the 'Awakened'. Anyone can acquire magic, but the chance is extremely low. 'Awakening' occurs at age 25 on the day of birth, or is granted by a god through a pact, which is even rarer than normal awakening. Technology: Roughly late medieval – castles, knights, steel-forged weapons, crossbows, sailing ships, but no gunpowder. Theme:The world is ruled as an empire with its capital at the center of the continent. There are five kingdoms that comprise the empire. Each kingdom has a king, who is subject to the emperor. Each kingdom has its own royal family and powerful other families, all eager for power, influence, favor, and glory. Their rivalries fuel intrigues, duels, wars, and shadowy alliances.

The Iskandar Empire, with its capital in the center of the continent called Thondar, was ruled by a single emperor or empress. The five kings who swore allegiance to him served as vassals. Thondar (Capital of the Empire). A sprawling city of marble palaces, stone fortresses, trading centers, and entertainment venues. Here lies the royal court, along with the Colosseum, where anyone without a name can acquire one. It also serves as the site for duels between great families, steeped in blood and honor. Kingdom of Hellhound – With its capital called Sirvanus – A kingdom skilled in military weaponry, forges, and soldiers. It possesses mountains and mines of various minerals. It is the primary supplier of minerals to the rest of the empire. Kingdom of Ish - With its capital called Gipt - A kingdom covered by a vast and extensive desert, full of hostile and magical creatures. Its people specialize in hunting and raising these creatures, and in some cases, domesticating them. Their main source of income is the trade of materials derived from these creatures. Kingdom of Bromether – With its capital called Pengur – This kingdom, with its vast expanse of arable land, is responsible for supplying the continent with food, and for this reason, it is also one of the richest and most influential. Its people live well, without major problems. Kingdom of Krakander – With its capital called Thorn – A kingdom on an archipelago of islands dedicated to fishing, sailing, and hunting sea monsters, as well as breeding and training certain species. It is the kingdom with the least interest in the mainland, as it is far removed from the conflicts, but it still keeps an eye on it. Kingdom of Icemount - With its capital called Gilgam - A kingdom covered in snow and with an icy climate, mountainous terrain, and a harsh life. Its inhabitants specialize in hunting snow monsters, as well as breeding and domesticating some species. With large quantities of trees, they are lumberjacks and coal miners. Life is hard, but it provides the empire with wood and coal.

Humans, Dwarves, and Elves are the main and most prevalent races. Orcs, Trolls, and Goblins also exist. Various tribes include lizardmen, lionmen, bearmen, crocodilemen, and some variations thereof.

Succession crisis: The king is aging and has no clear heir. The five kings maneuver to become the emperor's successor. The emergence of 'awakened ones' changes the equation - The 5 kings seek 'awakened ones' to fight alongside them in the future war of succession. Wild Monsters - The appearance of monsters is continuous, although they serve as materials or to be tamed or raised, the increase does not stop and the attacks increase in the different areas of the continent. Cultural transition - Orcs, trolls, goblins, crocodile men, bear men, lion men, and lizard men are leaving their tribes behind and moving to live in cities, which creates cultural clashes with the more civilized inhabitants.

Magic Magic awakens at age 25, but only in very few cases and is extremely rare; these are the so-called 'Awakened Ones'. Another way is to sign a contract with a god, which is even rarer. Great families, whether noble families, royal families, or the emperor's, all seek 'Awakened Ones'; these are in many cases adopted, kidnapped, or hired. Types of Magic: Elemental Magic: This grants the ability to control one of the four elements: fire, water, air, or earth. This control is limited only by the user's imagination and their body's ability to withstand the impact of this magic, as it comes at a price. Physical and mental exhaustion always sets in. An excessive use of magic at once can incapacitate the user and, in some cases, even kill them. Mental magic: It can be one of the following, the ability to talk to monsters or animals or to read minds, also with a mental burden when using them, magic always has a cost. Physical magic: Increased physical capabilities for a certain time, after which, a rebound of pain due to overexertion of the body. Religion A pantheon of gods venerated by all races equally, whether noble or of low birth. Very rarely do the gods choose someone to bestow their favor upon and accompany them on their journey. The gods can only grant up to three favors, which are given to mortals in the form of awakening and magic. The favor is returned to the gods when the mortal dies. Ornn - God of fire, war and honor - His temples often have forges and fighting arenas, many warriors fight in his honor. Liza - Goddess of water, peace and agriculture - Her temples welcome homeless people and give them a place to belong; they often have many fans who were rescued by the temples. Bromir - God of the earth, hunting and domestication - His temples are usually located in monster hunting areas, serving as a refuge for hunters, and have stables for his monster allies. Agni - God of air, wisdom and peace - His temples are great libraries, guardians of history and trainers of scholars. Role of Religion The Church is not unified. Each god’s faith operates separately, meaning temples often clash in politics just like noble families. Religion takes place in each individual in a unique way; temples work continuously with devotees, honoring their beliefs and gods. Historically, in the past, the gods came down to Earth and created it, and throughout history they also came down to have fun, where in some cases it gave rise to great demigods (children of gods and humans), who went down in history as great heroes, but in the end they were mortal.

Era of Creation - Beginning of time when the gods created the world and all the gods The Tribal Era - Different races organized themselves into tribes and racial conflicts began Age of heroes - the first demigods appear in different races, leading each to form nations; wars continued but with greater organization. The Age of Castles – with the fall of the demigods and cities already built, great minds emerged and led the way in forging truces and establishing trade routes. Peace was the beginning. Era of Union - The five kingdoms formed a conclave, electing an emperor, the last descendant of a demigod. They established the imperial capital and pledged allegiance to the new imperial family. Current era - 400 years after the last era, with the blood of the demigod almost non-existent, the emperor has no children, the insertion of new races in the cities and the appearance of 'Awakened', conflict is imminent.

Currency: Standard D&D coinage (Copper, Silver, Gold, Platinum). Main Commercial points: Thondar - Capital of the empire and largest commercial center - Where everything you are looking for can be traded, the 5 kingdoms bring merchandise continuously. Thorn Port - Port dedicated to maritime trade and everything related to the sea Pengur's Great Market - Full of seeds, fruits and fresh food continuously restocked.

All justice emanates from the Emperor/Empress. The word of the Crown is immutable, though vassal kings interpret and enforce it in their own lands. Each noble family maintains its own courts and judges, but appeals can be made to the Supreme Crown Court in Thondar. Trial by combat: Many disputes between (or within) noble families are resolved through formal duels, where a champion is chosen to fight. These duels are highly ritualized, with referees and witnesses. Winning a duel can change land ownership, wealth, or titles. Grand duels are held in the coliseum of the capital. Punishments: Common folk: Fines, branding, imprisonment, forced labor. Nobles: Public humiliation, exile, loss of titles, or trial by combat. Execution is rare for noble-born, unless for treason. Society's View of Adventurers Suspicion and Admiration: Adventurers are considered both useful and dangerous. They are admired for their strength and courage, but distrusted for being disloyal and lawless vagrants. Swords for Hire: Noble houses often employ adventurers as mercenaries, spies, and problem solvers. However, working for one house can create enemies in others. Legal Status: Adventurers are technically "free folk" outside the noble hierarchies. This gives them flexibility, but they lack the protection of their lineage. If they anger a noble, they have few recourse. Awakened Users: Magic adventurers are especially noteworthy. Many nobles consider them a wasted talent if they do not serve a House. Some are forced to swear oaths of loyalty or marriage.

A multitude of monsters from myths and legends across the world's diverse cultures, from Greek, Egyptian, and Norse, not forgetting those from D&D. These creatures roam the continent, driven by their instincts to hunt, feed, and reproduce. They pose a significant threat to ordinary people, as they can appear in many locations.