Prapancia

The world was once high magic, but it was destroyed years ago in a cataclysm when the dominant empire, the old Altani Empire, practiced forbidden magics. Now years later, the world is rebuilding itself starting to come again grow in its magic, while trying to avoid the mistakes of the past.

The continent is nearly separated in two geographically by a large wasteland in the centre that was the major site of destruction in the downfall of the Old Altani Empire. To the south are a peninsula with elves who make up the new Altani empire. They have protective magical dome shielding themselves from outsiders and are secretive and guarded. To the southwest is a port town with fishing villages and trading posts. To the west are gnarled wooded forests. To the northwest are the Silver Aspen Elves, a group of moon elves. Beyond them to the north is a large mountain range spanning most of the continent with a floating mountain, the gnomish kingdom called Nevermind, created from a magic crystal allowing them to take their kingdom into the sky. To the far east is a large fertile land surrounding an inland sea, with most of the largest cities like Goldenlight, Tinker’s Port, and the underground city, The Iron Halls of Harthorum.

Many of the forests house different tribes of elves, most of them seeing other elves as distant kin. The dwarves create towns and families based on their local mountain, but they all see each other as close kin. The wastelands have a variety of nomadic people, but altered species like tabaxi, aarokokra, and genasi. Most of the other cities and townships are a mix of humans, gnomes, and other common fantasy species.

The Golden Empire is a powerful church-led movement. They’re trying to take control of many regions to push their religious agenda and turn them away from magic in fear of repeating the mistakes of history. Most opposed to the Golden Empire are the New Altani Elves, who see magic as a way of life.

The two patron deities are the Moon Mother and the All Father, who both have multiple aspects of themselves that may lend magic to their followers. Otherwise, magic can be learned through study of the arcane, by wielding primordial chaos, or by otherworldly influence of creatures created by past chaos.

The Moon Mother and All Father both originally had their own planes, but the Moon Mother’s was lost to her when her children usurped it, becoming dark quori. The All Father, fearing a similar betrayal, sealed off his realm to all outsiders. Other worldly beings have made their own minor planes to fill the loss of the two divine planes. As well, creatures who die may be reborn and their spirits may find their way to Druskenvald, the land of rebirth and finding a new life.

Originally it was the age of giants, the first beings to walk the world. Few in number, guarded the lands and seas. Next came the age of the elves, the first mortal race created by the Moon Mother. Finally the age of man, the height of which being the old Altani Empire that ended in ruin. Now it is a new age.

Currency is gold. Most trade is done by ships and port towns. There is an important trade for old Altani artefacts, their creation methods lost to time and are thus treasured.

Most towns have a local law enforcement, and more areas are now receiving support from the Golden Brotherhood, the “strong arm” of the Golden Empire. They are spreading their reach through guards and militia.

Remnants of the old Altani Empire, long rumoured to be undead immortal liches. In the ocean south of the continent is the bay of hags, islands home to witches. In the far north is the grey unknown, where none who travel ever return. Unknown evil there.