Sorcery & Science

High magic. High technology level. They live hand and hand in this world, but at the most basic level, they are the same, but few know it.

Two major kingdoms fight for dominance over the world. One is high magic. the other is high technology. Neither is truly good or evil, but each says the other is evil, and they are good. The only reality is that they exploit everything and everyone (even their own people - with inquisitions, and nationalization) to try to conquer the other. There is one neutral group, called the order of the dawn. They use both high magic and high technology to try to peacefully quell the ever escalation between the two nations; and often have to step in and stop the forces of true evil that emerge from the conflict to protect the innocent. The two nations are not at war with the order of the dawn, but always try to influence them to do their bidding. Through it all, they try to keep nuetrality.

Usual high magic and technology races. Dragons and cyborgs and elves and aliens, and really, anything goes. Also includes Changelings, who can appear like anyone, and can change the appearances of their clothes (these are very rare). There are also creatures called spirit animals - usually smaller creatures (mouses, rabbits, squirrels, or foxes) who can talk and who have great magical powers. You know a creature is a spirit animal because it has a deformity (an extra tail, or paw, or horn or eye or head, or fur that has unusual colors, like gold or silver). And there are also smaller machines called bots, that are like spirit animals, but have great technology abilities. Bots and spirit animals are very rare as well, and are bound to special people (usually from the order of the dawn). No one knows where spirit animals or bots come from. They just show up at and become life bonded with a person. When that happens, that person usually joins the order of the dawn.

The high magic and high technology nations are at ever war. The order of the dawn tries to prevent total chaos.

The High Magic nation follow the sorcery gods. The high technology nation follows no gods, but believe in the great nothingness in which all has emerged, and treats it like a god (although science tells them that there are no gods). Some people in the magic nation can use magic. And some people in the technology nation has the gift to create great technology. Most people are ordinary and benefit from the creations of others - magic scrolls or devices to get by.

No, just the one plane. However, there are other planets you can take a spaceship to, or use astral teleportation (magic) to get there. This is where the war of sorcery and science is waged - across the galaxy.

It is unknown how many calamities have happened. When the order of the dawn fails, the nations of high magic and technology end up destroying each other. Only for all races to start anew. There has been at least a dozen calamities - no one knows for certain. There's been about 10,000 years of "cold peace" between the nations, but trouble is brewing, and perhaps the next calamity is upon us soon.

All in gold. Great trade routes across the planets and nations. There is plenty for each civilization to thrive. And yet, they both crave war and domination over the other.

Both nations heartless, brutal. They control their population with merciless inquisitions, for fear of their people turning to the other side. If you live in high magic and you are suspected to do science, you are executed, and the same if you are in high technology and you practice magic. The only group that is truly neutral that is allowed to pass between these nations despite their technology or magic background is the order of the dawn, as they are known as the galactic peace keepers.

Each nation (high techology, high magic) has the ruling class, that just want to exploit their people and the people of the other nation. Their grip is absolute, and they only hurt those around them (their people, or the opposing nation's people) when there is an extreme affront to their control (for example in the high magic nation, if someone uses technology or science then they will fall victim to the inquisition). So as long as you follow the nation's strict laws, you'll be fine. However, there is always an "unsactioned, but the ruling class turns a blind eye" faction of evil doers on each nation, trying to advance their nation's agenda (for example, high technology people trying to take over a high magic's people world). This is when the order of the dawn steps in and tries to stop those evil factions. And each evil faction is trying to gather resources to create a powerful monster of world ending proportions. There are rumors that these titan creatures can sway control over the war for either the high technology or high magic nation - or cause the next calamity. The order of the dawn must stop these creatures from emerging at all costs.