The Forge Lands

Low magic, early industrial technology. Magic is extremely powerful, balanced out by being extremely rare. Only dozens of full fledged magic users exist in the world, and they have incalculable power, depending on what they have learned. Mages could potentially wipe out entire civilizations in mere days by creating explosions miles wide. Because of this, they are highly coveted by all civilizations. Nations have basic early technology, and nations are on the cusp of having steam powered machines and early guns, along with ironclad ships. Because magic exists, research is being done to infuse technology with magic. Beneath the northern part of the Forge Lands, emanating from a region called 'The Heartwood' is a giant living heart, secretly born from the goddess Lohal. The hearts roots stretch deep underground across the northern part of the continent, giving life to all the magical creatures that inhabit the lands. Recently, though, human mining has caused the heart to fade and die, weakening the amount of magical creatures it can sustain. The lands used to be ruled by three demi-gods born out of the heart to rule great nations. Usnul, in the image of the Vestirum, Hesthius, in the image of the Fae, and Veathias, in the image of the Nymphs. One day, the heart stopped providing the long life that it previously had, and the brothers led their races to war. The resulting war led to Usnul killing Hesthius and Veathias killing Usnul. Weakened from the war, another race, the Fondanians, attempted to overthrow the other nations. Veathias initially led the nations in a combined effort against the Fondanians, but he one day vanished, never to be seen again. After this, humans arrived to the Forge Lands for the first time, and their colonization efforts wiped out most of the magical creatures, only leaving a few hardy or sneaky survivors. Colonization was easy due to the races being weakened from the Fondanian War. 200 years later, most of this history has been forgotten in favor of politics between human nations.

--Nations-- Ordered from North to South: 1. The Crimson Empire The Crimson Empire used to be multiple warring factions, notable the Hirvunwhin, Torwindil, and Kolisgaith. A peace treaty caused all of the factions to ally together and to create the strongest nation in the world. They have powerful industry and are close allies with Rocca due to widespread trade. They have uneasy trade alliances with all other major nations besides Rocca. They have a mostly human and Vulcanite population, with Vulcanites usually being treated as cheap labor and second class citizens. The Crimson Empire wants to expand their influence to all surrounding nations, and will resort to violent means to do so. Their nations colors are red and black. The current emperor, Miras Melikor, is complacent, and plans to hand off rulership to his son, Luceron. Miras' brother, Malos Melikor, is a much more ruthless but efficient leader, who has slowly gained support in the empire, especially from Vulcanites. The empire is steadily growing it's collected of mages, along with its powerful army. The empire is also mining deep into the earth, disturbing Lohal's heart. Major Regions: Anora - The capitol of the Crimson Empire. Found in the northeast. It is very large and the most technically advanced place in the Forge Lands. It contains the empire's capital building: the Sceptariun. Malstara - An ancient capital city belonging to the now extinct Vistirum. It is filled with magic residue from the Fondanian war. The Heartwood - The region where the center of the heart is located and where magic energy is most concentrated. Redral - A large landmass stretched out eastward controlled by the Crimson Empire. 2. Marbia A nation stuck in their ways, ruled by a monarchy and a council of benevolent mages. The prince has been missing, as he is secretly investigating corruption in the nation. Marbia has a positive relationship with Castilia, and views Tusco favorably. They dislike Rocca and have a rocky trade relationship with the Crimson Empire. Old Greg's Tavern is located in Marbia. Marbia is behind on technology, and generally is very slow to make decisions. They are also a very large nation, struggling with resource and communication distribution. Their colors are blue and white. Along with humans, Marbia has a fairly large Mossarii population. Marbia has struggled as of late with onslaughts of undead rising from beneath Marbia, called the Forsaken. Subfactions: Marbian Partisans - A group of Marbians that have gone rogue, mainly consisting of former soldiers. They lead raids on the Crimson Empire, believing them to be responsible for the Forsaken attacks. They are lead by a black man with Castilian heritage named Micipsa. Shatake Dynasty - Mossarii that mostly live in the Mossarii vale. They stay out of the way of the rest of Marbia, and usually swear pacifism. Maitake - A small swamp dwelling group of Mossarii that are expert botanists. They are rowdy and often cruel, unlike most of the other Mossarii. They mostly communicate amongst themselves in the Cug'tol lagnuage. Major Regions: Pharisia - The capital region, filled with noblemen, vineyards, and mansions. Located in the Northeast of Marbia. It contains Osria. Osria - The gaudy capital of Marbia, located in Pharisia. Sherfield - A southern settlement that has its own local colors: green and brown. It secretly captures escaped Tuscan slaves to resell them back to Rocca. Ravensclaw - A small mining town nestled alone amongst taiga woods. It contains an old castle that has recently been refurbished by a group of former criminals turned adventurer after they slew a tyrannical wizard that had been ruling over it. Brismark - A small farming town nestled in the Eastin Valley between the Orin Mountains. It borders the Dreadwood. It is near the farm that belongs to Jonas Feldor, and his children Kirith and Dennis. Mossarii Vale - A hidden city belonging to the Mossarii, filled with oriental styled buildings and dim orange shroom lights. A place of peace and magic hidden from the world, and given partial autonomy from the Marbian government. 3. Rarenth Rarenth is a recent offshoot of Marbia, given independence from the Marbian government so that Marbia does not have to supply resources to the large region. Rarenth is built on hallowed land strongly affected by dark magic, and its population is very low. It is functionally Marbian in every other way, and even has a government mostly controlled by Marbia. It is to the southwest of Marbia, and has slightly darker blue and silver colors. 4. Soland A nation comprised of a mix of humans, Vulcanites (Rumug Spawn especially), and some rare Shades. It mainly stays isolated from the other nations, only occasionally trading with Rocca. It's colors are a light yellow and grey. It is south of Marbia. 5. Free Tusco Free Tusco is a nation southeast of Marbia, largely existing on a peninsula called Terfan. It is comprised of the freedom fighters and refugees that have escaped the Roccan invasion. It suffers from poaching, poverty, and spice drug trade. It's primary biome is savannah. Orange and red are it's main colors. They speak common and the Ascâhn language. Subfactions: Tuscan Resistance - Freedom fighters fighting the Roccan slavers. Men of Shilos - A trading group known for the movement of spice and dyes. Major Regions: Painted Mountains - Mountains used by the Tuscan Resistance to ambush Roccan attempts at invasion. It is separated slightly from the rest of Terfan by a small section of the Tuscan Sea. Herai Cliffs - The southern cliffside where most of Free Tusco's civilian populaton can be found. It is separated by from Rocca by the Tuscan Sea. 6. Rocca Spanning a large desert expanse east of Tusco, Rocca is the geographically largest nation. It is the second most advanced nation, next to the Crimson Empire. It is enemies with Castilia and Free Tusco, while having a rocky relationship with Soland, Marbia, and Rarenth. It is close allies with the Crimson Empire. Rocca has the strongest navy, which it used to support the Crimson Empire and to dissuade other nations from attack. Rocca is the place where humans first settled in the continent, far before the northern regions were settled after the Fondanian wars. Rocca has recently won a major conquest and conquered most of Tusco, taking the Tuscan people as slaves. Rocca uses their labor force to erect large temples to their pantheon of gods, led by Incu, the god of prosperity. They worship the same gods as Tusco. Most of Rocca is a harsh desert. The nations main colors are dark orange and black. They speak common and the Ascâhn language. Major Regions: Roccan Expanse - The great Roccan desert. Tusco (region) - The lands formerly owned by Tusco that are now conquered by Rocca. Islands off the coast of the Forge Lands - Castilia Castilia mostly consists of small islands that are run by pirates and scoundrels. The common people in Castilia are amongst the most free in the world, despite the high crime. Castilia has resisted all attempts at colonization, managing to keep its trade routes accessible to all nations. There is a small Castilian government, but they mostly let the people do at they please and focus on defending external threats rather than internal. They are extremely wealthy and corrupt. Castilia is separated from the Forge Lands by the Crescent Sea, and is just east of Marbia and the Crimson Empire. The nations color is a bright yellow. Major Regions: Redwater - A small town somewhere in Castilia known for its shipbuilding. In a continent to the east of the Forge Lands - The Azulian Empire The Azulian Empire is mostly disconnected from the Forge Lands, only making occasional contact through Castilia from trade. It exists on the continent of Rezelea, which is where humanity originally came from, and it's color is light blue. The Empire has become too big for its own good and is currently battling internal struggles. -- Other Major Regions of Note-- 1. Vulfal Mountains - A far northern region defined by mountains and snow, controlled by the Crimson Empire. 2. Crimfel - South of the Vulfal mountains, a rocky regions well known for it's crags, dubbed 'The Crag Fields of Crimfel'.

Extinct Magic Races: 1. Fae - Small woodland creatures that used to be a major faction in the Forge Lands before being wiped out in the Fondanian Wars. They were led by Hesthius. 2. Nymphs - Creatures made out of the earth, and distant relatives to the Vulcanites. They were in touch with nature but were wiped out during the Fondanian Wars. They were led by Veathias. The only surviving Nymphs during modern times are the Marbian Forest Elders. 3. Vistirum - A species with pale, icelike bodies and pointed ears. They once were a great power that wielded magic easily but were mostly wiped out during the Fondanian Wars. They were led by Usnul. Some Vistirum survivors may still be alive. 4. Fondanian Elves - A race that was mortal enemies with the Vistirum, one that tried to invade when the other races were weakened. The Fondanians have pale green skin and are connected strongly to nature and magic. They are also said to be very beautiful. Fondanians were hated for tapping into dark magic to practice necromancy. Fondanians were mostly killed by humans during the colonization of northern parts of the Forge Lands. Some may still be surviving throughout the land, in hiding. Surviving Magic Races: 1. Vulcanites - Distant relatives to Nymphs. Vulcanites have strong bodies that are similar to rocks and earth, being very hardy and useful for manual labor. Vulcanites can be highly intelligent, but are stereotyped as unthinking. Sub-species: Halun Vulcanites - Vulcanites with grey, near flesh-like skin. Although their stature is smaller, they are still very hardy creatures. Usually, they are skilled hunters. They speak the ancient Vulcanite language of Hal'spat. Ramug Vulcanites - Vulcanites with calloused, rocky skin. They prefer wild lands and an old way of life in which they can rob and pillage travelers. They are purely carnivores, and have a strong relationship with dire wolves, which they have domesticated partially. They speak Cug'tol. Eboran Vulcanites - The strongest and most rock like Vulcanites, also the most widespread. Lava courses through their bodies and they are bastions of strength. Though believed to be unintelligent, they actually are deeply sophisticated thinkers. Although they speak the common tongue, they also frequently speak Cug'tol. 2. Shades - Shades are mysterious creatures, often believed to be thieves and scam artists. They have completely pitch black bodies that produce a faint water vapor, making them appear slightly hazy and as if they were made of smoke. Shade's have no distinguishable featured outside of their glowing eyes, which are differently colored based on lineage. Shade's hail from northern regions like the Vulfal Mountains, though they have spread out throughout the lands. Shade's have blue blood and higher attunement for magic than most species, though in Shade culture magic is seen as mostly unimportant and is mainly used for completing simple tasks. Shades prefer cool spaces and like to keep themselves hidden under thick cloaks. 3. Mossarii - Mossarii are mushroom like creatures with white bodies and red caps protruding from their heads. Sometimes other smaller mushrooms can sprout from their bodies. Mossarii are not very physically strong but have a long history of intricate martial art forms. 4. Forsaken - Undead bodies of magical creatures rising from the earth to feast on the living. Many of the bodies that become the Forsaken once were Vistirum and Fondanians. It is suspected that the Crimson Empire has something to do with the recent rise of Forsaken attacks on Marbia. It is also rumored that necromancers that are behind the rise of the Forsaken, and their seemingly co-ordinated attacks on Marbian settlements. These necromancers could be surviving Fondanians. Non Magic Species: 1. Human - Humans are great problem solvers, engineers, and storytellers that came to the Forge Lands from Rezelea to seek new horizons and to exploit magic. Unknown Species: 1. The Fel - The first children of the goddess Lohal, sealed deep underground beneath the heart as they became, viscous monsters due to their greed of magic. If the heart were to die, the Fel would be unleashed into the world. Unsul and Hesthius became Fel after their deaths.

1. The Forsaken Plight - The Marbian Partisans have taken it upon themselves to investigate the Forsaken attacks, suspecting mercenary mages working for the Crimson Empire to have brought the Forsaken into Marbia as an attempt at espionage. There are also rumors that surviving Fondanians are serving as necromancers to help raise the dead, although there is currently no proof behind these rumors. What is for certain is that the Forsaken attacks are becoming more and more precise, almost coordinated, eliminating Marbian settlements. 2. Tuscan Exploitation - Tuscan slaves are being terribly exploited by Rocca, and escaped Tuscan slaves are being sold back to Rocca. Free Tusco's only source of income is from outlawed spice manufacture, which means it's existence is precarious, especially when bordered by the Roccan enemy. 3. The Blockade of Castilia - Rocca has made a hostile move against Castilia, blocking Castilias trade routes with it's large navy. Nobody gets in or out. Pirates may have to work together to destroy the Roccan threat. 4. Internal Conflict Within the Crimson Empire - Malos Melikor is planning a coup against his brother, the emperor, and he has the support of the powerful Vulcanite people. 5. The Fading Heart - The heart of Lohal is being mined into and harmed by the Crimson Empire, and to a lesser extent, Marbia. This could spell the end for magic, and nobody knows how the heart will react when wounded, possibly releasing the Fel. Most in the Forge Lands don't believe in the heart anyway, not even the magical creatures believe in it anymore. 6. The Brave Heroes of Ravensclaw: A human noble names Christian, a miller named Matthias, a farmer named Tom, and a curious Shade named Talen have slain Eviar, a rogue mage that had taken over the town of Ravensclaw. Now, the group is being praised as heroes and is desperately trying to do a good job of leading the settlement, although ruling is more difficult than expected. Also, a mysterious hunter with dark skin named Quill has come to the settlement, and has sworn loyalty and to protect Christian after the noble saved his life.

Magic is a phenomenon unique to the continent named the Forge Lands, suspected to be drawn from the heart of Lohal. Magic can usually only be utilized in small degrees by magic creatures native to the Forge Lands, and only individuals born with attunement. To be considered a mage or wizard, an individual must be able to utilize magic in extremely powerful ways. It is possible for non-magic attuned individuals to develop magic abilities if they experience extreme emotional or physical trauma that causes them to tap into magic as a sixth sense, and this phenomena can only occur in regions where magic is prevalent. Magic can be distilled by an extremely difficult and expensive alchemic process that can provide a user temporary magic abilities at a high physical cost. Magic on its own is an unrefined material, they can be put to use through magic staffs, which have been imbued with certain magic styles and attunements. These include healing, fire, explosions, spatial manipulation, necromancy, and many other typed of distilled magic usage. Extremely powerful mages can discard staffs and rely on their own bodies ability to channel magic to complete a specific task.

Before humans arrived, the Forge Lands existed in an age of magic. Once humans arrived, magic gradually died out at was replaced with technology. Ruins from ancient civilizations are often retrofitted for human use.

The currency for Marbia, Rarenth, Free Tusco the Crimson Empire, and Castilia is called claws. In Soland, and Rocca the currency is the Roccan dollar. Most non-direct trade runs through Castilia.

Adventurers are liked in Marbia, Rarenth, and Castilia, but disliked everywhere else. Marbia, the Crimson Empire, and Rarenth like to use proper court systems, while Soland, Tusco, and Castilia prefer to let locals carry out justice. Rocca has fake courts that only carry out what the Roccan emperor wants them to.

Many different magical fantasy creatures still exist throughout the lands, but they have become extremely rare. Giant toxic spiders inhabit marshes, dragons are rarely spotted in the frigid north, and the Fel lie deep beneath the heart. The Forsaken undead are the main threat faced by Marbia.