The Fractured Realm

Magic Level: All objects have slight auras of magic, but some items are stronger–being soaked in high densities of magic for long period of time. These are known as Fractured items. Among creatures of the Fractured Realm, magic power is tied to specific bloodlines. Families that made pacts with cosmic forces and gods in exchange for power. Those with the Gift are capable of using it for both peace and chaos. This has led to the creation of magical noble houses who keep their lineages tightly controlled through selective marriages Warrior Culture: Some individuals not blessed with magic rely on the mysterious inner force known as Aura – a manifestation of willpower and battle-spirit that enhances physical prowess, letting warriors strike with supernatural speed and strength, and even lets masters perform feats like cutting through stone or deflecting spells. Technology: Steampunk fantasy. Harvested the technology of steam and magic and combined them to create a wide variety impossible things. Advanced Animatronics, flying ships, floating cities. All weapons are primitive though, as there are no guns or gunpowder being created, which allows for the use of weapons such as blades, whips, daggers, spears, blunt weapons, armor, and other simple and martial weapons. Theme: The world is ruled by a single Crowned God, a member that comes from any of the noble houses. Beneath them, the noble houses of mages and warriors compete and ply for power, prestige, influence, favor, and glory. Their rivalries fuel intrigue, duels, wars, espionage and dark alliances; all in attempt to have one of their own be crowned the next Crowned God.

The Fractured Realm of Indrivos– The central kingdom, ruled by a single king or queen called the Crowned God. The noble families swear fealty to the Crowned God but scheme constantly for power. Obscuraskil (Capital): The seat of the Crowned God. A sprawling city of marble palaces, stone fortresses, and mage towers. The Royal Court is here, along with the Gilded Arena where families duel for honor. The Gleaming Lands: Fertile farmland and plains, home to the strongest warrior houses, famed for their knightly orders. The Gem Coast: A coastal region where the most powerful magical families dwell, their estates built into enchanted cliffs, moved away from normal people that don't have magic. They have no wish to brush shoulders with those they consider inferior. The Forgotten Marshes: Borderlands constantly raided by monsters and foreign powers. Families stationed here gain glory through battle but risk extinction. The Wrangled Forest: Large expanse of thick jungles and tress, where magic flows while the forests and region swarms with untamed magic and fantastically beautiful and deadly creatures. Primary location of the elves. The Frozen Outskirts: Frozen northern wastes, dotted with ruins of ancient magical civilizations and Aura warrior monasteries. Filona: Floating city in the sky. Second largest city after Obscuraskil. High trade center as it has ports for flying ships and areas for carts and trade caravans to be lifted to the city using teleportation circles. The middle and high class live on the floating city while the lower class and darker parts of society are located; staring at the gleaming city above them. Home of the warriors and mages who fly on metal animatronic dragons, protecting the city from outside threats. All races are found here. Thima: Artistan and Engineer City. Where magic and enchantments are combined and create fantastical items of technology and magic. All races are found here, those who wish to create. Disilva Shumbles: Jumbled city with architecture from all races and regions. Here, intrigue and deception are at work, every person aiming to raise themselves up. Spies, assassins, warriors, and mages run rampage, taking whatever contracts or desires strike them. Lisiva: City of Light. Primary Home of the elves. Located in The Wrangled Forest. A sprawling city of marble and trees, the elves having blended roman architecture and nature into one. Elsivo Muutin (Crested Mountain): Largest mountain peak. Home of the city of dwarfs, Grante Elviso Mountain. A sprawling city carved into the mountain and where all of their mining and smithing is done.

All basic D&D races exist, but they are integrated into the noble house system: Humans: Dominate the monarchy and most noble houses. Both warrior and mage bloodlines. Faeries: Most are capable of magic, prized for their long lifespans and deep bloodline purity. Some warrior elves exist, but they are rare. Beautiful, fickle creatures that exude magic and grace. Capricious, what once was considered treasure can quickly become trash. Due to their long lives, their politics are slow and thoughtful, sometimes taking decades to come to fruition. Majority never leave The Wrangled Forest and their city, Lisiva. Increased speed, strength, and patience. Tall, fickle, and statuesque. Dwarves: Aura-heavy warrior families, tied to steel, smithing, mining, and weapon and jewelry creation. Rare, but feared mage-blood dwarves are considered near-divine. Are primarily based in their city, Grante Elviso Muutin, inside the mountain, Elsivo Muutin. Increased strength but decreased speed and shortened stature. Halflings & Gnomes: Often overlooked, but clever – many become spies, diplomats, and subtle mages. Often found in Disilva Shumbles and under Filona. Orcs and Half-Orcs: Powerful warrior houses in the Forgotten Marshes. Considered brutal, but Aura manifests extremely strongly in their blood. Increased strength Dragonbreeds: Half dragon, half humans, dragonbreeds are the result of mutations and the forced union between dragons and humans, forcing their appearences to look similar to dragons: scales, slit eyes, taloned hands, and wings, while they have human elements, two feet and 2 arms.. Magic as well as Aura often appear in their race. Some have increased strength and intellect. Often found in Thima, Filona, Obscuraskil, and Disilva Shambles. Skindancers: Shapeshifter, capable of stealing the appearance and souls of others. Often hunted and trained to be spies, assassins, curriers, warriors. Due to their biology, they have increased speed and strength. Normal appearance is ghastly white skin and pure black eyes and sharpened teeth.

Succession Crisis – The last Crowned God has been murdered has no clear heir. Noble houses maneuver for power, trying to place themselves closest to the throne to get one of their own crowned as Crowned God. Lies, intrigue, assassination, espionage, skirmishes, and war are at play while their contestants fight in the Gilded Arena. Warrior vs. Mage Rivalry – A centuries-long tension. Warrior houses claim Aura is more honorable and accessible, while mage houses insist their bloodline magic makes them superior. Duels, assassinations, skirmishes, and wars flare between them. Border Raids – Orc clans, monstrous beasts, and foreign kingdoms constantly pressure the borders. Warrior houses use this as a chance to prove themselves, while mage houses argue for central defense. The Shadow Conspiracy – Rumors spread of a cult of blood mages seeking to corrupt noble bloodlines, destroying the balance of Aura and Magic. Some whisper the cult is supported by one of the great houses. They hire assassins and spies to kill and kidnap noble members to train them or use them to blackmail. The Wave – Spies and assassin from outside kingdoms are sent to sow discord and animosity among citizens. They infiltrate all aspects of society.

Magic: Bloodline Gift: Magic is not something you learn — it is inherited. Only those born with the Gift can shape the arcane. This makes magical families fiercely protective of their bloodlines. Training & Houses: While anyone gifted may have sparks of talent, true mastery requires training within mage dynasties or their academies. Outcast mages (those born outside the houses) are often hunted, kidnapped, or “adopted” into noble service. Types of Magic: High Magic: Passed through the great noble bloodlines. Includes elemental mastery, spellcraft, wards, enchantments. Water, Fire, Nature, Air, Void, Space, Shadow, Light, Time, Mind. Wild Sparks: Rarely, magic manifests in commoners, creating sorcerers. They are feared, distrusted, or hunted as threats to noble control. Aura vs. Magic: Aura and Magic are seen as opposing forces. Aura comes from the soul and discipline; Magic comes from bloodline and gift. Few legends tell of those who wielded both — and such figures are regarded with awe or fear. Religion The Pantheon of the Crowned Realm – A set of gods worshipped by nobles and common folk alike. Each god represents an aspect of Aura, Magic, or rule. Glimaro, The Armored One– God of Aura, battle, and willpower. Patron of warrior dynasties. Temples often double as arenas or training halls. Sildro, The Weeping Woman – Goddess of water and purity. Falmut, Lord of Flames – God of fire and smithing. Primary patron of the Dwarves and city of Grante Elviso Muutin. Lithandra, The Kindly One – Goddess of nature and earth. Primary patron of the elves and city of Lisiva. Athros, The Swirling one – God of air and freedom. Primary Patron of Dragonbreeds and the city of Filona. Cyrica, The Masked One– Goddess of Shadow and Void. Goddess of lies and deceit. Primary patron of skindancers. Leiro, Light Bringer – God of Light and Illusions. Hundri, The Dancer – Goddess of Time and Space. Goddess of Divination and Fate Ilsandra, Lady of the Veil – Goddess of knowledge and bloodlines. Patron of mage houses. Her temples are libraries, with strict rules of entry. The Crowned One (Unnamed) – A mysterious divine figure said to have blessed the first Crowned God who united the realm. Official royal cult, worshipped mostly at court. Valcino, Mistress of Oaths – Goddess of justice, contracts, and duels. All noble courts invoke her name before trials or combat. Distra, The Betrayer – A fallen god of ambition and treachery. Good of the Void. Worship of him is outlawed, but secret cults exist, promising power to those who would break bonds and betray families. Role of Religion The nobility view gods as legitimizers of their bloodlines. Mage families often claim their power comes directly from of the God’s or Goddess’s blessings, while warrior dynasties see themselves as Gilmaro’s chosen. Common folk turn to Valcino for justice and protection from tyranny, and to Gilmaro for courage. The Church is not unified. Each god’s faith operates separately, meaning temples often clash in politics just like noble families.

The Age of Gifts – The gods first blessed mortals, creating the first bloodlines of Aura and Magic. The world was divided into tribes, clans, organizations, and houses. The Age of Annointment – One human warlord united the land into the Fractured Realm of Indrivos. Noble houses were formalized as vassals. Age of Steam – Humanity created advanced mechanical technology that they mixed with magic, creating many wonders. Everyone and every race flourished The Great War – A great civil war between Aura and Mage houses nearly shattered the kingdom. The current uneasy balance of power was established. The Current Age – An age of scheming, dueling, and impending crisis, with rumors of ancient threats stirring again.

Economy and Trade Currency: Standard D&D coinage (Copper, Silver, Gold, Platinum). Trade Routes: River of Kings: A massive trade artery connecting Obscuraskil to inland towns. Floating Trails: trade Route used by flying ships that pass through Filona and Thima towards Obscuraskil. Gem Coast Ports: Export enchanted goods, rare herbs, and exotic luxuries. Dwarven Roads: Supply steel, weapons, and war machines. Noble Wealth: Families gain standing by controlling mines, farmland, trade routes, or arcane resources. Aura warriors are also hired as mercenary retinues for gold.

Justice & Authority The Crowned God’s Law: All justice flows from the Crowned God. The Crowned God’s word is absolute, though nobles interpret and enforce it within their own lands. Each noble family maintains its own courts and judges, but appeals can be made to the Crown’s High Court in Obscuraskil. Dueling Courts: Many disputes between noble families (or within them) are settled through formal duels — Aura warriors vs. Aura warriors, mage vs. mage, or even champion vs. champion. These duels are highly ritualized, with referees and witnesses. Winning a duel can change land ownership, wealth, or titles. Knightly Orders & Mage Circles: Some houses have private enforcers (knightly orders for warrior families, arcane circles for mage families) who act as judge, jury, and executioner in their domains. Abuse of this power is common, leading to vendettas. 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 & Admiration: Adventurers are seen as both useful and dangerous. They are admired for their strength and bravery, but mistrusted as lawless, disloyal wanderers. Hired Blades & Arcane Agents: Noble houses often employ adventurers as mercenaries, spies, and troubleshooters. However, working for one house can make enemies of others. Legal Standing: Adventurers are technically “free folk” outside noble hierarchies. This gives them flexibility, but they lack protections of lineage. If they anger a noble, they have little recourse. Aura & Magic Users: Adventurers with Aura or Magic are especially noteworthy. Many nobles see them as wasted talent if they do not serve a House. Some are pressured into swearing oaths of loyalty or marriage to bring their gifts into a dynasty’s bloodline.

Monsters & Villains Bloodborn Cult: A shadowy group that kidnaps children of noble lines to twist their Aura or Magic into abominations. The Wyrms of the End: Ancient dragons slumbering throughout the kingdom, worshipped by dragon cults. Created the dragonbreeds. The Forsworn Houses: Noble families disgraced and exiled, who now operate as mercenary lords and assassins. Foreign Invaders: Neighboring kingdoms who see the succession crisis as a chance to conquer Indrivos. The Court’s Dark Secret: Whispers claim the royal bloodline itself is tainted with forbidden magic, and that the Crowned God’s murder was done by one of the noble houses looking to put one of their own on the Throne. The Lying Houses: The nobles houses vie for power, using Magic and Aura to deepen the power and prestige they hold. Specific houses are known to interact with dark entities and other internation powers to get what they want. They use the Gilded Arena and force duels to take care of enemies or those they wish gone.