Veridia

A world of high gothic fantasy. Set in an age similar to our late medieval era but without any gunpowder, as magic has taken its place instead. A world of strife, heroism, ruin, and ancient secrets to unveil. Of noble heroes and wicked villainy.

The world is largely unexplored, but the main civilized continent only known as the "Middle Kingdoms" consists of Nothgarde to the north, a tribal and war-like nation of frost and steel, who's chieftains elect a 'high king' to represent their mixed peoples. The central kingdom, Leograd, is a mixed nation of many city-states with no official 'king' or emperor, and is in a constant state of political tensions as small barons and noble families struggle for power. This is the most prosperous of the nations. To the southland there is no official "kingdom" But rather a border that starts at the great Kaldorian desert. Outlaws, slavers, and high-risk traders make a living in the Kaldorian sands.

Elves, Dwarves, humans, orcs, and some beast races inhabit these lands. Dwarves and orcs being common in Nothgarde, while humans and many different species of elves inhabit the Leograd kingdoms. To the south, in the great Kaldorian deserts, all manor of beings can be found.

Rumors spread of orcish raids from Nothgarde down into the northern territories of Leograd, and slavers grow bold from the southern Kaldorian deserts. Leograd has its own internal turmoil between its nobles families and barons. It seems the whole world is at odds with whatever neighbor lies closest.

Magic is used by those sensitive to the arcane, who pull threads of 'ether' out of the air like floating cobwebs, which enhances their mana and allows them to channel it into spells. They are like living magnets for these threads of ether that are imperceptible to those without arcane blood. No one knows how or why some people are born sensitive to the ether, and they are greatly feared due to their power. Religion plays a large role in the Leograd society, as most city-states worship "Galiade" the 'Old God' of honor, civilization, progress, and justice. The Kaldorians worship elemental spirits, who reveal themselves often to druids who earn their favor. The Nothgardians do not worship gods, but rather revere their ancestors in worship, and have many rituals to summon ancient spirits of their forebears when in need of aid.

A new rising tribe of Orcish raiders has driven their hostilities far into the northern borders of Leograd, under a banner none recognize. They scream for "Araknakai" when they charge into battle full of bloodlust and fury. The Kaldorian slavers whisper the same name when they drag Leogardians away to be used in their blood rituals. "Araknakai" is an ancient spider-god who feeds on pain, fear, domination and bloodshed. But his name has been lost to history... until now.