Ayndrinor

The realm of Ayndrinor is in its Second Age. The previous millennia (now mostly forgotten) saw the rise of vast, advanced mageocracies with technology that would boggle minds of even the brightest scholars currently alive. For reasons unknown, these kingdoms and cities were wiped off the face of the planet -- with little trace of their existence except for small ruins scattered around the realms.   At this point in history, conflict is very much a normal part of life in Ayndrinor. Fierce, zealous wars rage between neighboring kingdoms in parts of the realm, while other areas have seen unprecedented peace and consolidation. The threat of marauding barbarians or necromantic liches is ever-present in the northern reaches of the world. Adventurers and mercenaries who have cut their teeth in the various conflicts around the world now seek to cleanse the cursed and corrupted areas. Among all of this, scholars and archaeologists patronized by nations and wealthy nobles are searching for ruins and relics of ancient history, trying to piece together what happened to the previous peoples and cities.   The religion of the world revolves primarily around The Four, greater deities responsible for creating and bringing life to the world. The vast majority of people across the world pray regularly, if not daily, to The Four for guidance and protection in their lives. These four deities represent the four "natural elements" that scholars believe run the universe: life (Damara), death (Helī), nature (Talia), and magic (Gaela). Apart from these primary deities, there is also a Light Pantheon most people identify with and a Dark Pantheon that is widely forbidden or at least taboo. Most people have at least one deity in the Light Pantheon that they regularly give tribute to, usually associated with their profession or livelihood - though in some places this has a cultural or racial determinant.