Metaphysical concepts

Realms

Scholars have agreed that the world is made of two distinct realms:

Mundus: The material realm, where kith and other mortals reside.

The Beyond: The realm of the gods, immaterial and chaotic in nature. The domains of the gods exist here, their size shifting with the power and influence a god enjoys on Mundus.

Magic

Magic is the art of manipulating the matter and energies of the natural world using one's mind. The capability for magic was originally gifted to select few kith by the gods, but over time, individuals were born into the world with the gift of sorcery already within them.

Today, magic is a heavily studied subject, and it is possible for almost anyone to learn basic spellcraft, provided they are lucky or wealthy enough to receive training in it. One does not need to be kith to wield magic, as other mortals and even certain magical beasts have been shown to use it.

Kith

Amongst the sapient mortal species, seven rose to prominence in the time before history:

Dwarves

Elves

Firkin

Godmarked

Gruakhai

Humans

Setzá

They are the dominant peoples of Mundus, and are collectively known as kith. Unlike other mortals, all kith are host to souls, immortal spirits which inhabit their bodies. As such, they are subject to the cycle of reincarnation known as The Path.

When kith die, their souls enter The Beyond through the Gates of Argadain, the realm of the god of death. If they were dedicated servants in life, they may be allowed to join their chosen god for some time in their domain. Eventually (usually within a few years' time) their soul will continue on The Path, and be reborn on Mundus.

Deities

There are nine Deities in the world:

Guthnoc: God of law, protection and wisdom.

Riaghail: God of life, peace and prosperity.

Onora: Goddess of dreams, magic and twilight.

Argadain: God of death, fate and the sky.

Gowyr: God of the crafting, light and passion.

Gwilha: Goddess of love, trickery and the seas.

Bleddyn: God of disease, decay and the undead.

Thurial: God of dungeons, secret knowledge and the underworld.

Bruada: Goddess of bloodlust, nature and strength.