Welcome to Odezia
Your journey starts here
Welcome traveller, to the world called Odezia. My name is Ordall Marvo Nisent and I will be your realm guide. Before you start your journey, first read this preface in full, for it might save your life, both from the dangers that roam the wilds as well as awkward social situations.
The world is one of wonder, prosperity and development. Upon your visit you will watch large ships cross dangerous waters to trade with neighbours and far away places alike. You will witness the ingenious ways people have survived in the most extreme of places: clockwork crawlers in the frozen north and green walled cities in the arid desert. Against a backdrop of lush green forests and blooming fields, you will see puffs of smoke from a locomotive that rattles by. And you will behold great industrial cities that push the world into a new age.
You will meet various people of exciting backgrounds, and likely a mage or two. Maybe you will even meet some merfolk, a Great Beast of the Wild, Lord of the Heavenly Skies or Ruler of the Deep Blue. And if you are unlucky, you might come face to face with a shadow monster and be unable to tell the tale…
The State of the World
Continents
The known world consists of four continents: Namda, Erumir, Taklasil and Fergel.
As the largest continent in Odezia, Namda comprises many different landscapes and many different peoples with their own unique cultures, beliefs and histories. But, with the recent discovery of uses of sun crystal, tension between countries is rising and an outright war is imminent.
Consisting of a large peninsula and many archipelagos, Erumir is home to many sea-faring and sea-dwelling cultures who have been at war and peace with each other many times. A recent incident might finally bring the two cultures closer to peace once again.
Harsh landscapes characterize Taklasil. Rough mountains in the north make way for arid deserts in the south. Most of the population inhabits the Green Belt, an imaginary border between the two landscapes where several walled cities keep the heat out and water in.
Surrounded by the Soundless and Southern Oceans, Fergel is still a little secluded from the rest of the world. It is home to nomadic cultures, legendary serpents of the desert, and the source of precious stones that are highly sought after over the entire world.
As the largest continent in Odezia, Namda comprises many different landscapes and many different peoples with their own unique cultures, beliefs and histories. But, with the recent discovery of uses of sun crystal, tension between countries is rising and an outright war is imminent.
Consisting of a large peninsula and many archipelagos, Erumir is home to many sea-faring and sea-dwelling cultures who have been at war and peace with each other many times. A recent incident might finally bring the two cultures closer to peace once again.
Harsh landscapes characterize Taklasil. Rough mountains in the north make way for arid deserts in the south. Most of the population inhabits the Green Belt, an imaginary border between the two landscapes where several walled cities keep the heat out and water in.
Surrounded by the Soundless and Southern Oceans, Fergel is still a little secluded from the rest of the world. It is home to nomadic cultures, legendary serpents of the desert, and the source of precious stones that are highly sought after over the entire world.
World history
Scholars across the world have agreed upon the history of the world being divided into three general eras. The Dawn era is an age of myths and legends. Each culture has its own stories about this era, but all agree that at this time the planet was home to ancients or divines. Their disappearance marked the end of the era.
The transition from the Dawn era to the Twilight era was marked by the rise of different human civilisations across Odezia. About 2500 years ago this era came to an abrupt end during what is now known as the Twilight Collapse. The world was thrown into darkness and shadow creatures walked forth from it. The era we currently find ourselves in is the Shadow era, an era defined by the creeping darkness.
The transition from the Dawn era to the Twilight era was marked by the rise of different human civilisations across Odezia. About 2500 years ago this era came to an abrupt end during what is now known as the Twilight Collapse. The world was thrown into darkness and shadow creatures walked forth from it. The era we currently find ourselves in is the Shadow era, an era defined by the creeping darkness.
Mysticism
Practitioners of the mystical arts, universally known as mages (regional terminology may vary), exist in one form or another in every culture of Odezia. Nevertheless, the natural laws behind mysticism are still a mystery to most. Neither customer nor hedge-witch wonders how she binds luck into a charm, she simply does.
Two forms of magic manipulation have been defined: activation and extraction, the latter being subdivided into transfer and transformation. The dangers of manipulating magic lies in the fact that extracted magic needs to pass through a conduit. If the mage does not use a channeler, the magic passes through the mage’s body, leading to death.
Two forms of magic manipulation have been defined: activation and extraction, the latter being subdivided into transfer and transformation. The dangers of manipulating magic lies in the fact that extracted magic needs to pass through a conduit. If the mage does not use a channeler, the magic passes through the mage’s body, leading to death.
Shadow monsters
The various cultures and religions of Odezia have their own explanation for shadow monsters treading forth from the darkness. Some speak of punishment by the gods, others an imbalance with nature, and a few suggest the realm of darkness bleeding into our world. Whatever the reason, at night these creatures tread into our world.
Fighting is futile. Running is useless. They will tear you to pieces and leave nothing behind. The only thing these creatures seem to fear are sun crystals, and so many people have these stones embedded above their doors.
Fighting is futile. Running is useless. They will tear you to pieces and leave nothing behind. The only thing these creatures seem to fear are sun crystals, and so many people have these stones embedded above their doors.
So, good luck traveller, and may the gods be with.
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