Though there are distant lands beyond its shores, adventures in the world of Drakkenheim take place within the continent. Once dominated by the Arcane Empire, these lands are now made up of several independent nations. Joined by shared history, faith, trade, and treaty, these realms can be staunch allies, but are just as often bitter foes. The world of Drakkenheim does not have a name: its inhabitants simply call it “the world” or “the earth”. In turn, the continent itself does not have a name, and is simply known as “the continent.” In everyday conversation, most people talk about the continent as a divided place of different realms. History of the Continent The pre-history of this world is lost, and even the early days of history are more myth and legend than matters of fact. Mortals don’t really know where they originated, and various cultures and religions have wildly different stories explaining the creation of the world. The Faith of the Sacred Flame teaches the world arose from the separation of light and shadow, and the destiny of all mortals is to be the light in a world of darkness. The ancient beliefs of the Old Faith tell tales of a feuding family of primeval deities who shaped the world and sowed the seeds of life. Esoteric mages who study the cosmos speculate the world is the product of chaotic clockwork, illusions made real, or other strange theories. The events recorded here should be regarded as the predominant narrative amongst historians within the setting, and not necessarily the full and complete truth. While many may speak with personal certainty about past events, such tales are always told differently depending on the speaker’s point of view. Details may be omitted intentionally or by accident, or even just lost to time. Even ancient and immortal creatures such as dragons and fiends respond evasively when asked about mortal origins, offering capricious conjecture and vague explanations at best.