Golarion

The world is dark. The world has always been dark. And because it is dark, many creatures have no reason to hide.   Kobolds swarm caravans and travelers. Drow walk freely on the surface, no longer confined to their subterranean caverns. Not that they ever were. Because the world has always been dark.   The world leaders are all entities that thrive in the shadows. Vampires are the most common among them. A combination of their magical charm and their sheer power make them a force to be reckoned with. Polythropes are another common ruler, using their brute force and bloodlust to their advantage.   With monstrous beings roaming the streets, prowling the woods, and living next door, it's hard to feel truly safe. That is not to say that crime and murder are rampant. There is still a semblance of order, not out of a sense of law and dignity, but rather of possession. If you kill those who are under me, in my domain, that is a slight against me. The world sometimes seems to be in a perpetual cold war between the nations.   Huddled around candles and firelight, there are whispers. Whispers of a source of light bright enough to illuminate the world. There are fires. There are spellcasters who can create light. Who is to say that there can't be a way to bring out enough light to banish these creatures into the shadows?   But that is not the case. Because the world is dark. The world has always been dark.