The Truths of this World

Do you feel it? The pulse of the world beneath your feet? Magic in every breath, gods in every shadow. This land you walk is but a dream of the divine. Its boundaries are fragile, its truths fleeting. But you, adventurer, hold the power to shape it. Remember this, as you set forth into the unknown—Tavomia is as much yours as it is theirs.

— Malika Ghallab, to a Novice at the Explorer’s League Headquarters

Tavomia is a world of contrasts—where ancient powers and modern ambitions collide, where magic and faith shape reality, and where heroes rise to meet the challenges that threaten civilization. As you begin your journey through this vast and intricate land, there are core truths you must understand. These truths are the foundation upon which Tavomia is built, and knowing them will guide your path. From the fragile boundaries of magic to the ever-present influence of the gods, Tavomia’s reality is as fluid as it is dangerous. In this world, your choices matter, and every step you take will echo through the ages.

A World Shaped by Fate

In Tavomia, heroes are not common folk. Those who rise to face the world's greatest dangers are rare, carrying with them a spark of fate that sets them apart. These adventurers are more than mere champions—they are extraordinary beings capable of surviving trials that would break others. It is this spark that allows you to rise above the masses and take on the role of a true hero.
Adventurers are revered, whispered about in taverns and told of in campfire stories. While many people lead lives shaped by small victories—defending their homes from goblins or standing firm against marauding orcs—true heroes, like you, are the ones who fight the monsters of legend. You stand where others fall, your path shaped by destiny itself.

Civilization Exists, But It Is Fragile

While cities and kingdoms dot the landscape of Tavomia, they are fragile bastions amidst the wild, chaotic forces that encircle them. Civilization thrives in places like Landora, with its patrolled roads and structured society, yet even there, dangers lurk beneath the surface. Beyond the safe borders of farmland and cities, the world becomes untamed, unpredictable.
Once you leave the beaten path, reality itself begins to shift. Areas where the Weave is thin are prone to strange phenomena, and ancient magic or corruption seeps into the land, warping what should be stable and safe. Factions like the Black Veil or the Cult of the Damned further complicate things, working from the shadows to bring destruction and chaos to even the most secure cities. No place is truly safe from their influence, and the deeper you go into the wilderness, the more precarious your situation becomes.

Magic is Rare, Awe-Inspiring, and Dangerous

Magic in Tavomia is a rare and powerful force. While common folk might witness minor magical feats, like a small healing or simple cantrip, true magic—the kind capable of changing the course of a battle or altering reality—is feared and respected. Even the use of low-level spells is something most people encounter only once in a lifetime. Mages who wield magic of the third level or higher are rare, and their abilities often come with risks that make them even more dangerous.
In Tavomia, magic is tied to the Weave, the very fabric of reality. But the Weave is fragile, fractured during the Divine War, and no magic is truly safe. Even those who call upon divine powers, like clerics or paladins, must contend with the whims of the Weave. Paladins, for instance, do not wield divine power in the traditional sense but instead use Inspirational Magic—drawing upon their inner conviction and the faith others place in them.
For adventurers, this means that magic is not to be used lightly. Each spell could carry unforeseen consequences, especially in areas where the Weave is thin and reality is unstable.

The Gods Are Distant but Influential

The gods of Tavomia are distant figures, locked away in divine prisons after the cataclysmic Divine War. Yet their influence still seeps into the world through clerics and other devout followers who serve as conduits for divine power. These conduits, however, are far from invincible. Channeling divine magic takes a toll, sometimes altering both the body and mind of the cleric.
Though the gods no longer walk among mortals, they still answer prayers—albeit through mortals themselves. However, even these divine powers are limited by the fractured state of the Weave. Magic, whether arcane or divine, is unpredictable, and even the gods no longer fully control it.
For the heroes of Tavomia, this means that the divine is ever-present, but rarely straightforward. You may carry the blessings of the gods, but you also carry the weight of their expectations and the risk of the Weave’s instability.

Monsters and Factions Lurk in the Shadows

While the wilds of Tavomia are home to fearsome monsters, the true dangers often come from the shadows within civilization. Powerful factions like the Black Veil and the Cult of the Damned seek to unravel the world from within, using corruption, assassination, and dark magic to further their ends. These factions are not easily recognized, and their influence spreads through whispers, hidden alliances, and secretive cults.
Even in the most civilized lands, danger can strike without warning. The Golge Cemberi, an infamous assassin’s guild, or the spreading influence of ancient threats can bring ruin to a city, leaving it vulnerable to external dangers. Adventurers must navigate not just the wilds but also the political and societal perils posed by these secretive forces.

Adventurers Are Rare and Legendary

In Tavomia, adventurers are not a common sight. The few who bear the Spark of Fate are spoken of in legends, their tales told in taverns and by campfires across the land. Heroes like you are extraordinary, capable of feats that leave even seasoned warriors in awe.
Unlike other worlds where adventurers are numerous, Tavomia’s heroes stand out, and their actions shape the world around them. Whether slaying ancient beasts, uncovering lost cities, or holding back the encroaching darkness, you are among the few who have the power to change the course of history.

A World of Balance

Tavomia is a land of cycles, from life to death and rebirth. The Weave, although damaged, still maintains a fragile balance between light and shadow, magic and reality. The role of adventurers, the gods, and even the forces of evil is all part of this equilibrium. Without you, the darkness would overwhelm the world. But with your actions, Tavomia has hope.
As you take your first steps into this dangerous and wondrous world, know that everything you do matters. Tavomia is yours to shape, if you have the will and the courage to do so.

Spark of Fate

Adventurers in Tavomia carry with them something rare and powerful—the Spark of Fate. This spark sets them apart from the common folk and grants them the ability to rise above the challenges that would claim lesser souls. It is this spark that allows you to survive where others might fall, to face dangers that would break the average person. You are more than just skilled or lucky—fate itself guides your steps, pushing you toward greatness.

The Whisper of Corruption

The profane gods Morgesh and Dashiva represent more than just malevolent forces; they are living embodiments of corruption. Their whispers are insidious, creeping into the minds of even the purest individuals. Evil in Tavomia is not always a conscious choice—these dark gods sow doubt, temptation, and madness. Mortals who hear their whispers often find their will weakened, their sense of right and wrong blurred. It takes incredible strength to resist their influence, and many who fall under their sway do so without ever realizing they’ve crossed a line.
Corruption manifests subtly at first—dreams tainted by dark visions, small selfish acts justified by necessity—but once Morgesh or Dashiva’s influence takes hold, it is a slow descent into madness or depravity. Those who dabble in their power may find themselves transformed, not only in mind but in body, as the corruption warps them into something monstrous.

Inspirational Magic

Unlike traditional divine magic, Paladins in Tavomia wield a unique form of power known as Inspirational Magic. This magic is fueled by belief—both in themselves and in the faith that others place in them. It is an emotional, deeply personal force, shaped by conviction rather than strict adherence to divine will. While clerics may still channel divine magic directly from the gods, Paladins use this internal strength to inspire others and bend reality to their ideals.
Bards, too, harness Inspirational Magic through their music, stories, and songs. By weaving tales of courage and hope, they stir the hearts of those around them, drawing on the power of shared emotions and aspirations. Through their art, Bards inspire greatness, lifting spirits and even influencing the world around them in profound ways.

Speak Not Their Name

In Tavomia, words have power—especially when it comes to the gods. To speak the name of a deity is to invite their attention. Mortals who invoke a god’s name, even in passing, draw that deity’s gaze. While this can be a blessing for those who seek favor, it can also be a curse for those who speak carelessly.
The gods, whether benevolent or malevolent, are always listening. Uttering their names makes one more “visible” to them, increasing the likelihood of divine intervention, for good or ill. This is why the phrase “take not the gods’ names in vain” holds such weight in Tavomia. To carelessly invoke a god’s name is to risk their wrath, their blessing, or something far worse—a tug on the weave of fate itself.