Setting the Scene of Tessalia

Rules of the World

What are the fundamental differences in the natural laws of your world compared to Earth?

1. There is innate magic in almost if not all creatures of the world.
2. The magic comes from elemental and natuer spirits that make up a network of magical energy, running across the whole planet, called the Ley Lines.
3. The amount of power and type of magic one can receive from the Ley Lines differs depending on genetic predispositions, species, training and experience.

Cosmology

How did this world come to be?

The Great Mother gave birth to 13 children, who for many years waged war across the unhabitable space. To force them into an everlasting peace the Great Mother created a star system with a planet, consisting of enough nature and elemental power to bind her children and to create the first lifeforms.

Geography

What does the geography of your world look like?

The lands look different depending on where in the world one is, from the highest mountain peaks, covered in snow all the way down into hot and dry desserts and tropical forests, all life has a home here.

Does your Geography have any special properties or features?

Due to the existence of the twin moons, during certain times of the months and years, the tides will be far greater than they normally are, when the high tides of the two moons overlap.

Initial size of building (you can always expand later!)

What is the initial size of your active campaign setting?

Due to Sareth having been sealed underneath the capital of the Kingdom of Vraeneia, the players will mostly only explore this kingdom. I will start with the western part of the kingdom and as they journey east further develop the world.

People and their History

Who used to live in your active campaign space, and what’s their history?

At one point the whole world, including the campaign space, was inhabitated by a highly advanced race (or culture, no one knows) known only as the Foreclaimers. They must've lived for millenias before suddenly any trace of them disappeared. No one knows for certain why they disappeared, but many of their artefacts and ruins can still be found today.

Which species/cultures live here now and what’s their history?

Most of the nations on the continent where the Kingdom of Vraeneia is, are either predominantly human or at least feature major human minorities. Vraeneia and its neighbouring nations have signed a peace treaty ages ago after a combined effort to destroy the Elder Evil Sareth that still lasts to this day. No one other than the royal family of Vraeneia and its closest and most trusted people know though that the Elder Evil wasn't destroyed, but instead sealed away beneath Vraeneia's capital. There are also the orc tribes of the far north, though a large mountain range separates them from the souther nations. Though the orc tribes have fallen into and plundered the southern nations many times before.

What do they need, and what do they need from each other?

The southern nations of the continent, to which Vraeneia belongs, hold mostly trade relationships with each other. In times of need, like during an invasion of the orc tribes or a potential invasion of the Dragarean Empire, these nations will also form a bond of protection.