This is the excerpts from a document i wrote as a guide for a universe in which i set a series of TTRPG sessions.
This is a world called Terra, based on the geographical characteristics of our own Earth, but isolated and reorganized to create completely new geographical landmasses. This is a world of alternate history, where prehistory occurs mostly as it did in our own world, with the difference that in this world, the spiritual and magical aspects of reality are real and tangible, and the myths proposed by our ancestors are fact, specifically the ones created by the Egyptians, Norse, Greeks, Chinese and Mexica.
This is also a world of light fantasy, logical and coherent explanations are not a fundamental pillar of existence itsel, and things may come to be just because reality willed so. Two concepts may contradict themselves, yet both may be real withoud limiting each other.
For a long time, humanity, accompanied by the gods, developed and flourished, maintaining an eternal technological level equivalent to that of the Bronze and Iron Ages, yet with the existence of supernatural forces. Each pantheon has its people, and the respective peoples—transpositions of the ancient civilizations that once inhabited our world—have developed lifestyles in which they have learned to live in a world filled with mythological creatures and supernatural concepts such as the underworld or magic. The world is divided into five peoples or regions, each primarily governed and inhabited by beings and individuals aligned with their respective pantheons, though it is not a strict rule that these regions are exclusively populated by their own people.
The Regions
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Kemet is the region corresponding to the Egyptian people, Hellas
and its islands are the home of the Hellenic people, Midgard is
the realm of the Norse peoples, Huaxia is the nation of the Han
people, and Anáhuac is the land of the Nahua peoples. Originally,
these peoples lived in peace within their respective regions,
practicing their rituals while living under the yoke of their
pantheons. But gradually, the gods' abuse began to foster a
smoldering discontent among all the peoples.
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The Collapse.
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For thousands of years, the world was governed by the natural
order: humans were ruled by the gods. But everything changed when,
for the first time, a god—Balder—was slain by a mere mortal. This
event shattered the old order, and both men and gods began forming
independent factions driven by self-interest rather than blind
subjugation. More gods fell, some by the hands of other deities,
and in rare, extraordinary cases, by humans. Entire kingdoms were
wiped out by divine wrath, backed by armies of beasts and mortal
followers. Now, the world stands on the brink of collapse. The
pantheons and their peoples have fractured, giving rise to
factions that care only for their own survival. Wars rage between
the most powerful groups, turning vast stretches of land into
lawless wastelands, while others become endless, blood-soaked
battlegrounds. An intangible cosmic force that should uphold
"divine order" lies dormant—or has vanished entirely—leaving chaos
to reign supreme. In this dystopian chaos, players must navigate a
broken world. What factions might arise, and what would their
goals be? And what deeper reasons could explain why chaos now
governs existence?
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A nomadic horde that has been the nightmare of Huaxia since ancient times. Composed of the Mányi—ethnic groups outside Huaxia who also inhabit the continent of Zhongtu—they worship no pantheon but have served various deities when convenient.
Made up of non-Han ethnic groups inhabiting Zhongtu, including the Menggu (Mongols), Cháoxiǎn (Koreans), Huíhé (Uyghurs), Miáo (Hmong), and Nǚzhēn (Manchu). They typically reside in small kingdoms that have long lived in Huaxia's shadow.
Currently ruled by Chiyou, it is the most powerful and imposing military force in all of Huaxia. With nahuales (shapeshifters) serving Tezcatlipoca, they seek to subjugate all of Zhongtu—and eventually, the world.
Formed by Huangdi's generals after his disappearance, this order controls several Huaxia settlements and fervently believes the Yellow Emperor still lives.
After the Trojan War, the city expanded exponentially and never reconciled with Mycenae. Following Baldur's death, tensions erupted once more, sparking the Second Great Trojan War.
Comprised of Sparta and Argos, they enjoy Ares' favor as he seeks to establish himself as Zeus' foremost heir. Shortly after forming, the Spartan League aided Ares in capturing and imprisoning Hephaestus, who is now forced to forge divine weapons. This has caused great unrest among some Hellenic peoples, most notably the Athenian League.
Composed of Athens, Delphi, and Thebes, this league is favored by Athena, who supports them in defeating the Spartan League and weakening their patron god, Ares.
A union of Mycenae, Crete, and Ithaca, locked in constant struggle against Great Troy. Initially, both the Spartan and Athenian Leagues supported them in the Second Great Trojan War, but they were later abandoned as the Hellenic factions turned on each other.
A mighty Hellenic city-state with vast wealth and a lethal navy. Now, with the world in chaos, some political factions within Atlantis seek to restore a lost order under their rule, while others believe it is their time to become the world's true masters.
The city of Olympia lies at the foot of Mount Olympus—once the gateway where the gods made their presence known. Now, it is home to the Olympian Cult, which seeks to restore divine dominion over mankind.
A powerful union of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan. They instill terror across Anáhuac, ruling with an iron fist.
An extremely resilient people who have resisted the Triple Alliance's yoke. Fierce warriors under the protection of Coatlicue.
Once the dominant force in Anáhuac, they were pushed north by the Chichimeca. Though no longer as powerful, they remain a fearsome faction that, since Baldur's death, seeks expansion into other continents.
Enemies of the Toltecs, their weakening of the empire allowed the Triple Alliance to rise. After an attack by a Huaxian fleet, they allied with Atlantis, who accepted their proposal.
Nomads dwelling in Kemet's deserts, they worship Set and act as ruthless assassins for hire. When not serving as mercenaries, they raid Kemet's settlements.
An alliance of Norse and Aztec warriors, united by their love of war and conquest. They serve no gods, instead paying tribute to battle itself, leaving only destruction in their wake.
A mysterious, godless people who relentlessly attack the coasts of Kemet and Hélade. None know their origin, and few have withstood their onslaught.
Aligned with Freyr's ever-shifting interests, they hail from Alfheim (one of Yggdrasil's metaphysical realms). Though a Vanir, Freyr does not always support his kin's cause.
Inhabitants of Svartalfheim, locked in an eternal struggle for autonomy against the Aesir of Asgard.
Residents of Nidavellir, a colossal city in Svartalfheim. They serve the Aesir, crafting divine weapons in exchange for gold.
The Jötnar (giants) come from different realms, wielding powers of ice, fire, or other elements. Constantly at war with the Aesir and the humans of Midgard, who seek their extermination.
A faction of gods (masters of seidr magic from Vanaheim) and their human followers. After losing the Aesir-Vanir War, they lived under Aesir rule—until Baldur's death sparked their rebellion. Now, they act independently.
Gods of Asgard and their mortal servants, led by Odin, the Allfather. They seek total domination, with battle-honor as their highest ideal.
An esoteric Egyptian order dedicated to studying ancient texts—including how Isis stole Ra's true name to manipulate him. They seek to uncover the true names of Kemet's gods to bend them to their will. Though they admire Thoth, they do not worship him and operate independently.
Led by the enigmatic Pythia at her oracle, this secretive group weaves prophecies about the world's fate, selling this knowledge to factions in exchange for protection and power.
In Terra there are many magic systems, which operate in different ways and serve various purposes. These supernatural forces can be manipulated through countless methods, using different rituals and objects, but this knowledge is always highly secretive and requires great effort to discover and study. Below is the explanation for each of them.
The most common form of magic, based on the principle that gods, in their supreme divinity, channel reality itself and are capable of incredible feats like throwing lightning, resurrecting the dead, or influencing mortals. Mortals can harness this magic by making pacts with or channeling their gods through favors, rituals, or faith.
Certain beings, like the gods of Kemet, possess true names that metaphysically bind them to reality. With the proper esoteric knowledge, one can control a being if their true name is known.
Some beings and events are inevitably tied to destiny, but mortals can manipulate its interpretation. Oracles and theurgists exploit this phenomenon to shape reality to their advantage or gain knowledge of future events.
After his agony in Yggdrasil, Odin discovered the power of runes - glyphs used by the Norns to define the fate of mortals at the Well of Urd. These glyphs can be carved to manipulate reality, making them an extremely powerful form of magic.
Blood holds divine power and great value for some cultures. The gods of Anahuac require constant sacrifice to empower their sun and prevent its extinction, while the gods of Asgard revel when their subjects bathe in their enemies' blood. In Kemet, blood sacrifices can attract a god's attention. Overuse of this magic can bring catastrophic consequences to the user.
Qi is the vital force present in all living beings. Creation is said to have occurred when qi divided into Yin and Yang. Essential for health and bodily balance, when cultivated and manipulated, qi enables feats that would otherwise seem impossible for the human body.
Many cultures recognize a fundamental force in the universe that maintains balance: day and night, life and death, desert and vegetation, yin and yang. This force can be used to restore equilibrium where there is none, control the five elements of feng shui, or predict future events.
The stars simultaneously reflect, manifest, produce, and display the gods and the universe. Their observation, with proper knowledge, can answer any question, predict the future, or empower the right vessel. Many orders sell the information gleaned from stars to the highest bidder.