Setting Idea: Shattered Magic

Legends of the last age speak of awe-inspiring Magic and Ancient Wizards who shaped the world as they willed. History has long-forgotten the cause of the Cataclysm that shattered magic, but whether by some arcane experiment gone wrong or the jealousy of the Gods, the magic of old is no more and we are left with nought but splinters.

With their powers gone the old empires fell, and with each splinter of magic recovered, a new kingdom rose to take their place.

In recent months the minor Ashwood Mercantile Company rediscovered the Lost Continent of Ellos. Once the seat of power for an ancient Magocracy it is now little more than monster-infested ruins and barrow fields. The Ashwood Company is funding an expedition to Ellos in hopes of scavenging some piece of Lost Magic and raising itself into prominence.

Whether it be the lure of ancient magic, the possibility of making a fortune, or the excitement of a new adventure, you are one of the desperate few who have signed on.

You board your ship and begin the months-long journey to Ellos.

Shattered Magic is a high-fantasy setting designed for the Genesys Roleplaying System.

Creating this setting was motivated by my desire to experiment with a sandbox style game, where the players are free to dictate the course of the adventure and where every action could have dramatic scenario-changing consequences.

The core idea of the setting comes from the idea of playing with a hard-magic system that breaks up the stereotypical 'Arcane' magic into smaller more thematic components. The magic systems initially available to the player characters is only a fraction of what they will eventually encounter.

Concept

The players are mercenaries who have signed up with a mercantile company that is seeking to plunder a recently rediscovered land.

The Lost Continent of Ellos is full of strange and wonderful magic that harkens back to the last age, as well as terrifying monstrosities that are the result of ancient magical experiments.

High-fantasy exploration with strange magic and lethal encounters. With a slice of settlement building between adventures to encourage players to focus on more than just killing monsters.

Aim

Protect the company's outpost, scout the surrounding countryside, and scavenge ancient ruins and tombs for Lost Magic.

Build up yourselves and the outpost and then explore further afield.

Tone

Action/Adventure, Fantasy Pulp, Mystery

Themes

Brave adventurers exploring a strange land. Weird and ancient magic twisting the surrounding environment and creatures. A fledgeling town on the absolute border of the wilderness struggling to survive.

Major Factions

The Ashwood Mercantile Company is a small-time shipping company that survives by delivering goods to hard to reach locations. Rumours have reached your ears that their shipments often miraculously avoid the usual bandits and riffraff.

You aren't quite sure how they found Ellos, but you are certain they intend to milk it for every piece of gold they can.

Major Locations

The First Outpost is a short journey inwards from where the Ashwood Company first made landfall. It serves as your home away from home and is currently the only safe location on Ellos.

It's little more than a lakeside inn, freshly named the Hunter's Alehouse, with a freshly planted garden. It will do until you have the chance to build something greater.

Major Personalities:

The Bursar Fendrel Wheatflow is your point of contact when you land at Ellos. Don't let his aged stature and balding head fool you, Fendrel is an experienced merchant and skilled administrator. He is in charge of the First Outpost and responsible for seeing it survive the year.

The Quartermaster, Gavin Hawe, is an enthusiastic young halfling who joined the expedition hoping to strike it rich. His curly auburn hair makes him easy to spot inside the Hunter's Alehouse as he ensures everyone is fed and watered, all whilst peddling his own wares.

Little is known about The Noble behind the Ashwood mercantile company and the expedition. You know they are based in the ancient City of Silver, and you can guess they have some skill in magic to find Ellos. You are thankful they aren't coming with you, better to keep the nobles and their games as far away from honest folk as possible.

Major Species Types:

Humans can be found in every known corner of the world, but have made their home in the Republic of Ondoriel. Once a collection of loose city-states connected by a maze of rivers and channels, the invention and proliferation of Hydromancy allowed the states to merge into the Republic.

The so-called demon-blooded Halea, from the Deserts of Heru, are a colourful and hardy bunch. They dress in bright robes dyed with clay taken from the enormous Sandworms that share their home. It was from these Sandworms that the Tribes of Heru rediscovered Geomancy and they have used it since to tame their dangerous home.

The Elves of the Unseen Forests are as mysterious as the wildlife that make up their home. Few outsiders are ever granted entry and they guard their borders jealously with tamed monstrous creatures brought into reality by their unique Summoning magic.

They say never get between a Halfling and their coin-purse, and this is never more true in the City of Silver. A bustling metropolis of nobles, merchants and scoundrels it is often considered the heart of commerce between the many races of the world. It was here, in an attempt to recover the magic of old, that Rune Magic was discovered.

Half-Elves call no single place home and instead are driven by their nature to journey from place-to-place in small troupes. Many believe it is this flighty nature that allowed these nomads to so easily intent Aeromancy.

The Dwarves of Nom Montrim are widely considered the best artisans and smiths to be found. It was the near-eruption of the volcano at the centre of the Montrim mountain range that forced them to re-invent Pyromancy, and they have used it ever-since to advance their craft far beyond the other nations.

Next Up

I intend to explore this setting in a series of articles that provide a mixture of setting detail and useful game mechanics. Next up will be a in-depth exploration of the races and careers available in Shattered Magic.