The World of Invictus

Six months ago, an entire world materialized within interstellar space. Kingdoms spanning continents were already in place, with their inhabitants aware of a vast history spanning epochs but no knowledge of their previous lives. Most attribute their existence to the gods, who have since retired from the world.

Humans have become the dominant race: the others have been quietly migrating, have been contained within certain countries, or have been otherwise lost to the known world. Insignificant thousands carry out their Life Assignments, created to cater to the needs of the Travelers constantly arriving from the Unknown. Most of them continue with their monotonous lives out of habit, but others are dissenters under duress.

It is year 40 of the Third Cycle, and change is coming. The board is being set for a game spanning the width of the continent. Already, factions are moving their pieces into place. Many unknowing pawns, trapped in the veiled servitude of their Life Assignments, are growing restless.

Mid-high fantasy. Medieval-type settings, magic use, races other than humans, potential deities or super humans [demigods].

Invictus takes place primarily on the Great Continent [Askahad] and the surrounding islands, but new areas could potentially be explored in the future.

The world has the same basic natural laws as Earth, and is set in a pre-Renaissance technological period. Some basic mechanical contrivances have been created, but higher technological pursuits have mostly been set aside in favor of the magical arts. Much of the armor, weapons, and even some appliances have been augmented with magical components, or imbued with spells.

Magic has always had some inexplicable affinity for the human race, especially after the creation of the Rune Stones. Using these and other methods, one can cast spells learned from scrolls, tomes, scholars, merchants who have invested in the magical market, and others. As your knowledge advances, you may alter inscriptions and perhaps even create spells at your whim. More on the Magic system will be explained as you encounter it in game.

Several years after the Great Invasion [see Histories], small revolutions began occurring throughout the Continent by disillusioned civilians, who were convinced that the current established government [the Trinnean Empire] could not protect them. After a long and bitter civil war, the Trinnean government was forced to let large portions of their Empire secede into their own nations, under the assurance that each individual nation would be no larger than 250,000 square kilometers in area (a ‘manageable size’), and that the seceded nations would not combine.

Thus, the conglomerate Republic of Askadian Nations [R.A.N.] was born. Finding a loophole in the terms of the treaty, the individual seceded states formed a democratic republic with a loose central government to ensure the continued survival of them all.

The Republic covers the north-central part of the continent, spanning from the Border Lands to the Sea of Frost. It contains a total of 16 countries, many of which have become refuges for non-humans, fugitives, outcasts, and other sorts of unsavory characters. The Republic has become a hotbed of smuggling as well- the loose government and relative lack of border security has made it an ideal location. The government, its powers limited and in need of support and funds, has reluctantly accepted the situation, and offers limited protections to smugglers in exchange for a portion of any profits and promises to downscale operations within the borders of the Republic.

Currently, attempts are being made to further solidify the 16 nations without upsetting the treaty or any of the many races, political groups, and cartels. At the moment, they have made no process but to land themselves in a bureaucratic nightmare.

The capital of the Republic, simply known as the Capitol, resides in the nation of Galosh- a country bordering the Border Lands, and unimportant save for its strategic location.

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With relations between Trinnea, Allebe, and the R.A.N. shaky at best, faithful worshipers in each country had no unified place of worship or spiritual authorities to establish religious canon, speak for their followers, and ensure that their traditions and rights are not being violated.

Thus, the City of the Pantheon was born. The City was divided into nine sectors, one for each known god (save one), and in the center was the Church of the Holy Triune, also known as the Temple of the Balance. Here, the three "principal" (followers of the "minor" gods would protest to this) gods are worshipped: Kamir, Icara, and Lo-kiri.

Within the Temple of the Balance are shrines to all three gods. Kamir and Lo-kiri are offered daily sacrifices, regulating according to the sacrifices given in their other temples. These rites are performed in order to appease Icara, goddess of the Balance [see Lore].

The Border Lands were created for religious and politic reasons. After the City of the Pantheon was built, the three major powers differed on who actually owned the property on which it was built. Dividing the city into three would have segregated the different people groups and religions, so a compromise was reached: Each country devoted a certain portion of land to surround the City of the Pantheon, creating a separate buffer nation.

This country consists of various townships, estates, plots of farmland, and unsettled territories. Often, disgraced or troublesome nobles are relocated from their respective countries and given an "honorary estate" in the Border Lands. With no established government and few restrictions outlined in the treaty, many nobles create their own private armies to protect their estates and quietly assimilate others. Some have instituted feudal systems where the surrounding towns are loyal to their Lord.

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An officer in the privately contracted army of the disgraced Allebian Earl of Beaushire. His unit was hired by the Church Rector to deliver a parcel to a woman by the name of Selma. His troop was ambushed outside the eaves of the ill-named Riverside Oaks, the message was stolen, and two of his men killed. Fearing for his life and the lives of his men but fearing to flee into an ambush, he sent you- as neutral, unaffiliated church messengers- to discover what happened to the letter and its recipient in order to escape the Church's wrath.

The bartender of the Hairy Goblin Inn (and Lodgings). Fiercely protective of Saima, for unknown reasons. A magic user, though the extent of his powers is unknown.

An officer in Lord Viktor Reik's private militia-mercenary army. Has an odd intolerance for physical pain, and a certain disdain for those he believes to be "underlings."

The recipient of the mysterious parcel the Rector asked you to deliver, as well as the owner of the Hairy Goblin Inn (and Lodgings) in the By-river Township. A matronly woman, looking to be about 40 years of age. The target of an execution attempt by Johannes Reik, the commander of his brother Viktor's private army.

Head of the Church of the Holy Triune. Has great influence with all neighboring nations- most of their subjects following at least one of the three gods (Lo-kiri, Kamir, and Icara). For several years, he has been on his deathbed with a terminal illness that even the most experienced mages could not heal -- old age. Eleven days ago, he abruptly awakened and immediately resumed his position. One of his firsts acts of business was to order the escort mission of a valuable parcel to Lord Viktor Reik.

Commander of the Lord Viktor Reik's private army. Also Lord Reik's brother-in-law. He assumed the name of his superior in order to further his standing. At the moment, he is commanding a small troop of soldiers in order to kill Selma, an innkeeper in the By-River township.

Allebe and Trinnea have a long history of grievances, and hostilities continue to this day.

Trinnea has more of a tactical and economical interest in Allebe.

In the year 814 of the Second Cycle, a small group of dissidents wheedled and bribed their way into the inner courts of the Trinnean government. They proceeded to assassinate the king and create a new seat of government with them at its head. Their only grievance was Trinnea’s traditional tolerance of non-human races1. However, enough of the government and public sympathized in some way with their cause to discourage the original regime from instigating yet another civil war.

A treaty was written between the two parties that essentially split the remaining Empire in half. The new regime, having the upper hand, received the better end of the deal; they obtained much of the natural resources as well as the Source of the Rune Stones (until Trinnea took it back in reparations [see below]). Their new country they named Allebe, after their poster-child for subhuman grievances2.

Trinnea was bound by law, treaty, and moral compulsion to leave be the territory ceded to Allebe after the treaty was signed, but no more. Ever since Allebe broke the terms of the treaty and invaded Trinnea again 150 years ago [see below], preparations have been silently made to seize back the “stolen” territory.

1 – Particularly their mistrust of the rather secretive elves, and their fear that the dwarves were taking away jobs from the “more deserving” humans in the budding industrial market.

2 - Allebe Nodd was an early instigator of anti-dwarf and elf riots. He was killed in one of these riots after a routine vandalism against a primarily-dwarven mining operation became violent.

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After the treaty was made, relations between the two countries were gradually restored, although vigilance never ceased and mutual mistrust tainted their diplomacy. However, in more recent years, Allebe received a grievance that has not yet been forgotten.

When the Allebian monarch (High Proctor Ignacior III) was only three years into his reign, he was challenged to a traditional sparring duel by the Trinnean monarch (King Movum) for the hand of Ignacior’s daughter. In his pride, he accepted: Ignacior lost the duel and a daughter.

This was over 150 years ago (c2, y884), but the slight was never forgotten nor forgiven.

To understand this unique situation, you must learn a few things:

1. King Movum was a dwarf, the first and only dwarf king Trinnea has had.
2. Allebians, particularly the upper class, detest dwarves. Their suspicion for the other races on the Continent as opposed to Trinnea’s toleration was the original cause of their succession.
3. King Movum’s new wife gave birth to a half-dwarf child.

The disgraceful insult of a duel, combined with the fact that his daughter was used to bring a new “order of abominations” into the world drove Ignacior mad. He launched a massive invasion into Trinnea, which was halted in the forested mountains near the border by none else than a small army of elves and dwarves.

Trinnea left Allebe be with that show of cruel irony, confident that the threat was suppressed indefinitely.

However, the aristocracy of Allebe never forgot the abuse they had suffered. The delusional Proctor was distraught and died a few days after the defeat, but the rest lived on with the knowledge of their failure. His son inherited the shattered kingdom. His generals scraped together the remnants of the military.

As a final blow, Trinnea stole the last possible shred of pride Allebe had by taking a single piece of property – the well-flaunted distinction of being the Birthplace of Magic – or at least the Source of the Rune Stones – a trade monopoly in and of itself. Many of Allebe’s greatest magicians and intellects were drawn to this supernatural phenomenon in search of higher knowledge.

They say feuds are hereditary. In this case, they are right.

Trinnea used to be a great empire. The only empire, in fact, to span the entire Continent. This was before the Great Invasion (c2, y780). From the neighboring island of Lamja (or perhaps another continent, historians differ on the origin) an enormous syndicate of pirates and smugglers invaded the eastern portion of the Continent, wielding arms vastly superior to that of earlier invaders.

Raiding anywhere from small villages to the largest cities, the aggressors made their way unheeded into the heart of the continent, where they were at last encountered by the Mage Corps of the Trinnean Military. Having no magical defenses, a large portion of the pirates fell to the onslaught, but the rest escaped. A deal was made between the group and the Trinnean government, and the island of Lamja was officially granted to them (and their associates/descendants/etc.) indefinitely as well as an annual payment- a "peace offering."

These events caused the formation of the Republic of Askadian Nations [see Locales].

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In its early days, Trinnea had established a national currency throughout its empire. Up to this point, people had traded hard goods to trade, or bits and pieces of gold and silver. Instead of attempting to invalidate the valuables the natives of the conquered territories already owned, the government enacted a unit of measurement, a trine, consisting of approximately one-half ounces. All monetary transactions were weighed on a scale relative to this measurement.

Often, remote villages would own a single government-authorized trine weight, and all trade interactions would involve using that trine and weighing it against any silver or gold they had available.

Without a mint, this was the utmost the Trinnean government could do without resorting to beating out each coin individually. When some enterprising citizen requested a patent for an experimental coin mold he had invented, the trine system was too ingrained to be replaced.

However, when Allebe and the nations in the R.A.N. seceded, one of their predictable first actions as sovereign nations was to change the currency. Each created their own separate national currency using the new minting system, but the exchange rate grew to be so clunky (1:0.27:0.18; trine:secerra:rayn) that finally, international trade stagnated.

Thus, soon after the secession of Allebe, an agreement was reached to create a global currency. National pride created an argument over what name the new currency should have, so a neutral title was chosen.

Main unit of currency: Unica(e)
Metal: a Bronze alloy
NOTE: coins worth multiple unicae (5, 8, 20, 50, 80) are commonly larger and made of gold and/or silver

10 fragmai = 1 unica
10 unicae = 1 nirva
10 nirvae = 1 satchel

NOTE: the highest unit of measurement, a 'satchel', was so called because people with this large armount of hard currency often carried it in much smaller units (and thus required a larger container) so as not to be mugged with an easily taken coin or bank receipt.