Setting information

Arcana, as a setting, is highly magical. Magic suffuses the land, but unlike the Forgotten Realms or other traditional D&D settings, magic is wholly the realm of the Major Arcana and the supernatural.

The setting is also young, with only 700 years of recorded history. Majority of the world is not fully explored, with communications between regions rare.

Technology is dependant on the region. Some areas, such as Caldur benefit from the remains of magical study (They cannot wield magic as a player character would and must rely on items). The Arcana are the only beings capable of constructing magical items of true power and they seldom do.

Others are not so fortunate and entire villages can fall prey to monsters, with none knowing of it.

The common folk of the world look upon the wild lands with dread. Few people are widely traveled—even the most ambitious merchant is careful to stick to better-known roads. The lands between towns or homesteads are wide and empty. It might be safe enough within a day's ride of a city or an hour's walk of a village, but if someone go beyond that, they are taking their own life into their hands. People are scared of what might be waiting in the old forest or beyond the barren hills at the far end of the valley, because whatever is out there is most likely hungry and hostile. Striking off into untraveled lands is something only heroes and adventurers do.

The races most common in this setting are: Elves, Humans, Dragonkin, Tieflings, Halflings and Orcs. Uncommon races include Half-Elves, Genasi and Dhampir. Rare races are Goliath, Genasi and Aasimar.

If a race is not mentioned above, they likely do not exist. Some options are available for races not listed - perhaps you are the result of some monstrous magic-user, an experiment gone awry. Maybe you are the result of a Major Arcana's blessing, or the dalliance of a Minor Arcana in your family bloodline.

Magic is power, and as such, the Minor Arcana rule, with each suit representing a different ruling power in the setting. The Minor Arcana do not rule directly over their territories, choosing instead to let the governing powers in each region handle themselves. As such, even if two kingdoms are under the ownership of a single Minor Arcana Suit, they may come into conflict, as long as they remain within the reasonable terms set by their Suit. Competition is seen as important to foster strength, and almost all Suits encourage this between their Vassal Kingdoms.

The Suits are as follows

• Cups (Dead. Previously held Klarush, Mare Serafin, Mare Arx, Mare Argenteum and Mare Aureum)

• Pentacles (Hakum and the Eastern Lands)

• Swords (Makaria and Lykos)

• Wands (Caldur, The Hearthlands)

The Minyark Plains and the Grey Marches are not territory owned by a Suit.

The Minyark Plains is neutral ground and the Grey Marches are held by the Hanged Man's Heralds. None have contested them yet.

The Seas previously held by the Suit of Cups are uncontrolled and wild, having become rife with danger and all manner of monstrous marine life. As a result, travel by sea has become increasingly unsafe. The more powerful of Vassal Kingdoms are able to employ the highly sought after and extremely rare Sea Witches to protect their assets, but majority have had to adhere to tight schedules dictated by their Suit in order to access sea trade, employ former pirates, or abandon their ports entirely. A Sea Witch is a person who practices the Paths once taught by the Suit of Cups.

The Suits are each ruled by their respective Monarch (Note that King is simply a title, it is not indicative of the Monarch's gender identity):

• The King of Pentacles, Tsuki-Varj.

• The King of Swords, Jormungandr

• The King of Wands, Pythia

There are other Monarchs, not tied to a Suit, but they are far and few. They are also usually weaker compared to the Monarch of a Suit. The most famous of these Monarchs is the killer of the King of Cups, a Sacred Lion by the name of Reigan. It is said that the Devil themself spoke to him and told him that he would one day rule the world.

Setting specific changes to races

Magic and You

Magic and similar abilities (Extreme martial prowess is an example, or Ki) are highly prized by the governing bodies of EVERY region. They are also EXTREMELY rare, to the extent that battles and sometimes wars are fought over the ownership or fostering of such talent.

90% of people do not possess magic beyond their own innate racial abilities (tieflings are an example). If you are a magic based Class, think about how your character is able to use these abilities. Are your powers a direct result of your Arcana's influence, or is it something else entirely?

Research into Magic is not common either - Artificed magic is perhaps the most explored, and that is only in theory and in Caldur. You likely have zero to little knowledge about how your own magic works. The fear that it could one day just...disappear might be something that plagues your character.

Magia Cordis (Two Towns)

Magia Cordis, also known as Two Towns, is where the campaign begins. One of the largest cities in Caldur, it is the foremost center of learning in Eastern Shavara. Colloquially referred to as 'Two Towns', the city is largely populated by students and researchers.

Named for the two towns that sprung up around the immense towers that serve as the largest landmark for miles around, Two Towns is the one place in Caldur where the sale and study of magical items are permitted. Directly regulated by a Council, the entire city is beholden to the schools that populate the towers, and their forays into the labyrinth beneath the city. There, magical items are retrieved, their secrets slowly deciphered as the scholars feud over achievements and coin.

Magia Cordis is commonly known as a money sink for many Greater Houses of the Caldur aristocracy, all seeking greater prestige through sponsoring scholars and through amassing magical items. Majority of the students attending the schools are from these Houses.

Due to the large population of rich students, restaurateurs, merchants and all manner of shops have sprung up, creating a veritable melting pot of culture and wares. Gambling dens and brothels coexist alongside guildhalls and hotels, though the former is certainly easier to find than the latter.

The Arcana

Death

Death rules supreme in the Realm of the Dead. One of the few Arcana that are able to separate themselves into avatars, he also travels the mortal realm, performing the role of the Grim Reaper.

Sacred Animal. Horse

Death reaps that which has run its course, allowing new life to grow in the space left behind.

Temperance

Temperance no longer has a home. She wanders, aimless, scared and confused.

Sacred Animal. Dove

Temperance shuns extremes and embraces harmony. She finds tranquility in the midst of struggle.

The Devil

The most mysterious and, supposedly, the most powerful of the Arcana, the Devil rules the Kingdom of Binding - They hold power over all deals and oaths.

Sacred Animal. Goat

The Devil knows there is power in perception. He binds those who cannot see their path to freedom.

The Tower

The Tower resides in the Churning Chaos and in the Battleground. At the forefront of all disasters, and the source of all destructive change, they are a calamitous being.

Sacred Animal. Stag

The Tower rises above the world, a beacon of great upheaval and crumbling structure.

The Star

The Star resides in the Endless Day, a symbol of hope and joy. She is the source of all goodness and is the patron of healers and redemption.

Sacred Animal. Domestic cat

The Star has faith in herself that radiates through the darkness, guiding the lost and weary.

The Moon

The tempestuous huntress, the Moon is the flighty, harsh ruler of the Twilight Forest. She holds power over female ability and is associated with the wild things of the world.

Sacred Animal. Wolf

The Moon creates illusions in the dead of night, obscuring truth and casting long shadows.

The Sun

The brother of the Moon, the Sun is the King of the Eternal Day and holds power over the Sea of Fire. The lord of rebirth, light, and flames, he is a beloved Arcana.

Sacred Animal. Falcon

The Sun shines brightly on your path, illuminating what seemed lost in the darkness of night.

Judgement

Judgement is an enforcer - She works with Justice and the Emperor, but has power in the Perfect Order. She enforces the punishments that Justice metes out.

Sacred Animal. Elephant

Judgment looks within for absolution, shedding time-worn insecurities and guilt.

The World

UNKNOWN

Nothing is known about the World.

Sacred Animal. Turtle

The World celebrates a journey come full circle. A land of new opportunity lies at your feet.