Genesaris

Setting elements cannot be ignored or manipulated

City maps are guides and not authoritative sources

✪ = Capital City | ❖= Megacity | ✦ = City | ◇= Landmark | ✿ = Independent territory

Other Territories/Locations

• Port Thea, the City of Sunsets
• Jigoku, the Imperial City
   

Announcements

This area will be updated with major events that either affect entire regions or the continent as a whole.

Geography

Located in the north-west of the planet Valucre, Genesaris is approximately the size of the Eurasian continent with a population of approximately 218,000,000 in the current year.

Climate

Genesaris is divided into a total of six massive regions, these being: the Great North, the Cold South, the Rising West, the Southern Swell, the Arcane East, and the Midlands. Each region has its own climate, which varies according to the season and specific locations within each land.

In the north, the calm waves of the warm sea extend well beyond the northern shores. Summer is nearly eternal here, and the citizens rarely know the hazards of snow and hail. Grasslands, forests, and gentle hills provide a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere, which in turn has made it one of the most densely populated regions on the continent (with some of the largest cities in all of Genesaris).

To the south, one finds the antithesis of warmth and hospitality. The south is dense with thick, untamed forests and bitter mountain chains, shrouded in an icy fog and nested in banks of snow that do not melt. The savage wilds of the south are considered some of the most dangerous in the world, filled will all manner of beasts. These harsh conditions have made the south unfit for living, spare for the hardiest of people.

The eastern lands find themselves at the foot of the Cold Mountains, which runs the entire length of the coast. From this footing, a seemingly endless sea of green and golden grasslands reaches out to the west, dappled with mighty forests and woodlands throughout. However, in spite of its richness in beauty, this is a land plagued by violent magical storms and naturally dreadful winters.

In the west, one can find a myriad of seasons and climates throughout the year. These have given rise to the scorching Velhatien Desert and the cool, lush tropics of the Bloodstone Marsh. The mountainous chain directly to its south rises high and large, thick with trees, woods, and natural resources. The sea cuts deep inland, providing coastal temperatures for those that dwell there.

It is at the heart of the continent (the Midlands) that all of these climates and geographical differences meet. Here, one experiences all seasons from soft snow in the winter to gentle rains in the spring. No season is known to naturally overpower the other, and a collage of natural landmarks and scenery provide all the beauty of Genesaris in one location.

Flora and Fauna

Genesaris has plant and animal life recognizable to most characters, such as: flowers, trees, dogs, horses, crabs, salmon, etc. and so on. In addition to this standard, there are a number of animals and plants unique to Genesaris. Be sure to check each region's bestiary and herbology index for region-specific entities.

Note that users aren't limited to what's included in the present material and are free/encouraged to come up with plant and animal life as long as they adhere to the Mild Powers rules. Users can also make bestiary submissions if they want to formalize information about their creations and make them available for public use.

Cities, Provinces, Territories

Genesaris is comprised of four distinct territories, each with their own capital city. These are: Aelindra City, Capital of the Rising West; Shrine City, Capital of the Imperial South (Cold South & Southern Swell); Union City, Capital of the Midlands; and Umbra, Capital of the Carmine Dominion (Arcane East & Great North).

While these are undoubtedly the most important of the continent’s megacities, they are only a few. Many of those inside the cities live with luxuries and the many benefits of magitech, thanks to the prevalence of both magic and technology taught throughout the lands.

Between these cities are a number of disparate villages, towns, ports, baronies, and lordships. Even so, there is still a considerable amount of land that remains wild and untamed by expansion, beckoning adventurers and explorers with the promise of fortune.

The islands of Genesaris, most notably Antigone Isles, Nvengaria, and Orisia Isle exist under their own government and rule, independent of Union City and the other mainland governments.

Culture

It is rare for any citizen within the capitals or megacities to be illiterate. They are a well-educated people in the traditional sense (maths, sciences, and liberal arts), with a pension for the occult, as well. That has been a great cultural investment in the arcanum since the beginning of the nation's existence, which has expanded into the inclusion of blending the metaphysical with current technology.

This is more prominent in some areas than others, such as with the Imperial South and Carmine Dominion, which thrive on such unification. Those who live in smaller towns and villages are less likely to be as finely educated in the traditional sense, but are still likely to grasp simple-to-moderate concepts (middle school to early high school education levels). It is, of course, not unheard of for mages and other spellcasters to have taught themselves their special art, coming into contact with their magic through intuition and unique talent.

Most civilians are as prominent Genesaris’ peoples are often magically inclined, capable of sensing the arcane.

A long history of bloody civil wars between regions has, for many years, made military education a  priority for many of the nation's cities and people. This has led to a significant number of military academies throughout the nation (at a 2:1 to traditional education academies), and a cultural sensationalizing of gladiatorial events and war games. Standard battle training is generally available to all who seek it, either through the local or federal governments.

Language

Genesari is the primary language of Genesaris. It is spoken in every megacity and in most major establishments (smaller cities, large towns, villages, and baronies), and is considered the national language. It is also referred to as common, trade tongue, and sometimes genspeak. Genesari's primary dialect sounds like German (users should treat this as a plot device and are not expected to learn to write German).

The are other predominant languages throughout Genesaris, namely in the Carmine Dominion and Imperial South. In the former, the predominant language - among the pious and imperial nobility - is Sitraic. In the latter, the preferred language is known as High Kadian and is spoken by both nobles and commoners alike.

Magic

Nearly all of the Genesarian population is aware of the existence of magic to some degree, and throughout the generations, most - if not all - people native to the continent have developed a "sixth sense" which allows them to sense the arcane in its various forms (from spells and wards all the way to psionics). This has led to a number of edicts and bylaws over the years that seek to control the spread of magical use, limiting the dangers.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, there are a number of institutes dedicated to the expansion and further study of the arcane and its many uses. Two of the most prestigious establishments joined in this cause are Bronte, the Academy of the Arcane and the Mage Academy located in Mageside City.

Religion

Genesaris: Religion Overview
Carmine Dominion: The Sitraic Faith
Imperial South: The Corvinite Ecclesiarchy

There is a great abundance of religions throughout Genesaris, with many different regions worshipping a variety of gods and goddesses. Generally tolerant of open ideas and religion due to its size and diversity, Genesaris has many bibles and holy texts and art dedicated to all of these deities and celestial lords.

Of them all, the three primary religions of the nation would be the Trinity of the Cold Mounts (High Lords), the Altus Arcantium, and the Sitraic Faith. While this trio all have their own pantheons and tenets, they hold the largest congregations by far, with influences reaching from coast to coast.

Technology and Development

Until the current century, the majority of Genesaris operated on early-to-mid Renaissance period technology. There was a significant lack of telecommunication, self-powered vehicles (with the exception of airships), and sophisticated operating systems (computers, surveillance, or radar). However, with the continued growth of Joran City and Antigone Isle, along with the rise of the Imperial South, Genesaris has developed small pockets of highly-advanced territories, arguably some of the most advanced on the planet. The pushing of this hard-technology boundary has bled into the nation’s more ideal magi-tech fronts, leading toward something of a technological revolution over the last one hundred years. This is more prominent in some areas than others, yet the national importance cannot be overstated enough.

In most cases, magic - whether raw ether channeled from the atmosphere or various manifestations, such as crystals - plays a vital role in almost all of the nation’s technological advancements (spare for regions like the Imperial South, which have dedicated themselves to hard-technology paths, such as legitimate machines that operate on non-occult power sources). This has led to the nurturing of the idea that technology is something that is learned, understood, and developed further, not picked up and used (with a heavy emphasis in the educational curriculum). Like with most privileges of rural versus suburban areas, technological advances and availability are more bountiful in densely populated areas (megacities, capitals, etc.) as opposed to smaller towns and villages.

In recent years, the blooming technological fronts of Genesaris suffered a devastating setback as an unexpectedly powerful magestorm swept across the continent, rendering the majority of technology useless, once again plunging the majority of the continent into the dark ages. In the days and weeks since that devastating storm, magic - in all of its many forms - has once more asserted its dominant over the land. Those seeking any and all technology that managed to survive the magestorm will only find it along the nation's western seaboard (a region now known as the Western Fel)n the cities that escaped the fullest extent of the storm's fury.

Communications

Modes of Communication
In the aftermath of the Great Storm, there still exists a great number of areas in Genesaris that now lack former advancements (while a great many lacked the desire to have them). There is now a disparaging difference between cities such as Joran and the rest of the continent. Detailed below are just some of the methods of communication available throughout Genesaris and its regions; this is not an all-inclusive list.

Tried and true, the messenger system is still a thriving communication network in Genesaris. While boasting a larger presence in small towns and villages than in the magi-tech abundant megacities, the Genesarian courier network is actually quite extensive (and similar to today’s mailing service) and encompasses both humans and well-trained avians. Despite advanced security measures taken both by clients and the courier system, troubles with interception and authenticity remain an issue. As such, these are rarely used for matters of importance, and best reserved for more casual correspondence or deliveries.

The reed pen, a previously obscured manner of communication, has since risen to prominence in the wake of the Great Storm as a primary means of communication over great distances. They are created by splitting an Exalta Crystal in half and then inscribing each one with a conjoiner rune. These are then embedded into the top of reed pens - they can then mimic the movements of the other, exactly. The setting of the crystal is able to be rotated to switch between different "modes", sending and receiver, which dictates which pen is writing and which is following.

In the Carmine Dominion, there has been an increased significance placed on communication since its annexation of the Great North territories. The need to correspond sometimes vital information over great distances has led to a focus on authentication (assurance of claimed identity), integrity (assurance data has not been altered), and confidentiality (assurance that none but the specified parties can read said data). Through mega-telecom corporations like Mormont and Sons (CG) and DRAKE Technologies (CG), the Dominion is rapidly becoming a defining force in the field of military-grade encryption both technological and magical. Following the storm, the Dominion has reverted to more of its traditional manners of communication, such as crystals, messengers, and reed pens.

Transportation

Transportation varies from city to city depending on their magi-tech saturation and biomimicry level. Examples of common transportation methods will be included in the lore articles of each city. Below are elaborations on those methods.

Animal Propulsion

Whether ridden by themselves or attached to a cabby. The maintenance and upkeep of a living transport make this a largely inefficient form of inner city travel, but because a large percentage of a given city's population is travelers from abroad, a lot of infrastructures still supports this form of travel.

Mechanical Propulsion

Powered by magical crystals known as Exalta, airships are the most popular form of travel. For a small fee, most can ride on a large airship that flies to and from various cities. All megacities and most smaller cities have stations, bays, and areas where airships are able to land. Almost all airships carry weaponry and shields to protect against air pirates.

For travel by sea, basic seaships are used, which vary in size and carry weapons for protection against sea pirates.

Currently, Spellcycles have been created, similar to motorcycles with a futuristic/steampunk design. Powered by the magical crystals Exalta, these are expensive rides and can only be bought in Joran City and straight from Antigone Isles, the home of their creation.

Magical Propulsion

Inter-city travel is served primarily by smaller airships and Crossroads. Crossroads are generally gateways that provide instant travel throughout a city and often to and from cities. Crossroads are keyed to certain areas and the side effect is nothing more than mild disorientation that passes quickly. Guarded by soldiers, Crossroads are cheap, easy, and effective to transporting goods and civilians alike. Sometimes, magical creatures pass through from realms beyond, in which case the soldiers must deal with them. Generally, however, the Crossroads are kept safe and steady.

There are found in every megacity and are currently online.

Government and Politics

With the formation of the Imperial South and Carmine Dominion and their continued growth, the Genesarian political landscape has shifted quite noticeably. While the High Lords are still regarded as the supreme rulers of Genesaris, they rarely venture from their mountains to associate with human matters. More recently, they have been said to have retreated further from the mortal affairs of the world, with some whispers claiming the three great entities have all gone into stasis.

Genesar Remnants

In what remains of Genesaris proper (The Midlands and Rising West), all things concerning the law or government proceedings are handled by the High Court, a democratically elected council of 15 individuals from the West and Midlands. The council's grand meeting chamber is located in the Hall of Justice, which can be found at the heart of Union City. The High Court is seen as the place of wisdom, Union City itself a respected neutral city. Entire wars, ceasefires, alliances, and treaties have been declared at the High Court.

The Carmine Dominion

In the Carmine Dominion, the current emperor, Rafael M. Bartolome V, is recognized as both the absolute monarch and prime deity of the Sitraic Faith. His rule has been described as an enlightened theocracy with strong elements of authoritarianism. From birth, citizens are indoctrinated into absolute subservience to the Lord's throne and his agents, sometimes at the cost of their personal freedom.

The arts, sciences, education, and social welfare all flourish under Rafael's regime, a near polar opposite to the dark ages of warring tribes and inter-region isolationism.

As the Dominion was host to a number of independent city-states and self-sustaining establishments prior to the rise of the Empire, it was decided to allow these kings and queens of old to retain control over their holdings. Because of this autonomous manner of ruling, there is a great deal of variation in the regional governments within the Empire. So long as these Lords fulfill their duties to the broader Empire and operate within the Imperial Edict's boundaries, their rules will generally be accepted by the higher authorities with little or no interference.

Law
Author's note: I don't have a full legal system written out and likely never will because the complexity of that endeavor doesn't interest me. In terms of what's legal reference real bodies of law for basics, so imagine that things like theft, assault, perjury, slavery, murder and so on are illegal. Each city has a local police force to operate within its limits and the military employs federal investigators who are able to enforce law anywhere in the nation.

Military

Prior to the separations of the Cold South and Arcane East from Genesaris proper, and the annexations of the Southern Swell and Great North, respectively, Genesaris had a unified military of ~6.25 million, with over 800,000 reservists (a potential total of 7.08 million). This daunting number was once scattered across six separate regions, though could be unified at the command of the High Council of Union City, facing national a crises.

Since then, this number has been fragmented between the three prime factions with the Dominion obtaining the largest section due to acquiring the North (42%), then the Imperial South (38%), and the Genesar Remnants retaining all that remained (20%).

In the realm of the Dominion, their emperor also serves as their Commander-in-Chief, exercising total authority over the military. The empress, Irene Gabriela DuGrace, is Rafael’s chief advisor and possesses the highest level of authority - military or otherwise - other than the emperor, himself. They are both involved in the day-to-day responsibilities of maintaining the military, government, and nation.

There are a number of military outposts, bases, and depots located throughout their lands. The most secure of these are found within Umbra, the Red City, and Coastal Grande.

Foreign Relations

Pre-schism, due to its size and a war with Terrenus, Genesaris practiced isolationism, suspicious of other lands.

Traces of this practice can be seen in the Carmine Dominion's foreign policies, which practice an alternate form of isolationism. While prioritizing their own ends over that of the world, they are firm believers of free trade, travel, and in some instances (namely those that are significantly beneficial to the empire either politically or economically), have been known to enter loose trade agreements.

Economy

The currency of Genesaris Proper is simple and is as follows:

• 1 chip [Zinc Alloy] = 1  Chip
• 1 Rosy [Manganese]= 5 Chips
• 1 Kite [Bronze] = 2 Rosies
• 1 Raven [Zirconium Allloy]= 10 Kites
• 1 Merlin [Silver] = 10 Ravens
• 1 Hawk [Gold]= 10 Merlins

The Chip is made of cheaply made pot metal , easy to cast and easy to gather from the streets, typically a majority of zinc with alloyed with other scrap metal. When one is used up, it is collected and recast into a new chip coin. These are the most common coins, used for everyday small purchases. A single pot metal can buy you a couple of eggs or half a loaf of bread.

A Rosy is made from an oxidized manganese, its color a silvery pink. It bears a picture of a Finch, its namesake. These are uncommon but exist in circulation. 

A Kite is made from bronze. It has the picture of a Kite (bird), its namesake. These are common coins.

A Raven is made from a zirconium alloy, making this coin almost jet black. If one looks close enough, they can see a picture of a Raven etched in. These coins are uncommon, but do make their way around. Some people collect them.

A Merlin is made from silver. It has a picture of a Merlin Falcon etched upon it. This is a common currency for bigger purchases.

A Hawk is a gold coin. It has a depiction of Aletheiar in his Golden Hawk form. These are commonly used in expensive transactions, such as buying property or an airship. They are rare in smaller purchases.

Jewels, gems, and other valuable metals can also be used and traded among the shops and merchants of Genesaris.

Due to inflation, wars, and other variables, the value of any currency may heighten or drop to reflect the times.

History