1. Core Ethos Sentence.
Centuries after a war of magic plunged the world of Emergent Destinies into a dark age,
the people must decide whether to reclaim the returning magic, or embrace the untested ways
of science, in their efforts to build a new Golden Age.
2. Who are the heroes?
Shinza, mystic and sole remnant of the deposed Elven royal house.
Bothor, Dwarven mayor and technologist.
Skylan, human thief—er, archeologist.
Rochelle, human archmage.
Sintar, halfling high priest.
3. What do they do?
1) Shinza works to free her people from the brutal human occupation the elves have endured
for centuries. In secret, she has led the elves in finding ways around their inability to
perform magic (a curse leveled against them by one of their own, long ago). Over the
centuries, the captive people have honed their fighting skills to near-supernatural levels,
as well as begun to unlock the mysteries of the mind. Soon, Shinza feels, they will be ready
to take back their homeland.
2) Bothor is the mayor of a city that pushes dwarven craftsmanship to new levels, expanding on
the science he and his people have always preferred to the capricious ways of magic.
3) Skylan, once just a humble thief, stumbled across a cave leading to a lost underground city,
filled with ancient magics and treasure that made him rich beyond measure. He now sponsors
ventures across the continents, searching for similar finds, seeking to unlock the power from
the past one artifact at a time.
4) Rochelle is a relic from before the dark ages, a human woman who once wielded awesome power.
When the devastating wars were at their peak, she sealed herself away, sleeping through the
chaos, reviving only recently. She wishes to understand this new world, and seeks out those
who can wield magic of their own to aid her.
5) Sintar was once just a vagabond, traveling from city to city, living on scraps. One night,
after getting lost in the woods, he stayed in an abandoned structure that turned out to be an
ancient temple. For reasons known only to the gods, he came forth the next day a changed
being, given a holy mission to go forth and seek new followers for the gods, who at long
last were making their presence known again.
4. Threats, Conflicts, Villains
1) Rathgar, Human overlord of the elves. Rathgar is descended from the barbarian leader who
conquered the elves centuries ago, and takes great pleasure in having the same slaves serve
him that served his ancestors.
2) With the return of magic comes the reawakening of magical creatures—including dragons.
To them, magic comes as easily as breathing—and they have no desire to see the humans and
other peoples abuse their world so carelessly again.
3) Lunar goblins. Once, when the magic was strong, the humanoids that populated one of the
world’s twin moons were a constant threat, using magic to travel to the world below and
attack it. When the magic left, they were stranded, unable to continue their raids. But
they have been busy over the centuries, seeking other ways to bridge the gulf between the
worlds, and bring war once again. And the magic that once made it easy is returning…
4) Hiska, ancient lich. Old even when the wars were new, this being stayed alive over the
centuries on hoarded magic, waiting. Now that magic is returning, he once again seeks
dominion over all. There are rumors that this frighteningly powerful being serves someone
even more powerful, an entity from a dark plane—all that is known is that Hiska is served
by beings seen nowhere else.
5. Nature of magic
Once, long ago, it was easy to bend the energies of magic (which came from the earth itself),
to one’s will. Then the magic went away, and only those who had hoarded the power had any to
use. Now the ancient energies are returning, and the people must learn to wield it once
again. As well, all across the world the returning magic is re-energizing portals, refreshing
mystic pools, and awakening ancient creatures. Even as the people seek to build for the
future, magic from their past will come into play, both for good, and ill.
6. What’s new? What’s different?
Rather than have the characters take part in a comfortably civilized world, they must work to
rebuild one. Rather from just rediscovering and harnessing magic, however, this setting
brings into play certain ideas from the popular steampunk genre, giving the players something
new to enjoy.