The World of Serenitum

Genesis of Serenitum
No one quite knows how old the world is, or how it came into being. Prominent theories are that the world was created by the Ancient Ones to provide them with followers to worship them and increase their power. Others say it was caused by tectonic forces reshaping the world and that the Ancient Ones had nothing to do with it. This has resulted in a debate over what Age the world is in. Those that believe the Ancient Ones created the world claim we are in the Third Age, while those that claim the Ancient Ones came after the world was created claim we are in the Fourth.

As technology and understanding of the Gods have increased, a small group of researchers are spreading the belief that we are not yet entering the Fourth Age, but the climactic changes that have occurred in recent decades are evidence of a conflict between the Old Gods and the New, and that should the New Gods prove triumphant, we will truly enter the Fourth Age.

What no one disputes, is that the world is still being made and remade. Earthquakes, flooding, and other cataclysmic events continue to happen. albeit rarely. Whether its the result of the New Gods changing things to their liking or the continued tectonic forces that made the world in the first place will be a topic for discussion for years.

The Subsidence is one instance of current debate, whether the land sinking beneath the water was caused by the New Gods being angry at the people and trying to scare them back into their faith, or a horrible action caused by magic meddling in forces it doesn't understand.

The Fourth Age
The world is old, and some have grown tired of it. Many people's eyes have started to look toward the stars. Magic and technology now race to open up ways to branch into other planes, other worlds, and any place that people look towards to escape this old world. The Old Gods have made way to the New, just as they supplanted the Ancient Ones. Now they fight for what dwindling faithful they can find, desperately trying to maintain a foothold and power in the world.

With these experiments have come extraordinary benefits: a Portal next work spanning the land allows instantaneous transportation for those who are lucky, or rich and powerful, enough to have access. Technological constructs make lives easier, aiding with tasks that people don't want to do themselves.

However, disastrous mistakes have been made. Broadcloud Wall was created to contain the results of magical experimentation that created rifts between the planes. Others say the Subsidence's sinking was just another unforeseen result of the relentless "progress" of magic and technology and not a punishment or intervention from the Gods.

The Gods
For as long as there have been people, there have been Gods, but who and what those Gods are has changed over the ages. Primary scholars of history and religion believe it is fact that the races of the world came before the Gods, and that their faith, beliefs, and prayers, are what gave the Gods their power. These prayers, whether for good or for ill give rise to the Gods that they people are praying to, it is their faith that create the Gods they believe in, not the other way around.

Although many say that "man" created the Gods, there's no denying that those Gods became real. Positive thoughts and prayers became benevolent Gods and negative desires and curses became vengeful Deities. Willed into divine life by the prayers, hopes, and desires of the people, their powers ebb and flow with their support.

Over the millennia, many of the Old Ways fell away and were replaced by the New. The Gods became Old, then Ancient as support waned and changed, with fewer supporters to pray for them. Some are said to have died off completely, when the last of their supporters gave their last prayers before their name was forgotten to time. Others may have seen their supporters transition from casual believers to fanatical cultists, sustaining their beliefs and support in a few devoted individuals. A few, they say, managed to change with the times and found new support in new ways; allowing themselves to maintain their power with the changing world.

Ancient Ones
Over the years, as people's faiths and prayers have changed with the rise of civilizations, it has given rise to different Gods. First there were the Deities now known as the "Ancient Ones", primordial and elemental forces of nature. The people prayed to them for rain for their crops, so the sun would come up tomorrow, and all other hopes of a simpler time. The Ancient Ones were, in their time, largely benevolent powers who gained the support of the faithful by performing every day actions, not reliant on grand miracles for their beliefs. Though few remember the names of the Ancient Ones, merely remembering the aspects of nature they represented. Some say their presence will never truly leave the world, that their power still exists in the blow of the wind, the crack of the flame, and the changing of the seasons.

Old Gods
Next gave way to the ones now called the "Old Gods". As agriculture gave way to civilizations, the prayers shifted from good harvest towards love, power, war, knowledge, and other constructs of a "civilized" world. These Old Gods took a more active role in the affairs of mortals, vying for control and power in the ever-changing world. They argued and fought with each other, constantly trying to out do themselves and gain followers by performing larger miracles to impress. Battles were waged, new technologies were found, and more "miracles" of growing world all powered by the prayers to the Gods of the time.

New Gods
As technology, magic, and the like became more every day, the prayers slowed to the Gods now known as the Old Gods. These Gods fought day and night to retain their powers, but were ultimately unable to slow the march of time. While there are still plenty who revere them, they do so privately, as open worship isn't as accepted as it once was. In a skeptical world, there is limited room for blind faith, so the New Gods are those that embody concrete ideas, like magic, technology, metal, `space, and other modern ideals for a modernizing world.

Faith
Faith in Serenitum is a tricky thing; some say the Gods are dead or never existed. Others say that civilization has moved past the need for such primitive rituals. The Gods are seen as dangerous, and their worship is banned in many places, or at the least looked down upon in others. Belief persists however in hidden altars, small trinkets, and desperate offerings in the night. There are a few places that remain safe for those of faith, and those that are believers find their way to these places in large numbers.

Though most clerics of the Gods have powers, these are seen by many as simple magic and old tricks. Still they are feared, as you can never be entirely sure who answers your prayers. The existence of the Gods may be up for dispute, but after what happened beyond Broadcloud Wall, no one doubts the existence of demons.

Ancient Spaces
Mysterious ruins scatter the lands, older than record or memory. Their purpose and origins are unknown, but they feel corrupted and unnatural. Scholars and mystics flock to study them, but most shun them. Dangers lie within those cursed places.

Some may be forsaken places of worship for long-lost Gods who fell out of favor. Others say that the Ancient Ones themselves dwell in the depts of these cursed places, reaching out to any who come too close, tryin gto drag new followers to their worship. However, there's no shortage of people willing to look and test those myths. With ancient powers came ancient items of incredible abilities. Some are remnants of worship, others are said to house the very essences of the Ancient ones themselves.

Magic
True Mages are a rare sight in the world now. They are often hermits hidden in faraway towers or councilors at the right hand sides of great rulers. Most people have never seen a true mage, only the hedge-wizards and charlatans that wander from town to town, peddling charms and simple trinkets.

Magic is inherited; only mortals descended from or greatly favored by supernatural entities can channel magic, and while great within its scope, their power is narrow and limited. Even if no magical lineage can be determined, the presence of magic aptitude is proof enough for many, especially the Uhith Dominion.

Aspiring mages have to piece together their own knowledge of magic, from trial and error and scavenged texts. Or they can brave the wilderness to seek apprenticeship from a remote mage. The Uhith Dominion's new rise to power on the back of extreme magical practice is drawing all those who wish to practice to their side. But with limited foundation to build upon, many dissenting voices are emerging as they try to determine how best to grow their fledgling magocracy.

Creatures
In a world as old and broad as Serenitum, there are many creatures large and small, sentient and bestial, ancient and new.

Races
All manner of race has walked Serenitum at one point or another, although currently there are several that are more populous than the others. The Half-Orcs, Drow, and Tieflings of the Angevin Union, the Half-Giants and Orcs of the Nofriebar Federation, the Genasi and Dwarves of the Uhith Dominion, the Humans of the Kingdom of Ograx, and the Dragonborn of... well everwhere, share the land with all manner of sentient races. Magic and Technology have recently given rise to mechanical sentience that are being known as Forged.

Beasts and Monsters
What we call monsters are remnants of an older world, relics of when nature ruled unchallenged. NOw they roam the wild places, guardians against the encroaching taming of the land. They guard ancient forests, deserts, and those places where civilization has yet to reach.

Some believe that the rise in monster activity in many places are not caused by the magic and technological experimentation, but is simply nature's reaction to those unnatural forces.

Undead
Old lore teaches that the dead do not rest if wronged. Bodies must be properly cleansed and hallowed, violent deaths must be atoned for, offerings given, and tombs left in peace. Sadly too few observe the old ways, and some willfully disturb the dead in search of power.

There has even been evidence that some "undead" are kept "alive" by the Gods they served in their living days, unwilling to give up their followers and the last shred of faith they can squeeze from their souls.

While the faith and the churches aren't the same pillars of their communities they once were, surviving faithful may take care of the souls and bodies of their fallen brethren. Families and public organizations generally look after their own private and public burial places. As knowledge of the world has increased, links have been found between proper burial practices and overall health.

Dragons
With their willpower and might, dragon's have been one of the few consistent things in Serenitum, as the masters of the land. In years past they could be found ruling like kings or being worshiped as gods. Some still see this acceptable and a fair price for the peach this appeasement brings, while history has numerous examples of others who fought back and some who even succeeded in deposing their overlords.

In current days many may not ever know if they are ruled by a Dragon, as the myths tell of Dragons that prided themselves on blending into society when they wish. After years of ruling with broad wings and fiery breath, some of Dragonkind and their descendants have found it easier to rule from the shadows, rather than from the forefront. Others may still hold on to the old ways of power, strength, and fearsome displays.

The numerous and varied kinds of Dragonborn that populate much of Serenitum is a constant reminder of the role that Dragons have played in the shaping of Serenitum.