The Continent of Armathadon is controlled by 5 major cities. Irel Nalore, the capital and seat of power. Zizhial, the center of spiritual connection. Alusvil, the port to the Celestial Reach and encroaching religion & tech. Emedorei, the jewel of the North where politics & people thrive. Ivaenial, the gateway to the rest of the world host to the largest port of the 5 continents.

The Celestial Empire of god-worshipping technologically advanced folk live across Armath Bay to the North-East. The Winter Isles stole a piece of our continent from us over 100 years ago and are based just beyond that in the cold south. Okarthel is further to the West, a celtic inspired kingdom of bravery, loyalty, and stories of dragons. Aziz-Bor is a desert wasteland to the far North-East, just above the Celestial Empire, roamed by hordes and tribes. Runedar lies to the north of Okarthel, and is a scandinavian Nordic inspired land of Jarls, Houses, and plunder.

History & Culture

Government

Armathadon is governed by a Diarchy, two joint Emperors each with their own responsibility. The Rai-Hito is the "People's Emperor". They should typically be seen by the people as their leader, and they are the leader who has the most time face to face with the people. During times of War the Lords of the realm are beholden only to the Rai-Hito. The Rai-Saisho is the "Spiritual Emperor". They maintain the nation's relationship with Ziz & the Fey Court, and ensure the people are protected both by and from the Feywilds. During times of peace most Lords of the realm are beholden to the Rai-Saisho.

Current Leaders:

• Rai-Hito Yue Venli, a young human woman who took over the role from her late father 3 years ago.
• Rai-Saisho Irlang Takata, a very old elven man who has ruled in this seat for over 300 years.

Most cities are governed by a lord. Lordships are granted in 2 different ranks, Hoi and Nai. A Hoi is an upper-noble Lord. They will typically have smaller nobles under them, and have a degree of sway over the nation's politics. A Nai is a lesser noble or governing lord only. They have little say over central politics, and are concerned only with local politics.

Emedorei is the exception to the rule. They are ruled by the Emedorei Council, an oligarchy of councellors who each technically hold the title of Hoi, but only send a single representative to meet with the Emperors.

Religion

The Fey Court are not quite worshipped, but more revered and respected by natives of Armathadon. Ziz, the creator, was a powerful Fey spirit who gave birth to this world and its people, finally retreating to the Feywilds to rest via a giant tree now named Ziz's Rest. The people of Armathadon admire their creator, and pray to Ziz's lieutenants, the Fey Court, when they need aid or guidance. And in turn they build monuments, large traditional gateways, emblazoned with the symbols of their Fey patron of choice.

The rest of the world recognize Ziz as the world's creator, but worship the Exandrian Pantheon of Gods who brought them civilized life, who tamed the seas, and who even gave the world light by creating the sun. This is a more typical style of worship.

Magic

Magic appears in 3 forms in this world. Written or Spoken Magic is learned through hard study of the Arcane Scripts, each of which has an associated element, so many Spoken Magic Casters have a typical element that most of their magic revoves around. Borrowed Magic is the magic of most clerics, paladins, and warlocks. They have made a deal with a greater power, that they will gain magic, in exchange for devotion. Finally there is natural magic. This is innate magical power that a person has, but it is very volatile in this world, and usually displays physically. It could be something as small as your eyes changing colour with your emotions, all the way up to huge physical deformities.

Armathadon believes that most magic should be natural or borrowed where possible, suggesting Ziz would have given us only what we needed, but there is one Magic Academy in Emedorei, and a number of Spoken Magic tutors across the world.

Geography

The North of Armathadon is split in half by the Natridimo Mountains. To their East, the small slither of land known as the Natri Vale plays host to small fishing and mining communities. To its West is the wide open plains around Emedorei. A beautiful sunlit region, it is perfect for orchards and vineyards.

The rest of the nation is separated through the middle by Ziz's Rest. The great world-tree of the Creator themselves sits in the center of a huge circular mountain range. Very few people get to go inside, as it is where the veil between feywilds and material plane are at their thinnest. All around it towns and cities look towards rivers to provide fertile land for farming, until the southern reaches of the nation which are hilly once again, making way for arable communities instead.

Guilds

There are a number of organizations based across the continent, and some that stretch beyond it.

• Rift Wardens - The dream of most young army prospects is to be talent spotted by the Rift Wardens. They roam Ziz's Rest, ensuring the people of the nation don't get in without invitation, but more importantly making sure no Fey monsters make it out. They are based in Fort Zien.
• The Ziruai - A mercenary guild of dutifully trained masters of the sword. They practice the art of duel wielding a pair of what they call Echo Blades. They are sought after fighters, and are occasionally called in by the Rai-Hito to deal with emerging dangers. They are based in Varziruai.
• The GASCOME - The Guild for Adventurers, Seekers, Champions, Opportunists, Mercenaries and Everything. They are responsible for creating & training the few reliable adventuring groups running around the nation today. They also offer a roof to most walks of life. They are based in Emedorei.
• The Spiritkeepers - These librarians train to protect the lore and balance of the nation. While their active members are few and far between, they can always be counted on to have a kept record or long lost book. They are based out of their Archives in Ivaenial.
• Yewpoint - A technological conglomorate that came to us from Steelhaven in the Celestial Empire, they specialize in building technology to prevent and clean up Fey anomalies. They also offer legal services, and have recently expanded into the trade and transport business through the ERTC (Emerald Road Trading Company). Yewpoint is based in Alusvil. The ERTC is based in Rughrel.
• The Broken Mouth - Everyone knows of this ghost story. Agents from some secret order spread across all nations leaking information to one another to ensure world peace. Its all likely nonsense. Probably.
• & many more you haven't heard of.

Armath Calendar

The year is split into 4 seasons, and each season into 3 months, with the exception of winter that only has 2 months. There is no real concept of a week, a week is just a measurement of time approximately 7 days long (Unless you are in Okarthel. When they say "now in a week" they really mean anywhere from right now up to a month).

Common Sayings

Though most sayings are tied to the different cultures and people of each city or region, some have become more widespread.

• "By the Gods" or "Oh my "God's Name" or By "God's Name"
  • A general exclaimation of shock. Basically omg in our world.
• "You can't milk a dead cowfish"
  • Something is impossible to do
• "Stop growing Moonlits"
  
  • Stop crying, something a caring mother would say to their child
• "Obo's Eyes find you"
  • Wishing the dead a quick and safe passage into the afterlife (if they are a Fey Court Worshipper)
• "May the Raven's guide you"
  • Wishing the dead a quick and safe passage into the afterlife (if they are a God Worshipper)
• "May the night mother bring us a quick/merciful death."
  • Giving in to death. It is common for soldiers who worship the Gods to utter this before a battle
• "May the watchful mother guide their soul to eternal happiness" (if they are God Worshippers)
  • A common saying seen on tombstones asking the Raven Queen to guide their soul to a good afterlife