Smitefire Tavern Worldbuilding Thread

The Mythos:

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This world was created by the Administrator, who created Moderators to serve him and judge the world.

These Moderators needed minions to help judge and observe the mortal plane, and they created them by empowering select mortals to fill a particular aspect. These minions are called Editors, who are essentially normal beings who can bend reality in a certain way. For instance, The Warrior has the aspect of a warrior, and he can bend reality by making his weapons unbreakable, or to increase his endurance.

...a knife to the neck will kill them just as easily as any other human.

The People:

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Kassa has an extremely diverse population. Humans are the largest demographic, but there are also goblins, satyrs, dragons, vampires, elves, liches, and all sorts of fully sentient creatures who enjoy citizenship in Kassa.

In general, the people with extraordinary powers, like mages, vampires, and such are called Superiors. The non-Superiors sometimes feel shafted.

The Animals:

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There are also many non-sapient creatures who exist, like the dumb dragons, the griffons, various giant insects, and other beasts, along with the more normal animals, like horses, birds, and pigs. Griffons are common mounts, the giant insects are sometimes bred for food, and other mundane uses.

The Government:

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The city of Kassa is ruled by the Council of Seven. Each Council member is the leader of an influential faction in the city. For example, Nicodemus is the master inventor of the Ingenium.

Each faction holds enormous sway over the city due to them providing a valuable service toward the city. For example, the Ingenium are scientists, constantly inventing and experimenting, and giving new technology to the city. They are essential for the city's survival, which gives them a lot of political power.

The Council's colors are Blue and White, much like Red, White, and Blue for the US, or Blue and White for the UN.

The City:

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Kassa is divided into several districts, and many of them are under the control of one faction or another. There are also some people who try to maintain independent of the factions, and there is some friction between the factions, who believe they hold up the city, and the factionless, who think they are being oppressed.

The city's architecture varies wildly. Some places are very vertical, with many high-rise buildings reaching to the sky. Others are more primitive, with small clusters of simple brick buildings. And you might even find a winding series of streets and alleyways in another part of the city. Some places are even constructed entirely out of magically manipulated plants.

The Nature:

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Kassa is also like a modern city in that there is very little room for nature. Often, there are controlled plants or trees in the city, as well as cultivated gardens, but the only place you will find true, untamed wilds are in Kassa's nature reserves.

The History:

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Kassa has suffered through two great wars in the past.

The Magic:

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Magic is extremely diverse in Kassa. At its most basic level, magic is about channeling energy. A Ingenium mage-scientist may use carefully crafted and worded spells, while a shaman might use blasts of wild and uncontrolled energy. Some mages utilize concepts like law and chaos in their spells, while others can tap into more elemental powers, like a volcano, plants, or even their faith in a deity. Magic can be words in a program, like with runes, or it can be a mysterious and unknown power source, like the strange lifeforce of the undead.

There are a few constants. Precise magic requires concentration, which can be broken. Mages also cannot make someone's head explode from the other end of the city. It has limits.

Magic is extremely common in Kassa. Approximately one in every three people have access to a superhuman ability of some sort, and thanks to the many inventions of the Ingenium, even non-magical people can use magic in their daily lives. Stoves and fires can be lit with a cantrip, the City Guard uses magical weapons and devices, and magic is even used on contracts and bargains.

There is also a subsection of magic, called True Names. True Names are extremely rare, and knowing one is dangerous. If you know the True Name of on object, you can control it, albeit with skill and energy required. Knowing the True Name for water might make you able to use people as meat puppets, but it will take a lot of effort to do so.

The Technology:

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The city's technology can vary wildly. You might find that a tribe of elves still cook over fires, while another district might have barbecue competitions.

The most significant technology of note are the existence of manadrives, which is a term for a device that simulates magic. The Depelle forces use a variety of offensive and defensive manadrives, like a glove that let's you hurl electric bolts of varying intensity. A hospital might have an emergency manadrive that heals burns. However, manadrives must have a power source, and can only run one specific spell.

The Worlds:

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There are multiple planes of existence in this setting. The Realm of the Mystics is one.

One of the most notable is the Nevernever, a reflection of the mortal world. For example, a jail cell on the mortal end will turn into something similarly confining in the Nevernever, like a dark and small cavern or even a bottomless pit.

The juggler's name is Symon.

Personality: Selfish and selfless. Driven, and some would say obsessed. He would pursue vengeance at the cost of own soul, but vengeance is also inherently selfish. Has a strong sense of morality, with plenty of ambition, all fueled by emotion. Seriously, he needs to see a psychiatrist.

Combat Ability: He's a perfectly normal human. He has excellent dexterity, practicality, and the ability to improvise. He's skilled with using and throwing knives, but has no superhuman strength or speed. But his track record is pretty good.

Backstory: Symon was a young man in an administrative position in the Council of Seven. Through his work, he became acquainted with some of its members, including a woman named Thalia Tessa, a high-ranked scientist of the Ingenium*.

She became his mentor, and taught him about the legislation and research in [City Name], and unofficially, the politics and inner workings of the Council of Seven.

Then one day, the Ingenium received a public threat, stating the intended destruction of the Consortium*, the central building of the Ingenium (like the White House, or the Supreme Court). Many of the people working there took additional security measures, and some even hired mercenaries or bodyguards, Thalia among them.

The note had stated the events would occur in a week. When the fateful day arrived, Symon was in the Consortium, searching for Thalia, who had arranged a meeting between them. When he entered her lab, she was dead, with a knife in her chest.

After searching the Consortium top to bottom, there were two suspects. One of them was Symon. The other was Thalia's mercenary bodyguard, who was absent from Thalia's side.

In the end, Symon was the one who was declared guilty of the crime. The bodyguard was lax in his duties, but Symon has actually arranged to meet with Thalia, and knew her, while the bodyguard had no relation to the victim. The mercenary paid a fine for his negligence, and Symon was imprisoned.

The thing about Symon, is that he is incredibly loyal beyond all else. Someone had killed his beloved mentor, which means he had to avenge her, even if it meant crossing a few lines and breaking the law. He broke out of prison, used a few of his contacts to secure his freedom, and searches for the only other suspect: All4.

After searching for years, he eventually, he found a lead. To one unassuming tavern in the Ninth District. He sharpened his knives, and walked to the tavern.

Personality: Slightly arrogant (but with good reason, being a prodigy and all), and little paranoid due to the secrets he knows. Seems to rely more on caution and analysis, despite his use of chaotic magic. Combat Ability: He can be surprised and knocked unconscious, and he has little hand-to-hand ability. But when he can go all out with his magic, he can go head to head with one of the strongest mages in the city. His magic is versatile, but he favors fire and wind spells. Backstory: Sir's father is a retired General Ignavus of the Council of Seven, known for his skill with magic. His mother was an orphan adopted by a group of traveling healers and quickly learned their craft. Sir's father saved his mother after they were assaulted by a group of bandits, attempting to force them to heal their leader. After a whirlwind romance, they settled down in a mountain area near a chaos well (term for a nexus of elemental leylines), which, combined with their innate magical talent, has given their children extraordinary magical power. Sir is their firstborn, and is the magically weakest of the three siblings. However, he is a prodigy and knows how to use most (and counter nearly all) magic. His sister Zizaia has the most raw power, but is only a toddler. His brother Fidale has extremely potent chaos magic, but cannot use order or healing magic very effectively. He also had more power than Sir, but due to his lack of finesse, often loses their childhood duels.

When Sir's mother fell ill, he set out to find a cure. At one point during his journey, he felt Nixaze's strong magical presence, and she felt Sir's. The two forged a deal. Nixaze would heal Sir's mother after Sir promised to help her return to her original state. (Sir does not know about the Dirae, nor does anyone else in the world, except the Editors. All he knows is that Nixaze is a hexed magical entity.)

Note: First half is missing, second half is here.

the half bloods were insane half infected vampire's, they were not seen as intelligent being's but beast's. creating half bloods was seen as a crime by the people of the land (whats the country or kingdom's name?). all4 and maria had to fight for their life's against these monstroseties. but they managed to escape them without getting bit by them.
maria started to think this was a bad idea and told all4 that maybe they should stop and leave, harkon was one of the most powerfull vampire's in the land and she knew that no matter how skilled they were that he would still be highly dangerous. but all4 didn't listen and kept going deaper in to his lair. all4 was egocentric, angry and overconfident so he was never planning to stop, retreat or make a plan of attack.

they eventually made there way to the vampire's private room's where they found him.

all4 faced him with anger. he yelled at the vampire that he would die on this very day and the 2 assassins started to attack him using there mobilty and speed thinking they would out manouver him though he proved more then a match with his powerfull magic.

all4 loved every second of the fight. he wanted to have this battle, show to this monster how strong the assassins really were and that the attack on there strong hold was a one time thing that they would never have pulled of without that giagantic army of the Co7. maria on the other side saw that they were losing, they kept getting hit with spells and the vampire ended up just draining there life if he would ever even get close to getting hurt.

eventually all4 got knocked away by one of Harkon's spells which hit him out of contious for a few seconds which while it cleared his mind up was at the worst of times, maria stayed to close for to long to try and deal damage and the vampire grabbed her.

when all4 woke up again he saw the vampire putting his teeth in maria's neck and he heard very loud pitch high scream. it felt like it took for ever when all4 watched his only loved one get bitten and falling to the ground just laying there. all4 knew he needed to get away though harkon started a chase he was never as fast as all4, atleast not fast enough to get to him before he was out side in the sun.

all4 fled away and dropped into depression for 2 years. when he got out of it he was whiser and started a long training. for 6 years he trained in stealth though he now knew that if you didn't train your mind your body would never bestrong enough.

after 6 years he returned to the vampire's lair. he snuck in unseen and stalked Harkon before striking. trough this he leared that maria became his prized possesion and that his bit hypnotised her into loving him. all4's initial target was harkon, he didn't even think she was still alive.

all4 stalked them from the cavern's cealing untill they went to sleep. then after waiting a few hours he let him self down and walked up to Harkon's coffin, all4 opened it without having any imotion and killed Harkon with stake trough his undead hart, then he walked up to maria's coffin. when he opened it he saw her face for one last time and said "im sorry i caused this" dropping a single tyr (tyr/tir/tier as in crying), maria woke up hissing at all4 but was to late and all4 killed her. giving her soul finally rest.

all4's want's to ask the editors to let him. ( and here im not sure, either let him speak to his loved one's once more. let him speak to his younger self to be more whise or something something. i really can't find a good one here

Missing.

The head of the lawmages, and one of the strongest mages in Kassa.

Physical Description: 45, average height, thin, blond hair in a bun. Typically wears the blue and white robes of the Council.

Personality: Stubborn, arrogant, but not unreasonable, she is one of the Council of Seven and represents the lawmages as a faction. I would describe her personality like Warden Morgan from the Dresden Files, or a much less likable Minerva McGonagall.

Combat Ability: A very strong order mage, with lots of power, focused by years of experience. She can conjure magical restraints and shackles, create cages and walls of force, restrain people with a mass-mind control spell, and paralyze people. The last two are mental effects, and can be resisted.

Selyna is aware of this and all of her other weaknesses, especially after someone cracked her head against a tavern wall. That's why she hides a knife in her robes.

Dumark is a man who truly believes in his idealistic principles. His favorite word is justice.

Physical Description: 26, tall, brown haired, athlete's build. Wears white, since he's a white knight (or tries to be). Also wears no armor, cause he's an idiot.

Personality: He's a bit dull, but he shines as brightly as he can. He's also nearly impossible to intimidate since he is often so cheerfully oblivious. Oh, and he's loud. Like, really loud. Permanently banned from the Rangers division because he kept blowing their cover by shouting.

Combat Ability: Well, he usually ends of disabling himself or knocking himself unconscious, or being utterly stupid. Seriously, he holds out his badge like it's a weapon. So basically zero. Maybe one if it's a matter of justice.

The self-absorbed head of the Ingenium, and a member of the Council of Seven. You can't tell by looking at him, but he is actually a brilliant and revered inventor.

Physical Appearance: 113. He's tall, bronze-skinned, white-haired, and has a sizable beard and 'stache, which he often strokes. Wears his lab coat pinned with tons of medals and stars and whatnot.

Personality: He is obsessed with being written into history, and is EXTREMELY VAIN. He's passionate about his work (and himself), and often acts disconnected from little things like sanity and morality, but he does care about things other than himself. Just not very often.

Combat Ability: ...unknown. Between his shadow magic, his vanity, his literal hundreds of weaponized inventions, and the fact that he seems pretty harmless, no one has fought or wanted to fight him since, well, ever.

Conversation Between Nicodemus and a Lawmage:

Lawmage: Sir, I'm afraid you can't touch that.

Nicodemus: *turns the only key into a bank vault into a bar of gold*

Lawmage: Sir! I'll lose my job! I'll sue you!

Nicodemus: *sighs* Great men are always misunderstood in their own time...

A high-ranking officer of the Depelle who has personally apprehended hundreds of criminals. He is a living legend, having bested werewolves, vampires, mages, and even dragons in multiple fights. He can inspire every recruit and disperse any riot.

Physical Appearance: 37, tall and bulky, with a shaven head and black goatee. Doesn't bother hiding his armor.

Personality: In MTG terms, pure white. He is an extremely stoic and focused individual for whom duty means everything. He puts aside everything - his ambitions, his family, his life - for his duty. But he's not above the occasional dirty trick or double-cross to serve his goals.

Combat Ability: Marshal Bonvillain has well-deserved reputation of being one of the deadliest fighters in the city. He moves extremely quickly in his plated armor due to decades of use, and he has learned to use all kinds of weapons.

He typically has a standard electric manadrive, a special domed energy shield manadrive, a metal whip, and crossbow as his normal equipment. He uses his whip with his manadrive to deadly effect, electrocuting enemies with a lash.

Role in Plot: Potential Secondary Antagonist, in that he would be following someone else's orders.

Nixaze (the serpent) is a member of a race of dragon like demigods who call themselves "The Dirae" from before humans came to be. When the Elves invaded their land a great war broke out, but the Dirae drove them off. One of the casualties of this war was Nixaze, who the elves had captured and experimented on ways to bind their powers. They succeeded, Turning Nixaze into a relatively powerless serpent, but before they could implement their plans on the rest of the Dirae they were destroyed. Nixaze was content to live at the feet of her friends and family, her presence unbeknownst to them. When the humans came to be in the world, the Dirae left for a new realm as an act of compassion towards them. Nixaze was left behind, and now seeks to have her powers restored through the power of the editors, so that she can return to her family. She is certain that their powers can be concentrated to free her from the spells of the elves. For a few centuries she had no idea how to do this.

The Orzha Senate:

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Civilization cannot exist without order.

The faction of the lawmages/bureaucracy, who take care of the city's legislative and judicial processes. They are judges and juries, paper pushers and law enforcement, also rarely, the executioners.

Reputation: As a bystander once put it, "The goal of the Orzha seems to be to do nothing."

Current Leader: Selyna Solomon, lawmage.

The Ingenium:

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The ends justify the means.

The faction of the city's scientists. These guys study and invent new magics and technology, and they accept all who seek knowledge, even if they are not a mage themselves.

Reputation: Nicodemus assures the public that no, they are not attempting to summon a demon. They are trying to create one.

Current Leader: Nicodemus, shadow mage.

Adventurer's Group: Sir (Sirsir94), All4 (All4Games), and the Speaker (Talenheim). Currently in some random place that can literally be anywhere as long as it's dangerous. They seem to be in good condition, but Sir is exhausted from casting multiple spells. Raventhor has been injured and is no longer in the party.

Revenge Group: Symon the Juggler (Subzero008), Officer Dumark (NPC). Refreshed and ready. On the hunt.

Unknown Editors: Ragingstorm (Ragingstorm), The Trickster (JararoNatsu), and Kleet (DarkJaw) + large group of hostile monsters. Seem perfectly fine. Currently in The Realm of the Mystics.

After the guards have carried him away, Symon was brought to the local jail, quickly searched, and shoved inside a cell to stew.

Symon looked at his shackled wrists in dismay. He did not have time to stew.

Fortunately, they hadn't forced him into a prison uniform yet, which meant either they were going to execute him on the spot within seconds, or this was just a quick stop before transferring to another prison. Most likely the latter, since he hadn't been put in the main jail with the rest of the prisoners.

They may have confiscated his knives, but they had overlooked the stiff wire in his boot. Symon relaxed. Things weren't so bad. If they were going to execute him, Selyna would come and do the job herself.

With a grim face, Selyna came to his cell, a spell at her fingertips.

Well, ****. If it were anyone else, he could rely on them to gloat for a few minutes, but Selyna had a nasty habit of being all-business.

"Wait!" he said quickly. "Wait a second!"

Selyna lowered her hand, glowing sigil and runes still floating around her fingers. "What is it?" she asked in a level tone.

"Is that blood on the side of your head?" he blurted.

Selyna raised her hand.

He couldn't stall. He couldn't fight.

"I can help you deal with the wizard!"

Selyna paused, spell still held at the ready. "Why would I need help with that whelp?" she asked. Internally, Symon smirked.

"Because we both know who he is. And more importantly, who his father is."

Selyna stopped, and tilted her head.

Symon continued. "The prodigal son of the legendary General Ignavus. High-profile wizard, until his mother got sick, then he vanished for a few years. Now he's back." Symon knew very well that Ignavus still held immense power in the city, despite having retired years ago. And Selyna knew it too. "He can make your life very unpleasant for you."

Selyna sighed, and sat down on the prison floor, looking weary. She released her spell and it died, vanishing into blue sparks. "How do you know all of this, convict?"

Because he was taught the politics of the Council. But he couldn't say that. "You're better than this, Selyna. You have enough power to raze an entire district to the ground. But you stalled. You tried to avoid direct confrontation with him. That's not like you."

"I know where this is heading. You want a conditional release, or have your sentence reduced." She glared at him. "No."

Symon lost his composure. "I told you, I'm not--"

"We've reviewed your case three times, Mr. Candor," she interrupted. "There is no hope of a reduced sentence. You would have better luck convincing a goblin to marry an elf." And a goblin would rather eat his own feet than marry an elf.

For a moment, the prisoner and the warden were both silent.

"I don't care," he muttered.

Selyna blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Just let me help you deal with the wizard. I won't ask for anything else."

She frowned. "You have an ulterior motive, don't you?" It wasn't a question.

He nodded. "Yes. But you can't afford to miss this chance. You're scared of him. He did something to you." Symon was just guessing at this point, but it didn't seem unreasonable to assume either the General or the wizard did something.

Selyna was silent, then she gathered to her feet. "Rise, convict. You're coming with me."

---

Symon sighed and stretched his arms. Selyna's office made the jail cell look like a closet. The enormous window looking over the city also helped ignore the fact that he was still a prisoner.

Selyna was rapidly writing on multiple document, but she was still negotiating terms. "You'll be accompanied by a Depelle* officer."

"Of course."

"He will have the authority to restrain you if necessary."

Symon nodded.

"I will personally place a Dictum on you."

"Conditions?"

"Paralysis and nausea; activated when harming or threatening a civilian of the city, with the exception of Wizard Ignavus and those in his group."

"Why the nausea?" Symon asked.

"Stops you from resisting the paralysis. Harming a non-combatant and killing will also trigger the Dictum."

"What if someone gets in my way, like the one of the General's private guards?"

Selyna scoffed. "You won't be invading the General's estate, convict."

"Granted, but there are plenty of civilians who would attack me, given the chance."

"Well," she said loftily, "That will be something you'll have to deal with. The officer accompanying you will have a code word to trigger the Dictum."

"That's not fair," Simon objected. "I'm not exactly the Depelle's flavor of the month. What if he decides to have some payback?"

Selyna paused writing. "Very well, he will have other means of restraining you in an emergency." Those words sounded rather ominous, but Symon wasn't in the best position to negotiate. The scratch of quill to paper continued.

"You'll also be shackled."

"Oh come on," said Symon exasperatedly. "Isn't this all too much? And how will I fight?"

He could see a microscopic smirk on Selyna's lips. "Take it as a compliment. And the shackles will be no problem, I assure you."

Dammit. "I'll need some weapons," Symon said.

"Non-lethal weapons only."

Symon wouldn't budge on this one. "I refuse to fight mercenaries and genius wizards with a glorified stick."

But Selyna wasn't relenting, either. "I won't risk the chance of you murdering someone."

Symon racked his brain. He said slowly, "How about restricted access? The guard can authorize the use of certain weapons, so I'm not completely hopeless against any heavily armored bears."

"...that sounds reasonable, minus the part about bears. Are these conditions acceptable?" She handed him a document covered in minuscule writing.

Symon squinted. "That's the monthly assessment for...Laurice Malarkey."

Selyna looked mildy embarrassed as she handed him the correct document. Symon read it carefully, and nodded his consent.

"I do have one question for you," Selyna asked.

"What is it?"

"How are you going to find them?"

---

Symon stood on the skydocks, hundreds of feet in the air. He clutched a piece of paper in his manacled hands with care, and a glowing ring was attached to one of his fingers.

Under his cloak and tunic, he was dressed in a mail shirt and leggings, and his belt held his knives and a steel baton. Symon carefully adjusted his belt so his knives were out of reach. If he instinctively drew his knives without permission, the Dictum would activate.

He was ready. All he had to do was wait for the guard.

...where on earth was he?

"OFFICER DUMARK IS HERE!" bellowed a voice.

"Gah!" Symon stumbled forward, narrowly avoided falling off of the docks. He grabbed a metal railing and stood to his feet. "Are...are you the officer Solomon sent?"

"YES, I AM INDEED!" Dumark said. Or rather, screamed. "I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU, THAT I TRULY BELIEVE IN YOUR REHABILITATION AND EVENTUAL RETURN TO SOCIETY! YOU TOO, CAN BECOME A PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN ONE DAY ONCE AGAIN!"

"Please," Symon groaned. "Be more quiet."

"AHAHA!" laughed Dumark. "MY INDOMITABLE VOICE COMES FROM MY SENSE OF JUSTICE! THIS CONDITIONAL RELEASE IS A GOOD SIGN! YOU TRULY ARE TRYING TO REFORM YOURSELF, AREN'T YOU?"

"You serve justice, correct?" Symon said through gritted teeth and ringing ears.

"OF COURSE! AS AN OFFICER OF--"

"Well," Symon said, "It isn't just to damage people's eardrums by yelling, correct?"

Dumark looked horrified. "But," he stuttered, thankfully at a lower volume, "I'm on the side of justice, right? I can shout, because I serve justice!"

"You are hurting me!" Symon said dramatically. "That is not justice! You have only one way to redeem yourself!"

"What is it?" Dumark cried.

"If I walk into the jaws of dea-injustice without my weapons, how can I survive? You must allow me to use my knives, officer! It is a matter of justice!"

Dumark sobbed. "OH, THANK YOU! YOU CAN USE YOUR KNIVES! YOU CAN USE THEM ALL YOU WANT FOREVER!"

"Uh, sir?" said a high-pitched voice.

Symon and Dumark turned around to see a nervous-looking attendant.

"Your ride is here, sir," said the attendant nervously. "And you're disturbing the griffons."

Symon glared at the boy, and he squeaked in terror. "Please don't kill me!" he shrieked.

Symon sighed. "Come along, Dumark. We shouldn't keep the griffons waiting, lest they devour the attendant."

As he climbed into the griffon's back (not easy with shackles on), he remembered. He delicately unfolded the worn contract in his hand, a written agreement of service from a certain mercenary to Thalia.

Symon brushed her signature with a finger. It was a written contract that was never finished. Its was magically bonded to the contractors, and magic could be traced. There was only one person left it could lead to.

"Get ready, All4," Symon muttered. "I'm coming for you."