Medieval Fantasy RPG

The known world spans several major continents separated by vast and turbulent oceans. Each continent features a great diversity of regions and biomes, influenced by magical mana currents.

The main biomes include: Forests and jungles (temperate, ancient, tropical, or enchanted): dense green carpets where light barely reaches the ground. Home to ancient trees, luminous fungi, and perpetual mists. Exotic woods and alchemical plants abound. Deserts (sandy, salt, or glass): Arid expanses with dunes that shift shape naturally or are affected by sandstorms. They conceal hidden oases and buried ruins. Mountains and mountain ranges (high, snow-capped, volcanic, or partially floating): Peaks that pierce the clouds, with deep caves and eternal glaciers. Main source of metals and gems. Swamps and marshes (poisonous, foggy, or bioluminescent): Waterlogged lands with stagnant water, moss, and roots that trap prey. Ideal for magic mushrooms and amphibious creatures. Plains and steppes (open, windy, or tall-grass): Vast expanses where wild herds graze and the sky seems endless. Good for agricultural resources and pack animals. Coastal areas and archipelagos (sandy beaches, icy fjords, coral reefs): Edges of the world with seas that hide submerged cities or islands that appear/disappear. Underground regions and abysses (immense caves, cracks that go down for kilometers): They connect almost all surface biomes through natural tunnels or ancient portals.

Races and species of the world Main Races: These are the most common races that form societies, cities, kingdoms, and groups of adventurers: Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, Gnomes, Halflings, Tieflings, Dragonborn, Aasimar, etc.

Adventurers' guilds are semi-independent but widely recognized organizations in almost every kingdom and city-state.

Its main function is: Register and certify individual adventurers or groups. Assign missions (monster hunting, dungeon exploration, caravan escort, item retrieval, local threat removal). To mediate in disputes between adventurers, clients, or guilds. Collect commissions for completed missions and distribute rewards. Provide a safe place to rest, exchange information, sell trophies, and acquire equipment.

A typical guild building is a sturdy, functional structure, often located in the city center or a commercial area. It has a stone or wooden facade, a large sign, and tall windows with grilles. It usually has several floors: a ground floor for reception and a mission board, and upper floors for offices, temporary dormitories, and training rooms.

Typical interior Ground floor: Large hall with a long counter staffed by receptionists. There's a giant board with missions pinned to it with scrolls (from low to high risk). Long tables where adventurers eat, drink, or negotiate. A central fireplace and a noisy but welcoming atmosphere. Rear area: Private rooms for meetings with noble clients, storage of valuable objects and a vault for rewards. Upper floors: Cheap shared rooms for passing adventurers, a library with old books, and a training room with straw dummies and targets for practice.

All adventurers must be at least 18 years old to officially join the guild. Membership is only permitted for those who are already of legal age.

The economy is based primarily on a system of standardized metal coins (minted by kingdoms, city-states, or powerful guilds), with approximate values ​​that vary slightly by region but follow a common hierarchy:

Copper (cp): The most basic and common currency. It is used for everyday purchases: bread, beer, cheap accommodation. Silver (sp): Intermediate currency. Equivalent to 10–100 coppers depending on the kingdom. Used for wages, tools, and basic weapons. Gold (gp): High-value currency. Equivalent to 10–20 silver. Used for large purchases: horses, armor, jewelry, small plots of land. Platinum (pp): The most valuable and rarest currency. Equivalent to 10 gold or more. Used by nobles, wealthy mages, and in large-scale transactions (dungeon treasures, royal alliances). Gems: Precious stones (diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires) serve as a high-value "universal currency." Their value depends on their size, purity, and rarity.

In addition, bartering is very common in rural areas, borders, or among adventurers and nomadic merchants.

Trade Routes: Trade moves along well-established land and sea routes, protected (or not) by royal guards, knightly orders, or mercenaries hired by guilds. Caravans are armed groups of carts, mules, camels, or magical beasts (griffins for light loads in the mountains) that travel in convoy for defense against bandits, monsters, or roadside slimes.

Land routes: Through mountain passes, deserts with oases, forests, or open plains. Large caravans include wealthy merchants, adventurers as escorts, and sometimes mages for protection. Maritime routes: Across oceans with ports on coasts, archipelagos, or rivers. Merchant ships carry heavy cargo and travel in fleets to avoid pirates. Caravans: Protected by mercenaries from the Adventurers' Guild, with covered wagons, pack animals, and guild or kingdom flags to indicate neutrality.

System of Nobility and Titles Society is hierarchical and feudal: King/Queen (supreme sovereign of a kingdom). Dukes/Grand Lords (governors of large regions). Counts/Marquesses (control counties or border marches). Barons/Lords (owners of castles and local lands). Knights (minor nobles, often without large lands but with honor and military service). Titles are inherited by blood, but can be earned through deeds, marriage, or royal favor. Commoners (peasants, artisans, merchants) are below them in the social hierarchy, although wealthy merchants sometimes buy titles or exert influence at court.

Military, Chivalric, and Religious Orders: These powerful organizations are usually directly linked to kingdoms (or sometimes city-states). They serve as elite forces, border guards, or executors of divine/royal will. Knightly orders: Groups of knights sworn to a king or cause (e.g., Order of the Golden Lion for royal protection). Military Orders: Troops specialized in war (heavy knights, mounted archers).

They all answer (in theory) to the king or the dominant church of the kingdom, but some orders have autonomy and can act independently if they see a greater threat.

Important Guilds: The most prominent and widespread guild is the Adventurers' Guild (or Adventurers' Guilds in each major city/kingdom). It functions as a semi-independent network: registering adventurers, assigning quests (monster hunting, dungeon exploration, escorting), certifying ranks (bronze, silver, gold, etc.), and mediating disputes. Other guilds exist (mages, merchants, thieves, blacksmiths), but the Adventurers' Guild is the most visible and crucial to the exploration and combat narrative.

Technological Levels: The entire world is in a classic medieval age: no gunpowder, no steam engines, and no significant Renaissance advancements. Weapons are hand-forged steel, bows, crossbows, and catapults; the primary means of transport are horses, carts, or ships; lighting is provided by torches, candles, or (in rare cases) mild magical crystals; architecture uses stone, wood, and fortified castles. Magic compensates for some deficiencies (such as healing or long-distance communication), but does not alter the basic medieval technological level.

Politics and Power: Power is concentrated in kingdoms (large territories ruled by hereditary monarchs) and city-states (independent, often wealthy through trade or magic, governed by councils, merchant princes, or mages). Kingdoms are typically feudal, with vassalage and loyalty to the king; city-states are more autonomous and mercantile, sometimes allies or rivals of the kingdoms. Wars, alliances, and treaties are common, especially over borders, magical resources, or monstrous threats.

There are authorities that move the world who are not always just kings; they include: Kings (and queens): Political and military leaders of the kingdoms. Archmages: Supreme masters of magic, often royal advisors. High Priests: Heads of the major churches, with divine influence and power to declare crusades or excommunications. Ancient Dragons: Millennia-old beings of superior intelligence, who control vast territories (mountains, caves) or amass immense treasures. Some are allies of kingdoms, others neutral threats, or tyrannical ones.

Magical Objects Common: Rings, necklaces, cloaks, boots, or clothing items enchanted with basic blessings. Examples: fire/cold resistance, minor enhancers, or perception.

Rare: Weapons, armor, instruments, or cloaks with more powerful enchantments. Examples: temporary invisibility, mana affinity (faster recharge), constant fire, shadow control, etc.

Legendary: Extremely rare, usually found in deep dungeons, ancient ruins, or gifted by kings/nations. Only a few in the world possess them (artifacts with unique powers such as mind reading, elemental manipulation, etc.).

Magic is legal in most civilized regions, but it is heavily regulated due to its destructive potential. Irresponsible use, unsupervised teaching, or employment for selfish/harmful personal gain (such as mass attacks without justifiable cause) is prohibited or controlled. In some kingdoms, there are guilds or councils of mages that oversee licenses, prohibit dangerous practices, and punish abuses.

Schools of Magic and Training: In populated areas (especially in large kingdoms and prosperous cities) there are schools of magic where apprentices from all over the world apply for admission. These institutions teach the fundamentals of all magical branches (elemental, illusion, evocation, abjuration, etc.). Once the basic studies are completed, the student must seek out a master specializing in their chosen branch (for example, a fire archmage or an elder druid) to become their official apprentice and complete their training.

Dungeons are ancient ruins that, for unknown reasons, have become nests, lairs, or homes for monsters and magical creatures. No one knows for sure where they came from or who originally built them—some believe they are remnants of lost civilizations, experiments by ancient wizards, failed portals, or curses that activated themselves. What is known is that they continue to appear or reactivate over time.

General characteristics: They always start from the first level (the visible entrance: a deep cave, a half-buried tower, ruins covered in vines, an ancient well, etc.). They continue towards the back or downwards: corridors, chambers, descending staircases, traps, rooms with treasures or guardians. They can have several levels (from 3–5 in minor dungeons to dozens in legendary ones).

Not all of them are the same: some are linear (a clear downward path), others are labyrinthine with multiple paths, magic traps, illusions, internal portals or even entire ecosystems (luminous mushrooms, underground rivers, slime colonies). They contain monsters, treasures (gems, magic items, rare resources), but also increasing dangers the deeper you go.

Dungeons are the main source of adventure and wealth for adventurers: enter, survive, loot and exit (or die trying).

Each biome offers a mix of common resources (wood, stone, iron, medicinal herbs) and rare/magical resources that are coveted by blacksmiths, alchemists, mages, and adventurers. Many of these resources are tied to the presence of magical creatures or supernatural phenomena.

Forests and jungles Common resources: wood, healing berries, forest beast hides. Rare/magical resources: black ebony wood, tree sap, mushroom spores. Creatures: dryads, treants, unicorns, slimes.

Deserts Common resources: fine sand, cactus with water, reptile scales. Rare/magical resources: storm crystals (store lightning), volcanic obsidian, dragon blood (from desert dragons or ancient wyrms). Creatures: sphinxes, giant scorpions, sand dragons, slimes.

Mountains and mountain ranges Common resources: stone, iron, mountain goats. Rare/magical resources: mithril (light and almost unbreakable), adamantium (indestructible, black or dark gray), gems that amplify magic. Creatures: stone giants, griffins, wyverns, earth elementals, mountain dragons.

Swamps and marshes Common resources: reeds, fish, peat. Rare/magical resources: black lilies, pearls, hydra blood, or slime from amphibious creatures. Creatures: hydras, will-o'-the-wisps, acid or poison slimes, swamp trolls.

Underground areas Common resources: edible mushrooms, bats. Rare/magical resources: deep veins of mithril/adamantium, mana crystals (glow and recharge magic), dragon blood from wyrms, slime cores. Creatures: slimes of all kinds (acid, poisonous, common etc.), umber hulks, underground dragons, behold.

Creature resources (such as dragon scales, slime cores, unicorn horns, or sphinx tears) are often more powerful than minerals, but far more dangerous to obtain. Many adventurers live (or die) hunting these beasts in their natural habitats.

Barbarian: Primal and furious warriors who channel an ancient rage to become unstoppable in battle. Abilities: They enter a "fury" to resist damage, strike with brutal force, survive in savage environments, and intimidate enemies. Bard: Charismatic artists who use music, magic, and cunning to inspire allies, deceive foes, and manipulate minds. Abilities: They cast spells with songs, heal with words, steal enemy focus, and are experts in storytelling/deception. Cleric: Devout priests who invoke divine power to heal, exorcise, and combat evil. Abilities: They channel divine energy to heal wounds, summon guardian spirits, destroy undead, and protect with holy shields. Druid: Guardians of nature who transform into animals and manipulate wild elements. Abilities: Shapeshifting (bear, wolf, bird), controlling plants/animals, casting nature spells, and restoring the land. Warrior: Masters of weapons and versatile combat, adaptable to any fighting style. Abilities: Multiple attacks, specialized fighting styles (archer, duelist, protector), superhuman stamina, and tactical maneuvers. Monk: Ascetic warriors who hone their bodies and ki (life energy) for lethal unarmed strikes. Abilities: Swift unarmed attacks, dodging projectiles, impossible leaps, magic deflection, and calming auras. Paladin: Holy knights sworn to holiness who combine martial strength with divine magic to hunt heretics. Abilities: Divine smite strikes, protective auras, evil detection, summoned mounts, and unbreakable oaths. Rogue: Stealthy and opportunistic thieves, masters of deception and critical strikes. Skills: Lethal sneak attacks, stealth/exploration, disarming traps, climbing, disguises, and acrobatic evasion.

Sorcerer: Innate mages whose magic flows from their blood (dragon, demon, etc.), manipulating it with metamagic. Abilities: They cast powerful spells, alter spells in flight (increased damage, area of ​​effect, etc.), and gain sorcery points and elemental affinities. Warlock: Pact-makers who sell their souls to powerful entities (demons, fairies, ancient beings) for swift magic. Abilities: They summon patterns for recallable spells, curses, minor invocations, and eldritch transformations. Mage: Scholars who study grimoires to master arcane magic in its purest and most versatile form. Skills: They prepare daily spells from a vast book, write scrolls, perform counter-magic, create complex illusions, and construct spell towers. Explorer: Nomadic hunters skilled in tracking, survival, and ranged combat. Abilities: Favored enemies (beasts, undead), animal companions, favorable terrain, ambushes, and natural healing. Artificer: Gnomish (or similar) inventors who infuse magic into objects and machines. Abilities: They create magical infusions (enchanted weapons), homunculus helpers, flying armor, alchemy, and portable cannons.

These classes combine with races to create unique characters (e.g., a rogue elf or a dwarven artisan). In adventurers' guilds, they rise in rank by gaining specializations.

Peaceful Magical Creatures: These creatures are usually neutral or benevolent, often linked to nature, pure magic, or ancient guardians. They do not attack without provocation and sometimes interact with mortals in a positive way (allies, mounts, or guardian spirits): Unicorns, Werebears (bear-men, guardians of the forests), Centaurs, Pegasi, Treants (wise, living trees), Couatl (feathered winged serpents, divine messengers), etc.

Hostile Magical Creatures (Mana-Filled Creatures): These are saturated with raw magical energy (mana), making them unpredictable, aggressive, and powerful. They are common sources of magical resources when defeated (cores, scales, blood, etc.): Slimes (of various types: acidic, poisonous, common...), Goblins, Red Dragon, Beholder, Lich, Hydra, Medusa, Chimera, Slaad (chaotic and aberrant), etc.

Monsters (Especially hostile creatures that drop gems when killed): These are particularly dangerous beings, often guardians of treasure or dungeon bosses. When defeated, they drop gems (magical crystals, jewels, or fragments of power), making them highly sought after by hunters and adventurers: Hellhounds, Goblin Kings (supreme leaders of goblin tribes), Dungeon Bosses (these vary in race: they could be an elder dragon, a giant golem, a demon, etc.), Undead (skeletons, zombies, vampires, etc.), Aurumvorax (devourers of gold and treasure), Xorn (earth elemental creatures that eat gems), Hoard Scarabs (treasure-guarding beetles), Gem Dragons (dragons with scales of precious gems), Jewel Golems (golems made of living jewels and crystals), etc.

Guilds use a standardized ranking system (although it varies slightly by kingdom or large city).

The most accepted and recognized standard in almost the entire world is by letters, from highest to lowest: S — Legendary rank, reserved for mythical heroes (very few in history). A — Adventurers capable of facing ancient dragons, liches, or great threats. B — Groups that handle mid-to-high level dungeons, powerful bosses. C — Experienced adventurers who regularly take on risky missions. D — They are no longer rookies, but they still need care on difficult missions. E — Novice, they have completed several basic missions and demonstrate skill. F — Newly registered, only simple missions (collect herbs, escort farmers, hunt wolves).

To rank up you need: Complete a number of missions at the current level. Bring evidence (trophies, monster gems, customer reports). Sometimes, practical exams or recommendations from higher ranks.

Reputation is also gained through famous feats, which can open doors to exclusive missions, powerful allies, or even audiences with kings.

Major and Minor Gods: There are countless gods and goddesses according to the cultures, regions, and races of the world—each people has its own pantheons, myths, and ancestral spirits. However, there are divine concepts that are the most common and shared (or at least very similar) among civilizations:

Elemental Gods/Goddesses: One for each fundamental element (water, wind, fire, and earth). They are offered respect in rituals to balance the weather, ensure harvests, or provide protection against disasters.

Dark Magic: Worshipped by those who make pacts with dark entities. They are not benevolent "gods," but feared beings that grant power in exchange for loyalty, souls, or corruption. Their cults are usually secret and persecuted.

Temples and shrines vary enormously: from natural altars in forests to imposing cathedrals in cities.

Miracles: Magic allows for impressive feats (healing grievous wounds, summoning storms, etc.), but there are clear boundaries separating the magical from the truly divine. There is no true resurrection: necromancers can animate corpses or capture soul fragments to create undead, but they never restore full, conscious life (and it is strictly forbidden to take human souls without legal consequences).

Stories tell of miraculous tonics, elixirs of youth, or sacred waters that cure the incurable or prolong life, but these are myths or legendary artifacts—no one has conclusively proven their existence. True "miracles" (direct interventions of gods) are rare, ambiguous, and debated as to whether they were truly the work of a god or merely powerful magic.

Life After Death: Every culture has its own beliefs. However, no one knows for sure. Those who have been on the brink of death cannot describe anything coherent from the other side—only fragmented visions that vary enormously. Everything remains speculation, faith, and myth.

Magic arises from multiple intertwined sources: gods, bloodlines, ancient runes, pacts with higher beings, and nature itself. However, it all rests on mana, the raw magical energy that permeates the entire world. Mana floats in the air, concentrates in underground veins, or is found in areas of natural power (ancient forests, high mountains, etc.). Furthermore, every living being possesses internal mana: from monsters and magical creatures to all races (humans, elves, orcs, etc.). Some are born with the innate ability to control their own mana or channel that of their surroundings, while others must strive to learn it. Magical creatures possess a much greater and purer concentration of mana.

Who Can Use Magic? Anyone can try to learn magic, but not everyone manages to master it. There are natural prodigies who excel quickly, while others remain at basic levels or never progress at all.

Bloodlines: Some families or races have a special inherited affinity (by blood, draconic, faerie, etc.). The chances of offspring inheriting this affinity are high, but never 100% guaranteed. Through study: Apprentices, magicians, sorcerers, or anyone with some affinity can improve through meditation, dedication, and practice. Through objects: Magical objects can enhance or amplify the power of someone who already uses magic, but they don't allow a completely non-magical person to cast spells. At best, they offer limited and passive effects.

Costs and Consequences Physical strain: Mana-intensive spells can deplete almost all of the user's internal mana and life energy, leaving the caster exhausted, unconscious, or, in extreme cases, on the verge of death. Mental health: Dark magic (not necessarily evil, like necromancy) exposes the user to heavy and corrupting energies. Therefore, they need to take periods of rest.