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{{CaptionedImage|file=Setting.jpg|width=100%|caption=Empire takes place in an original fantasy setting.}}
[[Category:Introduction]]
==Overview==
==Overview==
This page is part of our introduction to Empire, explaining more about the game. It is intended for people who are new to live roleplaying as well as experienced live roleplayers who have never done Empire before to give you a broad-strokes look at the Empire world and some of the universal concepts that underpin the setting.
This page is part of our introduction to Empire, explaining more about the game. It is intended for people who are new to live roleplaying as well as experienced live roleplayers who have never done Empire before to give you a broad-strokes look at the Empire world and some of the universal concepts that underpin the setting.


==A closed world==
==Original Setting==
Empire takes place in a closed world. This means that it has its own setting, laid out on the wiki. Players take roles within that world, and don't have the ability to introduce significant new elements. Players can't create0 new nations, new lineages, or eternals for example. This allows everyone to have a shared understanding and expectation of what the world contains, supporting immersion, and making the game world feel more real to everyone involved.
Empire takes place in an original fantasy setting, rather than one a historical one. Although some of the costume is inspired by medieval and renaissance clothing, the parallels end there. For example, feudalism is largely unknown in the setting. This means that few nations have kings, queens, or serfs and nobody in the Empire lives a life of power or poverty because of their birth. For the most part, people are judged by their actions and abilities, not their parents.


This also means that while you have a lot of freedom to determine who your character is, you can't play ''anything at all''. There's no room for playing Robin Hood or a character from another setting, you can't create a new territory to be from, you can't make up a history that is at odds with the established events of the game world.
Prejudice is commonplace in the setting but is not based on real-world or historical examples. Discrimination by gender or sexuality is unheard of, and nobody is judged by the colour of their skin. The bigotry that occurs in the Empire is based on in-game choices for your character such as your lineage, nationality, faith.


==New Setting==
The people of this world, especially in the Empire, are well-educated. The assumption is that everyone can read and write, and disciplines such as [[Healing_in_Empire#Mundane_medicine|medicine]], magic, mathematics, and natural philosophy are widely studied. There are numerous [[technology|technologies]] known in the Empire world that would be anachronistic in many fantasy settings. Some, such as [[technology#Light stones|light stones]] are magical in nature, while others such as the [[technology#printing press|printing press]] are wholly mundane in nature.
The Empire setting is a fantasy world, and not a historical setting. Although some of the costume is inspired by medieval clothing, the parallels end there. For example, feudalism is largely unknown in the setting. Few nations have kings, queens, or serfs and in the Empire nobody lives a life of power or poverty because of their birth. For the most part, people are judged by their actions and abilities, not their parents.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Highborn.jpg|align=right|width=400}}
==Closed World==
The Empire setting is a closed world; this means that the game has a defined [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_(fiction) canon] that lays out what is and is not true in the game world. This helps to make Empire feel more real - as players can have a common understanding of what does and does not exist and what is or is not possible in the world their characters inhabit.


Prejudice is commonplace in the setting, but is not based on real world or historical examples. Discrimination by gender or sexuality is unheard of, and nobody is judged by the colour of their skin. The bigotry that occurs in the Empire is based on in-game choices for your character such as lineage, nationality, or your religion.
The setting is "closed" in the sense that players cannot add new things to it. The key details about the world - for example, what nations are known to exist; what races inhabit the world; what religions are followed; are all questions that are answered here on [[the wiki]] - otherwise it would be impossible for players to hold a shared knowledge of the world. This means that you can create any character that fits with these details, but you can't play ''anything at all''. Your idea for your character might be inspired by a historical, mythical, or literary character like Hannibal, Robin Hood, or Harry Potter, but you can't literally play that character.  


The people of this world, especially in the Empire, are well-educated. The assumption is that everyone can read and write, and disciplines such as [[Healing_in_Empire#Mundane_medicine|medicine]], magic, mathematics, and natural philosophy are widely studied. There are numerous [[technology|technologies]] known in the Empire world that would be anachronistic in many fantasy settings. Some, such as [[technology#Light stones|light stones]] are magical in nature, while others such as the [[technology#printing press|printing press]] are wholly mundane in nature.
You are free to create background details for your character - but anything you make up must be compatible with the details published here on [[the wiki]] and the scale of it should be relevant only to your character or to the characters played by you and your friends. It is fine to create a village or settlement where your character was born, but you shouldn't invent a new city or a major town. If you want your character to be from a place like that then you must pick a suitable location from the various maps found on the wiki.


==Imperial Citizens==
==Imperial Citizens==
Our game is about the fate of the Empire and the political battles to control it. While there is a larger world beyond Imperial borders, their only significance in the game is the way they affect the Empire. You can play a character who was born somewhere else, but every player-character ''must'' be an Imperial citizen.
Our game is about the fate of the Empire and the political battles to control it. While there is a larger world beyond Imperial borders, their only significance in the game is the way they affect the Empire. Being an Imperial citizen grants you significant abilities and rights that are key to enjoying the game.
 
All Imperial citizens are eligible to participate in elections for the [[Imperial Senate]], and can play a role in the [[Imperial Synod]], the [[Imperial Military Council]], the [[Imperial Conclave]], and the [[Imperial Bourse]]. Each of these houses has distinct powers that allow player characters to shape Imperial policy and direct the Empire. [[Imperial titles]] - positions of responsibility and power that often grant unique abilities or access - can only be held by Imperial citizens. Only Imperial citizens can travel through the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Doing so allows you to take part in quests, skirmishes and battles against the Empire's enemies..
 
The Empire calls any nation it is [[The_Game#Player_vs_Monster_Battles|at war with]] "barbarians" while all other nations are considered "foreigners".  


You can read more about the Empire itself [[The Empire|here]].
Only Imperial citizens are eligible to participate in elections for the [[Imperial Senate]], and can play a role in the [[Imperial Synod]], the [[Imperial Military Council]], the [[Imperial Conclave]], and the [[Imperial Bourse]]. Each of these houses has distinct powers that allow player characters to shape Imperial policy and direct the Empire. [[Imperial title|Imperial titles]] - positions of responsibility and power that often grant unique abilities or access - can only be held by Imperial citizens. Only Imperial citizens can freely travel through the [[Sentinel Gate]]. Doing so is the only way to take part in the quests, skirmishes, and battles.


The nations that make up the Empire are culturally distinct but politically and legally unified.
Because of this intense focus, every player-character ''must'' be an Imperial citizen. Even if you decide your character was born in a [[Foreign_nations|foreign nation]], they must have become an Imperial citizen at some point before you enter play. You can read more about the Empire itself [[The Empire|here]].


==Ten Nations==
==Ten Nations==
There are ten nations in the Empire, and every player character is an Imperial citizen who belongs to one of them. Which nation your character belongs to is the single most important decision about you character. While you can play a character who ''started'' somewhere else, the [[focus of the game]] is on the Empire and the events that take place there. Your [[nationality]] is a core element of your character; at [[Anvil]] everyone camps together with other members of their nation for example, fights alongside their nation during [[battles]], and even has rules implications such as determining which [[covens]] they can support if they are ritual magicians.
There are ten nations in the Empire, and every Imperial citizen ''must'' belong to one of them. Which [[nationality|nation your character belongs to]] is the single most important decision about your character. At [[Anvil]] members of a nation share an in-character camp; they fight together during [[battles]], and magicians can only perform rituals with other members of the same nation.


Each of the nations is developed on the Empire wiki, with a brief detailing their culture, their history, and their attitudes. Each nation has the same pieces of core reading that you should be familiar with for the nation you choose - the overview, culture and customs, the people, and the look and feel. Each nation has a number of other pages that detail things like the nations magical attitudes and history. These are optional reading, but having at least skimmed them will improve your enjoyment of the game.
The nations that make up the Empire are politically and legally unified but are culturally distinct. Each one is developed on the Empire wiki, with a brief detailing their culture, their history, and their attitudes. The ''core reading'' sections, the ''overview'', ''culture and customs'', ''the people'', and the ''look and feel'', tell you everything you need to know about the nation you have chosen. The ''further reading'' pages detail things like a nation's magical attitudes or its history; it's always helpful to skim these pages but you should definitely read the ones that are relevant to the character you are creating.


Every Imperial nation has one or more [[egregores]], members of crew who support the players of that nation in a variety of ways. In-game, the egregores also help to ensure each nation maintains it's own unique cultural identity.
Each Imperial nation has an [[egregores|egregore]] spirit that was created to maintain the unique cultural identity of the nation. The spirit may inhabit the body of one or more Imperial citizens but they are all played by members of our crew who are there to help the players of that nation. In particular, they aim to support new players and help them get involved in the game.


==Humans and orcs==
You can read more about the nations [[Nation_overview|here]].
Unlike many fantasy games, the Empire setting contains only a few sapient species. The most common species in the world are humans and [[orc|orcs]]. The two species are very distinct - there are no half-orcs for example such as exist in some fantasy settings. The majority of Imperial citizens are humans, although the [[Imperial Orcs]] nation allows for orc player characters. There are a handful of other sapient species in the game but they are very rarely encountered by Imperial citizens, and not available as player characters.


Some humans are touched by the power of the magical realms and develop [[lineage]]. There are six lineages in the Empire setting - [[briar]], [[cambion]], [[changeling]], [[draughir]], [[merrow]], and [[naga]]. Each has physical ''trappings'' that mark them out as different to unlineaged humans and their personalities are influenced by the magical realm they are associated with. Lineaged people are found throughout the world, and while they are still fundamentally human different nations have different attitudes to different lineages.
==Humans and Orcs==
Unlike many fantasy games, the Empire setting contains only a few sapient species. The most common species in the world are humans and [[orc|orcs]]. The two species are distinct - there are no half-orcs. Nine of the Imperial nations are made up entirely of humans, and one - the [[Imperial Orcs]] - is made up entirely of orcs. There are a handful of other sapient species in the game but they are rarely encountered by Imperial citizens, and not available as player characters.


Some humans are touched by the power of the magical realms and develop [[lineage]]. There are six lineages in the Empire setting - [[briar]], [[cambion]], [[changeling]], [[draughir]], [[merrow]], and [[naga]]. Each has physical ''trappings'' that mark them out as different to unlineaged humans and their personalities are influenced by the magical realm they are associated with. Lineaged people are found throughout the world, and while they are still fundamentally human, different nations have different attitudes to different lineages.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Magic.jpg|align=left|width=400}}
==Ubiquitous Magic==
==Ubiquitous Magic==
Magic is a fact of life in the setting, and in theory anyone can learn to use it. Magic is not viewed as being especially mysterious or sinister - it follows broadly understood laws and while it can do a lot it can't do everything. Being a magician is often seen as a professional discipline, similar to being a doctor or a scientist in the real world. In most parts of the world, magicians are respected for mastering a challenging discipline.
Magic is a fact of life in the setting, and in theory, anyone can learn to use it. The Empire is part of the mortal or mundane world, but there are six magical [[realm|realms]] - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Day, and Night that lie alongside it. The realms are magical planes that are separated from but innately tied to the natural world. While mortals can't visit them and survive there, they are inhabited by supernatural creatures called [[eternal|eternals]] who are fascinated by the material world.
 
There are two ways of directly wielding magical power - [[spellcasting]] and [[ritual magic]]. Spellcasting allows [[magician|magicians]] to perform a small number of spells that can perform a handful of specific magical effects such as [[heal|healing wounds]] or [[repel|hurling an opponent away with amgical force]]. Ritual magic allows groups of magicians called [[covens]] to wield the magic of the realms to create powerful magical effects drawn from six magical lores. Ritual magic is potent but there are several limitations on what it can achieve - for example no amount of magic can [[magical theory|raise the dead]].
 
In addition to the direct use of magic, there are several other ways that magical force can impact the game. [[Magic items]] crafted by [[Crafting skills#Artisan|artisans]] allow even the most mundane individual to access limited magical abilities. The five magical [[herbs]] allow [[physick|physicks]] to achieve remarkable healing effects, and let [[apothecary|apothecaries]] brew valuable potions.


Finally, the world itself is steeped in magic that sometimes makes itself known in subtle, hard to replicate ways. [[Hearth magic]] is a kind of roleplaying magic that sometimes grants additional weight or significance to otherwise mundane activitiesHearth magic employs the innate natural magic of the world to produce subtle but significant effects in much the same way that a compass needle always points to magnetic north.
Magic is not viewed as being especially mysterious or sinister. Being a magician is often seen as a professional discipline, similar to being a doctor or a scientist in the real world. In most places, magicians are respected for mastering a challenging discipline. There are two ways of directly wielding magical power - [[spellcasting]] and [[rituals|ritual magic]]. Spellcasting allows [[Magical_skills#Magician|magicians]] to perform a small number of spells that each produces a specific magical effect such as [[heal|healing wounds]] or [[repel|hurling an opponent away with magical force]]. Ritual magic draws on six magical realms to create powerful and varied effects. It follows [[ritual theory|widely acknowledged laws]] and while it is potent, it can't do everything - for example, no amount of magic can raise the dead. More powerful rituals require characters from the same nation to work together in a [[Bands#Covens|covens]] to cast them.


The Empire is part of the mortal or mundane world, but there are six magical realms - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Day, and Night that lie alongside it. The realms are magical planes that are separated from but innately tied to the natural world. Magical power can be drawn from the realms, and while mortals can't visit them and survive there, they are inhabited by supernatural creatures called [[eternal|eternals]] who are fascinated by the material world.
There are several other ways that magic impacts the game. [[Magic items]] crafted by [[Crafting skills#Artisan|artisans]] allow even the most mundane individual to access limited magical abilities. The five magical [[herbs]] allow [[physick|physicks]] to achieve remarkable healing effects, and let [[apothecary|apothecaries]] brew valuable potions. Finally, the world itself is steeped in magic that manifests in subtle, hard to control ways. [[Hearth magic]] employs the innate natural magic of the world to produce subtle but significant effects in much the same way that a compass needle always points to magnetic north.
{{CaptionedImage|file=Faith.jpg|align=right|width=500}}


==Powerful faith==
==Powerful Faith==
Faith is a powerful motivation in the Empire setting, but it differs greatly from religions in many other roleplaying games. There are no gods for example, and no divine authority that will tell players how to act or answer their questions. As with other elements, the religions of the Empire world are specific to the setting. Almost all human religions recognise the idea that human souls reincarnate. Most of the known religions believe that after they die humans go to a spiritual realm for a time and then are reborn in the world. The exact details of these beliefs vary widely.  
Faith is a powerful motivation in the setting, but it differs greatly from religions in many other roleplaying games. There are no gods and no divine authority that will issue instructions or answer questions. Almost all human religions recognize the idea that human souls reincarnate. Most of the known religions believe that after they die humans go to a spiritual realm for a time and then are reborn in the world. The exact details of these beliefs vary widely.  


The Empire has a formal religion - [[the Way]] - that is based around the pursuit of the seven [[Virtues]]. This religion is know and followed by people all over the world, but it is only one of several competing religions. It's illegal for people to preach other faiths in the Empire. Player character priests are likely to wield secular power as members of the [[Imperial Synod]], and there is a strong theme of religious conflict with the priests of foreign religions.
The Empire has a formal religion - [[the Way]] - that is based around the pursuit of the seven [[The_Way#The_Paths_of_Virtue|Virtues]]. There are other faiths in the world but it is illegal to preach them in the Empire. Player character priests are likely to wield secular power as members of the [[Imperial Synod]]. There is a strong theme of religious conflict over matters of doctrine and morality, both between Imperial priests and with the followers of opposing faiths.


The powers wielded by priests are significantly more subtle than those commonly available to religious characters in other settings, focused around the creation of [[roleplaying effects]] and dealing with spiritual matters rather than providing healing or smiting opponents.
The powers wielded by priests are more subtle than those commonly available to religious characters in other settings. Their [[Religious_skills|liao ceremonies]] focus on the creation of [[roleplaying effects]] and dealing with spiritual matters, rather than providing healing or smiting opponents.


{{Introduction Links}}
{{Introduction Links}}


[[Category:Introduction]]
[[Category:Introduction]]

Latest revision as of 15:37, 16 March 2023

Setting.jpg
Empire takes place in an original fantasy setting.

Overview

This page is part of our introduction to Empire, explaining more about the game. It is intended for people who are new to live roleplaying as well as experienced live roleplayers who have never done Empire before to give you a broad-strokes look at the Empire world and some of the universal concepts that underpin the setting.

Original Setting

Empire takes place in an original fantasy setting, rather than one a historical one. Although some of the costume is inspired by medieval and renaissance clothing, the parallels end there. For example, feudalism is largely unknown in the setting. This means that few nations have kings, queens, or serfs and nobody in the Empire lives a life of power or poverty because of their birth. For the most part, people are judged by their actions and abilities, not their parents.

Prejudice is commonplace in the setting but is not based on real-world or historical examples. Discrimination by gender or sexuality is unheard of, and nobody is judged by the colour of their skin. The bigotry that occurs in the Empire is based on in-game choices for your character such as your lineage, nationality, faith.

The people of this world, especially in the Empire, are well-educated. The assumption is that everyone can read and write, and disciplines such as medicine, magic, mathematics, and natural philosophy are widely studied. There are numerous technologies known in the Empire world that would be anachronistic in many fantasy settings. Some, such as light stones are magical in nature, while others such as the printing press are wholly mundane in nature.

Highborn.jpg

Closed World

The Empire setting is a closed world; this means that the game has a defined canon that lays out what is and is not true in the game world. This helps to make Empire feel more real - as players can have a common understanding of what does and does not exist and what is or is not possible in the world their characters inhabit.

The setting is "closed" in the sense that players cannot add new things to it. The key details about the world - for example, what nations are known to exist; what races inhabit the world; what religions are followed; are all questions that are answered here on the wiki - otherwise it would be impossible for players to hold a shared knowledge of the world. This means that you can create any character that fits with these details, but you can't play anything at all. Your idea for your character might be inspired by a historical, mythical, or literary character like Hannibal, Robin Hood, or Harry Potter, but you can't literally play that character.

You are free to create background details for your character - but anything you make up must be compatible with the details published here on the wiki and the scale of it should be relevant only to your character or to the characters played by you and your friends. It is fine to create a village or settlement where your character was born, but you shouldn't invent a new city or a major town. If you want your character to be from a place like that then you must pick a suitable location from the various maps found on the wiki.

Imperial Citizens

Our game is about the fate of the Empire and the political battles to control it. While there is a larger world beyond Imperial borders, their only significance in the game is the way they affect the Empire. Being an Imperial citizen grants you significant abilities and rights that are key to enjoying the game.

Only Imperial citizens are eligible to participate in elections for the Imperial Senate, and can play a role in the Imperial Synod, the Imperial Military Council, the Imperial Conclave, and the Imperial Bourse. Each of these houses has distinct powers that allow player characters to shape Imperial policy and direct the Empire. Imperial titles - positions of responsibility and power that often grant unique abilities or access - can only be held by Imperial citizens. Only Imperial citizens can freely travel through the Sentinel Gate. Doing so is the only way to take part in the quests, skirmishes, and battles.

Because of this intense focus, every player-character must be an Imperial citizen. Even if you decide your character was born in a foreign nation, they must have become an Imperial citizen at some point before you enter play. You can read more about the Empire itself here.

Ten Nations

There are ten nations in the Empire, and every Imperial citizen must belong to one of them. Which nation your character belongs to is the single most important decision about your character. At Anvil members of a nation share an in-character camp; they fight together during battles, and magicians can only perform rituals with other members of the same nation.

The nations that make up the Empire are politically and legally unified but are culturally distinct. Each one is developed on the Empire wiki, with a brief detailing their culture, their history, and their attitudes. The core reading sections, the overview, culture and customs, the people, and the look and feel, tell you everything you need to know about the nation you have chosen. The further reading pages detail things like a nation's magical attitudes or its history; it's always helpful to skim these pages but you should definitely read the ones that are relevant to the character you are creating.

Each Imperial nation has an egregore spirit that was created to maintain the unique cultural identity of the nation. The spirit may inhabit the body of one or more Imperial citizens but they are all played by members of our crew who are there to help the players of that nation. In particular, they aim to support new players and help them get involved in the game.

You can read more about the nations here.

Humans and Orcs

Unlike many fantasy games, the Empire setting contains only a few sapient species. The most common species in the world are humans and orcs. The two species are distinct - there are no half-orcs. Nine of the Imperial nations are made up entirely of humans, and one - the Imperial Orcs - is made up entirely of orcs. There are a handful of other sapient species in the game but they are rarely encountered by Imperial citizens, and not available as player characters.

Some humans are touched by the power of the magical realms and develop lineage. There are six lineages in the Empire setting - briar, cambion, changeling, draughir, merrow, and naga. Each has physical trappings that mark them out as different to unlineaged humans and their personalities are influenced by the magical realm they are associated with. Lineaged people are found throughout the world, and while they are still fundamentally human, different nations have different attitudes to different lineages.

Magic.jpg

Ubiquitous Magic

Magic is a fact of life in the setting, and in theory, anyone can learn to use it. The Empire is part of the mortal or mundane world, but there are six magical realms - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Day, and Night that lie alongside it. The realms are magical planes that are separated from but innately tied to the natural world. While mortals can't visit them and survive there, they are inhabited by supernatural creatures called eternals who are fascinated by the material world.

Magic is not viewed as being especially mysterious or sinister. Being a magician is often seen as a professional discipline, similar to being a doctor or a scientist in the real world. In most places, magicians are respected for mastering a challenging discipline. There are two ways of directly wielding magical power - spellcasting and ritual magic. Spellcasting allows magicians to perform a small number of spells that each produces a specific magical effect such as healing wounds or hurling an opponent away with magical force. Ritual magic draws on six magical realms to create powerful and varied effects. It follows widely acknowledged laws and while it is potent, it can't do everything - for example, no amount of magic can raise the dead. More powerful rituals require characters from the same nation to work together in a covens to cast them.

There are several other ways that magic impacts the game. Magic items crafted by artisans allow even the most mundane individual to access limited magical abilities. The five magical herbs allow physicks to achieve remarkable healing effects, and let apothecaries brew valuable potions. Finally, the world itself is steeped in magic that manifests in subtle, hard to control ways. Hearth magic employs the innate natural magic of the world to produce subtle but significant effects in much the same way that a compass needle always points to magnetic north.

Faith.jpg

Powerful Faith

Faith is a powerful motivation in the setting, but it differs greatly from religions in many other roleplaying games. There are no gods and no divine authority that will issue instructions or answer questions. Almost all human religions recognize the idea that human souls reincarnate. Most of the known religions believe that after they die humans go to a spiritual realm for a time and then are reborn in the world. The exact details of these beliefs vary widely.

The Empire has a formal religion - the Way - that is based around the pursuit of the seven Virtues. There are other faiths in the world but it is illegal to preach them in the Empire. Player character priests are likely to wield secular power as members of the Imperial Synod. There is a strong theme of religious conflict over matters of doctrine and morality, both between Imperial priests and with the followers of opposing faiths.

The powers wielded by priests are more subtle than those commonly available to religious characters in other settings. Their liao ceremonies focus on the creation of roleplaying effects and dealing with spiritual matters, rather than providing healing or smiting opponents.

Further Reading