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Background
Who are the heroes?
Many of Torok's greatest heroes labor in secret to gather the knowledge which the Shield Lords, Torok's self-declared leaders, have killed to suppress. The names of a few heroes are known through their works, but their true identities are secret. Sebastian Troka is a sorcerer, alchemist, and scholar. His knowledge of the Wild is unparalleled and it is rumored that he -himself may have experienced the Change firsthand. Akron Mithari is a servant of the gods who has done much good for his people through his healing, though some have whispered he dabbles in secret techniques learned in the Wild. Other heroes are less known, like Layken Daenna and Jarret Darkmoon, airship pilots who are rumored to know the Wild first-hand and to do anything for a price.
What do they do?
Any true hero of Torok seeks to learn the truth and reclaim the past glory of their world. Towards this end, the heroes explore the Wild, braving the dangers of the vast forest known as the Wild to reach the ruins of cities far below. Within the abandoned cities, they seek the forbidden knowledge of what once was in the hopes of restoring their people. Along the way, they learn the ways of the Wild, making steadfast friends and implacable foes.
Threats, Conflicts, Villains
The obvious physical dangers of this world come from the Wild, the vast, largely unexplored forest that dominates much of the landscape. Many of the plants and animals within the Wild are dangerous predators. There are also intelligent creatures occupying the Wild, some of whom would like nothing better than to pull the Shield Lords down from their high perches and plunge the whole world into chaos. Heroes will also find themselves at odds with the Shield Lords who conceal the truth of their origins and the source of their power. They also battle against people who have learned secrets of the Wild or found allies there and work for personal gain. This struggle, between those who would use power for their own good and those who would use it to help all of Torok, is the focal point of the setting.
Nature of magic
Magic in the world is drawn from two sources, the worship of gods and the powers of sorcery. Divination spells are almost unknown, but other forms of magic are common enough that most citizens recognize and respect the power of spellcasters. Magic bound into weapons and armor is uncommon, but it is sometimes used to accomplish mundane chores like lighting and housekeeping. The most powerful magicians are the Shield Lords and it is whispered that they hide the greatest secrets of magic from all but those loyal to them.
What's new? What's different?
More than three hundred years ago, the world of Torok experienced a near-cataclysmic change when a strange fireball appeared in the sky and then exploded. Since then, plants and animals have grown to tremendous size and the landscape of the world has changed forever. In this time, the Shield Lords first appeared and used their power to hold the Wild at bay for a time. They led the retreat of the civilized peoples to the relative safety of the world's mountainous regions, above even the tallest tress.
Though they still practice and respect the power of magic, the people of Torok have made great strides in technology and speak boldly of the coming renaissance of Torok. Only the bravest among them are willing to take to the sky in their newly created airships, massive blimps which move from city to city. Some few have made explorations to the Wild and have found that not all they have been told by their leaders is true. What they learn will save their world or destroy it.
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