Altherra is a dark fantasy world blending sword & sorcery, grimdark fantasy, mythic horror, and remnants of forgotten magitech civilizations.
Most nations exist amidst the ruins of older empires. Ancient technologies survive as misunderstood relics. Sorcery is looked upon with suspicion, many blaming magic misuse for past disasters.
The world is fragmented geographically and politically. Travel is dangerous. Wilderness dominates civilization.
The setting emphasizes:
decay
exploration
cultural conflict
ancient horrors
ambiguous morality
strange religions
survival in hostile frontiers
CORE SETTING ASSUMPTIONS
Firearms are rare and unreliable.
Most people never travel more than 20 miles from home.
Magic is looked on with fear and suspicion.
Ancient ruins are common.
Demons cannot easily manifest physically without rituals.
The undead are real and universally feared.
Literacy is uncommon outside cities and temples.
Most maps are inaccurate.
Gods demonstrably exist through miracles and divine magic.
Travel between continents is dangerous and uncommon.
COSMOLOGY
Reality is divided between:
the mortal world
the spirit world
the outer void
Sorcery draws upon unstable energies from the outer void.