In the world of Arcadius there live a multitude of species and races. There are Dragon's, Elves, Dwarves, Orc's, Mer, [1] Saurian's, Plant-folk, Angels, Demons, the extinct Aeonians, and of course Humans.
In the frigid northern continent lie the Aesir. A branch of human's adapted to the extreme cold and frigid wastelands of snow and ice. the environment is a desolate place they are forced to fight just to survive their childhood and even more-so to survive as adults they must fight to pillage any and all resources that they can for those who count on them in their homeland. These circumstances made the Aesir a race born with a natural physique for warriors combined with centuries of combat has honed their skill for combat and survival in any condition
The arid southern continent is the homeland both dwarves and orc's. Both vie for control of the scattered oasis', scattered mineral veins and precious ore's, and whatever limited fertile land free or easily defended from their competitor's or predators. Both races are born with dexterous hand's that allow them to forge and wield weapons with uncanny precision and technique. Thought they both fight over land and resources they begrudgingly respect each other as craftsman and constantly try to one up the other.
In the south-west between the southern and western continent there rages an eternal storm of death and destruction. The waters are littered with whirlpools and jagged rocks that prevent and ship passing through. Though that was not always the case. Once there was a continent here that thrived and flourished under the care and rule of the Aeonians. The Aeonians were born with very special bloodlines that allowed them to control and freely manipulate any and all elements of the world. Others have been lucky enough to return from this land of death. Some even did so with the very bloodline of the Aeonians, though the bloodline was far weaker and only suited to one element rather than all of them.
The western continent is a land of death, fire, and brimstone shrouded in perpetual smoke and darkness. It is here where the violent and merciless demons live. The demon race is born with an innate magic talent and intense destructive tendencies. These boons make them dangerous to the world to the point that the rest of the world isolated them and sealed them away.
In the north-eastern skies is the floating continent where the narcissistic, egotistical angels cal home. The continent is also home to a series of temples and monasteries where monks and priests of the world live. The angles are a race that is gifted with innate holy powers from birth. These boons make them believe they are the chosen race who should lead the world despite being one of the weakest races.
In the south-eastern continent lie a series of marshes and wetland saurian's. They naturally suited to their respective locale and will viciously hunt down and kill any intruders who sneak into their lands to hunt and poach their young for their scales or to sell them as slaves. Merchants come for the rare natural resources that the swamps possess.
In the eastern continent lie a series of dense forest's where the elves and plant-folk live hail from the rest of the world as they tend to the world tree. As the elves are endowed with an ephemeral beauty they are actively sought after by slavers, meanwhile the plant-folk are sought out by merchants who seek to buy the plants and herbs they grow and nurture for their unique magical properties. The elves are born with a natural affinity with the spirits who live in the world as well as an unparalleled skill and mastery of the bow and twin sword styles. Their physique is one of flexible grace that allows them to quickly traverse even the most complicated and dangerous terrains in the world.
In the north-western continent lay a series of rugged mountains and volcanoes rich in ore. It is here that the majority of dragon's make their nest's and hoard their wealth. Many adventurer's aspiring to claim the fame and wealth of killing a dragon come here. Some come to see if they can find a dragon egg to sell, or even the young hatchling's who live there protected from the rest of the world. Though not many are fortunate enough to survive the various peril's, and even fewer are are lucky enough to kill a dragon. Dragons are the most diverse of all the races as they can develop a natural affinity for any elements depending on where they spend the majority of their time as young dragons who have just left their homeland.
In between the central and eastern continent is the Azure sea where the mer live. The azure sea is full of exotic wild life and precious resources that the rest of the world desires. The mer are fiercely protective of the natural wild life and do not allow over hunting of wild life in their territory. To the point where they will go to war with the world if they must.
In the central continent lies the human empire. Humans are the most adaptable of the races and can live pretty much anywhere. The empire is the center of the world where all races converge and vie for power and wealth. It is both a land of opportunity and disaster, and it is here in a small rural village that our tale begins with a devastating tragedy.
In the south western area of the central continent there is a small village home to just under 200 people. There is a small forest just to the south where wild life lives. To the north lay a series of mountain ranges that span farther than the eye can see. It is in this small forest I was playing when I noticed that there was smoke on the horizon. I belatedly realized that the smoke was coming from the direction of my village. I remember praying to god that everyone was safe as I was running back to the village.
I reached the clearing just outside the forest and froze. My home was on fire, the whole village was on fire. Everyone was screaming and running. There hovering in the sky was the culprit who I would later come to learn was the demonic dragon Arduin. I stood there too terrified to do anything.
[1] Basically the term for mermaids and mermen.