History
The world is teeming with magic and life, a planet nearly twice the size as Earth. Not too long ago, mythological figures and humans used to live in harmony. However, the humans grew scared of powers they themselves did not possess. It was not until the year 2006 that a mysterious man from the government released a broadcast about the evils of the mythologicals, pushing both races over the edge and beginning the Great War. Since then they’ve been at each others’ throats, but one good thing did come out of it: humans achieved world peace in order to wipe out the myths. The War scattered the myths across all twelve continents, and years passed.
Then one day a human child, a sorcerer of untapped potential, found something rare: a silver dragon’s egg in the forest. The hatching of the egg and the purity of the baby dragon inside solidified his resolve. The human vowed to help bring peace to the races, and flew to the twelfth and largest continent to find somewhere to live, to keep the dragon safe. The boy has since made his home in a mountain with thousands of dragons he has befriended over the years. He now resides there and has managed to bring most mythologicals to this twelfth continent, where they are safe but impatient. The silver dragon has been his companion since birth, and the boy became part of a council to decide how to move forward with the War, or solve it altogether.
So far no compromise has been reached.
Fauna
Humans: Humans are a crafty and strong race, capable of almost anything they set their mind to. They are not normally magically inclined, but with training and hard work some humans have become incredible sorcerers. Humans are unaligned and seek personal gain, be it questionable or otherwise. Unfortunately, they are the cause of the Great War, and the destruction of several places mythological races call home. Universally, they are despised.
Angels: Angels are a higher being, immune to sins and temptation. ...Well, most of them, anyway. They pass judgement on sinners, and take many different forms, though they are usually humanlike in appearance, wearing white robes, carrying some sort of golden staff. They usually have two white feathery wings, though Archangels/Seraphim have six.
Demons/Devils: Devils are the highest and most powerful being in this chain, on par with angels. They often have command of demons, which in turn command small swarms of Imps. Devils are usually identified as Succubi or Incubi or something of the sort. It is quite rare to acually see a devil by itself: they usually send their demons out to do their dirty work. Demons are smaller and less powerful, but not as small as imps. Some take human forms, others are elementals and take no form. These are usually the ones that cause less serious accidents. Information about imps can be found below.
Elves: The elves are a secluded and aloof race. They were the last ones to join the war and prefer to avoid conflict. Elves are more advanced than humans by several thousand years, including medicinal and scientific fields. Elves are also highly attuned to magic and the weakest elven wizard is still more powerful than the greatest human sorcerer. Elves remain neutral to a fault. They are quite tall, usually six feet. Five feet and ten inches is considered short.
Dwarves: Perhaps the complete opposite of elves, dwarves are far behind humans in terms of advancements, still using stone and iron tools. Dwarves are not usually magically inclined and prefer not to study it anyway, due to magic being, as they put it, “too airy-fairy and ethereal.” Dwarves are excellent miners and sculptors, having a natural talent for both. Even humans cannot match their precision with the stone. Dwarves are mainly good, but there are exceptions to every rule.
Fairies: Fairies are a playful race and there are many types of them. Usually they are small enough to fit in the hand of a human. For a queen of the Fae however, this is not the case, and they can stand six feet tall with wings much larger. Fairies are not quite as inclined to magic as the elven, but still surpass humans with a natural talent for it. The Fae are mischevious, and while they are generally good, tricks and pranks are also part of their nature. The Fae are famous for having the fastest-changing language, with hundreds of thousands of words.
Asrai are a particularly prominent race of Fae worth mentioning. Asrai fall under water fairies, but generic water Fae are not quite so fragile. Asrai cannot withstand any sort of heat, and if touched by the sun or another living being, will melt into a puddle of water and die. Asrai are capable of water and illusion magic.
Centaur: Centaur are more proud than any other race. They take no lip from strangers and are quick to anger. Their skill with a bow is rivaled only by the elves. Seeing a centaur is rare, as they distrust all other life and keep hidden in the forest.
Spirits: Spirits are a vast and diverse race. They are all magically inclined to some degree. Spirits are aligned individually, and one species cannot speak for the morality of another.
Dryads are a race of tree nymph, protectors of the forest. Their skin is colored green with chlorophyll, and they remain neutral unless the threat is against their trees. They often appear quite young in appearance, regardless of the age of their tree.
Naiads are river nymphs. They are made entirely out of water, but depending on the condition of the river, a naiad’s appearance can change. A naiad whose river is fresh and clean will be beautiful and serene. A naiad whose river is polluted and foul will look like a hag, brown and grey and full of trash. Like Dryads, they are neutral until their habitat is under siege.
Nereids and Oceanids are both ocean spirits of different regions. They are like Naiads, but whereas a naiad is usually younger in appearance, Nereids and Oceanids take on the appearance of a more mature woman. These two remain neutral regardless of threat, because the ocean is vast and nearly incorruptible.
Information about other spirits can be found in the "Spirit World" section.
Ghosts: Ghosts are usually the spirit of a human with deep unresolved regret, though other races remaining behind instead of traversing to the afterlife is not unheard of. Ghosts are not capable of magic, but they are capable of floating, intangibility, invisibility, and in the case of the Banshee, inflicting permanent insanity. Ghost morality depends on the ghost.
Reapers: Contrary to popular belief, there is not a single “Grim Reaper”. There are spirits whose regrets are so strong that they feel they must kill to fill their void. These spirits become Reapers and take on the appearance of the common Grim Reaper image. However, a Reaper can be sent to the afterlife if one manages to evade its onslaught long enough to resolve the Reaper’s regret. Otherwise, Reapers are immortal and cannot be killed. Their job is to take the souls of those on their deathbeds. Reapers are magically inclined, but not to any magic that does not involve death. Reapers are neutral. It should be noted that reapers are the fastest race, and the most skilled race with a blade, period. Avoiding them is incredibly difficult.
Wisps: Wisps are spirits with only minor regrets, and as such are not able to take the full humanoid (or otherwise) form that they did in life. Usually they appear as a small ball of blue fire. They are capable of speech. Wisps are not magically inclined.
Merfolk: Merfolk are a playful race like the fairies, and only surface to sing or enchant those foolish enough to listen. They have the head and torso of a human or other humanoid race, and the tail of a fish, or in rare cases some form of dolphin or whale. Merpeoples’ magic is in their voice, namely through song. A merfolk song can lure even those with the strongest will into the briny depths below. Mermaids are neutral.
Selkies are like mermaids but with dolphin or sometimes even seal tails instead of fish, and they are capable of transformation into whatever animal makes up their bottom half. Selkies may turn fully human and back again, but prefer the half-and-half appearance.
Sirens are also like mermaids but their song holds more power and intentions more evil: they wish to devour their hapless victims.
Dragons: Dragons are a proud race, and they are also considered the wisest. When a dragon speaks, everyone listens, and usually follows their orders (except for Angels.) They stand up to fifty feet tall, and have various different powers and abilities. (A full list of dragon species can be found here.) Dragons’ morality are generally good but there are exceptions to everything. Humans and dragons used to bond together for life, and it was considered a blessing to find your draconic partner, but since the War that is no longer the case.
Naga and Lamia: They are different in several ways but are both part snake. Naga and Lamia tails can be up to thirty feet long. Naga have the upper body of a human or other race and the tail of a snake. Lamia are more snakelike in appearance, and their entire body is scaled. Their face is also that of a snake’s, but they possess arms. They may learn magic a bit faster than humans, but not by much. Naga are predominantly female, while Lamia have the same gender ratio. They enjoy hypnotizing people and animals by channeling magic through their eyes, toying with them. In the case of animals, they often eat them afterward.
Halflings: Neko and Usagi are two of these. They are humans except for their ears and tail, usually. Neko will have cat ears and a cat tail. Usagi will have bunny ears and the corresponding tail. Inu (no, not the breed) will have dog ears and a dog tail. Gesshirui halflings will have either rat or mouse tails and ears. Dragon halflings have horns and dragon tails. Halflings are not magically inclined but may learn. Harpies are also a halfling. Halflings can and will pass as humans if given the chance.
Slimes: Slimes are not typically recognized as a race, but are worth mentioning anyway. Slimes are usually humanoid in appearance (though they can take any form they choose) and are…lacking in intelligence. They are capable of speech and thought, but a conversation with them may be slow. They are not magically inclined. (A full list of slime types can be found under the "Slime Dragon" section in the Dragon link given above. The types are exactly the same for regular slimes.)
Golems: Golems are highly intelligent but silent creatures, capable of performing advanced tasks. Usually they are formed by a magician and abandoned after there is no longer a use for them. They can be made out of almost anything, diamond, mud, grass, stone, iron.
Other creatures:
Void-dwellers are two-dimensional shadow people, taking many different forms. They always have red eyes, though. Most often, they are merely curious and not hostile, but even if they were hostile, they cannot touch or interact with things from outside the Void.
Unicorns are mares or steeds capable of magic through the use of a horn. They are much smarter than common horses.
Griffins are quadrupedal creatures with the head and feet of a bird and body of a lion.
Imps are small creatures humanoid in appearance. They are usually black or red in color, with horns and a tail, and are about the same size as a typical fairy. Not magically inclined. Often wield small tridents.
Etc.: In addition to the races listed here, all standard creatures on Earth apply as well, such as bears, cats, dogs, et cetera.
Continents
First Continent: The first continent is the smallest continent devoid of life. It is almost entirely a desert.
Second Continent: The second continent is mainly swamp, and used to be the home of several Fae races. However, this is no longer the case. Human life has seldom touched this continent, but what little interaction there has been has been destructive.
Third Continent: The third continent is almost as large as the twelfth, and is farther up north. It is an icy wasteland, home to small groups of Asrai and some selkie. The War has not touched this place yet, and those groups remain unharmed. For how long is uncertain.
Fourth Continent: The fourth continent’s entire surface is comprised three active volcanoes. On the surface it looks small, but the volcanoes conjoin their vents below the surface and cities have been built amongst the lava, in a vast cavern stretching far beyond the surface underground. These cities house imps and even some dragons, and as the cities have not yet been discovered, human hands have not destroyed their natural beauty.
Fifth Continent: The fifth continent is completely overrun by technology and the human population has become cramped. No mythologicals have ever lived there.
Sixth Continent: The sixth continent has never been seen or touched by anyone. Fog blocks vision the closer you get, and if you try to traverse the fog, you’ll find yourself right back where you started. Rumors have flown back and forth about this place, some absolutely wild and ridiculous. More likely though, it’s just another continent.
Seventh Continent: The seventh continent is a little smaller than the third, but this one is a grassland, covered in rolling hills and grassy plains. …Or at least, it was. This WAS the home of many dryads and naiads, griffins and dragons alike…but then human bombs fell and burned it all to ash. Few survived, but those who did fled for their lives to the twelfth continent.
Eighth Continent: The eighth continent floats. It is a landmass in the sky, and is quite small, though not as much so as the first. Cloud, storm, and electric dragons all live here, as do some races of Fae, harpies, and griffins. The continent itself is like a mix of the fifth and the seventh. The races that live there have created technology to help the island move faster. This is one of the few places where humans and mythologicals still live in harmony. All the races on this continent treat the War as a game, and enjoy taunting outsiders that try to attack. At this point, the continent is moving quite fast, so they might be entitled to a little levity.
Ninth Continent: The ninth continent is almost entirely underwater. It is home to mermaids, oceanids, nereids, selkies, water dragons, et cetera. It is what the myths of the sunken city of Atlantis are based off of. Human hands have not touched it yet.
Tenth Continent: The tenth continent is the second continent that belongs almost entirely to humans. It is a mix of technology and nature, and humans have built extravagant cities there. Nature is slowly declining in size on this continent, but it will take a while. (Think North America, but on a much larger scale.)
Eleventh Continent: The eleventh continent is rocky and mountainous, and used to be home to the dwarven. However, bombs fell upon this place too, and destroyed many of their underground cities, caving them in. The mountains were broken or leveled, and the dwarven fled, which was a blow to their pride.
The Twelfth Continent: Also called the Fantasy Nexus, or the Haven. This continent is massive, and is home to all mythologicals found and attacked by humans. It is also invisible. The human child and his dragon established a repulsion-illusion hybrid spell to protect the continent years ago. The spell requires monthly maintenance, or it will fail. The continent itself has a little bit of everything: Desert, swamp, active lava zones and volcanoes, floating islands here and there. The continent is mainly forest though, and was home to just the elven, fae, and dryads before the explosion of refugees. The elven were…unhappy…with this arrangement, to say the least, but eventually accepted it once the War went global.
Other Worlds/Locations
The Spirit World/Realm
(Think Spirited Away, going into this section.)
The Spirit World is vast, and it is a place for spirits that are not nature spirits, such as the Spirit of Money, Spirit of Sleep, Spirit of Regret, Spirit of Jealousy, etc. Being the spirit of something is considered a job, and when the original spirit dies, someone else will take its place and take up their responsibilities. Some spirits are anthropomorphic and animalistic in appearance, looking like lions, tigers, bears (oh my), foxes, wolves. Others take completely incomprehensible forms or forms that are based on and look like nothing, or everything.
Currently, the Spirit World is being oppressed by its government. They are governed by the Spirit Council, a group of corrupt, selfish, unreasonable spirits. Spirits used to be governed by The Great Spirit, a kind and fair leader, who took on the appearance of a kitsune halfling (though she often changed ages whenever the mood struck her, so her appearance varied.) She disappeared five or six years ago, and the Spirit Council took control. Now most spirits live in poverty and squalor.
Unlike Nature Spirits, these spirits can be wounded directly, not by destroying what they represent. They also age normally and will die from old age. They are entirely solid, and the "spirit" aspect is more about representing something than being immortal and incorporeal.
Heaven
While not affiliated with any specific religion (at least in this world), Heaven does in fact exist. It is where people go when they have been good people all their lives. It is also the realm of angels. Most of Heaven seems to glow softly, buildings and cities are made of gold, and the ground is made of clouds.
Heaven is infinite, and you can only get there through death.
Hell
Hell is the realm of devils, demons, and imps. It is hot. Extremely hot, like an oven. Contrary to popular belief, Hell is not a burning wasteland. It actually has cities, just like Heaven. ...And they're actually pretty sophisticated too. Demons and devils won't admit it, but they have a certain code of honor, and what's more, they actually care about each other. Devils helped build the cities, and demons run the shops, hospitals, businesses, etc. Devil/Demon families do abandon them at birth, but that is because almost from birth, they are able to care for themselves. After that they are accepted like any other member of the community. They may not consider each other family, but the bonds between devils/demons can be surprisingly strong.
Hell is infinite, and you can only get to Hell by death or teleport.
The Void
This, too, is like Heaven and Hell. It sounds much worse than it is. The Void is a strange world made up of floating islands, and it too is infinite. Void Dragons and Void-dwellers are the only ones who make their home here. All of the plant life is gray, twisted into strange shapes. The sky is always gray in the void, a black sun? moon? hanging in the sky. Cities are built from obsidian and a strange dark purple metal. Each island is entirely unique, and void-dwellers often go exploring looking for new ones.
You can only get here through teleport, or help from a void-dweller. Be wary though...The Void may be strange and fascinating, but it slowly withers away the stamina and eventually life force of all those who do not dwell there.
Realm of the Gods
...?
