Editing Skies of Fate

=The Pitch=
'''''Orbis''' is a world of technological anachronisms, where soldiers use a mix of modern firearms and (very big) swords, mages and dragons coexist with mecha and combat robots, and all magic and technology is powered by ether, a mystical substance that takes both physical and noncorporeal forms. ''

''Skyships are everywhere, and they are the main form of transportation over long distances. The world is littered with ruins and machines built by long-dead civilizations. These ruins, and stories of the Ancients, have inspired many religions, with the largest being a pseudo-Christian church that worships the '''Goddess of Ether''' herself.''

''The largest political power on the continent of '''Atlia''' is the ever-expanding '''Empire of the Arc'''. It hoards ancient technology and uses it to annex neighboring nations and cultures, constantly pushing its borders outwards as it swallows up ever more territory. ''

''The story begins with our heroes, a band of friends and acquaintances, in a small village that has recently been swallowed up by the '''Empire of the Arc'''. Their lives have not changed too much, but events are conspiring, that will draw them into a resistance movement against imperial rule...''

=Setting=
We are currently in a state of world-building, so this is a work in progress for notes and ideas.

==People and Creatures==
Besides '''humans''', '''elves''', and '''robots''' there exist '''beastfolk''', who resemble intelligent animals, and '''animalborn''', who differ in being half-human and being born from human parents. Why these two races exist is a matter of some debate, with spiritual scholars claiming them to be the result of reincarnation, whilst scientific thinkers speculate they are some creation of the Ancients. '''Fish-people''' are one of the types of beastfolk, living under the waves away from humanity and the empire’s reach.

There are claims that some people may be descended from the ancients – this is usually claimed by royal families to legitimize their rules. 

The Empire tried to weaponize '''giant wasp'''s. This went as well as you might expect.

Although animals identical to earth like dogs, cats and horses exist, there also exist some stranger creatures, some of which could reasonably be called monsters.<br> Common animals used as mounts are '''Vulpines''', large fennec-fox like animals, particularly in deserts. There are also giant moth-like insects called '''Glitterwings''' used as flying mounts in some societies that don’t have a lot of airships, and by some military units.

==Geography==
The planet your adventures take place on is called '''Orbis''' and has two continents, known as '''Atlia''' (where your adventure begins) and '''Antar'''. Orbis is littered with the '''ancient ruins''' of a technologically advanced civilization.<br>

Orbis has a '''blue moon''', which is now in a low orbit, drawn closer by whatever energies were unleashed during the Cataclysm. It permanently hangs in the sky above the '''Great Sea''', creating an endless '''maelstrom''' beneath it.

The '''Cataclysm''' resulted in the boundary between the material and astral planes being thin in some areas, where daemons and other things can break through the boundary. Such areas are often altered by the astral plane in some way.

== The Ancients ==
The '''Ancient’s''' called themselves in their own tongue the '''Seekers of Truth''' and they placed the gathering of knowledge first and foremost in their society.

Their inventions included the '''prospectacles''', which allows one to view a few minutes into the future, and the '''Philosopher’s Stone'''s, items of such rarity and power that they can topple kingdoms. 5 of 13 are accounted for.

== The Church of the Goddess ==
Although there are other religions, one is far more widespread than any other and wields significant political power.<br>
Their goddess is called '''Theria'''. Their core tenets include working and providing for your community, habitual praise for Her, and enlightening non-believers to Her grace.
Below the goddess is a '''quasi-pantheon''' of legendary heroines known as the '''Crownless Kings'''. The Empire makes use of these stories in it’s propaganda.
The church claims that the Ancients were punished by Theria for hollowing out and killing the world tree to access the divine secrets held within, for which she created a great maelstrom in the etheric winds to wipe their civilization from the face of Orbis.

== The Empire ==
Over the pasty fifty years the '''Empire of the Arc''' has steadily grown by annexing neighboring countries and subjugating them to its rule. It’s legions and fleet of airships fight to conquer the world in the name of their emperor.<br>

Their capital, '''The Arc''', resembles a gigantic cylindrical tower, the petrified and hollowed-out remains of the '''World Tree'''. The city draws on the Etheric energy that still pulses along its crystalline roots for power. Inside the city is in perpetual knight and lit by streetlamps and neon signage, only making it even more cyberpunk. The walls of the Arc are guarded by titanic war robots that resemble giant animals, These date back to the time of the Ancients and are not under the Empire’s direct control.

The Empire’s elite warriors are the '''ArcKnights''' who pilot its battle mecha.

The highest authority besides the Emperor himself the '''Imperial Marshals'''. They are granted absolute power to destroy his enemies both within and without.

=Characters=
==Active Players==
*'''Maki Aki''', the '''spear'''-wielding '''Horse Girl Adventurer''', played by ''Muskrat''.
*'''Matteus''', the '''mace'''-wielding '''Priest of the Goddess''', played by ''SirMoogle''.
*'''[[Kieran Galvaynes]]''', the '''greatsword''' wielding '''Tekanoid Captain''', played by ''Llayne''.
*'''Lionel Caffrey''', the '''Imperial Cadet''' and '''martial artist''', played by ''RdMarquis''.
*'''Cyprian Belmont''', the '''magic'''-wielding '''Summoner''', played by ''Pandory''m.
*'''Utah''', the '''gunblade''' wielding '''Blademaster''', played by ''Sabermane''.

==Inactive Players==
*'''Pads''' the '''gun'''-slinging '''Wolfman Survivalist''', played by ''Aurebesh''. (Wait List)
*The unknown '''polearm''' wielding '''Dragoon''', played by ''mpascal02''. (Wait List)
*A '''mystery character''' played by ''naturegirl1999''. (Wait List)

==Non Player Characters==

===Empire of the Arc===
*The '''Emperor'''

===The ??? Kingdom===

*'''Riku''', Tekanoid and Kieran's little brother.
*'''Gurdaan''', Kieran's Quartermaster.
*'''Vetta''', Kieran's Engineer.

=Inspiration=
A world inspired by JRPG's like Final Fantasy, Xenoblade, Wild Arms, LUnar, and a little bit of Legend of Zelda.

Anime is also an influence, including The Vision of Escaflowne, Howl's Moving Castle, Castle in the Sky, Princess Connect Re: Dive, and especially Nausicaa of the Valley of the Winds