The Age of Runes

The world is changing. The time of warrior kings is over. The era of great wars has come to an end.
The age of great Magi is fading, pushed aside to let the light fall on the age of the rune-soldier.
One hundred and fifty years ago, the world was a harsh place, a place of violence, of magic and
untamed wilderness. All peoples fought the land, the wild life and each other for survival.
Monarchs fought each other with large armies, vying for dominance over each other.
The lands changed often and massively due to powershifts, natural disasters, monster plagues and
wars. But the largest change to come also proved to be the most decisive one. It was when the
historically small and weak kingdom of Argo discovered the secret to mass production of magical
weaponry. With a nigh on endless source of cheaply and swiftly made arsenal of arcane wands,
staves and rings; Argo was unstoppable. No warrior or mage, no matter how powerful, could stand
against a line of soldiers trained in the use of the fire-spewing staves they wielded. And these
soldiers were easily trained, since using magic tools required minimal training and knowledge, and
needed little actual understanding of arcana.
Over a period of 5 years, The Argo kingdom fought and triumphed over all its neighbouring
nations, making them vassal states of what had now officially become the Argos Empire. Ruled by
the Emperor Argo himself through his grand council, the empire quickly solidified its base by
securing the support of the common folk. Due to the council having representatives of all social
classes and races, and the influx of cheap and useful magical tools among the masses, this was
easily achieved.
After another 7 years, every kingdom on the Aurora continent had been assimilated into the Argos
empire, or in the case of those who resisted too much, completely annihilated. The empire spread
as the Emperor had decreed, with a simple creedo.
“For the loyal, enlightenment. For the foe, extinction.”

……..

It is now the year 138 AF (After the Founding), and all of the known world is now the Argos empire.
Magi-tech, as it has been termed, has flourished in the last 100 years, with scientists making great
strides in the development of cheaper, more effective magi-tools.
The Adventurer’s guild is all but gone, the traditional roles of adventurers more and more taken by
the soldiers of the GMA (Grand Magi Army). Crime is at an all time low, and peace reigns
throughout most of the civilized lands.
Monster and bandit activity is now only a problem in small communities far from the larger cities.
Arcane understanding, however, has suffered under the empire. With the army requiring only basic
magic knowledge of their soldiers, it is now exceedingly rare for any sort of Magi to have an
understanding of arcana past the second layer. Those few who do are press-ganged into the
science department of the GMA, to aid in development of better weapons and tools.
It is now also illegal to practice any sort of magic or magic research without a state license, and
the secret police department of the GMA crack down on such infractions with no mercy.
There are rumors of several groups of disgruntled “dissidents” actively trying to undermine the
authority and influence of the Empire. The most persistent and popular rumor is that of the
resistance group called “Ars Arcanum”, but since this rumor has existed since the founding of the
empire, it is commonly seen as a legend only taken seriously by fools and children…

The world is changing. What will your role in it be?

General setting info:

While the world has indeed changed greatly under the influence of the Argos empire, this
development has not spread equally throughout the world. It is in the great cities that Magi-tec is
abundant, that people live in peace under the watchful eyes of the MGA. But it is also in the cities
that the laws of the empire are enforced most stringently. The eyes that watch the streets, ever
vigilant in their search for threats against the citizens, are just as watchful for any signs of
dissidence and disorder. In the cities the emperor’s words are absolute, and no one is hidden from
his forces.
Outside the great domes and walls of these hubs of civilization, however, life differs greatly. The
further one travels from the cities, out into the frontiers, the more life resembles that of olden
times. Monsters and beasts are more common, and technology is both rarer and more coveted.
The presence of the MGA is lessened the further out one travels, which means that it is in the
frontier country that mercenaries and adventurers can still find gainful employment. For when
there are no soldiers to keep the goblins at bay, and no Magi-tec barriers to keep the ghasts from
entering your house at night, people are quick to turn to older methods of defending themselves.
 Dramatis personae:

“A world united in order and enlightenment. What I set out to create, I have achieved. I now leave
it to you all. I am content.” – Emperor Argo’s final words.
Title: Emperor Argo I “The Uniter”
Birth Name: Solomon of house Argo
Born: 77 BF (Before the founding)
Died: 12 AF (89 years old)
The stories about The Uniter are many, and though less than two centuries have passed since his
death, he is already considered an almost divine figure within the empire. It is said, and widely
believed that he watched with grief for most of his life as the other kingdoms fought unceasingly.
That is why, with the advent of magic weaponry mass production, that he swiftly and decisively led
the armies of Argo in the crusade to unite the warring lands. It is widely accepted as a fact that at
his moment of triumph when the last monarch bent the knee and surrendered to him, he uttered
his famous final words, handed his crown to his only son, and died where he was standing with his
back straight and a peaceful smile on his lips.
“I wore that gods damned crown for 77 years, ruling this empire, trying to father an heir. I did that
only because father wished it. I have honored him sufficiently. You’re of age now son, time to
honor your old man. Here’s the crown. I’m gonna go do something entertaining for once.”
- Parting words of Emperor Argo II as he handed the crown to his son.

Title: Emperor Argo II “The Untamed”

Birth name: Cornelius of house Argo

Born: 38 BF

Died: ?? (Due to his elven heritage from his mother’s side, he could very well still be alive)

Emperor Argo II was never suited to wear the crown of emperor, but the duty fell on him
nonetheless when the first emperor died, leaving him the sole heir. Despite his royal blood
and the new era that the continent was moving into, the heart of an adventurer beat
strongly in Cornelius’ chest. He wanted the thrill of battle and the freedom of the open
road. He upheld his duties, however, out of respect for his father. He guided the fledgling
empire for many years, ruling wisely. This he attributed not to his own skill. But to an
immense number of scrolls his father had written while alive, containing detailed
instructions on how to best develop the empire.
Thus it came as no big surprise for the empire at large that, as soon as Cornelius’ son was
of age and sufficiently mature, the emperor unceremoniously dumped the crown and
responsibility on him and struck out on an adventure. Where he is today or whether he is
alive is unknown.