8 pillars
The world in which your adventures will take place is not predetermined: its cities,
kingdoms, deities, and cultures are something your group will create This fantastic land will grow organically as you explore
and travel across it, adding new details and unraveling ancient mysteries!
What ties all Fabula Ultima worlds together are The Eight Pillars.
ANCIENT RUINS AND HARSH LANDS
The world is an ancient and dangerous place: cities and villages are separated by vast
plains, scorching deserts, frozen peaks and impenetrable forests. The land is dotted
with crumbling fortresses and shrines devoted to deities whose names have been lost
to time. Past civilizations and ages of darkness have left behind a world of powerful
artifacts and cryptic legends, as well as magical (and often dangerous) places.
A WORLD IN PERIL
Villages, castles, and city-states are among the few areas that aren’t literally crawling
with monsters, brigands, and hostile creatures. Far more dangerous still are Villains,
powerful antagonists casting their shadow over the entire land. Cruel sorcerers, evil
gods seeking reincarnation, power-hungry emperors, perhaps even alien entities:
there’s a single, unspeakable terror behind the dangers of the world, and our heroes
are bound to cross its path sooner or later.
CLASHING COMMUNITIES
The world may be in danger, but its inhabitants are still divided by ancient grudges:
religious schisms, memories of war crimes, and the conflict between magic and science
are among the most common causes of enmity. Reuniting these communities will
be key to defeating the great evils of the world; the protagonists should help them
overcome their hostilities and see their differences as blessings instead of obstacles.
EVERYTHING HAS A SOUL
All matter that forms the world, including its creatures, the earth, sky, sun, and stars
are part of a vast flow of spiritual energy. The origin, nature, and function of this
energy may vary depending on the world you create, but its presence is undeniable
and anyone possessing the ability to manipulate it (be it through magic or science) is
a force to be reckoned with.
Dominic McKendall (Order #36703147)
MAGIC AND TECHNOLOGY
In every Fabula Ultima world, science and magic represent two different ways of
studying and manipulating reality: one concerns itself with the tangible nature of
matter, the other with the souls that dwell within it — two sides of the same coin.
Miraculous machinery might be hidden beneath the ruins of an ancient civilization,
and even the most powerful wizards will often make use of vehicles and airships.
Many of these worlds also feature an unusual discipline that combines magic and
technology into magitech: metal soldiers animated by the souls of the fallen, bombs
that can unleash elemental mayhem, and flying machines fueled by wind spirits are
only a few examples of what can be created by this hybrid craft.
HEROES OF MANY SIZES AND SHAPES
Fabula Ultima’s protagonists are full-fledged heroes, extraordinary individuals that
possess unique abilities and whose actions will shape the fate of the world. While
some may not be noble paladins or virtuous paragons of justice, even the thieves and
dark knights among them have a fundamentally good nature and can be trusted to do
the right thing when the situation gets desperate.
In line with the video game genre Fabula Ultima draws inspiration from, our heroes
do not follow any rule of realism: be they children with incredible magical powers or
elderly warriors able to single-handedly challenge an entire army, all that matters is
their strength of spirit.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE HEROES
Any relevant event in a game of Fabula Ultima is tied to the heroes, either directly or
indirectly. Dramatic plot twists shall happen when the protagonists are present on the
scene, and the great powers (and evils) of the world shall pay them special attention.
Following the same logic, the heroes’ determination will allow them to achieve the
impossible, such as defeating an empire or sealing away a powerful deity.
MYSTERY, DISCOVERY, AND GROWTH
This game is built upon discovery: of ancient mysteries and forgotten powers, yes, but
most of all, of the heroes themselves, of their feelings, and of what they are willing to
do in order to fight against darkness. Fabula Ultima’s protagonists are complex and
sometimes tragic figures, and their journey will change them forever.
