The World of Mantica
CHAPTER 1
The known reaches of the World of Mantica pivot around the Infant Sea and the Forsaken Isles at it’s fulcrum. The continents that surround this central sea are vast and varied, with frozen wastes to the explored North, rising Mountain ranges along the central belt and to the East in Abercarr & Abkhazla, sweeping plains and majestic woods are interspersed throughout but are most plentiful in the Western regions and harsh deserts of exhaustive horizons dominate the South.
​
As varied a landscape as the known world provides, the inhabitants of our world match it and more.
Of the populous Noble Peoples living under Mantica’s azure sky, there are the Elder races such as the Dwarves that toil ‘neath the earth & trade above and the lithe Elven Kindreds who are ever watchful and aloof, both of whom are long-lived and have known the world longer than most. Then follows the younger of the Noble Peoples - Human kind - who live for a shorter days then their Elder siblings. They are somber and terse in character and yet inquisitive & exciteful, ever expanding in arts and war alike.
​
Lesser common folk and creatures fill the world between the lands tamed by the Noble Peoples, some in harmony and many at war, but here is not the place to exhaust a description on each - dedicated Chapters are set aside to exploring that detail.
​
Other sub-sections of interest:
Chapter 1.1 - Dungeons of Reknown
​
The Map of the World
Housed in the great Euhedral Library within the Successor Kingdoms, the "Grand Map of the World & Regional Compendiums" was conceived after the "Atlas Council" was held between the high-members of the great expeditionary groups: The Adventurer's Guild, The Order of Cartographer's and The Engineer's Guild.
They deigned to share the extent of their knowledge and a decree was issued following that venerable meeting for all common knowledge of the populated lands to be gathered and plotted into a common compendium of the navigable world.
The extents of the world that remained uncertain or unknown later had expeditions commisioned by Kingdoms and Empires alike, to set upon the farthest lands and seek what was left to know.
Ships set sail to the South and East, to Elvenholme, hostile Ophidia and cragged Abercarr.
Great caravans and smaller expedition parties set out upon the roads North, to the Bitter Lands across treachorous Tyris' Gate, to vast Ardovikia and beyond the Mammoth Steppe and into the Ice Mountains where few civilized folk set foot.
All with the goal to treat with the farthest inhabitants of Mantica, to learn and observe the ways and lands not yet recorded.
Chartering the map of our known world has been an endeavor of common purpose that the guilds have raised above the numerous political and racial divisions that now set Mantica's people apart.
It continues to this day and an "Atlas Advocacy", as the commisioned expeditions are known, is often the first great voyage or excursion that an earnest and novice adventurer will taste.
The Infant Sea
Created by melting ice at the end of the Winter War, the Infant Sea lies where the lands of men were once located. Most of the Republic of Primoventor, along with many other kingdoms, were swallowed by the rising waters with only the northern parts and the province of Basilea surviving.
Many strange creatures, submarine races and giant monsters make their homes in this region. In addition, many trade routes cross the sea but sailing these waters is a dangerous undertaking.
​
The Civilised Lands
Much of the Infant Sea is surrounded by mountains, most famous of which are the Dragon's Teeth. The narrow coastal plains at their feet are where most of the Kingdoms of Men are located. Also located here are the Empire of the Dwarfs and the Territories of the Elves.
​
DUNGEON SAGA
THE DWARF KINGS QUEST
Dungeon Saga: The Dwarf King's Quest is the Classic Dungeon Crawler of Swords and Sorcery. Embark on a fantasy adventure for up to 5 players in the Dungeon Saga board game! With highly detailed game-pieces and learn-as-you-play rules, this set contains everything you need to transform your table-top into a magical world of heroes and monsters.
For more information, visit the official page here: (link)
The Wild
For the most part, most of Mantica is wild and untamed. There are many places where the ruins of fallen civilisations can be found along with vast tracts of desert, steppe, forest and mountain ranges that have never been tamed.
The Abyss
The greatest wound inflicted upon Mantica during the God War lies far to the north east of the Infant Sea, among the remnants of Winter's glaciers. This is where Domivar struck the world with Oskan's axe and where the Wicked were cast down.
The Abyss is a great rent in the surface of Mantica, a fissure carved to the centre of the earth with a pall of black smoke hanging above it, shrouding the region in perpetual night. Molten rock is spewed into the sky while toxic smoke hangs in the sky, ready to choke all who venture there. All around are pits of ash which, like quicksand, can drag down and smother the unwary.
Yet there is life here.
The Abyssal Dwarfs build their temple-citadels at either end and Orcs dwell upon the plains. Other races are to be found as well: men, Elves, and Dwarves toil as slaves in the mines and foundries of the Abyss while those seeking the black power of the evil Gods also come to the region.
​
The Mammoth Steppe
To the far north of Mantica lies huge cliffs of blue ice, tall as mountains. Some say this is Winter, still living and shouting defiance at the sun.
At the feet of these cliffs lies the plains of the Mammoth Steppe, an endless sea of dry grassland which encircles Mantica. Ogres, barbarian humans and Goblins make their homes here in a hard land which shows little signs of civilisation.
​
The Ardovikian Plain
The Ardovikian Plain was formed when the ice retreated after Winter's defeat. Once home to the nine richest provinces of Primovantor, the region now contains some of the richest and most fertile land in Mantica. Young forests cover large parts of it and erosion has unearthed rich seams of ore. This, along with the many ancient artifacts to be found in subterranean complexes, makes the Ardovikian Plain hotly contested among the races.
​
