Just the start of some basic ideas for an RPG setting. Think "Super Hero Role-Playing in a World Gone Medieval" or something. Mostly for my own sake, but suggestions are very welcome.

Setting -

Taking a pretty standard Medieval European backdrop and extending the concept of Divine Right to Rule, we find that the nobility is truly descended from God, or at least some supernatural being, and have the power to prove it. The Nobility within the setting all have supernatural powers to some extent.

The degree of power within a bloodline is directly related to their station in the ruling class. You might find the offspring of those that have interbred with normal man, be it bastard children or simply marrying out of love, in a position as a knight, influential merchant, or esteemed clergymen. The highest seats of power are occupied by only the purest bred, the King himself being able to demonstrate his right to rule quite easily over others.

So my setting (Feorreard) is really coming along now, what does everyone think?

And what does everyone use for making nice looking PDFs? Lyx is (by it's nature) a bit awkward for any non-standard formatted text like side boxes.

In V0.5, i've significantly tweaked the layout and continued slowly adding random sections. I'm also posting it into "book pages" here, like it's meant to be used.

Still not sure about the names though.. help please?

I'm working on a fantasy setting to go with ModulaRPG at the moment, could be at it for a while. Anyone interested feel free to try ModulaRPG and do what you like with it in the meantime :)

So, right now I'm in the process of making my setting as vivid as I can possibly make it, almost to the point where you are stepping with your own two feet into this world. Along with the verisimilitudinous (yes, that's a word, you stupid spell check) and streamlined combat, I want to make this game an experience that engages a deep emotional connection; a world where your characters are truly an extension of yourself. This is a daunting undertaking. This is also, admittedly, a ton of hubris, which is why it is important for me to make the game's progress so transparent.

The Iron Element

What is Des Xi?
Des Xi is a group of 3 regions that are now individual nations. These nation/regions are Vanaq Ir, Ectanoc, and Dezonoc.

A Brief History of Des Xi
The original kingdom of Des Xi was taken over by the Outworlder tribes long ago. This occupation spread out over lifetimes, but much anti-Outworlder sentiment lingered.
Capitalizing on these tensions, The Urs Prime Empire offered its assistance in driving the Outworlders out. In exchange, Des Xi would be assimilated into the Empire, although its national individuality would be maintained with the installation of a native king; it would be a vassal state. As a result, Outworlder rule was removed, but many Outworlders had built their lives in Des Xi, so many stayed.

1. The dissolution of the separation between mind and matter, man and machine, and nature and artifice.
"Through meditation, I have learned to psychokinetically manipulate the little movers ((nanomachines)) to the extent that I no longer have need for weapons or medicine. The automatons cannot do this. The aliens do not know this. Pio Mon has shown us the Way, because the Outworlders have perennially defended their promises to the Ancestors; that we may responsibly utilize and master the sciences without compromising the natures from whence they came. The Sword of Beauty has the keenest edge, but even it cannot draw the blood of the faithful."

Who are the Outworlders?
The Outworlders are from the eastern continent, characterized by their bluish overtones. (Why are they blue? I have no idea; the only thing I can think of is mass colloidal silver poisoning!) The Outworlders love to fight - enjoying the greatest success in military history - and their perceptions of the world are viewed as bizarre.

The Outworlder Religion
Shior Ah and the Ancestors of Nature-
The Outworlders do not worship their God, Shior Ah, but demonstrate their piety through practicing his virtues. Shior Ah himself is said to have made the world, but remains an observer.

The Nevercast is an event - or a coalescence of many small catalytic events happening during similar time frames - that has caused the entire infrastructure of most nations to collapse. (I haven't figured out what actually caused this, but I'm leaning on invoking our current worldwide economic woes as inspiration.) Human progress has slowed to a crawl. Emerging technologies and ideas never achieved fruition. The last bastions of prosperity are the decentralized entities that were fluid enough to weather the storm.

The lost ideas and technologies are some of the most valuable artifacts in the world, but once they are discovered, who's to say anyone will actually know how they work? So, with this thought in mind, I'm wondering in what ritualistic ways will the post-modern inhabitants utilize these misunderstood relics.

The Enlightenment of Pratnavahatdu
Pratnavahatdu was known as the Invincible Warrior. He knew all of the techniques and strategies of his enemies, and defeated them all with great ease. He traveled distant lands to gather the knowledge of the ancients, horded by the opponents who stood in his way. He mastered the arcane arts and sciences; he studied exotic philosophies. He endured and endeavored for many years, but alas, he was never able to attain the enlightenment exalted by the Old Masters.
Pratnavahatdu continued his travels, until one day, he met an unknown Outworlder warrior who had heard of his skills and who had challenged him to a duel. Pratnavahatdu, absolutely confident in his abilities, obliged the young man.