Setting Details

The War of the Words

Submitter: John Olson
Description: As far back as history goes, the Sorcerer-Kings have ruled the various city-states. Some are cities of Elves, others are ruled by Dwarves, still others by other beings. But the Sorcerer-Kings are an older race (perhaps the Bales? That would be interesting). In any case, there was peace for most of that time. They have suppressed the growth of knowledge, either of technology or of magic, but there have always been those who dare to defy the rulers in secret. Natural philosophers understand the natural world better than the rulers do, but nothing much has come from that. But others have learned the secrets of Sorcery (GURPS ritual magic), though they cannot challenge the Sorcerer-Kings directly, and they pay a fearful price for the power they possess. Others have found a new source of power -- the harnessing of life-force to transform the body into a fearsome weapon. Just add in that focusing Chi requires meditation with specific mantras, and you have the name of the setting: Magic words, words of meditation, and the final, inevitable uprising of the rebellion. Now, it's a world in total war, and the enemy has the upper hand. Victory, if it comes, will be hard-won and long in coming, but this much is certain: from this moment, nothing will ever be the same.