A realm where magic still thrives and fairies dance through ancient woods. Here, villages nestle in rich valleys beneath mystical forests. Grand palaces and temples of stone and timber rise in testament to mortal craft, their beauty a reminder of more peaceful days. Yet beneath this serene facade lies a kingdom long torn by strife—its conflicts predating even the great Cataclysm.
In name, Genis is ruled by a single crown—its king an absolute sovereign over nobles and commoners alike. Yet true power flows through three channels: the royal court, the sun-worshipping priesthood, and the autonomous local lords. This delicate balance has grown even more precarious since the Cataclysm, as monster-infested forests now isolate regions from central authority, forcing each territory to face threats alone. The ancient faith of the Sun holds power equal to the crown itself. Their High Priest, said to receive divine revelations, stands as the Sun's voice on earth. Together, High Priest and King are revered as Sun and Moon incarnate—twin pillars meant to guide their people in harmony, though reality often falls short of this ideal.
Genis bleeds from a thousand cuts—each inflicted by lords who rule their territories like personal kingdoms. Though they kneel to the crown in name, these nobles exploit their distance from the capital to rule as they please. They raise private armies from their subjects' taxes, waging petty wars for land and wealth against their neighbors. This endless strife has bred a people hardened to conflict. Many take up arms as merchants and farmers alike learn to defend what's theirs. Mercenary work thrives alongside traditional trades, while even the temple's priests and knights train for battle—necessary skills for their pilgrimages through monster-haunted woods. The people themselves are divided in their response to this constant warfare. Some seek fortune in conflict, others pray for peace, and those serving different masters often find themselves on opposite sides of the battlefield.
In Genis, the Cataclysm breathed dark life into creatures straight from children's tales—fallen soldiers rise as skeletal warriors wielding otherworldly powers, while ancient stones awaken as towering golems. These aren't mere stories anymore; they're a deadly reality stalking the kingdom's shadows. Each monster brings its own terror, yet all share an insatiable hunger for human prey. Perhaps most tragic are the forest's native fairies, once gentle spirits of wonder, now twisted by corruption into savage beings that plague their former homes.
