I'll try to keep it short and to the point since detailed information would null the purpose of characters who invest skill points in knowledge skills. This is all considered common knowledge:


The world
For simplicity's sake (or because I'm too lazy to come up with a different name. you chose), the adventure takes place in a world called Earth. Magic is uncommon, but still very much a part of life. Technology and science is extremely rare (the occasional crazy inventor and such) and most people might mistake it for magic, likewise guns are nearly unheard of and most people will think they're wands. Religion ranges from kami and spirits to your standard concept of deities. (click above on "Game Map" to see the world map)


The countries
The eastern half of the map is dominated by a giant, rather xenophobic and elitist, human empire calling itself the Golden empire and ruled by a royal family. The western half is composed of 6 sovereign states (populace composition about human and other races in equal measure) and each have a different philosophy and political system but are generally significantly less xenophobic than the Golden empire.

For years the Golden empire and the 6 state Alliance were locked in war. No one could say for sure how it had started, but everyone knows how it ended. Inconclusively. 11 years ago the leaders of each side sat down and signed a peace treaty.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:16, Tue 04 June 2019.

Imperial Law

Technically speaking, everyone in the Empire is part of the military. If they don't enlist they eventually get conscripted. However, since this is impractical and unrealistic, those who don't or can't be real soldiers are just run through the motions (purely as a formality) then sent back to civilian life as "reserves". According to Imperial law, every "soldier" (meaning every Imperial citizen) must spend at least 1 year "in active service to his country" before he can be placed on the "reserves" list. But this rule isn't strictly enforced ether, which is why more often than not the "active service" turns into "goofing off". Some people even spend this service from home, running their businesses and getting on with their lives as normal (basically, their military service only exists on paper).

After the 1 year of mandatory service comes the time to separate the proverbial "men from the boys". Those who want to become genuine soldiers (with pay and benefits and everything, meaning their actual profession becomes "soldier") extend their contracts and engage in "active duty" (which includes additional training and actual military duties), all the rest are put on the "reserves" list and go back to their civilian lives.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:50, Tue 01 Sept 2015.