Powers of the Old World

The great empires of the old world have sent their ships across the oceans in search of wealth and power. Whether it is as merchants coming to trade, or colonists intending to plant their flag, these far-flung subjects of distant crowns have come from somewhere else to be here.

Big Brayton

The Braytish Empire has colonies all around the world, leaving some to say that no matter where you are in the British Empire the bar should be open. Created originally by the Synergy of several tribes, the Braytish tend to believe that they have somehow created the definitive culture of civilization. They intend to share this enlightenment with everyone, whether they like it or not.

Kingdom of Prance

The Prench are determined to take their share of the Canaddaeen. Their ancient culture is based equally on warfare and snootiness. In addition to building bases for their military forces, they are committed to preserving the dignity of their noble class.

Republic of the Dartherlunds
The Daryth have a small but wealthy nation focused on commerce, rather than conquest. They prefer peaceful trade, but all their ships carry guns anyway. They are always looking for the most profitable deal.

Kingdom of Espanya
The Espanians are the true power in the Canaddaeen. The other three Empires together do not match their wealth or their numbers. In addition to seeking power for their empire, they seek to spread their religion across the New World.

The Bravigan Peoples

This people are not a single culture, but representatives from dozens of nations and tribes grouped together. Some are immigrants hailing from the 'Dark Continent.' Most have been forcibly transplanted from their homes to be forced into indentured servitude. They, or their children, can be found across the Canaddaeen.

Buccaneers
This is a disparate group of people who are of Old World ancestry, but have renounced their citizenship. They live in the Canaddeean now, and intend to stay. They are far from organized, and often end up feuding. Buccaneers have a few settlements that they call 'Havens.' They have no laws, with justice being enforced by duels or mobs. Most buccaneers make their living hunting and selling the meat to ships. Ships of virtually any nation can arrive at a haven, unload goods that no reputable merchant will buy, and pick up a hold full of smoked meat at a great price.

Nations of the New World

These lands have been inhabited for thousands of years, even though they were just discovered. These formerly mighty Empires have each declined, but there are villages of their people scattered everywhere.

Lankya

These people mostly live deep in the unexplored jungles, where they dwell in the ruins of their ancestors' great cities. Rumour is that they hoard golden treasure there, although they have little interest in wealth. They do not consider outsiders to be properly people, so they see no harm in eating them.

Manya

The Manyans live in small villages along the coast or on small islands. They use canoes to get around the Canaddaeen. They are probably the most similar to the Old World powers in culture: they farm, hunt, and fish for food. They trade their goods for money, and are entirely willing to lie to your face about the quality of them. When they feel like one of their neighbours is too prosperous for their own good, they will launch raids in order to redistribute the wealth. Aside from the brown skin and language barrier, they would blend in back home.

Oztek

The Manyans will rob you, but only because they want your stuff. The Lankya will eat you, but only because they think you would taste good. The Ozteks are the real monsters. They will drag you into their hidden temples, sacrifice your heart to their dark gods, and bind your soul with foul Magics to serve them for all eternity. Thousands of rumours persist about the Oztek, hinting at their great power and fabulous wealth in equal measure.

Religion and Magic

Huptou

There are many strange creatures abroad in the Canaddean. Some of these are spectral, and others blur the line between real animals and creatures of some alien realm. Huptou is the practice of using them to do as you wish.

Huptou is part religion, part science, part art. This is the art of manipulating spirits to do as you wish. Some spirits are weak and tractable, while more powerful spirits are willful and dangerous.

Huptou priests and priestesses carefully learn what combinations are enticing to different spirits. Fetishes of wood and bone with colourful feathers can attract their attention, while some enjoy flavoured drinks and spicy meats. Each practitioner jealously guards their findings, for their spells are the key to their power.

Huptou uses the 'Weird Science' arcane background.

The One True Faith, aka Truism

This formal religion was imported from the Old World by the kingdoms that colonized the region. There are two main sects of Truism: Morganism and Davidism. Both claim to be the true version of the religion, but hardly anyone can tell the difference. Mostly their priests wear different vestments and the churches are painted different colours.

Their religion has thousands of years of contradictory scripture, translated and edited and interpreted and declared heretical and reinstituted. Depending on what you read, you can find a scriptural argument to virtually anything.

Truism uses the 'Miracles' arcane background.

XCaztle worship, aka Pyramidism

This foul and terrifying religion is exclusive to the Ozteks. They worship a greedy and bloodthirsty pantheon of gods with a mix of human and animal features. The chief deity is XCaztle, supposedly the god of the sun. The gods supposedly control the sun, the weather, and everything else of importance on the world. They are wrathful, and must be appeased by regular tribute. They enjoy pyramids being constructed for them, and the sacrifice of blood.

At its height, the Oztek empire supposedly sacrificed hundreds, even thousands of people every day. This may not be true, but even to this day the Oztek are a bloody-handed people. Their priests drag people to the tops of old pyramids amid the ruins of their ancient cities every chance they get.

Pyramidism uses the 'Magic' arcane background.

Pirate Magic, aka Shanties

Every seagoing salt knows a few shanties, but some of them are more useful than just keeping a rhythm during rowing. When playing a musical instrument and singing with all your heart, sometimes you can conjure up true power.

Pirate Magic is often discovered by accident. Either at the point of joy at some great victory, or at the point of deepest desperation, a pirate will break into song. Perhaps it is the blessing of the Huptou who enjoy the song, or perhaps it is something stranger yet.

Pirate Magic uses the 'Psionics' arcane background.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:18, Sat 17 Oct 2020.

Luxuries

The Canaddean  Is rich in many resources. Fruit and meats are abundant on every island. The sea is filled with fish, crustaceans, and Edible molluscs. There are trees that produce wood for boats  or buildings.  the temperate, stable climate more than makes up  For the powerful storms that  occasionally roll in from the sea.  no wind is perfectly predictable, but the Trade Winds of the region allow for a skilled Mariner to sail around with  relative ease. There are even some  sources of wealth in the form of oysters’ pearls and deposits of precious metals.

All of this would surely be enough to make the archipelago a paradise. However, that is not why the Old World has sent thousands of ships across the ocean. In their continuing quest to outdo one another, the aristocrats of the old world are always looking for expensive novelties. These luxury goods can only be found in the Canaddean. With a hold full of pittee, zabac, and buglights, a ship’s captain can consider himself wealthy -- if he can get it home.

Pittee
In the Canaddean, there is a tree that produces a type of berry called pitie. A certain type of toad will eat the berry and poop out the pit. The pit has undergone a fermentation process. When the pits are ground up they can be percolated into a drink. The drink is called pittee.
It makes you feel alert and energized for a short time before leaving you grumpy and tired.
The berries grow in the jungles on the mountains, and the toads live in marshes. Harvesting the berries, tending the  toads, and Gathering up the fermented pits is  all very hard labour. Mostly, it is done by slaves and indentured workers.

Zabac and Zabacarettes
In the Canaddean, there is a type of weed that grows broad purple leaves.  These leaves can be dried out and turned into a drug called zabac.  they can be rolled up into tiny sticks called ‘Zabacarettes’ or stuffed into smoking pipes.
Smoking zabacarettes offers a brief relaxation and Euphoria before making you feel anxious. The weeds grow in hot, marshy conditions. Working these fields is backbreaking labour. Rolling them works the oil into your fingers, leaving them stained. Mostly, this difficult and unpleasant work is done by slaves and indentured workers.

Buglights
In the Canaddean, There is a species of  nocturnal beetle that sleeps under ferns or in caves. They are capable of producing a small, colourful light in their abdomen. At night, swarms of rainbow coloured dots can be seen crawling about the ground and the trees. They have little interest in humans or their dwellings, preferring to eat wild fruits and seeds. These beetles can be trapped in special glass bottles, where their bioluminescence can create a truly terrible lamp. Although colourful, these beetles do not glow brightly enough to provide sufficient light for  Any purpose. Once they are in the lamp, they must be fed regularly but sparingly, to prevent them from starving or overeating.
Workers must raise the beetles in a cave or light proof structure. It is  delicate and difficult work. Getting the Beatles inside the lamps  without injuring or killing them is very hard. Mostly, these tasks are done by slaves and indentured workers.