The world of Tirakan is a fantasy world that spans 1000 years of recent history. The world is populated by Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Goblins and other cultures.
The creation
The world of Tirakan was created before the Gods became aware of themselves. The Gods, eleven brothers and sisters, were born of unknown parents. They were the first beings to be self-aware. More details on the creation story can be found in the books on the Gods, the Traitors and the other god-like beings.
Tirakan in the constellation of the stars
Tirakan is a world orbited by two moons. One moon is the night moon and the other is the day moon. The moons affect the magic of the world. Magic is omnipresent in Tirakan and is used by the inhabitants of the world.
The two moons have different meanings in different cultures around the world. For example, the Orcs see the eyes of their god Akhrosch in the moons, while the Humans see the presence of the Gods Chronar and Nadal in the moons.
The realms of men
The human empires arose around the turn of the millennium. The first century marks the beginning of the peak of the human empires, which comes to an end at the end of the millennium.
The Human realms are diverse and varied. Realms like Asgoran, early Yadosia or Toran are monarchies. In Hadewald, it is mainly the guilds of craftsmen and merchants that rule. Yavon is the first human republic, where a council of nobles and citizens controls the fate of the land.
The human empires are subject to constant change. In the early centuries of the game, there are differences, conflicts and wars between empires. But there is also trade, diplomacy and alliances. Asgoran is the most influential empire, due in part to Asgoran's seafaring and trading endeavours.
Thus Asgal, the language of Asgoran, becomes the language of trade spoken throughout the human realms.
The human realms are largely in agreement when it comes to weights and measurements. The unit of length is the step, the unit of weight is the stone. The currency is the gulden.
The other realms
Unnoticed by Humans, the realms of Elves, Dwarves, Goblins and other cultures have existed for centuries. It will be centuries before the Humans encounter these other civilizations.
The first civilisations Humans encounter are the Flits and Dwarves of Fraxut, followed by the Gnomes and Elves of Silkanda. The Orcs of the Kroto'Chim are also well known to the Meridians and Nur'Tuk, as they raid and plunder their settlements.
The dwarven folk of the Xordai and the elven peoples of the Ancatir and Atiarel are particularly reserved. While the Ancatir live in the forests of the deep south, the Atiarel are at home in the mountains of the north.
Although some realms, such as Meridian, have their own currencies and units of measurement, most regions of Tirakan have standardised measurements. Coins and ingots are accepted everywhere.
The human kingdoms of Tirakan emerged at the beginning of the Fourth Age, and their flowering was to come toward the end of that age. The human kingdoms nestle around the rocky sea that forms the center of the continent. Contact with the other cultures of Tirakan was to come only during the first centuries of the current age.
Created by the Dragons in the Age of the Guardians, the elves are probably the oldest human-like people on Tirakan. Their heyday is long gone, and today no one can seriously claim to have ever met an elf. Legends as well as scholars tell of a revival of magic, and thus also of the old servants, but this is in no way confirmed.
The dwarf peoples of Tirakan are highly diverse. The Fraxut dwarves are friendly and more inclined towards humans. This may also be due to the fact that their territory lies between the human kingdoms of the Yadosia, Hadewald and Asgoran. The Xordai people, who have their own very strong faith and are rather shy of people, are rather distant. The Morgalas, on the other hand, are a special kind of dwarf. They were enslaved by Wisgu in ancient times and have followed sinister desires since they were drawn into the depths of the earth many centuries ago.
There are two major groups of orcs on Tirakan, each made up of individual tribes and tribal alliances. These peoples are in no way really comparable to human kingdoms, there are constant conflicts and minor skirmishes.
The flits are small, winged creatures that have great similarity with the Elves. Their body proportions and also the pointy ears resemble those of the elves. The Flits reach an average height of about 60 to 70 finger. However, the wings that spring from their shoulder blades can vary from Flit to Flit.
The Doldagor (ca. 4000 b. EC - 950 EC) are stone creatures that have inhabited Tirakan since the Third Age. Their shape is that of a gargoyle of the humans, which were designed in their image. Appearance and stone type of the Doldagor are highly variable, so these beings can be very multiform.
From: "The Truth about the World" collection of writings, approx. 2000-3000 years old, unknown authors (at least 3) "From the depths of the lower being, Aspersia created those in her image who would henceforth be driven through the dark paths of the underworld. Beings of the same form, carrying with them, as it were, their origin, as well as a piece of Aspersia's arrogance. In the sign of the spear with the mark of horns they will fight, and blood will be shed upon the land."
Goblins exist in many regions, scattered or gathered as loose tribes. Three goblin tribes have formed over time, and these have persisted beyond the age of humans.
Risen in the year 0 by the hand of Taurus, the Minotaurs ravage the southern realms in the centuries to come. They take land after land, and their campaign against Humans overtakes Gasdaria and moves ever closer to the Rock Sea. Along with the lizards, they pose the greatest threat to the kingdoms of man.
There are three known gnome-like peoples on Tirakan. The Duigoshz live in the swamps near the Xordai mountains and devote their lives to art and science. The gnomes are completely unknown to Humans, tales tell of the people living in a huge underground city. The Gorbs, on the other hand, are scattered all over Tirakan. They live in small communities and avoid any contact with Humans.