History
Welcome to the tale...
...the tale of the Three Worlds
As far back as memory extends, as long as time reaches, there have existed the Worlds. Even the most ancient beings, with millennia of experience, the gods themselves, know not where these worlds originated. But what is known, and what has been known, is that there were only two. In the beginning, there was Everything, and there was Nothing. Twin Realms, each infinite in scope and power, existed in constant turmoil. One of Creation and one of Destruction, each lashing out with uncontrolled wrath. Nothing could be done for the creatures and beings that existed in the Worlds, caught between the two titans as the realms themselves battled.
That is, until one fateful moment when everything changed. It is said that on that day, before days as they are known existed, the Worlds awoke. There was a moment of a calm, a silence that stretched into infinity, and in that moment, the Third World arose. From whence it came remains unknown, but that day all the Worlds were connected, falling into a peace that would stand for all time. The Two Worlds went back to their former states, but the intervention of the Third separated them, so they could no longer do harm upon the other. Eventually, creatures rose upon this Third World, and gave rise to the greatest civilization to exist. It is here, where we stand.
The Worlds
Diem, First World of Creation
Though called the first, Diem was just one of the Two Worlds that existed. It is, as noted, the one which represents Creation. This should not be mistaken for benevolence, however, as while Diem is no longer at war with with the other Worlds, it is still very much at war with itself. This is a place of power, where matter is actually created (physics can take a hike at this point,) only to be blasted apart by the constant surges of energy it produces. Fire, lightning, and pure kinetic force lash out in all directions, while massive quantities of raw iron and other materials are formed and thrown across the distance. This is not a nice place.
Creatures: That is not to say Diem is uninhabited. While it is extremely difficult for life to remain, some creatures exist which may for a certain definition be considered alive. These are the Elementals, sentient constructs of matter or energy that roam around the plane and feed upon their material or energy source of choice. There exists an Elemental for nearly anything imaginable, and they may take the form of almost any creature imaginable, if not just a mass of material leading to literally endless combinations. For instance, there may exist a humanoid that is made of fire, or a moving lump of iron, or even an electric mouse. (Basically, Elementals = Pokemon, but it isn't just limited to that)
Magic: As a force of creation, it would be a waste if Diem's power could not be put to use. To that end, those of the Third World have developed techniques to draw nearly anything they wish from Diem, in effect creating and forcing specific objects or powers into existence. The users of these techniques are known as Starforgers. They are able to take advantage of Diem's nature, guiding the creation process and drawing completed items from nowhere, or directly drawing from Diem's energy. A Starforger might bring in fire for an attack, force to move an object, or even stone and metal for building. All items brought in this way are permanent, and do not fade on their own. A sword created by a Starforger, for instance, will not fade, even if broken. One of the few things Starforgers cannot create is life, however.
A second form of Starforging, is that of infusion, giving certain properties to objects to make them more effective. A flaming sword is one example of an item drawing fire from Diem, or an infused quiver or magazine, designed to produce a continuous amount of arrows or bullets, respectively, creating effectively infinite ammunition.
Void, Second World of Destruction.
Quite simply, Void does not exist. It is the opposite of existence, a null World that consumes and destroys all. Like the First World, it should not be mistaken for malevolence. It has a purpose, one to do away with the excess of the First World, to keep it from growing too large. No matter, no energy exists here, and it drains such things from whatever enters it. It also reaches out to the Third World, drawing from it as well.
Creatures: Void is similar to the First World in that its creatures are not precisely alive, as such. In fact, Void is known as the home of those known as the Voidcursed, or Undead. Vampires, Zombies, Ghosts, and other such beings of death. Their existence in Void hinges upon their connection to it, something known as the Hunger. It protects them from its ravages, but also inflicts upon them a need to consume which is specific to each type. Vampires, of course, require blood, and Zombies consume flesh of any kind. Ghosts often go for spiritual energy. Most Undead do not actually reside in Void, but leave for either the First or Third Worlds, where they may feed. There also exist Elementals, but they, too, are cursed by the Void. The are not as limited in what they consume, going for whatever they can find, as they are sentient constructs of nothingness.
Magic: Unlike the First World, the techniques for using the Void are not for bringing things out, but throwing things in. The users of these techniques are known as Voidcallers. As the source is a realm of Destruction, Voidcallers are most adept at it. A common use of the power is what can only be described as a "ball of nothing," which can absorb nearly anything it touches, filling itself. Range is limited, however, as it also tends to absorb air and be filled quickly. Voidcallers are often associated with cold and darkness, as well, being a lack of heat and light, respectively. Voidcallers can even inflict the Voidcurse on a dead body, creating an Undead.
Voidcallers are also capable of infusion, turning weapons and other objects into Voidcursed versions, feeding on their victims to increase their lethality. Being connected to Void in such a way sometimes corrodes these objects, consuming them into the Void as well.
Gaia, Third World of Shaping.
The primary setting. Gaia is the bridge between the First and Second Worlds, keeping them separate, but also connecting them. It acts to limit them, and to unleash their power (or anti-power, in Void's case.) It is the most hospitable to life, allowing any creature to exist upon it. It is here true life thrives, though life was defined by its creatures. Gaia is the World of Shaping, for its changing nature. The First and Second Worlds do not change, nor do their creatures, at least, without Gaia's influence.
Creatures: All creatures exist in Gaia. Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and [other standard fantasy race]. Anything, really. However, Gaia is also known for its abundance of shapeshifters. Werewolves, dragons, faeries, and things whose true forms are unknown.
Magic: As a World of Shaping, Gaia's magic combines Creation and Destruction and uses it in another way. The techniques developed are designed for Shaping, changing, and transforming. Turning something into another, or simply changing its shape. Users of this are called Transmuters. They might rip open the earth to swallow their enemies, or adjust their own bodies to suit the task at hand. As opposed to Starforgers, who make new things, or Voidcallers, who destroy them, Transmuters work with what it already there, changing it to their advantage.
As with the others, Transmuters can infuse weapons and objects. Most often this manifests as a shapeshifting weapon, but other effects are possible.
The Plot
Since the appearance of the Third World, the Worlds were peaceful, each mostly keeping to itself, while drawing on the others for their magic. In a way, this magic became a form of trade, all of it focused on the Third World. Starforgers built great cities, while Voidcallers and Transmuters cleared areas. Transmuters strengthened materials or turned large areas into works of art. Technology advanced quickly as ideas bloomed, and were called into reality instantly. Over time, however, Voidcallers began to prove less and less useful while their association with death and destruction only grew stronger.
The social stigma attached to Voidcallers and the Undead grew worse, and they were force to destroy or kill to feed the Hunger. Fewer and and fewer learned the techniques to utilize the Void, and those that did weren't ready for the Hunger that came with it, as there were so few who could teach the skills necessary to keep the Hunger in check. The Undead were unable to feed freely and began to be consumed by the Hunger. As the Voidcallers dwindled, the Starforgers continued to expand. More and more was being created and there was nothing to remove the excess. The Third World grew and expanded, and became overcrowded. It threatened to collapse under its own weight.
...That is, until Void awoke once more. Graves erupted with bodies mysterious afflicted by Void's curse, large swaths of ground simply disappeared, and doorways ruptured into nothingness even as Void Elementals poured from them.
Destruction reigned as the Worlds struggled to regain the Balance. Even now Creation is overcome by it's own weight, as Destruction tries to equalize it by any means. It is predicted that Void will be unable to stop under its own power, and should Diem also awaken, the Worlds will be lost in a war millennia in the making. Gaia stirs, and the World shudders, calling out to individuals with great power and skill. Can these beings fight against the Worlds themselves?