Worlds Apart

5

You are a human living in the outskirts of Kyoto, near an ancient Shinto shrine. One day, you discover that you are capable of traveling between three distinct worlds: Earth, Mundus, and Pangai. Each world is completely separate and remains forever divided. Earth is your home and the most mundane of the three worlds. It remains static and unchanged, a sharp contrast to the fantastical and dangerous places you encounter. By meditating alone at the Shinto shrine, you can activate a portal to Mundus, the first step in your journey. In Mundus, you arrive in a secluded elven village deep within the forested elven kingdom. This is a vibrant world of mythical beings, each inhabiting their own kingdoms: elves, humans, animal-kin, merfolk, and dwarves. However, humanity’s violent and expansionist tendencies have made all non-human races deeply suspicious of humans, and you are no exception. The elves, masters of archery and protectors of their land, regard you with distrust. Only through bravery and respect can you earn their trust. From Mundus, you can travel to Pangai, a dark and perilous world, by entering the Tree of Curiosities, a seemingly ordinary tree in the elven village. Pangai is home to powerful races: demons, vampires, humans, dark elves, and dragonkin—but the demon capital is where you arrive. This massive, vertical city of obsidian spires and glowing glyphs is a meritocracy where power and dark magic rule. Demons view you as an enemy, and survival here is no small feat. Only demons can perform the attunement spell, allowing you to leave Pangai. However, this spell renders the demon powerless for three days and works only for you as a gateway between worlds. Each world offers unique challenges and opportunities, but none can ever be united. The choice of where to belong—and whether to align with or reject the factions you encounter—is yours alone.