Shadows

To most people in the world, demons are the epitome of evil. For they have yet to see the true darkness in the world. Those who truly know what real evil lurks in the dark depths of the world are relatively few. And of that number, many deny the truth of this knowledge. Afraid that it could be true. Afraid that there is a threat beyond the endless hunger of twisted beasts that would rip apart their civilization without as much of a thought. An enemy of flesh and blood they can fight with steel. But what of an enemy that would destroy them without so much as a single army?

These creatures are most commonly referred to as the living shadows, though the are often called phantoms, wraiths, or shades. They are quite literally creatures of darkness. Their formless black bodies, slide over the ground like a fog with murderous intent. Their bodies dark and insubstantial, and their eyes like red pools of burning hatred. Since they abhor light, it's hard to catch a proper glimpse of these creatures.

Unlike demons, many if not all, shadows are capable of communicating with human beings. However, this doesn't make interacting with them any less dangerous. No matter how sweet their words. Many offer promises of gold, or gifts of power. And while they often do deliver, the benefits are never worth the cost. These creatures strive to unbalance the world and send it into darkness. And if they can get mortal hands to do it for them, then all the sweeter.

Though they would prefer to fight men with men, this is not to say they are incapable of more direct action. Blades, short of the precious few enchanted weapons scattered throughout the land, tend to be horribly ineffective against these beings. Sliding through their smoky as if nothing was there. Their dark tendrils, though unable to do little direct physical harm, will sap the life essence out of a victim. Confronting these creatures with magic is perhaps the most effective, but those are capable of wielding it are rare.

Demons

The terror of the known world. There are few words more accurate than to simply label these creatures as monsters. The name 'demon' is applied to a large category creatures. From what seem to be armored, twisted, ravenous wolves, to bipedal chimeric monsters comprised of traits not known to be found in any single creature. Some of these beasts resemble the creatures that one might be accustomed to, though been twisted by the darkness within them. Others are alien, and seem more of things born of nightmares themselves.

Among the variety of labeled as demons, there are a few universal traits. Though intelligent, demons act as creatures without reason. Rabid monstrosities that live for nothing more than to hunt, to kill and to consume. An endless cycle of death and destruction. It's uncertain if any of them even understand any form of civilized language, and there is no record of anyone ever successfully communicating with them. Though this could be due to lack of comprehension or lack of care about the attempt, and no sane man has ever tried to determine which. Be that as it may, demons seem perfectly able to communicate with each other, as many have been seen to use traps and pack tactics while taking down their prey.

Generally speaking, demons only attack at night. The beasts are intolerant of sun light, and prefer to remain in the most pitch of darkness. Although there has been the rarest of occasions where demons have been found on the surface before night, demons typically aren't found out hunting before the sun has long set. Even the light of a full moon seems to make them uncomfortable, though unlike sunlight, it's rarely enough to slow them down. During the day, most demons retreat deep into underground caves and caverns while they wait for sun down. Some, however, linger at the threshold, preying upon anything that dares intrude unknowing upon their territory.

Celestials

Mysterious beings with bodies seemingly made of quicksilver, the celestials are often viewed as a form of divine justice by an uneducated populace. Those who have encountered them, and especially those who travel in the vicinity of the sea of shattered stars, know that the reality is less kind. While it is true that celestials have never been known to allow a creature of darkness to pass unharmed, and lives have been saved by a timely intervention, their actions towards humans is not always favorable. These beings seem to have little qualm cutting down a man that stands between them and their adversary. And in fact, have directly attacked for not discernible reason on more than one occasion.

The anatomy of these beings, if it exists, has yet to be determined. Their shimmering forms vaguely resemble men crudely formed from polished metal. Androgynous, with few defining features, they stand as tall as a grown man, though with no traits to define one as male or female. They have no apparent ears, no mouth, and the appearance of eyes or a nose seems to be completely superficial. Their entire bodies are as if made from a single shard of flowing, flawless silver. And while it has been observed that a celestial can be injured, and apparently even killed, their forms liquefy after receiving a fatal blow.

Although the are obviously intelligent, no man is known to have successful communicate with a celestial, or has borne witness to celestials communicate among themselves. It is possible that their method of communication is so far beyond what man is familiar with that they cannot perceive it. For most people however, the difference is truly academic. The important truth for most people to hold onto, is that one should stay out of the way if they encounter a celestial, and pray for the best.

Technology of Fortuna

On average, technology in Fortuna isn't much different than most fantasy settings. The sword is the weapon of choice of the majority of adventurers and well funded militaries. Armor is composed primarily of leather, chain and plate, though often lighter than the historical counterparts. Bows are found in use over most the world, though some areas prefer the more mechanical crossbows. The Shinean empire is particularly well known for their crossbows, and produce some of the mightiest bowmen in the world.

Transportation is a wide spanning area of development around the world. In the Shinean empire, with its well developed roads and stonework relies primarily on carts and caravans to move large amounts of goods with steady precision. In the east, it is more common to see riders traveling in groups, though wagons are hardly a rare sight (used mostly by merchants and nomads). Further east, in the developing lands, travel is best done by ship if you wish to be certain of your arrival at your destination. Air travel is effectively unheard of in the setting. Short of having wings, don't expect to pull free of the embrace of the earth.

Some areas are more developed than others of course. Zjathay villages are spartan huts, while imperial cities tend to be primarily constructed of stone, with thick walls, aqueducts, and often plumbing for those who can afford it. And a few smaller factions are known to possess even greater technology. The secretive organization known as 'The guild', is known to have ranks of mercenaries equipped with black powder weapons, though the refuse to sell the weapons at any price.

Due to the difference of natural resources, some areas have progressed differently than in our world. Medicine has focused greatly on herbalism, as many plants have greater benefits, and can cause greater maladies, than we are accustomed. And with the availability of adamant and other rare ores, alloys of great strength can be created, if one can stomach the exorbitant price due to their rarity.

And of course, there is the lost technology of the ancients. These horrendously rare relics are well beyond what any current civilization is capable of building, and is beyond the understanding of most.