Titus

Titus, meaning 'Land of the Titans' in an archaic and long-forgotten language, is the planet and one of four planes where the events of Shadow of the Old Gods takes place. The planet is comprised mostly of two major landmasses, known amongst its folk in common-tongue as the Western Continent and Eastern Continent. Surrounding these continents, and dotting the rest of the sea-covered globe, are smaller islands, fading very quickly in comparison to the size of the two plates.

## Etymology

In an unknown language, lost to time many thousands of years prior to present day (1491), 'Titus' likely meant 'Land of the Gods'. Historians and biologists living on the planet have studied the movement of the tectonic plates, as well as the remains of creatures that lived long ago. These scientists have made assumptions claiming that the land was one giant landmass prior to being ripped in half, during an event known as The Rupture, and on that landmass lived colossal creatures known as Titans.

In all books and scrolls that have been recovered and translated, very few words have been successfully brought over to Common. Titus, as well as several other nomenclature for the various Gods of the land, have been successfully transliterated from this language.

## Rupture & Continents

Legends are told that the Eastern and Western Continents were once a single land mass, until an event known as the Rupture, allegedly caused by the Old Gods abandoning Titus, split the land in half. Monsters, demons and creatures spilled out from the void below, until the gods intervened and wove the ground and sea, filling the hole and preventing any further evil from attacking the surface. Nobody has ever been able to verify these facts, as this supposedly took place almost 1500 years ago, and the ocean shows trace amounts of magic.

**In truth**, the split was caused by a natural earthquake, with no intervention from any deities. However, this earthquake was large enough to split the primary continent of Titus into two major landmasses, which, at the time, was completely unexplainable. Thus, the dominant religion, Aetherism, and its leaders identified this as the end of an epoch.

Religious beliefs aside, this natural disaster caused a major upset to animals and monsters living in the meridian (vertical axis of the centre of the land), thus sending these creatures across the land. This is where the belief that it was a curse from the gods comes from.

## Natural History

*Main article: History of Titus*

Titus has a long and expansive history, though much of it is still being uncovered by historians. Modern history currently dates from 1 PR ("Post-Rupture") to 1491 PR. Most recorded events that took place prior to the Rupture were lost. The Rupture caused many other natural disasters, including fires, floods, and relocation of monsters, which led to many museums and collections being destroyed. While those who survived attempted to salvage what they could, very little remains today.

However, what was left behind helped shape the future. Cities and towns that were destroyed were quickly rebuilt, thanks to magic and leaps in technology.

## Life on Titus

Very little is known about life prior to the Rupture. However, from 1 PR to present day, the races abiding on the planet have lived in a mixture of chaos and harmony. Life on the planet ranges from nanoscopic creatures and cells, to colossal, sky-scraping creatures. In between, there are many races such as Humans, Tieflings, Elves, Dwarves, and more, that live in various locations across both continents, and on other islands around the world.

So far, no known living creature has left the planet, nor has other intelligent life from beyond the stars landed on Titus. Scientists assume life only exists on Titus, given a lack of evidence to the contrary.

Titus is subject to cyclones, tornadoes, floods and other extreme weather, often with very little warning. These natural disasters have a great impact on creatures living in areas affected by this weather. Throughout the year, approximately 300 sunrises, Titus experiences four primary seasons, where the weather and temperature shifts dramatically. Flora and fauna react to these seasons, by increasing or decreasing energy expenditure as the weather becomes cooler and warmer respectively.

## Races and Creatures

Humans are the primary life form dwelling on Titus, though there are also high amounts of Humanoid races.

* Elves - Humanoid, characterised by long, pointy ears, tall and skinny stature, and extreme resilience to weather. Elves can live to be well over 700 years old, compared to the average Human lifespan of 70 - 80 years.
* Dwarves - Humanoid, characterised primarily by their short yet bulky physique. Dwarves often live underground, or in and around rocky locations, but many also choose to live in cities and towns.
* Halflings - Humanoid, characterised by their small stature, are more skittish and prefer to live in forest locations. Halflings who choose to live in cities or towns often present themselves as entertainment workers, avoiding physical labor where possible.
* Tieflings - Demons who have mated with a Human spawn a Tiefling. Whilst the race used to be the target of abuse and prejudice, Tieflings are now more widely accepted in Human colonies across Titus.
* Monsters - Ranging in size, shape, diet and territory, monsters are categorised as quasi-intelligent animals that will attack anyone who enters their territory. They are classed separately from animals, as they are more dangerous than a standard wild animal.
	+ Whilst many intelligent races categorise Kobolds, Goblins, the Fae and other similar races as "monsters", this is not strictly true. Some particularly intelligent members of these races find the notion offensive.

## Religion

*Main articles: Aether (Plane) and Void (Plane)*

The primary religion on Titus, spanning most cities and towns, is Aetherism. The deities praised in Aetherism do not visit the land of Titus, but are directly responsible for its creation and maintenance. Many believe the gods are also responsible for major world events.

In fact, there are several gods that do exist in the universe. There are 10 currently existing gods that are the recipients of prayer. Five exist in the Aether, the Realm of the Gods, and the other five exist within the Void, otherwise known as Hell, the Depths, the Underworld, and so on.

These gods are not more or less benevolent, dependent on their location, but instead bring cosmic balance to the universe. All 10 gods work in relative harmony to ensure Titus, both the world and the larger plane as a whole, do not become unbalanced and damaged.

There are other smaller religions across Titus, such as a Kobolodic religion that praises an ancient Draconic Titan. Priests of this religion attempt to use clerical powers to resurrect their god, but all attempts have been, as yet, unsuccessful.

Another prominent religion in Titus is the Cult of Mithirus. Mithirus, the Old God of Rage, is the only known Old God, who many believe is directly responsible for the Rupture; the destruction of the land and the chaos that followed. Following the Rupture, it is believed that she was sealed away somewhere in the Void, and her release will cause a second Rupture. Many who believe society is immoral worship Mithirus, and are attempting to resurrect a great Titan in her name, in hopes of causing a Second Rupture to wipe life clean and start anew.