Fortune's Blades is not the story of just one person, but the interwoven tale of a whole world of characters, all battling their own challenges, whether brought about by the magic-laden world around them, by their own personal failings, the whims of the gods, or just plain old bad luck.
The deadly art of war meshes well with the deadlier arts of magic, much to the dismay of those caught in the middle. Those orders dedicated to harnessing powers like the Aspect or Casting are oft too late in realizing that they're playing with fire, sometimes literally. But at the bottom of this churning cauldron of danger, the strong can find hope. The Aspect cares not for wealth or noble blood; the grit of true mastery cannot be purchased.
The continent of Iralpa is a stained and bloodied canvas, bearing thousands of years of scars in all its hidden corners, but one where anyone, from the lowliest serf to the pampered sons of emperors can, and perhaps must, leave their mark.
Iralpa
"Some call it the laboratory of the gods; some say Iralpa was meant to be but a play yard for the divine. Others say it was built to be a prison, or even a tomb, for beings beyond even the Eternals. In the darkest recesses of the world, some unlucky few know the truth."
A diverse land, straining under the weight of sixty million souls, Iralpa is the central world and setting of Fortune's Blades.
The land of Iralpa is kind to some, but most find that it's all too easy to end up on the business end of a blade. Even those so blessed to be kings or emperors may find themselves on the wrong side of the divine. From the sweltering jungle islands of the Jonodean, to the snow-dusted pine woods of Trondland, this slice of the planet Tellanis can be a warm cradle, a frozen catacomb, or the fire that awaits outside of the boiling pot.
"Many cultures and species call Iralpa home. Some are even intelligent." Even under the uniting, albeit uncaring, boot of the Kerdentine Empire, Iralpa's peoples can hardly be convinced to keep away from each other's throats. Constant wars seam the lands, pitting man against man, elf against reptilian, and countless other violent combinations.
Of course, few are truly defenseless. Several forms of magic, complex and simple, ethereal or so deceptively mundane, are at the fingertips of those who have the grit to hone their skills. Skillsets like the Aspect and Casting take control and discipline, unless one wants to hurt themself. But who wants to listen to reason? Precious few, and those few had better watch themselves, lest they fall off whatever paths of wisdom they may have found. It doesn't help that some of the gods aren't exactly known for their hands-off approach.
The Severed Sands, The Long Shallows, and The Shattered Gales follow the dual stories of Aliyah Bevsa and Darius Abrika, two users of the Aspect: A combat-oriented form of magic, that grants users supernatural strength, speed, stamina, and fighting skills. If only that was enough to keep them out of danger.
Wars raging on land and sea, and the Kerdentine Empire marching towards conquest of all the world soon become the least of their problems as they're made to contend with undead hordes, world-shattering magics, vexatious gods, and, most formidable of all, their own failings.
The land of Rashitun and the Jonodean Sea to its south are unforgiving hosts, the cruelest of their denizens more than happy to take what they call theirs, no matter who dies in the process. After all, once one is dead, they're not liable to care if their body is made into a servant.