In this world, magic is called “Essence”. Humans, Lithoborne, Elfines, and Krogoths are the only species with access to Essence, in that they are born with it at random. There are the exceptions which are very, very rare; those that survive an extreme random event at Phaethe Falls can gain the ability to wield Essence. Essence, much like magic, ranges in power and ability, such as the elements, telekinetics, etc.
This rare element, discovered by the Lithoborne, enabled the giant scientific leap in the Superunknown. It provides an immense amount of energy and using the correct ways of extracting it, easier than expected to mine. This element essentially morphed the eastern part of The Roam and sent it to the sci-fi age. But before that, it was the one thing that literally turned the tide against the Essence armies of the west in their conquest of The Roam. Mass Reactors were built to help extract the element.
There are no "official" religions in the Superunknown. All populations have segregated into many different beliefs on creation, where Essence comes from, and any potential "supernatural" powers/entities that influence the world around them. Examples would be worship of nature itself, poly and monotheistic gods, and atheists. This is mainly due to the chaotic nature of Essence.
While there are plenty of legendary personas that have graced The Superunknown, it wouldn't be complete without some legendary items. There are tales of one-of-a-kind weapons, armors, and trinkets scattered through the lands, lost through time. Some are believed to be true, while others are regarded as metaphors for something else. Sometimes these items are worth more than Essence itself, so running across one should not be taken lightly.
All kingdom areas are ran in a city-state fashion. Here, each city is also its own state. Cities control the territory around them, trade with their neighbors, make war on their enemies, and generally perform all the tasks of a national government on a more limited scale. Forms of the various city-states’ governments may be wildly different, or they may follow a similar pattern across the region or world.
Each kingdom has different processes for how they determine who is the active "ruler".
Everlong - A "council" seek and anoint who they deem most fit to rule based on all facets: strength, Essence, knowledge, and leadership. The belief is that the most powerful person on the Superunknown should rule and govern the most powerful kingdom.
The Gauntlet - Alterbeast succeed their rulers by bloodline
Stellarvania - Due to their self-proclaimed "strong" connection to The Soundgarden, those deemed the person with the strongest Essence should rule here
Tragic Kingdom - Krogoths allow the strongest one (physical/combat in nature) of their kind to rule here
River City - Elfines succeed their rulers by bloodline
Oasis - Typically a family member of the ruling person in River City
Aurora - Lithoborne succeed their rulers by bloodline
Fitz's Corner - Typically a family member of the ruling person in Aurora
Unforgiven - Succeed by bloodline; if the bloodline dies out then the next ruler is strictly from within that kingdom
Wasting Light - Whoever is the strongest and most cunning to assume control
The "Nomad" Cities (Kontra, Last Hope, Cypress Hill, Arlandria, and Paradise) historically never had any official government/ruling party as they were just communities grouped together operating independently. After the War of Conquest, these cities became official and were ran democratically. With the rise in tech and "corporations" becoming larger and more prominent, it's believed that certain figures in each of the cities have a majority of control with their power and wealth.