Each character in Dark Age of Camelot is
a member of a Realm -- Albion, Midgard, or Hibernia -- which determines
what kind of race and class they can be. The background, races, classes,
and geography of each Realm is taken directly from the histories, legends,
and mythology of Arthurian Britain, Viking-era Scandinavia, and ancient
Ireland.
A character's Realm is his home. All
members of his Realm are his friends, and all members of opposing Realms
are his enemies, and can be attacked on sight.
The Britons
The Britons are the human inhabitants of Albion, the
kingdom that Arthur founded and kept intact for his reign. Now, however,
it is starting to decline – especially in the border areas, where
constant incursion by enemy raiding parties is becoming common. The
Britons are comprised of the common Briton, the tall intelligent Avalonian,
the brawny Highlander, and the dexterous Saracen.
Briton magic comes from the study of the arts of
elemental magic – the essence of all that is around us. The center of
this study is the city of Avalon, which boasts the strongest and most
powerful mage guilds.
The Highlanders were driven from their territories north
of Camelot by the incessant warfare with the other Realms. They are larger
than the other Britons, usually are strong and hardy. The Avalonians are
from the mystical city of Avalon, which is the seat of magical study in
Albion. Hence, they are of a more magical bent than the other Briton
inhabitants. The Saracens are the descendents of Sir Palomides, the dusky
Knight from the far southern deserts whose descendents remained in Albion
to help further Arthur’s crusade. They are generally quicker and more
dexterous than their Briton counterparts.
The Norse
The Norse hail from the northern kingdom of Midgard,
comprising the modern-day region of Scandinavia. They are generally stocky
in build, strong, and not quite as civilized as inhabitants of the other
Realms. However, when it comes to fighting, the Norse are equaled by none.
Traditionally, the races of Midgard do not cooperate fully, but in this
time of conquest and danger, they have put aside their differences to
fight their common enemies. The Norse races are the human Norseman, the
large strong Troll, the short hardy Dwarf, and the small crafty Kobold.
Norse magic comes almost exclusively from their gods –
from Odin, Thor, and Hel. Trolls and Kobolds can also choose to become the
wild Shaman, a primitive tribal magic user.
The Norsemen are the humans of Midgard, and as such are
tall, hale, hardy, but generally not as civilized as humans from other
Realms. The Trolls are large fearsomely strong creatures who make great
fighters. The Dwarves are stocky and wise, making good priests and
fighters. The Kobolds are smaller than dwarves, but much quicker and more
dexterous, excelling in the arts of hiding and climbing..
The Hibernians
The emerald green western island of Hibernia is
inhabited by the nature-worshipping human Celts. At one time in the
island’s history, the Celts warred with the primal magic using "Otherworld"
elvish creatures that were said to live "under the hill" in
fantastical cities. In light of the mutual threat of armed invasion by
Norse or Britons, the Otherworld creatures have joined forces with the
Celts to form a powerful combination of magic, nature worship, and arms.
The Hibernians are made of the human Celts, who
demonstrate a profound affinity with nature. The Elves are beautiful tall,
thin, humanoids who specialize in all forms of magical spell casting, and
have the ability to bear arms. The almost-giant Firbolg combine nature
worship with practical magic and arms skills. The small, quick Lurikeen
show an aptitude for both spellcasting as well as dexterous fighting.
Hibernian magic comes from two sources. Their most
powerful spells come from the Otherworld Elvish mastery of primal Arcane
magic. Other casters also have a variety of nature-based druidic spells.
In general, the Hibernians are the most magically-inclined of all the
Realms – almost all of their classes support some sort of spell-casting.
