Mythic Europe
Ars Magica Primer | |
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Game Setting | |
Mythic Europe | |
The Order of Hermes | |
The Order of Hermes The Code of Hermes The Peripheral Code Hermetic Book Cycle |
Mythic Europe is much like the Europe of 1220, the middle ages, but with dragons, demons, angels, and faeries all unquestionably real, and no aspect of society is untouched by myth.
-Ars Magica Fifth Edition, p. 4
Mythic Europe is the canonical setting where Ars Magica sagas take place. While closely based on early 13th century Europe, Mythic Europe deviates from history by incorporating myth, legend, and wild unabashed fantasy into the historic background.
In some respects, Mythic Europe is very similar to historical Europe. It occupies the same geographical region, its inhabitants cling to the same medieval beliefs and values, it has the same social institutions such as the Catholic Church and even specific persons such as the Holy Roman Emperor Frederic II and Pope Gregory IX.
However, Mythic Europe is awash with magic and the supernatural. The power of God is manifest, faeries bargain with mortals, demons hunger for souls, and wizards live in great towers. Ars Magica focuses on the tales of wizards, which by the nature of things tends to accentuate the Mythic elements of the setting.
Above all, Mythic Europe is not fixed. While canon presents a certain vision of Mythic Europe, with a certain level of historical veracity and a certain level of myth, storyguides and troupes are encouraged to vary from canon and historical precedents when running their own sagas.
The Order of Hermes and the Realms of Power
Main Article: The Order of Hermes and the Realms of Power
European Powers
Main Article: Powers of Europe
Some recent history in western Europe.
The Catholic Church
Main Article: The Catholic Church
Some information known about the Catholic Church.
Social Organization
Main Article: Social Organization