This is a world I created for a future RP:
The setting takes place an uncertain time in the future. The Earth (called "Terra" by characters in this setting) has been destroyed, and people have been forced to emigrate to another world, known as Xeria.
The Native Xerians are relatively low-tech, ranging from neolithic to middle-ages.
The Three Races:
Humankind: Homo Sapiens, Children of Adam, Sky People, Terrans, and various other names are attributed to this species. Humanity was brought to this world after their own home’s destruction. Outside of Zion, most humans have stopped caring about their heritage, and have integrated into the tribes of Xeria. The Zion Republic, being founded and run by humans, tends to take pro-human stances. As a result, humans often have the benefits of social class. Because of Xeria’s weak magnetic field, humans have to consume small doses of anti-radiation tablets (which are relatively easy to make with things found on the planet).
Xerians: The natives of Xeria, obviously. They are also referred to as “Xenos”, “Elves”, or simply “Natives”. They look similar to humans, but with a few differences. Xerians have pointed ears, and have unusual eye structures (such as those associated with birds, reptiles, and amphibians). Some races of them have blue or green skin as well. Xerians heal very quickly. Their legal status in Zion varies from town to town, ranging from "full citizenship" to "second class citizenship". There was a time when enslaving Xerians was a way for a colony to grow. As recently as 50 years ago, Zion outlawed the enslavement of Xerians (preferring to stick with Android labor) However, they currently lack the ability to vote in a federal election. The President has been trying to change this, with little success so far.
Androids: Androids (also known as "Synths" informally. It's not a slur) are sentient machines. They’re built exclusively by corporations based in Zion, but are often sold away to the tribes, or occasionally escape to join them, or manage to outlive their creators. Androids are stronger and sturdier than humans. They are usually considered property in most areas. However, they are able to purchase their freedom. In most areas, they have small legal protections like "a 2000 gram fine if you murder one". Most of them are 3-laws compliant. However, the first and second law only apply to "Human citizens of Zion or their town". They can, for example, kill a Xerian without any programming restraints.
Race Relations: (Within Zion)
Human-Android: Opinions of robots generally range from them being "the hired help" (who should be treated well) to "appliances of no particular value outside of the work they do". The Church of Metatron wishes to improve their legal status. Robots have mixed feelings of mankind, that range from "oppressors that must be escaped" to "our glorious creators who must be served".
Human-Xerian: Xerians and Humans have a bit of a Sordid history in Zion. Many Xerians fear for the loss of their "native" cultures, and dislike being the subjects of a human power. However, many also like human technology, and the great work opportunities that the human government has provided to Xerians willing to cooperate with them. Human opinions of Xerians generally range from "Ignorant Barbarians" to "Noble Savages". It often depends on the human's experiences when dealing with them. Many colonies have been destroyed by Xerian raiding parties. Many have also been taught how to survive because of them.
Xerian-Android: Xerians and Androids generally do not like each other. Xerian tribals are every bit as willing to enslave Androids as Humans are. Robots are less willing to work for Xerians as they are for humans (humans created them. Xerians did not). Xerians who dislike humans also tend to dislike robots (who they see as as enabling Zion to exist). There are exceptions, but the general rule is that they distrust each other.
Theology:
The religion of Xeria is pretty universally accepted. Most of the members of the Xerian Parthenon show themselves to people frequently enough that it would be silly not to believe in them. They are however, very mysterious, shadowy figures. There are also wildly different denominations and affiliations.
In the beginning, there was Theos. Theos is the eternal, omnipotent god of destiny. In the fires of a star, he forged a living, breathing world known as Xeria. Using the same fires, he created 7 lesser gods, and gave the world to them. He tasked them with maintaining Xeria, keeping it progressing along his path. To this end, 2 gods known as Apollyon and Metatron were set up as the king of the lesser gods. Apollyon would rule night, and Metatron day. The other 5 (the elemental deities) would be their loyal subjects.
Overtime, the gods began to question Theos's path. Apollyon, eventually, grew to hate Theos, and ordered them to break away from Theos and follow him.
His brother, Metatron, was disgusted with Apollyon, and ordered his subjects to "stay the course". What they perceive as "pointless bickering" has caused the Elemental deities to lose faith in their kings. The elementals are now Ubermensches, who do whatever they feel makes them happy.
As the nearby planet Earth started to die, Metatron saw an opportunity. He called out to them, telling them to colonize Xeria. He was hoping they'd become loyal followers who would help him defeat Apollyon. However, the colonization had mixed success, and indeed, many even found themselves following Apollyon. However, many humans do like Metatron, who did save their species from extinction.
As for the Afterlife:
People who die in this world usually reincarnate. They lose all their memories, but their personality remains mostly intact. Most of the time, the person retains their gender and race, but there are exceptions. Worshiping Diluvii can sometimes cause somebody to have better luck in the "reincarnation lottery" so to speak.
Having a heart full of "darkness" (that is to say, Apollyon's favor and hatred of Theos) will cause someone to "Descend", and not reincarnate. Apollyonists consider this desireable, wishing for eternal rest.
Metatronists have the opposite view: they believe that immortality is very desirable. They however, don't consider reincarnation to be "good enough". One who's heart is filled with "light" can "Ascend" into the Zenith, where Theos lives.
However, neither Metatron nor Apollyon considers reincarnation to be a "bad" fate, just an "ok" one. It requires one's to be very much in their respective deity's favor to ascend or descend.
Spiritual light and darkness is not quite the same as good and evil. However, it's generally more conducive for a person seeking Ascension to be good, and Descension evil. Only through rigorous religious practice can one ever ascend or descend.
Magic:
Magic exists in this setting. Or rather, "Psionics", though many in this world call it Magic as a sort of slang term. There are several types of Psionics, each channeling a specific element:
-Aerokinesis (moving air. Can also solidify the air to some extent)
-Pyrokinesis (creating fire with one's mind)
-Cyrokinesis (causing the Ether to absorb heat from an object)
-Hydrokinesis (moving water with one's mind)
-Florakinesis (generating plant material. It cannot normally create edible plants, unfortunately)
-Geokinesis (moving rocks with one's mind)
There's a substance (a type of cold plasma) known as Ether. Ether is attracted to living material and especially certain types of crystals and precious metals. It's an invisible substance that can't be seen, felt, tasted, or smelled.
In order to use magic, a person needs a "focus". Focuses can be a lot of things, but are usually rings, wands, staves, eye or face wear, text (scrolls, books, that sort of thing), and candles.
In order to use magic, one needs a hold out their focus, and envision what they want their respective material to do. For example, if they want to throw a cushion of air at their opponent, they simply envision the air hitting their opponent. The better they visualize it, the better their element will "obey".
It also draws energy out of the user, causing them to eventually pass out. A better focus makes the process more efficient.
It's not truly supernatural, but it is something that most scientists don't understand. It's kind of like the human brain. Probably not supernatural, but very mysterious.
The Nations:
Zion Republic: The major protagonistic faction. Zion is a government formed from the surviving human colonies. They're one of the more technologically advanced factions. It's a Quasi-Theocratic Federal Constitutional Republic, with three branches of government: Legislative (with two houses), The President, and a supreme court. Civil Rights include Free Speech, Religious Freedom, Private Ownership of Weaponry, and Private Property.
Due to a distinct technological advantage (they introduced firearms into the region), Zion has become a military superpower, complete with extraterritoriality and a "World Police" foreign policy.
They follow two deities: Theos (the primordial diety who created all other gods) and Metatron (who they don't actually worship, but see as Theos's greatest servant).
ENIGMA: The Antagonists of the setting. Not Technically a nation, but something of an NGO Superpower, nonetheless. ENIGMA is a secret society of cultists/necromancers and pseudo-anarchist revolutionaries. They control 90% of organized crime. Their long-term goal is to overthrow all the world's governments and create a "utopia" without nations. Their conflict with Zion is the main focus of the story. ENIGMA associates with a deity known as Apollyon, though they do not directly worship him.
Their culture has something of inverted symbolism. "Darkness" is considered good in their society, for example. Specifically, darkness symbolizes acceptance and equality (you can't tell two people apart in the dark).
The following are Xerian states, each one following a "Sacred Element" (Fire, Water, Earth, Ice, and Plants):
Minerva: An Athens-like culture that lives near coastal regions, with its sacred element being water. Naturally, they have a sea-faring economy, and a giant navy. Their society is a true democracy, led by a Philospher-King. They associate with the deity Dilluvii, goddess of water, death, and reincarnation.
Giza: Ancient Egyptian culture, who worship Renibus, goddess of construction and mining. They like to build pyramids and monuments, and their society is lead by a Pharoah. They value work ethic.
Hooric Empire: The Hooric Empire is a Viking-like society who worship Calor, god of fire and the warrior spirit. Their society is built around strength. People who do well in the Arena often go on to become kings, and the strongest warrior is allowed to be the emporer. They value sportsmanship, honor, and ass-kicking.
The Silvians: An Asiatic culture who live in the forest in cities of treehouses. They worship Silvia, goddess of love and nature. They have a caste system, and their warriors follow a sort of bushido code.
The Crystal Kingdom: A kingdom off to the north, resembling medieval Europe. It always snows there. They value creativity, and worship Frigus, god of Winter and Art.