The Cultures
Miragia is home to different sapient species, each of which specializes in the form of magic that is dominant in their original homelands.
The northern polar region is where the shapeshifters come from – Werewolves, Fauns, and Vampires. Magic that affects the mind or emotions is also more common there.
The continents close to the equator are marked by magic that affects the building blocks of the world. The Elves, in particular, pride themselves on their ability to control those elements.
In the south, abilities tend to become more abstract again. Of note are the merfolk who have the reputation of being supernaturally seductive. The landmasses were settled by researchers of other species who work on creating animated constructs.
Conflicts below the Surface
In general, life is good on Miragia. However, most cultures have a clear idea of how far someone may deviate from the norm before they no longer deserve that life. Those who do not fit the mould will soon realize that their noble civilization is not quite as noble – and that some monsters are more compassionate than some knights in shining armor.
The Elves consider themselves the pinnacle of creation and consider the other cultures “higher animals.” This is especially troublesome for their immediate neighbors, the Werewolves.
Among the humans, there is a religion on the rise that considers magic dishonorable and tries to suppress it in their entire species. This paints a target on the back of those people who still follow the old traditions of elemental magic.
Another divide exists between the mammalian peoples and those resembling reptiles or aquatic animals. The realization that “the other side” is significantly more alien often leads to unlikely alliances between cultures that are enemies otherwise.
The South, in particular, holds colonies of cultures that throw away all moral principles in the name of progress. Whoever wants to keep up with their rivals faces the pressure to ignore their own values.
Stories
A pack of traumatized Werewolf-Elves
wants to dispose of the king
who declared their existence illegal.