“The whole earth, perpetually steeped in blood, is nothing but a vast altar upon which all that is living must be sacrificed without end, without measure, without pause, until the consummation of things, until evil is extinct, until the death of death.” — Joseph de Maistre

Introduction

Welcome to the world of The Wylder, a mysterious realm whose structure and inhabitants are generated from humanity’s collective beliefs, fears, and imaginings! In time, since past, this otherworld was directly connected to our own, and drew upon the latent energy of our subconsciousness to bring its wonders to life. As such, the Wylder is home to all manner of fantastical creatures that you will encounter or perhaps even play as; everything from Leprechauns to Toy Knights have a home in the Wylder!

The aim of The Wylder is to create a diverse world that can be filled with creatures and characters from a wide range of cultural sources. To encourage creativity and inclusivity, we have made the intellectual property of the Wylder free for anyone to license. This means that anyone can use the Wylder as a "creative sandbox" to tell their own stories, whether it's through a comic book, short story, role-playing game campaign, or any other medium!

Editor's Note:
While it can be exciting to have a blank canvas with endless possibilities, it can also be overwhelming. To help you get started, we have provided information about one region of the Wylder known as Mag Na Mell. You can use this information as is or modify any and all of it to fit your needs. As always, the most important thing is to collaborate with your group and choose what will work best for your table!

The Tone of the Wylder

The Wylder is an inherently fantastical world by nature that draws inspiration from a wide range of sources when creating stories within it. However, we also strive to maintain a sense of realism within the world of the Wylder. While our primary interpretation of the setting may be more similar to a serious fantasy series like "Lord of the Rings" than a whimsical show like "Adventure Time," we welcome the diversity that comes from allowing anyone to use the Wylder's intellectual property. This means that other creators are free to interpret the setting in their own way, whether it aligns with our vision or not.

The main region of The Wylder that we have explored is that of Mag Na Mell, a land largely dominated by two distinct groups of beings; Monsters and Toys. We pulled heavily from Celtic, Eastern European, North African, and American mythologies in the creation of this land. However, you can find or place elements from practically any mythology or folklore scattered throughout.


Mag Na Mell is a land with a long and storied history, stretching back thousands of years. Over time, it has seen the rise and fall of many civilizations, each with their own unique histories and cultural influences. However, the wars and conflicts that have defined Mag Na Mell have left it in a state of devastation, with the cycle of growth, destruction, and rebirth leaving it in a precarious position. Despite this, the rich history of Mag Na Mell is full of excitement and wonder, waiting to be explored by those brave enough to venture within its borders.

This setting has been painted in broad strokes to allow for exploration of the complexities and struggles of individuals caught between the influence of gods, cultures, and their own prejudices.

From the clear-cut forests of Carnac to the magic-infused sands of Aegyptus, the once lush and vibrant land of Mag Na Mell has rarely known peace. Each Age has been largely defined by the conflicts of its time, and deep now do we find ourselves within the Age of Folk.

Currently, Mag Na Mell finds itself dominated by two primary factions: the militaristic theocracy of the Toy Collection and the diverse federation of Fomorian Clans. Both groups were created from humanity's fears and imaginations, and although they are unaware of our existence, their story centers on their struggles with the characteristics that we have unknowingly passed on to them.

It has been nearly two thousand years since the arrival of the New Gods, two opposing entities that have since become the patron deities of the two factions. Generally referred to as the Maker and the Breaker, these two beings have had an immeasurable effect on the cultures and histories of their followers.

The Maker is revered by the Toy Collection as a source of life and protection, while the Breaker is worshiped by the Fomorian Clans as a bringer of sentience and law. Both the Maker and the Breaker have played significant roles in shaping the events and stories of Mag Na Mell, and their influence is still felt throughout the land today.

But while the spectre of war hangs over most of the land the physical reality of it cannot be everywhere at once, and it is here within these tenuous pockets of normality where life can be found flourishing. Mysterious and fantastical creatures can be found where ancient secrets lie, and in a world shaped by our own stories, there’s always adventure behind every corner!

A Few Things to Know

  • A world of Human subconscious.

    The Wylder is a world created from the collective subconsciousness of humanity. It is home to all manner of creatures, rituals, and other fantastical elements; if you can imagine it, it probably has a place within the Wylder. While it doesn’t create exact replicas, (for example, the Greek god Zeus does not exist within the world, but a wylder-god that is similar to him might), we encourage players and game masters to add interesting and unique elements from their own cultures or favorite stories to make the experience more authentic and enjoyable to the table!

  • A world of individuals.

    It's important to remember that while the factions and people of the Wylder may be portrayed in simplistic terms, individuals rarely fit into neat categories. While the conflict between Toys and Monsters may seem like a battle between good and evil, our stories often show that this is not always the case. Heroes and villains come in all shapes and sizes, and it's imperative to recognize the complexity and nuance within each character.

  • A world of war.

    The land has been in a constant state of war with factions rotating between aggressor and defender; at times fighting for greed, others for vengeance, and sometimes simply for survival.

  • A world of Monsters.

    Fomorians are one of the oldest classifications of mortals to exist in the Wylder and have had to experience the loss of a world they had carved out for themselves. Due to the vastness of their variety, they are individualistic to a fault. Their clans are rarely based on race and are more often the result of diverse families coming together under a single banner for protection. Theirs has always been a fight for freedom and safety, whether against Wyldergods, Toys, or even themselves.

  • A world of Toys.

    The relative newcomers to the Wylder, they are a united and militaristic faction banded together under their God, the Maker. Since his disappearance, however, their once-strong seams have begun to split, as individual priorities and ambitions clash with one another. Though while internal struggles may threaten their cohesion, when it comes to other races they are steadfast in protecting that which they perceive to be theirs.

  • A world of mystery.

    Modern Fomorian and Toy nations are built upon ancient and forgotten civilizations and are surrounded by enigmatic powers that are only whispered about in rumors and drunken tales. Wylder Gods permeate the lands with their cults, working towards inscrutable ends. Fae operate on the fringes of society, harboring a bitter hatred for those that occupy lands that were once theirs. Even the seas are loathe to reveal the secrets hidden beneath their waves. At all times in the Wylder, stepping outside the safety of a settlement is an invitation for adventure!