Reluctant Heroes is set in a modified medieval Western Europe that exists after the ages of Middle Earth and the Hyborian Age.

This Europe is inhabited with a multitude of ethnic and racial peoples, from the primitive human Picts of the Northern Wilds to the Immortal and highly advanced Grey Elves of Albion.  These nations and regions are mixed and mingled with historical regions of the Europe.  The Western World is indisputable dominated by the supreme miltary power of the Empire of Aquilonia; with her legendary armies of Bossonian archers, Gunderland pikemen and Poitanian knights.  More than any other kingdom, however, Aquilonia lies surrounded by grim and unrelenting enemies.

Within the Western World you might run into heroes and characters from mythology, history and fiction. The Arthurian bloodline does exist in the Western World, though the Arthurian Age has ended. The Merlin is a title meaning all-wise and knowing master; not a singular entity.  Durandal the sword of Roland lays waiting to be discovered.  Kralt the Walker walks the land; a Viking from historical accounts so big he could not ride a horse.  It is possible for a character to find Bilbo's beloved sword Sting, see Rivendell, cross the bridge of Khazud-dum, or hold council with Elrond himself.

In short, the Western World embodies the epic struggle between good and evil, and the difficulty of getting good people to overcome their fear and distrust to work together for the common good.

Wandering through the Western World you find a resemblance to a few fantasy sources:

Medieval History: The greatest of all sources; truth is stranger than fiction. The driving force of the medieval world was religion. The importance of religion during the medieval era is emphasized in this campaigns. This is done not only through churches, but also politics, economics and secular orders.

J.R.R. Tolkien: The Master; little more needs to be said. You will find elves that are immortal, the horses of Rohan, magical forests, sorcerers that wield swords as well as staves, and epic themes.

Robert E. Howard: Author of Conan, Cormac Mac Art, and the Hyborean World. The writing of Robert E. Howard was the cornerstone of the the sword and sorcery genre of the early 20th Century. His heroes were big, strong and fast, they suffered no fools and came through Epic Battles stronger than before, though bruised and bloody.  Look around the Western World and you will find Cimmerians, Gaels, Picts, Hyrcanians, Stygians, strong warriors, beautiful princess, and evil sorcerers. 

Mercedes Lackey: Author of the Valdemar Chronicles. Her writings, along with the already-existing Tuatha, have inspired the Heralds and Herald-Mages of Lorraine. You may in the future encounter the Heralds, which differ as much as possible from the horses of Rohan -- which also exist within the world.

Mickey Zucker Reichart: Author of Nightfall and Return of Nightfall. Her writings have inspired a darker element to the sorcerers in this game, and the addition of a new sub-race of Tuatha.

L.E. Modesitt Jr: Author of the Spellsong cycle. His writings of the spellsong wars and rebuilding a broken nation with what amounts too a Lyre of Building inspire the imagination.

Your Character and the Western World

The Western World is home to many races and ethnic groups, each with their own flavor of dress, customs, and habits.  You are highly encouraged to immerse yourself in your character as much as possible.  If he is a Saxon fighter, take some time to find out about historical Saxon life. Simple internet searches will give you short readings of how Saxons dressed and lived, what weapons they preferred, and famous Saxons. Then act the part.

The average medieval traveler did not ever eat roast boar or deer; that was reserved for noble alone. Commoners ate pottage, a pasty gruel of vegetables and little else, rarely with a little meat. Utensils were not used, other than a knife and maybe a wooden spoon. Dogs and often livestock slept with people. A man on a horse was considered wealthy and above most commoners, as was anyone who had a sword.

Your character should have a life before adventuring. Reluctant Heroes allows you to create realistic characters of varying social and economic backgrounds.  It is expected that your character will have non-combat skills and interests to cultivate during gameplay.  Your DMs will provide you with any encouragement and background information you need to make a uniquely memorable and enjoyable character.

Prominent human cultures in the Western World

Anglo-Welsh - this is early 12th century England after the Norman Conquest and the first of the crusades.

Aquitanian - a mix of 5th century Roman Republic, and Robert E. Howards Aquilonia. With shades of 13th Century Holy Roman Empire.

Burgundian - Early 13th Century Burgundia

Celtic - 1st to 2nd Century Celtic Empire after the fall of Vercingetorix, but before the defeat of Boadiccea

Flanders - Early 14th Century Flanders on the eve of the Hundred Years War, at the rise of independent City-States.

Frank - Carolingian Franks after the death of Charlamagne (Carlus Magnus)

Gaelic - 10th Century Scots before the English conquest

Goth - 7th Century Goths at the wane of their empire

Grenada and Cordoba - late 7th to early 8th Century Hispaniola, with a little 12th C.

Hyrcania - 13th Century Mongol Empire after the fall of the Golden Horde

Norman - 12th Century Normandy and France after the Norman Conquest

Norse - 9th to 11th Century Vikings

Saxon- 8th to 10th Century Saxon Hegemony

Non-human races in the Western World

Dwarven - 15th Century German Landscnecht. Feared for their heavily armed infantry. The Dwarves guard their secret knowledge deep within their halls. These secrets includes advanced mathematics, metallurgy and gunpowder.

Elven - no human equivalent close, look to Tolkein.

Giants - A mix between Scandinavian giants and the giants of Robert E. Howard.

Gnoll - Semi-Nomadic hunters, great opportunists, feared archers

Gnome - The Tradesmen of the High Middle-Ages, the inventors of great knew technologies.

Goblin - the dregs of Humanoid society, but have found some homes to themselves and rule where Goblins outnumber all others.

Halfling - 13th Century Ireland. Mostly small farms, and merchants, little military of note.

Hobgoblin - very close to the infamous Mongols, structured, rule the Kingdom of Turan, also known as Magyars.

Orcs - Widely spread throughout the world, their numbers and strong leaders make them a force to be reckoned with, commonly called Uruks or Uriks.