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The world before the world.

The Age of Dreams, also called the 'Dreaming', is the name given to the time preceding the world as it exists today. During this time, spellcasters were far more common and far magic was far more accepted. Magic Items were built with ease and regularity.  Arcanists appeared to be much more powerful in general, evidenced by the fact that they were able to do a lot more individually. The lasting reputations for these casters still harbor the power of yesteryear. Both villainous and heroic. And Age that ended in Fire and Ruin

Social order
In the Age of Dreams, material wealth had come to mean virtually nothing, as the means existed by which virtually anyone could acquire it. Instead, an individual gained social stature, respect, and high office by means of their service. Everyone was born with two names, and only through great service could one gain a third. This service could take the form of virtually anything so long as it benefited the community in some way. Great historians, scientists, researchers, healers, humanitarians, philosophers, engineers; all could acquire a third name if their work merited it. Theoretically, nobody was unhappy, and all were provided for.... though that is impossible to know for certain.

Arcanists and Cabalists in the Age of Dreams had to work as hard for this recognition as any, and casting was seen as an advantage of the elite. A gift that needed to be justified by merit. Not all is as it might appear. According to Scythian Lore, despite the society's apparently utopian state, there were still social problems festering beneath civilization's veneer that the Nine Nations did not want to acknowledge.

Government
Not much survives in the way of records of the world governments. There were parliaments and councils that somehow interacted with one another to come to decisions. It is uncertain how much area or population these bodies presided over, although it is thought to be substantial. The effectiveness of the global government, however, seems questionable. According to surviving lore, various individuals responsible for governing were apparently ignoring a considerable number of social problems.