Reference Guide for Friends & Fables — One Piece Setting
(Erased from history; only fragments survive on Poneglyphs)
The Ancient Kingdom: A vast, advanced civilization flourishes. Known for its mysterious technology and ideals of freedom.
The 20 Kingdoms’ Alliance: Fearful of the Ancient Kingdom’s power, twenty rulers unite in war.
Fall of the Ancient Kingdom: The alliance wins, wiping the kingdom from memory. History of this era is deliberately erased.
Poneglyph Creation: The Kozuki Clan of Wano engraves indestructible stone records of the truth, scattering them across the world.
Joy Boy’s Promise: An individual named Joy Boy attempts an agreement with the mermaid princess of Fish-Man Island, connected to the Noah ship and the Sea Kings. He fails to fulfill it, leaving behind an apology Poneglyph.
🔹 DM Hooks: The Void Century can be the backbone of a campaign arc — uncovering fragments of history through Poneglyphs, ruins, or ancient weapons.
The Alliance Triumphs: The 20 allied kingdoms establish a unified rule.
Mary Geoise Built: The Celestial Capital rises on the Red Line, symbolizing dominance.
The Celestial Dragons: Families of the original kings are elevated as “World Nobles,” living in luxury while ruling from above.
The Empty Throne: A symbolic seat created to show equality among kings — in truth, controlled by the secret sovereign Imu.
The Three Ancient Weapons (Poseidon, Pluton, Uranus) are tied to this era, with the Government beginning efforts to suppress or control them.
🔹 DM Hooks: Encounters with Celestial Dragons can escalate bounties and bring Admirals into play instantly. Secrets of the Empty Throne and Imu can serve as endgame revelations.
(Sparse details; heavily censored in records)
Rise of Cipher Pol: The World Government develops secret police (CP0–CP9), specializing in assassination, intelligence, and propaganda.
Suppression of History: Scholars, explorers, and archaeologists who search too deeply are silenced.
Wano Isolation: The Kozuki-led nation closes its borders to protect the Poneglyph makers and their knowledge.
Fish-Man Island’s Role: The royal family agrees to guard a Poneglyph, continuing Joy Boy’s legacy.
Weapons of Mass Power: Blueprints and knowledge of the Ancient Weapons begin to circulate, leading to covert hunts and wars.
🔹 DM Hooks: Cipher Pol agents make excellent recurring villains. Isolated nations (like Wano) offer story arcs of discovery and forbidden alliances.
Scholars of Ohara: A community of archaeologists study the Poneglyphs, seeking the truth of the Void Century.
The Ohara Incident: The World Government executes a Buster Call, erasing the island for “forbidden research.”
Survivors: A handful, like Nico Robin, escape. Their survival ensures fragments of history remain alive.
🔹 DM Hooks: Player characters may find forgotten Oharan texts, meet secret disciples, or stumble into surviving fragments of the island’s archives.
Rocks D. Xebec rises, forming the Rocks Pirates — a crew of monstrous individuals including future Yonko.
God Valley Incident: Rocks is defeated by Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp. The island itself mysteriously vanishes from maps.
Yonko Foundations: Whitebeard, Kaido, and Big Mom rise from Rocks’ defeat to carve their own empires.
Celestial Dragon Trauma: This battle cements their paranoia, leading to even greater Marine militarization.
🔹 DM Hooks: Rocks Pirates’ remnants or hidden treasures can be woven into modern-day campaigns.
Gol D. Roger sets sail, carving a path across the Grand Line.
Clash with Shiki the Golden Lion: Establishes Roger as a peer to the strongest pirates alive.
Discovery of Laugh Tale: Roger’s crew reaches the end of the Grand Line, uncovering the “One Piece” and the truth of history.
The Great Secret: Roger laughs at the revelation, dubbing the final island “Laugh Tale.”
🔹 DM Hooks: NPCs who served under Roger (or opposed him) can appear as old legends with knowledge or grudges.
Roger’s Execution: In Loguetown, Roger declares that his treasure — the One Piece — is real.
The Great Pirate Era Begins: Tens of thousands take to the seas in pursuit of the treasure.
Marine Strain: The World Government strengthens the Marine forces, introducing the Warlord system to balance the Yonko threat.
🔹 DM Hooks: The current age your campaign is in. Rival pirates, Marines, Warlords, and revolutionaries are all active.
The Yonko: Four Emperors dominate the New World, serving as the greatest pirate powers.
The Marines: Led by Fleet Admiral Sengoku (later Akainu depending on era), wield Admirals as ultimate weapons.
The Warlords: A balancing act of seven government-sponsored pirates, both allies and liabilities.
The Revolutionary Army: Monkey D. Dragon gathers strength, aiming to topple the World Government.
The Players: Their actions may reshape the seas — or uncover truths lost since the Void Century.