Labyrinth Paths (Center Affinity): Every alley in Cardinal City has a tie to The Labyrinth, in one way or another. Graffiti serves as warning, or guide, in the inhospitable squalor that goes unseen by most. Enter any alleyway in Cardinal City and look hard enough, there is a high chance you'll find an old warning or freshly made mark of obvious chroma. Despite the dangers, both known and uncertain, there exists one saying concerning The Labyrinth that holds true.

"Follow the red and yellow trails. All others will lead you astray."

Seekers who enter this place will find an abundance of Negative Resonance that can be harvested without effort. However, utilizing this place's dark heart will drive spikes of madness through those who are unprepared. It is not unusual to encounter people in one of the many veins of The Labyrinth, be they friend or foe.

Right now there is a rumor among the 'street artist' community of a ghost tagger, who no one can seem to find; save for the moniker they have left behind. "KOKO" which can be seen plastered in strange places, is attributed to no artist currently living in The Labyrinth's scene. Many of the Labyrinth Dwellers and delvers feel a strange 'otherness' from these tags...as though they were not meant to exist.

Abandoned Docks (Volatile Affinity): Since their abandonment twenty years prior, this southern stretch of Cardinal City's beautiful beachfront is marred by rotting abodes and baleful hovels constructed by the stubborn, leathery folk that still call this place their home. Most of the derelict abodes are abandoned, or being used by squatters. Few people travel to this area, alone. The sheer number of abandoned buildings is somewhat staggering, when truly considered.

Despite proximity to water, it seems the Docks have accrued a Volatile Affinity; a weave of conflagration drifts over the area, simply waiting to be ignited.

Beyond the eerie atmosphere, there are several dangerous groups that congregate in and around this nigh lawless part of town. A rumor concerning a corpse washing up on shore has left most of the residents uneasy. A quieter rumor has spread that a full scale war is finally going to break out among the creaking homes and groaning pier planks.

Shutter Street (Flowing Affinity): Colloquially known as such because of 'Main Street's' appearance during the tourist 'off-season' and lack of any real entertainment or distractions. During the summer nights it is an acidic stretch of debauchery, along with a few quaint diners. Once fall sinks its talons in, the shutters are closed and many of the shop owners move away until spring returns with a small rush of customers. Then, again, will the northern beachfront and shops be populated once more.

All that remains, at the moment, is a local favorite simply called Butch's Diner. Rumors swirl around this place more often than others, and the most prominent states that a local recluse has been warning those near the waterfront about a great storm lurching toward Cardinal City. Another states that someone has begun pinning strange cards to certain buildings; though these cards seem to be gone by the time morning rolls around.

The Resonance that permeates this place is decidedly positive, quite useful for Flowing Affinity Seekers who wish to have an easily replenished supply of Lingering Resonance suited specifically to their specialty.

Train Station (Steadfast Affinity): No one ever really seems to come or go, at least via train, to Cardinal City. A place in disrepair, but still treated with a measure of silent reverence as a sanctuary for those with nowhere else to go; the train station holds about it a crispness of air and odd abundance of occasional roaming wildlife. It serves as the city's oldest standing building in the eastern quarter.

Other than the 'artists' from The Labyrinth, few people are willing to deface the stationary sentinels as they hold their strange vigil. Still, where others would balk; some will draw smiles and shark teeth beneath broken windows. Despite being a rather well known spot, very few people go there. A single train will leave at the end of each month. Resonance hangs over the place like a canopy, thick and constantly shifting.

Though a peaceful aura caresses the place, a few ill deeds have taken place in the Train Station over its long years. A rumor being pushed around states that the specter of a girl can be seen pacing along the edge of the boarding platform. Another states that several specters will appear, if a person approaches as the clock strikes the Witching Hour. Yet another says that the entire place is transformed at night, becoming an unrecognizable tangle of trains, tracks and trees.

Those who can harness Steadfast Resonance have an easy time in a place like this, but some can find the sheer pressure of it to be a strain on Resonance Pathways.

Glass Tunnel (Tempestuous Affinity): A carefully crafted mosaic of deep blues and haughty turquoise, this tunnel runs from the western beachfront to the center of Cardinal City proper. It seems to catch reflections of light, water and things that may not be there at all. At its center, a mermaid greets passersby with a sly and sultry grin. Noise is carried through the tunnel with ease, and a perpetual breeze seems to push its way through.

Many students utilize this tunnel, simply stepping in at an appropriate point, to get a direct line to Karma Academy's front gates. As such, the Glass Tunnel (or Siren Tunnel, or Kraken Basket) is busy before and after classes. Rumors have persisted around this place for at least forty years; many being postulations about who the designer was, who commissioned the piece, and why even make something of that sort? Right now, rumors revolve around disappearances occurring where the Glass Tunnel meets the western beachfront. One even suggests that cruel laughter could be heard, before a sudden silence.

Despite the sometimes tense and busy nature of The Glass Tunnel, it carries Tempestuous Resonance throughout the city. While it disperses quickly, outside the Tunnel; harvesting it within can have devastating effects.

Karma Academy (Null Affinity): Cardinal City's most prestigious public high-school, a place of adequate (if outdated) supplies and enthusiastic (if all too tired) teachers. It is a four story building that hosts a grade on each floor, with the cafeteria being on the second. The third floor is currently under lockdown, given a strange incident involving one of the chemical labs; each entrance is held shut with heavy chains and a padlock and security staff can be seen watching over the area.

Resonance seems to wither when it reaches Karma Academy, whether it is in the courtyard or on the roof. With the constant gossip, countless rumors seem to turn up with each passing day. Right now, rumors are all speculation about what could be wrong with the third floor. Those that aren't simply serve as the usual urban legends about Karma.

No advantage is given to a Seeker, in this area. Resonance seems to be absorbed or dispersed by the building itself.

As explained before, each Elemental Demense has a direction and specific Element attached. Said simply, some Elements do not mesh well with one another; even if a Shroud has endowed a Seeker with their abilities.

Volatile (South) vs Flowing (North) = Both Elements will struggle to inflict their full potential. Consider matchups like these to be WEAK.

Tempestuous (West) vs Steadfast (East) = Once again, a WEAK attack will be produced. This halved the potency of Elemental Resonance when paired against its Negative Cardinal.

Flowing (North) vs Tempestuous (West) = A POTENT match, meaning that spell clashes will be more impressive and damage done by properly assaulting your opponent will be increased by half.

Steadfast (East) vs Volatile (South) = Another POTENT match. Similar to what is listed above.

Data (Center) vs Any (Cardinal Direction) = NEUTRAL match. Since Data is Center Affinity, it suffers no penalty against specific Cardinals; but nor does it gain any advantages.

Data (Center) vs Data (Center) = POTENT match, though not in the way Elemental Resonance tends to interact. Wielding Data Resonance against Data Resonance can cause serious problems for both contenders; though it is highly unpredictable how exactly it will go wrong...it almost invariably does. Damage against other Data Users can wildly vary.

This takes place in what's equatable to our modern times; each Seeker is part of the Babel Network, which essentially allows them track Friends and Fiends, Road Dogs and Rivals. Essentially, it is something attached to their 'soul' that allows them to see the world they inhabit in a different light.

As this is a tribute to anime/JRPGs you can imagine how far the functionality will go; though it will have to be unlocked through In-Character progression. Starting out, you can view other Seeker's stats if their Oracle Emblem is currently active. The Target (Peace Lunarmada) will be marked on each Seeker's Map, after a time. It also eliminates the need for a cellphone, and messaging system.

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In Scenario 1, everyone will be highschool age. Aside from the Shrouds, who are generally ambiguous about that sort of thing. I won't say exactly why this is, until later in the thread. I should also point out that I intend to carry this through several different Scenarios.

Notes on this: Seekers present in Scenario 1 have no memories of their past excursions, nor memories of one another. While those memories may be buried, however, there are certain individuals among the Seekers who are drawn to one another through bloodlust or a strange feeling of having known this person before. So far as they are aware, aside from what their Shrouds can impart to them, they have come across Peace before...and killed her. Held the Prismatic Hourglass and made their wish.

After that moment, they find themselves in Cardinal City.

Something is awry with this Scenario.

Age: 17

Appearance: Ezekiel has emerald green eyes and long blond hair, which might serve to cast him into something of a more effeminate light when properly attired. Has a relatively average build, though he can hold his own should it come to fisticuffs.

Personality: Ezekiel is a slow burning flame. He is considerate, and passionate about what he believes in. Yet when he gets worked up, or finds a cause to which he can devote himself, you will be hard pressed to find someone more strident in advancing that cause, more burning and determined. Needless to say he can get really serious when the situation calls for it, and he doesn't do half measures.

Affinity: Fire

Abilities:

Flame Wall - Simple in form and function, this ability allows Ezekiel to create a burning flame in the form of a wall. There are two uses that he generally follows with this. The first is a wall horizontal to his location, and he can determine whether it is straight or curved, as well as the general height. The second is a wall that radiates in a straight line from his location, going until stopped by another object or after several meters.

While it is possible to go through this wall, one should be prepared to brave the flames in the process.

Flare Star - Launches a projectile from Ezekiel's hand which detonates after traveling a moderate distance. Blinds those further away with a large flash while exploding with intense heat amidst those who are too close. Flammable objects may also catch on fire, though the heat depends on the magical energy he puts into the spell.

Imbued Essence - This ability allows Ezekiel to take any item that he currently has in his hand and light it on fire. Items held will not melt under the heat they radiate, and he can choose to alter the intensity of the heat projected. Flames will rapidly go out should the object he is using be removed from his hand.

Oracle Emblem: A gem from a necklace, light blue. It looks like it is frozen, and peering deeper into it will reveal a network of tiny cracks radiating out from a glowing center.

Freezing Source - A simple Flowing Affinity spell, blowing upon his Oracle Emblem will create a magically enchanted wind which freezes anything in its path. The longer it is in the path of the wind the deeper it freezes, and the harder it is to break out afterwards.

Ice Barrage - Another simple Flowing Affinity spell, Ezekiel can launch icicles at a distant target. Usually comes in trios, though he can make more if he focuses. Can be deflected with physical force if properly intercepted.

Symmetry Wave - Activating the power of his Oracle, Water burns hot and Fire flows like water. His Alignment is flipped for so long as it is active, with the resultant changes in Resonance Clashes as well.

Honest Blade: His Honest Blade forms a Dagger, burning a bright blue that licks hungrily at the air. Yet when it cuts it does not burn. Instead it drains all the heat, sucking it away until the afflicted is freezing. The heat itself transfers to the blade, leaving the target to slow and weaken from the pain, as ones passion and drive is used to fuel another.

Appearance: White hair, brown eyes, lithe build, flowing white dress, small scar on her upper left arm in a jagged line, on the taller side of things.

Affinity: Tempestuous

Personality: The quiet sort, Analisa is more inclined to go with the flow. On her bad days she is aloof and distant, leaving her Seeker to suffer in her absence. Other times she is cunning and deceptive, willing to use any dirty trick that she can find to weasel past an opponents defenses to get what she wants. So while she might seem like she doesn't care, that is usually not the case.

Assistant Capabilities:

Fractal Storm - Forced to assist her Seeker, Analisa draws upon that deceptive side of hers. The area is blanketed in a thick mist within which Ezekiel can hide himself. Her magic also creates phantom images within the dense cover, leaving opponents never quite sure whether it is him or just an illusion. At least until he attacks.