[center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/3byZIHS.jpeg[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/OftwWfY.png[/img] [color=gray]Welcome young Mystic, this is where [color=7ea7d8]your story begins...[/color][/color] [/center] [color=gray]Your character is a Mäiosian young adult, a Mystic, one of the rare Magically Inclined Individuals, and the new class of Mäiosian exchange students at the [color=7ea7d8]St. Léopold International Institute of Marseille[/color] in Marseille, France. Not all the exchange students are Mystics, but you certainly are, even if you don't know it yet. Mäiosian Mystics don't usually manifest their magical power until they're at least 18, so it is possible that your character doesn't know they're a Mystic yet, or they could be hiding their magic for various reasons. In any case, as one of the chosen Mäiosian young adults for the exchange program, you will be living on campus at this prestigious Institute for one year to learn about the Earthborn and reinforce positive integration practices between yourselves and the Earthborn student body, and the locals. [color=7ea7d8]All eyes are on you[/color]. In this fictionalized version of Marseille, France, the population is highly cosmopolitan due to its close proximity to St. Léopold's, which has had a significant influence over the culture and development of the city. Though French is ubiquitous, English is also commonly spoken by more than half of the population. Being an international university, St. Leopold's student body is highly diverse. Opposite to the local population, the primary language of the school is English. French is also common, though not as prominent as English, despite its location in a French city. Being an international school, it is not uncommon to hear students speaking in their native tongue (despite also speaking English and/or French), from Spanish to Mandarin to Hindi. Even the Mäiosians have their own language, but more on that later. Every major first-world country has one Mäiosian-Earthborn student exchange program each year, so multiple cohorts of Mäiosian young adults share a similar experience around the world annually. For example, in America, it's in New York City; in Australia, it's in Melbourne; in Nigeria, it's in Lagos, and so on and so forth. With each cohort of students are two adult Mäiosian delegates who also live on campus among the Earthborn professors. Referred to as [color=7ea7d8]Great Emissary[/color] (the one in charge) and [color=7ea7d8]Lesser Emissary[/color], they do not divulge their real Mäiosian names and only answer to their official titles. Aside from their glorified chaperone duties, Great Emissary handles the political aspects of the program and teaches the Mäiosian Mystics how to better use and control their magical powers, while Lesser Emissary manages the social aspects of their experience, acting more as a mentor or advocate. It should be noted that your character's parents probably did not live during the Time of Tears back in the alternate world of Maia (unless they're just really old). But your character's grandparents almost certainly did (whether alive or not). As such, while your character has no personal memories of Maia or that dark time (The Time of Tears), they most likely know of it and of the horror stories told to them during lessons, by their grandparents, and sometimes their parents. Some of your characters may have dead relatives (Mystic or otherwise) who died gruesomely during that time. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/8Xd8Cgn.png[/img][/center] Despite having a humanoid appearance, there are some distinctive traits that set Mäiosians apart from the Earthborns. As mentioned earlier, Mäiosians, including non-Mystics, naturally possess the ability to fly. But like you would get tired from running too long, a person can run out of aereum. As such, they can only fly for limited periods of time before they need to recharge in order to fly again. Earth's gravity does limit one's flying potential, especially while on the ground. All Mäiosians have two hearts. This provides enhanced stamina and endurance so you can push yourself beyond your limits in ways your average Earthborn cannot. Mystics have a third heart called an aeonheart. It is this aeonheart, filled with an extra reservoir of aereum, that grants Mystics their magical gift. If a Mystic has their aeonheart removed, they may survive, but they will no longer have access to their magical gift. Some Mystics have undergone the controversial procedure of having their aeonheart removed due to the dangerous nature of their magical gift. Not all have survived this complex procedure (called the [color=7ea7d8]Forsaken Ritual[/color]). This ritual is frowned upon by most Mäiosians, even if it is medically necessary. There is a black market for aeonhearts... Unlike the crimson flow of Earthborn life, a Mäiosian's blood runs silver—a gleaming, metallic essence that speaks of a different origin, of a world beyond Earth. Mäiosians are also marked by a patch of iridescent scales somewhere upon their skin; this unique birthmark ties them to their lineage, a subtle, visual reminder of their otherworldly nature. Race is not really a concept that exists in Mäiosian culture. This is because Mäiosians come in all skin tones, hair colors, eye colors, etc. Mäiosians can possess natural hair colors that Earthborns do not, like pink or blue hair. They can exhibit just as vast an array of eye colors as well that are unnatural to Earthborns, like red or violet eyes. However, these unusual hair and eye colors are uncommon, even for Mäiosians. Rather than race, Mäiosian culture is much more grounded in classist hierarchies based on wealth, the Citadel you were born in, and family lineage. Just like with Earthborns, discrimination and prejudices do exist among the Mäiosian populace. Mäiosian culture has been greatly influenced by the diverse cultures and religions found on Earth. As such, Mäiosian spiritual beliefs, style of dress, and other nuances often reflect the various parts of the world, especially younger generations of Mäiosians, who have adopted many Earthborn characteristics, such as speaking English and wearing more "modern" clothes. Older Mäiosians tend to maintain their unique traditional customs, spiritual beliefs, food preferences, language, and Mäiosian garments, which include crystal-like accessories and flowy silks. Mäiosian citadels and people are ruled by a joint operation of the Mäiosian Parliament and the Mäiosian Royal Family, though Parliament maintains more direct control over Mäiosian civilization. As such, nearly all citadels abide by the rules and laws set by Parliament and the Royal Family, though there are a few citadels, known as [color=7ea7d8]The Free Winds[/color], which seem to operate under their own jurisdiction and rules, for various historical reasons. Most citadels that fall under the Free Winds are notably sketchy places to live or visit. The [color=7ea7d8]Mäiosian Royal Guard[/color] and The Order of Harold and Hope (O.H.A.H) serve as the official police and military forces of Mäiosian society, respectively. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/yYvu4Oc.png[/img][/center] For Mäiosians, as mentioned earlier, aereum is the mana that fuels their flight, their floating citadels, and for Mystics, their magic. Mystic artificers are engineers who create objects that everyday Mäiosians can imbue with a bit of their aereum to "make them work" as the Mystic artificer intended them to. Some objects require more aereum than others to operate. Some Mystics, though far more uncommon, are born with a...mutation. This mutation is pejoratively called the [color=7ea7d8]The Daemon's Kiss[/color] or simply [color=7ea7d8]the kiss[/color]. It's a small, seemingly harmless dark blot on a Mystics' aeonheart. Mystics with the kiss have demonstrated enhanced magical power, but it comes at a cost. Known kissed Mystics are cataloged and trained to control their emotions once it is discovered, as sustained moments of heightened intense emotion can trigger the kiss to spread, driving the Mystic to brief moments of insanity, losing control of their emotions and magic. If this state is not reversed in time, a Mystic's aeonheart turns black and they completely lose themselves to madness. Another peculiar aspect of this mutation is that Kissed Mystics emit a faint signal that other Kissed Mystics can sense when they are in the general vicinity of one another. As there is no true way to test for the kiss until after it has already appeared, Mystics undergo a mandatary cardiovascular scan every six months to see if the dark blot has appeared on their aeonheart. There is an illegal black market drug one can take to ensure the kiss is undetectable (it's like a hard, little orb-shaped candy referred to as [color=7ea7d8]Pearl[/color]), but it is very difficult to come by and does not come cheap. Some Kissed Mystics try to self-regulate or downplay their magical power, or they attempt the Forsaken Ritual to have their aeonheart removed. Culturally, Mäiosians may hold prejudice toward Mystics with "the kiss", so it is common for Kissed Mystics to hide their status from people, if they can. Like any culture, there are always gonna be criminals and bad people. Kissed Mystics with a completely blackened aeonheart or Mystics who use their gifts for criminal activity and evil purposes are referred to as [color=7ea7d8]Daemons[/color] and are said to possess a [color=7ea7d8]warped heart[/color] instead of an aeonheart. Once a Kissed Mystics aeonheart becomes a warped heart, that is the point of no return, as there is no known cure to reverse it once the mutation has fully taken over. Daemons who are not already locked up, work in the shadows and/or live in secrecy. It is rumored that there is a hidden academy run by Daemons who recruit lost and misunderstood young Kissed Mystics to corrupt them and use them for their own nefarious purposes, but it is just speculation and heresay among most Mäiosians, as there is no concrete evidence that such an institution exist. Based on a Mystic's magical gift, they will usually fall within 1 of 4 classifications. [center][h3][color=7ea7d8]Elementalists[/color][/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/1BG0T9z.jpeg[/img] [color=7ea7d8]Elementalists[/color] possess an elemental-based magical gift such as fire, ice, wind, earth, plants, water, electricity, light, darkness, sound, etc. They can either manipulate pre-existing elements or produce them directly from their bodies or both. [h3][color=7ea7d8]Somatics[/color][/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/J3m4uun.jpeg[/img] [color=7ea7d8]Somatics[/color] possess a magical gift that allows them to augment or change their physical form in some way. They may also be able to alter the physical form of another person or object. For example, Enhanced strength, shapeshifting, self-healing, wing-generation, healing others, durable skin, super speed, intangibility, invisibility, duplication, etc. [h3][color=7ea7d8]Psychiccers[/color][/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/jp3pchP.jpeg[/img] [color=7ea7d8]Psychiccers[/color] possess psychic powers, magical gifts that allow them to harness the power of their minds to influence others and sometimes the physical world, such as telekinesis, telepathy, empathy, precognition, enhanced intelligence, mind control, mental illusions, astral projection, clairvoyance, etc. Some people have prejudice or mistrust toward Psychiccers due to the potentially invasive nature of their gifts. [h3][color=7ea7d8]Astras[/color][/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/qj218Nf.jpeg[/img] [color=7ea7d8]Astras[/color] are Mystics who possess very unique magical gifts that don't fall into any category. Their magic is often difficult to define and is more abstract in nature, and may be some kind of strange combination of the other classifications. These magical gifts may have niche uses or caveats for their application, but due to their peculiarity, they have the potential to be the most specialized and powerful. For example, teleportation, laser beam eyes, summoning spirits, resurrecting someone from the dead, pocket dimension, luck manipulation, curses, conjuration, bringing drawings to life, etc. [/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/IRstC0d.png[/img][/center] Each cohort of Mäiosian exchange students is broken down into smaller groups called a [color=7ea7d8]Phalanx[/color]. These Phalanxes are constructed to help better track and organize them into efficient social, training, and learning collectives. However, students from different Phalanxes regularly interact and collaborate with one another. There are no special requirements for each Phalanx, though students are placed in their Phalanx based on the Great Emissary's recommendation. How they determine a student's Phalanx is currently unknown by most. Every year, three students are designated as the [color=7ea7d8]Illuminaires[/color], shining examples of academic, magical, and leadership prowess. These students form [color=7ea7d8]The Mäiosian Student Council[/color] for their cohort and are given extra privileges. Being an Illuminaire provides great recognition during the duration of the Exchange Program and they even get to have dinner with the Mäiosian Royal Family and shadow members of the Mäiosian Parliament. It is a great honor to be chosen as an Illuminaire by the Great Emissary and Lesser Emissary, but it is not mandatory and a student can turn it down. The Illuminaires also lead the Phalanxes during combat protocols, but the role is very stressful and comes with a lot of responsibility, as these students have to fit their Illuminaire duties into their regular University schedules, though there is a little flexibility to accommodate them. A student's Phalanx is identified by their [color=7ea7d8]Pendant[/color], which they must wear on their uniform at all times while on campus, except during periods of personal hygiene or during off hours. Phalanxes are often named after one of the many Celestials of Mäiosian legend and religion, for whom they believe themselves to be the descendants of. [center] [h3][color=7ea7d8]Xorathiel[/color][/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/vCkCvfq.jpeg[/img] [color=7ea7d8]The Celestial of Boundless Horizons[/color] is believed to embody the uncharted expanse of the cosmos and the everlasting pursuit of knowledge. Often depicted with a luminous halo of crimson starlight and a staff etched with constellations, Xorathiel represents curiosity, exploration, and enlightenment. Followers of Xorathiel seek wisdom in the unknown, honoring their Celestial through acts of discovery and innovation. Students from this phalanx adorn the [color=7ea7d8]Ruby Pendant[/color]. [h3][color=7ea7d8]Luminae Ark[/color][/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/BpTZlNX.jpeg[/img] [color=7ea7d8]The Celestial of Balance and Shelter[/color] is revered as the protector of harmony and the guiding light through chaos. Associated with the duality of shadow and radiance, Luminae Ark’s essence is said to weave together opposites to create unity. Legends tell of their ark-shaped vessel, a sanctuary for souls seeking solace, symbolizing both refuge and transformation. Students from this phalanx adorn the [color=7ea7d8]Sapphire Pendant[/color]. [h3][color=7ea7d8]Sylvennith[/color][/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/230AmlT.jpeg[/img] [color=7ea7d8]The Celestial of Blooming[/color] is tied to the rhythms of life, growth, and renewal. Often envisioned as an ethereal figure entwined with flora and adorned with flowing petals, they are a patron of vitality and creation. Mäiosians believe Sylvennith’s spirit flows in every living thing, inspiring artistry and fostering resilience against decay. Students from this phalanx adorn the [color=7ea7d8]Emerald Pendant[/color]. [h3][color=7ea7d8]Eternal[/color][/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/megvWOy.jpeg[/img] [color=7ea7d8]The Celestial of Timeless Order[/color] is both revered and feared for their dominion over the endless march of time. They are often depicted as an abstract, featureless form cloaked in veils of shifting sands or cascading silver threads. Eternal’s presence reminds Mäiosians of the impermanence of existence, urging them to live with purpose while honoring the inevitability of change. Students from this phalanx adorn the [color=7ea7d8]Violet Pendant[/color]. [h3][color=7ea7d8]The Varnisar Warden[/color][/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/ee4SY9V.jpeg[/img] [color=7ea7d8]The Celestial of Guardianship and Duty[/color] is the embodiment of vigilance and unyielding resolve. Their form is said to shimmer with crystalline armor, representing unbreakable fortitude and the defense of the cosmos against disorder. Mäiosians honor the Warden as a symbol of sacrifice and loyalty, calling upon their strength in times of adversity. Students from this phalanx adorn the [color=7ea7d8]Onyx Pendant[/color]. [/center] [/color]