Herein lies the sum of my works, gathered over the many millennia of my lifetime. I, Edravhen, the supreme scholar of my kind, allow you entrance to the Grand Archives of my library. Browse with care...and steal at your own risk.
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yoshua171 The Loremaster
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⊰ℒ icentia⊱
Diversity, an ideal that has defined the licentia for much of their existence as a species, it is still not one that has always existed, as the annals hidden deep in Edravhen's Archives tells of a very different origin. It tells of two races of licentia whose names have been forgotten, or erased. Now known only as the precursors by those few scholars and historians among their kind, these two species were different from their descendants, they were united. While the licentia of today and even thousands of years hence, are a group of disparate beings, forming factions that often war amongst one another, with no real stability or unification to be found throughout their species as a whole their ancestors were different. The Precursors were two species, each different from the other, but whom nonetheless acted almost as a single governing body, warring and creating conflict only for the purpose of their development, rather than out of any real joy in the act.
However, there came a time where they felt the world wearing on them and knew it was time for them to pass on the torch, or at least to try and make something...better. So began the great task, given to them by the Will, the mysterious and powerful guiding force that, even to this day, acts as the force which moves the licentia forwards—unbeknownst to them. By the power of the Will, the Precursors designed and then birthed their first true offspring, who were known as the TRISTARI. These children were magically adept, and their creators taught them the ways that they follow to this day, they taught them to adhere to and spread the Will where they could; the taught them to gather knowledge and catalogue it, and most importantly, they taught them to utilize their natural talents. So was born the magical masters among the licentia. The TRISTARI rose in prominence, bringing wealth, happiness, and great progress to their kind's civilization...but as time passed something came to the attention of the Precursors. Their bodies had begun to shrivel and weaken, and each child they birthed was weaker than the last.
Out of fear and in their wisdom and newly elevated state, the Precursors bore a new species, and named them the Nightwalkers. In them they instilled the powers of their body, and the ideology of chaos, driving them to spread the Will through it and to make certain that licentia of the future never lost sight of their physical vessels.
The species succeeded and in their success they brought great health and evolution to their kind, driving the licentia further upwards. The sciences of the physical world began to reveal themselves to their kind, and merged with the magical knowledge of the TRISTARI it allowed them, for the first time, to erect cities and nations that spanned entire levels of Torqueo. Yet, it was not to last as the nations became divided, with the ideologies of the two child species clashing, it brought their kind into a war that seemed never to end.
At first nothing seemed amiss as the Precursors watched their children with smiles, pleased that the conflict bred stronger licentia, that was...until they noticed that less of their kind were born, or survived to adulthood as the wars raged on. A noticeable strain was being put on their species and the Precursors took it upon themselves to fix it. Spurred on by this knowledge and a vision from one of their elders, telling of a threat that would wipe them out in earnest, the Precursor races looked to one another and this time, instead of each of their kind birthing a species, they merged and turned themselves from two races...into one and from this species were born the Ahldreian.
They were unlike their siblings, bearing not the intent to spread the Will, to ensure development, or to incite the gathering of knowledge and the advancement of culture. Instead, the Ahldreian harnessed the Will and the power of their tremendous minds, calling upon the very fabric of their world they emerged from the shadows, appearing exactly when and where they were needed.
In a single century, which was no time at all for their kind, the wars that had lasted for thousands of years, came to a swift and decisive end. There were no winners and no losers, there were only licentia, and they had been united under the banner of the Ahldreian and their sibling species. While the three sibling races did not like one another, it was their purpose—imparted to them by their creators—to ensure the survival and continued development of their kind, and so they did their duty.
Again licentian civilization entered a golden age, this time one far more pronounced than the last two. Cities and countries were founded, trade abounded, and while wars were fought, they were brief and decisive, driving their evolution ever forwards and stimulating their minds. This lasted for three thousand years before tragedy struck, a tragedy which the licentia of today have all but forgotten.
Millions of their kind were devoured and while the licentia tried to stop it, they could do nothing against the being that had once been kin. The ascended TRISTARI wrecked havoc among their people, devouring thousands of its own kind, the Nightwalkers, and most of all the Ahldreian before it turned its attention to other realms. Licentian society was left in shambles and a distrust had been driven into their species as a whole. A distrust of one another.
They split into smaller countries and factions, fighting over land, resources, and even simply due to differences in ideology. The three guardian species that the now largely extinct Precursors had birthed watched in abject horror, their numbers too few to do anything, as the unity their kind had once had...dissolved. Hit most hard were the Ahldreian, the very species that would best be able to avert the disaster.
Instead, unable to affect change as they typically would, the Ahldreian secluded themselves, hiding and spreading out so that what had crippled their population before could not happen again. They bid their siblings stay in contact, but withdraw from leadership and while they did not like it, they acquiesced. For millenia this has continued, though as time went on the TRISTARI, now known as the Hystal, as well as the Nightwalkers, began reintegrating themselves into Licentia society. This has continued till the present, with the Ahldreian remaining largely in seclusion, only gracing their peers in times of great crisis while they fill their ranks once more. So brings us to the current state of affairs, where Nightwalkers have not ruled a true empire for thousands of years, the TRISTARI have hidden their true name and acted only subtly, and the Ahldreian have all but obscured their true nature from the rest of their kind. It is a dire state that their kind are in indeed, and yet...few licentia know it. Change must come soon, for if it does not...surely their kind are doomed.
After all, what threatened them once still lives...and it cannot sleep forever.
However, there came a time where they felt the world wearing on them and knew it was time for them to pass on the torch, or at least to try and make something...better. So began the great task, given to them by the Will, the mysterious and powerful guiding force that, even to this day, acts as the force which moves the licentia forwards—unbeknownst to them. By the power of the Will, the Precursors designed and then birthed their first true offspring, who were known as the TRISTARI. These children were magically adept, and their creators taught them the ways that they follow to this day, they taught them to adhere to and spread the Will where they could; the taught them to gather knowledge and catalogue it, and most importantly, they taught them to utilize their natural talents. So was born the magical masters among the licentia. The TRISTARI rose in prominence, bringing wealth, happiness, and great progress to their kind's civilization...but as time passed something came to the attention of the Precursors. Their bodies had begun to shrivel and weaken, and each child they birthed was weaker than the last.
Out of fear and in their wisdom and newly elevated state, the Precursors bore a new species, and named them the Nightwalkers. In them they instilled the powers of their body, and the ideology of chaos, driving them to spread the Will through it and to make certain that licentia of the future never lost sight of their physical vessels.
The species succeeded and in their success they brought great health and evolution to their kind, driving the licentia further upwards. The sciences of the physical world began to reveal themselves to their kind, and merged with the magical knowledge of the TRISTARI it allowed them, for the first time, to erect cities and nations that spanned entire levels of Torqueo. Yet, it was not to last as the nations became divided, with the ideologies of the two child species clashing, it brought their kind into a war that seemed never to end.
At first nothing seemed amiss as the Precursors watched their children with smiles, pleased that the conflict bred stronger licentia, that was...until they noticed that less of their kind were born, or survived to adulthood as the wars raged on. A noticeable strain was being put on their species and the Precursors took it upon themselves to fix it. Spurred on by this knowledge and a vision from one of their elders, telling of a threat that would wipe them out in earnest, the Precursor races looked to one another and this time, instead of each of their kind birthing a species, they merged and turned themselves from two races...into one and from this species were born the Ahldreian.
They were unlike their siblings, bearing not the intent to spread the Will, to ensure development, or to incite the gathering of knowledge and the advancement of culture. Instead, the Ahldreian harnessed the Will and the power of their tremendous minds, calling upon the very fabric of their world they emerged from the shadows, appearing exactly when and where they were needed.
In a single century, which was no time at all for their kind, the wars that had lasted for thousands of years, came to a swift and decisive end. There were no winners and no losers, there were only licentia, and they had been united under the banner of the Ahldreian and their sibling species. While the three sibling races did not like one another, it was their purpose—imparted to them by their creators—to ensure the survival and continued development of their kind, and so they did their duty.
Again licentian civilization entered a golden age, this time one far more pronounced than the last two. Cities and countries were founded, trade abounded, and while wars were fought, they were brief and decisive, driving their evolution ever forwards and stimulating their minds. This lasted for three thousand years before tragedy struck, a tragedy which the licentia of today have all but forgotten.
Millions of their kind were devoured and while the licentia tried to stop it, they could do nothing against the being that had once been kin. The ascended TRISTARI wrecked havoc among their people, devouring thousands of its own kind, the Nightwalkers, and most of all the Ahldreian before it turned its attention to other realms. Licentian society was left in shambles and a distrust had been driven into their species as a whole. A distrust of one another.
They split into smaller countries and factions, fighting over land, resources, and even simply due to differences in ideology. The three guardian species that the now largely extinct Precursors had birthed watched in abject horror, their numbers too few to do anything, as the unity their kind had once had...dissolved. Hit most hard were the Ahldreian, the very species that would best be able to avert the disaster.
Instead, unable to affect change as they typically would, the Ahldreian secluded themselves, hiding and spreading out so that what had crippled their population before could not happen again. They bid their siblings stay in contact, but withdraw from leadership and while they did not like it, they acquiesced. For millenia this has continued, though as time went on the TRISTARI, now known as the Hystal, as well as the Nightwalkers, began reintegrating themselves into Licentia society. This has continued till the present, with the Ahldreian remaining largely in seclusion, only gracing their peers in times of great crisis while they fill their ranks once more. So brings us to the current state of affairs, where Nightwalkers have not ruled a true empire for thousands of years, the TRISTARI have hidden their true name and acted only subtly, and the Ahldreian have all but obscured their true nature from the rest of their kind. It is a dire state that their kind are in indeed, and yet...few licentia know it. Change must come soon, for if it does not...surely their kind are doomed.
After all, what threatened them once still lives...and it cannot sleep forever.
_____________Nightwalkers_____________
Art by ChrisColdOne of the elder sub-species of Licentia, Nightwalkers are often beings of manipulation and deceit, tending to be tricksters of a sort. Their kind idealizing cunning and intellect, Nightwalkers are well known for their ability to enchant others with their charm, or wrap them around their metaphorical finger with their tact and wit. So focused on manipulation, cunning, and awareness are they, that these Licentia have developed a physiology to match their nature.
Notable first and foremost is their appearance, which when not shifted to their will, is that of a viscous black vis, similar in appearance to thick smoke or dark shadows; this form often broken by glowing eyes of varied coloration—though with no pupils. This amorphous form is one they have distinct control over, allowing them to shift it into a variety of shapes, alter its texture, smell, and even taste. In this it is revealed that they are adept shapeshifters, capable of taking on almost any form provided they have the necessary vis to fuel the transformation. Unlike many Licentia shapeshifters, though more similar to licentia of the growth stage in this, Nightwalkers can actually do more than take on the mere appearance of something. In fact, so adept in their transformative abilities are they that they can create entire biological systems including organs and otherwise viscera to make their forms as realistic as possible. However, while a Nightwalker can suppress its true Licentian nature and even take in the vis of other beings to mimic them, they can never entirely hide their true nature.
Notable too are the soul cores that dwell within a Nightwalker's form, as these are its only true vital points. These cores, typically numbering anywhere between three and nine, can be moved around the Nightwalker's body, and often take on the same color as the rest of them, disguising themselves with the rest of their current form so as to not be made easy targets. Nonetheless, these cores always remain solid no matter the nightwalker's form. Additionally, nightwalkers, even when in a more ethereal state, are known to be damaged by magics centering around purification and/or light. As to more physical means of damaging their ilk, there comes to mind vis-infused platinum, which can harm the beings as a normal weapon harms a human—doing damage that cannot be immediately repaired even if the Licentia takes on a new form. Beyond this, there are various sorts of magic that deal in putting vis into stasis or dispersing it. These magics, when used against a nightwalker, are quite effective, forcing them either to maintain whatever form they had taken until the restrictions are removed, or forcing them into their truest shape.
Notable first and foremost is their appearance, which when not shifted to their will, is that of a viscous black vis, similar in appearance to thick smoke or dark shadows; this form often broken by glowing eyes of varied coloration—though with no pupils. This amorphous form is one they have distinct control over, allowing them to shift it into a variety of shapes, alter its texture, smell, and even taste. In this it is revealed that they are adept shapeshifters, capable of taking on almost any form provided they have the necessary vis to fuel the transformation. Unlike many Licentia shapeshifters, though more similar to licentia of the growth stage in this, Nightwalkers can actually do more than take on the mere appearance of something. In fact, so adept in their transformative abilities are they that they can create entire biological systems including organs and otherwise viscera to make their forms as realistic as possible. However, while a Nightwalker can suppress its true Licentian nature and even take in the vis of other beings to mimic them, they can never entirely hide their true nature.
Notable too are the soul cores that dwell within a Nightwalker's form, as these are its only true vital points. These cores, typically numbering anywhere between three and nine, can be moved around the Nightwalker's body, and often take on the same color as the rest of them, disguising themselves with the rest of their current form so as to not be made easy targets. Nonetheless, these cores always remain solid no matter the nightwalker's form. Additionally, nightwalkers, even when in a more ethereal state, are known to be damaged by magics centering around purification and/or light. As to more physical means of damaging their ilk, there comes to mind vis-infused platinum, which can harm the beings as a normal weapon harms a human—doing damage that cannot be immediately repaired even if the Licentia takes on a new form. Beyond this, there are various sorts of magic that deal in putting vis into stasis or dispersing it. These magics, when used against a nightwalker, are quite effective, forcing them either to maintain whatever form they had taken until the restrictions are removed, or forcing them into their truest shape.
Aside from their inherent talent for shapeshifting, nightwalkers possess several other rather notable skills, the most universal of those being their shadow magic. While there are mages of note who manipulate shadows, nightwalkers are surely the most prolific. Due to their bodies being composed in part of the very essence of shadows, these licentia have developed the ability to both possess and manipulate shadows, which has allowed them a variety of abilities. First it allows any nightwalker to make shadows a physical construct, allowing them to take hold of any nearby darkness and use it as an extension of their body or outright make it a part of them. This reveals their ability to not only attain more physical mass, but also to connect themselves through said shadows. The latter of these abilities allows them to perform what has been coined 'Shadow Walking' which is a traversal ability that allows nightwalkers to step into one shadow and emerge from another, the process originating from their their nature, their connection to shadows, and of course their senses.
This brings us to what a nightwalker's senses really are, which while it can vary somewhat as one develops, always include a shadow sense, a vis sense, as well as the five normal senses. While a nightwalker can focus on the five senses and/or their vis sense to increase the strength of them, their shadow sense is inherent and essentially allows them to detect things better in darkness or to detect darkness and shadows themselves. Over the centuries this has given nightwalkers a reputation and has led the other races to adopt a particular methodology for dealing with their kind. This methodology is more often than not summed up quite well by a world renowned hunter of old.
This brings us to what a nightwalker's senses really are, which while it can vary somewhat as one develops, always include a shadow sense, a vis sense, as well as the five normal senses. While a nightwalker can focus on the five senses and/or their vis sense to increase the strength of them, their shadow sense is inherent and essentially allows them to detect things better in darkness or to detect darkness and shadows themselves. Over the centuries this has given nightwalkers a reputation and has led the other races to adopt a particular methodology for dealing with their kind. This methodology is more often than not summed up quite well by a world renowned hunter of old.
“If dusk has fallen, and a nightwalker comes callin', there's naught left to do, but pray.”
As one might think, nightwalkers are a mysterious lot shrouded in darkness and obscurity and so where they truly originated in their home plane of Torqueo is largely forgotten. However, from what human historians have gathered over the ages, and what little licentian scholars have revealed, nightwalkers developed tens of thousands of years ago, at first dwelling in the shadows, hiding themselves due to the rarity of their kind back then. Yet, in the ensuing years they rose from the darkness, bringing it with them, and swallowed whole portions of Torqueo in dark shrouds. From that time onwards, nightwalkers have taken sanctuary or emerged from these pockets of pure darkness, but they are not a united people, instead scheming against one another more often than not. As to humanity's relation to the species, well they have preyed upon mankind since time memorial, with legends of them including insidious nightmare creatures and beings dragging children off in the night, whisking them away to who knows where.
As to their culture, it tends to vary a great deal, but the majority of nightwalkers learn quickly that intelligence and wit is the only way for them to survive amongst their own, and later in the world at large. As such, their kind values these things greatly and are understandably proud of themselves for having attained such cunning. Still, while their kind are respected among licentia, the individuals are often not, as they have the nasty tendency of making far more enemies than friends with their manipulative and, sometimes cruel, ways.
They are seen as saboteurs, and architects of grand schemes. They are tacticians, if not warriors, scholars, if not explorers, but most of all...they are tricksters and this every race knows. To deal with a nightwalker, is to tempt fate.
Yet there are those records that tell a different story, a story dating back almost to the very conception of licentia as a species. These records, hidden away in secretive locations and buried deep within Edravhen's Archives paint nightwalkers not as devious beings bent upon controlling others and driving wedges in society, but tell of a species that were created to serve a distinct purpose. The stories speak of nightwalkers with reverence, not hatred; with respect, and maybe just a hint of fear, for nightwalkers were brought into this world by the Precursors. In essence, nightwalkers were brought into the world to prevent the withering of their species' bodies, with their purpose to incite conflict, be it of a physical or cerebral sort to drive their kind forever forwards. Yet, over the vast millenia that they have existed, many of their kind have forgotten the truth of their purpose, yet, so ingrained in their culture and instincts is it that they uphold it even to this day--though perhaps not to the letter.
After all, nightwalkers are an adaptive sort, refusing to be held down by any expectation or limitation placed upon them.
As to their culture, it tends to vary a great deal, but the majority of nightwalkers learn quickly that intelligence and wit is the only way for them to survive amongst their own, and later in the world at large. As such, their kind values these things greatly and are understandably proud of themselves for having attained such cunning. Still, while their kind are respected among licentia, the individuals are often not, as they have the nasty tendency of making far more enemies than friends with their manipulative and, sometimes cruel, ways.
They are seen as saboteurs, and architects of grand schemes. They are tacticians, if not warriors, scholars, if not explorers, but most of all...they are tricksters and this every race knows. To deal with a nightwalker, is to tempt fate.
Yet there are those records that tell a different story, a story dating back almost to the very conception of licentia as a species. These records, hidden away in secretive locations and buried deep within Edravhen's Archives paint nightwalkers not as devious beings bent upon controlling others and driving wedges in society, but tell of a species that were created to serve a distinct purpose. The stories speak of nightwalkers with reverence, not hatred; with respect, and maybe just a hint of fear, for nightwalkers were brought into this world by the Precursors. In essence, nightwalkers were brought into the world to prevent the withering of their species' bodies, with their purpose to incite conflict, be it of a physical or cerebral sort to drive their kind forever forwards. Yet, over the vast millenia that they have existed, many of their kind have forgotten the truth of their purpose, yet, so ingrained in their culture and instincts is it that they uphold it even to this day--though perhaps not to the letter.
After all, nightwalkers are an adaptive sort, refusing to be held down by any expectation or limitation placed upon them.
_____________The_Ahldreian_____________
Art by petemohrbacher
The most cerebral of the three sibling races of licentia, the Ahldreian possess both an intensely powerful mind as well as an intrinsic connection to the Will, a force that existence cannot go without. It is this connection that gives the Ahldreian their understanding of the world, any knowledge they should need, and of course...clairvoyance. While both the Nightwalkers and TRISTARI possess each their own powerful intuition, the Ahldreian, while youngest among the three, are capable of actually observing the flow of fate and ascertaining how to pull possibilities from the Rift and into reality. Of course, this enigmatic race possess other boons, such as their adaptable bodies, which they can tune, along with their vis, so as to channel energy in differing ways. While not so strong as their siblings in these ways, the Ahldreian are nonetheless formidable adversaries, often standing anywhere between six and ten feet, though their imposing height is not matched with much bulk.
Slender and frail looking, Ahldreian are nonetheless much more dangerous than they appear, as they possess a fine tuned understanding of the world around them which surpasses that of most. Joining their unique mind and clairvoyance are their astounding senses, which are less physical in nature than most as instead of eyes, ears, mouths, and noses, every Ahldreian merely possess a series of highly sensitive organ-like constructs within their bodies. These crystalline formations are connected directly to their soul core, which, rather fittingly, resides in their head. Essentially, these 'organs' function by way of detecting the interactions between vis of all sorts and their environment on a fundamental level. This makes them capable of all five normal senses, but ramped up hundreds of times in sensitivity and accuracy, without any avenue for normal overexposure, making it impossible to 'blind' or 'deafen' them in the traditional sense. However, this powerful sense comes at a cost and that cost is a weakness to the manipulation of vast amounts of vis within their direct vicinity causing an overpowering nausea-like sickness. Beyond this, Ahldreian are not particularly durable and as with their siblings, they are uniquely weak to vis-infused platinum.
Slender and frail looking, Ahldreian are nonetheless much more dangerous than they appear, as they possess a fine tuned understanding of the world around them which surpasses that of most. Joining their unique mind and clairvoyance are their astounding senses, which are less physical in nature than most as instead of eyes, ears, mouths, and noses, every Ahldreian merely possess a series of highly sensitive organ-like constructs within their bodies. These crystalline formations are connected directly to their soul core, which, rather fittingly, resides in their head. Essentially, these 'organs' function by way of detecting the interactions between vis of all sorts and their environment on a fundamental level. This makes them capable of all five normal senses, but ramped up hundreds of times in sensitivity and accuracy, without any avenue for normal overexposure, making it impossible to 'blind' or 'deafen' them in the traditional sense. However, this powerful sense comes at a cost and that cost is a weakness to the manipulation of vast amounts of vis within their direct vicinity causing an overpowering nausea-like sickness. Beyond this, Ahldreian are not particularly durable and as with their siblings, they are uniquely weak to vis-infused platinum.
While Nightwalkers have their shadow magic and TRISTARI their magical mastery, the Ahldreian hold dominion over the powers of clairvoyance, illusion, and frequency-based magic. While clairvoyance and illusion are rather common, frequency-based magic is something that merits explanation. This discipline was developed to allow the Ahldreian to practice magic despite the weaknesses associated with their unique senses. By using their connection and understanding of the Will, the Ahldreian can extend both their vis beyond physical space and over vast distances allowing them to perform magic without directly disturbing their surroundings. While some magics achieve this by merely stretching the caster's energy over vast distances, the Ahldreian do so by resonating their vis with that of another location, and then connected it to their will for a time. This makes them adept at casting spells with vast scope and range, while reducing their skill for spells requiring precision. Of course, an Ahldreian can be precise, it simply takes more effort or a different methodology than a normal mage would require.
As to their talents for illusion magics, the Ahldreian can be said to be so skilled that none aside from their siblings and the most dedicated, or trusted, of scholars has any inkling of the ability. This is, in part, due to their tendency to use illusions on an incredibly minute level to suggest ideas or slightly alter the impression they give to others. It is this ability coupled with their mind and foresight that gives them the ability to unite their kind, and perhaps others as well. After all, how could we know, we're only human.
As to their talents for illusion magics, the Ahldreian can be said to be so skilled that none aside from their siblings and the most dedicated, or trusted, of scholars has any inkling of the ability. This is, in part, due to their tendency to use illusions on an incredibly minute level to suggest ideas or slightly alter the impression they give to others. It is this ability coupled with their mind and foresight that gives them the ability to unite their kind, and perhaps others as well. After all, how could we know, we're only human.
“When the world is in ruins and hope seems lost, they will come, and with the world darkened from their absence, their presence will blind and confound. Though when their work is done and our senses adjusted, we will stand in a new world...uplifted yet none-the-wiser.”
Dating back to the advent of the licentian race, the Ahldreian have existed almost since the birth of their species. They possess a rich history and while they have always been fewer in numbers than their two sibling races, the Nightwalkers and TRISTARI, the Ahldreian have nonetheless taken up the position of leadership when it was needed most, with their kind having led licenti throughout the ages into periods of prosperity unseen in the current era. Nonetheless, information regarding their exact personal is something that would be highly valued, but has nonetheless been hiden by what remains of the Ahldreian race today.
Their culture on the other hand has, in part, been uncovered. First and foremost, the Ahldreian value the mind and the guiding powers of fate's numerous threads. They are beings who do not look back, but instead always plan for the future, taking in their present circumstances, and pushing themselves, and their kind, into a newer and brighter tomorrow. This is their chief purpose in the world, and it follows that they believe it a righteous and all important one. However, this sense of importance can make their kind rather overconfident, which is perhaps one of the reasons that they have shrouded themselves in myth and mystery.
Beyond this, the Ahldreian are known to be a reclusive people, keeping to themselves and protecting their own with an admirable ferocity. Similarly they do not often venture outside of those places wherein they lurk, but when they do, my do they stir up the waters.
Perhaps one day they will emerge from the shadows and reveal to the world the reason for their actions.
Perhaps.
Their culture on the other hand has, in part, been uncovered. First and foremost, the Ahldreian value the mind and the guiding powers of fate's numerous threads. They are beings who do not look back, but instead always plan for the future, taking in their present circumstances, and pushing themselves, and their kind, into a newer and brighter tomorrow. This is their chief purpose in the world, and it follows that they believe it a righteous and all important one. However, this sense of importance can make their kind rather overconfident, which is perhaps one of the reasons that they have shrouded themselves in myth and mystery.
Beyond this, the Ahldreian are known to be a reclusive people, keeping to themselves and protecting their own with an admirable ferocity. Similarly they do not often venture outside of those places wherein they lurk, but when they do, my do they stir up the waters.
Perhaps one day they will emerge from the shadows and reveal to the world the reason for their actions.
Perhaps.
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yoshua171 The Loremaster
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⊰Ѻrganizations⊱
T H E I N T E R N A T I O N A L A S S O C I A T I O N F O R M A G I C A L A D V A N C E M E N T A N D T R A I N I N G
T I A M A T
T I A M A T
Purpose & True Nature
The Mission Statement of TIAMAT is to advance, spread, and police magic across the globe in the interest of bettering the lives of all humanity. However, their true nature is something else entirely, instead tying into two ancient organizations that an outsider looking in might even call cults. These two organizations, known as the Order of Athriohm and Diffugium each exist for one reason: To contain, in the case of the Order, and to spread, in the case of Diffugium, the most intrinsic principles of magic to humanity. While TIAMAT does serve a vital function in today's society, facilitating the education of new generations of mages as well as tackling greater magical threats and advancing magical research the organization, at its core, is nothing more than a front for the aforementioned. Hopefully it doesn't collapse under the weight of its founders' history.
Background
While none know it, TIAMAT has its origins slated in a much older and more ancient organization, one that is not only hidden from the public eye, but is not even a myth, having erased itself even from the history books. This secret society, known as the Order of Athriohm, dates back to a time prior to even Sumer, the first human civilization with documented written language. This Order has always possessed one purpose, and that is to safeguard humanity's ultimate strength, something they call the Art and the leading mage scholars of our age know as Unified Magic Theory, something which they have yet to verify the existence of. Yet, to the Order this is very much a reality, and its origin is simple. As the lore goes, a man known only as Athriohm, discovered not just magic, but a magic executed through the utilization of the patterns which govern existence, patterns even more intrinsic than those found in quantum physics. However, this knowledge was not passed down, though it was written...and hidden, presumably, by Athriohm himself. Only later in the time of King Arthur did Merlin and the dread witch, Morgana le Fay discover the texts. It was then that a fracture occurred and so the Order was formed from Merlin's disciples, whereas Morgana founded an organization known as Diffugium. Since their founding these two organizations have been locked in an unseen war, one that, should either win, will shape the future of mankind for Diffugium has always wished to share the Art with man, while the Order has deemed humanity too young a species to wield such a powerful magic.
Today this war is waged in the form of TIAMAT, which was founded in 1850, as it predated the Magical Registry Act by 12 years. This organization started small, but as magic spread within the ensuing years and the world adopted laws to deal with its rise to prominence, TIAMAT too was given purpose, rising to the occasion and becoming first the leading organization in Europe for the advancement of magical theory and practice, before spreading to Asia, Australia, and finally in 1868, to the Americas. Since then TIAMAT has grown into the most influential international organization associated with the betterment and spread of magic, and yet that ancient war is still wielded within its ranks as members of the Order and of Diffugium either reveal the Art, or cover it up, continuing the deadlock that has been ongoing for centuries. Perhaps one day one side will triumph. Perhaps.
Today this war is waged in the form of TIAMAT, which was founded in 1850, as it predated the Magical Registry Act by 12 years. This organization started small, but as magic spread within the ensuing years and the world adopted laws to deal with its rise to prominence, TIAMAT too was given purpose, rising to the occasion and becoming first the leading organization in Europe for the advancement of magical theory and practice, before spreading to Asia, Australia, and finally in 1868, to the Americas. Since then TIAMAT has grown into the most influential international organization associated with the betterment and spread of magic, and yet that ancient war is still wielded within its ranks as members of the Order and of Diffugium either reveal the Art, or cover it up, continuing the deadlock that has been ongoing for centuries. Perhaps one day one side will triumph. Perhaps.
Power Structure
Lead by a joint council, TIAMAT possesses two empty positions at the top of its heirarchy, which exist only for states of emergency and are decided upon by the councils each electing one of the other council's members. Each council is made up of one-hundred members that cycle in and out of service depending on the occasion. These councilors hail from all around the world, with a focus on skill and knowledge in magic, administration, global, and local politics they are chosen from any number of countries, developing and otherwise. Often is it that these councilors are trained from a young age, though it is just as often that they are already elderly, as there is no true age requirement.
Below the joint council are the various districts, with a single district per government, which are further split into Local Offices, one per state, major city, greater area, or province. All District Chiefs take orders from the Joint Council, but also act to keep the standards for magical learning up to par in their given domain. Additionally, they watch over the legislative process to ensure that their region is policing magic as fairly as possible. These District Chiefs have a measure of political clout in their given area and are capable of vetoing or vetting laws or policies to an extent making them capable of being involved in the political processes of their given region.
Yet still below the District Chiefs are the lowest tier in the hierarchy of TIAMAT, known as Magistrates, these positions are typically held by knowledgeable mages. These Magistrates in turn lead a small army of magi and anti-mage forces that they can deploy to handle more dangerous magical disputes or to assist local law enforcement in dealing with threats arcane. Beyond this they act as the eyes, ears, and hands of their betters.
Below the joint council are the various districts, with a single district per government, which are further split into Local Offices, one per state, major city, greater area, or province. All District Chiefs take orders from the Joint Council, but also act to keep the standards for magical learning up to par in their given domain. Additionally, they watch over the legislative process to ensure that their region is policing magic as fairly as possible. These District Chiefs have a measure of political clout in their given area and are capable of vetoing or vetting laws or policies to an extent making them capable of being involved in the political processes of their given region.
Yet still below the District Chiefs are the lowest tier in the hierarchy of TIAMAT, known as Magistrates, these positions are typically held by knowledgeable mages. These Magistrates in turn lead a small army of magi and anti-mage forces that they can deploy to handle more dangerous magical disputes or to assist local law enforcement in dealing with threats arcane. Beyond this they act as the eyes, ears, and hands of their betters.
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yoshua171 The Loremaster
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____________Descendants____________
A race long since died out so many hundreds of thousands of years ago, precursor humans—as paleontologists put it—were an advanced species that only hold minor resemblance to humanity of the modern era. However, while much of the raw power and adaptability of the precursors have been lost, diluted over time through the process of natural selection, those few exist whose genes still contain a number of activated sequences from these ancient, and bizarrely advanced, ancestors of man. So it goes that you must be taught of their nature in case you one day may have the misfortune of facing against them.
Good hunting you lot, and be careful.
Good hunting you lot, and be careful.
With surprisingly similar physiology found among those with active precursor DNA than one might expect, descendants are almost indistinguishable from modern humans with a few notable cosmetic exceptions. The first among these are their eyes which always glow with the use of magic, with the second being their faintly pointed ears, and the third being their tendency to be attractive in one manner or another. Additionally all descendants have one unique trait which distinguishes them from modern humanity, a portion of their body is always somehow visibly magical. For some there eyes are constantly a flame, for others markings run along heir skin, glowing and pulsating with the flow of their vis, and others still may have limbs not wholly solid or connected to their form, with vis filling in the gaps. For every descendant this trait is different and from parent to child there is often little to no correlation, strangely enough.
With lineage in mind, it is notable that descendants are rare, but even should both parents be descendants, their child still only has a 30% chance of being one. This seems to be caused by a strange mixture of the parent's magical strength influencing the child, and most of the precursor genes having become naturally inactive or recessive over time. As a result, descendants are rare, making up only 0.0005% of the total human population, or in other terms, one person in every two-hundred-thousand is sure to be a descendant.
Perhaps last among the biological traits that differentiates descendants from modern humans is their longevity, as unlike modern humans, descendants can live anywhere between 850 to 1500 years. Of course, they also do not mature quite as fast, tending to reach sexual maturity at the age of 18, and to reach physical maturity at the age of 42. Beyond this point, descendants age slowly, though the rate at which they age varies somewhat depending on stress, magic use, the magical climate, and other environmental factors. Though, on average, a descendant dying of old age only lives around 700-900 years before expiring. It should be noted that descendants are more susceptible to magical, or vis-effecting illness than normal humans.
With lineage in mind, it is notable that descendants are rare, but even should both parents be descendants, their child still only has a 30% chance of being one. This seems to be caused by a strange mixture of the parent's magical strength influencing the child, and most of the precursor genes having become naturally inactive or recessive over time. As a result, descendants are rare, making up only 0.0005% of the total human population, or in other terms, one person in every two-hundred-thousand is sure to be a descendant.
Perhaps last among the biological traits that differentiates descendants from modern humans is their longevity, as unlike modern humans, descendants can live anywhere between 850 to 1500 years. Of course, they also do not mature quite as fast, tending to reach sexual maturity at the age of 18, and to reach physical maturity at the age of 42. Beyond this point, descendants age slowly, though the rate at which they age varies somewhat depending on stress, magic use, the magical climate, and other environmental factors. Though, on average, a descendant dying of old age only lives around 700-900 years before expiring. It should be noted that descendants are more susceptible to magical, or vis-effecting illness than normal humans.
While descendants are not that different in appearance from modern humans, the structure of their spiritual being is something else entirely, as unlike a modern human, descendants have an impressionable anima, an internal and external ostium, and of course an aura composed of vis. Essentially, a descendant's anima has a wall that can be made permeable to vis per an individual's will, which acts much like the ostium does for modern humans, but instead is called the velo. Outside of the velo, are the vis pathways that run through the body in all living things, and at the outer edge of that is their ostium, which acts as a barrier, or gateway, to their external vis, allowing them to release and manipulate vis outside of their body.
While the velo does not seem terribly important at first, this is far from the truth as descendants require it to protect their anima from external influence. Their body being so open to vis in comparison to modern humans, in addition to their velo, allows them two notable traits. The former gives them uncanny precision in terms of their vis manipulation and makes magic far more intuitive for them as well as making all of their physical attributes—senses included—slightly amplified compared to a modern human's. Beyond this, the former trait allows them to imprint abilities they have mastered onto their anima directly, amplifying the strength of the ability, skill, or spell and expanding the scope of it as well.
A good example of this would be the traditional fireball spell. Essentially before imprinting it onto their anima by opening their velo, a descendant might be able to merely conjure a fireball of various size depending on the amount of vis utilized, but afterwards the spell becomes more efficient, requiring less energy and its trajectory can be guided. Furthermore, once an ability is imprinted onto their anima, their children will inherit it, even if there are more than one. Of course...only mastered abilities can be imprinted.
While the velo does not seem terribly important at first, this is far from the truth as descendants require it to protect their anima from external influence. Their body being so open to vis in comparison to modern humans, in addition to their velo, allows them two notable traits. The former gives them uncanny precision in terms of their vis manipulation and makes magic far more intuitive for them as well as making all of their physical attributes—senses included—slightly amplified compared to a modern human's. Beyond this, the former trait allows them to imprint abilities they have mastered onto their anima directly, amplifying the strength of the ability, skill, or spell and expanding the scope of it as well.
A good example of this would be the traditional fireball spell. Essentially before imprinting it onto their anima by opening their velo, a descendant might be able to merely conjure a fireball of various size depending on the amount of vis utilized, but afterwards the spell becomes more efficient, requiring less energy and its trajectory can be guided. Furthermore, once an ability is imprinted onto their anima, their children will inherit it, even if there are more than one. Of course...only mastered abilities can be imprinted.
Fallenreaper ღ~Lil' Emotional Cocktail~ღ
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