Once upon a time, there existed a giant tree that was the source of mana.
A war, however, caused this tree to wither away and a hero's life was sacrificed in order to take its place.
Grieving over the loss, the goddess disappeared unto the heavens.
The goddess left the angels with this edict:
"You must wake me, for if I should sleep, the world shall be destroyed."
The Angels bore the chosen one, who headed towards the tower that reached up unto the heavens.
And that marked the beginning of the regeneration of the world.
The world is in decline.
Mana is the basis of all life in the world. Without it, crops wilt, droughts arrive, and magic weakens. While the world slowly dies, a group of half-elves known as Desians thrives on the misfortune, capturing humans for nefarious deeds. The only salvation lies in the Chosen, the title of the savior chosen by the Goddess Martel. Once the oracle descends on the Day of Prophecy, the world is then blessed with the Tower of Salvation, the symbol of the Goddess' power. The Chosen then must travel and unlock the seals around the world, with the final Seal located at the Tower of Salvation. It is at this final seal that the Chosen completes their journey and revitalizes the world.
Mana is the basis of all life in the world. Without it, crops wilt, droughts arrive, and magic weakens. While the world slowly dies, a group of half-elves known as Desians thrives on the misfortune, capturing humans for nefarious deeds. The only salvation lies in the Chosen, the title of the savior chosen by the Goddess Martel. Once the oracle descends on the Day of Prophecy, the world is then blessed with the Tower of Salvation, the symbol of the Goddess' power. The Chosen then must travel and unlock the seals around the world, with the final Seal located at the Tower of Salvation. It is at this final seal that the Chosen completes their journey and revitalizes the world.
Long ago, a hero by the name of Mithos emerged during the Ancient Kharlan War. Said war ravaged the land with ancient technology that drained the world's mana and ultimately ended up destroying the Giant Kharlan Tree, the source of all the world's mana. By sacrificing his life, Mithos was able to revive the tree, though his death caused the Goddess to return to the heavens in sorrow. She would have her angels, holy beings belonging to a society called Cruxis, teach the world of Mithos' sacrifice and spread her word to prevent another war from happening.
While in the heavens, evil half-elves known as Desians drained the world of its mana and sought to enslave humans. In order to protect the world, the Goddess would enlist the help of the Summon Spirits, who would put themselves in several places where mana flourished the most by creating seals. She created the Tower of Salvation on the Holy Ground of Kharlan--the place where Mithos sacrificed his life--and made it so high that it would reach her even in the heavens. However, the Desians' interference made it so that both Goddess and Summon Spirit alike were powerless to help, especially with the lack of mana in the world. To combat this, the Goddess decided to place a part of her power within a Cruxis Crystal and quietly grant it to one human upon their birth. This human would become the Chosen.
History shows that the Day of Prophecy is typically the day the Chosen comes of age, though there have been exceptions where the oracle descends sooner. Said oracle is a messenger of Cruxis that descends to meet the Chosen and sends them forth on their journey. However, the Chosen's pilgrimage is a dangerous one, and a Chosen has not succeeded in their journey in eight hundred years. Nonetheless, the world looks to the new Chosen for hope.
The seals are unlocked when the Chosen offers their prayers to the Goddess, and with each seal unlocked, the Chosen is blessed with the power of the angels.
While in the heavens, evil half-elves known as Desians drained the world of its mana and sought to enslave humans. In order to protect the world, the Goddess would enlist the help of the Summon Spirits, who would put themselves in several places where mana flourished the most by creating seals. She created the Tower of Salvation on the Holy Ground of Kharlan--the place where Mithos sacrificed his life--and made it so high that it would reach her even in the heavens. However, the Desians' interference made it so that both Goddess and Summon Spirit alike were powerless to help, especially with the lack of mana in the world. To combat this, the Goddess decided to place a part of her power within a Cruxis Crystal and quietly grant it to one human upon their birth. This human would become the Chosen.
History shows that the Day of Prophecy is typically the day the Chosen comes of age, though there have been exceptions where the oracle descends sooner. Said oracle is a messenger of Cruxis that descends to meet the Chosen and sends them forth on their journey. However, the Chosen's pilgrimage is a dangerous one, and a Chosen has not succeeded in their journey in eight hundred years. Nonetheless, the world looks to the new Chosen for hope.
The seals are unlocked when the Chosen offers their prayers to the Goddess, and with each seal unlocked, the Chosen is blessed with the power of the angels.
The land is slowly becoming desolate as time moves on. Most people huddle to the few cities that are left, though some towns still flourish, particularly those closest to the seals. The Church of Martel is the central religion of the world and there is often at minimum a chapel in every town as well as the occasional House of Salvation on roads. The fear of Desians raiding towns to collect humans is shared by the populace, with only a few places able to properly defend themselves. Magic is not commonplace, as it is reserved for the reclusive race of elves. Humans cannot typically use magic, though they can enhance their abilities should they get their hands on Exspheres. Of course, the Desians are the primary supplier, though mercenaries are known to have them through one way or another.
Iselia
The Village of Oracles
A small town close to the Tower of Mana. Currently in a non-aggression treaty with the Desians, life in Iselia is an idyllic one. The town is surrounded by forests and is generally tucked away from the rest of the world. Home to the current Chosen of Mana.
Triet
The Desert Oasis
An oasis in the middle of a vast desert. It has seen its fair share of adventurers and is a common place to visit due to its proximity to the Triet Ruins. A fortune teller is currently housed there.
Izoold
The Fishing Port
A small fishing port. They supply the continent with fish and offer rides to the Thoda Geyser and Palmacosta. Supposedly there is a loan shark who is all too willing to help that lives here.
Palmacosta
The Port City
The largest city in the world. Grander than most other cities, Palmacosta is overseen by a governor and has a city guard that protects its citizens from the Desians. Boasts one of the largest markets in the world.
Asgard
The City of Ruins
A spiritual city. While windy, people often come to see the ruins. The city was once home to the Sylvarant Dynasty and has numerous records of Sylvarant's history.
Luin
The City of Water
A homely city built over a large lake. The people are lively and often shelter those that run away from the Human Ranches.
Hima
The Village of Adventures
A mountainside city. Many people come and go through here, climbing the mountain as a test of strength. A man who tames dragons has offered to take people to the Tower of Salvation.
Iselia
The Village of Oracles
A small town close to the Tower of Mana. Currently in a non-aggression treaty with the Desians, life in Iselia is an idyllic one. The town is surrounded by forests and is generally tucked away from the rest of the world. Home to the current Chosen of Mana.
Triet
The Desert Oasis
An oasis in the middle of a vast desert. It has seen its fair share of adventurers and is a common place to visit due to its proximity to the Triet Ruins. A fortune teller is currently housed there.
Izoold
The Fishing Port
A small fishing port. They supply the continent with fish and offer rides to the Thoda Geyser and Palmacosta. Supposedly there is a loan shark who is all too willing to help that lives here.
Palmacosta
The Port City
The largest city in the world. Grander than most other cities, Palmacosta is overseen by a governor and has a city guard that protects its citizens from the Desians. Boasts one of the largest markets in the world.
Asgard
The City of Ruins
A spiritual city. While windy, people often come to see the ruins. The city was once home to the Sylvarant Dynasty and has numerous records of Sylvarant's history.
Luin
The City of Water
A homely city built over a large lake. The people are lively and often shelter those that run away from the Human Ranches.
Hima
The Village of Adventures
A mountainside city. Many people come and go through here, climbing the mountain as a test of strength. A man who tames dragons has offered to take people to the Tower of Salvation.
Seal of Fire : Domain of the Ruler of Hellfire
Located at the Triet Ruins, the Chosen prays to Efreet, the Summon Spirit of Fire. The process of the Chosen becoming an angel begins here.
Seal of Water : Domain of the Maiden of the Mist
Located at the Thoda Geyser, the Chosen prays to Undine, the Summon Spirit of Water.
Seal of Wind : Domain of the Heavenly Messengers
Located at the Balacruf Mausoleum, the Chosen prays to Sylph, the Summon Spirit of Wind.
Seal of Light : Domain of the Light of the Heavens
Located at the Tower of Mana, the Chosen prays to Luna, the Summon Spirit of Light.
Final Seal
Located at the Tower of Salvation. Here, the Chosen prays to the Goddess herself and becomes an angel wholly. With all the seals unlocked, the world is regenerated and the Desians suppressed.
Located at the Triet Ruins, the Chosen prays to Efreet, the Summon Spirit of Fire. The process of the Chosen becoming an angel begins here.
Seal of Water : Domain of the Maiden of the Mist
Located at the Thoda Geyser, the Chosen prays to Undine, the Summon Spirit of Water.
Seal of Wind : Domain of the Heavenly Messengers
Located at the Balacruf Mausoleum, the Chosen prays to Sylph, the Summon Spirit of Wind.
Seal of Light : Domain of the Light of the Heavens
Located at the Tower of Mana, the Chosen prays to Luna, the Summon Spirit of Light.
Final Seal
Located at the Tower of Salvation. Here, the Chosen prays to the Goddess herself and becomes an angel wholly. With all the seals unlocked, the world is regenerated and the Desians suppressed.
This is based on a video game 'cause I'm unoriginal. So the tl;dr is I'm looking for a small group to run this with. I'm hoping for a varied cast of characters, not expecting too much interest but I thought I'd throw it out there. Ideally looking for active roleplayers, good quality posts, and people that like to communicate maybe.
The characters in the cast are either hired by the Church of Martel help to accompany the Chosen or people that may know them personally, it can be up to you to decide. I won't limit people's backgrounds on any battle experience they may have, but I'm not really looking for super overpowered gods, either.
