A Patchwork Tome

[yoshua171]

Herein lies LATS and Lore

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_{Lore Creation}

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In short the Lore system will be a system to organize the submission of lore so as not to simply throw elements into the world that would not properly fit into whatever established framework it will come to possess. The first step is the concept stage, wherein an individual will approach one of the loremasters(GMs) with their ideas for the world, regardless of its nature. A conversation will be had and questions will be asked to further clarify said ideas. After this, the player will be directed to utilize a Lore Sheet in the interest of documenting their ideas in an organized fashion. This sheet is first sent to the GM for review. Once given the okay, it is posted in the OOC where any other parties may view it.

While players may comment and make known their opinion on the lore entry, and such will be considered before final review (followed by integration, revision, or dismissal of the entry in question) ultimately the decision is left to the Loremasters--though constructive criticism, questions, and general discourse are appreciated and encouraged.

To review, the steps are as follows:

1.) Lore idea is presented to the Loremasters(GMs), discussed, then given the go ahead (or not).
2.) Lore Sheet is reviewed by the Loremasters(GMs). Entry is approved, denied, or revised.
3.) Lore Sheet is presented in the OOC for player reactions and feedback.
4.) Entry is reviewed once more by the Loremasters(GMs).
5.) Entry is finalized, then integrated into Patchwork's Lore Thread if applicable.

Lore Sheets

Once you been cleared to fill out a sheet, contact the Loremasters. Conversely, we will give you a sheet upon approving a concept.

The categories are as follows:

Locations
Flora and Fauna
Sentient Races
Realms
Organizations
Magics
History
Deities and Primordial Forces
Religions and Cults
Technology

Lore Post Denotation

In the spirit of organization, below are detailed a series of tags which should be utilized when denoting lore while in character that one wishes such to be defined. The idea is to allow for small and subtle pieces of lore to be created or alluded to by Exploration-type players whilst in character, thus giving prompts to those who would world build to flesh out and give further depth to a given situation and the world at large.

The tags are as follows:

[GM] GameMaster. Tags used to denote that the GM team should define something.
[A1] Anyone. A tag to denote that any player can define the lore in question.
[COM] Community. A tag to denote that the player would like to collaborate with others.
[IP] Personal: A tag denoting that the player will define the lore.

At the end of an in character post in which a player mentions lore that has yet to be defined a hider must be created. Within this hider any undefined terms and potential lore should be mentioned and labeled with their appropriate tags.

Examples

As Denaria crept through what the stranger had called Calethane's Respite, she noted the strange glow that emanated from a series of holes in the cavern's ceiling. Perhaps they were some sort of exotic plant that lived in the cave.

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Deeper within Calethane's Respite, Denaria found herself staring down into a chasm whose bottom she could not see. Yet, while she knew not its depth, she did know that whatever one might find at the bottom of the chasm was a beast of terrible vastness for twas from the chasm that a deep hum resounded, interrupted only by the shuddering breaths of something. Yet, she found herself far more disturbed by the shifting of the walls that surrounded her, which appeared as if covered by some sort of writhing mass. Whether it was an energy or a living thing she did not know and frankly had no wish to discover.

With this thought in mind she turned her back to the scene and began her trek back. Hopefully it would be as uneventful as her way in had been.

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[IP] Calethane's Respite.
[A1] Exotic plant.
[GM] Beast.
[COM] Writhing mass.

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_{Player Accountability}

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A relatively simple system so as to keep account of characters as well as the quality of lore, the Accountability system is twofold. Its first important duty is related to those who wish to join. In essence, one must simply present interest in the OOC, at which point they will be contacted by the GMs and requested to fill out the a Player Profile, found below.

Player Profile

[hider=INSERT USERNAME HERE'S Profile][u][b]Nicknames:[/b][/u] (Optional, but enjoyable :P)
[u][b]RP Timeline:[/b][/u] (How long have you been RPing)
[u][b]Preferred Pronouns:[/b][/u] (Optional)
[u][b]Preferred Genres:[/b][/u] (What sorts of RPs and literature do you prefer to read, create, and write in?)
[u][b]Participation Type:[/b][/u] Simply denote whether or not you wish to make lore, play a character, or both. If you'd be open to a Co-GM role later on, put that here as well as the opportunity may present itself in the future.

[u][b]Roleplay Sample:[/b][/u] (At least two paragraphs. Mind grammar, punctuation and spelling. Typos are alright, as long as they are not glaring and/or consistent)[/hider]

Once the Player Profile is filled out, reviewed and acceptance is given, the player may move on to create their Character Concept or Character Sheet.

Essentially a Character Concept is a paragraph or more description of a character, outlining their history, equipment, and abilities (as well as any particularly noteworthy personality traits). This is to prevent Mary sues/Gary Stus, maintain player accountability, and most importantly to stimulate interactions between characters.

It should be noted that while we do not strictly require any sort of full character sheet, they are nonetheless appreciated as additional effort put into a Character Concept allows us to ascertain more of the character's nature and thus perhaps facilitate plot where wanted or necessary.

Additionally, should one submit a fully fledged character sheet, it will be graded as such.

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_Tiers

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While this system is still a work in progress and will be expanded on, one really must only take away a few things in regards to understanding it. Namely that the Tier system is to properly categorize a given character's strengths and weaknesses from a combat perspective. While currently we have simply devised the base form of what we have termed the "General Tier System," it should be noted that later on categories will be created to further assist in the accurate gauging of a given character's abilities.

No character, at current time, may start out stronger than T5 in regards to combat capability.

The Tier System can be found below:
Link

When the system is updated, it will be an announcement in the OOC.

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_Setting

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Our final stop, Setting is less a system and more a method with which to keep track of characters and interactions ICly. This "system's" core purpose is to allow players to have their characters be in essentially any given location and within any given time period--though the time period is somewhat limited, thus bringing me to our next point.

While I will endorse using linear time, I am going to allow what I call Semi-liquid time, wherein a given timeframe is open, allowing players to post anywhere within that time frame so long as the general time stamp is in their post as according to the rules of the setting system.

Setting System

While within the same city as other player characters, all posts may be made within a 3 day period ICly. This means that one could post anywhere between Monday and Tuesday on a general calendar. One must date their posts so that characters who are not working within the same timeline do not interact across time in a paradoxical fashion. When beyond a distance of several hundred miles, say on another continent, in another realm, or in several days travel (via horseback, not car) distance from another character, your may be within a week's period, rather than just 3 days of a given realm's beginning timeframe. Flashbacks are a unique instance in this regard, as past a week backwards in time, any event may be played out.

Time Denotation

Now, perhaps just as important as understanding the timeframes wherein one may post, is how one denotes their time and location in a post.

The minimal format is as follows:

[center][u][b]Character Name[/b][/u]
[i]Realm--Continent--Vicinity(city, town, landmark)[/i]
Day/time of day(midday, night, midnight, evening, morning, etc)[/center]

Additionally make sure that it is noted if a post is a flashback, by titling it with "Flashback," above the character name. You may add additional things such as alias and you may even denote that your character is moving from one location to another. If someone is moving from the ghettos of a city, to the upper class district, feel free to specify this, it is helpful for other players to find you. Movement from one location to another is denoted by an arrow [-->] with the starting location on the left side and the destination on the right.

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The rest of this thread shall be dedicated to the documentation of A Patchwork World's lore.

[yoshua171]

Bayera

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Continents

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Nymia

_Vaemia

Often called the Fortress in the clouds or the Airborne Citadel, Vaemia is the largest capital city on Nymia and it, quite literally, reigns from on high, looking down upon the world from just beneath the peak of the Crooked Mountain. Vaemia, unlike your common city, is located hanging in the air, supported by a mixture of magical and technological means--though it favors the latter. It is a technological marvel, considered one of the world's great wonders. The city, while possible to reach via airship or flying mount, is otherwise inaccessible, often locking the poor or disadvantaged upon the ground ever to stare in wonder at the glittering construct.

While looked up to literally and figuratively by those who dwell upon the earth as a shining beacon of progress, the city is in fact a dangerous place plagued by the worst sorts of criminals. Murderers, dangerous technopaths, and prolific hackers abound, creating an underground that one could only describe as unnaturally healthy. While magic does exist within its bounds, its citizens often look down on those of a magical persuasion in favor of their tools and trinkets. As such there is something of a harsh rivalry between two factions.

The Technocytes and Magisters rule each their own half of the city and while their rivalry is a serious one, they both know that should either forsake their duties the city would truly fall into chaos--something neither side can allow despite the enmity between them. While trade is important to Vaemia as a city it is more a place of manufacturing than it is of trade.

That is, unless you consider its blackmarket....

Koir

_Olias

A port city in an optimal location for international trade, Olias is a place of duplicity. While by day it appears lively and rife with activity, its nature changes drastically as night falls. While Olias may not possess a blackmarket like Vaemia it is nonetheless a place of disappearance and mystery where the veil is thick and the line between opposites thin. Its people are wary of strangers, though most put on a front during the day, inviting tourists and foreigners alike.

Nonetheless, of the three biggest capitals Olias is surely the most mysterious, possessing monuments of old gods, a largely unexplored system of catacombs that go deeper than most might think and a history lost to time. It is the oldest city in Koir and even its founder has been lost to time. Why it is even called Olias, or what the name might mean, is similarly lost. This is of course not at all assisted by the fact that most advanced technology ceases to work within Olias' bounds, the reason for which is yet to be uncovered. On the other hand, magic is far more potent, though this too has its disadvantages as what may have before lit a candle, might set fire to a house.

It is a power that one must learn to control...should they survive long enough to do so, they will be quite lucky. Though should they go looking in Olias, they may not find that their luck holds as those who seek, are often found and if they are not...then what they find is just as likely to be their downfall.

As such, Olias has long been known as the City of the Lost to those who know its true nature. To others it appears just another port city, though perhaps a large one. Regardless, with exotic wares arriving every day and people disappearing almost every night, who knows what one might find in the Lost City.

Vostira

_Calivast

A city nestled in the mainland of Vostira, Calivast is the proud capital of Isira, a bustling nation brimming with culture and trade. A unity of states more than a single government is the defining point of Isira as well as the trade and small conflicts between each of its regions. Calivast is very much the central hub of this trade as everything that moves through Vostira must at some point pass through it. With sprawling plains laid about its form, its center 'pon a hill, and surroundings crisscrossed by canals, the city is a constant buzz of activity regardless of the season.

From far and wide traders, travelers, and troublemakers come to find their way in the world be it through honest ends or not. While the ruling party in Calivast is in fact human, the country to which it is capital is very much a melting pot of races, humanoid and otherwise. All kinds are considered equal within the city's bounds even if such is often not the place throughout the rest of Isira.

While not immediately apparent, Calivast is very much a well-to-do city as while on the surface its architecture is wizened and old, beneath its surface brims the technology of the new age. Its river is divied into waterways and artificial sailing canals; its buildings are reinforced with steel and repaired by nanites; and here and there one may find that its people sport not so mundane items.

Truly it is not a place to take things at face value. In fact, doing so is rather ill advised. Why this is however, is a thing one discovers for themselves.

[yoshua171]

The Divine Equation

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Bayera's Conception

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The Primordials

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Spoiler

Ahlvaerian

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Estari

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Embryo

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Laerana

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The Gods

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The result of the Great Fracture, Gods are Divine entities with truly vast souls, and thus existences, beyond the scope of any mortal. They are the beings aligned with the creative forces of existence, with the “Right,” end of karma, though they may err as a mortal might. Possessing an inherently vast Sway, Gods are capable of reaching through the ether to influence the world to varied degrees, though their doing so without anchors weakens them. While thought by many to be largely benevolent and good entities, this is not necessarily the case, as Gods are focused more on furthering the expansion of the universe and the creation of new ideas and concepts. While Gods do interact with the world at large, they tend to do so through their followers or by way of their progeny, angels preferring to interact in a way that gains them much, but costs them little. Despite their interactions with the world being a regular thing, their actions are noticed infrequently as they work on a subtle level, only acting overtly when necessary.

All gods, as with their counterparts, the Archdemons, can be replaced or joined by their Angelic progeny. Regardless, scholars of Bayera have largely come to the conclusion that there are eight gods that persist in aspect, if not in spirit.

Last to note is the fact that, as with Archdemons, Gods are capable of bestowing gifts of power upon their favored followers, which can grant a small portion of their power to the mortal in question. However, the method of gaining a given God's favor differs between individuals, not to mention that most gods will not grant gifts to an individual who another god has laid claim over already, at least so long as that individual remains under their sway. Such is the way of their kind, flawed in nature, sympathetic in spirit—oft times—and vast in nature.

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The Four Neutralities

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Their karmic nature falling somewhere between that of Archdemons and Gods, the Four Neutralities are a small group of gods of far more ancient nature, though the same origins, who work as the balancing force of existence. While Gods seek to create and Archdemons destroy or corrupt, the Neutralities are the middle men or third parties among divines, acting as mediators, brokers of deals, and Divines with the purpose of dictating forces which have no true alignment.

Time, Knowledge, Balance, and Connection are these aspects and they have been as such since the conception of these Neutral Beings. It is thought that, unlike Gods and Archdemons, the Neutralities do not change and have been the same, perhaps with one exception, since time immemorial.

Also unlike their kin, the Neutralities tend not to directly interact with the mortal realm, but instead watch over their individual aspects so as to maintain a sort of balance through dealing directly with the divine forces at play in the world at their sources. Strangely, the Neutralities nonetheless have agents among mortal-kind, as they prefer to cover every possible angle, should it ever be necessary for them to act from such. Perhaps most embroiled in the interactions of mortal-kind are Haramon and Vurin'al.

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Haramon

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A being associated closely with magic, Haramon is the Arbitrator, the ruler of contracts, deals, oaths, and exchanges. He is the god of trade and promises, of karma both good and bad. While not technically a god of magic, Haramon is strongly tied to those who utilize magic, particularly summoners and contract magus. Haramon is neither benevolent nor malevolent in nature, instead swinging between a series of morals that are hardly human or mortal at all. While Haramon presides over those of a mundane persuasion insofar as their use of deals and the practice of trade, he is far more important to contract mages in that one such individual must bind themselves by the deity's will before beginning their practice.

In this way it is seen that Haramon, rather than favor particular people, favors the idea of balance, allotting negative or positive karma to those who would maintain it. This reveals that Haramon prefers deal with mundane humans rather than practitioners as the latter are much more liable to offset the natural balance than the former. Ultimately, regardless of one's persuasion, Haramon enforces the words of man, and for practitioners, binds them to it. Should their word be broken Haramon is the one who deals the karma which acts as their payment for the slight.

While possessing no particular form, Haramon sometimes, in dreams or the infrequent manifestation, takes the shape of a judge, garbed in blacks, whites, greys, blues, and reds, one half of his form in contrast with the other. He is often depicted with a crown of metal flowers, thorns on their stems and an imperious stare. He is said to hold a scale in one hand and a hammer in the other.

_{Haramon's Will}

An oath sworn either upon one's entrance into the practice of contract magic, or as a result of tampering with such and thus being forced to follow through, Haramon's Will is a binding ritual which holds all contract mages to their words and actions. It is such that practitioners of the magic cannot lie, or rather should not, as doing so may endow one with karmic debt or render them forsworn. It should be known that to be forsworn is to be unable to cast all magics, but the darkest sort, leading one to either destroy themselves with such or lead a 'mundane' life.

However, while the Oath has steep consequences for being broken or marred it too has its boons. The most notable of these benefits is the Oath's reward for upholding promises and bargains as the continued act of fulfilling such things empower those who do so. It should be noted that while those bound by the Oath are penalized for dishonesty and lying, they are not punished for omitting details or using statements from former contexts. All that matters in truth is that their words are true in a given context. Thus, the narrower the context and questions asked, the more difficult it is for one who is bound by such to evade the truth without consequence.

Chronosia

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Goddess of Time.

Akasha

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Goddess of Knowledge

Vurin'al

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God of Connections.

Archdemons

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Beings inherently of “Wrong,” Archdemons serve as the antithesis to the Gods, existing as sentient manifestations of entropy, in some form or another. While not inherently evil, or even malevolent in the purest sense, Archdemons are entities which seek to gain footholds in the world, expanding their disruptive influence so as to sway the world towards its eventual destruction. With their souls just as vast as their counterparts, Archdemons exist to spread, corrupt, and make deviate the world from the intended path of the Gods.

While not entirely reviled by mortals, Archdemons, unlike their counterparts, are seen as beings who ought be avoided, though never left to their own devices. They are not to be trusted unless one trusts them only to ruin them, in one way or another. Additionally, unlike the Gods, Archdemons have the tendency of working against eachother in the interest of individually gaining a greater sway over the world and its destruction as a result. It is in this that hints of their own entropic nature are revealed as they work to destroy even eachother, subsuming one another for power and influence when the opportunity arises. Additionally, while gods merely work through their progeny, the Angels, Archdemons outright use their progeny as puppets of their will till they become strong enough that such is no longer possible.

While some of their ilk are worshiped by mortals, it is more often than not that this is only in the interest of placating their terrible wraths and protecting oneself from such for a time. Most, rather than worship them, seek to understand them and document the individuals of particular note and how to deal with them. These brave scholars and mages have revealed to the world that, at least at present, there appear to be at least twelve significantly powerful Archdemons. Yet despite the best efforts of such people, all measures eventually fail, as they are only temporary stop-gaps for the tremendous force of entropy that drives these colossally “Wrong,” beings. As no matter your nature, your time can only last so long, and when it runs out, most discover, too late, that their enemy has merely bidden its time. Such is the nature of entropy's encroaching destruction, as no one can escape it forever, not even the Gods.

Spoiler

Urthyr, Archdemon of Fate

_{Credit goes to @Tuujaimaa}

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Of the Archdemons, Urthyr is considered by and large to be the most favourable to interact with as a mortal. Presiding over the domain of Fate, Urthyr’s goal is to draw mortals away from their intended paths and disrupt the natural order in doing so – which, by the standards of its brethren, is significantly less barbaric and far more palatable.

Urthyr is among the most powerful of the Archdemons for many reasons, one of which being that many mortals inevitably act upon impulse and desire if nudged in the correct direction – they do not require a specific propensity towards the karmic concept of “wrongness” – any act committed in Urthyr’s name is wrong by virtue of the karmic intent of the mana that Urthyr writes its contracts in.

Another contributing factor to Urthyr’s success and persistence is that they have existed in their current capacity for 1,700,000,000 years – they are the second oldest Archdemon, and by a long stretch at that. Age has given Urthyr the wisdom to fight only when absolutely necessary, and never to peddle so much influence or hoard too much power in order to maintain the delicate balance.

Among the most cunning of its brethren, Urthyr delights in the grand game of influence peddling with its spawn, and though many seek to supplant the Archdemon of Fate, few are able to gain enough following to do so – and many remain loyal, at least on a surface level, in order to gain from Urthyr’s victories but not to suffer from their losses.

Traelyn, Archdemon of Absolution

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The sire to many, though most only know of his misbegotten son, Dichónoia, a demon of Discord, Traelyn is a waning Archdemon of great age. Perhaps the oldest of the currently reigning Archdemons, Traelyn is a lofty 2.6 billion. This Archdemon, despite its flagging power, is no being to trifle with, as it is yet to lose its capability to obliterate those who stand in its way be it through subtlety or outright brute force—though he prefers the former.

Responsible for the downfall of many a mortal and a great deal of damage to the scales of “Right,” and “Wrong,” Traelyn is known throughout Bayera as a false god by some and a savior by others—though both are wrong in their own capacity. For those who know his aspect these titles hold far more meaning, as Traelyn holds dominion over the aspect of Absolution, allowing the Archdemon to, in some capacity, absolve others of their karmic burdens—at least for a time or a price. This ability is an empty promise of sorts as no one can avoid the consequences of their actions forever, and so it is that Traelyn plays the long game, preying on the comparatively short memories and lifespans of mortals and making deals that appear not to benefit him, but in reality are one-sided, only truly benefiting the Archdemon when all is said and done.

Perhaps more dangerous than just Traelyn's age, wit, and raw might is his alliance with the Archdemon of Fate, Urthyr. It is largely due to this alliance that Traelyn persists despite the vampiric influence of his own son's machinations as he has taken to making joint contracts with Urthyr's “clients” rather than only make his own bargains, this way their gains far outweight their collective losses. However, the question is will it be enough?

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Minor Deities and Demigods

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Spoiler

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[yoshua171]

Mana and Magic

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Brought into being by the Primordial Embryo, Mana is a conscious energy, which suffuses reality and acts as the driving force for all living things regardless of their alignment or place in the world. It is this energy, which acts as the medium for all works, be they the mortal practice of mages or the workings of the divine. Alive in its own right, each particle of mana possesses its own simple mind without alignment and thus impressionable in its nature. This makes mana malleable to those of greater will, of which there are many, thus coloring the energy with Karmic “Right,” or “Wrong,” depending on how it is used and to what end.

It is this energy that allows living beings to weave magic by way of aligning their internal mana with the energy which surrounds them and bending it to their will. Thus magic is a working requiring the mastery of self and environment both lest one gain greater sway over the other and bring ruin to the caster, or perhaps those around them.

As an energy of impressionable nature whose essence infuses the world and its inhabitants it holds that workings of magic alter it, often influencing the people and places that dwell in its vicinity. In this way a twofold truth is revealed, as mana is tinged not only by the will and focused intentions of mages, but also from where it is drawn and to what ends it is used. Essentially, when mana is bent to the will of man or mer it is changed taking on the “Right,” or “Wrong,” of the mage's actions. While the mage and those around them may benefit or suffer from this, it is not only the targets who are changed by the workings of magic, but the places it is used in and the inhabitants therein.

Thus it stands to reason that mana, through magic, influences the environments it dwells in, perhaps blessing or cursing places in which it is often used. Greater workings of magic may even alter a place in its very essence, twisting it into a horrible rendition of “Wrong,” or shifting it into a masterpiece of “Right.” The same is true for man, mer, flora, and fauna as magic changes not only the mage, but also those who live in the places they do magic. Conversely many smaller workings of magic may have the same effect.

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Élan and Sway

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The soul, known more often as Élan, meaning “Impetus,” is the life force and consciousness of all living things, though it takes varying forms. Perhaps the most notable trait of Élan aside from its giving of life, is its tendency to bestow upon the living the capacity to harness mana. This capacity, known as Sway, is the size of the mana field created by one's body as they naturally produce internal mana, exuding small amounts of it as a result—though this can differ between races. This Sway, in its natural state, is more often than not a rather small thing, being limited to an inch or so off of a given person's body when at rest. However, this field can nonetheless be utilized to influence other external mana and, over time, can be expanded through the intermingling of such. So it stands that the longer one utilizes magic the greater their Sway becomes.

While the use of conventional magic has the tendency to increase one's Sway, there are other methods through which one's Sway may be broadened, one being of the Karmic sort and the others being more nebulous in nature. Regardless there remains a consequence for stretching one's workings beyond the scope of their Sway, this consequence is known formally as Magical Backlash.

Karma

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A force of balance in the universe, Karma is something that all magic users must be abundantly aware of in their practice of the craft. While the average mortal's luck is influenced by their actions, it is the fate of a magic user to be bound by such, rather than be influenced in a subtle way. While a mortal might suffer a small cut due to a verbal slight or the breaking of a promise, a mage could pay for their actions with a waning of their power and a series of unfortunate events for many days to come.

The way Karma swings has to do with the nebulous ideas of Chaos and Order, Right and Wrong, though these are often confused with Positive and Negative, Good and Evil, which are infrequently related to these ideas in truth. Rather, Right and Wrong refer more to the universe's status and the balance between the forces of creation and destruction, life and death, Substance and the lack thereof.

Essentially, when an individual commits an act reinforcing the Universe's balance and its preference for “Right” they are awarded with good karma, which imparts positive luck and an easier time with most things. Personal pursuits are easier to pursue, opportunities arise more frequently, and people are perhaps more equitable.

However, on the other end of the spectrum, any act reinforcing the “Wrong” in the world begets bad karma, punishing whomever committed the act with bad luck and the universe essentially working against them and their pursuits be they for the world's benefit or not.

It should be noted that Karma of either persuasion can be rescinded or negated by its opposite, essentially dragging someone into karmic debt or out of it depending on the situation.

Nonetheless it is prudent of any man, be they mage or otherwise to be thoughtful and cautious of their actions lest they suffer for them.

Backlash and Fallout

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The workings of magic have two well known and pervasive repercussions, one which affects only the caster, and another which affects the world in earnest. The former of these two is referred to as Magical Backlash, a phenomenon which occurs upon a spellcaster overextending the reach of their Sway, the result of which has three stages. The stages are as follows:

Spoiler

First among these stages is Magical Exhaustion, which is characterized by a feeling of mild lethargy and a reduced attention span, resulting in diminished focus and rational decision making. This stage is the least dangerous form of Magical Backlash and is even used as a tool to assist in the expansion of one's Sway, which is accomplished by reaching this stage repeatedly, though not before allowing one's body to regenerate the minuscule amount of Élan that is taken due to one's Sway having been diminished considerably—though only temporarily. This stage is easily recovered from and is fairly common, as mages often do not know their limits when first learning the intricacies of magic. Recovery time varies depending on the size of a given mage's Sway, but for most it does not last more than three(3) or four(4) days.

Second among the stages of Magical Backlash is what is known as Hollowness, which is characterized by a distinct lack of motivation or drive, a lethargy of body and mind, and a sensation of emptiness. This stage, while not overtly painful, has a malign effect on mind and body both, causing one to feel without purpose. Particularly severe cases of Hollowness can result in a mage's Élan and Sway never fully recovering, wherein their Sway's capacity is reduced, and the time that they require to replenish their Sway is doubled. Perhaps more detrimental are the possibly permanent effects on the mind, as one can become aimless in purpose, possessing little will to do much of anything aside from the essentials.

The most severe cases of Hollowing have resulted in mages with living bodies, but dead minds, incapable of taking care of themselves. Hollowing is sometimes considered a state worse than death and is so severe that even the crass and tactless would think twice before using it as, or in, a threat. Recovery from the mental effects Hollowness often requires either a tremendous will, an acute understanding of one's Self, or the assistance of others to remind one of their place in the world. The physical and metaphysical aspects of Hollowness require one to abstain from the use of magic for at least twice the time that they would take to recover from Magical Exhaustion. After roughly half of the time has elapsed, the use of simple spells is safe and advised to remind the body to keep healing.

The third and only fatal stage of Magical Backlash is known simply as Dissolution, and is characterized by an overexertion of one's Élan in addition to their Sway. Essentially, when one passes beyond the point of third degree Hollowness, Dissolution becomes the likely consequence of their actions, which will result in the magical energy, upon it completing the given spell—provided there was sufficient mana for it to do so—to outright collapse back into the empty space within a mage's body. The result is the individual becoming so suffused with mana that instead of merely occupying space and holding them together, it upsets whatever flicker of Élan that remains, causing their essence and body to disintegrate completely.

For the unlucky this process is slow enough for them to realize their mistake as they gradually come apart at the seams, the mana within them tearing them apart. What consciousness they retain writhes in agony until they finally disappear entirely. On the other hand one can simply go out in a brilliant spike of mana wherein the body is seen as if illuminated from within, following by every atom of their being bursting outwards and upwards like hundreds of tiny lights, before flickering out of existence. While obviously the result of creating a space devoid of mana, which the mana then overcompensates to fill, Dissolution is also the result of the Primordial Embryo defending itself from an individual's misuse of the energies imparted to them by it. While only a theory, some mages believe that a sufficiently large Dissolution could cause actual damage to Embryo. Their theory is flawed as Dissolution itself is a result of Embryo's consciousness taking hold of one's mana upon them spending the entirety of their Élan. Nonetheless, a sufficiently large Dissolution or a cluster of moderate Dissolutions is nonetheless a dangerous thing—though less so for Embryo than those individuals who remain near the phenomenon.

Moving on from Magical Backlash there is the aforementioned second repercussion to the use of magic, which is admittedly more pervasive than Backlash. In fact, this second repercussion, known as Magical Fallout, is so pervasive as to occur every single time magic is utilized in any capacity. Essentially, Magical Fallout is the result of mana being influenced by magic, as the weaving of a spell, or otherwise use of magic, alters the base state of the mana in question. Thus, with every use of magic in the same area, mana is altered and gradually, over time, these alterations can cause changes in environment and subsequently the flora and fauna that dwell therein. A mundane forest, if commonly exposed to magic of a defensive sort might become a forest that bars the entrance of those with malign intent; an arena affected by psychic magic and elemental magic might begin to create obstacles and golems, perhaps with minds of their own, etc etc. While this Fallout is more often caused by the build up of many uses of magic in an area, it can be caused to such an extent by workings of magic that are vast in scope, either by the hand of an adept and truly terrifying mage, or by the workings of a group of mages.

Lastly among the effects of Magical Fallout are those effects that take root in the mage or mages in question as their Élan is too influenced by their workings. With practice and the proper knowledge mutations or departures from their natural state, be it mental or physical, can be stopped, but without a certain mindfulness one is more likely to, on some level, be altered by what sorts of magic they deal in. This is, perhaps, the most dangerous aspect of magic, if only due to its subtle nature causing a great many to overlook the future consequences of their actions. Nonetheless, magic is wrought and the world at large takes this consequence as a necessary evil.

One wonders if they are right.

[yoshua171]

Notable Figures

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Below is a list, each with explanation, of notable historical figures and present NPCs/people who are not player characters, but may nonetheless be important in some manner or another.

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Billy
--The Contract Mage--

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Concept: A man of good taste and specific purpose, Billy is a Contract mage bound by Haramon's Will twelve-fold, making him one of few who has become effectively immortal despite his human origins. Considered as a mediator of sorts by many, and perhaps the most favored of Haramon's Agents, Billy wields immense sway and a grasp over contract magic, mana's workings, and the complexities of Runes greater than most may ever achieve. It is said that he is bound to his word to such a degree and possesses a karmic sway so great that, so long as his words assert balance in a situation, they are almost certain to assert his will over those and that which is involved with them. However, his reputation does not just persist in the present, as none yet have been able to ascertain just how long Billy has been alive, leading society to think of him as the archetypal contract mage by whom they judge all others—hence his title. Yet, despite his power and notoriety, Billy is largely incapable of making any meaningful impact on the world in regards to “Right,” or “Wrong,” making him almost entirely unable to hold properties, establish long lasting relationships and connections, or carve out a place for himself in society. While merely speculation, it is said that this is, in some form, what Billy sacrificed for the power he wields.

Equipment: On his person, the eminent mage carries an athamé, several different forms of paper, held in a satchel, mana-infused chalk, mana-infused metal, and a series of vials with different liquids in them, many of them containing the blood from various races and great beasts. Beyond this he carries a device resembling a pen. This device is inscribed with runes upon the inner surfaces of its form. Additionally the pen is made partially of mana-infused metal, allowing it to take mana in and use spellcrafting to turn it into a sort of ink, which he uses for contracts.

Last among his notable pieces of equipment is his Implement, Familiar, and Demesne, which takes the form of a flat circular disk that fits comfortably in the palm of a human hand. The device's faces appear to be some bizarre mixture of a clock and a compass, but with far more “hands,” numbers, and symbols. The device is impossible for others to use without permission due both to it being Billy's familiar and due to it being his Demesne—the former of which is an angel by the name of Kailethoran.

The device is capable of telling the time normally, but can also tell him how long it will take him to arrive at a given destination as well as the rough direction of other contract mages or individuals who are in the act of forming contracts. It is impossible for the device to be unwillingly removed from his person in any permanent fashion and the item appears to be indestructible by any mortal means. While it possesses other uses, the object's primary function is in assisting Billy in locating individuals and contracts that require his attention, as well as arriving there in a timely fashion. The device, unknown to most, is also something of a weakness as it is his “anchor,” to Bayera meaning that if one devised a way to permanently remove it from his possession they would proceed to gain incredible levels of sway over his actions, or at least they would earn his fealty for a time. Nonetheless, this has yet to be done in any permanent capacity by either mortals or divine entity alike.

[yoshua171]

The Races of Bayera

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Spoiler

The Dureva

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Alternate Name:: Beastkin.

History

Power has been a goal of men since time immemorial, no matter what corruption may come upon them. The dureva, also known as beastmen, are the result of men being cursed for their ancestors' pursuit of power. This began roughly 5,000 years a go, a man named Balaclava sought to increase his magic beyond what the gods had granted him, and had several followers who followed him. Each were incredibly powerful, pushing the boundaries of what a human mage could do, and yet that wasn't enough. Dissolution however, killed many in their cult as they tried harder and harder to break the limits of man's Elan. Eventually, they converged on what was the strongest concentration of mana on Bayera at the time, where the air around them buzzed with energy and glowed like thousands of fireflies. It was here that one final effort was made to break their limits, beginning by filling their bodies with vast amounts of mana, to brace against the backlash, and in the interest of retaining some. As their collectibe power peaked, the cult converged their energies and synchonized good and bad karma in a buildup to prevent the backlash from having an effect.

However, the sheer scale of their efforts attracted the notice of Gods and Archdemons alike. Seizing the opportunity to assert their place in the world further, the Archdemons harvested the power, tainting it with "Wrongness" as they did so, thus affecting the world as a result. The sudden change in the mana's karmic state thus altered the landscape around them, forming the Bahrain Deadlands. Understandably upset with the foolhardy humans, the Gods themselves acted in the interest of ceasing further spread of the taint. So, rather than killing the cultists, they cursed them so that the once powerful mages would never again wield magic, as their Sway was rendered null. However, perhaps worse was that their bodies would depend on mana, forcing them to be near it for the rest of their lives. The curse would spread to their offspring as well, perpetuating the cycle.

Thus rendered unable to impression mana, it would instead leave impressions upon them, changing their bodies to suit their enviroments, giving them beast-like attributes. Some grew additional limbs or appendages such as wings or fins while others still grew fur, spines, or scales. The lucky ones managed to retain a fairly human appearance, while the unfortunate came to be regarded as monsters. As time went on, their dependence on mana only grew, infusing their bodies with that which surrounded them, so that eventually mana became their blood...their life in a way that it simply could not be for another. No longer human, their former kin shunned them and so were shunned in turn creating a rift between the two. They cursed men became known as Dureva as time passed, but while some forgot what they once were, all knew that to attempt to disrupt the natural order...one would be punished.

Culture

For thousands of years, the dureva were forced to follow where mana lead, living only where it was thickest thus making them a nomadic people. As a result of this and the circumstances of their creation, their culture gradually changed from that of humans to something else entirely. They came to resent the gods and chose to worship nature instead, as it was the only thing that truly supported them. So it was that "From the Gods" became a phrase of contempt, likening things to the curse that had been laid upon them. Magic, which they could not use, became an evil, and disruptive, thing in their eyes, with mages often thought of as unnecessary nuisances. Being nomadic, their ability to manufacture suffered and so technology lost favor. As time went on the dureva took to seeing technology as a hindrance or an outright threat to nature, causing them to shun it. All these factors seperated them further from man, and the group became hostile towards man as a result. Treating most of mankind with disdain they took to calling them 'humes,' as a way of insulting them.

As they developed as a people, their worship of nature led them to take care of those places that they settled, even if only a time. They became guardians of the lands they tread upon, repelling those who would harm what they considered holy ground. Yet, perhaps because of their aggression towards others, the dureva have never been particularly prosperous, their numbers remaining small throughout history.

Nonetheless, the dureva make due, traveling in groups called clans, for safety and comaraderie alike. Each clan competing for optimal locations, though never warring amongst one another in earnest.

With their bestial attributes defining them, dureva have come to naming their own, in some manner, after the beasts they resemble.

Despite the efforts of their elders to engrain the traditions of their kind, there are some dureva who would rather live among others. While once this was impossible, in more recent times the discovery of 'nature gems', items which can absorb ambient mana and grant it to their holder, some dureva have chosen to travel beyond their normal routes and join the ranks of humanity. Nonetheless, areas bereft of mana are something that every dureva dreads as should their crystal fail, their life will be soon in ending. Still, with the elders holding to tradition, many dureva have taken to shunning these gems calling them a trap laid by the divine, items which can only be 'from the gods' put in place to trick them once again.

Perhaps they are right.

Mana

The dureva, with mana literally running through their veins, have a large Elan, the mana of their souls being denser than most. However, part of their curse makes this completely useless, as they are entirely unable to influence mana. This is not however due to a lack of Sway, but instead because its flow has been inverted causing them to absorb mana, rather than exude it. Similarly this is why mana influences their person more intimately than it would a human affecting them when near. As with all races, some dureva have a more powerful sway, causing them to draw more mana into themselves, though it makes them more susceptable to it as well. This is just another reason that dureva hate spellcasters, as their influence can literally hurt them just due to proximity--though it is hardly ever fatal.

Race Abilities

Despite being without Magic, the dureva are far from weak. Drawing strength from the mana that flows through their veins, thus infusing their bodies with natural strength and resilience, though what form these things takes differs with the bestial traits they possess. Due to the sheer amount of mana in their bodies their muscles are energized, making them potentially terrifying adversaries in physical combat. Additionally, this mana is utilized to accentuate and strengthen their bestial attributes, allowing, say, a bird dureva to fly.

While unable to properly use magic, there are a small number of dureva, called Whisperers, who are so intune with nature that they are able to communicate with it. Two branches of Whisperers exist, Beast Whisperers and and Floral Whisperers. They are highly prized by the dureva, and some others, due to their rarity. Whenever a new Whisperer is discovered, the entire clan will host a grand banquet, festivities included, to celebrate their good fortune.

Whisperers, while unable to use mana themselves, are able to feel the mana coming from nature, and communicate with it. They are the closest thing the dureva have to spellcasters as their skills allow them to commune with nature and then use their inherent connection to influence it.

A Beast Whisperer may command beasts as allies, gathering information or fighting alongside them. Floral Whisperer however, can persuade plants to speed their growth or even coax them to grow a certain way. Each species, be it flora or fauna, has a different 'feel', and so a whisperer must listen to learn this feeling.

Demons

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The progeny of Archdemons, Demons are as diverse as they are plentiful. Known as beings of “Wrongness,” they are wrought from the souls of mortals and reborn as agents of calamity, meant to sow entropy in the world and among their own kind in turn. While no demon is truly alike, they do share some common attributes, these primarily being their biological immortality, their karmic alignment, and of course their drive to rise through the ranks of their kind.

With the term “demon,” being more a descriptor of a broad group of differing species, each with their own cultures, than it is of a single race, these beings of wrongness are often reviled by men and mer both. The extent of this hatred has led the likes of demons, since the Forgotten Era, to being largely exiled to their realm of origin, Pendulum, where each strives to find a foothold in the world so that it might sow the seeds of entropy once more. While each demon seeks out its own ways to sow entropy, not one is truly the same as another as each individual is born with an Aspect that governs their actions and determines the means by which they must achieve their brand of divinity. While some may share an Aspect no single demon expresses theirs in quite the same way, thus revealing the highly individualistic nature of their kind.

Nonetheless, despite their tendency towards individualism, in both body and mind, demons can, more often than not be separating into eight(8) Classes, which are detailed below.

Classes

Thralls: The starting point of their kind, this class includes demons who have recently been born or who have yet to attain a notable level of sentience and “will” separate from that of their sire. Thralls are most easily identified by largely animalistic behavior, a lack of autonomy and/or an inability to act of their own accord. Demons of this rank are of the weakest sort, with a Sway comparable to the average human, though possessing some magic inherent to their being. Additionally, Thralls, along with Lesser and some Moderate Demons, are one of the few classes of demon that can slip through the cracks and find their way to Bayera without previously established footholds. Their ability to do this is due almost entirely to the minuscule size of their sway, which allows their karmic nature to go largely unnoticed by reality at large, thus fooling it into allowing them inside. It should be noted that many Thralls do not have an entirely static form, instead taking on an appearance that most represents the idea of their aspect to those who behold them. Conversely they may not take on any particularly defined form at all, instead manifesting as a distinct feeling of Wrongness where they are located, perhaps accompanied by a thick cloud of mana that is particularly unpleasant to look upon.

Lesser Demons: The lowest form of conscious demon, Lesser demons are beings of Wrongness that have managed to form their own personality and free will, thus separating them, though to varying degrees, from their sire. These demons, similar to Thralls, can slip into Bayera with greater ease than many of their more powerful kin. While their sway is larger than that of Thralls, it tends to allow them to manipulate things only directly in contact with their person or within several feet. However, unlike Thralls, practically all Lesser Demons possess a sort of mana radiation, that bleeds off a form of Karmic “Wrong,” which taints everything around them. While this taint is particularly weak and can be easily purified, it does tend to stick and can take up to a day or two to wear off or dissipate. Lesser Demons, due to their having gained individuality, tend to have a form, allowing them to manifest willingly into a particular shape or into the nebulous form detailed in “Thralls”. Additionally, while Thralls tend to take on traits, abilities, and appearances more in line with the Aspect of their sires, Lesser Demons have defined themselves enough to have an almost entirely separate Aspect, and thus abilities that tend to differ a fair bit from those of their sire.

Moderate Demons: Perhaps the most dangerous of the lower echelons of demonkind, Moderate Demons are characterized by a Sway equivalent to the average mage, but with a distinctly higher potency born of their magical abilities being geared towards one Aspect. Demons of this rank are entirely separate from their sires at this point, being fully fledged individuals with an evolving form. Additionally it is at this point in their development that demons lose their ability to take on a nebulous shape, though this does not mean that they cannot take on abstract forms. Moderate demons, while not particularly common in Bayera, are also not uncommon, making them a sort of being that is known of by most. While they are known elements, Moderate Demons are still more often than not avoided due to their Sway giving off the same sort of karmic radiation as that of Lesser demons, though of a considerably more worrisome density, causing things influenced by it to be inflicted with ill luck or outright illness, though it tends to be mild or mercifully temporary.

High Demons: The first of the truly terrifying classes of demons, High Demons are particularly uncommon as they have, due to the size of their sway and the density of their Elan, lost their ability to easily slip through the cracks and enter Bayera. Instead, High Demons must carve out footholds in the world, by concentrating their influence and sway, being summoned, or making deals—though it is often a mixture of all three. High Demons possess a streamlined form in comparison to those of classes below them as their Aspect tends to have clarified somewhat, as has their understanding of it, allowing their physical manifestation—if it can be called such—to clarify and create its own form of order as it follows certain guidelines and adheres to the themes that guide a given demon's nature. In terms of sheer magical power, High Demons tend to be comparable to a powerful or particularly skilled human mage, putting their overall power somewhere around the fifth(5th) or sixth(5th) orders(tiers). These demons are not rare, but they are not even half as common as Moderate Demons, making them a sort of being one is unlikely to encounter if they are careful. Nonetheless, a High Demon is considered about as dangerous as a tank or equivalent threat in terms of raw power. However, perhaps more notable is a High Demon's rating in terms of expected collateral damage, which tends to be equivalent to the seventh(7th) tier or greater as the sheer wrongness exuded by their form is likely to cause damage of varying sorts over a period of time equivalent to a week or more. Last to note of their traits is a High Demon's ability to extend their influence between realms so as to influence the goings on of Bayera while still in Pendulum. This ability is however limited, though its limits depend on the demon in question. All demons above this class also possess this ability.

Wardens: A turning point in a demon's evolution, individuals who have reached Warden class are likely to have either already gained a foothold in the world, or who have decided to stake a claim to part of Pendulum, thus increasing their sway over time and allowing it to bleed into Bayera. These demons, while powerful in their own right, are particularly uncommon in Bayera, meaning that they are unlikely to be encountered unless one is explicitly seeking one out, which is something only the unwise, insane, or particularly powerful are likely to do. Warden class demons are typically powerful enough that facing them alone with magic below the seventh(7th) order(tier) is not just unwise, but suicidal, in one way or another. This is without considering the karmic radiation they release, which is comparable to a nuclear bomb in sheer area of effect, though far more tame in terms of damage done per minute. Strangely, and quite unlike other classes of demons, Warden class demons tend not to possess significant magical abilities, at least not in the form of offensive magic. Instead, Wardens tend to have personal and environmental magic, allowing them to bind their sway to the environment around them and use it as an extension of their person. The range of this ability is however limited, tending to max out at about the size of a city block, though it varies. Those Wardens who carve out a place for themselves in Pendulum choose either to serve a Demonic Lord, or to become “Rogue Wardens,” that hold land outside the eight claimed territories of Pendulum, protecting them fiercely from intruders. Lastly, Warden class demons are capable of skipping an evolutionary step and becoming Greater Demons rather than Demonic Lords once they have developed enough—the exact reason for this is however, unknown.

Demonic Lords: Typically known as esteemed beings in demon society and feared figures among the likes of other mortals, Demonic Lords are demons who have staked a claim to a large portion of the demonic side of Pendulum. This evolutionary stage is often where those demons who have not managed to gain footholds in the world, do so. Demons of this class also have the tendency of possessing shape shifting abilities, as their Sway has been partially internalized, though it remains fairly vast, able to effect large swaths of land equivalent to towns or even smaller cities. The Wrongness they exude is more focused into their bodies, allowing them to actually control the amount of their karmic radiation that affects the world around them. These beings, unlike Wardens, are not just rare in the world at large, but in Pendulum as well, making them something seen only by the incredibly unfortunate. Demons of this class typically have magic or physical abilities on par with the eighth order(tier), though some Lords have been seen to almost surpass it despite never quite entering the ninth order(tier). It should be noted that despite their capacity to shapeshift a demon's appearance can never fully hide their true nature. While there may be more to say about these elusive and rare individuals, little is known about Demonic Lords and their abilities and as such, nothing further shall be mentioned.

Greater Demons: The rarest class of demonic entity, Greater Demons are at the very height of mortal evolution, as they have reached the limit of their kind, which cannot be properly surpassed till they have transcended their mortality and become one of the dreaded Archdemons. These entities, despite bearing the same racial name as the previous classes, are far removed from their kin, tending to be so powerful that other demons avoid them as other mortals avoid most demons. Greater Demons are vast beings, tending to take on an abstract form rather than a solid one, dwelling more in the realm of ideas, thoughts, emotions, and mana than they do in the realms of solidity and physics. These entities, despite their size, are uniquely capable of manifesting their will in Bayera as they can extend themselves through their influence to possess beings or even places. However while powerful, Greater Demons are vulnerable in ways that the classes below them simply are not, as they can be more easily repelled or banished back to their realms. This reveals another reality about these frightening entities, this being that they each possess their own separate space within Pendulum, wherein their Aspect and Will dictates the rules. In this way, and a good many others, Greater Demons are more similar to Archdemons than they are to Demons. When manifested, as rare as such is, a Greater Demon can possess various levels of power depending on how much of themselves they have manifested. However, when fully manifested, a Greater Demon, it is said--as such is only told of in legends—that their influence extends over vast tracts of land greater than the expanse of any city, and that their magical might is such that only the most powerful of mortal beings might face them and even hope to survive, let alone win. In this way, most Greater Demons are hopefully classified as beings with power equivalent to that of 10th order(tier), though it is possible that they surpass this. In regards to the abilities of Greater Demons, well unfortunately so few have been witnessed manifesting or acting in earnest that little is known about such. If this were not bad enough, the leading theory states that a given Greater Demon is so developed that it is essentially a walking incarnation of its Aspect, meaning that every individual of this class is more likely to have a totally unique set of abilities rather than all of them have shared traits of any sort.

Archdemons: Demons who have transcended a mortal existence, these divine beings have reached a level of power and sheer scale, such that their Sway no longer expands, but instead becomes more dense as they gain more influence over the world at large. They are capable of birthing Demons of various class, some which they can control as puppets to further their ends. While beyond the scope of any mortal, the influence of an Archdemon can be fended off better than that of, say, a Demonic Lord. However this is not to say it is simple nor easy as it still requires powerful artifacts or spellcraft to ward such beings off due to the metaphorical weight they have to throw around in comparison to a mortal being. Regardless, it should be noted that Archdemons, much like the class below them, possess each their own realm, wherein their Aspect rules supreme. An Archdemon may invite mortals, or other beings, into these realms to confer with them and also unlike their mortal offspring, these divine beings are capable of totally restraining any karmic radiation they may exude—though they do not always do so. Unlike their lesser kin, Archdemons cannot physically manifest in any real capacity within Bayera, allowing them only to extend their Will through Thralls or footholds they have gained. Yet, despite this, an Archdemon, if invited in, can possess a mortal being or even a location with a fragment of their self. This is something that has only occurred twice in history and one of these two occurrences was the cause of the demonic race being exiled from Bayera, which served as the beginning of the Forgotten Era.

*Thralls, Greater Demons, and Archdemons cannot be played.
*Not all Demons are born as Thralls as some, mostly those who are birthed from the souls of Greater Fae, Dragons, or corrupted Angels become higher class demons upon joining the ranks of demonkind.
*A being can be considered “demonic,” without actually being a demon.

Beyond these classes it is known that demons, in their realm of Pendulum, have formed eight distinct kingdoms each of which is ruled by its own Demonic Lord. While there exist numerous other kingdoms, they are still expanding and growing, or have yet to reveal themselves to the various scholars who study demonkind. Additionally, it should be noted that all demons, including Archdemons, are capable of mating, though typically with other races rather than their own kin. This is done either through possessing a female and impregnating her with demonic essence via their Sway, by possessing a male individual and engaging in intercourse, or asexually, as some demons do. There also exists Parasitic Intermingling, wherein a demon possesses an already developing baby belonging to another allowing their influence to corrupt them thus altering their nature permanently.

[yoshua171]

Reserved.