Misumichan

The Tale of Mysteria: Black Briar

Lios sighed in slight relief after looking into Max’s eyes again. The execution he saw in Max’s not so distant future, from making eye contact at first, had changed the moment Captain had agreed to take him on. Even if she had a slight distaste for him, he was a part of her crew. Despite saying that she’d turn him over Lios knew she’d never do it. She’d always look out for members of her crew, not that many knew, aside from the more loyal members that picked up on it since she never broadcasted this notion.

Out of the corner of his eye Lios caught sight of crimson wings settling just beyond the crowd. He grew concerned over Ifrinn wandering the island on her own. It had been years since the Captain left The Order, he couldn’t shake the feeling that things had changed since then and they couldn’t rely on her knowledge of patrols forever.

“Captain, I’ll be back later,” Lios waved as he walked off.

“What?! Wait!” Much to her dismay, it was too late he was already gone, weaving through the crowd so as to not bump into the humans that couldn’t see him. She too spotted Iffrin’s towering height just beyond the crowds and she understood. “Damn! I wanted him with me for finding others to try and recruit a few more.”

She sighed and glanced over at Max, “Report to The Shrike. My First Mate, Buttercup, will be somewhere around there or the docks. Let her know you are a new member of the crew and don’t say anything about The Order or our time there to anyone on the ship just yet, they might get defensive. I need to hunt down more crew mates," She shrugged as she began to slink further into town, "so I’ll be at one or all of the taverns!”

---

“Ifrinn!” Lios finally caught up to her matching her quick pace. “I hope you don’t mind if I tag along. I’m worried to have any of us Fae solo right now. Captain says we’ll be fine but I can’t shake this contrary feeling.”

The Tale of Mysteria: Black Briar

Notable Locations
this section is still a work in progress I will add more later and as we go

The Pastoria Empire
The Pastoria Empire originated rather early in the Age of Order starting as a one of many small island countries. The Pastoria Family originally ruled over their island thanks to a fortune in their Merchant Guild. They were chosen by the people of the island to act as their lords for all they’ve done to help the people of the island via their trade and protection.
Negotiation with nearby islands began to provide trade and aid just as they had for their own island. Many welcomed it as not all islands were as agriculturally sound as Pastoria or as well protected, often struggled with fresh water as well.
The ideal to unify humanity came about under the Third Emperor, Clover Pastoria. Even though many islands willingly joined there was also a lot of resistance. Negotiation alone wouldn’t be enough for some islands. The Pastoria Imperial Knights had long since had the chance to grow with all the islands under their protection so they went forth and conquered. Most of Mysteria fell under the Empire’s influence apart from the Cibnask Kingdom due to the sheer cliff of the islands making a natural fortress and a handful of island deemed uninhabitable.
As strange occurrences started appearing The Order came to be. The Arch-Druid Jack Mystic founded it to stop the demon threat and help the Empire in its unification of humanity. The Order became an integral part of the Empire, it’s Druids becoming regarded as the heroes of the people. The Arch-Druid himself became well trusted by the imperial family.
After the assassination of the Third Emperor by an unknown party, his son Marcius Pastoria came into power at a very young age. He often left matters of state to Chancellor Ianthe Jonquil, General Lupin Mankua, and Arch-Druid Jack Mystic even as he got older. The Chancellor handled the Emperor’s typical day to day duties while the General focused on expansion and protection of the people, and the Arch-Druid advised and assisted in all matters while being the charismatic face when they needed it.

Lurline
The capital city of the Pastoria Empire. The massive city is the height of luxury in the Empire with the Imperial Castle at it's heart. The Order's compound also centered in Lurline.

Belfaygor Tower Fortress
An island Fortress built by the Pastoria Empire to accommodate it's ever growing Imperial Knights and Naval Fleet. An island just to the west of the mainland of the Empire.

Lambertine
Known as the City of Craftsmen this town is comprised of many crafting and smithing guilds and is the center of much of the Empire's trade goods.

Piccani Frostlands
In the far north a set of snow covered islands rather dependent on the Empire's aide in food and support. These lands have the largest Rune Mines in the world and is well known for it's Fisherman Guilds.

Cibnask Kingdom
A rather isolated Kingdom resting atop a group of interconnected islands raised high off the water by sheer cliffs. Not much is known about the Kingdom from an outsider standpoint aside from their forces are well adept at using the natural fortress of theirs to their advantage when protecting the Kingdom from outside forces. It is speculated that they a very much capable of self sustaining themselves given how long they've been isolated with no means of trade with other islands.

Mori Isle
This island was long since declared off limits by The Order. It is rumored to be filled with demons and the land itself is dead.

The Lost Continent
A place thought to be a mere myth. A continent that was once so advanced, sunk to the bottom of the sea. Not many people know about the Lost Continent and most that have heard of it think it's just a tall tale.

The Tale of Mysteria: Black Briar

The Order
The Order is the first organization of Druids that originated from the Pastoria Empire at the height of the Age of Order. In the dawn of The Order’s creation, unknown to the rest of the world, the Arch-Druid Jack Mystic, along with a handful of Grand Druids, enslaved the Fae they brought in to tether with their Druids using a Magic Arte the Arch-Druid developed. The Fae had no will and existed as mindless drones only capable of following a Druid's orders and were unseen by regular humans. The Druids were taught that Fae are simply specialized weapons created by the Arch-Druid and if something happened to one they could easily be replaced since they had far more Fae than they did Druids.
The citizens of the Empire revered them as powerful heroes capable of protecting them from Demons and invaders. Druids often worked in tandem with the Imperial Knights to bolster their forces with magic artes. The Arch-Druid was highly regarded by Emperor Marcius Pastoria being granted a seat on his council.

Order Ranks:
Arch-Druid (First Order there is only one)
Grand Druids (Druids privy to the Magic Arte that keep the Fae in line often retrieve any new Fae they find not in their control)
Great Druids (first gain a white cloak and can tether more than one Fae or incredibly powerful Fae)
High Druids (can tether more powerful Fae than a typical Druid)
Druids (Mostly tethered to weaker Fae, most comonly works with the Imperial Knights)
Neophyte (those still in training)

The Tale of Mysteria: Black Briar

Rune Weapons
Weapons and jewelry are often set with crystallized mana known as Runes. Weapons set with Runes incorporate the element of the Rune into an attack made with the weapon, for example a swing of a sword set with a Fire Rune can make a wave of flame with a single swing.
Beneath the Rune, a glyph can be carved into the surface it’s set into in order to have a simple Magic Arte that is always at the ready that just about anyone can use. Without a glyph a Rune Weapon allows for more versatility with Magic Artes acting as an external mana reserve but also requires skill in mana manipulation and Magic Artes to use effectively.

Masterworks
Masterworks are an incredibly rare find. They are weapons with an Elemental Rune melted into the metal. Because of the volatility that comes with altering a Rune’s natural state it’s very difficult to liquefy or turn into a powder in order to incorporate into the metal thus it is rare to find anyone that can make a proper Masterwork. Often many blacksmiths perish in attempts to make a Masterwork.
Masterworks make perfect long lasting tethers for Fae that also can be more than durable enough to use without fear of breaking.
Masterworks are some of the most powerful magic weapons in Mysteria however they require a great amount of skill in mana manipulation to use, not just anyone can use them. Master to make and a master to use is what gives name to the Masterworks.

Magic Technology
Magitech is a complex intricate use of magic artes in conjunction with machinery. Magitech was at its peak in the Age of Stars however most of the Magitech and research into it vanished along with the Lost Continent. The handful of pieces of Magitech that resurfaced, since then was in the possession of the Arch-Druid Jack Mystic and The Order.

The Tale of Mysteria: Black Briar

Fae names are special names in an ancient language that is unique to the Fae. It typically is the name they go by and something that describes their character, personality, appearance or role.
Here is the cipher:

The letters in the parentheses are interchangeable with each other.

The Tale of Mysteria: Black Briar

"Captain, we are coming into port," Lios poked his head into the Captain's quarters. He saw her still buried under a pile of blankets in her bed. The blankets shifted and a hand emerged from the pile and waved him off.

He shook his head rather disappointed in the pathetic sight. He knew she wasn't much of a morning person but it was almost noon.
He glanced back to those in deck and they were busy preparing to dock, most of them ready to leave ship all together. No one was paying attention to the mysteriously ajar door to the Captain's quarters. He smirked because only the Captain could see or hear him, which made it easy to mess with her or the crew. He stepped inside and took a deep breath.

"Captain!" He yelled as loud as he could. "The Order has found us! They are on our tail!"

She jolted upright and fell out of bed with a loud thud. Lios started laughing hysterically as she reached for her rapier and looked out the window. The bewildered look on her face was priceless.

Her nose scrunched as she realized he was playing a prank on her. She threw a pillow at him as hard as she could. He caught it, still laughing as she scowled bitterly at him.

"Don't ever joke about that again!" She marched over and backhanded him across the arm. "You jerk!"

"I'm sorry," his laughter tapered off. He looked down at her and met her fierce light hazel eyes. "I…" He froze as her death flashed before his eyes once more.

She was cornered in a cavern. Tattered and worn out, but she wasn't giving up. She let out a scream that he couldn't hear as she charged two druids of The Order. Before she could reach them she got trapped in a wind tornado by the Wind Fae next to the young redhead woman. A blaze ignited from the Fire Fae next to the blonde man. The inferno eventually fizzled out and the Captain was unrecognizable and the scene before his eyes faded away to the mess of a Captain that had just woken up.

"I know that look!" Captain looked apoplectic but curiosity was eating away at her. "Did it change?! I was going to ask before we went ashore anyways."

"You are still crispy in a cave," Lios smirked as he ran his hand through his hair and looked away to not trigger the sight again.

"Do you have to put it that way?" She huffed.

"Yes," he crossed his arms, a bad smile on his face. If he didn't joke about it it would make it harder. "I've seen it enough times and it's the best way to sum it up."

"Sorry, I'm just being cautious," she felt a little bad for abusing his foresight.

"Don't stop," he shrugged. His gaze was lingering over her disaster of a desk but a crate filled with small sacks stood out to him. "What's that?" He pointed to the crate.

"A last ditch effort," She brushed her bangs out of her face. "I stayed up most of last night sorting them out." She grabbed her coat off the back of the chair and slipped it on. "Could you help me carry it out?"

"Won't that look weird?" He shrugged knowing the answer that was coming.

"Do I look like I give a fuck?!" She threw her hands in the air before grabbing the edge of the crate. "Help me damn it! I'm a weak feeble human!" She whined sarcastically.

"Yes, sir!" He voiced with a cheeky smile picking it up with both hands and taking it from her. "One hand underneath, pretend to be strong?"

"Ooh! Yes!" She ran around her desk and met him at the door. She placed her hand under the bottom and she kicked open the door. Everyone on deck turned and looked at the source of the loud bang. With everyone’s attention she smirked, “Listen closely you wretched lot. Since most of you are jumping ship when we make port I want to make one thing clear.” She tilted her hand and pushed the crate and Lios tossed it down on deck, realizing that’s where she was going with it. The small sacks inside tumbled out of the crate that had landed on it’s side. “For every member on this ship there is a bag filled with coin and jewels equivalent to 1,000 Mun. You are all going to take it, and if you remain on this ship there will be more where that came from. If you still decide to leave take it as payment for your silence, because if I find out you sold us out,” She had a sweet smile on her face though she had the most threatening tone, “I will personally hunt you down and kill you!”

"Yeah, right," Lios scoffed. "You are too soft for that!"

"You want to say that again?!" She grabbed his collar and leered at him with the same creepy smile.

"You’re just mad because you know I'm right," He smirked and didn't even flinch. He looked over at the crew and most of them looked at the Captain as though she were crazy, a regular sight, given not many people see Fae. The only one who didn't think of the Captain as crazy was at the helm. Even though the first mate couldn't see Fae she believed in them and the Captain wholeheartedly.

The Tale of Mysteria: Black Briar

Some more text based break downs of important things!

Magic Artes
Magic artes are the utilization of Mana. Fae can cast magic artes within their element naturally while it's more difficult for humans it can grow easier with practice or with Runes (crystalized mana). Runes also assist Fae in using mana and magic artes outside their element.
Magic artes typically are focused utilizing a spell. More complex magic artes will typically manifest a glyph before it triggers, that arranges the mana in a way for the desired effect to take place. Magic artes can be comprised of multiple mana types to get more unique effects.

Types of Magic Artes
Assault Artes are attack based artes. They are meant to deal damage to their target. Can range from a simple blast of an element to a violent mixture of multiple elements.

Binding Artes are meant to restrain their opponent or limit them in some way. Binding artes also include illusions and other things that affect the mind.

Healing Artes contain the purest of mana and has restorative properties. Healing artes can not only rejuvenate health but provide a temporary boost to one's physical atributes.

Cursed Artes are long lasting negative effects on the body. Curses taint the Mana well in a being and the reaction that results can be disastrous.

High Magic Artes are one of the strongest artes in existence. They deal with such high concentrations in mana that they often result in a Rune. They can be strengthened versions of any magic arte or something so complex they require multiple glyphs that correspond with one another.

Ultimate Magic Artes are magic artes use all the mana in one's body. It's typically fatal to expend all the mana one possesses. Fae themselves are turned into a Rune or dissolve completely. Humans who use Ultimate Artes, their lives are shortened drastically if they do survive it due to mana deficiency, the mana well inside them never regenerates that mana.

Dark Magic Artes are exclusive to Demons and Fomorian. They are fueled solely by Darkness and can break the natural order and do things that typical mana based magic cannot do.

The Tale of Mysteria: Black Briar

Captain Edelweiss Thatch

Nickname: Captain (mostly), Edel, Ed
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Age: 31
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 150lbs
Appearance:

Captain Edelweiss Thatch Appearance

Personality:
She is eccentric, determined and stubborn. She has a soft spot for Fae and openly converses with them despite others not being able to see or hear them. She doesn't care that others think she's crazy. When she's made up her mind about something it is nearly impossible to change it. She comes off as carefree and a bit of a jokester but she's always serious about whatever situation she finds herself in even if she never shows it.
Weapon:
Regulus - A mana gun
Devotion - A silvery white rapier made by Lios for her
Magic Artes:
(Filling this in as I go)
Bio:
Edel came from a noble family in the Pastoria Empire. She had the ability to see Fae even as she grew up which made her a prime candidate for a Druid in The Order. She joined The Order pretty young but realized something wasn’t right the higher she climbed in the ranks. The Arch-Druid granted her the mana gun, Regulus, and command of a ship to quell a “rebellious force” and bring back any Fae she found. She came across a town untouched by the Empire or The Order and Fae lived among the humans though most never saw them. On the shores she was greeted by Lios who immediately attacked her and the other members of the Order. He killed some Druids without hesitation freeing the Fae tethered to them instantly. Seeing them come to her senses made her realize why she felt so strange regarding the Fae. She immediately renounced her tether to her Fae and Lios stopped when he was about to kill her. The remaining members of The Order with her started to call her a traitor and she shot them with Regulus effectively breaking the tether of their Fae. The Fae snapped out of it and the Order members were powerless, captured by the people of the town. Lios spoke with Edel and she told him she wanted to stop the Arch-Druid from enslaving Fae no matter what. So she took the ship and Lios tagged along with her as they build a crew to disrupt The Order.
Trivia:
Prefers the cold
Has poor eating habits, and an extreme sweet tooth

---

Lios

Race: Earth Fae
Fae Name: Boawjeav Meik (Guardian Lios)
Tether: Compass
Gender: Male
Age: 1,036
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 179 lbs
Appearance:

Lios Humanoid Appearance

True Form:
Grimhound - A large wolf creature that looks very skeletal, what fur he does have looks like thorns. Humans regard this variation of Fae as a death omen because they usually have an ability related to death. Lios can see how someone dies if he looks in their eyes. This ability isn't absolute because it's possible to change based on events and choices.
Personality:
Lios has a bold presence despite his quiet nature. He isn't afraid to speak his mind and is rarely concerned how the truth makes someone feel. He's rather protective of those he considers friends, he always makes a weapon for them specifically so he can keep them safe if he's not around. He always tries to make sure his friends live their longest lives by meddling in decisions of others. He's very knowledgeable about many things having been around for so long.
Weapon: Ace - Chainsword that rotates between Fire, Wind and Water Runes to change the effect when the blade extends.
Fighting style: Lios doesn't use his weapon very often, mainly does so when it comes to the protection of his friends. He typically uses his fists and Magic Artes.
Magic Artes:
Stonebriar - Earth - Lios will place his hand over the ground and thorny stone vines will emerge lashing at the enemy.
Earth Forge - Earth/Fire - Lios can make weapons by heating up the earth. They can be made from anything from stone to metal even runes if he has the time. The longer he has to work with the piece the more complete it is.
(wip)
Bio:
Lios was protecting the island his sister Erinna was residing as she is in a sleeping curse. He constantly fought any members of The Order that came to the shores. When Edel released her Fae he spared her. The gun she wielded seemed familiar to him but he didn't know why. Her determination to change the world for Fae gave him hope in humanity. He joined her in hopes of traveling the world to find a way to lift the sleeping curse on his sister. He decides to fight alongside her against The Order, wanting a world his sister could wake up to without the fear of being enslaved.

The Tale of Mysteria: Black Briar

Races

Humans
Regular beings of flesh and blood. They are a balance of the four types of mana however they are the only beings capable of producing and manipulating Darkness which stems from the negative emotions. Humans can't always see Fae when there is no Celestial Sanctum active, with the exception of children, those with a powerful Mana Well and those who have become Demons.

Fae
The Fae are living, breathing, personifications of mana. When a human dies and is exposed to massive amounts of mana that mana fuses with the mana from their human body. That mana is typically ejected from the leylines as a Fae. Since they are collections of mana they need a physical object to keep them from dissipating known as a tether. They etch their name in the ancient language of the Fae into the object and store their true form inside it, typically resembling a human after the fact. A tether must be untainted by Darkness and rich in mana, typically an object with a Rune (crystalized mana) or often a Human who has not been affected by Darkness. Each Fae is typically made up of one of the 4 elements of Mana; Wind, Water, Fire, and Earth. They wield magic artes with ease within their element and with practice other elements as well added to their own can boost their magic.

Kin Fae
Kin Fae are animals that have been turned into Fae. They are able to speak and wield magic artes as well. Kin Fae tether rather differently from regular Fae. They perform a Kin Bond with other Fae or even a Human on occasion. They are able to boost the natural power of the one they are bonded to. Should the one the Kin Fae are bonded to perish while still bonded, the mana of the one that they were once bonded to is absorbed by the Kin. A Kin Fae can only be Bonded to one being at any given time.

Celestials
These are the most powerful Fae in existence. They are Fae that are chosen by Titania herself. They rest inside the Leylines as their bodies undergoe changes. Once they awaken they typically don't remember their life as a Fae. They emit a Sanctum around them that allows humans to see the Fae and helps slow the spread of Darkness. A Celestial is most identifiable by the four pointed star pupils. A Celestial's name is typically paired with a title unique to the Celestial, like Titania, the Primordial Celestial. However the Celestial title of one of the four elements belongs to the strongest Celestial of that element in any given time period.

Demons
Beings of Darkness, created from the Darkness generated by humans. Typically are humans whose appearance is distorted by the Darkness, however if the Darkness is concentrated enough it can give twisted life to objects, plants, or even animals. Once someone completely becomes a Demon they can no longer use Mana. In times where a regular human cannot see Fae, Demons always can.

Fomorian
Once a Fae is poisoned by enough Darkness, they eventually become a Fomorian. They no longer maintain any trace of themselves and become warped and twisted versions of their true form. They run purely on the instinct to kill and are completely incapable of reason.

The Tale of Mysteria: Black Briar

The world of Mysteria is in a long period of rest. Humans have not been able to see the Fae for a long time. The Order is an organization of druids that lords over even the Pastoria Empire which has it's hold on most of the world covered in islands. Druids are humans that can not only see Fae but are tethered with them to protect humanity from the evils of the world. While most of the world sees Druids as heroes and protectors the Captain of the Black Briar pirates knows otherwise. Captain Edelweiss Thatch is building her crew to oppose the Order and the Empire anyway she can.