NoriWasHere

The Symphony: Modern Magic

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OVERVIEW

What would you do if you suddenly gained magic in a world without it?

One moment, you were as normal as everyone else. Whether you were a college student studying for their midterms, or a busy worker who traded their happiness and health for a measly paycheck. Everything was normal until, the next moment, you weren’t. It could’ve started as a spark that arched across your fingertips, a whisper in your mind that sounded like the voice of your friend, or something far more dramatic—an uncontrollable burst of power that burned your area down. Whatever it was, however, this magic revealed itself to you, it is real. And you are not alone.

Exactly one week after your abilities appeared, a letter arrived. There was no return address, no postage, just your name in elegant script on the envelope. Your curiosity got the better of you, so you opened it, and you learned three things.

Magic has existed since the dawn of mankind.

You are one of the first magic users to grace the planet in over five hundred years.

And that magic can not be locked away forever as it will reappear if the world needs it.

But why now? What happened five centuries ago to make magic vanish? Why were you chosen for this power? And more importantly—what has caused magic to return?

This is a modern fantasy RP focused on the discovery of magic, mystery, and the dangers that come with being the first wielders of magic in an unsuspecting world. Hidden histories, supernatural threats, and the looming question of what your magic truly means as long as you can answer one question.
Are you ready to find out?

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DISCORD SERVER

Welcome to Modern Magic, a story set in a supernatural and horror-themed setting. You are arriving right at the start of a great change for the world as magic begins to creep into the fabric of our reality once more. The effects of this are yet to be seen, but all it takes is one look at the news to see that it is already being felt. From explosions that ripped through Seoul five days ago, to various campground's attacked by creatures straight out of folklore, the signs that the return of magic has had deadly outcomes are everywhere. You are going to be a first generation Witch or Warlock. This means that how your powers develop will be up to you. At the start you might be very weak with your magic, but if you practice it and work through the story you might be a great mage by the end. However, while magic has returned and this alone has caused countless deaths, many more are to come as The Witch Hunters are mobilizing. Unlike their mage counterparts, The Witch Hunters trace their lineage back proudly and carry weapons and armors specifically designed to kill you. They have already begun to track any trace of magic their locators can detect and they have already killed several of these new mages. It is going to be a race against time to build up your strength before you are caught.

The Witch Hunters are not the only threats that you will face along this journey. Monsters, of myth and legend, are awaking at the same time. From the mighty minotaur's that ravaged ancient Greece, to the various Dragons that burned the world, these monsters are also going to be drawn to these young mages. Magic attracts magic, and the longer you linger in an area the higher the likelihood that you will encounter one. At the end of the day, despite The Witch Hunters and Monsters, you have been chosen for a reason. Magic is needed in the world again despite the risk it brings. Will you live up to your potential, or will you die like your ancestors of old? The main themes of this story are as followed: Rebirth, Identity, Emotions, and Friendship.

RULES & NOTES

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1. I will be reserving the right to deny, or kick, any players for any reason. Generally, this will not be used unless you make me use it. Do not be racist, homophobic, transphobic, or otherwise an asshole. There is nuance, as always, so I will be sure to review any situations and decide what the next course of action needs to be. 2. Be respectful towards all other players. 3. This will be as realistic of a setting as I can make it. As such, I will want realistic face claims (thus, no anime), realistic characters, and realistic decisions from those characters. 4. The RP will have its dark moments. I will do my best to avoid edgy, or otherwise cringe, moments but do note that there will be death, and there will be struggles 5. No "wip" sheets on the OOC. Post a complete sheet, or don't post anything at all. If you need something looked over, feel free to private message me. Speaking of which, the character tab is for accepted characters only. 6. Your character can die. If you put your character in a bad position the enemy will take advantage of it. Thus, play to your characters strengths and away from the enemies. 7. You're allowed to have as many characters as you can handle. 8. This is not a true super-hero story. It is more akin to shows like the magicians. 9. The lore is going to start off hidden, and be revealed as we delve through the story. Please let me know if you want any details about the lore for making a character.

10. The following abilities are banned: Magic Negation/Replication, "instant death" powers, reality-warping, anything with "Omni" attached to it, complete defense/indestructibility, and any other ridiculous ability. I will explain why if necessary. 11. While I don't have a definitive number in mind this will be first come first serve. 12. One post a week is the expectation. Life happens but if your character is gone from the posting cycle for a while I will reserve the right to either kill them off or send them upstate to the farm until you return. 13. Modern magic calls for Modern times. 14. I decide what weaknesses your spells have. 15. I can also write your magic based off your character sheet. If you want to explore this feel free to message me. 16. You will be weak. You will struggle. But you will grow. 17. All the obvious rules. ...................................................................

CS

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Character name here

Character Name Here, or get a banner from 1001fonts.com

"Character quote here."

_______________________________________________ First Middle Last Pronouns | Age | Ethnicity | Height (In Inches) | Weight (Pounds/LB) _______________________________________________ Single word that defines your character. _______________________________________________ Skills & Talents "Quote about Skills here." ___________________________________ [+] [REMOVE THIS. A REALISTIC list of everything your character is good at. Do not make them master of everything, do not make them a living weapon. [REMOVE THIS.] [Skill name here] ⫻ (Brief (or lengthy) explanation of skill/talent here)

Appearance ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ "Quote about appearance here." I need a detailed understanding of what your character looks like, what they wear, and so on. Be detailed.

_{Psychology
^{▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔}}
"Quote about personality here."

MAIN GOAL ⫻
(What does your character hope to accomplish in life?)

PHILOSOPHY ⫻
(What is your character's outlook on life?)

SECRETS AND FEARS ⫻
(What is your character hiding? )

SEXUALITY ⫻ (Your character's sexual preference?)

WHAT WAS THE FIRST DAY WITH MAGIC LIKE? ⫻ (The emergence of magic was chaotic and possible destructive for so many people. What was it like for you?)

FLAWS ⫻ (What holds your character back?)

_{Backstory
^{▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔}}
"Quote about backstory here."

Pretty standard affair. I'm not going to expect a super long essay here, just the basics and whatever.

_{Magic
^{▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔}}
"Quote about your magic here."

MAGIC ⫻ (Put the type of magic you wield here plus a one sentence description of what it is and what it does.)

MAGIC DESCRIPTION ⫻ (Tell me every little detail of what your magic is and does. Remember, at the start you will be weak and you may not have any named spells yet. This will change at will, with discussion, throughout the story.)

LIMITS ⫻ (What are the limits to your magic. This list will also grow as we go through the story.)

WEAKNESSES ⫻ (DO NOT FILL THIS OUT, I WILL PROVIDE IT FOR YOU)

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"Extra Quote here."

MISQ SECTION

CS CODE

[CENTER][h1]Character Name Here, or get a banner from 1001fonts.com/[/h1][/CENTER]
[i]"Character quote here."[/i]
[table][row][/row][row][cell]
[center][img]NO ANIME[/img]
[sup]_______________________________________________[/sup]
[sub]First Middle Last

Pronouns [b]|[/b] Age [b]|[/b] Ethnicity [b]|[/b] Height (In Inches) [b]|[/b] Weight (Pounds/LB)
[sup]_______________________________________________[/sup]
Single word that defines your character.
[sup]_______________________________________________[/sup]
Skills & Talents[/sub]
[i]"Quote about Skills here."[/i]
[sup]___________________________________[/sup][/center][hider=]
[sub][REMOVE THIS. A REALISTIC list of everything your character is good at. Do not make them master of everything, do not make them a living weapon. [REMOVE THIS.]
[b][Skill name here] ⫻[/b] (Brief (or lengthy) explanation of skill/talent here)[/sub][/hider]

[/cell][cell][sub][b] Appearance[/b][/sub]
[sub][sup]▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔[/sup][/sub]
[i]"Quote about appearance here."[/i]

[indent]I need a detailed understanding of what your character looks like, what they wear, and so on. Be detailed.[/indent]

[/cell][/row][/table][sub][b] Psychology[/b][/sub]
[sub][sup]▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔[/sup][/sub]
[i]"Quote about personality here."[/i]

[INDENT][b]MAIN GOAL ⫻[/b]
(What does your character hope to accomplish in life?)

[b]PHILOSOPHY ⫻[/b]
(What is your character's outlook on life?)

[b]SECRETS AND FEARS ⫻[/b]
(What is your character hiding? )

[b]SEXUALITY ⫻[/b] (Your character's sexual preference?)

[b] WHAT WAS THE FIRST DAY WITH MAGIC LIKE? ⫻ [/b] (The emergence of magic was chaotic and possible destructive for so many people. What was it like for you?)

[b]FLAWS ⫻[/b] (What holds your character back?)
[/INDENT]

[sub][b] Backstory[/b][/sub]
[sub][sup]▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔[/sup][/sub]
[i]"Quote about backstory here."[/i]

[indent]Pretty standard affair. I'm not going to expect a super long essay here, just the basics and whatever.[/indent]

[sub][b] Magic[/b][/sub]
[sub][sup]▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔[/sup][/sub]
[i]"Quote about your magic here."[/i]

[indent]

[b]MAGIC ⫻[/b] (Put the type of magic you wield here plus a one sentence description of what it is and what it does.)

[b]MAGIC DESCRIPTION ⫻[/b] (Tell me every little detail of what your magic is and does. Remember, at the start you will be weak and you may not have any named spells yet. This will change at will, with discussion, throughout the story.)

[b]LIMITS ⫻[/b] (What are the limits to your magic. This list will also grow as we go through the story.)

[b]WEAKNESSES ⫻[/b] (DO NOT FILL THIS OUT, I WILL PROVIDE IT FOR YOU)
[/INDENT]

[sup][b] Other[/b][/sup]
[sub][sup]▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔[/sup][/sub]
[i]"Extra Quote here."[/i]

[indent]MISQ SECTION[/INDENT]

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Twin Pines is a quaint, small town nestled along the shores of Lake Ontario. Its cobblestone streets wind through a blend of humble brick homes, small inns, and local shops. The town is built cozy, almost rustic, and the Main Street is typically filled during the summer and is well maintained. The population is a mix of races, primarily poorer folk who work the fisheries, however, humans are the dominant presence. There’s a strong sense of community, with everyone knowing each other by name and helping each other. The town’s charm is in its simplicity, and it thrives off the seasonal influx of tourists. In the summer, the main attraction is the small island named Coney Island in the middle of the lake, where two towering pine trees grow, seemingly rising directly from the water. There are various boating and ferry services to bring people to the island itself. The island is dotted with food vendors offering local delicacies, and a vintage carousel stands at the center, surrounded by small stalls selling trinkets, souvenirs, and hand-made crafts. The veneer quickly falls off on a closer look. Half the horses on the carousel are chipped, splinters are common, and the paint is so dated that hat it’s impossible to pick out a favorite horse from a normal one. The food is of trouble quality, as are the trinkets, and everyone has a chance to leave with a stomach bug if they try the food.

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During the summer months, Twin Pines comes alive with visitors, drawn by the beauty of the island and the surrounding lakeside beaches. The beaches are filled with people lounging in the sun, swimming in the water, and enjoying the relaxing atmosphere. The carousel, with its nostalgic charm, is a favorite for families and children even if it’s no longer quite the same experience they had as children. The air is filled with the scent of saltwater, freshly cooked fish, and the sound of laughter. When the tourist season winds down in the fall, the town shifts its focus back to its fishing route roots in full. The locals, who rely heavily on the lake’s bounty, spend the colder months fishing on Lake Ontario. The economy takes a quieter turn as the town becomes more isolated, with fewer visitors. The town’s docks, usually bustling with tourists during the summer, now host weathered fishing boats, their crews heading out to catch fish that will be sold in the markets or used for sustenance for as long as the water remains unfrozen. There is a debate about opening the waters to fishing in the warmer months but there’s a constant discussion on sustainability, loss in tourism revenue, and eye sore that the constant fishing would bring.

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The town is known for its resilience, and though the people are often struggling financially, there’s a sense of pride in their work and their land. The community holds regular gatherings at the town square, where stories of the lake and the island are shared, and locals gather for warmth and food.

The air is crisp during the fall and winter months, and while the island may not be as lively as in the summer, it still stands as a quiet, beautiful landmark, seen from the shore as a reminder of the town’s natural beauty.
Twin Pines is a place where the simple joys of life take precedence, where the people live in harmony with the land and water, and where the spirit of community is the heart of the town.

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.................................................................................................."Oi, you two quiet down….. THEY are waking up..."

Magic

Magic was an intrinsic force, woven into the very fabric of life itself. It is not something that was given to someone or can be learned by someone without an affinity for it, but it is something that pulses within certain individuals. A mage’s affinity is as natural as a bird’s instinct to fly or a fish’s need to swim, meaning that mages are drawn to a specific magic first but can learn how to wield them all even if at reduced effectiveness. From the moment of their birth, their magic resonates with them, subtly influencing their perceptions, their emotions, and even their physicality even if the magic itself has been gone. A fire-aligned mage might feel warmth where others feel cold, their body running slightly hotter than normal. A water-aligned mage may always feel comforted by the presence of moisture, their skin never drying out no matter the climate. This is because the bloodlines never truly died out despite the best efforts of The Witch Hunters, only going dormant.

Despite its natural presence, magic has always been a mystery. There is no divine origin, no sacred text that speaks of a moment of creation. It simply existed alongside the rise of sentient races as much as muscle and bone. Some scholars theorized that magic was a byproduct of the world itself, an energy born from the same forces that shaped mountains and oceans. Others speculated that it was the lifeblood of the earth, a fundamental component of existence like gravity or time. Whatever the truth, magic has always existed beyond the scope of mortal understanding. It has never been properly studied or explained. Even among those who possess it, no two mages are ever truly alike, their magic responding to their emotions, their desires, and the ever-shifting state of the world around them in ways unique to them like their fingerprints.

The loss of magic 2,000 years ago was, therefore, not just a disruption of power—it was a severing of natural truth, an amputation if you will, of something innate. Races that had once thrived with magic had to adapt, relying on intellect, technology, and sheer resilience to survive in a world suddenly void of its most powerful force. The knowledge of magic faded into legend, its existence doubted by many, its absence felt by none who had never known it. But for those who’s distant ancestors once wielded it there is a dull ache in the bones that can not be truly explained. Now, as magic begins to reawaken, it does not return as an external force that threatens to sunder our mountains or burn our cities but it resurfaces within an individual. And with it comes the question: if magic was suppressed, why is it no longer?

Mages and Warlocks

Initiate: Everyone Starts Somewhere

An initiate is every magic users first step on their way to becoming a mage. They have raw ability and can wield magic, but don’t have full control over it. To an Initiate magic is something unpredictable, wild, and destructive, and chaotic. An initiate is more likely to singe their eyebrows off than hit a target at first. It takes time, and training to get good with magic. However, like all things in life, you can get decent quickly. On average, in the past, it would take several weeks or a couple of months for an initiate to develop a steady roster of ways to apply this magic. The application of magic is called a spell. Whether you need to chant, do a series of motions with one hand, or use of a grimoire or other object to channel the magic. Eventually, once an Initiate becomes adept with their magic they transition to a great learning stage where they can become a Mage.

Mages: Keppers of the Natural Flow of Magic

Mages were the first true masters of magic, their power not learned but felt, their connection to magic deeper than mere affinity and basic spells alone. While an initiate of magic may see it as a tool, mages were conduits, seamlessly attuned to the ebb and flow of the arcane forces that permeate their bodies. They do not force magic to obey them; instead, they dance with it, listen and understand its path through their body, and harmonize with its rhythms. This innate bond made them the true forces of nature. They were also the first to comprehend its cycles, its limitations, and its infinite potential. They laid the foundation for spellcraft, shaping raw power into structured forms, and developed the earliest incantations, rituals, and magical theories that would guide civilization at the time. It was through mages that the races learned to work with magic rather than against it, using it to cultivate the land, heal the wounded, and develop new ways of interacting with the world.

Warlocks: Pioneers of the Unknown

While mages nurtured magic as a natural force, warlocks sought to bend it to their will, forging pacts with powerful beings beyond the known world. These extraplanar patrons, ancient entities of unfathomable knowledge, offered warlocks magic not through affinity but through contracts, binding their power to mortal ambition. Some sought enlightenment, trading servitude for cosmic secrets, while others desired dominion, wielding borrowed power to reshape the world in their image. Warlocks introduced the concept of structured magical hierarchy, bringing forth the first true understanding of power beyond the mortal realm. They pioneered summoning, binding, and planar travel, pushing magic beyond its terrestrial roots and into the unknown. Their discoveries expanded the boundaries of what was possible, challenging the races to think beyond their natural limits.

Mages and Warlocks have often fought in the earliest years, and a natural apprehension existed between the two forces of magic.

The Witch Hunters: The Destroyers of Magic

The Witch Hunters emerged 3,000 years ago, not out of fear of magic itself, but in response to the unchecked power wielded by mages and warlocks. As civilization advanced, magic became the backbone of society and it shaped economies, warfare, and even politics. Mages were often found at the top of every existing position of power. Yet, with such power came imbalance and mages often saw themselves as above others, while warlocks brokered dangerous pacts that threatened the stability of the world. The Witch Hunters were originally a loose collective of warriors, scholars, dissidents, and even some mages who sought to limit magical influence, acting as a counterforce to the overwhelming dominance of spellcasters. They believed that no single group should hold such absolute power over society and saw themselves as protectors of the common people. At first, they were enforcers of balance, ensuring that magic did not spiral into tyranny. But as their ranks grew and their ideology hardened, their mission shifted from control to eradication.

For centuries, the Witch Hunters waged a relentless war against magic, hunting down mages and warlocks alike. They developed countermeasures, discovering ways to sever a mage’s connection to magic and disrupt warlocks’ pacts with their extraplanar patrons. They crafted weapons and armor resistant to arcane forces, turning magic’s greatest strengths against itself. This war was brutal and unyielding—entire magical orders were destroyed, grand libraries of arcane knowledge were burned, and cities built upon magical foundations crumbled under the weight of these purges. Warlocks, desperate to hold onto their power, struck dark bargains, unleashing horrors upon the world, but the Witch Hunters adapted, developing new techniques to neutralize even these eldritch threats. Over time, their battle was no longer about justice but total annihilation. Magic had become a plague in their eyes, something unnatural that needed to be erased.

Eventually, one of these dark pacts summoned forth an Eldritch being who simply called itself The Maestro. It took the combined strength of all Witch Hunters, surviving mages, and warlocks to seal it back away. Despite this show of comradery the purges continued.

Two thousand years ago, the Witch Hunters achieved what many thought impossible when they severed magic from the world. Whether through a grand ritual, a forbidden weapon, or a pact of their own, they cut off the natural flow of magic, rendering mages weak and severing warlocks unbound from their patrons. While magic still existed it was forever weakened, and civilizations that had relied upon it collapsed, and history was rewritten by those who remained. Magic became a myth, its existence doubted by future generations, with only fragments of knowledge surviving in hidden texts and oral traditions. The Witch Hunters, not content with simply making mages and warlocks weak, continued their purges against an enemy who could no longer defend themselves. The next fifteen hundred years The Hunt culled every bloodline they could find until finally their magic detection tools grew silent.

The centuries since the order has continued, forever weary that magic will return again. However, the years have not been kind to the order. Nowadays it is more of a fraternity rather than a holy order dedicated to the preservation of their rites and ways. The Old Guard, commonly filled with families with old money, do their best to push the new generation towards the light however when an organization like this looks good on certain resumes it was bound to attract recruits who are more focused on their own future rather than the future of a magic-free life.

Types of Magic

Plant : Plant magic, and their mages, are adept at communicating, commanding, and controlling the various plant and other fauna. An initiate can suggest actions to plants, or accidentally force them to action if their emotions get the best of them, but one can’t be a Mage until they learn how to communicate effectively.

Pyromanceryr: The manipulation and generation of flames, heat, and combustion. Pyromancers can create fire from nothing, shape it into destructive or defensive forms, and even alter temperature to extreme levels. Some master combustion itself, igniting objects or even the air around them.

Hydromancy : The control of water in all its forms: liquid, ice, and vapor. Hydromancers can shape rivers, summon rain from moisture in the air, freeze moisture into solid barriers, or extract water from the air. Masters can purify water sources or draw massive waves from deep oceans.

Terramancy : The manipulation of stone, soil, and minerals. Terramancers can shape terrain, summon barriers, and even influence the fertility of the land. Some can manipulate metals, creating weapons or armor directly from the earth.

Aeromancy: The mastery of wind, storms, and pressure. Aeromancers can summon powerful gusts, control weather patterns, and even manipulate sound waves. The most advanced can use air currents to enhance movement, glide, or create near-invisible weapons of force.

Umbramancy (Courage): The manipulation of darkness and absence of light. Umbramancers can use shadows for concealment, create constructs of pure darkness, or drain light from an area. Some can slip into the space between shadows, moving unseen or attacking from unexpected angles.

Conjuration : The ability to summon objects, creatures, or energies from other places. Conjurers specialize in bringing forth constructs, calling forth magical weapons, or even teleporting themselves and others across distances. The most skilled can summon creatures from other planes to fight for them.

Infernal: A powerful and dangerous form of magic tied to demonic or devilish bloodlines. Infernal magic is not one singular force but varies based on the Tiefling’s ancestry. Some bloodlines wield fire and brimstone, others control curses, and some command infernal beasts. The most powerful can tap into the will of their fiendish progenitors, gaining temporary boons at a great cost.

Other: There are thousands of different kinds of magic available to you. If you want to explore a specific type of magic feel free to reach out to me. As well, Warlock and Warlock pacts are not available at this time but that will change as the story progresses. If you want to make a character who becomes a Warlock once again reach out to me!

GM Notes:You WILL start weak regardless of the magic you choose but you will NOT stay weak forever. If I see anyone come up with a massively powerful spell like the World Ending Fire Storm 5000 I will find a corner and cry in it before I deny that character.

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.................................................................................................."We thought they were a myth."

Devils and monsters

Devils

Devils are an ancient, powerful race that once ruled over their plane of existence known as The Infernal Dominion which is a realm of strict hierarchies, contracts, and ambition. Unlike Demons and other extraplanar entities, who embody chaos and destruction, Devils are beings of order and structure, thriving on law, control, and carefully brokered agreements.

Long before the fall of magic, Devils interacted with mortals, forming Infernal Pacts with warlocks, rulers, and scholars seeking forbidden knowledge or power. These contracts were always precise, binding the signee to their word. Entire empires rose under the guidance of Devils, flourishing through their influence, only to crumble under the weight of their bargains. The Witch Hunters saw Devils as a significant threat to the balance of the world and, in their crusade against magic, severed most connections between the mortal realm and the Infernal Dominion. This effectively trapped Devils in their own plane, cutting off their direct influence for the last two thousand years.

Though the gates to the Infernal Dominion have been closed for centuries, Tieflings, the mortal descendants of those who once made pacts with Devils, still carry their ancestral magic. Their bloodlines determine how Infernal power manifests in them, from flame-wielding sorcerers to masterful deceivers. However, with magic’s return, the question remains when these charismatic monsters will appear?

Monsters

"Another cruise ship went down this week. What is going on out there?"]

Monsters have always existed, their origins shrouded in myth, but they were never simply mindless beasts. In the earliest days, they were creatures of magic, embodiments of primal forces, nightmares made flesh, or remnants of forgotten civilizations. Some were born from the wild, shaped by the raw power of the world, while others were experiments of ancient mages or the result of infernal corruption. They roamed the land, sea, and sky, inspiring both fear and awe, becoming the foundation of countless legends.

For much of history, monsters were a part of life. Some races coexisted with them, forming fragile ecosystems where powerful beasts became sacred guardians or deadly predators. Others sought to control them—mages experimented on them, warlocks bound them to service, and warriors hunted them for glory or survival. However, as the Witch Hunters rose to power and magic waned, many monsters were wiped out. Those that relied on magic to exist vanished, while others were driven to the edges of the world, into deep caverns, uncharted seas, and the darkest forests. Without magic to sustain them, many were believed to have died out entirely, becoming nothing more than myths.

Now, with magic returning, so too do the monsters. Some awaken from centuries of slumber, others reemerge from hidden places, and some are born anew, shaped by the returning flow of arcane energy. Once again, the world must face the reality that it is not theirs alone—monsters are real, and they are no longer just stories whispered in the dark.

Who is everyone and where are they from?

Humanity – The Dominant Innovators(Origin: Southern Africa | Lifespan 80-90 years)

Without magic, humans did what they do best—adapted and thrived. As the most widespread and populous race, they became the dominant force in shaping the modern world. From industrial revolutions to space exploration, humans spearheaded scientific progress, filling the void left by magic with technology. Their adaptability allowed them to assimilate and integrate all races into their societies, making human-led nations the center of global politics. While they have cities across the globe, humanity has truly flourished in the New World.

In the modern age, humanity is defined by politics, business, and media. They can talk their way out of most fights, make deals thought impossible, and are the biggest stars on the red carpet and online. Human ingenuity extends far, and their position at the top of the food change is a testament to this.

Dwarven Kind – The Industrial Titans (Origin: The Mountains of Eurasia | lifespan 95-105 years)

Without magic to shape stone and metal, dwarves became masters of engineering, construction, and industrial development. Their ancient underground cities evolved into mining hubs, factories, and high-tech facilities. Today, dwarves dominate fields like mechanical engineering, architecture, and material sciences, crafting some of the world's most durable technology and infrastructure. Their subterranean cities are often described as some of the world's modern marvels and have become a top travel destination for influencers in recent years. There is something to be said about the food quality there, which is usually negative.

In the modern world, Dwarves are known for three things: perfectionism, construction, and mining. There is a deep love of the earth and keeping her healthy among the dwarven miners, and their ability to sing to the stone is ever useful as they chase any rare material buried deep in the heart of their mountains. They are also the expert craftsman of the world. Their wares tend to be expensive, as it could take ten times as long for them to make a single item compared to the human factories, but there is no denying their quality.

Elven folk – The Keepers of Lost Knowledge (Origin: The British Isles, Ireland, and Scotland | Lifespan 175-300 years)

Once rulers of vast enchanted forests, elves turned to knowledge and culture when their magic faded. Many became scholars, doctors, and environmentalists, dedicating themselves to preserving history, nature, and the arts. Their long lifespans allow them to excel in academia and philosophy, but they often struggle with modernization and adapting to fast-changing human societies. There are rumors that they hold the last remaining tomes of Magic in hidden libraries.

In the modern world, Elves tend to find themselves as the leading academic voices. They are professors, scientists, artists, and conservationists. They are often the fiercest critics of humanity and dwarves' incessant reliance on the use of fossil fuels as many of the oldest remember the advancement of technology and how the world has warmed as a result.

Gnomes – The Tech Innovators (Origin: Swiss Alps and neighboring areas | Lifespan 125-175 years)

Gnomes, once masters of magical craftsmanship, became pioneers in science and technology. Without magic, their obsession with tinkering turned toward mechanical at first but this quickly adapted to electronics, robotics, and AI in the modern world.

Today, in the modern world, they are the backbone of the tech industry and are often founding startups, designing new inventions, and constantly pushing the boundaries of modern science.

Halflings – The Heart of Communities (Origin: Ukraine | Lifespan 100-150 years)

Halflings, once deeply connected to the land through magic, became the heart of rural and suburban life. They focused on agriculture, hospitality, and small businesses, creating tight-knit communities where tradition is valued. Their culture was built on two things, food and a good story. Over time, the amount of good stories and good food available has grown stale so a singular halfling set out to explore the world. When they returned with amazing stories, and amazing spices, many more began to leave their burrows and explore this amazing world.
Today, they thrive as restaurant owners, farmers, and social workers, emphasizing community and stability in an ever-changing world. Each year Halflings who turn of age go on a pilgrimage across the world where their goal is to find new stories, make new friends, try new foods, and live the best life they can.

Orcs – The Warriors and Survivors (Origin: Eurasian Steppe through the North of Africa | Lifespan 65-85 years)
Once feared as conquerors and warriors, orcs had to redefine strength in a world without magic or battlefields. They once boasted the mightiest empire that the world had seen, stretching across the entire known world at the time and they alone pushed back all the other mortal races. That was until humanity led the charge and cut their empire in half. This led to two separate Orcish empires rising in its stead, one that was more nomadic in the Asian Steppes and one that would settle down in the rich fertile lands in the middle of Africa. While they faced great adversity and hatred in the thousands of years since they survived every hardship thrown their way and have emerged as the most resilient people in the world.

In the modern world war is sparse, and as such many orcs became athletes, security personnel, and workers in physically demanding fields. Others embraced new cultural identities, thriving in music, and activism, and developing a new Orc culture. Despite their progress, they still face systemic prejudice due to their historical reputation as brutes.

Tieflings – The Charismatic Strategists (Origin: Unkown | Lifespan: 90-100)

Over generations, Tieflings have shed their devilish traits and now appear indistinguishable from humanity, save for a lingering intensity in their presence and the occasional horn and tail ridge. Historically mistrusted due to their infernal ancestry, Tieflings adapted to the modern world by leveraging their natural charisma, sharp instincts, and strategic minds. They turned adversity into opportunity, thriving in competitive and social environments where cunning and resilience are paramount.

Tieflings are predominantly urban, gravitating toward bustling cities where their talents shine. They dominate industries like entertainment, and business, excelling in roles that require negotiation, leadership, and influence. Their communities are vibrant and culturally rich, often driving the cultures of the city that soon spread out into the world. Tieflings are known for their ambition, often spearheading social movements or pioneering creative ventures.

In the modern age, Tieflings are defined by their adaptability and drive. They are the charismatic CEOs, captivating performers, and visionary leaders who shape the cultural and economic landscapes of the world. Though they have left their infernal origins behind, Tieflings remain masters of reinvention, proving that strength lies in overcoming the odds.

Goliaths – The Resilient Titans (Origin: Scandinavian Mountains | Lifespan 70-80 years)

Goliaths remain as imposing as ever, with towering statues, rugged physiques, and an innate connection to the natural world. Historically nomadic, they thrived in harsh environments by fostering a culture of teamwork, endurance, and honor. While their physical differences once set them apart, Goliaths earned respect for their strength and reliability, carving out a place in modern society through hard work and determination.
Goliaths are drawn to rural and suburban areas where they can maintain their connection to nature. They excel in physically demanding professions, from professional sports to construction and search-and-rescue operations. Most firefighters, especially volunteer stations, are Goliaths and they excel at fighting wildfires. Their communities are tight-knit and centered around mutual support, with traditions that celebrate strength, perseverance, and communal success. Despite their imposing size, Goliaths are known for their fairness and humility, valuing effort over victory.

In the modern age, Goliaths are defined by their resilience and loyalty. They are the athletes breaking records, the firefighters saving lives, and the builders shaping the world. Their grounded nature and unyielding spirit make them pillars of strength in both their communities and society at large.
Tieflings and Goliaths - Shared Strength in Diversity

Despite their differences, Tieflings and Goliaths share a history of overcoming prejudice and finding their place in the modern world. Both races were initially marginalized—Tieflings for their infernal heritage and Goliaths for their imposing size—but these struggles forged a mutual respect between them. Together, they have built communities that celebrate their unique strengths, blending Tiefling ingenuity with Goliath determination.
In cities where both races coexist, they form dynamic partnerships. Tieflings often lead as strategists and visionaries, while Goliaths handle execution and logistics. Their combined efforts are seen in everything from community development projects to successful businesses. Annual festivals in shared neighborhoods highlight their collaboration, with events like strength-and-strategy games that showcase their complementary skills.
In the modern age, the bond between Tieflings and Goliaths is a testament to the power of unity. Together, they embody the idea that diversity is not a weakness but a strength, shaping a world where all races can thrive. As such, besides humanity, these two make up the dominant races of the New World.

Other races

There are very few other races not mentioned above, and most that do not fall into this categories are instead a blend of them. Half-Elves, for example, make up a sizable population across the world. In the past, when magic walked the land, there were thousands more but, like magic, they disappeared.
What does the Modern World look like?

This modern world is much alike ours in terms of countries, technological advancements, and other signs of modern life. There is ample food, raging income inequality, and a building clash between the haves and the have-nots. There can be differences depending on what the story needs and what might make sense. The total population of the world remains the same, thus there are fewer humans and a lot more of these other fantasy races.

Across the world, there is no true land where the blending of cultures hasn’t occurred. While it was started, and truly embraced, in the new world time has a funny way of allowing races to live in relative peace with each other as old wounds have healed in the centuries since the world became blended. Still, the various nations of the world still fight for control of resources, and strategic locations, and most conflict is now focused on countries versus countries as opposed to what it was historically. There are no current war, or proxy wars, but it is only a matter of time before the next one blows up.

With the return of magic, this might be closer than we think.

The Symphony: Modern Magic

Ooc will go live in a day or two!

@Aeolian

I’d wait until the OOC is up but if you want to PM me the sheet I’ll look it over!

Recollections: Primal Sinister

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The doppelganger’s body was a ruin of pulped flesh and shattered bones. Its limbs twisted at impossible angles where the SUV had crushed them into the pavement. Its ribcage was flattened, caved in like a stomped-on carcass, and black ichor oozed from its torn skin in thick, tar-like rivulets. Chunks of its skull lay scattered across the asphalt, the remnants of its borrowed face twitching with residual nerve spasms. The wet slap of its organs, ruptured and leaking, mixed with the sickly sound of skin knitting itself back together. Then, like something moving in reverse, the shattered bones cracked and jerked back into place, the mush of its body reassembling with a grotesque, sucking noise.

With a nauseating ripple, its ribs pushed outward, inflating its caved-in chest with an audible pop as fresh tendrils of sinew laced themselves back together. Its head, half-crushed and concaved, ballooned back into shape, the displaced chunks of flesh slithering across the pavement to rejoin the whole. One eye, reduced to little more than a pulp, reformed into a bubbling mass of raw meat before snapping open, wide, and aware. The doppelganger’s lips stretched into something resembling a grin as it shifted its eyes toward the SUV and the poor intern stuck inside. It licked its teeth as it surged forward.

Luca, meanwhile, had other plans for the monster. The constant barrage of magic and metal had caused the monster's emotional field to drop to a critical level, no doubt further reduced by the healing magic it had used. Thus, it had inadvertently left itself open to Luca’s special kind of killing blow. His hands summoned a blue circle, one in each hand that looked more like a very detailed dial than a circle with miniature spokes, and adjusted it. As he did, he kept a careful eye on the location of the monster at all times. He waited until it raised its hand far above its head, ready to clobber through the windscreen of the SUV, before he pushed his hands forward and activated his spell. Suddenly, all up and down the monster's body, blue circles appeared and the monster stopped moving. Slowly, the Doppelganger’s body fell downward through the several portals that Luca had opened. Eventually, only a pair or feet remained but they too soon found themself falling through a fresh portal that was opened after the rest had closed.

Nothing remained of the monster that had nearly killed the group multiple times thus far. No matter what magic was thrown its way it seemed to have a particular knack for tanking the hits. However, with the combined might of all the different kinds of Lux, bullets, and a literal car, meant that it instead met its match and was gone.
“I thought that would have been harder based on that phone call. That was a cakewalk,” Luca chuckled nervously as he fell to a knee. Even with the weakened emotional field of the monster it still required Luca to use much of his life force to empower the spell.
“Everyone, shut the fuck up,” Elara coughed out, spitting blood as she did, “Luca, can you get us home?”

“Yeah, yeah,” he paused as he knew he’d need a bath in the healing waters right after, “I got you. Thirty seconds and we can go.” Luca pushed himself back up and summoned the dials back to his hand as he began to adjust the teleportation spell, making sure to prevent anyone or anything from tracking their eventual departure.

“I don’t care what the rest of you do,” Elara pointed to every out-of-towner, “but you can’t stay here. Police are coming, we have a man on the inside who will take care of this but you can not be here when they get here,” Elara paused as she looked towards Varnan, nodding to thank him for saving their lives, and then to the intern in the SUV and shook her head in disappointment that the blind would risk themselves like this.

“If we catch y’all snooping around our town again we will have a problem,” Elara paused as she looked at the rest of them. “Do not let me catch y’all here when I get back,” Elara looked towards Luca and nodded. The rest of the Keepers had all gathered around Luca and, with a twist of the wrist, the teleportation spell activated and the group teleported away.

A moment later the entire group would find themselves in the Grove, about five feet away from the healing waters. Luca collapsed to the ground as they arrived, Elara fell to one knee and coughed up a lot more blood, and the rest knew that they would need to care for everyone who was wounded that day. Doran and Ethan grabbed Luca and began to pull him towards the water, meanwhile, Ryan helped Elara to her feet and did the same.

The Symphony: Modern Magic

Glad to have all your interest in this :) If anyone has a question feel free to ask and I’ll answer. Work is underway on the ooc as we speak so I’ll be busy for the next week getting it ready.

The Symphony: Modern Magic

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OVERVIEW

What would you do if you suddenly gained magic in a world without it?

One moment, you were as normal as everyone else. Whether you were a college student studying for their midterms, or a busy worker who traded their happiness and health for a measly paycheck. Everything was normal until, the next moment, you weren’t. It could’ve started as a spark that arched across your fingertips, a whisper in your mind that sounded like the voice of your friend, or something far more dramatic—an uncontrollable burst of power that burned your area down. Whatever it was, however, this magic revealed itself to you, it is real. And you are not alone.

Exactly one week after your abilities appeared, a letter arrived. There was no return address, no postage, just your name in elegant script on the envelope. Your curiosity got the better of you, so you opened it, and you learned three things.

Magic has existed since the dawn of existence.

You are one of the first magic users to grace the planet in over five hundred years.

And that magic can not be locked away forever as it will reappear if the world needs it.

But why now? What happened five centuries ago to make magic vanish? Why were you chosen for this power? And more importantly—what has caused magic to return?

This is a modern fantasy RP focused on the discovery of magic, mystery, and the dangers that come with being the first wielders of magic in an unsuspecting world. Hidden histories, supernatural threats, and the looming question of what your magic truly means as long as you can answer one question.
Are you ready to find out?

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DISCORD SERVER

Welcome to Modern Magic, the first story set in a supernatural, high fantasy, and horror-themed universe we’re calling Symphony. You are arriving right at the start of a great change for the world as magic begins to creep into the fabric of our reality once more. The effects of this are yet to be seen, but all it takes is one look at the news to see that it is already being felt. From explosions that ripped through Seoul five days ago, to various campground's attacked by creatures straight out of folklore, the signs that the return of magic has had deadly outcomes are everywhere. You are going to be a first generation Witch or Warlock. This means that how your powers develop will be up to you. At the start you might be very weak with your magic, but if you practice it and work through the story you might be a great mage by the end. However, while magic has returned and this alone has caused countless deaths, many more are to come as The Witch Hunters are mobilizing. Unlike their mage counterparts, The Witch Hunters trace their lineage back proudly and carry weapons and armors specifically designed to kill you. They have already begun to track any trace of magic their locators can detect and they have already killed several of these new mages. It is going to be a race against time to build up your strength before you are caught.

The Witch Hunters are not the only threats that you will face along this journey. Monsters, of myth and legend, are awaking at the same time. From the mighty minotaur's that ravaged ancient Greece, to the various Dragons that burned the world, these monsters are also going to be drawn to these young mages. Magic attracts magic, and the longer you linger in an area the higher the likelihood that you will encounter one. At the end of the day, despite The Witch Hunters and Monsters, you have been chosen for a reason. Magic is needed in the world again despite the risk it brings. Will you live up to your potential, or will you die like your ancestors of old? The main themes of this story are as followed: Rebirth, Identity, Emotions, and Friendship.

RULES & NOTES

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1. I will be reserving the right to deny, or kick, any players for any reason. Generally, this will not be used unless you make me use it. Do not be racist, homophobic, transphobic, or otherwise an asshole. There is nuance, as always, so I will be sure to review any situations and decide what the next course of action needs to be. 2. Be respectful towards all other players. 3. This will be as realistic of a setting as I can make it. As such, I will want realistic face claims (thus, no anime), realistic characters, and realistic decisions from those characters. 4. The RP will have its dark moments. I will do my best to avoid edgy, or otherwise cringe, moments but do note that there will be death, and there will be struggles 5. No "wip" sheets on the OOC. Post a complete sheet, or don't post anything at all. If you need something looked over, feel free to private message me. Speaking of which, the character tab is for accepted characters only. 6. Your character can die. If you put your character in a bad position the enemy will take advantage of it. Thus, play to your characters strengths and away from the enemies. 7. You're allowed to have as many characters as you can handle. 8. This is not a true super-hero story. It is more akin to shows like the magicians. 9. The lore is going to start off hidden, and be revealed as we delve through the story. Please let me know if you want any details about the lore for making a character.

10. The following abilities are banned: Magic Negation/Replication, "instant death" powers, reality-warping, anything with "Omni" attached to it, complete defense/indestructibility, and any other ridiculous ability. I will explain why if necessary. 11. While I don't have a definitive number in mind this will be first come first serve. 12. One post a week is the expectation. Life happens but if your character is gone from the posting cycle for a while I will reserve the right to either kill them off or send them upstate to the farm until you return. 13. Modern magic calls for Modern times. 14. I decide what weaknesses your spells have. 15. I can also write your magic based off your character sheet. If you want to explore this feel free to message me. 16. You will be weak. You will struggle. But you will grow. 17. All the obvious rules. ...................................................................

CS

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Character name here

Character Name Here, or get a banner from 1001fonts.com

"Character quote here."

_______________________________________________ First Middle Last Race | Pronouns | Age | Ethnicity | Height (In Inches) | Weight (Pounds/LB) _______________________________________________ Single word that defines your character. _______________________________________________ Skills & Talents "Quote about Skills here." ___________________________________ [+] [REMOVE THIS. A REALISTIC list of everything your character is good at. Do not make them master of everything, do not make them a living weapon. [REMOVE THIS.] [Skill name here] ⫻ (Brief (or lengthy) explanation of skill/talent here)

Appearance ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ "Quote about appearance here." I need a detailed understanding of what your character looks like, what they wear, and so on. Be detailed.

_{Psychology
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"Quote about personality here."

MAIN GOAL ⫻
(What does your character hope to accomplish in life?)

PHILOSOPHY ⫻
(What is your character's outlook on life?)

SECRETS AND FEARS ⫻
(What is your character hiding? )

SEXUALITY ⫻ (Your character's sexual preference?)

WHAT WAS THE FIRST DAY WITH MAGIC LIKE? ⫻ (The emergence of magic was chaotic and possible destructive for so many people. What was it like for you?)

FLAWS ⫻ (What holds your character back?)

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"Quote about backstory here."

Pretty standard affair. I'm not going to expect a super long essay here, just the basics and whatever.

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"Quote about your magic here."

MAGIC ⫻ (Put the type of magic you wield here plus a one sentence description of what it is and what it does.)

MAGIC DESCRIPTION ⫻ (Tell me every little detail of what your magic is and does. Remember, at the start you will be weak and you may not have any named spells yet. This will change at will, with discussion, throughout the story.)

LIMITS ⫻ (What are the limits to your magic. This list will also grow as we go through the story.)

WEAKNESSES ⫻ (DO NOT FILL THIS OUT, I WILL PROVIDE IT FOR YOU)

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"Extra Quote here."

MISQ SECTION

Nori And Her Stuff

Jackson

"ROCK AND STONE, brothers, rock and stone."

_______________________________________________ Aunoth Veomavea Jackson Stone He/Him | 27 | Goliath | 90 inches 7’2” | 320 lbs _______________________________________________ Dependability _______________________________________________ Skills & Talents "Big guy, even bigger heart." ___________________________________ [+] Strength and Stamina ⫻ As a Goliath, Jackson is naturally strong and resilient, capable of lifting heavy objects and enduring physical strain with ease. Problem-Solving ⫻ Jackson has a knack for finding practical solutions to difficult problems, often thinking outside the box. Loyalty ⫻ Jackson is fiercely loyal to his friends, especially Lena. He’s the kind of person who will drop everything to help someone in need. Cooking ⫻ Jackson is an excellent cook, specializing in hearty, comforting meals. He often uses cooking as a way to show care for others. Transformation Magic (Emerging) ⫻ Jackson’s magic allows him to transform parts of his body, such as his hands into bird-like claws. His control is still developing, but the potential is vast.

Appearance ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ "The weather is kind of chilly up here today." Jackson is a towering figure, standing at an impressive 7’6” with a broad, muscular build that screams strength and stability. His skin is a darker brown color with faint, swirling patterns that resemble stone that instantly reveal his Goliath heritage if the height wasn’t enough. These patterns are present predominantly on his chest, arms, and legs although his ears have the pattern. His eyes are warm amber, sparkling with humor or kindness, and his smile is wide and genuine, often accompanied by a deep, rumbling laugh. Jackson has long, wavy, and dark hair that is complemented completely by short facial hair of the same color. On his kneecaps, knuckles, and elbows that stone like swirl is made manifest. The skin is incredibly thick at these locations, visibly so, and in the past they would have made the perfect tools to crush through any who dare oppose him. However, in the modern world and when fully dressed, Jackson may appear more human than Goliath as he has fully adopted the human-centric fashion that dominates the cities. He dresses practically, favoring flannel shirts, sturdy jeans, and heavy boots, though he’s not above adding a pop of color with a bright scarf or beanie. Despite his imposing size, Jackson carries himself with a gentle, approachable demeanor, making him a comforting presence in any room. He often looks like a mouse trying to hide in the corner, and his bulky size is almost forgettable when one looks on his casual dress and friendly demeanor.

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"I have apparently become everyone’s rock but I have to ask who my rock is? Do I not deserve to be supported too?"

MAIN GOAL ⫻
Jackson is an avid sports fan and is trying to make his way up the sports journalism ladder. While he was never good enough himself to make it up the actual sports ladder, he does have a deep knowledge of the games and a natural charisma that could allow him to be successful if he just got his break.

PHILOSOPHY ⫻
Life is about connection and community. Jackson believes in being there for others, even when it’s hard, and finding joy in the little things.

SECRETS AND FEARS ⫻
Jackson fears losing the people he loves, especially Lena. He also worries about the responsibility that comes with his magic and whether he’ll be able to control it.

SEXUALITY ⫻
Jackson is gay and proudly out, though he’s currently single. He’s had a few relationships over the years, but his loyalty to Lena and his own easygoing nature has kept him from settling down. He has lost three relationships when he had to put out fires for his friends and this is something that has held him back from going steady. Still, he opens up those damned apps every night hoping for something more than blank profile pictures and unsolicited nudes.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST DAY WITH MAGIC LIKE? ⫻
The first day was pure chaos. Jackson had a long day, had run a full bath, and lit a hundred candles to make him feel better. The day was long because he had just broken off a situationship with a charming man who caught feeling after their third Netflix session. The bath was going well until the magic tried to drown him. A bruised ego emerged from the bath five minutes later, out of the destroyed tub, and Jackson realized shit had changed.

FLAWS ⫻
Jackson can be overly self-sacrificing, often putting others’ needs before his own to the point of burnout. He also struggles with expressing his own fears and vulnerabilities, preferring to be the strong, dependable one.

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"Let's take a moment to breath, okay?"

Jackson Stone grew up in the rugged, close-knit Goliath community of Highridge, a small mountain town where strength, loyalty, and resilience were valued above all else. His parents, both skilled stonemasons, instilled in him a deep appreciation for hard work and craftsmanship from an early age. Jackson was the youngest of four siblings, and while his older brothers and sister were competitive and often vied for their parents’ attention, Jackson was content to stay in the background, observing and learning. He was the kind of child who would rather help his mother carry firewood or assist his father in shaping stone than engage in the roughhousing that defined his siblings’ relationships. This quiet, steady demeanor earned him the nickname “Little Boulder” among his family—a term of endearment that stuck even as he grew into his towering frame.
Life in Highridge was simple but demanding. The Goliath community prided itself on self-sufficiency, and Jackson learned early on how to fend for himself. He spent his days helping his parents with their work, exploring the mountains, and developed a strong cooking skill that has served him well through life.

By the time he was a teenager, Jackson had developed a reputation as the “gentle giant” of Highridge, someone who could be relied on to lend a hand, whether it was repairing a neighbor’s roof or mediating a dispute between friends. Despite his size, Jackson was never one to throw his weight around; instead, he used his strength to protect and support those around him. When Jackson turned eighteen, he made the decision to leave Highridge and attend college in Twin Pines, a small city that felt worlds away from the quiet mountains of his childhood. The transition was jarring. The noise, the smell, the slow-paced lifestyle of the city, the fish smell, and the island were overwhelming at first, and Jackson often found himself longing for the simplicity of home. But he was determined to make the most of his new life, and it wasn’t long before he found his footing. It was during his freshman year that he met Lena, a sharp-tongued, quick-witted Tiefling who seemed to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders. The two bonded almost instantly, drawn together by their shared sense of humor and their mutual need for connection in a world that often felt isolating. Jackson quickly became Lena’s rock, the steady presence she could rely on when her own life felt like it was spinning out of control. He was there for her during the darkest moments—when she struggled with the after effects of the loss of her parents, when she doubted her abilities as a comedian, and when she felt like giving up on her dreams. In return, Lena brought out a lighter, more playful side of Jackson, encouraging him to step out of his comfort zone and embrace the chaos of life. Their friendship became a cornerstone of both their lives, a bond that was as unshakable as the mountains Jackson had grown up in.

After college, Jackson stayed in Twin Pines, working as a handyman and part-time cook while pursuing his sports journalism career. He became a familiar face in the city, known for his easygoing nature and his willingness to help anyone in need. Despite his own struggles—navigating life as a Goliath in a town not built for him, grappling with the occasional prejudice he faced because of his size, and the fish smell, Jackson remained steadfast in his optimism and his belief in the goodness of people. He found joy in the little things like cooking a meal for friends, fixing a broken chair, or sharing a laugh with Lena after one of her shows. When magic returned to the world, Jackson was as surprised as anyone. His water abilities manifested unexpectedly, and while he was initially overwhelmed by the sudden change, he quickly embraced it as just another part of life’s chaos. He just wishes Lena was there for him like he would've been there for her.

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"STOP TRYING TO DROWN ME...ME."

MAGIC ⫻ Hydromancy – The ability to manipulate and control water in all its forms, from liquid to ice to vapor.

MAGIC DESCRIPTION ⫻

Jackson’s hydromancy allows him to shape water into various forms, from delicate tendrils to powerful waves. He can freeze water into ice, summon mist to obscure his surroundings, or even draw moisture from the air to create small amounts of water in dry environments. His magic is deeply tied to his emotions, with calm focus allowing for precise control and heightened emotions causing his powers to surge unpredictably. Jackson’s hydromancy often feels like an extension of his personality—fluid, adaptable, and life-giving. However, it also carries a hint of the chaos that water can bring, reminding him that even the gentlest stream can become a raging flood.

Combat-Focused Spells (KNOWN)⫻ Jackson can use his water magic in a few different ways in a fight. He can pull the water together into a whip and use it to slash, grab, or deflect. He can also pull it all together and shoot it out like a cannon shot.

Water Whip ⫻ Through concentrated effort, Jackson can pull water, either from a source or from the ambient air, and form a singular tendril of water. This water tendril is typically as long as he is tall but it can vary depending on the amount of water in a given area. The whip is tough to command, and if Jackson loses focus the water will buck the command and simply fall to the ground beneath him.

Water Gun ⫻ Like the water whip, Jackson can pull the water into his chest area and form a large water bubble. He can then expel that water in front of him, shooting the water with high pressure out to a distance of thirty feet with the pressure dropping off and the shot dying out after fifty. This requires a lot of water, and often the ambient air is not enough.

Non-Combat-Focused Spells (UNKNOWN)⫻ Jackson does not know it yet but his water carries a healing energy to it. If he washes the water, gently, over a wounded area the healing magic will begin to work. It is slow, and deliberate magic that requires time, patience, and a lot of his magic.

LIMITS ⫻

Jackson’s control over water is strongest when he’s calm and focused. Stress or strong emotions can make his magic erratic and harder to manage.

He requires a source of water to manipulate, whether it’s a nearby body of water, moisture in the air, or even the water content in plants. In extremely dry environments, his abilities are limited.

Creating ice or vapor requires significant concentration and energy, leaving him drained after prolonged use.
While he can manipulate water, he cannot create it from nothing. This limitation forces him to be resourceful and mindful of his surroundings.

WEAKNESSES ⫻ (DO NOT FILL THIS OUT, I WILL PROVIDE IT FOR YOU)

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"Please do not try and climb me like a tall tree."

Recollections: Primal Sinister

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Elara watched as the time magic fell over the man and the monster and she was given a moment to breathe. Her body was sore, her clothes had become tattered, and she was beyond done with whatever this thing was. Every time the monster was exposed to her magic it seemed like it grew a resistance to it. Elara knew that if it wasn’t for the stairs field she’d be in trouble right now. She looked towards Bryn and groaned. “How you going up,” Elara coughed out some blood, “we need to get you some bones,” Elara gasped as she watched the monster move in the stasis field. It was only an inch but she saw it all the same.

"There ain't any nearby by- fuckin' fussy ghost!" Bryn swore. She was in a better state than Elara, thanks to avoiding being thrown out the window… but she was also out of options, her only available ash stuck in the same field the monster was. Her head tilted backwards. ”Any birds or shit you can shoot down?"

Elara looked around the sky and mumbled a soft “shit”. There was nary a creature to be seen besides the one they were currently fighting. “I cain’t see none,” Elara said as she looked around for a rabbit, squirrel, trash panda, or opossum. “Long as that their field thing holds we can wai-,” Elara paused as she watched the monster move again, this time nearly a foot towards her. She could see its eyes were locked on her. It moved another few inches, and then another few. It was pushing through the time field like it was nothing more than a heavy weighted blanket. It kept inching closer, and closer, seemingly ignoring Varnan altogether.

“We only need to hold on for a little while longer.” Elara started before she notched another lightning arrow.

”Hit it with all you got, I'll keep it off you," Bryn grunted, feeling the ash stuck in the field slowly pulling towards her. Not fast enough. Useless, useless. ”Cineres, find me some fuckin' bones."

A little glowing white head poked out of Bryn's stomach, fire curls spilling out and looking like they'd set her clothes alight. The young spirit pulled herself fully out, looking at Bryn just to nod before she disappeared. Bryn could still feel their connection- she still had her magic for now, too… and the fuck all it did for her right now. She quickly moved to put herself in front of Elara.

A second later, Varnan's spell on the monster broke, sending a shockwave outward that violently threw both Elara and Bryn back. Elara once again crashed into the ground and yelped as she once again felt a rib crack and a fresh surge of pain. She lingered on the ground before she finally rolled over and saw that the doppelganger was slowly stalking toward her. She could see that its face and body began to shift, no doubt to become her this time. Elara was far too wounded to move at this point and she watched in horror as it raised its hand ready to plunge a bladed appendage down into her chest. Elara closed her eyes. A second later the arm exploded halfway down its length, sending a splatter of blood and viscera across Elara and the surrounding area.
Elara opened her eyes at the sensation and looked to the side to see their reinforcements had arrived early. Luca had teleported a small group to the battle, and the strike force was led by a newer member named Doran. Doran had a rifle raised, however the first shot that struck true on the creature made no sound. He fired again, the second round impacting in the chest, and also made no sound. His abstraction was called Dead Silent, and it allowed Doran to absorb any sound in their nearby area and redirect it at a later point. Thus, every loud shot from this weapon of war was completely silent. Round after round was fired from the semi-automatic weapon and the only noise that could be heard was the whistle of the bullet itself. Behind Doran, and in front of Lucas were Ethan and Ryan. Ethan quickly extended his hand out and the ground shook as a solid mass emerged from beneath the monster, forming a hand that tried to hold the creature in place. Ryan, meanwhile, held his hand up to the sky which caused the overcast nature to darken and thunder to rumble quickly. He was building up a massive lightning bolt that he would quickly deliver. Lucas had a bag in his hand that was sealed with a simple knot that he tossed towards Bryn. It was filled with various bones collected from the hunting trips over the past week and had not been thrown out.

"Fuck- Thanks, Lucas!" Bryn pushed herself to her feet and caught the bag. She’d felt something in her back crack when she was thrown back… but it didn’t fucking matter right now. The pain wasn’t that bad. She mentally called back her Apparition, pulling open the bag at the same time as she turned all of the bones into ash. She glanced over at Ryan. Best plan was to keep its attention until he could thunder clap it.

Half of the ash pulled out of the bag, forming solid balls around her. They started smouldering, before setting alight as she shot them at the Doppelganger - burning ash bullets.

“If y’all have a disabling, controlling, or downright destructive spell now is the time to apply it,” Elara added as she fired a lightning arrow before swapping to ice ones, sending one at each appendage.

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree Part. 1 [Cancelled]

Jack wasn’t fully cognizant of what was happening. He felt the ground shake and the air roar, and saw something in the corner of his vision, but he was anything but alert and aware right now. On one knee, with one empty sleeve and his one good arm pressed against the ground, he felt like someone who’d had one too many drinks of something far above their usual tolerance. Every time he blinked, his eyes practically begged not to be opened again.

Opening one portal to the Void was nothing for him. Opening a particularly large one was doable for a brief moment.

Opening two of that size? He was paying for it.

At least the move worked. He had to stand, and there was nothing to prop himself up against. And it was bright enough to interfere with his teleporting, and if he used any Umbramancy, something would just crack under his own weight.

But he had the radio. He reached for it, and slipped onto his side.

”…I need backup, quickly.”

Lila’s hand let go of the briar spear she found on the ground as it finished healing her body. The bullet wounds were gone, but her body bore the pain of them all the same. This was her first time being shot with actual bullets and it was not a sensation she ever wanted to experience again. As the lingering phantom pain fizzled away she heard the radio crack to life. Her eyes went wide as she realized that it was Jack on the line, and he was needing help.

Lila sent out a telepathic command to her crows to find the emo.

Not all her crows would listen to her without an offering, however, and as such only five headed her command. They began to sweep the island with a feverish intensity. They swooped down at each and every person they could find, getting their eyes on their face and relaying that information back to Lila who checked for Jack. They seemed to like to swoop down on Sully, and Ken, multiple times for some reason. Not that Lila complained when Ken came across her vision. Eventually, one did find the man and Lila quickly hurried to her feet and looked around. She knew where he was but not how to get there. Lila asked her crows to take her there and only one flew back to Lila accepting the command. Lila took a deep breath as that singular crow was Little Shit and his antics within the murder was not great. Still, Jack was in need and Lila would put her faith in a crow that had thus far been an agent of terror.

Lila shot into the air and began to fly quickly behind her crow. The two saw that the zombies were a distance away and missing their guns. Good. As they drew closer Lila saw Jack on the ground and dove like a bird of prey and crash landed next to him, kicking a large dust pile into the air and onto Jack.

“You okay bro,” Lila asked as she remained in the dirt.

”Void portals…” He lazily pushed himself upright. ”Take a toll on me. Usually, manageable. Using the Eustis Veil to stun that monster, though… Worse than usual.”

It was hard to speak fluidly when he was swaying and feeling the ground tilt every which way.

“I got shot for the first time,” Lila added in an attempt to help Jack feel better. Quickly she realized it could have the opposite effect. “This island fucking sucks. Do we want to just lay here until it’s all over or do we want to get back to the others?”

”We do not have a choice. There is too much light for my spells to be reliable, and I am far too close to unconsciousness to fight. We need to stall for time, until Sloane’s group is finished…”

He looked up at Lila, bringing himself up to one knee. ”Once they’ve found what we need… I can get them free, along with Kenshiro. But I can hardly even stand right now.”

“Fuck,” Lila sighed as she pushed herself onto her knees and used her hands to push her upper body up. “How about I get you back to friendly lines and then we can see what else we can do to stay for time,” Lila offered as an option.

”That would certainly help.” The hood obscured his face, but he was smiling. ”Shall we?”

“Do you want to hold on tight spider monkey,” Lila said as a reference to twilight, “or do you need me to carry you” Lila looked over Jack while she took a pause and decided he was even weaker than normal and was liable to fall off her back. As such, she scurried over and picked him up. With a mighty leap and powerful flaps of her wings she carried him forward towards their friendly lines. There was just one thing to nail, and that would be the landing. Thankfully, without the zombies firing there was just only one problem that Lila would need to overcome and that was her continued lack of ability to actually land. As she got close she flared her wings, extended her legs, made contact with the ground, and proceeded to crash and twist and turn until she and Jack came to a stop several feet later.

“Nailed it,” Lila groaned. She made sure to cradle Jack to prevent much damage with the crash landing.

Jack didn’t expel the contents of his stomach with that landing, so that was an upside. He sprawled out over the burnt ground and leaned against a scorched tree, standing up. ”Are you alright?”

“Only my pride is wounded,” Lila sighed.

”Good…” He looked up at the monumental beast that had risen up out of the sea. Jack hated the ocean, it was something he was less willing to explore than the Void itself. Nothing good came from there, that was not the domain of people who breathed air. Someone had been thrown at it, presumably someone not stupid enough to make that out to be a mistake. Jack looked around, and took in the surrounding area.

That seemed to be the only real threat remaining. Beyond whatever summoned it.

”I have an idea. Aaron and I have a joint spell that could banish that thing back into the ocean. Or perhaps somewhere else, at random. But he’ll be teleported as well.” He pointed up at the guy that had been fucking yeeted directly at the titan by Leon.

Lila looked towards the direction that Jack pointed towards and quickly saw that it was Stormy despite the distance. What was he doing? Lila shook her head, the reality of the situation quickly brought a renewed focus. “Okay. What can I do to help? Do you want me to be on standby to catch him or do you need me to do something else,” Lila asked.

”I certainly hope he has a plan for if he falls, but catching him would be wise. Though, I need to find Aaron in order to cast the spell. If he can manage one more Spirit Bomb.”

Lila nodded as she looked around the friendly lines and spotted Aaron a short distance away. “Are you going to be okay if I go run and grab them,” Lila asked as she got ready to leap.

”I’m not dying. Go. I’ll manage.”

Lila erupted forth at great speed, using their wings to glide across the field once more until they grabbed Aaron but once again crashed into the ground with the tackle. Mid tackle Aaron swapped to Aryin and tried to push Lila away. Lila quickly carried her back to Jack.

”What the fuck Lila,” Aryin said as they finally wrestled themself free.

“Jack needs you,” Lila said with a chipper tone.

”Then fucking say that birds for brains,” Aryin seethed.

“What did you call me?”

”Aryin.” Can you manage another Spirit Bomb? I believe we can drown that monster.”

Aryin shifted their focus to the monster and held up their hands. They summoned whatever magic they had left to their muscles in their arms and hands but felt no increased strength. They were spent. Their hands dropped as they looked towards Jack. ” Running on empty. I need to tank some hits from something strong to charge up. No offense but you look like you’re going to die on me again you fucking twink so I doubt you could do it,” Aryin responded as they sighed. How many fucking monsters did these monster fuckers have?

Jack’s shadow hand exploded into existence and reeled out like a slinky. He whipcracked her across the shoulder, making a fist that felt like a brick. ”Give me some credit. It takes more than my own magic to kill me,” he joked.

”That tickled Jack I need something more,” Aryin sighed. The Hallow Blast nuked their reserves so much more than a normal spirit bomb, and it seemed to make it harder for her to recharge. She looked towards Lila. More apparition than woman, did that extend to their strength? ”Hey bird, box me” Aryin said as they spread their arms out wide.

Lila raised an eyebrow.

”Hit me hard.”

Lila raised her arm back. It was held there for a second. The idea of testing her strength intrigued her. She tested her flight which was not great yet. She tested her command over her murder which was no longer great. She’s tested her great durability. Maybe her strength was great as well. She let loose the punch, hitting Aryin right in the right boob, and the hit reverberated across the battle with a loud crack.

Aryin looked down to her boob, and then back up to Lila, and grinned. ” Again.”

Lila swung punch after punch into Aryin's chest, each one sending a shockwave into the nearby area. After several punches, Lila pulled her hand back and shook it. The stone wall hurt her hand, and she could not throw another. Aryin looked up to Jack and smirked.

”Ready.”

Jack nodded and raised his hand up high. Wisps if black fog trailed off his fingers, and swirled up into the shape of an orb. He held that out for Aryin.

”I’ll send us through the Eleventh Path and then high above the creature, so we do not risk being swept away.” The idea was to build momentum and go sky high, then come back down safely post-blast.

”We are so going to be the talk of the coven after this.” Aryin winked as they swapped forms, before they channeled their magic into a fresh spirit bomb in the palm of their hand. As soon as it matched the size of the orb in Jack's hand Aaron pressed the spirit bomb into it.

Their magic blended together, turning energy into cosmological dross. Jack’s purple Lux, mixed with Aryin’s green, equaled a dimensional weave, the sort of thing that the very fabric of space was made of. Black, swirling with shades of purple and blue perpetually falling inwards on itself. Space curved around the sphere, rippling and pulsing around the edge of their spell.

”Away we go.”

Jack took a step closer to Aaron, and a door to the Eleventh Path opened up underneath them, parallel to the ground. They fell through it, into the sky far above the building in the pocket dimension.

Aaron fell downward with a smile on their face. This monster would not know what hit it. That smile quickly disappeared as the reality of falling from a great height sunk in momentarily. It was a very human fear and so buried deep was it that Aaron nearly screamed at Jack about how they could not fly nor could they glide. Yet all it took was a second to think to remember that even if something went wrong, they could survive a fall like this. At least, she could.

“WE ONLY HAVE ONE SHOT WITH THIS. I’LL BE FULLY FULLY TAPPED,” Aaron shouted to Jack.

”If this succeeds, that will be perfectly fine!” He shouted back, over the rush of wind. The door opened up again underneath them, just before they hit the roof of the building. It was a long fall, thirty seconds at minimum, and when they returned to Shimmer, they weren’t falling.

They were rising. All that momentum seamlessly transitioned from down to up in a way that only a purple Adept could pull off. They were at least a hundred feet directly above the titan, their tangled bomb of spatial warpings carried along with them.

At the apex of their ascent, Jack shouted.

”Now!”

They began to fall again, and released the spell: Darkness, Fall Upon Them.

The Spirit Bomb fell like a meteor, and they fell back into the Eleventh Path, returning again to Shimmer as the door spat them out. Jack rolled across the ground and landed on one knee before the bomb even hit the titan off in the distance.

Aaron swapped back to Aryin and rolled off the impact as best she could but she swapped a moment too late and felt numerous points off pain along their arm and back. “Did we kill it,” Aryin panted as they kept their eyes on the sky, breathing shallow and quick breaths. So much of their energy was spent. They would need a couple days of rest now to do anything of substance. She only hoped that her actions today were enough.

”Perhaps.” Jack held a hand out to help Aryin up, watching the Spirit Bomb fall to displace that thing somewhere further away from here than where it stood.

A short distance away

Meanwhile, Stormy was also looking up at the sky and wondering who’s damn idea it was to drop that on it. Wherever the skeletal titan went, it sure as hell wasn’t where he went.

Lynn tried to avoid the falling man, taking several steps away from where his trajectory was pulling him, but her curse was always active. A telepathic force pulled Stormy as he fell and he was forced to fall directly on the back of Lynn who crumbled under his weight. She felt a few pops, and a surge of pain from her ribs and her back.

“I think you blew my back out in a not fun way” Lynn whimpered from the ground underneath Stormy.

With a groan, Stormy looked up at his surroundings. That spell had teleported him away from Elysium Island, and he landed right on top of Lynn.

”What in the goddamn- Lynn? Anya?” He stood up, checking if Lynn was alright. ”Christ, I had no idea they were going to do that to the skeleton, I’m sorry.”

“Just happy to be involved.”

Recollections: Primal Sinister

Gideon’s office on the top floor of the Hollow Tap is an unexpected blend of rugged practicality and understated charm. The space is dominated by a large, polished mahogany desk, its surface meticulously organized with a leather-bound planner, a fountain pen, and a crystal decanter of whiskey. Behind the desk, a high-backed chair upholstered in deep brown leather exudes authority. Shelves lining one wall hold a mixture of books, old ledgers, and trinkets that hint at Gideon’s dual nature—framed photos of loved ones sit beside curios from his more questionable dealings.

A set of large windows the entrance to the bar, which lights up the room even with the overcast weather outside, allowing the frames to cast long shadows across the room. A vintage record player sits on a side table, soft jazz emanating from its brass horn. In the corner stands a coat rack, from which hangs his coat as well as several others. They belonged to men who crossed him recently. They entered the room, but quickly found out that they would never leave it again. Gideon reflected on the lessons he learned from those men. Never trust someone who has broken it before, never relent on your positions, and when someone tells you that they mean to do you harm you need to believe them.

Gideon knew that Ioan was waiting for his meeting, but he wanted him to wait even longer. Not for any reason in particular but when it came to business, appearing busy was important. Gideon is unsure what to make of the businessman. He seems like he could be a liability. Still, it was important to have this meeting all the same. Right after him, it was one of those mountain people. They had become a regular at their bar and Gideon had spoken with them a few times. Their call today was unexpected but Gideon wanted more influence in that community anyway so this meeting was more urgent than the first. Gideon poured a glass of whisky from the decanter and swirled it around the glass before taking a long, heavy drink from it. Time to begin the day. He walked out of his office, glass in hand, and went down to where Mr. Ioan was waiting for him. It took a few minutes for him to reach the location before he spotted him.

“Mr. Ioan,” he greets, his voice deep and smooth. He had a wide smile on his face as he looked towards the man, sizing him up as he did. “Welcome to the Hollow Tap. Come up to my office—we’ve got some things to discuss I presume.” Stepping aside, he gestured with a hand to invite Ioan to follow along before he spotted Marco running towards him.
“Boss, the job went south. They’re calling in help, Vin needs me,” Marco paused as he raised up a medic bag.

“Mr. Ioan, I know you have been waiting but I must reschedule. If you wanted to wait I will be back before long,” Gideon paused as he looked over to Seren, “you too Seren. Food and drinks are on the house if you wait.”
Gideon took off towards the door, followed by Marco who tossed him a car key, and four more members of the Hollow. The five members piled into a large pickup truck and the tires squealed as it accelerated away from the bar. Gideon grabbed the Jaguar and quickly put it into gear and followed behind soon thereafter.

Seren walked up to the bar and sat down and grabbed a menu. They looked it over before they pulled out their phone, and opened ticktok. On the screen was one of the more recent ticktok trends, where two people would play rock, paper, scissors. The winner would take a bite of food, while the loser would need to run laps around whatever area they were in. When they got back from the laps, the two would play rock, paper, scissors once again. Seren looked towards Ioan, and smirked. They wanted to record the video later on, maybe rope Bryn or Elara or anyone else into it, but something drew her to Ioan. Maybe he was willing to give a silly ticktok trend a chance.
“So. You’re meeting Gideon today as well? What skeletons in your closest is he taking care of today,” Seren

Nearby - Vin is dying.

As Vin and Paloma worked together to let in the apparition, Malik walked over to the two phone to his ear. “Okay, two minutes out? Okay. How is Vin? Oh,” he paused as he suppressed a gag as he looked at their ruined body, “they’re not great, not terrible. I would say the faster you get here the better the odds of….what? Yes I know I am not a doctor…why would you say that? If you had…okay, okay, just get here faster and then you can decide if I am an idiot or not. How’s that sound,” Malik stopped as he ended the call, “you colossal piece of shit motherfucking North Sider. Jesus fucking christ the nerve of that guy.” He raised an eyebrow as he looked towards Palmoa and thought of what her angle was. Was she trying to get in the good graces of a gang for a reason, or was she simply someone who was in the right place at the right time? Regardless, she was a person of interest to Malik and Malik would keep an eye on her going forward.

“Vin, help will be here shortly. Gideon is staying back, but Marco and a few of the boys are on their way. Marco will get you patched up,” Malik paused as he placed his hand on his hips, pushing his coat back to reveal the holstered gun. His eyes shifted back to Palmoa, “so. What’s your story? Who’s your apparition?”

The sounds of tires screeching interrupted the conversation. Malik shifted his eyes and saw a large pickup truck speeding down the road, swerving to avoid cars as it did, and it quickly made its way towards their location. As it drew closer he could see that the front five seats were all packed with people, and the bed of the truck held a couple more. He smirked as he motioned for Palmoa to follow him as he walked closer to the outside walls of a nearby building. “Alright, Vin, help is here. You doing okay?”

Before Vin could answer the truck screeched to a stop in front of them. The door to the passenger side opened up and Marco stepped out. He was taller than the rest of the crew by a significant margin, standing somewhere between six foot five and six foot six. He wore a simple black leather jacket overtop a simple black button up shirt. The outfit did not hide a large muscular frame underneath as Marco kept the top three buttons unbuttoned. To the casual observer he was peak masculine energy. He had a large bag with a large white circle with a red cross inside, no doubt packed with medical supplies. He looked at Vin and sighed.

“Aaron, we still clear on any responses,” Marco asked as he looked towards the driver of the truck. He had a tablet in his hand and his eyes scanned the various windows open on it. He held a thumb up in response. “Everyone else, get inside and make sure whatever caused this is dead, check the damage, and if anyone is alive inside get them some compensation for their trouble.” Marco looked at Malik as the crew sprung into action. “You take the girl inside, I’ll get Vin put back togethert again,” he paused as he tapped the bag.

“Oh no. No, no. Vin needs your magic,” Malik responded with a stern look.

“Do they though,” Marco asked as he looked at their friend and sighed. He knew that Malik was right but he was not ready for what that entailed.

“I think you know the answer,” Malik responded with a sigh.

“They just need some stitches I think, like I said on the phone you are not a doctor. I am. I can totally use my actual medical degree to-”

“Marco, you fucking insecure piece of shit North Sider,” Malik started before he sighed, “just DO IT.”

Marco sighed as he dropped the bag and clasped his hands together. Marco’s magic revealed itself with a sudden burst of shimmering light around him, casting rainbows across the area and raising him up into the air. His one knee rose up while the other leg stretched out completely, his hands spreading wide. The rustling wind suddenly shifted in tone, as if a faint melody of some upbeat, glittery music echoed in the air from some unseen source. His clothes dissolved into golden sparkles, leaving his body wrapped in a glowing silhouette. An enormous crescent shape formed behind him, spinning and fragmenting into smaller cresecens that circled his body. Multicolored ribbons shot out, wrapping around him like vines that weaved themselves into an outfit. The ribbons converged on his bare chest as an emblem—a full circle—appeared over his heart.

The ribbons swirled down to his legs, where they became thigh-high boots with an ornate pattern, and then across his arms, forming bracers engraved with three runes, one fire, one water, and one wind. The water rune began to glow with a pink color. Finally, a skirt materialized in a dramatic flash, a layered affair of pink and white, shimmering with an almost metallic sheen. Despite its overt femininity, Marco's broad shoulders, muscular frame, hairy arms and legs, and stubborn scowl remain unaltered. Still, the transformation was kind enough to at least give him some compression shorts underneath the skirt. Strangely, the skirt seemed immune to the wind and did not react when it pushed against it.

The finishing touch was the wand that appears in his hand. It was topped with a crystal shaped like a crescent moon. The air sparkled with tiny motes of light as he landed back on the ground, his boots clicking against the surface with a pleasant tone. He groaned, his voice laden with irritation, and muttered, “Every. Single. Time.”

Malik stifled a laugh as he looked towards Palmoa again. “You…you can unfreeze her now.”

“Fucking hurry up,” Marco growled back as he raised up the wand and it began to glow with a green glow.

The sound of another car pulling up broke the silence and Marco sighed as he looked back to see Gideon getting out of the Jaguar. He raised an eyebrow as he saw the completed transformation. “You never get used to that,” Gideon said in a surprised tone, “Vin, Vin you will be okay. You finish the job?”

Recollections: Primal Sinister

Downtown North District: 09:21

Freya was shocked when the monster began its rampage. She was useless in this situation unless she somehow distracted the beast, giving her a fifteen-minute window to bake something with her magic and then having someone else force-feed it to the monster, thus causing it to explode outwards in a violent rain of blood and viscera. Freya looked at the ragtag group and knew instantly that there were far too many South Siders here for any sort of plan requiring thinking to work. No. No Freya would need to take charge. Freya would need to defend her shop. And Freya knew just how to do that. In the back room, a singular baseball bat was infused with Orange Lux and it yearned to be used. It was a trinket she bought on a cheap vacation up in Harbin. The bat would be able to banish the soul of whomever, or whatever it hit in a single swing. Freya thought for a brief second if it was actually magic or if it was simply a scam she fell for. On one hand the man looked strong, sturdy, and capable of producing such an artificat but on the other she did accidentally hit several people on the way to the airport with the bat and none of them died. Still, if there was a chance it could protect herself from the monster….and the others, it was something she needed to grab. Someone had just returned from her backroom with salt in hand so she knew she could find the time.

As the monster sprung it’s attack on one of the patrons Freya ducked into the backroom, accidentaly tripped on her own foot, fell face first into the hard floor before darkness.

Several moments later Freya’s eyes blinked open again. An intense headache greeted her and she groaned as she pushed herself back to her feet. She had no clue how long she was out, nor why she was in the backroom. She looked around and saw the door to the front of the store. That’s right! It was the start of the workday! Freya knew she was supposed to be outfront. And she knew she remembered seeing some south siders in the lobby. And she knew she was the only person working the front today. Who would stop them from stealing her stuff? Who would keep them from making her place dirty? Freya stumbled towards the door, pushed it open, walked through, and then saw the dead monster on the ground and the group standing around discussing what happened.

“What are you…….What did you………..” ‘South Siders’ Freya thought to herself, “What happened to my bakery?” Her voice was slightly slured, and one of her iris’s were blown while the other was normal sized.