Fantasy Lore- The Blood Crown

[Melpomene]

The World of Mystrun
As of 1009 CE
​

Here ye, all who dare enter here, know that the sacred knowledge kept in this text. Know that once you have looked within this work, there is no going back. Let us begin telling the tales of the world of Mystrun. Like any other world it began with both light and darkness, love and hate alike. Mystrun is only a part of it. Mystrun is only one realm of many connected on the Rose of Life. Perhaps more shall be explored and as they are, this text can be updated, but for now, things shall stay as they are.

Many reside in Mystrun, the people are diverse and plentiful. There be many humans and others who share their qualities alike. It is important to note that there are many regions within the world, so only the major ones are listed here. Or else, this text would hardly be long enough! But may it be updated in time.

Look here, and read:

Regions

Like any world, it is not one large connection of land, but rather many which are vastly diverse.

The Northern Icelands
​

The lands of the North are cold and frigid in the winter and have mild summers. The northern lands are known for how well they make their steel and ale, along with strong men and women to go along with it. The people are often pale, but large. Strong and hearty, they have grown a resistance to the cold and do not blink an eye at the frigid winds that sweep off of the Herlune mountains. Often times they can be found sharing their tales by fire, men and women alike sitting as equals. The races, however, can have a tumultuous relationship with one another. The ice elves of the North, the dwarves of the mountain, the banshees and the humans tend to not always find each other to be great company.

They tend to live in small villages with a chief rather than with a King. Some tame bears and others dragons to ride about on when it is time for hunting season. Often times they are found in thick furs and painted faces.

The religion of the Northern Icelands

There are variations upon this basic premise in these lands, but many have a strong belief in what is known as the Ygsil Gods. Often, a man or woman will lead the village in making a sacrifice to their chosen God every year to show their devoutness, then a festival would come afterward, often times this is one of the few times the races can agree with one another enough, likely because they are too busy smoking the grass and drinking the ale to dwell too long on the prejudice, but every year at least 10 people are killed during this festival, meaning it is a success.

Magic

Magic has always been a fundamental part of the world. The Northern Icelands is no exception. Their beliefs on magic are simple, often they have healers use it, this is the predominant usage, as it requires the least amount of one's aura to make a potion, however, it requires much to perform what they call, alchemy, and make matter into a different type of matter. Runes are predominantly what is used outside of healing. Once again, it requires little aura to imbue such things with magic, but they are often very effective. Often times these runes mark weapons, giving them the power to harness ice magic and freeze what they touch, or return to the user with a simple call, or to even make the weapon sharper or more indestructible. Some forgo the middle man and simply put it upon their skin to have much of the same effect, however, it is known that non-magic users often face a shortened life when they take on such rune. Many times, the runes will disappear, as there is no magic in the aura of the person to sustain them.

The Deserts of Neresia

​

By day the, desert sands are unbearably hot, with only the boldest of travelers willing to brave the strength of the sun. By night it is frigid. The balance between the two extremes is hard to find, but those who come from the desert always manage. With their skin darkened by the desert sun, thick dark hair and eyes to match, they are ready to face every obstacle that comes their way, whether it be the scorch or the freeze of their very land. They have learned to utilize whatever water they manage to find effectively. Split into kingdoms, the kings usually have their palace sitting upon a water source for them to use at their leisure. The desert people are intellects, not brutes. Often times they put emphasis on learning and understanding, creating and prospering. Logic is supposed to dominate.

They have a belief that the sexes should be separate, though equal. Generally, women are not supposed to do the jobs of men, such as battling, leading the army, or any such thing. Rather women are supposed to learn to weave baskets and often times perform spells. Desert Elves and Humans tend to be at peace with one another in these lands, though Djinns are often seen as subservient and taken as slaves. This causes tension within the races.

The Religion of the Deserts

The religion followed is rather simple. Looking upon it from the perspective of an outsider, they have chosen some of the Ygsil Gods to worship, but they give them different names. Specifically, they worship Dy'dar, the God of the Sands, Kemisilah, the Goddess of Wisdom, and Lyrin, the God of War. For the two male Gods, they have a high priest for each respectively. At their temples, sacrifices and food are laid upon their pedestals. For the singular goddess, however, they have a high priestess. Those who worship her consist of only women. All of them should practice magic to be able to serve in such a high position. The priests and priestesses have extreme power of the land, as it is believed they are the only ones whom can communicate directly with the Gods and thus are the reason behind the prosperous, or declining, state of the desert.

Magic
Magic is often utilized for religious reasons, however, it is not uncommon to see it used in combat. The priests and high priestesses are all able to turn sand to water or heal the sick, but very few are capable of creating the force winds or fire balls the soldier is known for. Self-immolation and setting blades ablaze is a well-known tactic within the desert. Very rarely to fill an object with their magic, believing it is only right for he who controls magic to keep it within himself rather than transferring it to something which is immobile.

The Islands of Mauaia

​

The islands are scattered across the southern hemisphere of Mystrun. Many archipelagos are spread throughout the Gresian sea, each island holding its own people. Violet and black eyes have been known to come from the islanders, their skin is sun-kissed and their hair dark and thick. Tattoos often line their limbs and their clothing is colorful, cheerful even, but that hides their warful nature. They are conquerors at heart, which leads the islands to constantly be at war with one another in hopes of taking over a bit of land. They are experts when it comes to traveling the sea and making boats, which the water is where a majority of their battles take place. During the battles, humans and non-humans alike often team up with one another, causing their to be a close-nit relationship between the races. Sirens, water nymphs, and humans alike bonded with one another to become one with the sea.

Like the desert people, women are often supposed to be gathers, weavers, and sewers in this land, however, they are also the ones most likely to become adept in magic. Such is why they are seen as essential to being part of the groups which travel from island to island.

The Religion of the Mauaia Islands

Scholars have decided that these people take from Neredar Gods rather than the Ygsil, though once again, the names have been altered to match that of their language. Specifically, they worship Manatui, the God of the Sea. They often will throw shells and sand dollars into the sea to show their appreciation to him. There are two lesser goddesses: Akemua and Linau, the goddesses of the harvest and the storm respectively. The former is often times worshipped alongside Manatui in order to always bring in enough food to feed the island. Linau is only worshipped in a time of war. She, like a storm, will destroy their enemies if their prayers are answered. Primarily, all of the temples dedicated to these Gods are led my a singular priestess who watches over the offerings made.

Magic
When it comes to magic, these people do not often use it for things other than religious purposes. This is why most of their religious leaders are women.
They practice magic so that, through them, the Gods can perform their miracles. In the past, there have been known to be women powerful enough to bring the rains upon them in a time of need (though according to legend, they soon perish afterwards, expending all of their aura on that singular task). Often times these women will act as oracles and tell teh future of whoever seeks them with the magic they possess. As long as it is the will of their God, then they can do it.

The Eastern Lands
​

Over the blue mountains lies the kingdoms of the east. A fine and rich land, filled with silks and spices, it has drawn many foreigners to come and explore it. The people, once nomadic, have come to settle down, making various kingdoms as they did so, though, at the moment, emperor Xian-Yin has been making his way across the peaceful lands and claiming it as his. Women are seen as lesser to men, leaving them with few options to turn to, and men are often supposed to turn to the life of the soldier early on, either to defend their own land or to conquer for it. Discipline and strong control are the main beliefs, leading to a government that takes very few mistakes from their subjects. Many things are punishable by death, but this does not mean there is no fun here. While it is heavily militaristic, it is also known for graceful dances, silks, and spices.

Humans are the only known races there, however, it is said that those who are kin of the dragon may also linger in this area.

The Religion of the Eastern Lands
The Eastern Lands tend to not believe in an all-powerful figure such as Gods. They do have religious leaders, but often these are simply people who have been determined to live an admirable life. In fact, many of the legends which they tell are not about Gods, but rather people who have ascended by making a lifestyle for themselves which was seen as pure and good. They are proud of such beliefs and often search to be kind, respectful to one's parents, honorable, and someone who gives back to their country more than they can take. Those who are good will be reincarnated into a better life, or even reach enlightenment, taking them to a realm beyond our own. If one was bad, in their life, however, they would be reincarnated as a lower human, or sometimes even an animal.

Magic
The magic in the land is more than often used only by men. It is primarily used as a means of combat. Fire and other such forces have proven to be a resource on the battlefield. They often will tattoo some of their scripts on themselves for the sake of imbuing their bodies with more strength or constitution. They will do the same for their weapons. Magic is seen as a resource which cannot be ignored in their lands, but it is only used for combat. In many places, it is even prohibited for someone to practice it for the sake of healing and/or alchemic type experiments. If it cannot be used in the midst of power, it is seen as unnecessary and the unauthorized practice of it is punishable by death in most places.

The Southern Jungles

​

The jungles are fertile lands, covered from border to border in foliage. The grounds are often soft with lingering water, creatures hop about in the trees and the people, one with the land they are in, are bold and strong. With dark skin and thick dark hair, these men and women are known for their ability to utilize the land. Women are seen on equal footing as men, often taking on the same jobs. The nations of the jungle are often at peace, finding no need to create war, and the people are, for the most part, content. Most of the jungle is run via republic. A senate is voted into office and then, from that, a leader is put at the head, but there is no throne. Of course, there are still skirmishes, but within the land there is, more often than not, peace.

The races often get along well enough, separate but equal. Humans and elves primarily.

Religion of the Jungles

The jungle people follow a multitude of Gods, current scholars believe that they are following, primarily, the Neredar Gods, though it seems that a few of the Ygsil are among them as well. The many Gods who they follow go by names which match their language. They are diverse, with both priests and priestesses running temples, though very rarely is there a high priest who sees over a temple. More often than not, they are simply run by the elders, who have been alive long enough to understand the importance of keeping the Gods pleased. They always honor whichever God they worship, in many versions of the tales there, these Gods take the forms of the various animals in the jungle when they come to visit the humans. There is even a tale of a God returning as a tiger, coming to slaughter all those sinners that stand within its path.

Magic
Magic is actively condemned in this land. No one is supposed to use it. Practicing it at all can be punishable by death. There is said to be a reason why it is looked at as such a sin. Some believe it is to protect the auras of men and women. As it is well-known that one's aura is a key part of any magic incantation. Not many dare to try, though there have been many bold souls who have defied this law. Some get away with it, some do not. Often their magic is hard to control because there is no one to guide them to make their magic something which they can make use of, or tell them their limitations. Many have died from illegal magic usage, so now the law is in place to protect the citizens from themselves if nothing else.

The Woodlands
​

The woodlands are a place of mysticism. Though the winters are cold and the summers mild at best, the springs are known to be the most beautiful out of all of the Mystrun. With flowing rivers and tall trees, the kingdoms which reside in the woodlands are prosperous. Whether it be mining, trading, or forging, the woodlands seem to have it all. At the moment, the various kingdoms are, for the most part, at peace. The people there are pale of skin and lithe in form. Though they are all tall, they do not hold the same muscle their northern counterparts tend to have. Women are seen as subservient to men. The races, do not get along, however. The Dryads detest the humans for carving out parts of the forest to build their cities, unlike the Dryads whom simply conform to the layout of the forest, the humans forced the forest to conform to them.

This has led to several skirmishes day in and day out, and the humans have begun to push the Dryads from their land, causing even more contempt amongst the races. Now the tension is thick and every wrong move seems to be teasing an all out battle.

The Religion of the Woodland
The woodland people tend to only believe in the one God of the Ygsil, the leader and King, Vishna. He is who they follow in their day-to-day lives. They live by what they believe is his word and die by it as well. A main priest is put up in each kingdom to look over the smaller churches in every different stretch of land. The high priest sits at the very top of the hierarchy, he looks over every religious practice in all of the woodlands. It is he who people are supposed to turn to if they have any questions about the God, or religious malpractice. Women are not allowed to be part of any type of religious leadership, they can only listen to what is told by the man who was chosen by God to be in his position.

Magic
Magic is actively detested in the woodlands. Most will not use it out of fear. Many believe it is one of the worst sins that can be committed, any who are accused of such a thing would immediately be tied to a stake and burned. Many men and women have faced such a fate in the woodlands. Like the jungle, those who try to practice it tend to be too unruly and overexert themselves to the point that they cannot even be burned once they are found out, for their body has already withered away.

No Man's Land

​

No Man's Land. It lives up to its name well. It was once believed that no man could survive there. The very ground was blackened and the seas turned red with blood. Some said it was hot like fire. Others said it was cold as ice. All agree that the land was a place none wished to visit. A dark place for only dark races which were believed to lack in morality and prey on the vulnerable. While these beliefs are not necessarily true, they do come from somewhere. This is the land of vampires and dark elves. Dragons and devils. It is known as the breeding ground of evil, but that had not been the case until recently. The King who had once sat, immortally on his dark throne was cast to the side. In replacement, there sat the False King Laeris. None know where he came from. None understand how he did it. But now, he rules the land with his powers of necromancy, turning what was once a sanctuary for the undead into a hell.

The Religion of No Man's Land
None. However, upon the installation of the new King, the Neredar Gods have been pushed as their new main religion.

Magic
Now, primarily, there is blood magic and necromancy. All that was banned as taboo in the other lands are brought and practiced here. Many humans actually flee to this land now, searching for a place to practice the dark arts without fear of being apprehended. But, the King has... changed the land. It is not easy to use magic there, and often magic users find themselves drained when they enter the land, so much so that it often results in death, which is why any visits often have to be brief.
Coming soon
A detailed look at the races
A brief talk about magic