Fantasy Tainted Blood - Lore

Nero Kunivas · Aug 23, 2022

Welcome to the Lore of the Tainted Blood universe! Please enjoy your time reading here. If you would like to contribute to the lore, please message me!

Links: (To be filled)

-------- The World and Lands --------

Avalon
The world we all reside in, an ancient and large world that has held upon its surface the achievements and deeds of countless races, empires, republics and all kinds of civilizations, many dead yet not entirely forgotten, for the marks of their existence dot the many landscapes of the currently thriving cultures, as reminders of the people that came before and of their own mortality. Avalon is estimated to be around 50 billion years old, it's star being even older yet it does not wane, nor does it flicker, the flames of life burn eternal across space. The very Gods themselves watch over this great world, some even inhabit its surface, in the past many have battled upon its earth or in its skies, to leave their mark, to enforce their order, or to fight for mortal freedom. The scars of such great and divine battles forever mar the surface of Avalon, in particular, the Great Gorge of Hate within the nation of Tarr, its crimson glow visible from space.
Zunia
One of the largest continents on Avalon and home to many great and powerful nations, Zunia is an incredibly biodiverse landscape, filled to bursting with various races, sapient and otherwise, the earth itself is so charged with Aether that it even radiates throughout the air, in particular the nation of Tarr, where open crevasses in the ground produce spectacular light shows of Aether constantly. Zunia was once a larger, more held together continent, but it has suffered greatly over the centuries, being the victim of at least two Sunderings that caused the destruction of the nation of Tal'Zera, splitting off the Hegemony from the mainland, along with the disappearance of Northern Xuris.
The Eighth Xurian Empire
The largest and most powerful nation in Zunia, the Xurian Empire has withstood the test of time after the fall of the High Xurian Republic 2500 years ago, ascending to a new iteration whenever grand, sweeping changes are made, having done so eight times throughout history. The last two changes (Seventh and Eighth) were made under extenuating circumstances and are 10 years apart from their respective formations, thanks to the fall of the Sixth and the reviled Emperor of Ruin bringing forth the Seventh as a warmongering, vile nation of misery for a long decade. Once Emperor Roark Korben and his sister Alana dethroned the Emperor of Ruin, they declared the Eighth Empire some 500 years past.

Having outlawed Magic since the Fifth Empire, the Xurian Empire maintains an order of Mageseekers, who work alongside the Imperial Guardsmen to root out any and all Mage elements before they become dangerous to the public. The Empire's advanced technology enables this to be possible and progress on all of these fronts shows no signs of slowing down.

Imperial Culture is that of strength, unity and inclusivity, as anyone from conquered territories or those willing can join the Empire and become an Imperial Citizen should they prove their strength, but the Imperials, Korben in particular, recognize strength comes from many areas besides physical and martial, meaning one can contribute in numerous meaningful ways such as trade, politics, craftsmanship, even Sorcery if one enrolls in the Sorcerer’s Circle. One need not even be rich or well-connected to prosper, only prove themselves worthy. In the end, all are welcome under the Imperial Banner.
The Tarrian Federation
A democratic nation of considerable repute, the Tarrian Federation was once a long time rival and bitter enemy of the Xurian Empire, an ice cold relationship that was borne of reasons neither side even remember clearly by this point. Many times have they disputed, even gone to war, perhaps due to ideological differences, a need for resources or just a perceived slight, whenever Xuris or Tarr desire it, history dictates that they must fight. However, in the last two centuries, relations between Tarr and Xuris have begun to warm up, thanks to the Emperor personally preventing the attempted assassination of Prime Minister Goran Slavko during a diplomatic meeting. Since that day, both the respective leaders and their peoples have opened dialogues, trade negotiations and have begun to understand the plight of the other far better than they ever have, resulting in the unthinkable: Tarr and Xuris are now allies. Any Tarrian would've declared this a fairy tale were it not for the truth of the matter standing before them.

Tarrian lands are rich with wildlife, plants, fertile farmland and most notably: Aether, the key ingredient in Tanzynites and is so abundant it can be seen moving through the air in beautiful displays. It is the main source of trade between the Empire and Federation, the lifeblood of the two nations. Such unity between the two powers is a welcome change from The Xurian/Tarrian War, where the Fifth and Sixth Xurian Empires engaged in a long, bloody conflict with the Federation many centuries ago, prior to the rise of the Emperor of Ruin of the Seventh and the Dark Emperor of the Eighth.

Many years prior to this, Tarr passed a law outlawing the practice of religion entirely, due to numerous terrible incidents involving religious fanatics and terrorists over the years, yet this was met with considerable contention from the 'Knights of the Tarrian Fates', a quasi-religious order charged with the eternal duty of protecting Tarr's Crucible of Life; the wellspring of all life in the nation, perhaps even the world as the ancient Order proclaims.
The God-Kingdom of Rusah
The arid lands of Rusah have long been host to conflict and struggle, wars and famine have ravaged the Rusahn Plains for centuries at a time, creating a constant atmosphere of uncertainty and danger for its hardy inhabitants whose resilience is fabled throughout Zunia as without equal. Kings have risen and fallen throughout its history, their rise heralding prosperity and strength, yet when a King falls, all of Rusah, its advances, its way of life, is taken with them. More often than not, Kings of Rusah are assassinated by rival families and their bloodlines are exterminated or scattered so far that they will never see the throne again.

Brutal wars of succession have taken their toll on Rusah’s landscape and the Great Famine of the Third Age threatened to be the one that ultimately broke the indomitable spirit of the Rusahn people, for not even the simplest and toughest of grains could grow anymore and all rivers had dried up, due to Rusah’s aetheric balance being utterly destroyed by war and numerous acts of destruction brought about by the more despotic rulers as a show of force. Rusah was on the brink of annihilation.

The Famine struck during the rule of King Brett Adair I, leaving the young and inexperienced King with the unenviable task of saving his entire nation from desolation. All channels of communication with the other Nations were cut off thanks to the tyrannical, psychotic King Celsus Horatius and subsequent bloodbath that was “The Final Genocide”, which Celsus enacted to finally purge the Rusahn people he saw as “unclean”, meaning almost all of them in his eyes. Brett Adair I personally stopped Celsus before it was too late, yet he could not take a sword to the neck of what faced him now and so he sought other, unknown means.

It took two more generations of the Adair line to do so, but through what can best be described as a miracle, for official information is scarce at this time; Rusah was saved from destruction. Furthermore, the current ruler, Brett Adair III, has seemingly ascended to Godhood, becoming Rusah’s first “God-King.”

The riverbeds are no longer dry and crops flourish thanks to the Adair’s hard work, along with Rusah reportedly entering a cultural renaissance in celebration of their God-King’s efforts. However, recent events have not sat well with the heir to Rusah’s throne: Brett Adair IV, Prince of Rusah. Be it through jealousy at his father’s newfound might or moral concerns regarding an all-powerful deity being the land’s ruler, none can say, but through the support of the Eighth Xurian Empire and secret talks with the Emperor, Brett Adair IV has aided in the annexation of southwestern Rusah and the city of Karrden, forming the League of Rusah in opposition to God-King Brett Adair III’s rule.
The League of Rusah
For as long as it has existed, the Rusahn way of life has always been the same: Live by the sweat of your brow, shed blood, wipe away your tears and fight to see the next day. Every Rusahn is born knowing this ideology, it is in their very blood to fight for everything, no matter how small or simple what they seek may be. This has resulted in the people of Rusah, no matter the race, being incredibly resilient and self-sustaining, with an unsurpassed spirit of independence and fire in the veins of all who are born of Rusahn blood.

It is for this reason however that Rusah has suffered greatly over the centuries, as along with their hesitance to ask their neighbouring nations for aid, there have been many Rusahn Kings who take this philosophy too far or not far enough, both ways spelling disaster for its people. These failings are why a God now reigns over Rusah and why he must be dethroned. All this is according to the views of Prince Brett Adair IV, who, along with several senators, generals and battalions of soldiers, swallowed their pride, joined hands with the Eight Xurian Empire and formed The League of Rusah after annexing the southwestern side of Rusah.
Noctis Hegemony
Roughly 2000 years ago, the Dark Elves once resided with their Wood and High Elven kin. Unfortunately, racism against Dark Elves was rampant and uncontested, leading to a violent series of events that resulted in the High and Wood Elves exiling the Dark Elves from their lands, condemning them to a nomadic lifestyle. For years, they wandered northwest, across Tal’Zeran lands, coming across the anarchy that was the Plains of Nox.

In this land resides beings similar to the Dark Elves along with completely different creatures; Daemons, Cave Giants, Night Orcs, Dark-Scaled Lizardfolk, Goblinfolk, Shadow Genasi, Werewolves, Vampires, various other dark Fae and perhaps the most infamous: The Yokai. These huddled masses were exiled from their lands too but required a leader and could not decide on one themselves. Thus, the wisdom and martial prowess of the Dark Elves came into its own, proving their might to the Darklings and uniting them at last, thanks to the ingenuity and strength of one Darius Nerva, who dubbed them the Hordes of Noctis.

From the moment of their christening, the Hordes of Noctis swore vengeance against all who had wronged them, starting with the Elves, initiating a bloody conquest that ravaged the Elven Lands, all while seemingly cutting the Dwarves out of the fight by trapping them in their caves. Darius’s ingenuity however finally failed him when it was revealed that the Dwarves had escaped imprisonment and came to the defence of the Elves, only driving the Hordes out upon landing a mortal blow upon Darius Nerva, forcing them to retreat in disgrace without the guidance of their leader.

For centuries, the Darklings have done everything in their collective power to get stronger, including reorganising themselves into the Noctis Hegemony and instead of a Tribal Leader, they would name Overlords; the strongest and wisest among them to lead the charge against the rest of Zunia when the time came. Every single member of the Hegemony has dabbled in Dark Arts to such an extreme that their children have been born with an inherent proclivity and expertise in the power, only allowing them to expand upon and perfect their abilities that much more.

An isolationist society at heart, the Hegemony has refused to enter diplomatic relations with any of the other nations, denying envoys permission to pass through their borders and scorning any and all who dare to make moves against them. The Northern Territories of the Hegemony are currently occupied by the Eighth Xurian Empire, but to keep hold of them is treacherous and bloody yet considered worth the cost, as it holds rich reserves of Aether and other valuable secrets that Livia Nerva, the current Overlord and descendant of Darius Nerva, would very much like to keep out of the hands of Korben.
Raselhoran Conglomerate
1500 years ago, the Elven population of Zunia was facing extinction. A long and bloody war against the Hordes of Noctis had cost them dearly; desecrated farmlands, entire bloodlines exterminated and a serious military deficiency due to outdated technology and battle strategies in the face of the ferocity of the various Darklings of Noctis. The High and Wood Elves made their last stand within the walls of their capital city, Siradell, in a desperate attempt to wear the Hordes down. But the Hordes were relentless, the walls were breached and all hope seemed lost before their last distress call was answered by an unlikely ally.

Dwarves, from the Great Mines of Zunia’s Mountains, arrived in their hundreds of thousands, completely blindsighting the Hordes of Noctis, who had thought them dealt with already, but they had underestimated their iron will and ingenuity to escape the cave-ins triggered to keep them out of the fight. Thus ended the glorious conquest of Noctis as the Darklings were pushed back by the Dwarven armies, fleeing in shame if only to escape facing a similar fate to that they intended to visit upon their high-born brethren.

Siradell had been razed to the ground, the High and Wood Elven populations decimated and the land in disarray...but they were alive, thanks to a people they had once regarded with suspicion. Over the next five centuries, the Dwarves helped the Elves rebuild and prosper once more, raising the ruins of Siradell into a new, wondrous city that the two peoples rechristened as Loria and forming a political and economic pact to ensure the security and cooperation of the Dwarven and Elven governments going into the future.

As a result of these achievements, their governmental structure and now vehement opposition to conquest for the sake of it, they have always regarded the Xurian Empires with suspicion. The Eighth Xurian Empire is the only one they have become outright hostile towards and will support any movement to bring them down.

Wood Elves, High Elves, Mountain and Cave Dwarves all reside in harmony within Raselhora, with rumours of blue-skinned Snow Elves residing upon the snowy peaks of the Horan Mountains, yet no Mountain Dwarf can claim to have truly seen these mystical beings.
Aurtan Depths
Originally a small-scale, yet flourishing port city just before the Lunar Pass off the south-eastern coast of Raselhora, the city once known as Orthos was met with a great disaster that reshaped the once thriving port and its people for years to come. The aforementioned Lunar Pass is a gateway of semi-mythical proportions, bordering the south-east of Raselhora and into Rusahn territory, these great iron gates that seemingly emit moonlight served an at-the-time unknown purpose as they did not block access to Rusah, rather they seemed to be the gates to the horizon itself, but were the subject of great interest to scholars and tourists, both in-land and across the seas.

Around 1600 years ago, after the exodus of the Dark Elves yet prior to their invasion one hundred years later, the Raselhoran government of the time elected to take advantage of this potential business opportunity by founding the port city of Orthos, named after a Raselhoran hero of eld, in order to dredge up patriotic fervour and support from a melancholic populace after a good majority of their friends and family were forced away by racism and governmental pressure. Dissent towards leadership was at an all time high and the Elven Lords needed to act fast, for revolution was in the air. Orthos was their solution for a time.

For 50 years, Orthos saw rapid growth, with tourists flocking from across Zunia and other parts of Avalon to see the sights, such as the modern and beautiful city itself and the eponymous Lunar Pass, garnering much profit and goodwill from the tourism and the people respectively. Things were looking up in the Lord’s eyes...until the Gates of the Lunar Pass unexpectedly began to...bleed.

Stained crimson, the Lunar Pass began to emit powerful forces as the gates themselves began to creak open ever so slightly, releasing a torrent of ravenous red that swept Orthos away in seconds, but it was not destroyed, rather displaced, for the beating wings of a vague, monstrous form, had rippled through reality itself, ravaging Raselhora’s crust and revealing its darkest secret to the ignorant Elves: The Depths, a refuge for Raselhora’s destitute, the truly oppressed and for so long they were forgotten. Now the Elves’s sins were bare for all to see and Orthos had become a part of it forevermore.

After the event passed and the gates closed once more, the Elven Lords were content to try and forget The Depths again, even as their land was cracked open to the sound of jeering and rage below the crust, unable to shut them out until the much louder bellowings of vengeance came calling, when the Hordes marched upon Raselhoran soil.

The dwellers of The Depths roared and cheered the name of Noctis, gleefully demanding the heads of the Elven Lords when it was all over. But when Darius Nerva fell in battle, the Hordes were scattered, forced to retreat wherever they could, whether they succeeded in reaching the Plains of Nox, or were forced underground, a great many ended up either way. The now mixed population of Orthos survivors, Noctis Remnants and Depths Exiles found unity in their hatred of Raselhora, the desire to survive and beyond that: The need to thrive, rechristening themselves as Aurtan; ancient Xurian for “Reborn.”

Nowadays, Aurtan is a hub for unrestricted technological development, trading and acting in spite of Raselhora, its sprawling network of underground and above ground settlements and cities is accessible to all following the Lunar Ravaging and is a permanent stain on the formerly immaculate Elven lands, their plight and exile painting the former Elven Lords in a terrible light and the current Dwarven-Elven Council in an even worse one, as they continue to try to ignore Aurtan and do not recognize them as an official state, while the Xurian Empire has welcomed the unfortunates of Aurtan with open arms for several of its iterations since.
Duran Hollows (Uninhabited)
For as long as anyone can remember, the mysterious Duran Hollows have been the subject of conspiracy theories, unsanctioned expeditions and a great deal of concern and fear. Once upon a time the land above the Hollows was home to a barely noteworthy civilization, before being unceremoniously crushed under the weight of three warring Nations from ancient times and its ruins were almost completely consumed by nature. Throughout the ages, archaeologists from all corners of Zunia have dug deep to learn more of Old Duran and its people’s way of life, only to dig too deep and either never return, or come back totally mad, rambling so incoherently none can begin to guess what they saw in the dark.

Beyond this, almost nothing is known, as access to Old Duran and the unmapped Hollows is absolutely forbidden and its horror stories speak for themselves. It's only recent event was a war that took place between the newly minted Eighth Xurian Empire and a great Necromancer and his armies, even then the accounts of that war are a mystery due to the peculiar nature of the Hollows warping and muddying the details, an event that only served to further solidify why Old Duran should remain off-limits.
Tal’Zera (Destroyed)
Once a prosperous land teeming with Lizardfolk and Dragonfolk bordering the Plains of Nox and Xuris, Tal’Zera boasted high mineral deposits, abundant freshwater sources, nigh-unmatched biodiversity and a society that thrived off of its unity, stable economy and the creation of an art that has long outlived the land itself: Runeforging.

After the Hordes of Noctis passed through their lands and failed to exact their revenge on those that exiled them so long ago, Tal’Zera only allowed them passage back home for they did not seek any more bloodshed, while the initial passage was due to the Hordes charging forth with such vigour and single-minded focus that they utterly ignored Tal’Zera and its people’s attempts to barr them. This would be the last time Tal’Zera ever interacted with the Darklings, for something far worse than their Hordes loomed over the horizon of their future.

Around 800 years ago, a powerful Archmage named Val Luxmore went mad with power after supercharging his Light and Mana with a still unknown ritual that transformed him into a Hemitheos. The Xurian Empire of the time attempted to stop this madman who had already killed hundreds of Imperials on his way to “reshape the very earth itself” as was his supposed godly right. Val’s idea of “reshaping the earth” was to “claim a piece from the board” as he put it. That piece would turn out to be the entirety of Tal’Zera.

Before the Imperial Forces were able to act to save Tal’Zera, Val implanted his staff into the ground beneath him and released his full power to sunder the land, unleashing a veritable maelstrom of chaos and devastation upon the Scalefolk. Earthquakes ravaged the land, lava shot out of newly formed fissures, the earth itself looked to split itself in two with such ferocity that chunks of mantle flew out in their hundreds from beneath Avalon’s crust before smashing back down upon the already ruined Tal’Zera, ending a thousand years of prosperous civilization in a matter of minutes.

Dragonfolk were rendered extinct, while Lizardfolk’s numbers dwindled sharply, leaving scattered populations of various subspecies across Zunia after the Great Sundering of Tal’Zera. The remnants of the land would either sink to the depths or remain to this day as The Shattered Isles and this act of senseless destruction is the reason why the Plains of Nox are now separated by the Noxian Sea.

The primary contribution to the world that survived Tal’Zera’s sundering was the art of Runeforging, which is recognized by the Xurian Empire as a legal, yet hard to acquire form of magic outside of Sorcery and other arts besides illegal Wizardry and the obscure Thaumaturgy. In spite of their hesitance, it was done to honour the late civilization that prior to the calamity, were allies of the Empire with great potential for their united future.
Northern Xuris (Missing)
1000 years ago, prior to the Sundering of Tal’Zera, the Archmage that served as Val Luxmore’s inspiration, and ancestor, known as Jericho Von Luxmore, back when the family still owned land and commanded respect, became incredibly powerful over the span of merely a few days of travelling, quickly going mad with his new strength and returned to his estate in Northern Xuris a lunatic despot, proclaiming himself ‘Lord of the Northern Lands’ during a public, threat-filled broadcast hijacking, spreading fear and panic all across Xuris.

Jericho was seemingly delirious for reasons that remain unknown and speculated upon to this day, but at the time the reasons didn’t matter. The Sixth Xurian Empire’s Second Ruler: Empress Julia Verstand, wouldn’t recognize his authority, decreed him an enemy of the state and sent forth her Legions to secure Northern Xuris, save civilians and apprehend “Lord” Jericho Von Luxmore. Some pleaded with the Empress to try talking to Jericho, in particular his family, who felt that the self-proclaimed Lord’s actions were so off that they felt he needed help, not an axe to the neck, but their pleas fell on deaf ears and Operation Stormfront proceeded as planned.

By the time the Legions arrived in force, Jericho, now sporting attire befitting of a tyrannical overlord and having sacrificed half of the Towns populations to enhance his powers and already in the process of razing the Northern Region’s largest city to the ground, declared the armies that stood before him as mere chattel, outright ordering them to bear witness to his true power if they were going to continue struggling against what he felt was “the inevitable change we’re all spiraling toward.”

Val and Jericho couldn’t have been any more...contrasting, in their respective madness, for one wished to rule, while the other simply sought to destroy, but the end result of Val Luxmore’s insanity would mirror his distant ancestor, down to every last tragic detail. Jericho Von Luxmore performed the first Sundering, literally ripping Northern Xuris, along with some of the now fleeing Legions, away from the mainland, causing it to drift away in a fantastical display of magma, flames and his now agonised cackling, as he had set himself on fire due to carelessness, a contrast to his seeming composure that hasn’t gone unnoticed to this day.

To this day, in spite of the Sixth and Eighth Xurian Empire’s efforts to search for Northern Xuris, it couldn’t be located and was presumed lost, having likely sunk below the very deep Northern Sea and flattened into the seabed due to high pressure. Others speculate Northern Xuris is still out there, cloaked in a veil of mist and those who attempt to cross it are either lost at sea forever or come back with no memory of what they saw or even why they set out in the first place.
Old Duran (Extinct)
A meagre civilization from ancient times that resided within a small patch of land in the middle of Zunia. Once sandwiched between several warring nations, Old Duran was swiftly trampled by their uncaring advance, their civilization buried and the ways of their society lost to time, along with the very nations that crushed them underfoot, the ruins of all were left to be consumed by nature.

Only in recent centuries were remnants of Duran uncovered by expedition teams from several existing nations, often disagreeing with each other over who laid the first claim to the now unoccupied land, but long before any official surveys were conducted, unofficial search parties and scavengers had frequented Old Duran in search of lost ancient treasures. What they found however, was something far more mysterious and much more terrifying. So much so that it typically left the remains of scavenger parties, now merely a handful of people, gibbering, screaming or violently aggressive, so broken their minds were by the indescribable horrors of Duran’s extensive Hollows below the ruins themselves.

Few scholars and official surveyors were immune to this effect themselves, leading to the quarantining of the Duran Hollows from all but a few select and expert teams. Even these elites were only allowed in certain areas of the Hollows, fewer areas still after the Battle of Old Duran destabilised the region, as well as for a short length of time lest they lose their wits to exposure to Duran’s mysterious aura.

The horror stories of the Hollows were frequently disregarded as an urban legend or complete nonsense in the past, but following the Battle of Old Duran, they only increased in frequency and the veracity of the claims being made was becoming harder and harder to dispute, leading to the quarantine, yet this has done little to discourage a few adventurous, if reckless, individuals from attempting to probe the Hollows for their secrets.

What little that has been uncovered regarding Old Duran’s history and culture, both officially and unofficially is as follows: Their warriors were far greater and mightier than their history would suggest, their governance was akin to a monarchy and their ruined homes possess the earliest known examples of certain modern ingenuities, such as Aether-fueled heaters, toasters and still functional radios, along with something particularly perplexing: An oddly coiled blade embedded in the charred, mostly disintegrated remains of a man in the central plaza of the old capital.
The Shattered Isles
A contingent of scattered pieces of Tal'Zera's landmass and the end result of Val Luxmore's terrible deeds long ago, The Shattered Isles are all that remains of a great land, its culture and the only sign aside from the Lizardfolk survivors themselves, that Tal'Zera once existed, even thrived, before that fateful day. The fragments of the land that survived intact vary in size, quality and habitability, though not one is an optimal place for settlement of any kind, due to the high amounts of ambient Light Aether that have abated very little over the centuries following the Sundering of Tal'Zera, not to mention the very winds seeming to carry the dying echos of the Tal'Zerans that did not escape, Lizardfolk and Dragonfolk alike, their spirits said to wander aimlessly, in search of answers or help, though this cannot be verified.

Among the ruins of vaguely Tal'Zeran architecture withered away by time, most prominently of all, is the Staff of Val Luxmore, still embedded in the very chunk of earth the hemitheos, once a man, planted into to enact his great sin. This legendary weapon remains untarnished and its power still flows, keeping the ambient Light Aether levels as high as they are, yet despite the Empire's best efforts, the staff cannot be removed, nor will it allow itself to be destroyed, actively thwarting any efforts to do so. The implications made by the Staff's continued existence, as well as its continued desire for existence, are best left unexplored, for fear of what it might mean...
The Eastern Lands
Far, far away from the ongoing conflict between the Nations of Zunia, across the Sapphire Sea, where the waters shine like their namesake jewels even on the darkest of nights, lie the mysterious Eastern Lands of Avalon. A great archipelago bearing a wondrous mixture of cultures yet unseen by many who dwell within the lands of their western neighbours, the Eastern Lands hold a wealth of untouched spaces, undiscovered knowledge and truths uncounted ripe for discovery.

Each major nation of the Eastern Lands, like the Rusah of today, is ruled by Divine Providence. Be it one God, Goddess or several of either, each portion of land enjoys the protection, power and knowledge granted by such a rule, save for one small, unassuming yet equally mighty island to the furthest east, who instead relies on technology as their God.

Currently, Xuris is in diplomatic relations with the Eastern Lands, alongside Tarr, hosting a few envoys here and there, as well as one Ambassador at the head of it all, who's motivations remain a mystery, as do his intentions.
Miscellaneous Ancient Civilizations
Avalon is an old world, having played host to countless societies, nations, kingdoms and all known forms of civilization in the billions of years it has existed. Though the sun in the sky burns eternal, the same cannot be said for many of these peoples and their ways of life that have long since passed into legend, so far flung are they that their very names have been lost to time.

Scattered ruins of these peoples are dotted all around the continent of Zunia, with some being lost due to the Great Sunderings for one reason or another and most of them are quite varied, suggesting they all originate from differing civilizations, making it very difficult to create a common link between each site and thus, hard to identify the sources.

In recent years however, certain unearthed caverns have all been found to contain sites that all bear a resemblance to one another, a common link at last and more than this, they are no mere ruins, but nigh-perfectly preserved patches of ancient prosperity, if their level of technology is anything to go by. Dubbed “The Precursors” by leading Imperial Archaeologists, the civilization behind all of these highly advanced and intact sites is the subject of great interest, namely into just how great they were in their prime and what ultimately caused their disappearance. Not to mention the great and rich deposits of Aether Crystals hidden within its reaches.

-------- End of World and Lands Segment --------

More lore to come! Races are next! Stay tuned!

Nero Kunivas · Aug 25, 2022

-------- Races and People of Avalon --------

Every race has an inherent leaning towards a certain primordial element, for instance Humans lean towards the Dark more than any other race, meaning they will have an easier time learning how to use Dark-aspected spells such as Sorcery. This does NOT mean that they are unable to use other aspected spells, but it will take more time to learn how to wield them. When using a spell tree they are aspected to, they are more resistant to the side-effects of use and especially overuse of the elements.
Hybrid Races - DM me if you want a Hybrid
Every race in Avalon is astonishingly genetically compatible with each other, meaning Hybrids of all kinds can be born between parents of numerous different races. No one really knows why this is as possible as it is, with some chalking it down to an ancient miracle, though this is naturally disputed by scientific minds who have been looking into the matter for centuries, with still no answer.

The particulars don't matter much to the average interspecies couple, who merely cherish the fact they can have a child of their own despite their differences. Hybrids claim all of the benefits of both races and obtain a unique Aether Aspect based off of both of the parent's aspects combined together. For instance, a Human-Elf child (Half-Elf) will have Nature-Dark Aether, which not only allows them to be inclined towards both elements, but a unique element all its own: Darkthorn, an entirely unique element that allows Half-Elves to use Magic or Sorcery that produces non-elemental thorns of darkness.
Humans - Dark Aspected Aether
One of the most populous and widespread races of Zunia, Humans are the most versatile race in Zunia and one of the most expansive, aggressively so. One will find Humans in all corners of Zunia and likely Avalon as a whole, for they have endured the hardships of life the longest out of any species, surviving the extinction events of aeons long since past and proving that the human spirit is one to be reckoned with.

There’s nothing particularly extraordinary about this bipedal race of apes, save for their indomitable will, cultures that endure the ages and their incredible heart that lends itself well to sympathy, but also cruelty in the name of passion. While other races can beat them out in strength, wisdom, history or other areas, most cannot claim to be able to compete with the Human spirit that has seen this race through the ages.
Elves - Nature Aspected Aether
Eternally youthful and powerful to boot, Elves are among the eldest of the races, seconded only by Humanity itself, practically evolving alongside them in the distant past. Their pointed ears denote greater hearing and sensitivity, sharp facial features and their aforementioned unaging faces paint the picture of a wise, haughty race that, while scoffed at for their pride and insular nature, are to be admired for their mystical ways and persistence in the face of adversity.

This picture is made inaccurate by the great hardships that befell the Wood Elves and even the once supercilious High Elves, after their uptightness and racism pushed the Dark Elves from their lands, only to return in force with other disgraced Sub-Races, to exact their vengeance. The timely intervention of the Dwarves spared them the ultimate fate of extinction and changed the way Elves think and act forever. The once insular race has become inseparable from their Dwarven saviours and value cooperation and unity above all else.

Great regret has been expressed over the treatment of the Dark Elves repeatedly by High Elves among the Council, but the damage has already been done and full well do they know this, so as far as they know, not a single Dark Elf yet resides within Raselhora, save for within the Aurtan Depths, which is its own subject of controversy amongst the general populace of Raselhora and yet another dirty secret that, unlike their political-driven “apologies” to the Dark Elves, the Council have made no effort to take responsibility for the suffering of those who dwell below.

Elves stop ageing after maturity, the reason for this and their subsequent eternal lives is a complete mystery and while they are not the only race to have some means of living longer lives, Elvish Immortality is still regarded as the most mystifying and effective. They can still die, should they succumb to mortal wounds in battle or a disease that can breach their strong immune systems and die they have in all these ways and more, yet as if to give Humans a run for their money, they still endure.
Dwarves - Earth Aspected Aether
A hardy, rotund race of cave and mountain dwellers renowned throughout Zunia for their metalwork, steampunk-esque technological advances, mining prowess and unmatched appetite for salted meat and ale. Loved in particular by the Elves who now owe them a life debt for saving their race many years ago from the Hordes of Noctis.

The Dwarves get along swimmingly with the other races and while the current Raselhoran Conglomerate is no friend of the Xurian Empire, there are yet many a Dwarf who resides within its firmly established walls, either in defiance of the Conglomerate, business reasons or simply because they like it there. The division between Dwarves has long been a staple of history, yet after a fashion, it only strengthens their people, having a foot in so many walks of life, even if it’s against the greater majority.

As such, for every good businessman, military leader or even Emperor, there’s a loyal band of Dwarves at their beck and call, for one reason or another.
Orcs - Fellfire Aspected Aether
Though hardly an uncommon race, outside of the Xurian Empire one is unlikely to see an Orc that's willing to show its face to anyone but a Xurian who knows not only their predicament but also the ancient pact between Xuris and the accursed race of Orckind. The Empire is no stranger to taking in an excommunicated/exiled race of people suffering from an ancient sin, but the Orcs were a special case, in that their curse was brought about by none other than Xuris itself. Roughly 3000 years ago, the High Xurian Republic, the precursor to the Xurian Empires of today, was in a prolonged state of decay which would culminate in its fall 500 years following this sinful act against an entire race. In a desperate bid to reclaim its lost standing, they took the fledgling race of Orcs under their wing.

At this time, the Orcs were still finding their feet, having failed to establish themselves as their own nation multiple times thanks to numerous wars with the Elves, Tal'Zerans and the Exiles of Nox (Pre-Hordes of Noctis) draining their resources and typically ending in failure. As such, they were willing to be absorbed into the greater whole of Xuris, yet nothing could prepare them for the price they would pay for allying with a desperate Republic in the throes of death. The leaders of the High Xurian Republic at the time were seeking any means necessary to increase their standing, secure their position and replace the lost manpower from rampant plagues and frequent, careless skirmishes on their borders against anyone who so much as looked their way. Their desperation drove them to make a bargain with the forces of Chaos.

An emissary from the Land of Chaos, known as Pandaemonium, made the High Xurian Republic a deal: They would receive an unspecified extension to their rule, great power and wealth, but all for a cost: The souls and service of every single Orc under Xurian Rule, for the rest of time. The terms were vague, uncaring and callous, for Pandaemonium knew the Republic was doomed to die, yet they could sow many seeds of chaos to be reaped when the time came. And the harvest promised to be bountiful, for the paranoid Leaders agreed, cursing the Orcs with the Fellfire Aspect and dooming their souls to eternal damnation.

Fellfire curses the Orcs with vivid, lucid nightmares every night and transforms any magic they attempt to use into a Fellfire-cursed variant (A green-black flame enwreathes and even embodies the magic in another elements place), which only causes them more pain, inviting the baleful flame to nestle within their very souls, yet still, it empowers them greatly, enabling Orcs to become powerful Warlocks; weavers of dark magics who can rival the Noctis Bloodline, even letting them comfortably summon Daemons from the Land of Chaos, at the cost of their comforts and the peace of death. It is this ancient sin that binds them to Xuris and even with the fall of the Republic, they remain bound to the Empire, their curse is unfortunately irreversible. Thankfully, they are afforded every luxury and right as Xurian Citizens, so that their lives are at least comfortable until the day comes where their soul is taken to Pandaemonium.
Mammadia - Various Aspects (Can have subspecies additions, please PM if you want to add one.)
The most varied genetic tree in all of Zunia, the Mammadia boasts an incredible variety of subspecies, all of them humanoid with various animal-like features, usually ears, tails, fangs and other features. They are as follows:

Cait-Al, who possess feline features with their own selection of sub-races, like the others do, such as the Cait-Tig, who have Tiger-like features, the Cait-Leo with Lion-like features, with manes, more fur and a larger, stronger body type and many more. The Cait-Al are independent, fierce yet capable of similar levels of loyalty to their canine cousins, it just takes more time and work to earn it. The Cait-Al are also separated into two subspecies of differing sleep cycles: Diurnal and Nocturnal, the former called Cait-Al-Sol, the latter Cait-Al-Luna.

Cain-Al Familiaris, with canine features and a culture centred around loyalty to other races and equivalent exchange. Their wolf-like cousins, simply known as Cain-Al, are more focused on pack mentality and require loyalty to be earned through blood, while the Cain-Vul, who possess vulpine features, are more enigmatic in nature, seemingly having connections to the supernatural.
Tal'Zerans/Lizardfolk - Water Aspected Aether
An incredibly adaptive and tenacious people, Lizardfolk, or Tal’Zerans, live in sparse clusters scattered throughout Zunia, typically residing in warmer climates due to their cold-blooded physiology, and generally keeping to themselves via a strong, nomadic tribal culture. Most, if not all Lizardfolk living in Zunia today can trace their bloodlines to families hailing from the once great Tal’Zera and to this day they have kept their pride, naming their species in the sundered land’s honour and proving themselves to be more than mere survivors of such a great disaster.

The current tribes of the Tal’Zerans are numerous, yet the exact number remains unknown. All that is known is they are all fierce in their own rights and made of tough stock, yet have wildly different sub-cultures between them all. Some have developed these differences due to their habitat and the necessary adaptations to how they live have influenced their culture, while others seek a new way of life entirely or have carried over family traditions that predate the Sundering.
The Yokai - Unknown Aspect (Ask for Permission to use)
Once believed to be naught but a myth or indistinguishable from Daemons and Hellspawn, the true nature of the elusive Yokai couldn’t differ any more from the initial theories if it tried. All Yokai start life as a lesser spirit known as an Azakana; A parasitical being that feeds off of strong negative emotions in order to become “aspected” to these feelings and grow into a stronger, more complete form that represents the emotion they have fed off of. Existing in both the physical and spiritual world at once, The Yokai can not only influence the affairs of both realms with ease, but are notorious for their parts in numerous historical events of great importance, namely infesting and directing the actions and feelings of powerful figures in their moments of weakness, all the while being very difficult to, if not impossible, to truly kill or exorcise from their hosts.

The involvement of a Yokai in a world leader’s actions is typically disregarded as a conspiracy theory or an excuse for their behaviour, but recent events have lent credence to theories of potential Yokai Interference, namely sudden shifts in behaviour, demeanour and sometimes physical appearance and their powers. Yet in spite of their inclination toward feeding off of negativity, not all theories of Yokai Interference have been toward mad rulers, massacres and sedition, as some Yokai have seemingly influenced leaders into making key strategic victories where they were struggling before, or speaking the right combination of words to secure peace treaties.

Only one thing is for certain regarding these enigmas: The Yokai are not to be disregarded or underestimated, for if the theories are correct, these intra-dimensional beings are responsible for many instances of great change throughout history, all without ever being truly discovered or defeated. While the Xurian Empire doesn’t advise people to be paranoid, the official statement regarding Yokai is as follows:

“When the aura of a person seems to shift, their demeanour changes and their creeds adjust, pay the windows to their soul a second glance.”
A vague, yet well-understood statement, made in an effort to not completely give away what to look for, as to not cause the Yokai to adapt too fast, but to leave just enough of a breadcrumb trail to give an idea of what to look out for.
Vampires - Dark/Haemo Aspected
Though not the most populous race in the Plains of Nox, Vampires have proven throughout history, both within and without the borders of the Hegemony, to be incredibly influential and a power to be respected. The facts surrounding this enigmatic race are murky at best, total fantasies at worst, given their mysterious nature as well as their tendency to move primarily under the cover of darkness, along with misinformation born of fear or exaggeration due to imaginative authors.

The truth is far stranger than whatever fiction can try to portray them as: Vampires are pale-skinned, but are not vulnerable to the light of the sun, nor are they violent, bloodthirsty monsters who kill without a second thought and they most certainly cannot transform into Bats. Not all of them, anyway, but they do have heightened senses and like all Noxians are naturally gifted with Dark Magics.

And while driven by a need for blood, it is not limited to human blood, nor do most Vampires allow it to consume them as it is considered uncouth and outright vile to allow one's basest, primal urges to drive them. Especially so in the modern Golden Age of Aetherology, where “Aethersupping” is considered a far more efficient and socially desired form of sustaining oneself.

The feeding process of eld is often vilified in both inaccurate personal accounts and fictitious ego stroking as a monstrous process that all Vampires are bound to and will go to any lengths, including feeding upon and brutalising innocents, often preferred to be kindhearted, virgin or otherwise “pure” maidens, as their blood held the “sweetest” taste and satisfied their darkest urges. Not to mention how victims of Vampiric Feeding will soon transform into Vampires themselves, as it serves as but one of two means of reproduction Vampires can undertake, the other being more traditional procreation, resulting in “Pureblood” Vampires, but this was difficult due to low fertility.

That isn’t to say Vampires will now completely abstain from blood, far from it, but nowadays blood is considered a sacred delicacy and often only partaken between trusted partners, with the victim, or rather recipient, actively seeking to become a Vampire in the first place. Pureblooded Vampires were once held in higher esteem amidst Vampire society, but have since lost this exalted status in favour of recognising all bearers of Vampire blood to be equally worthy of recognition for their achievements.

Similarly to Elves, Vampires are eternally youthful and cannot die from the effects of ageing. They achieve and support this however through sustaining themselves either through Feeding or Aethersupping. To neglect this need is to ruin oneself until the end of their days. Starved Vampires will become frenzied, malformed and lose higher brain functionality in favour of mindless feeding. They can be brought back from this state, but only in the earlier stages. A late-stage Starved is lost forever and must be put down.
Tieflings - Fire Aspected Aether
A race of primarily human heritage that has been forever touched by Infernal influence and carries the blood of Daemons as a result of an ancient sin. Easily identifiable by their distinctive horns, exotic skin tones (typically crimson), pointed tails and typically orange-red eyes, Tieflings are fairly populous among the races and despite the nature of their existence, they are more than accepted in Xurian Society, though their acceptance is more contested within other nations aside from Xuris and Noctis, the latter accepting practically every ostracized race. Unlike humans, the natural Aether of Tieflings is fire-aspected, but just like humans, it does not limit them. This aspect interestingly makes Tiefling's bodies warmer and aids in their naturally higher charisma than even the best of Humanity.
Portents - Cursed Nature Aspect
An accursed race, similar in predicament to Tieflings in that they are humans transformed by an ancient sin, yet far worse off than they are. While Tieflings retain their beauty, attain great power and charm and are a respected race in Zunia, the Portents are larger than humans in a grotesque fashion, are adorned with many twisted horns that, if removed will more than likely kill them due to the sheer pain of the experience, have darker, patchy skin and are plagued by vivid nightmares every night. They were cast away a long time ago by the ancient Tarrians for their curse, seeing them as a perversion of the Crucible of Life they have guarded for eons and wanting them forgotten.

They are regarded by many names: The Accursed, the Auguries, Those Lost to Grace, the Omens, even demi-humans, though that is an erroneous term. But they all chose to be known as the Portents upon the day of their freedom. The magics they wield are derived from their accursed blood and unlike other aspects, this aspect taints and warps any and all powers they use with their distinctive aura, making their powers "impure" but also stronger than the average mage or sorcerer.
Succubi/Incubi - Lightning Aspected Aether
A race bearing similarities to Daemons and the like, Succubi and Incubi are races of a peculiar nature, bearing similarities to Vampires with their need to feed of off Aether, save for their more involved process of consuming it. They also do not engage in feeding practices to reproduce like Vampires do, purely to keep themselves alive and sane. An inherently malicious race, a Succubus, a female, or an Incubus, the male of the race, will seek to seduce and lure victims of their advances into entering pacts with them and begin feeding off of their Aether over a lengthy period of time, typically not till death, but it drains the victim of so much of it that they are weakened and delirious for the remainder of their days, their mind sapped and their souls bound hopelessly to their Succubus/Incubus partner.

There are however, examples of the race seeking less invasive means of acquiring Aether, many of whom banded together to form "The Pact of Temperance", a group of Succubi and Incubi who actively pursue means of supplementing their oft evil ways with less malicious and damaging forms of consuming Aether to survive. Temperance Succubi/Incubi are however more at risk of becoming Starved, similarly to Vampires, thanks to their more restrained ways, where their primal instincts take over and force them to feed on someone more aggressively and to the death in most cases. Members of the Pact have opted more than most Succubi to breed with other races in hopes that the mixed genetics will offset the natural Succubi/Incubi desire for feeding.
Dragons
Though some untraveled people will swear on their life that these are but mythical creatures, confined only to old tales and scripture, nothing could be further from the truth; Dragons are very real and are every bit as legendary and awe inspiring as the stories tell. Though not often seen, they are far from a rare species nearing extinction, but prefer to keep to themselves and likely hail from a distant land not yet visited or even seen by mortal society at large.

Despite their insular nature, a good deal of information exists regarding Dragonkind and their abilities, though their way of life is a bit more ambiguous still. Their relationship with mankind is tenuous at best, but there is no hostility between them.

Similarly to the great beasts of eld, the might of Dragonkind is comparable to the mightiest of demigods and the bounty of their souls is boundless, possessing great quantities of Aether that mere mortals could only dream of harnessing. The source of their unmatched strength and unaging permanence lies within their Eyes, the windows to the soul and a highly sought after shortcut to power.
Great Wyrms & Wyverns
Great Wyrms are among the oldest of Dragonkind and thus possess some of the greatest power within their Eyes, while the Firstborn have lived since the Fall of the Precursors and are said to have been sired by the eponymous Father of Dragons, mightiest and eldest of them all, rumoured to be the last of the Suzerains, though this is but baseless hearsay and speculation, as none who live today can claim to have spoken to the enigmatic dragon lord Himself.

The more commonly seen Dragons, relatively speaking, resemble Wyverns with the large crests adoring their heads, two wings and no arms along with having regular reptilian scales, while the Great Wyrms have much tougher skin, arms, two sets of wings and far more incredible power, though a Wyvern is still formidable in its own right. And despite the more bestial appearances of Wyverns, they are typically no less intelligent than a Great Wyrm, but are far less prone to engaging in civilized conversation, for Wyverns are more territorial than their higher and older kin.
Ancient Dragons & Dragon Powers
A variant of the Great Wyrms are the oft named Ancient Dragons, named for their skin resembling old stone, lanky and agile builds and famed for their sheer power through their masterful use of a unique form of Lightning Magic, known simply as Ancient Dragon Lightning, taking the form of crimson bolts of lightning that are incredibly potent and can be easily weaved into weapon-like shapes such as spears and glaives to strike at foes in creative ways. Ancient Dragons distinguish themselves further through their ability to assume a humanoid shape, primarily to preach the ways of the Dragon Cult and to interact with those they deem worthy of communion.

The power of Dragons may be called upon via a variant of Divine Invocation known as Dragon Communion, for all Dragons are divine in their own right, but are much harder to please than the Gods, yet their favour can be made less taxing upon the Invoker’s body thanks to Dragon Communion being an involved process featuring the consumption of Dragon Blood, usually gifted willingly by a patron Dragon.

Lesser Dragon powers can be used via the Dragon Cult’s own in-house brand of magic, simply known as Draconic Incantations, which are mostly Lightning-aspected magics that typically imitate the crimson lightning of the Ancient Dragons, albeit as golden-yellow bolts, or the even more peculiar Frozen Lightning, manifesting as cold mist-wrapped blue bolts that harm using lightning and ice together, the latter is theorised to have been invented by underground dwelling Draconic Half-Breeds (Dragonkin for short), who are distinguished from the extinct Dragonfolk in that they were never Dragons to begin with.

-------- End of Races and People Segment --------

More races to come! Suggest to me your own race ideas if you'd like! List of available Tanzynites are next!

Nero Kunivas · Aug 27, 2022

-------- Available Tanzynites --------

As the commonly accepted and legalised form of personal power and augmentation, Tanzynites will be readily available to all kinds of people who reside in Xuris and are commonly traded one way or another to the other nations. Though rooted in Aether like Magic, Tanzynites manifest differently to their more maligned cousins in Wizardry, namely that they typically cause physical changes in the body and in larger doses, incur side effects that vary in severity.

Official Imperial Guidelines on Tanzynites recommend a person take 20 ccs of any given Tanzynite daily, for 2 weeks, in order for the effects to fully manifest beyond initial changes, but anyone and everyone can pick up a bottle of Tanzynite solution, for instance: ‘Hell’s Touch’, a fire-aspected Tanzynite, inject 25 ccs as recommended for a first dose and begin to use the granted powers of fire within seconds.

If an injected Tanzynite is the person’s very first they’ve ever taken, the sensation of their genetic code being rewritten will be overwhelming and cause them to be unable to do much aside from thrash around, unless restrained, while their powers manifest violently. This period of adjustment can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few days and can depend on the Tanzynite taken as well as the person who takes it. Even after prolonged use, repeated injections will still be required to maintain the same effectiveness. Tanzynite disuse will cause the powers to wane, but they will not fade completely.

Most Xurian Citizens prefer to take ‘Tonics’, a more passive Tanzynite that allows users to augment themselves more subtly, safely and with an eye for improving their ability to perform daily tasks, become more beautiful, reverse ageing to an extent, the list goes on. Imperial recommendation is that a person should start with at least one Tonic before moving to the aforementioned, more active Tanzynites, known as ‘Stims’.

The vast majority of Tanzynites are officially licensed and closely moderated by the Xurian Empire, to ensure quality and safety. There exists a black market, selling off counterfeit Tanzynites of dubious qualities and functionality, which primarily preys upon the destitute and the desperate. To ensure they keep buying, the counterfeit Tanzynites sold are typically laced with narcotics, which not only compromises the already lesser potency and functionality, but worsens the usual side effects and the Tanzynite itself reacts with the narcotic used to make the interlaced drugs even more addictive than they would ordinarily be.
Hell's Touch
A fire-aspected Tanzynite. When injected, it grants the user power over the flames of hell itself, or so says the marketing. Hell’s Touch lets its user conjure up streams of fire, fireballs and even produce small explosions with a snap of their fingers, the latter being able to be chain-casted. Short term side effects of Hell’s Touch result in glowing orange veins, patches of amber, translucent skin and blackened extremities such as the fingers. Long term side effects bring about a partial resistance to heat, warmer body temperature and a persistent feeling of thirst, as well as a slight burning sensation where the Tanzynite is frequently injected.
Lightning's Glow
A lightning-aspected Tanzynite, the second most common Stim Tanzynite on the market for its sheer versatility, as Xurians work with technology all the time, a little extra boost of energy is usually applicable in many aspects of life, even outside of combat. Lightning’s Glow grants its user the ability to produce and control electricity, to fire it as bolts, continuous streams of lightning and more practised users can conjure up ball lightning as a projectile. Short time side effects cause the veins to glow and flicker blue, the skin to become slightly cracked around the edges and the extremities to gain resemblance to electricity burns. Long term side effects result in raised hair, an ambient charge in one's body and a tingling sensation in one’s fingers.
Mind's Matter
A Tanzynite that grants limited telekinesis, the most common Stim Tanzynite on the market. It only makes sense that the ability to move things with one’s mind appeals to a great many buyers, as Mind’s Matter lets users lift up objects with a simple hand gesture, throw them with a bit of projected force as a projectile or if it just needs to be somewhere quickly, even stop incoming projectiles in the air in front of them. Short term side effects include headaches, twitching of the nerves and strange dreams. The long term side effects are peculiar, as users report feeling far more aware of their surroundings and their minds feeling more open, despite the headaches being more persistent as a result.
Winter's Sting
With this ice-aspected Tanzynite, users are able to fire off super-cold blasts of air, freeze the air in a concentrated stream of ice and cold air from their hands, or produce and fire icicles from their hands. Though the heat rarely comes to Xuris, Winter’s Sting has seen some application in aiding in the cooling of drinks, cold treats or another person in need. Short term side effects include; the skin blackening at the extremities and generally suffering cold blisters akin to frostbite, yet without the excruciating pain or need for amputation. The icicles take from the body’s water and if there’s a lack of it, they will be formed from blood instead. Long term side effects result in intermittent shivers, a partial resistance to cold and numbness in the fingertips.
Hydra's Breath
Through this water-aspected Tanzynite, a user can produce water from their hands at low and high velocities, the latter letting them cut through weaker metals and damage stronger metals if highly concentrated. The health advisory on this Tanzynite clearly states that it does not produce drinking water, but in a pinch it will suffice. Short term side effects cause welts, discoloured skin and a constant, slow emission of water, while long term effects include skin wrinkles around the fingers, increased sweat volume and sensitivity to the movements of water bodies.
Earth's Reply
An earth-aspected Tanzynite that has proven to be one of the most potent in combat, yet one of the least versatile. While allowing the user to create and manipulate earth and rocks for offensive and defensive purposes such as rock throwing, raising walls, stalagmites and pillars of earth, sending tremors through the ground in a localised area around the user, it serves almost no purpose beyond combat and heavy construction work. Initial tests proposed naming the Tanzynite “Rocky Road”, but was quickly ruled out by the scientists with stiff upper lips. Short term side effects include the formation of rocky-like scales upon the skin, darker veins and a lower, earthy voice. Long term effects result in the voice change becoming permanent, sensitivity to the vibrations of the earth below and stiffer, yet stronger bones.
Atlas's Will
If Tough Guy/Gal isn’t sufficient for one’s needs, then this strength enhancing Stim Tanzynite will prove to be more than enough. Further increases a user’s strength, more than its Tonic cousin, enabling a user to lift more than 10x their body weight and punch hard enough to smash rock and dent metals of various strengths, as well as produce shockwaves through the ground when hit hard enough. Short term side effects are very obvious, with increased muscle mass without needing to exercise, glowing, pulsing green veins and high blood pressure. Long term side effects cause muscles to become sore, temperament to become volatile and thoughts to become muddled.
Oncoming Storm
A wind-aspected Tanzynite that lets users produce large gusts of wind from their hands, blow enemies and objects away with strong air currents from the mouth and create small cyclones and mini tornadoes at will. This can also allow users to cause wind erosion at a faster pace than naturally possible, even on people. Short term side effects cause veins to become white, slightly glowing and pulsing, along with a perpetually windswept look as winds flow around the body at all times. Long term effects result in wind damage to the skin, lighter walking gait and sensitivity to the movements of air currents.
Tough Guy/Gal - A fairly commonly used Tonic Tanzynite that increases bodily strength. The names are not just marketing either, Tough Guy and Tough Gal are specially formulated for both genders for maximum gains. Produces greater effects when combined with a rigorous exercise routine, but still has potent effects for the casual user.

Thick Skin - Typically used by those expecting to be in the line of fire often, this Tonic Tanzynite increases the durability of the user’s skin, allowing it to resist gunfire and higher temperatures to an extent. Also helps avoid accidentally cutting one’s self when chopping onions.

Iron Lungs - Another common Tonic Tanzynite that increases the effectiveness of one’s respiratory system, enabling them to run and perform hard work for longer periods of time due to increased and more efficient oxygen intake. Is also effective in increasing stamina in combat.
Night Eyes - This Tonic Tanzynite increases the user’s ability to see in the dark, one of the few Tonic Tanzynites that has a physical effect on the user similar to Stims, in that in the dark, the user’s eyes take on a low yellow glow.

Youthful Glow - A purely cosmetic Tonic Tanzynite that reduces the effects of ageing on one’s skin.

Sixth Instinct - A Tonic that grants the user the ability to sense the presence of nearby entities, usually powerful ones such as Mages, Sorcerers or other Tanzynite users. Divine beings cannot be sensed.

Quick Escape - This Tonic enables short-distance teleportation at will, also bearing a physical side effect but only when actively used: Eyes and veins will glow red and the teleportation is always a red mist and phantom rose petals.
Swift Scamper - With this tonic, a user can run twice as fast as a regular, unaugmented human, at the risk of overheating if performed for too long.

Flipping Out - A tonic with a name that was long argued on, but the effects are undeniable; enhances a user’s flexibility, letting them perform gymnastic feats more easily and slink themselves into otherwise unreachable or small places.

Ninja’s Grace - A multi-function Tonic Tanzynite that grants increased dexterity, which in turn increases hand-eye coordination and allows a user to jump and land from decent heights without hurting themselves or making a sound upon landing.

Brain Power - A Tonic that increases the user’s intelligence by stimulating brain cell growth and neuron efficiency. Sometimes taken by scientists who need just a little bit more intellect to solve tough conundrums, but a boost in intelligence doesn’t always include a widening of perspective.
Experimental Tanzynites - DM me to use these/To add your own to the list
As science marches onward, so does the development of Tanzynites. In an effort to increase their effectiveness and produce greater results, Imperial Scientists have produced experimental Tanzynites that go beyond the initial parameters of safe Tanzynite creation in order to produce the desired improvements, at naturally greater risk, using voluntary test subjects. These Tanzynites are rare as they are not in mass production currently, still in the testing phases, but have been tested to a sufficient enough degree to allow their use in the field. The Tanzynites produced via these methods are naturally more potent, have greater and more varied effects, but also more pronounced and dangerous side effects, the latter being the main reason why they are not available for the masses just yet.
Inferno Extremis
A development of Hell’s Touch into a more extensive and powerful Tanzynite, Inferno Extremis gives user’s more control over fire and heat, letting them superheat their limbs in order to heat up or melt whatever they touch, produce hotter flames and even breathe fire in a concentrated jet for a short period. Inferno Extremis makes use of an experimental compound that allows the heat-based Tanzynite to stimulate regeneration of lost and damaged tissue, letting its users restore lost limbs and survive grievous injury, only being unable to repair a lost heart or brain.

Inferno Extremis remains in the testing phases however, as it suffers from an issue of compatibility, where users it is incompatible will cause the Tanzynite to destabilise and go into overdrive, usually resulting in the user’s death. This death is not quiet however, as sheer heat causes the user to explode violently in a large fireball. Inferno Extremis also requires an adaptation period, meaning users cannot actually wield the Tanzynite immediately, requiring a few days of painful adaptation, where the possibility of incompatibility remains a problem. As such, while these kinks are worked out, Inferno Extremis remains in the testing phases, its use only allowed to a select few compatible individuals.

Even when functional, side effects include glowing skin when the Tanzynite is actively used, glowing eyes, red-hot veins and blood that’s like lava if spilled. These are all short and long term effects, with no variance or deviance.
Devil's Blood
Born from the combination of an Elder Daemon’s blood and liquid Aether (Not Ceruleum), this experimental Tanzynite has proven to be the most difficult of all to make work without killing the user. Though the compound promises great demonic power, typically the Elder Daemon’s blood will interact violently with the user’s blood, tearing them apart from the inside. This mystery baffled scientists because of the existence of Tieflings, but their blood is kept stable thanks to the ancient sin of their lineage being contained in an unbreakable, infernal-aspected magic seal that all Tiefling’s bear.

Attempts to replicate the seal through Sorcery have failed as no one knows the exact nature of the art that created the Tieflings in the first place. However, recent developments have allowed Science to partially succeed in place of ancient magicks. By producing artificial blood, nicknamed 'White Blood', users of Devil's Blood have been required to undergo a full blood transfusion to have their existing blood replaced with White Blood in order to use Devil's Blood without being torn apart. In practice, 'White Blood' is an inert alternative to blood that lacks the blood plasma's that cause the violent reactions in organic bodies, meaning the Elder Daemon's Blood is able to settle in its own plasma as a substitute, in theory allowing an equilibrium to take place. It is the presence of the Daemon's Blood in the first place that counteracts the usual problems that would result in a plasmaless blood.

Manifestations include small horns erupting from the user's head, pale complexion with tinges of purple to their skin, yellow eyes with slitted pupils, a thin spiked tail, improved bodily physique resulting in increased attractiveness and charisma, increased metabolism and large leathery wings from the back capable of granting flight to the user.

As well as the power of flight, Devil's Blood grants its user incredible demonic power, changing their bodily aspect to "Infernal", a unique elemental aspect that even Tieflings cannot achieve by normal means. They can manipulate negative energy offensively and defensively, produce Hellfire through various means, alter the minds of mortals and entice them, produce demonic energy constructs such as conjured weapons, teleport short distances and their most powerful move: To trigger the latent demonic potential in their blood and assume a Daemonic Visage, transforming into a Daemon-like being and benefit from increased strength, greater power in all aspects and bodily regeneration.

A Daemon's power is inherently corrupting however and the usage of Daemonic Visage slowly changes the user over time, causing them to start retaining more Daemonic Aspects after returning to normal and altering their behaviour. Moderation and meditations are required for the user to center themselves and retain their humanity, as well as a specialized medication to counteract some of the symptoms of use, such as headaches, exhaustion and dark thoughts.

-------- End of Tanzynites Segment --------

More Tanzynites may be added at player behest. Magic, Sorcery and other powers are to come!

Nero Kunivas · Aug 29, 2022

-------- Magic, Sorcery and other Powers --------

Magic/Wizardry - Arcane Aspected Power
Magic, also known as Wizardry, is a multi-schooled system created by the ancient Magus Guild that has been taught to the young and bright-eyed for millennia, yet has faced criticism and heavy scrutiny by the world at large after numerous historic events that have shaped Zunia for the worse by wreaking havoc and destruction upon the land and its people.

By drawing upon the Aether of the world, a well-trained Mage can unleash powerful destructive magic through Evocation, summon monsters and transport oneself great distances through Conjuration, protect others and themselves through Abjuration, conjure inscrutable mirages and deadly tricks of the mind through Illusion and even meddle with darker forces and raise the dead through Necromancy, just to name a few.

As most races can use Magic, it is an easily accessible power (Outside of Xuris), where even a novice is capable of weaving together a basic incantation or playing with a simple cantrip. However, even outside of the Eighth Xurian Empire, Mages and Wizards are often the victims of discrimination and regarded with suspicion and fear.

The commonly theorised cause for the insanity and delusions of grandeur many Mages suffer from is all due to the Arcane, the byproduct of Wizardry. It is the key distinction between Wizardry and other forms of power such as Sorcery and Tanzynites. Manifesting as purple-ish white energy, Arcane energy enhances the power of a Wizard or Mage that wields it, increasing the potency of their spells and granting “Clarity of Mind'', according to users. All who use Magic are potentially vulnerable to the Arcane’s influence and in some users, it will corrupt their minds and bodies through addiction, delusions of grandeur and the insatiable desire for more power no matter what.
Sorcery - Darkness Aspected Power
The ancient counterpart to Wizardry and officially supported form of Aetheric schooling by the Eighth Xurian Empire, Sorcery has risen in popularity and public favour ever since the rise of Emperor Roark Korben following his successful deposition of the former Emperor of Ruin, with the aid of the once overlooked and secretive group known as the Sorcerer’s Circle. The clever machinations of the Emperor and the Sorcerers, along with their hitherto undervalued power over Aether, were instrumental in the defeat of the Emperor of Ruin and subsequent establishment of the Eighth Xurian Empire.

After founding the Akadaemia Animus (Academy of the Soul), Sorcery became the foremost form of power in the Xurian Empire. In contrast to Wizardry drawing Aether from the world and attracting the malignant Arcane in the process, Sorcery instead focuses on the power of the Soul and using one's own internal Aether as the focus for their might. As Aether is wont to do, manipulation of it will attract other energies of the universe and in the case of Sorcery, Darkness is inexorably drawn to the wielder and left unchecked, can overwhelm and corrupt the user as well. The key differences between Darkness and the Arcane are what allow Sorcery to be wielded with little risk to others around them and make Wizardry illegal in Imperial territories.

When sufficiently taught, an Acolyte of Sorcery is capable of manipulating dark-aspected forms of elemental powers, the powers of the abyss, weaving the very shadows and even creation magics, albeit in a lesser form compared to Adepts and true Masters of the power, but this makes even the former a force to be reckoned with regardless. Humans and other dark-aspected races will have an easier time learning and mastering the powers of Sorcery than other races, though it is not completely beyond them to come to grips with.

The Eighth Xurian Empire, along with the Sorcerer’s Circle, agree on an official level that the practice of Sorcery, regardless of its boons and relative safety compared to Wizardry, should remain a well-regulated and restricted practice in the interest of public safety. In order to be eligible for Sorcery Training, one must be an Imperial Citizen, be it born within the walls of an Imperial territory or if they come from a recently annexed province and have proven themselves to be of worth. For the latter case, one must have been a registered Citizen post-conquest for a period of five years, lowered to two years (Sometimes even lower) should the prospective achieve sufficient standing through their deeds in life, i.e: aided in the capture of a criminal as a civilian, joined a public service such as the Guardsmen/Police and served for said time, etc.
Theurgy - Light Aspected Power
The sister of Sorcery, Theurgy originates from the Tarrian Federation and it's organization, the Sage Dictum, was once the partner to the Sorcerer's Circle during their collective inception, but suffered a schism as a result of worsening Tarrian-Xurian relations and the Sorcerer's becoming the official school of magical power for the Xurian Empire. Though the term itself bears links to the divinity, Theurgy isn't related to the Gods save for a surface degree, namely that it draws upon Primordial Light, which is the domain of Themis, the Elder Aspect of Light. Similarly to Sorcery, Theurgy draws upon an individuals personal Aether to control and manifest their power via a different methodology to Sorcery that causes the Aether used to attract Light to the user's soul and the spells themselves.

Light possesses a similar level of risk of corruption to Darkness, meaning it is far more controllable and reliable than the Arcane and promises lesser side effects due to overuse, if one even reaches the threshold for abusing the power. As such, it is the trusted power of the Tarrian Federation, that hasn't banned Wizardry, yet the population remains suspicious of its users and the practice itself, as well as the power ingratiating itself with Tarrian Society far quicker than its Xurian equivalent. The powers displayed by Theurgy are light-aspected elemental powers, the powers of the heavens, controlling sources of light and the nullification of created beings, for Primordial Light embodies Stasis, while Primordial Darkness embodies Creation and thus, the two balance (and cancel) each other out in this way. Sages, the wielders of Theurgy, can also call down the light of Avalon's Eternal Sun to empower themselves, heal allies and scorch foes.

Since the warming of Tarrian-Xurian relations that have taken place over the last two centuries, the Sages and Sorcerers have begun to rekindle their lost bonds and the practices of both powers have begun to traverse borders, meaning Xurians have begun to enroll to learn Theurgy and Tarrians are eligible to learn Sorcery. It is not without its drawbacks however, just as Sorcery is regulated, as is Theurgy, relegated to formal and rigourous education and not everyone will be capable of learning the power, either due to tuition fee's, ineligibility or simple incompatibility due to low or weak personal Aether.
Divine Invocation - Aspect depends on Patron God/Goddess
Divine Invocation is a magical art that relies upon the powers of the They Who Dwell Aloft (The Pantheon of Zunia) themselves to grant the user power, using Aether that will be naturally aspected towards whatever their chosen God or Goddess embodies. As opposed to previously listed powers, usage of this power requires a Catalyst of some form, be it a wand, staff, tome or specially grafted tattoos on the body, something must be used to channel the power effectively.

A user of this art, known as an Invoker, can call upon the respective power of their God to empower themselves, cast whatever magics their element provides, temporarily wield the weapon of their God, partially assume their form and call upon powers beyond mortal ability. This however exposes them to the Primordial Element of their Patron far more than any other power (Save for Wizardry's Arcane), meaning the Gods must protect them by applying a "Veil" after any particularly grand power, which essentially "vents" the excess element from their body to alleviate potential corruption. (This translates to a 3 post cooldown on larger scale powers. Regular Invoker power such as regular offensive/defensive spells or using a Gods weapon will not proc a Veil cooldown, but exceeding mortal limits will.)

Divine Invocation also bears two further unique points: The ability to combine Invocation with other powers to boost them further, and the potential to call for direct Divine Intervention from their God/Goddess. The former allows a user who knows how to use Sorcery, Magic or Theurgy, to add their Gods power to one Spell (With the same Veil cooldown), while the latter directly summons their God to perform one, extraordinarily powerful attack or buff (At the cost of a 5 post cooldown of Veil, 6 if they call the Intervention into their own body for a boost and the inability to call Divine Intervention for the rest of a combat encounter.)
Way of the Druid - Nature Aspected Power
For those who prefer to dwell within nature, to remain in touch with it or simply originate from the once Elf dominated Raselhora, the path of the Druid offers a form of magic that draws from natural surroundings. The elemental aspect of Nature is willingly embraced by Raselhora and Tarr, though the Tarrians apply it a little differently to the Conglomerate with their Crucible Arts, a similar power that draws from their Crucible of Life for strength. Xuris hasn't seen an adoption of this way, at least on a large scale, thanks to its colder, less lively environments with subdued wildlife, long-lived evergreen trees and typically harsh winters, though a well-attuned Druid from other lands can still use their powers within its borders, it is just a fact that a Xurian would have a very difficult time learning the Druidic ways, meaning it was passed up in favour of Sorcery to replace Arcane Magic.

There are several Druidic Ways one can master, each representing certain aspects of nature, even in ways one would not expect. Along with generally expected powers over nature and its energies, the Way of Dreams allows one to Dreamwalk (Meaning they can access the plane of dreams for long-distance teleportation, as well as literally visit people's dreams), to recover from wounds more easily and step between dimensions for short distance teleportation. All Druids are capable of shapeshifting into various beasts, for agility, strength or cunning, with Druids of the Moon being able to further augment this ability to become even stronger beasts, have their attacks bypass magical defenses, transform into Elementals and even partially transform to gain access to powerful natural weaponry. Older and more powerful Druids can even cast their spells while in their transformed states, not that many could tell the difference in age, for powerful Druids age far slower than non-Druids by default.

In particular, Druids of the Way of the Wildfire are feared and respected for their control of Nature-aspected Wildfire, letting them both heal and destroy using their flames and their summoned companions of fire, known simply as Wildfire Spirits. A Wildfire Druid's control of this power is sufficient enough to save them from death at the expense of their companion and a lengthy period of time where they cannot use this ability.
Runic Magic - Variable Aspect
Alongside Runeforging, the Tal’Zerans developed an Art of Magic similar in principle to the primarily weapon-enhancing art of runes, but would instead apply it to an aspirant's body via runic tattoos, known as Runic Magic. Requiring at least a sleeve of runic tattoos to use, Runic Magic uses the potential power of Runeforging in a more practical manner and only causes a minimal amount of Primordial Exposure in turn. That being said, Runic Magic has no Primordial Alignment, meaning every elemental magic used will in turn, attract its equivalent Primordial Energy. In theory however, rotating what magic is used every so often should cause it to even out, meaning minimal risk to users. An obstacle to Runic Magic remains the commitment of getting such large tattoos and the taxing of their body.

The most common application of Runic Magic is typically a magically augmented fighting style, such as channeling the power through a Runeforged Weapon to increase its damage or produce new effects, or even electing for a bare handed approach and enhancing their strikes with their hands or feet with the element, as well as casting simple, yet effective AoE or projectile spells through their Runic Tattoos, that often glow when they're about to be used.
Duran Pyromancy - Fire Aspected Power
Of the few recoverable artifacts deemed safe for public view and usage, tomes detailing the lost Duran Art of Pyromancy have proven to be one of the most useful for those seeking alternatives to Wizardry to avoid the Arcane, or Sorcery if it is simply beyond their ability. With teaching courses headed by the Paragon of Fire Sorcery themselves, Duran Pyromancy is a magical art purely focused on the power of Fire and its relatives, namely lava and heat manipulation in general. More potent than Hell’s Touch or any other caster that uses Fire Magic, Duran Pyromancers were fierce back in their day and any modern practitioner that has studied the tomes extensively will find similar levels of power and success in their field.

Typically, Duran Pryomancy takes the form of a 'Pyromancy Flame' as its catalyst for casting, which is merely a held flame in the hand of the Pyromancer that varies in form but is often functionally the same, allowing one to simply channel the power from their hands. But it's entirely possible to use the power through a staff or some other catalyst, the Pryomancy Flame is just what the Tomes recommend and demonstrate, portrayed as being set this way for "ease of access to the willing Pyromancer" according a quote from its section in the tomes.

As well as what one might expect from a power that harnesses fire itself, namely the destructive powers it offers, Duran Pyromancy offers other intriguing effects with some of its spells. For instance, it's entirely possible to use the power of Pyromancy, to make oneself more resistant to Fire with one spell, as well as heal themselves of many poisons with another, or just healing in general with the Warmth Pyromancy. Other applications exist, making it a surprisingly versatile power for what it is.

Though the old tomes are rare, pricey and fragile, an industry for reproduction copies has begun to take shape in Xuris, sponsored by the Sorcerer's Circle, in order to provide a more entry-level form of magic for those looking to study within their halls, but find Sorcery itself to be too daunting. Copies sold to the public are more expensive and scarce to encourage those interested to enroll in the Akadaemia Animus, but those who are willing to save up their money will find a fairly easy to grasp set of teachings, curiously easy, as if Old Duran needed such power to be easily accessible for some reason...
Runeforging is a remnant of late Tal’Zera, emerging sometime during its formative years as a nation, before rising to prominence some centuries prior to its Sundering. Lizardfolk are often attributed with its discovery, though the extinct Dragonfolk had their share of involvement with its advancement over the many years, particularly its ability to emulate the powers of ancient Dragons among other things. The power itself involves the creation, or ‘forging’, of powerful runes using stone and raw Aether bound together in a process called Transmutation; the cornerstone of all Alchemy, be it with liquid concoctions or the creation of ancient power-infused tablets. This art can also be used to create powerful weapons engraved with runes, though it is a taxing and pricey process that few can afford.

Anyone in the Xurian Empire can learn and apply Runeforging as their casting method, particularly for buffing themselves or their allies, with the particulars able to be worked out via DM or a player's judgement. Anyone outside of the Xurian Empire will have a tougher time unless they are wealthy, or crafty.

Thaumaturgy is a magical form of Aether control originally conceived within Rusah’s rather less tumultuous early years. Similarly to Sorcery, Thaumaturgy draws upon a user’s personal store of Aether, with a touch of the land’s Aether to add a bit of extra power. To avoid Arcane Intoxication, Thaumaturge’s use Aetherial Focuses to filter out the land’s Aether of Arcane influence before usage. These Focuses are of traditional Rusahn design and are not easy to come by or replicate outside of the Plains, neither are they effective against the moderate-to-large amounts of land-based Aether a typical Mage, even a rookie, is able to manipulate, though this does not mean a Thaumaturge is not formidable or capable of matching a Mage/Sorcerer in combat. As a result of Rusah’s usual state of turmoil and civil war, no official order of Thaumaturges exists and as such, it is a very obscure art and a fairly unregulated one at that.

Compared to other magics on offer, Thaumaturgy is astonishingly compatible with Divine Invocation, allowing more uses of greater power than the average caster when combined together, but it is Rusahn exclusive.

The Dark Arts of Noctis (Shadow Aspected)- Although similar in practice to Xurian Sorcery, the Dark Arts of Noctis differ in that they employ the primordial Darkness as a vector for their powers, rather than it simply being a side effect of the powers usage. So advanced are they in this power, that none outside of Noctis have been able to replicate it with any success, not even the oldest Paragons of Sorcery, particularly because its modern level of usage requires that one must be a member of the many bloodlines of Noctis that have tempered themselves, to their very essence, into being able to use this power to the point of its potential being an inherited trait in all children of these bloodlines.

Tarrian Arts of the Crucible - A nature-aspected power that is often considered an offshoot of Druids, a statement that the Knights of the Crucible take great offence towards, it is a rare form of power wielded only by the Tarrian Order of the Crucible. Sworn to forever protect the Crucible of Life, every Knight, Priest or sufficiently otherwise advanced member of the Order is granted a bounty from the Crucible that extends their lifespan, seemingly till eternity, as well as power over Primordial Nature Aether, allowing them to manifest different limbs and functions of great beasts from the ages at will and manipulate the energies themselves so suit their needs, elemental or otherwise.

Soul Power - An exceedingly rare ability, found typically in those of a Demigod lineage or very exceptional individuals in general, allowing one to utilise highly potent and unique powers comparable with that of Aether-based magics, but without needing to rely on Aether at all. Thus far there are two known wielders of a Soul-based power: General Eclaire Tonnerre of the Xurian Empire, with her Armoury, and one other who remains nameless, who uses martial arts and wields energy akin to “Ki” in old Eastern legends.
Noctis Bloodlines - Any race that is born of a family of Noctis is far more attuned to the shadows and is capable of using the Dark Arts of Noctis, thanks to centuries of the inhabitants of the Hegemony honing their craft and practising it for all of their lives. Dark Elves in particular are Masters of the Dark Arts due to their infinite lifespans and Shadow-Aspected Aether. Though their power uses Primordial Darkness as a vector, it manifests in the form of Shadow as an element, which only slightly differs from pure Darkness, yet it is enough to make the difference.

Rusahn-born - A Human trait inherited by those born of a Rusahn Bloodline, those born within the harsh and arid desert environment that is Rusah, the League or the God-Kingdom, are much more hardy physically than Humans of other regions, resisting what would be seen as mortal wounds in other parts of the world and having a considerable tolerance for heat and cold, as well as skin that does not blister during sandstorms.

Tarrian Aetherflow - Thanks to the sheer amount of Aether flowing through Tarrian Lands, anyone of any race born there experiences a greater sensitivity to Aether itself and thus, a naturally higher proficiency with the magical powers associated with it. They also respond well to Tanzynites as a result, but must take smaller doses due to the high amount of ambient Aether in their bodies already.

-------- End of Powers Segment --------

More powers can be added later. The Pantheon of Zunia is up next and then, the Sign-ups are soon to come! Stay tuned!

Nero Kunivas · Sep 1, 2022

-------- The Pantheon of Zunia --------

They Who Dwell Aloft - Celestium
The current ruling Pantheon of Gods over the land of Zunia. Often collectively referred to by their honorific of “They Who Dwell Aloft”, these Deities generally keep to their own affairs and only intervene directly in times of great crisis. This does not stop individual gods or the entire Council from pushing for their own goals and acting indirectly through the mortal world by way of pawns or guidance.

Some Gods here are truly benevolent, acting only in the best interests of mortals and are usually the most direct about their actions. Others are ambivalent and prefer to act more like the typical, aloof Gods depicted in stories, only intervening in mortal affairs when it suits them and acting in accordance with the divine order. Some few can be considered malevolent, or just of a dark persuasion, but every God plays a necessary role in keeping the balance of power in order.

Only those who defy the divine order and seek to disrupt the balance of power for their own ends are considered truly evil or rogue elements, but even the most evil and malicious God knows how to bend the rules in their favour, without sundering the natural balance and as such, avoiding incurring the Wrath of the Gods.
As well as the many races of varying levels of mortality upon Avalon’s surface, there exist beings far above it all, some who reign supreme, those who covet these positions either with honest aspirations or malicious schemes, others who serve the greatest of their number faithfully and those who have been buried, forgotten yet still their wrath and rancour stirs.

True Gods are rarely beheld in Zunia, while they live among the people in the Eastern Lands, either leading entire Nations or enjoying simple lives in peace. Demigods however are much more commonplace, though even that’s not saying much, only that they are seen more frequently in Zunia than their full-blooded counterparts. Born either through private encounters between Gods and Mortals, or through sufficient ascension of power, the arrival of a new Demigod is still felt throughout the world at large.

While most Demigods adhere to a balance between their Godhood and Humanity, a Hemitheos is a type of Demigod that is a cut above the rest, leaning further towards Godhood than mortality and thus, Humanity, leaving the latter behind in exchange for greater might.
By ‘They Who Dwell Aloft’, a Hemitheos is considered an aberration and a defilement of the natural order, as throwing away one's Humanity and thus, the Heart, relinquishes empathy and restraint, often leading to great disaster, case in point: Archmage Val Luxmore, the Sunderer of Tal’Zera and his ancestor, Jericho Von Luxmore, “Lord of the Northern Lands”.

The God-King of Rusah, Brett Adair III is an unusual case, for He has seemingly forsaken His Humanity in exchange for incredible power, but has gone beyond being a Demigod or Hemitheos, instead undergoing full Ascension and swiftly restoring order to a chaos-ridden land by healing its many old wounds and repairing an almost completely annihilated ecosystem. Currently, it is unknown what “They Who Dwell Aloft” think of this sudden change in the natural order.
The Primordial One - Cannot be Invoked
The First God of Celestium, erroneously believed to be the Creator God of all Avalon and Creation Itself, but in reality, none know who truly created the world we all reside in, only that the Celestium Gods are the current ruling body, with The Primordial One at its head. Their form is rarely beheld even by the oldest of Gods, preferring to act behind the scenes and refusing all attempted Invocations and Prayers. Speculation abounds as to why this is and why they behave the way they do, only the Elder Aspects and the One Themselves have the answers and neither are forthcoming about the why or how of it.
Themis, Elder Aspect of Light and Stasis - Light Invocation
One of the oldest Gods in Celestium, representing the Aspect of Primordial Light Itself and the twin Goddess of her brother Zodiark, Themis is one of two essential factors in maintaining existence and its balance. While the Primordial One did not create life, They and the Elder Aspects are still required to exist for Life to function at all. The reason why is unknown, but it is simply the way of it. Themis's true power is that of Stasis, the essential factor of Primordial Light to counterbalance the power of Creation within Primordial Darkness, which Zodiark presides over.

Unlike The Primordial One, Themis's appearance is known, for she is a fair and large lady of purest white skin, great angelic wings and a halo, her appearance inspiring many old drawings throughout known history of Angels and their graceful nature, as well as the actual appearance of Angels of her creation and designation. Though a lot of Light-based Divine Invocations go to the lesser Gods of Light, in particular Zion, there are plenty who ascribe their faith in Themis Herself, for she represents compassion, kindness and love, as well as fairness, harsh judgement and adventure.
Zodiark, Elder Aspect of Darkness and Creation - Darkness Invocation
Representing the Aspect of Primordial Darkness Itself and the twin God of his sister Themis, Zodiark is one of the two essential factors in maintaining existence and its balance. A master of Darkness, Zodiark's true power is that of Creation, to counterbalance the power of Stasis within Primordial Light. If one Primordial Element takes dominance over the other, then the natural balance is disturbed and existence itself is compromised. This has happened before on a few distant worlds, where Light overtakes Dark and causes a world to become sterile and without life at all, or the opposite happens and it becomes a twisted world brimming with far too much life, creating twisted beings.

Zodiark's appearance is rather monstrous, appearing as a black devil with large horns, several muscular arms and huge, leathery demonic wings. He towers over others much like Themis and is very intimidating, but Zodiark's appearance belies his caring personality. While far from motherly like his sister, Zodiark values life and its ability to flourish, encouraging creativity, ambition and emotion, as well as seizing opportunities, being a risk taker and valuing personal strength.
Odin, Allfather of the Celestium Gods - Various Elemental Invocations
Though The Primordial One is the oldest of the Gods and is the technical ruler, it is Odin Allfather who is entrusted with governance of Celestium by The Primordial One Themselves, Odin's authority extending even beyond the Elder Aspects as well as him being the father of most of the lesser Gods present today, such as Zion, Erebus, Mars, Erra and Zurvan, to name a few. As such, to Invoke Odin's power is to tap into the vast energies of several elements, for he has mastered them all, though in particular Lightning, Fire, Earth and Ice will be at one's beck and call. That being said, Odin is very choosy about who can Invoke his might, allowing only the strongest and most proven warriors to partake of his strength, as they are the only ones with the fortitude to withstand his power.
The Goddess of Light, Zion

The God of Darkness, Erebus

The Gods of War and Battle - Mars, The Xurian God of War - Erra, God of Battle and Strife

The God of Judgement, Zurvan

The Draconic Goddess of Justice, Tiamat

The Goddess of Nature and the Wilds, Artemis

The God of Beasts and the Hunt, Actaeon

The God of Purity and Beauty, Baldur

The God of Strength and Fury, Kratos

The God of Thunder and the Sky, Teshub

Lesser God of Storms, Thor, Youngest Son of Odin

The Goddess of Space and the Void, Kaslana

The Iron Colossus, Alexander, God of Time

Gestalt Deity of Technology and Machines, The Mechanicus Legion

-------- End of Pantheon of Zunia --------

End of Gods Segment for now, it's a work in progress. More Lore to come, but up next will be the Sign ups! Stay tuned!

Nero Kunivas · Sep 17, 2022

-------- Technology of Zunia --------

Across the nations of Zunia, there are varying levels of technology and their level of application differs between them too, with the Noctis Hegemony having a greater preference for magic over tech, while the Xurian Empire leans towards highly advanced technology and genetic augmentation, yet neither country is without the opposing element, with Xurian Sorcery and Noctis having fairly rudimentary technology where it's genuinely needed. The overall level of tech across the continent sits at a futuristic level, except for the God-Kingdom of Rusah and its very limited in the Hegemony.
Imperial Aethertek
Sustained by crystalized and/or liquid forms of Aether, Aetherically Augmented Technology, or Aethertek, is often erroneously referred to as Magitek, aka Magically Augmented Technology, but the concepts differ greatly for one reason in particular: Magitek would require the application of Magic or Sorcery to function, typically via evocations and the use of Magic Seals to keep the power within a specially constructed piece of technology that had to also be coated in runes just to even move. All of this combined with an excess of mana being needed that was beyond practicality as well as mass production being impossible due to how involved the process was led to the project being shelved for many years.

Aethertek operates differently, being the direct application of Aether itself to a specially designed piece of tech, negating the need for Mages agonising over the all important seals to prevent Magic from bleeding out and causing a disaster or a rune not functioning correctly. Instead one can defer to engineers who need only employ their knowhow to a piece of kit they understand while the Aether is taken care of by the tech itself. A far more efficient, and safe practice overall.

Crystalized Aether is typically the more broadly used source of fuel for Aethertek and is what one would find in a more mundane application, such as Aethertek food processors or heaters. In most of these applications, the crystal is guaranteed to almost never run dry nor need replacing unless handled improperly. This has led to a boom in Aethertek commercialism, providing convenience for the everyday man, woman or otherwise in the Empire.

Refined Liquid Aether, often referred to as Ceruleum, is reserved for the operation of vehicles, both civilian and military, being a more reactive form that serves as excellent fuel. This does make it more finite in application as well as volatile, but it has still proven to be less dangerous than a faulty piece of Magitek and is much more practical as well as abundant, being one of the most commonly found and mined forms of Aether in the world.
Aurtan Chemtech
Aurtan Chemtech is an off-shoot of the principles of Aethertek, being considered a “bootleg” by many. Despite the friendly relationship between Aurtan and the Xurian Empire, the sharing of Aethertek is not commonplace, especially as for the sake of financing, it must be bought and sold, not given away with nothing to show for it. Charity only extends so far after all and the governments of both sides understand this well.

The development of Chemtech started far before the beginnings of relations between the two nations and has remained a consistent part of Aurtan’s culture since the Fall of Nerva. In that sense it would be more accurate to refer to Chemtech as a precursor to, rather than a knockoff of Aethertek. But its current form only became as prevalent as it is now because of the relative inability to acquire Imperial Aethertek, leading to the current public perception of it.

Since the foundation of the Depths, before it was rechristened as Aurtan, toxic runoff from the upper regions of Raselhora, pollution from scavenged, cobbled together technology used by inhabitants and the fallout from the Lunar Ravaging has tainted the very Aether of the undercity, leading to corrupted Aether Crystals, liquids and gases originally running rampant and causing all kinds of health problems and mutations.

Every form of corrupted Aether in Aurtan bears a sickly green hue to it, with a glow in the case of crystals and tainted Ceruleum, referred to officially as “Celadeum”.

-------- End of Technology of Zunia --------

Nero Kunivas · Sep 24, 2022

-------- Important Characters --------

The Dark Emperor Korben of Xuris
The Emperor of the Xurian Empire Himself. A man of great renown, incredible strength, wisdom and a guile unsurpassed, Roark Korben seized control of the Obsidian Throne when he personally lead an uprising against the infamous Emperor of Ruin, First and Only Ruler of the Seventh Xurian Empire, seeking to dethrone the monstrous lunatic playing at Emperor who sought to bring only ruin and had no regard for the safety of his people nor the prosperity of his nation. Together with his sister, Alana Korben, they defeated the Emperor of Ruin, restructured the Empire into its Eighth Incarnation and ruled as Emperor and Empress for 229 years, the both of them at some point earning an increased lifespan, as did others within their circle who weren't already long-lived.

After the death of his sister during the Battle of Old Duran, Roark Korben has become the sole ruler of the Xurian Empire, the past three centuries of his lonely rule have seen numerous developments occur with the Xurian's relationships with other nations, namely the warming of Tarrian relations after centuries of rivalry, while the Raselhoran Conglomerate have only gotten more vitriolic and distrustful thanks to the Empire's ruthlessness of late, as well as their support and acknowledgement of Aurtan as an independent state. In recent years, Korben's actions have become far more direct and cutthroat than ever before, putting even fellow Xurians and other supporters on edge, as he seems to be moving in haste to increase the Empire's war efforts against Valeros as well as fortifying their own position, scouting for potential dangers and moving to secure resources in the Xurian-claimed northern reaches of Noctis.

Roark is no stranger to political and personal opposition and hasn't been for years, what with the Republican contingent still preaching against him and Imperial rule overall, the wariness of the Tarrian population about their burgeoning friendship with their old enemies, Raselhoran-backed slander and naturally the Empire's treatment of Mages often still being the subject of great debate, yet he has never backed down, nor will he. No force on heaven or earth seems capable of deterring Roark from his chosen path and as such, he has on the flip side served as inspiration for those in full support of his cause and actions, as a pillar of strength in times of need.
Roark Korben
The man known as The Dark Emperor, Roark Korben is a cold and distant man, always hidden behind his helm ever since the Battle of Old Duran left him accursed and scarred by strange magics of unknown origin, leaving him with a baleful visage of black steel and ethereal, flaming blue eyes at all times, his true face unknown. To hear him speak is to hear the Will of Xuris Itself, to see him act is to witness the Xurian Way in action, to be in his presence is to know the Soul of the Empire. Yet to know him, to know the man upon the throne, the man behind the helm, the human being at the heart of it all, is the greatest mystery of them all, for only one woman truly knew the man behind the helm. And she was no more. Even Roark's closest allies and subordinates cannot truly claim to know the man, yet many believe in him all the same and would trust him with their lives, and so they have.

Even before the battle, people outside of the Imperial Palace rarely beheld Roark Korben's true face, fewer still know of his interests outside of his duties. Yet any who have met him will know of the sheer presence he exudes at all times, from the way he walks to even the way he shakes ones hand, all know him as a leader, through and through and there can be no doubt about it. Every word he speaks is weighed and measured before it comes out, his voice ethereal and ancient, seemingly devoid of humanity, but even one word spoken by the Emperor can will even the weakest, mostly cowardly of men into action. Roark knows of this power he has, how strong the right word in the right place at the right time can be, how it can be such a blessing, yet such a curse all at once. It is the responsibility of leadership and some days, he feels it bearing down upon him. And yet, every day, he wakes up and knows what he must do, even if he is hated for it, Roark Korben will see it done.
Empress Alana Korben (Deceased)
Sister to Roark Korben, his equal in martial skill and mental cunning and co-ruler of the Eighth Xurian Empire, Alana Korben has been Roark’s lifelong partner throughout their journey. From humble beginnings, harrowing trials and moments of great triumph, the Korben Siblings have stood together. The rule of Xuris was no different, where she was known as the Legatus of the XIIIth Imperial Legion, as well as her earned title; "The White Dragon."

Compared to the cool, calculating and measured Roark, Alana was always the more fiery, passionate and energetic of the duo, though this did often make her impulsive, her wit often allowed her to wriggle out of tough situations with words alone, even if she wasn’t quite as proficient at it as her brother. Where words failed however, she was just as deft with her lance as Roark was with his greatsword.

Wherever and whatever Roark lacked, Alana was always there to pick up the slack and cover his back and vice versa. For instance; for a time, Roark was unable to spare the time to interact more personally with his friends and colleagues, which was especially problematic whenever they had issues they needed to discuss, particularly if they were personal, so Alana handled the more intimate task in his stead. Her disarmingly kind nature quickly dissolved any barriers between them in learning what troubled their souls.

Enacting Imperial policies, laws and political diplomacy was better handled by Roark however, as well as public speeches and relations, for Alana was far too casual and impassioned to take a measured approach or remain ambivalent where it mattered. That being said, she was no less loved by the people for it, quite the opposite for she was completely adored for her words and actions. None had a bad word to say about her.

The events at Old Duran left a wound deep in the hearts of the people of Xuris when news of Alana’s death broke, but none were hurt more than her dear brother. No one loved Alana more than Roark, not even their late parents. The life she brought to the room everywhere she went, the light she carried in her soul to balance out Roark’s darkness, the kindness she showed to even total strangers…these qualities were those of a loving, wonderful woman and their loss has left a hole in many people’s lives that may never be filled again, Roark’s most of all. It is safe to say that where Roark acted, and still acts, as the Will of Xuris Itself, Alana was its Soul.
Imperial Council
Leadership does not fall entirely upon the Emperor's shoulders and it has been by design since the First Xurian Empire, as to not create tyrants. Alongside the Hands of the Empire, Roark Korben will defer to his Council on important matters, before acts are passed in the Imperial Senate. Comprised of many powerful political individuals with differing views, each representing an important sector of Xurian Infrastructure and its way of life, they all provide the second opinions Korben needs when making decisions, though overall many will agree with him on numerous matters. It is only recently the Dark Emperor has received resistance due to his increased diligence and tighter grip, yet still he defers to them first, never circumventing tradition.

Councilor Priscilla is one such member.
A Xurian of great standing and a prominent member of Korben’s Council, Priscilla has made some headway as of late as a political figure, namely due to her vocal opposition towards some of Roark’s latest actions along with proposing some state reforms, with the aim of easing the iron grip the Xurian Empire can have upon its vassals. Initially it was also aiming to end the war with the Coalition of Kings, but the Kings started the war to begin with and refused to surrender, so this was quickly ditched by Priscilla herself.

Though she is not unanimously loved, with many Xurians simply disagreeing with her, while some even go so far as to call her weak, Emperor Korben has derided the later openly, for those who disagree with the Emperor and his ways are not weaklings in his eyes, though Priscilla’s points are most certainly met with contention by the current ruler. A kind-hearted woman, she has quickly made friends with numerous members of the Council and the Empire overall, Legatus Tonnerre being one of them, her demeanour echoing that of the late Alana Korben to some.
God-King Brett Adair III
The third of the bloodline of Adair since Brett Adair I’s rise to power two and a half centuries ago, Brett Adair III started his rule as a mere mortal, picking up where his father had left off, who in turn had a rough time picking up the reigns of his own father, for ‘The Final Genocide’ had left its mark upon Rusah, threatening to return the land to utter chaos. As the efforts of his mortal ancestors had only a middling effect, Brett Adair III had a new plan altogether; instead of bending to the natural order, he would overturn it and bend it to his will to save his kingdom.

Disappearing from the public light for a time, the people of Rusah began to worry he had been assassinated. It was only when He returned as a God did some begin to wish that He had been. Rising as God-King of Rusah, Brett Adair III forcibly transformed Rusah, reinvigorating much of its lost life and establishing a far more direct and strong rule upon the land, exalting His closest followers and marking the unbelievers as Sinners, obstacles in the way of Rusah’s progress.

While some have heralded his arrival as a Deity to be great for the kingdom, many have had reservations, yet many more keep their complaints quiet for fear of what their newly ascended God-King may have to say about such blasphemy. Those who haven’t, including the Prince, sought the aid of the Xurian Empire in the wake of Brett Adair III’s ascendancy, rejecting His self-centered theocracy. The treachery of His son has done little to halt the efforts of the God-King, who's many forces continue to move in earnest, spreading His word among the doubters, punishing those who continue to discredit Him, exalting all who praise Him and seemingly taking steps to ensure His Divinity cannot be taken away, even by Celestium Itself.
Prime Minister Goran Slavko
Once simply a member of a race so reviled they were exiled beneath the earth itself to languish for eternity in shackles, Goran Slavko was one of the first of the ‘Portents’ to cast off his bonds and claw his way to the top of society many centuries ago. As a Portent, Goran is much taller than a human and his face is disfigured with numerous twisting horns covering the right side of his face, with the broken and sanded down remains of other horns on the left, revealing despite his curse, he is still a rugged man, almost human and yet, not quite.

Quite how he rose to Prime Minister is a tale so fantastical many often don’t believe it, but it’s there in the history books, where he and other Portents rose from their squalor and instead of seeking revenge, they instead fought tooth and nail to protect Tarr and its people from horrible creatures that sought their nigh-infinite Aether pools for their own ends, or to defile the Crucible of Life Itself.

Though he suffered greatly, was still reviled for many years during his quest and even lost his brother along the way, Goran eventually became regarded as a great hero, hailed as the new king of the land. Yet royalty he was not, nor would he pretend to be, so he would restructure Tarr’s government to adopt a more democratic approach, taking his place as the first, and thus far, only Prime Minister in Tarr’s history.

During his constantly renewed tenure thanks to his sheer popularity, Goran has borne witness to many events throughout history, having lived even longer than Roark Korben, namely centered around the bitter rivalry between their country and Xuris. By a strange twist of fate however, after finding himself indebted to the Dark Emperor for saving his life, Goran and Roark would become fast friends and Xurian-Tarrian relations soon warmed up considerably, though time will tell what shall come of this.
Overlord Livia Nerva
The reclusive ruler of the Noctis Hegemony and descendant of the great Darius Nerva, the Razer of Siradell, Livia Nerva is an Overlord of fairly recent standing, having only taken the Throne of Nox within the past few centuries, yet has quickly amassed great power and the respect of her people. Her swift advancement is thanks to her keen mind and sharp wit, driving her campaigns against territorial disputes between her people or other nations, while still keeping many of her actions discreet and away from the gaze of the world at large.

Her actions evince a wisdom beyond her years, even for a Dark Elf, able to take measured responses to sensitive issues and disarm many a crisis before they even begin, something even seasoned Overlords of the past were hard pressed to accomplish, if they even did.

Some of her scrutinizers within and without the Hegemony have their own theories as to why this is the case and none of them are favourable, with a few suggesting “favours” were exchanged between her and aggressors, some suggesting monetary exchanges and others suggesting she might be a Yokai, Yokai-Possessed or some kind of dishonest being. None of their theories can be verified, neither can they be disproved, for the Hegemony remains as insular as ever.

-------- End of Important Characters --------

(Work in Progress)

Fantasy Tainted Blood - Lore

Nero Kunivas

Xehanort's Nobody

Nero Kunivas

Xehanort's Nobody

Nero Kunivas

Xehanort's Nobody

Nero Kunivas

Xehanort's Nobody

Nero Kunivas

Xehanort's Nobody

Nero Kunivas

Xehanort's Nobody

Nero Kunivas

Xehanort's Nobody

Users who are viewing this thread

Similar threads