Post by Evan on Jan 4, 2016 4:37:04 GMT -6
This role-play is private. Please do not post in this thread without permission.
On Varse:
Valse is an Earth-like planet where magic exists. The planet is in a post-modern setting where magic and technology are heavily entwined to create a clean and convenient living for those who stay within the safe confines of established cities. Most of the world is under the control of an overbearing empire, and many wouldn't mind seeing change in this. Most, however, are content with the peaceful times brought in by the reign, and are willing to forego some freedom for it.
Magic is a powerful force that resides in everyone. It does not take a specific form, but is more accurately described as another means to manipulate the world. Magic does not perform miracles such as materializing elements, but instead is used to manipulate things that are already there. Magic cannot create matter from nothing, but can manipulate matter to take a new form - within reason.
While everyone has the ability to use magic, their effectiveness with the art seems to vary randomly. A person may have the power to move buildings, yet another person might only be able to move a small rock. The average person can use magic rather effectively when unhindered, and possesses at least enough strength to lift one ton of weight without tiring too much.
Magic as an energy is nonphysical, and it is still not known exactly how it is generated. A person's talent with magic is often directly related to how much magic energy they can contain. This energy can be used up completely with no ill-effects on the user. However, if a person continues to use magic after depleting their energy, it will draw directly from their body. This is akin to starvation, but much, much faster. Much like in starvation, the body will burn its self away in order to sustain the magic use, and this will eventually result in death if they do not stop.
Magic energy can be stored outside of living hosts, but channeling magic from an external source is more difficult and imprecise.
The Maximus Empire
Despite its name, the empire has transcended Maximus and now controls Tordel and Dorde as well. It is the first global empire, which was built and sustained thanks to the greatly improved transportation of the modern era. Tordel is more independent because of its distance, but all kingdoms of the three major continents are under rule of the empire.
The rule is strict, but not cruel. The ideal of the empire is peace through control. Authorities are more intrusive and overbearing than some would prefer, but the peace they've created is indeed undeniable... so long as the rules are followed.
Those who commit crimes or defy the empire are dealt with quickly and harshly. Most are done away with immediately, and seem to just disappear.
The emperor - Maximus - has reigned from the shadows since his rise to power forty years ago. No one knows what he looks like or really anything about him. It is a common rumor that Maximus is either dead or never lived in the first place. The truth, however, cannot be confirmed.
Nullification Pylons
Early in his reign, the emperor ordered research in the field of nullifying magic. Over the years, secret technology was developed to dull the magical capabilities of citizens. Now most of the world falls under the fields of gigantic nullifiers that significantly decrease the potency of magic. Within these fields, most people are only able to cast the most basic spells necessary to daily living. The pylons were first activated three decades ago, and were slowly dialed up until the present so that many people didn't even notice the change.
Field disruptors are carried in varying degrees by authorities. Police officers can resist up to half of the nullification, while soldiers and high ranking officials are enabled complete immunity. These devices are only effective for government personnel, since they are all carefully tracked and can be shut down remotely.
Within some people, magic operates on a different 'frequency' from most, which enables them to use it unhindered within standard nullifying fields. This is rare, but more common than the empire would prefer.
Map of the nullification field:
Maximus
The entire continent of Maximus was renamed following the rise of the empire, and was formerly known as Valsa. It comprises many climates due to its massive size, and bears several cultures from all those distant reaches. Maximus houses 14 major kingdoms which are connected by the continental skyrail.
The climate on Maximus varies heavily, but most of the continent is temperate. The northernmost part is pocked with mountains amidst arctic conditions, yet the center of the climate holds an arid desert all the way across, nicknamed 'The Ray' or 'The Sun Ray'. A rainforest covers a large part of the northeast, bordering another range of mountains that roll across the East coast. In the southeast is a massive gulf called 'The Throat' due to its immeasurable depth which has granted the area all sorts of rumors and legends.
Halda is often treated as the central city of Maximus, because it is the largest and most dense. The city sits around the base of a river right beside Lake Halda. The city covers 500 square miles, and houses around 10,000,000 people. It is the most blatantly modern city in the land, with dozens of towering sky-scrapers and a massive grid of roadways and rail stations. Many important government facilities are based here, and it also boasts a large portion of the entertainment industry.
Runa is the distant sister-city to Halda, housing around four million residents. It is the capital of entertainment on Maximus, and a popular vacation and tourism destination.
Tsuna is the home of water magics on Valse, which is the only reason a settlement can withstand the frequent barrage of storms on the peninsula. Located right next to the deepest part of the ocean on the planet, it is a fitting place for the study of water magic.
Erus sits at the base of a massive mountain. It is relatively small compared to other kingdom-cities in Maximus, but is not without its own reputations. Erus is the number one destination for practicing stone mages, who's practice over the years has left the nearby mountains carved with all sorts of wonders and peculiarities.
Galun sits beside a small lake within the vast rainforest, where it has fittingly become the leading kingdom in the study of nature magic.
Ra sits right in the middle of the hottest sands on the continent. It has a surprisingly large population despite the climate, and is most known for the study of light magic.
The Stepping Stones
This series of islands torn between continents are widely known for being intermediate between Maximus and Dorde. They are cold in climate, with harsh winters. The Stones were home to tribal peoples for as long as anyone can remember. A few of these groups still exist, isolated among the smaller islands. Most residents of the Steps are descendants of these types of groups, but now live in bigger modern settlements. Each major island has its own capital, with an additional major kingdom sitting upon the tiny island of Obo.
Dorde
Dorde is a desolate landmass covered with ice and snow. Most of it is uninhabitable to humans, and there is little there that's worth the hostile conditions.
Deldre is the capital city, and sits right at the edge of the death zone. The city is maintained by artificial heat sources for commoners, but holds great significance as the home of ice magic. The greatest ice mages were said to have established the settlement centuries ago with no need for artificial heat. The best ice users study here and only here. Much of the city's power is recycled from the steam of melting snow from the heating elements. The machinery here is more robust here, and the entire city has a centuries-old look to it.
Tordel
Tordel is largely independent, but still honors the will of the empire in order to keep peace against the superior adversary. It does not have a central government of its own, and contains just four major settlements.
Lakas is the most known kingdom of Tordel, sitting right at the base of a volcanic formation called The King's Crown. Here is the top rated location for the study of heat and fire magic.
Alta
Alta is a lawless land controlled by no one in particular. It has a wealth of resources, but the locals have refused all negotiations and remain completely independent from the empire. While it would be relatively easy to overthrow and capture, it is instead being handled nonviolently for now. Three surrounding bodies were captured by Maximus and Nullifying stations were set up on each one, creating a draining field over most of the continent. This has been going on for at least five years, and slowly but surely the continent's natives are being drained of magic.
Society in Alta is almost third world compared to the advanced lifestyles everywhere else. Kingdoms are constantly fighting for territory and power in near-medieval conditions. Life here is dangerous and often chaotic in smaller settlements, where bands of raiders run amok.
While the Maximus Empire has graciously left Alta's resources untouched, it periodically exiles its worst criminals to the continent.
Malse
Malse is a tiny, remote continent with not much to offer. It was believed to be uninhabited until the discovery of Mala. Mala is a very secretive society where outsiders are not welcome. It is unclear how anyone there was able to survive long enough to establish a sustainable settlement. The mysterious place has been left untouched by the empire, and magic here is unrestricted.
Sekos
Sekos is an island in the North which is believed by some to be a sacred place. Many have forgotten the island's significance as some sort of holy land, and only a small religious group still live there. It has not been contacted in many years, and it is not currently known if anyone on the island is even still alive. Whatever power this land may have has ultimately been buried under time.
Technology
Most technology in the modern world is operated with magic. Cars require magical activation, and typically use the driver's own energy as a fuel source. Other devices are much the same way, and most buildings are not wired for electricity. Non-magical variants of powered technology are extremely hard to come by, and generally require custom engineering.
Technology in general is also more common. Things that require unnecessary effort have been outsourced to magical machines long ago. Most home chores can be done automatically for a small amount of energy, and even the most simple processes often have technological assistance. The world has long passed the point of convenience to the extent that most of the population no longer know how to do things that were once considered necessary to basic living.
Military technology has advanced far beyond reason due to the constant warring of the past. Cannons became tanks became robotics. Large-scale explosives and catastrophic weapons have been developed as well, but are no longer viable due to advanced countermeasures and a few environmental concerns. Ground combat is more developed than other forms, with airborne coming in close second. Naval combat has been the most neglected technologically due to its limit use in most conflicts.
Military-grade weapons must be magically activated just like most other technology, and can require large amounts of energy to sustain. For this reason, they are almost useless in the hands of a nullified citizen within the suppression field.
Other than weapons, personnel armor is also at a new level. The global standard now is a form of flexible mesh armor that is receptive to magic energy. There are differing levels of effectiveness among different builds of the material, though each model's effectiveness at any given time depends on how much energy is being focused into it. For example, a person wearing a mesh and not focusing any energy into it will get the minimum protection of that armor, while a person focusing a heavy stream of magic into it will get the maximum protection that the armor can provide. With weapons, armor, and other accessories, modern combat is often a game of balancing magic distribution between equipment.
The Badlands
The few remaining parts of the Maximus Empire that aren't under nullification fields are called The Badlands. The largest section of such territory lies in The Sun Ray, which is a hostile desert environment that few would care to settle in. This place is essentially a no-man's-land where the empire doesn't bother to police. Outlanders roam the badlands, some looking for their next opportunity, and others just trying to get by. Many of them swear by their lifestyles, though, and loathe life in the city. Because there is no magic suppression, these places can be chaotic, and different groups are constantly fighting for territory and resources much like the old ways of the world.
For those who are looking for an adventure or have tired of life under the empire, the badlands are the prime destinations. Most of the population consider the badlands unsightly, and would rather they be ironed out and civilized. The empire is more than capable of eliminating the badlands at any time, but seem to not want to waste the resources.
On Varse:
Valse is an Earth-like planet where magic exists. The planet is in a post-modern setting where magic and technology are heavily entwined to create a clean and convenient living for those who stay within the safe confines of established cities. Most of the world is under the control of an overbearing empire, and many wouldn't mind seeing change in this. Most, however, are content with the peaceful times brought in by the reign, and are willing to forego some freedom for it.
Magic is a powerful force that resides in everyone. It does not take a specific form, but is more accurately described as another means to manipulate the world. Magic does not perform miracles such as materializing elements, but instead is used to manipulate things that are already there. Magic cannot create matter from nothing, but can manipulate matter to take a new form - within reason.
While everyone has the ability to use magic, their effectiveness with the art seems to vary randomly. A person may have the power to move buildings, yet another person might only be able to move a small rock. The average person can use magic rather effectively when unhindered, and possesses at least enough strength to lift one ton of weight without tiring too much.
Magic as an energy is nonphysical, and it is still not known exactly how it is generated. A person's talent with magic is often directly related to how much magic energy they can contain. This energy can be used up completely with no ill-effects on the user. However, if a person continues to use magic after depleting their energy, it will draw directly from their body. This is akin to starvation, but much, much faster. Much like in starvation, the body will burn its self away in order to sustain the magic use, and this will eventually result in death if they do not stop.
Magic energy can be stored outside of living hosts, but channeling magic from an external source is more difficult and imprecise.
The Maximus Empire
Despite its name, the empire has transcended Maximus and now controls Tordel and Dorde as well. It is the first global empire, which was built and sustained thanks to the greatly improved transportation of the modern era. Tordel is more independent because of its distance, but all kingdoms of the three major continents are under rule of the empire.
The rule is strict, but not cruel. The ideal of the empire is peace through control. Authorities are more intrusive and overbearing than some would prefer, but the peace they've created is indeed undeniable... so long as the rules are followed.
Those who commit crimes or defy the empire are dealt with quickly and harshly. Most are done away with immediately, and seem to just disappear.
The emperor - Maximus - has reigned from the shadows since his rise to power forty years ago. No one knows what he looks like or really anything about him. It is a common rumor that Maximus is either dead or never lived in the first place. The truth, however, cannot be confirmed.
Nullification Pylons
Early in his reign, the emperor ordered research in the field of nullifying magic. Over the years, secret technology was developed to dull the magical capabilities of citizens. Now most of the world falls under the fields of gigantic nullifiers that significantly decrease the potency of magic. Within these fields, most people are only able to cast the most basic spells necessary to daily living. The pylons were first activated three decades ago, and were slowly dialed up until the present so that many people didn't even notice the change.
Field disruptors are carried in varying degrees by authorities. Police officers can resist up to half of the nullification, while soldiers and high ranking officials are enabled complete immunity. These devices are only effective for government personnel, since they are all carefully tracked and can be shut down remotely.
Within some people, magic operates on a different 'frequency' from most, which enables them to use it unhindered within standard nullifying fields. This is rare, but more common than the empire would prefer.
Map of the nullification field:
Maximus
The entire continent of Maximus was renamed following the rise of the empire, and was formerly known as Valsa. It comprises many climates due to its massive size, and bears several cultures from all those distant reaches. Maximus houses 14 major kingdoms which are connected by the continental skyrail.
The climate on Maximus varies heavily, but most of the continent is temperate. The northernmost part is pocked with mountains amidst arctic conditions, yet the center of the climate holds an arid desert all the way across, nicknamed 'The Ray' or 'The Sun Ray'. A rainforest covers a large part of the northeast, bordering another range of mountains that roll across the East coast. In the southeast is a massive gulf called 'The Throat' due to its immeasurable depth which has granted the area all sorts of rumors and legends.
Halda is often treated as the central city of Maximus, because it is the largest and most dense. The city sits around the base of a river right beside Lake Halda. The city covers 500 square miles, and houses around 10,000,000 people. It is the most blatantly modern city in the land, with dozens of towering sky-scrapers and a massive grid of roadways and rail stations. Many important government facilities are based here, and it also boasts a large portion of the entertainment industry.
Runa is the distant sister-city to Halda, housing around four million residents. It is the capital of entertainment on Maximus, and a popular vacation and tourism destination.
Tsuna is the home of water magics on Valse, which is the only reason a settlement can withstand the frequent barrage of storms on the peninsula. Located right next to the deepest part of the ocean on the planet, it is a fitting place for the study of water magic.
Erus sits at the base of a massive mountain. It is relatively small compared to other kingdom-cities in Maximus, but is not without its own reputations. Erus is the number one destination for practicing stone mages, who's practice over the years has left the nearby mountains carved with all sorts of wonders and peculiarities.
Galun sits beside a small lake within the vast rainforest, where it has fittingly become the leading kingdom in the study of nature magic.
Ra sits right in the middle of the hottest sands on the continent. It has a surprisingly large population despite the climate, and is most known for the study of light magic.
The Stepping Stones
This series of islands torn between continents are widely known for being intermediate between Maximus and Dorde. They are cold in climate, with harsh winters. The Stones were home to tribal peoples for as long as anyone can remember. A few of these groups still exist, isolated among the smaller islands. Most residents of the Steps are descendants of these types of groups, but now live in bigger modern settlements. Each major island has its own capital, with an additional major kingdom sitting upon the tiny island of Obo.
Dorde
Dorde is a desolate landmass covered with ice and snow. Most of it is uninhabitable to humans, and there is little there that's worth the hostile conditions.
Deldre is the capital city, and sits right at the edge of the death zone. The city is maintained by artificial heat sources for commoners, but holds great significance as the home of ice magic. The greatest ice mages were said to have established the settlement centuries ago with no need for artificial heat. The best ice users study here and only here. Much of the city's power is recycled from the steam of melting snow from the heating elements. The machinery here is more robust here, and the entire city has a centuries-old look to it.
Tordel
Tordel is largely independent, but still honors the will of the empire in order to keep peace against the superior adversary. It does not have a central government of its own, and contains just four major settlements.
Lakas is the most known kingdom of Tordel, sitting right at the base of a volcanic formation called The King's Crown. Here is the top rated location for the study of heat and fire magic.
Alta
Alta is a lawless land controlled by no one in particular. It has a wealth of resources, but the locals have refused all negotiations and remain completely independent from the empire. While it would be relatively easy to overthrow and capture, it is instead being handled nonviolently for now. Three surrounding bodies were captured by Maximus and Nullifying stations were set up on each one, creating a draining field over most of the continent. This has been going on for at least five years, and slowly but surely the continent's natives are being drained of magic.
Society in Alta is almost third world compared to the advanced lifestyles everywhere else. Kingdoms are constantly fighting for territory and power in near-medieval conditions. Life here is dangerous and often chaotic in smaller settlements, where bands of raiders run amok.
While the Maximus Empire has graciously left Alta's resources untouched, it periodically exiles its worst criminals to the continent.
Malse
Malse is a tiny, remote continent with not much to offer. It was believed to be uninhabited until the discovery of Mala. Mala is a very secretive society where outsiders are not welcome. It is unclear how anyone there was able to survive long enough to establish a sustainable settlement. The mysterious place has been left untouched by the empire, and magic here is unrestricted.
Sekos
Sekos is an island in the North which is believed by some to be a sacred place. Many have forgotten the island's significance as some sort of holy land, and only a small religious group still live there. It has not been contacted in many years, and it is not currently known if anyone on the island is even still alive. Whatever power this land may have has ultimately been buried under time.
Technology
Most technology in the modern world is operated with magic. Cars require magical activation, and typically use the driver's own energy as a fuel source. Other devices are much the same way, and most buildings are not wired for electricity. Non-magical variants of powered technology are extremely hard to come by, and generally require custom engineering.
Technology in general is also more common. Things that require unnecessary effort have been outsourced to magical machines long ago. Most home chores can be done automatically for a small amount of energy, and even the most simple processes often have technological assistance. The world has long passed the point of convenience to the extent that most of the population no longer know how to do things that were once considered necessary to basic living.
Military technology has advanced far beyond reason due to the constant warring of the past. Cannons became tanks became robotics. Large-scale explosives and catastrophic weapons have been developed as well, but are no longer viable due to advanced countermeasures and a few environmental concerns. Ground combat is more developed than other forms, with airborne coming in close second. Naval combat has been the most neglected technologically due to its limit use in most conflicts.
Military-grade weapons must be magically activated just like most other technology, and can require large amounts of energy to sustain. For this reason, they are almost useless in the hands of a nullified citizen within the suppression field.
Other than weapons, personnel armor is also at a new level. The global standard now is a form of flexible mesh armor that is receptive to magic energy. There are differing levels of effectiveness among different builds of the material, though each model's effectiveness at any given time depends on how much energy is being focused into it. For example, a person wearing a mesh and not focusing any energy into it will get the minimum protection of that armor, while a person focusing a heavy stream of magic into it will get the maximum protection that the armor can provide. With weapons, armor, and other accessories, modern combat is often a game of balancing magic distribution between equipment.
The Badlands
The few remaining parts of the Maximus Empire that aren't under nullification fields are called The Badlands. The largest section of such territory lies in The Sun Ray, which is a hostile desert environment that few would care to settle in. This place is essentially a no-man's-land where the empire doesn't bother to police. Outlanders roam the badlands, some looking for their next opportunity, and others just trying to get by. Many of them swear by their lifestyles, though, and loathe life in the city. Because there is no magic suppression, these places can be chaotic, and different groups are constantly fighting for territory and resources much like the old ways of the world.
For those who are looking for an adventure or have tired of life under the empire, the badlands are the prime destinations. Most of the population consider the badlands unsightly, and would rather they be ironed out and civilized. The empire is more than capable of eliminating the badlands at any time, but seem to not want to waste the resources.
