Fablehaven

Time: Modern Day

THE PRESERVES

According to Fablehaven history, magical creatures once roamed the world alongside people. In the Middle Ages dragons grew greedy and began attempting to destroy humanity so they could rule the world. A few dragons rejected them, taking permanent human form. They were called Wizards. The Wizards and a group of humans called the Dragon Watch decided to create a system of magical preserves that would contain the dragons and prevent them from destroying the world. They succeeded. Overtime, belief in magic faded away, and other magical creatures flocked to the preserves for safety and freedom. As magic faded from people's minds, they grew so distant from it that ordinary humans now require drinking magical cow's milk once a day in order to see magical creatures clearly. It has also been discovered that intense faith in magic without evidence can allow one to see clearly without the milk. 

Nowadays, the preserves are run by an order of caretakers, known as the Knights of the Dawn, named after the ancient order of Astrids charged for caring for the Fairy King and Queen. The caretakers run the preserves in secret, guarding the magical creatures from threats outside, and protecting the world from the demons and monsters that may try to escape the preserves. 

There are five secret preserves that each once housed a special unique artifact. The Chronometer, the Sands of Sanctity, the Oculus, the Translocator, and the Horn of Immortality. They granted, respectively, time travel, healing, endless sight, instant transportation, and eternal life. These five artifacts together were keys to enter and open the demon prison, Zzyzx.  There were also five Eternals- humans granted eternal life, who were also keys to keeping Zzyzx closed. The prison was opened once- by a man known only as the Sphinx. He attempted to free the demons, expecting gratitude and service in return, and was quickly betrayed. Thanks for the efforts of several caretakers and the unicorns of the fairy realm, Zzyzx was recreated in a new location with all of the former inmates reinterned. The original keys were rehidden, and five new eternals were chosen. 

Later, the world nearly faced destruction a second time when the dragons banded together and decided to break free of their preserve prisons. Led by the dragon king, Celebrant, they destroyed several dragon sanctuaries and nearly succeeded in ruling the world. They were stopped by the very same caretakers who reclosed Zzyzx, alongside the ancient long forgotten dragon slayers. The dragons were returned to their sanctuaries, and several major changes were made in the positions of the Five Monarchies of the magical world. (Giants, Dragons, Demons, Fairies, and the Underworld)

All magic comes in two forms: Light or Dark. Light magic stems from the Source. Dark magic is granted by the Void. 

Human Magics: 

Humans do not have magic on their own, but they can use magic in a few ways. These include potions, magic items, or being gifted magic by a magical creature. 

Creature Magics:

Most magical creatures are innately powerful in one way or another. They have many different kinds of abilities that vary from animal to creature. Examples: Dragons fly with magic, have breath weapons, and can take human form, while brownies are excellent hiders, and can make something wonderful very quickly out of practically any materials. 

Wizard Magics:

Wizards are a unique thing. They sacrifice the form of being a dragon for the permanent human form, along with an enormous increase in magic. While not all of their powers are known, we know they can cast powerful spells, create magical items, enchant buildings with protections, etc. 

Magic Items:

Magic items have many different sources (wizards, made of magical creature parts, potion enchantments, ancient origin) and there are lots of them, though many are wholly unique. Examples include: A harp that puts dragons to sleep when played, a sword that enhances the user's magic, or a ball that distracts people away from it. 

-Nearly all magical creatures live on preserves.

-Humans have to drink special magic milk everyday to see magic. 

-Most magical creatures are semi-immortal.

-All magical creatures are either light or dark. 

-There are 5 Monarchs ruling the magical world:

Fairy Queen   Underking    Giant Queen    Dragon King   Demon King