SETTING

• Creatures living in this world can be classified similarly to the way we do on Earth, with some fantasy/fictional additions included

• Mythical creatures such as mermaids/sirens, demons/imps, nymphs, elves, fairies, goblins, and the occasional "fallen angel" (although theories on where they fall from differ largely) exist in this world. Other more obscure creatures exist here too, as well as more animalistic creatures such as unicorns, griffins, and dragons. There is a lot of mixing between compatible species, and so new creatures are constantly being discovered

GIFTED HUMANS

• About 20% of the human population are further evolved than the remaining 80%, called "gifted humans". Those with gifted parents are more likely to be gifted themselves, as the gene is generally recessive

• Gifted humans possess special abilities that their bodies have adapted to host. The type of ability ranges, and isn't always the same as that of one's birth parents (although it is much more common). More abilities continue to be discovered, but generally fall into the following categories:

  • Ability with a physical form that is summoned by a person (e.g. weather summoning, illusions, many nature-drawn abilities)

  • Ability without a physical form that is channeled through a person (e.g. extreme strength, telepathy, necromancy)

  • Already-existing matter that can be manipulated by a person (e.g. fire manipulation, potions/runes, telekinesis)

• Many abilities blur the lines between these three categories, but for the most part, can be classified into one or the other. No ability is all-powerful and every ability has its limits and/or downsides, generally in relation to its category.

  • For example, abilities that rely on already-existing matter are unable to create new matter, only control what's already there. An unseen ability channeled through a person will only be as strong/effective as the person's proficiency with their ability. A physical manifestation summoned by a person will only last as long as the thing used to summon it, and will often eat away at that thing to maintain its vitality

• Each gifted human is born capable of assuming an alternate form in which their ability is stronger and more easily channeled. The alternate form is generally more animalistic and tends to be a very abstract reflection of their life. This is because every gifted human's abilities are more easily channeled through heightened emotion, and so their alternate form is essentially the sum of all of their strongest emotions and experiences

BELIEFS

• This world is larger than Earth, although not a huge amount so. This has resulted in a wide range of beliefs across the planet

• In the more rocky, mountainous areas of the world, beliefs tend to focus on a collection of less individually powerful but more numerous deities. Communities in this part of the world have less contact with each other, therefore making it harder to assimilate with each other, so their beliefs have merged into a bit of a disorganized amalgamation of gods, spirits, and powerful beings. Small temples are built throughout the forests for travellers to stop and pray to the resident deity of that area. Most people have beliefs, but they do not place as big of an emphasis on them as in other parts of the world because surviving in the climate requires most of their focus. Their deities are usually turned to only for guidance or in times of need. In the deep forests and mountains, creatures and animals evolve to be larger and more powerful themselves, and many beliefs stem from sightings of these creatures. Folklore runs rampant in this part of the world

• In the flatter, grassy areas with thinner forests, beliefs tend to be quite monotheistic, focusing on one, sometimes two or three, all-powerful deities that stem from the natural world. Inhabitants of these lands place a great significance on their beliefs, raising animals in the finest ways possible in order to offer them to their god(s). People who follow this belief are regarded as caretakers of the land, created to watch over the world and keep it strong and healthy for their creator, who is simultaneously its own being and also the land itself. A strong emphasis is placed on balance within the natural world so as to not upset the god(s), and communities are very in-tune with natural patterns and signs of oncoming bad times (crops wilting, cloud shapes, moon phases/position in the sky, etc.)

• Nearer the ocean, spirits embodying and ruling over specific things are popular. A spirit of the ocean, a spirit of the sand, a spirit of the ground, etc. Offerings are not made to these spirits but prayers are said in hopes of being brought bountiful and safe times. Prayers are often said before killing other living beings (for food, usually) too, so as to ask the spirit's permission/forgiveness before taking a life. Meditation is also popular in these areas, as it is believed to bring one closer to the spirits and heighten one's senses and abilities

• Most areas believe in an afterlife or embodiment of death in some way, shape, or form. Many also believe in the opposite -- of an embodiment/bringer of life. Even those who do not follow a specific belief tend to have this core belief, as symbiosis and the circular nature of life is leaned into much more in this world

• In more urban areas, there generally tends to be a mix of beliefs. Depending on where one is situated, the beliefs may lean more towards one than another, but usually there are enough resources to support everyone's way of life. However, it doesn't mean it is necessarily accepted

• There are 6 regions in this world: Agnacia, the Fire Region; Calisty, The Grasslands Region; Eubea, The Sea Region; Tarnora, The Stone Region; Boralis, The Forest Region; and the Capital. The story mainly focuses on the Capital and Agnacia, with some scenes set in Tarnora

• Human-occupied land is divided into regions based on the resources available there. Regions are divided into districts based on living conditions, imports/exports, border/tribe disputes, weather, and other factors. Each district contains further subdivisions of cities, towns, villages, and/or farmland

  • For example, the Fire Region specializes in blacksmithing, heating services, metalworking, etc. The richest district is where the region exports the most of its goods, and is also home to the Flores family, which is possibly the most well-known name in the fire/heat business. Poorer districts export fewer/lesser quality goods because of the resource availability around them, but still exist due to population demands

  • It is important to note that size was not a factor in the creation of the regions. Regions were created solely based on natural resources, and are closer in size to continents on our Earth. Districts are more the size of countries, and cities/towns/villages are either larger than our own or more numerous.

• Each region's government must attend to the needs of its districts to assure that no one falls into starvation or poverty. The job of the regional government is to make sure the region as a whole is healthy, based on if its districts are healthy. The job of the district governments is to attend to the needs of their subdivisions to make sure they are thriving, and report accurate information to the regional government so that the district as a whole is considered healthy. However, this information is largely based on averages and the gap between most regions' wealthiest and poorest districts, and most districts' wealthiest and poorest cities is still far too large. 

• Districts are numbered based on their age, so the oldest district will always be the 1st. The oldest district also usually contains the capital city of the region

• Regions contain tourist attractions, entertainment, and education as well as things to keep them healthy/surviving, although a good portion of it is designed to cater to the region's resources

  • In Eubea, tourists go on whale-watching trips, or enjoy seafood with a view of the waves. Education services available like to focus on practical, useful skills such as fishing, boating, swimming, or cooking

• Moving regions and districts is completely fine, and people do this as freely as we in our world move cities, states/provinces, or countries. However, by moving regions, one will expose themselves to an entirely different way of life, especially in the workforce and education system, due to their new home being focused around an entirely different resource

Where most of the story happens

The school (unnamed) is located in the Capital, in one of its richest cities. it is a well-known, widely-renowned university for gifted humans, magic users, and other mythical beings. Humans who are not gifted often don't attend this school as there isn't really any benefit to it, but they are still allowed to apply.

At this school, students' special abilities are honed and they are opened up to opportunities better suited to their skillsets. They earn credits just like at any other university, and their certifications upon graduating are considered just as valid, although more specialized. Other schools of this sort exist, but this one is the most highly regarded and offers the best resources, teaching, and future opportunities.

A gorgeous but unforgiving environment that just keeps going. The farther one travels into the forest, the more wild it becomes. Separates a lot of the towns in Tarnora and so it's littered with small temples for travellers passing through. Can get very cold and spends the majority of wintertime blanketed in snow. An unprepared traveller can easily get lost if not careful.

Nothing here yet; will update when time allows