Lexicon
Lore
February 7th, 2024
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The Confluence About five centuries ago, a planetary cataclysm, born from the collision of reality and the world of imagination, swept over the Earth. This event, called the Confluence, spared no one. It leveled entire cities, brought down human nations like houses of cards. Like a roaring surge, it reshaped reality in a chaotic manner, causing ruin and destruction in its wake. In its aftermath, new life forms emerged, new landscapes, as fantastic as they were unsettling —a blend of the real and the imaginary, unfolded. The world was transformed, rendered strange and often hostile. It was altered to the point of becoming unrecognizable.
The Tumult The Confluence left behind a lasting but still poorly understood phenomenon: the Tumult. It can take a countless variety of forms: mist, drizzle, hurricane, concentrated mass, veil of light or darkness... Wherever the Tumult manifests, the world continues to mutate in an uncontrolled manner. Surviving inside it is nearly impossible, as anyone who enters it inevitably exposes themselves to its mutagenic effects. Large geographical areas are still in the grip of the Tumult, acting as a remnant of the original scourge. In the span of moments, a lush jungle can transform into a field of ruins, an ocean into a mountain range. This constant alteration makes territories affected by the Tumult extremely difficult to traverse, and living there is all the more complicated.
Oases Within the Tumult exist pockets of reality where the laws of nature and physics still apply to some extent. These "Oases," where it was possible to subsist, played a crucial role in the survival of humanity. Human tribes traveled from Oasis to Oasis to escape the ravages of the Tumult.
Mana Following the Confluence, humanity discovered the existence of a new substance called Mana. This unstable energy, primarily found within the Tumult, appears to be the cause of perpetual mutations. However, survivors have found a way to harness it to their advantage. Under certain conditions, they have managed to stabilize Mana to push back the Tumult.
Alteration By using Mana, the very energy of the Tumult, humanity discovered that it could materialize its imagination and memories. Although all human beings are capable of this, certain individuals, known as Alterers, have made it their specialty. While most things created in this way are ephemeral, allocating large amounts of Mana to them can make them more resilient, allowing them to be more strongly anchored in reality.
Eidolons Through the use of Alteration, it is possible to materialize not only things but also beings known as "Eidolons." These characters, drawn from memories, myths, tales, or even human history, can come to the assistance of human beings. When they appear, these "thought-forms" are colored by the imagination of the person who has summoned them. The same Eidolon can be materialized multiple times, simultaneously and in different locations, taking on different appearances depending on the vision of its summoner.
Asgartha Asgartha is an Oasis, a peninsula that has become the new cradle and home of the burgeoning human civilization. Through efforts and sacrifices, the humans who settled there have succeeded in creating a stabilized region, almost beyond the reach of the Tumult. Within this haven, humanity can once again thrive. Although the Asgarthan civilization has experienced highs and lows during its four centuries of existence, it has never been as prosperous as it is now.
Alterers Those who choose to specialize in Alteration are called Alterers. These individuals have become masters in the art of making their imagination tangible. Throughout the history of Asgartha, they have been invaluable in structuring society, enabling it to endure in hostile environments. It is largely thanks to them that humanity has managed to survive until today.
Factions While some Alterers claim no particular affiliation, the majority of them choose to belong to one of the six Factions of Asgartha. Factions are groups of individuals who gather around a common philosophy and set of objectives. Each Faction has a specific idea of how the world should be stabilized to better overcome the Tumult. Factions welcome anyone who shares their convictions, not just Alterers. In the past, they have sometimes violently opposed each other, even threatening the survival of Asgartha, which led to the establishment of the Covenant.
The Covenant The Covenant is the treaty through which the Factions committed to set aside their disputes and cooperate for the common good. This agreement has become the foundation of the Asgarthan civilization: a non-aggression pact providing a sound basis from which to build a society capable of opposing the Tumult. Since its promulgation, Asgartha has entered an era of peace and prosperity. However, the Factions continue to harbor different views on what needs to be accomplished in the medium and long term.
Chimerae These living beings have become accustomed to living within the Tumult, constantly mutating as a result. They are hybrid creatures, with extremely varied forms, intrinsically marked by the Tumult. When a Chimera emerges from the Tumult, its appearance settles into one form, until it returns to it. Some are peaceful, others hostile to humans, but all have acquired the ability to absorb Mana to sustain themselves.
The Musubi Also known as the Bonding Ceremony, the Musubi is a recent ritual that allows two beings to link their essences. Through this magical union, the linked beings can share their minds, thoughts, feel each other's presence, or experience their counterpart’s emotions even at a great distance. However, when an Alterer forms such a bond with a Chimera, the duo develops powers that defy comprehension. Through this connection, the Alterer and their Alter Ego share their abilities, making them particularly apt at venturing into the Tumult. These pairs are called Exalts, and their existence offers new perspectives for humanity. When a Chimera bonds with an Alterer, its appearance stabilizes, as the human retains a memory of the form it is supposed to assume in their eyes.
The Rediscovery Endeavor Thanks to the Exalts, humanity can now aspire to explore the expanses affected by the Tumult. These pairs are sent as scouts and vanguards of the exploration forces. By capitalizing on their abilities, humanity hopes to stabilize the regions still subjected to the Tumult. Following in their wake, the Expeditionary Corps, composed of thousands of women and men, are tasked with reclaiming the territories thus liberated. After centuries of isolation, this great common endeavor marks the beginning of an incredible adventure, in order to explore a world completely transformed.