Government: Theocratic Monarchy
Capital: Etherea Castle
Territories: The World of Cephiro
Population: ~120,000
Goals:
- Maintaining the peace and stability of the world
- Defending the Pillar at all costs
- Keeping the general populace safe and content
- Eliminating monsters and other irregularities should they appear
Cephiro was created in antiquity, seeded by the Protoculture alongside the other formative cultures of the Ancients. Like their kin, the leaders of Cephiro were gifted in the art of creation magic and utilized it to strengthen the fabric of their reality. Yet where the Ancients exercised group rule and ultimately faced a world-ending crisis of their own making, the denizens of Cephiro came to place their faith in their purest and most willful creator to forge the stability of their world. As long as this Pillar remained isolated and singularly focused on prayer for the stability of their world, their piety would be rewarded by nigh immortality, and their land would thrive.
Yet, eternity is a very long time. Pillars could lose focus, or become distracted. In such cases, correction was required to restore the purity of their prayers. If it could not, then a new Pillar needed to be selected. And the only way to vacate the lifetime position was by one's own death.
In this way has the land of Cephiro maintained its harmony for eons, even as other worlds rose and fell. Peace for all, at the cost of one person's sacrifice.
Look and Feel
The heart of Cephiro is the Pillar, whose attire and surrounding chambers are resplendent, but tend to be lacking in color. Gold rim and jeweled inlay abounds, but only as accessories - much of the Pillar's world is marble and stone. Other high-ranking casters tend to dress in similarly neutral tones, accented by pops of color in the form of numerous focusing gems. Even the Pillar's royal guard, clad in blue armor, features matching jewel work.
The general populace lives mundane agrarian lives comparable to Earth's middle ages. As the climate is mild and ever so slightly damp, most dress in tunics with raised collars, featuring geometric trim of black triangles over a central color. Commoner clothing is less fanciful but often more diverse in colors, reflecting the vibrant flora and fauna of the grassy plains and forests they dwell in.
Notable Individuals
Name: Princess Aurea
Age: Unknown
Gender: Female
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 110 lbs
Eye Color: Unknown
Hair Color: White
Description: The current Pillar and Princess of Cephiro. As she rarely leaves her prayer chambers, few know what she looks like, and fewer interact with her on any recurring basis. Almost all of her time is spent in solemn prayer to maintain the foundations of Cephiro, and the length of her tenure has left her body so pale as to be difficult to distinguish from her stark white dress. Details about how she came to be the Pillar, or what exactly occurred during the last Pilar transition, are lost to history. All that is known is that it was calamitous, and that is a large factor in the strength of her piety. Due to her isolation, errands and general management of Cephiro are largely delegated to Guru Aixam, while High Priest Saehan presides over her court.
Name: Guru Aixam
Age: 527
Gender: Male
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 170 lbs
Eye Color: Lavender
Hair Color: Platinum
Description: The Guru, the personal attendant to the Pillar and highest mage in all of Cephiro. His magical knowledge and ability surpass even that of the Ile, or high wizards. Patient but severe, he takes his duties as a steward and teacher very seriously. Tall, slender, and care-worn, his at times haggard visage is commonly seen afield tending to matters large and small.
Name: Sol Saehan
Age: 428
Gender: Female
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 130 lbs
Eye Color: Royal Purple
Hair Color: Sugar Pink
Description: While the Sol, or High Priest, is normally an advisor to the Pillar and assists in prayers for the nation's stability, Princess Aurea's choice to isolate herself has left her seat in mediation in the country's affairs empty. In accordance with her wishes, the stately Lady Saehan presides over Princess Aurea's court in her absence. She is kind and beneficent, but also firm and tries to be fair.
Name: Pharle Esemka
Age: 282
Gender: Male
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 200 lbs
Eye Color: Amethyst
Hair Color: Platinum Blue
Description: The Master Smith of Cephiro. In peaceful times, he busies himself as the principal fabricator of tools and machinery, helping maintain the world's infrastructure. When needed, he is also the main manufacturer of magical weapons, armor, defenses, cannons, and so on for the combating of monster threats. His sizeable workshop is housed in a mansion in a glade near the Forest of Silence.
Name: Captain Sofia
Age: 186
Gender: Female
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 150 lbs
Eye Color: Emerald
Hair Color: Copper
Description: Originally from Taflon by the Sea. Captain Sofia is a hard and firm guardian of the Pillar and the people both. As a Dal, or master swordsman, her martial ability is among the highest in the land. Her duties keep her away from her home most of the time, but she has managed to start a family and tries to visit as often as she can. When she's away, the local guard helps look after her wife and two children.
Common Mobile Units
Seijuu (聖獣) / Spirit Beasts
A lesser form of guardian spirit, summoned or temporarily conjured by a capable mage. Spirit Beasts resemble creatures of legend, such as griffons, unicorns, qilin, peng, etc. They vary in size depending on the nature of the spirit or the imagination of the caster. Many are easily over 20 meters in height or length, making for ideal creatures for travel and defense. Much like Rune Gods, the caster can ride them into battle and cast spells directly, or utilize the Spirit Beast's magical nature to cast spells through them or with them. A truly gifted mage with a singularly powerful Spirit Beast may be able to transform them into a Mashin - but they will always pale to the Rune Gods in power and ability.
Notable Locations
Etherea Castle
The palace at the heart of the world, and home to the Pillar. Its three crystal spires tower over the surrounding landscape, while a sprawling watery labirynth extends almost as deep underground. Its scale is substantial enough to be a city unto itself, with enough room to spare for much of the populace to shelter within its grounds in an emergency.
The Elel Wood
The Forest of the Elements. A sacred forest surrounding Etherea Castle, beneath whose boughs (usually) no monsters dare tread.
The Forest of Silence
An ancient forest fabled for its mysterious properties: the one place in Cephiro where magic cannot be cast, and where monsters roam even in the best of times. Black stones pulsating with malevolent energy turn innocent creatures into vicious beasts. The exceeding danger found within it means few who dared to explore it ever returned at all, and fewer still in any fit state to tell the tale. Nevertheless, the legendary Spring of Eterna is reputed to lie at its heart.
The Spring of Eterna
The sole source of Escudo in Cephiro. From the ground it appears as a line in midair. Only from a vantage point on a nearby outcropping does it appear as a swirling pool, into which one must plunge to find Escudo. But the legendary mineral to make evolving weapons will be awarded to those who can face their fears, and overcome a trial of the heart.
Tree Village of Lairy
A woodland town situated at the base of the enormous Tree of Life. Because the leaves harvested from the tree hold great curative and restorative properties, the town is a hub for the healing arts.
Lake Village of Lekuido
A lakeside village home to scholars and a museum to Cephiro's past. Legend has it that a friendly spirit beast dwells in the lake and watches over the town.
Mountain Village of Polizu
A smaller village situated between the Forest of Silence and the base of the inland mountains. Proximity to both the forest and a notorious cave has led the residents to maintain a barrier around the village, and to be suspicious of anything approaching from outside.
Aueria, the Sky Garden
A town in the sky, situated on one of the larger of Cephiro's floating islands.
Ice Village of Rosen
A snowy village high in the mountains, part of which is constructed from unmelting ice.
Taflon by the Sea
A seaside village and agricultural hub, bordering the open plains and farm fields. The nearest docks to visit the Ocean Shrine.
Steppe Village of Iaye
A semi-arid grassland village situated near the base of the Mountain of No Return.
Last edited: