Few people ignore Sir Bardroy’s story as he’s the only known survivor of a confrontation with the Demon of Insanity at the cost of an eye and his right arm.
Although he remarkably fulfills his duty as the militia leader, the traumatic patterns of this event sometimes manifest through paranoid hunts through the Aransular cities.
The Guardians channel their magic through communion with the fauna. Called synergy magic, one of the elementary techniques consists of manifesting the attributes of an animal the user has bound with.
Those under the sign of the Lion reconnect with their basic instincts and demonstrate great bestiality when fighting.
Within Demaria, words have been elevated to real art resulting in the creation of a unic form of magic called display magic, allowing to alterate one’s presence.
While this ability is often combined with language, some prefer to use their bodies as a medium of communication to gain more exposure.
An ancient security system created by the Sanarcosium.
These unique sentries, found deep in Aransula’s wilderness, attack intruders indiscriminately by taking this deceitful appearance to drown them or shooting them highly pressurized water.
But are they really keeping from coming in or preventing something from coming out ?
Because of their immortal nature, Mallaurie openly despises Villard and his board for monopolizing power since so much time.
She’s perfectly aware that the status « Mistress of Festivities » she’s been given aims to prevent her from getting too much influence but she doesn’t intent to let her displeasure ignored…
Having developed a spiritual bond with their environment has made the Guardians of Az-Kenah evolve their perception of the life cycle. Whenever they feel their time has come, nature itself sometimes manifests to take them away.
All bodies eventually return to earth but feelings never die.
Within Demaria, where words are weapons, a private order has renounced speech and taken a vow of silence.
The Unheard Legion acts as a local security force but having its abilities based on quietness makes it unpredictable.
Some dark rumours plead that the members have their tongue cut off during their knighting ceremony but it’s just hearsays, isn’t it ?
The Mitrecian Homes built their reputation upon tenacity and hard work. Having the highest manpower among other factions, they made themselves indispensable to Aransula’s economy, thus becoming the first labor force.
Although their members often work tirelessly, they sometimes take a moment to watch the sunset and appreciate the beauty of the scenery.
Due to their affinity with the sea, the Children of Azurestorm managed to develop a unic form of arcana known as flux magic, revolving around the manipulation of streams and atmospheric pressure.
Only the Aquamarine College provides its teachings to members of the faction, and this education is closely guarded.
Arques Champions believe there is an inner fire within each individual, concentrating strong feelings such as passion and temper.
Lighting this fire is already an achievement but maintaining the one of others deserves a honourable mention known as « guardflame ».
Champions use this flame to channel their ardour into battle resulting in a fierce determination and a supportive frenzy.
The Temple mastery of illusions also made its way through the medical realm. This therapeutic unit consists in a restricted group of monks, able to manipulate senses to create a wholy different environment around them.
Their healing methods mainly rely on psychosomatic medicine, thus their nickname « Appeasers » but also bring them to conflict with the Sanarcosium traditional doctors who see these practices as charlatanism.
The Church of Bellclaire dedicated itself to bringing out the truth, whatever means are used. Sometimes, over-zealousness emphasizes failures. Even if they are hidden underground.
« People mistake about my art. The human body is such a wonderful instrument. From the sharp cry of a nail removal to the long lamentations of the skin being scorched, there is nothing able to compete with the music coming from the very deep of the lungs. »
When Villard is out for business, he relies on his board to take care of the Foundation affairs.
A powerful team acting in the shadows to advice management and supplement his autority when needed.
Zofya, Foundation Etiquette
An iron fist in a velvet glove, Zofya maintains the Foundation image similarly to hers ; elegant and refined.
Renapold, Financial Guardian
With Renapold as a treasurer, Villard knew that gold would be in safe hands. Under this jaunty façade, hides a finance shark.
Elijah, Child Prodigy
Despite still having the body of a 12 years old boy, Elijah has a rare intelligence. Villard made him his progeny after taking this gifted orphan child under his wing.
Gallantine, Council Advocate
Gallantine acts as the legal advisor of the Foundation. Her expertise of laws and jurisdiction is a precious resource.
Members of the Castel have a privileged relationship with death.
Their affinity for the spiritual realm resulted in a whole business based on answering existential questioning.
Spiritualist, or media, is a vocation in its own right whose activity consists in establishing contact between the living and the dead.
Public opinion has always swayed between full conviction and mere exploitation of beliefs towards these practices.
Being a family legacy from the De Visembaut dynasty, the Castel follows a monarchic pattern with a hereditary leadership.
Gladilyce de Visembaut is currently the last living heir of the Castel, without any progeny.
Her necromancy skills are infamous and her subordinates respect her as much they fear her.
However, she worries that the family secondary branch might seize power because of the long-standing rivalry they maintain with the main branch…
During Aransula’s turf war, 5 people led humans to victory by starting the faction system.
In memory of these heroes, the Clarinssey Foundation built a pantheon in their honour.
Some people still leave offerings at the bottom of their saviours statues to show their gratitude.
Leaders of the Sanarcosium.
As the Sanarcosium activity is both submarine and land-based, the faction leadership is shared between two people.
Lady Freiya, Protectress of Depths
Being one of the few to have merged with her pet, Freiya’s special nature and aquatic abilities made her perfectly fit to rule the Sanarcosium underwater business.
She’s quite silent but her words are always heard.
Spokesman Rivoal, Surface Handler
While Freiya mainly rules the underwater activity, she relies on Rivoal to keep an eye on the water surface. He officially represents the Sanarcosium during inter-faction meetings.
Don’t be fooled by the apparent beauty of this ruins.
If you aren’t accompanied by a Sanarcosium member, this sunken forest could become your grave.
Water has been enchanted to prevent intruders, thus perfectly reflecting the emerald green of stones and flora.
Some water surfaces are perfectly safe while others are deadly traps…
It is quite usual for the Temple to employ dancers to perform these spiritual moves to their inhabitants.
These illusive dances immediatly ease the minds of people watching it.
Some say these practices strengthen social cohesion, while other see them as a brainwashing method.
Leaders of the Echoes of Demaria.
You haven’t met them but they know you.
You try to burry your secrets but they found them out.
You think about escaping them but it’s already too late…
Seraphina, First Voice of the Council
Despite being blind, she’s connected to the other four Voices, allowing her to borrow their perceptions and powers.
Her ability is to establish mind link with people, to share a collective consciousness.
Abalona, Voice of Diffusion
Abalona spreads the news of Aransula all over the county of Demaria by relaying her thoughts to a local scale.
Her ability is telepathy.
Dissenya, Voice of Revelation
The shy and quiet Dissenya is in charge of the mental police, using her power to uncover dark secrets.
Her ability is mind reading.
Ellendra, Voice of Suggestion
Sultry and seductive, the beautiful Ellendra uses her charms to make people keep worshipping the Hive.
Her ability is seduction.
Librona, Voice of Injuction
Having an intimidating presence and a powerful voice, Librona reminds the Hive’s authority to Demaria’s people.
Her ability is verbal command.
Leader of the Children of Azurestorm.
Despite being a princess, her fiery temperament rather makes her part of the action than confined in her quarters.
Admired for her beauty, she’s highly respected by her fellows for the great regard she gives them.
She has the abilty to manifest her hair as a water elemental.
Leaders of the Guardians of Az-Kenah.
The word « Az-Kenah » finds its origin in the very roots of tribal language, meaning « promised land ».
And that’s the mission this faction invested ; gathering hunters, tamers and pickers to allow humanity to prosper by connecting with the natural world.
Initially, four spirits were leading the faction. Each one of them represented a traditional virtue and adviced their members by answering their calls and sometimes appearing to them when needed.
But one of them succumbed to the temptation to have a corporeal form and deserted the group, betraying the faction…
Yagga-Draci, Well of Wisdom
Embodies wisdom.
Advises tribe leaders and moderates the eagerness of men.
Bon’Ma, Nurturing Mother
Embodies goodness and foster growth.
Women also adress their prayers to her when having fertility issues.
Emkhett, Roar of the Hunt
Embodies strength, both physical and mental.
Bring determination and instill passion in the hearts of fighters.
The Corporation holds the characteristic to use the name of its former leader.
But don’t be fooled by her appearance. Despite being short and always elegantly dressed, she used the Corporation’s knowledge to reinforce her skeleton and freely manipulate cristal, thus greatly increasing her strength.
Her ruthless ambition makes her more a natural born leader than a science enthusiast.
« You don’t talk too much… Don’t worry, I love breaking the ice ! »
Warlord of the Firecoast Blades.
Living in extreme environments to protect their activity, mercenaries of this faction learnt to channel pain into fighting by inflicting repeated mutilations on themselves.
« Pain is stimulating. The more it hurts, the more YOU will hurt ! »
As most of the Sanarcosium activity is underwater, it’s quite common for the members of this faction to use aquatic mounts to allow quick back-and-forth trips between the surface and the seabed.
Taming these mounts constitues a separate business and each tamer has a specialty.
Leaders of the Church of Bellclaire.
« We are moral judgement. We are the blade slaying the sin and the shield protecting human virtue. And we won’t tolerate any misbehaviour ! »
Father Yusephar, High Judge of Bellclaire.
« Unlike the mind, the soul does not lie. Let the trial begin ! »
Mother Marie Ezequielle, Prosecutor of the Church.
« The evidence is overwhelming. Acknowledge the facts and let the guilt invade you. »
Sister Trecya, Administrator of the Court.
« Every crime deserves punishment. Accept the sentence and expiate your sins !«
A king and a dryad once fell deeply in love.
A love so intense that it gave them great power over the kingdom.
But power creates envy…
One day, they were ambushed in the forest by a group of renegades, willing to steal the crown.
The king quickly perished, trying to protect her beloved Ermesanthe.
Bursting out in tears, the dryad unleashed her power, brutally slaughtering the regicides.
She now fiercely defends his grave, doomed to love him beyond death.
