The World:
Dystopian fantasy. I am envisioning the primary setting as some rocky isles on a massive, black sea with depths uncharted. The isles crumble a little more each day, constantly pushing in to drag civilization into their limitless depths. The lumber fields have long been decimated, and stone for building is scarce. The sea is likewise too dark, cold, and swarming with monsters (big and small) to risk taking much from. This means options are limited, and building is practically stagnant. To make things worse, as the great bridges connecting the main isles collapse, communication and travel routes are lost. Towns on the outskirts risk starvation, hypothermia, and sickness as they slowly flood, inch by inch, day by day. Even the grand castle on the highest isle seems to be slowly disintegrating, and the elites within are faithless. However, those within the Grand Academy continue to hope and ponder...
Main Themes:
Obviously, survival and saving this doomed land is a key part of the story. Magic will be involved. There will be a recurring theme of sacrifice, faith, and complex, gut-wrenching decisions. I also wish to see if/how I can expand upon my romance writing here, so there will be some romantic themes between two of the main characters (with some grim obstacles that either must overcome
).The Basic Plot:
The main focus will be (at least) on: a recently-graduated Knight, and the Princess of the Isles.
Fed up with her parents' faithlessness, the Princess has turned to the Academy for help. After weeks of searching and deep contemplation, with help from the best minds within the academy, she has found some evidence that a legendary seaborne beast, thought to have been slain in times long past, could be responsible for the impending flood. Just as well, there are small clues that another kingdom lent its aid in destroying it, implying that this kingdom could still exist...and could potentially hold the answers—and the help—that they seek.
Around this timeframe, after nearly being accosted by a mysterious attacker, the Princess is ordered to take on a dedicated knight for protection, from whom she chooses the aforementioned graduate. Despite his blunt and callous nature, the Princess believes there is potential in him, and wishes to see if they can learn from each other.
The goal from there: convince the rulers, and the people of the isles, to invest in an expedition to seek this other kingdom. And if nothing else, they can find supplies to bring back, to build higher and expand their strained resources. Though highly perilous, and dipping into their final cache of supplies, the Princess and her Knight eventually win their favor. They make plans to set out with a small crew, and from there, a long quest begins...
**Edit: (Ahead is an ACTUAL spoiler regarding the main characters and the romance aspect, so if this story develops into something more, this will be a huge plot point!)
Spoiler
Not long into the journey, the Princess seems to develop a mild illness. This is because the Knight poses as another type of magic-user, but is secretly a Vitaceptor—a Parasitic-type no less. At first, he has no regard for those he wounds as he uses his powers, but as he grows to care for the Princess along this quest, things quickly become complicated. As her Knight, he is her primary defense against any danger that may arise—and there are many. However, as a Vitaceptor, tapping into the power he needs to keep her safe could just as easily bring her greater harm. Thus, while the Knight feels trapped between two evils, the Princess throws salt in the wound, always assuming that his heart is pure and willing to entrust her life to him. Not even aware of the monster she has enlisted, nor his role in her declining health...
The Magic System:
Magic in this world is less about the spells you cast, or the elements you manipulate. Rather, most magic is used as a fuel for weapons, armor, and gear with unique abilities. Because of that, it matters more where you draw your power from...
There are four recognized types of magic-users (I'm faltering between calling said magic-users "Pendants" or "Incarnations").
Geoceptors draw their power mainly from the earth. For example, Luminic types draw power from radiation (unbeknownst in-universe). So not only is their power source hard to access, but it can be dangerous when not strictly contained and controlled. Meanwhile, Piezoic types draw power from pressure, amplifying themselves via impact and compression—which is risky as crushing injuries can happen in the pursuit of more power.
Bioceptors draw their power mainly from nature and its elements. For example, Voltaic types draw power from electricity. Obviously, lightning isn't very reliable, so this means voltaic types rely on electricity generated themselves, the mechanisms for which can be cumbersome and prone to breaking.
Auraceptors draw their power mainly from the soul. For example, Pathosic types draw their power from emotions, be it their own or others'. They lose power when apathy is present. Meanwhile, easy to underestimate, Oneiric types draw power from dreams and nightmares. Though a hard-to-access source, it makes them especially strong at night, and allows for some very keen tricks.
Vitaceptors are highly notorious and often scorned by broader society, for drawing their power from life itself. For example, Parasitic types draw power from a person's health and life essence, slowly rendering them ill, weak, and potentially even killing them with enough time. Whereas Manic types draw power from cognition and the mind, slowly depleting sanity and rendering people mad. Because these powers are so dangerous to practice with, Vitaceptors often have little experience controlling their abilities, and thus are rarely able to choose who they draw power from. This adds to their bad reputation.
Metaceptors (or Novaceptors, I'm still deciding) are an unofficial fifth branch of magic practitioners that most people believe is nonexistent. The concept is a being who can draw perpetual energy from either nothing at all, from the cosmos itself, or even from a divine entity. Some people believe in Metaceptors as very rare holy beings, others believe it's simply impossible. It's a widely-debated topic, and answers will vary greatly between people in this world.
Essentially everyone is capable of magic, but it takes gruelling work, physical and mental, to unlock it. That is the purpose of the Grand Academy, and some enter the place already fluent with some of their magic, whereas others struggle so much that they are forced to drop out after years of failure.
As mentioned, magic is not exactly offensive. It can be used to generate shields or small blasts of concentrated power, but it is mainly fuel for specialized weapons. Most of them are medieval-themed with glowing features, and have abilities like launching arcs of light or creating shadowy clones to dual-wield.
That's all for now, folks!
So, what do you think of any of this? Does this sound interesting? Worth pursuing? Do you have any advice if I did go forward? Don't hold back!
