LMS VI: The Last Spell

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Wed Aug 10, 2022 4:35 pm

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SilverNight says...

Premise

The land of Aphirah is on the brink of something new. Magic is present everywhere now, from the streets of the bright and shining cities to the underbellies of the secret crime circles beneath them. Two of the seven Houses of Government ruling the nation have fallen, leaving the other five scrambling to keep a grip on the reign that they formerly had a stranglehold on. Rebellion is on the rise, trying to chip away at the regime’s struggling iron fist as the world teeters between anarchy and despotism. And there are whisperings of something coming to light again after ages in the dark, something that could tip the balance in either direction and transform Aphirah forever.

Cyrin and Mireya haven’t been a team for very long, but working as mercenaries, mages, and thieves for hire in the depths of the capital’s criminal world has forged them into a force to be reckoned with when they’re together. They can see better than most how delicate the world’s situation is, and how close it is to being changed one way or the other. But they didn’t expect to be the heralds of that change when they bring back news of an ancient and powerful magic artifact they discover on a heist, or to suddenly have the knowledge of it place a target on their backs.

The five remaining Heirs to the Houses, thinking this artifact is the key to ensuring their government will stay standing long enough for them to ascend to power, anonymously approach Mireya and Cyrin with a secret offer: recover the artifact from where they found it and turn it over to them. But the mercenaries don’t trust what their plans might be for it, and insist on involving them in the heist to find out. Soon, the lawless and the law-bound must join together to make their mission work in the meantime and then maybe sabotage the other when it’s all done. But despite how their differences could be enough to put their fragile team at risk, they might have a true common enemy that they all have to stand against— an enemy who wants that artifact more, to alter Aphirah how they see fit, and doesn’t care what they have to do to get it.

"silv is obsessed with heists" ~Omni

"silv why didn't you tell me you were obsessed with heists I thought we were friends" ~Ace

"y’all we outnumber silver let’s overthrow her >:]" ~winter

silver (she/they)

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Wed Aug 10, 2022 4:39 pm

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SilverNight says...

Characters

Main Characters:

Cyrin Bridger:

Spoiler! :

24 years old, he/they (bigender). He’s one of the children of a wealthy merchant family in the North, and has a public image as an upstanding upper class member, but secretly has a life as a mercenary which he keeps separate from that one. They’re a careful planner for their heists, but are always a little too ready to throw it out the window and do something ~~reckless~~ improvised. Cyrin is of Ren descent and also a Minor Mage, though he tends to only use magic for the things that require it.
Mireya Kaltrina:

Spoiler! :

21 years old (allegedly), she/her. It’s said that she’s had a large number of past employers, but no one really sees her leaving jobs as frequently as that would entail, and no one’s totally sure how long she’s been around. Her professional life is her personal life, with most of her friends being people she works with. Mireya is notably an anarchist and a wild card. It’s common knowledge in the criminal circles that she’s a Major Mage, but not everyone knows that her powers let her control electric current.
Shane Hawking:

Spoiler! :

24 years old, he/him. He’s of the House of Courage, and is currently Heir, but doesn’t really want to be and is mostly still it under the pressure of his uncle, who is the current Leader. If he had his way, he’d continue studying to become a historian and contribute to how Aphirah’s past is understood instead of building its future. Shane is definitely a nerd and he’ll admit it right away, but he’s still got toughness and a strong will that surprises people who think he must be a timid bookworm for his interests.
Leilan Akamai:

Spoiler! :

25 years old, he/him. He was adopted into the House of Compassion and is completely part of it, but there are still arguments about whether his position as Heir is valid because of it. Leilan is very self-aware, and is starting to think that the Houses might crumble away before it’s his turn. He has his doubts about whether the Houses are good for Aphirah, but he believes they are all the world has holding it together right now. There’s no safety net without them, so he wants to focus on making the Houses stable again.
Kasumi Hisakawa:

Spoiler! :

20 years old, she/her. She is the Heir of the House of Honor, and the youngest Heir currently. She’s also probably the most ambitious of them, and is especially intent on eventually becoming the Head of her House, which makes her willing to go far for it. Kasumi isn’t unkind and likes connecting with people, but she’s sometimes too quick to step on them if it gets her higher up. She gets pretty stung whenever someone assumes she must be worse at her role because she’s younger.
Dawn Fairburn:

Spoiler! :

21 years old, she/her. She’s also a newer Heir, for the House of Loyalty, but mostly to take the position from her older brother, who she believes is too volatile and dangerous to have it (sibling rivalry, right?). Dawn is a very calm and steady person, but she feels rather unsure about what she needs to do to help her people. Her main worry is that she’s a poor decision maker and can’t be relied on to do the right thing, and that this might make her just as harmful as her brother.
Kaja Lindberg:

Spoiler! :

28 years old, she/her. Not only is she the oldest and longest Heir currently, but she is practically uncontested for the position within the House of Strength. She is rather brutal and fierce, and if that alone isn’t enough to intimidate any potential challengers away, she’s very much willing to fight for her rank. Kaja believes Aphirah is in trouble because the Houses haven’t been hard enough on dissidents, and is actively involved in shutting down anti-government efforts. She’s looking for an effective solution that will get rid of them forever.

Secondary Characters:

Julian Sparrow:

Spoiler! :

Mireya and Cyrin’s old crime boss, and they both hate his guts. He’s rather charismatic and persuasive, and it’s easy to get led along by him. He runs an anarchist group and often hires mercenaries to do the dirtiest work. He has a bit of a dark fascination with magic, and with the two hired mages who left him.
Clarity Sable:

Spoiler! :

An Alchemist who is friends with Mireya and Cyrin— the three of them make up a very rare trio of different types of magic. She continued her work with Sparrow even after they left. She’s a very clever and sly person, doesn’t have much of a moral compass, and is very subtly manipulative at times.
Flint Hawking:

Spoiler! :

Shane’s uncle, and the current Leader of the House of Strength. He’s a very down-to-earth, no-nonsense person, which annoys Shane endlessly, especially since it’s Flint that is making him stay in his role as Heir.
Aesia “Autumn” Davrisa:

Spoiler! :

Autumn is an eleven-year-old under Cyrin’s care who is living in a Crystal City hospital. She is often feeling sick, but is a very optimistic and cheerful person despite it. Cyrin is very protective of her and checks on her between jobs frequently.
Marius Cardozo:

Spoiler! :

Marius is from the family that used to control the House of Wisdom before it fell. He is still connected to House government, is friends with the Heirs, and has a considerable amount of generational wealth from his family, but holds no actual power. He’s a rather relaxed person, and loyal to the Heirs, but has yet to figure out what he wants to do in life.
The Astronaut:

Spoiler! :

Ha, you thought I’d spoil, didn’t you? Nope

Last edited by SilverNight on Sat Apr 08, 2023 6:28 am, edited 3 times in total.

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Wed Aug 10, 2022 5:10 pm

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SilverNight says...

World

World Map:

Spoiler! :

World Cities:

Crystal City:

Spoiler! :

The largest city of Aphirah and also the capital. Crystal City is one of the most modernized cities, getting its name from how the glass skyscrapers seem to glimmer like gems. It is located in the Central region, right in the middle of the Brightsky Peaks (Keravara). The climate is usually cold but dry, with snow generally only occurring during a couple months and rain being much rarer. The city has a large number of venues, entertainment, and gambling halls, making it a destination for tourists looking for some fun. It also has a bit of a crime problem.
Starlight City:

Spoiler! :

This is the second largest city and the largest city in the East region. Starlight City has always been interested in the sciences and exploration of the world, and is considered the hearth of many important discoveries, notably in the field of astronomy. It is also a port city, and its harbors on the North Sea (Sela Kejva) allow it to flourish economically. The forest of the Land of Evergreens (Aeran Linaet) wraps around the edge of the city that isn’t on the water.
Storm City:

Spoiler! :

Formerly known as Felvirki until the North became part of Aphirah, Storm City has tried to conserve its past much better than its fellow large cities. Its architectural style remains largely unchanged, and it is home to many cultural landmarks that have been around hundreds or even thousands of years. This makes it an incredibly popular place to visit, but mostly during the summer— the Silent Mountains (Renvara) it is nestled in make it one of the coldest and snowiest places in the world. The city’s Ren heritage and origin is still at risk of being erased, despite its importance to the local culture, and it is an ongoing battle to not have it removed for the sake of modernity.
Amber City:

Spoiler! :

Aphirah’s oldest city, located in the Riparian Fields (Taray Vere) of the West. It has been the largest city in the world at several points in history, sometimes centuries apart, and has seen many triumphs and losses. Lately, Amber City faces the struggle of the aftermath of a violent earthquake from almost two decades ago that led to death, destruction and relocation. It has rebuilt since then, but it is ill-prepared for the next, and it’s uncertain whether the city will recover to how it was before. The city is on the Averis River and has a large number of canals.
Spark City:

Spoiler! :

This city formed in the hostile landscape of the desert called the Flaming Sands (Cinzaya Teran) in the last few centuries, once magic became of better quality and easier to source. Magic made Spark City hospitable, and the South, which was formerly a comparatively unpopulated region, suddenly gained a large city to put on the map. Besides being a location where the effects of magic becoming more used are easy to see, Spark City is also a culinary destination.

Regions:

The North (Renvara):

Spoiler! :

This region is mountainous and polar, with temperatures that are low most of the year and mild in the summer. It is also the location where the best magic of the highest quality in Aphirah can be sourced, at the peaks of the Silent Mountains (Renvara), which is highly prized among Minor Mages who can afford it. The North has not been apart of Aphirah for the large majority of its history, and used to be settled entirely by the Ren, until it was annexed circa five centuries ago to give Aphirah access to its magic supply. The House of Strength is located here.
The West (Silet Vere, Taray Vere):

Spoiler! :

With the low, flat fields of the Riparian Fields (Taray Vere) and Whispering Meadow (Silet Vere), and a temperate climate, this region is often referred to as the hearth or cradle of Aphiran civilization. It has access to both the North and South Seas (Sela Kejva and Sela Fayera), is connected to Central and the rest of the continent by a thinner strip of land, and nestled below Renvara. It is the most densely populated of the five regions, especially along the coast, rivers, and estuaries. The House of Compassion is located here, and so was the House of Wisdom before its fall.
The South (Hetavare, Cinzaya Teran):

Spoiler! :

This region is split between the Nightglow Hills (Hetavare) that get their name from the flowers that grow there and light up in the dark, and the desert of the Flaming Sands (Cinzaya Teran). Most of the population is concentrated in the hills, which is an easier place to live due to less scorching heat and fewer severe droughts. The South has magic in its underground rivers, but its forms are weaker and less stable than the North variants. The House of Loyalty is located here.
The East (Aeran Linaet):

Spoiler! :

A forest called the Land of Evergreens (Aeran Linaet) covers most of this region, and it is well-preserved thanks to strong environmental regulations as well as the helpful influence of magic. It has several large cities connected by highways instead of many of smaller and varying sizes, in order to reduce the footprint of urbanization on the landscape. Misty Lake (Filatan), which is not actually a lake at all but an inland sea, is located inside this forest. The House of Honor and the House of Courage are located here.
Central (Keravara):

Spoiler! :

Like the North, Central is largely defined by its mountains, but the Brightsky Peaks (Keravara) are less tall, have fewer winter storms, and have much weaker magic at the summits. The region connects the East, South, and West, and is always centered on world maps. It has a surprisingly high population for a mountainous region, with many cities located in the valleys, and is home to Aphirah’s capital. The House of Justice was located here before its fall.

Important Locations:

The Arcade:

Spoiler! :

This is the name given to Crystal City’s largest den of crime. It has a casino as a front, and although the authorities know it exists somewhere in the city, the Arcade itself is hidden with magic. Gangs, mobs and other criminal groups each have their own turf, and this is the spot for deals to be made, thieves to be hired, and disputes between groups to play out. It would be unimaginably large to someone unused to the illicit underworld, and it is deeply rooted in the city as the place for all organized crime.
The Gallery:

Spoiler! :

Much like the Arcade, but located in Starlight City and slightly smaller. The police force in Starlight City is much more effective than in Crystal City, so the Gallery is an extremely closely guarded secret. Instead of a casino front, the Gallery has entrances in several shops lined up on the same street.
Permafrost’s Fall:

Spoiler! :

A landmark, monument, and touristic site in Storm City that extends both aboveground and underground. The aboveground part is an old stronghold made of stone that is elaborately and beautifully carved, making the entire structure a work of art, and is open to visits. The underground section is a system of rooms containing ancient magic artifacts, but is guarded by the vicious Banes (magical creations that attack those who try to leave) and only accessible by climbing down a steep drop, so it is not visited by tourists or the staff.
The Prism:

Spoiler! :

This is the name given to the richest and fanciest neighborhood of Storm City. Wealthy families and bloodlines living in the city are sure to be found here, living in their grand and expensive estates. The neighborhood is very distinct, and has its own sub-culture within the culture of Storm City. This is the location of the residence of the Bridgers.
Plaza of Claws:

Spoiler! :

A central square in Crystal City. Besides having statues, fountains and regular markets that make it a destination with the city, it is also a location for businesses, shops and hotels to place alongside their company name as a way to show that they are based somewhere prestigious. It’s often described as a place that most people either love or hate, depending on their opinion of the bustling and high-end ambiance it has.
Summer Palace:

Spoiler! :

Aphirah once had a civil war where part of the East wanted to be distinct and separate, and the war movement was started by a man with the last name of Summer. He made his base in Starlight City and had a palace constructed for him, but he didn’t have it for long as the war was over within two decades. Nowadays, the Summer Palace is owned by the Houses as a location for meetings and events.

A Brief History:

The Hollow Age (0 - 4265 HA):

Spoiler! :

Humans spread over the continent. Amber City, the oldest city of a certain size, is built. The storytelling of cultural legends is established in both the South and the North. Minor Magic starts seeing rare uses. The East and Central have wars every few centuries, occasionally with the West and the South allying with Central. The North is conflict-free.
The Early Spark Age (0 - 1000 SA):

Spoiler! :

The Spark, the first of the Major Mages, comes out of the North to unite the five regions (except for the high mountains of Renvara) into the nation of Aphirah. Seven Houses are created by seven families to rule the nation. The Houses begin passing between rulers when another family wins a challenge for the ownership, and soon gain names to distinguish them from each other. The country becomes stable enough to start making greater scientific progress.
The Mid Spark Age (1001 - 1700 SA):

Spoiler! :

The first and currently only civil war of Aphirah breaks out in the 1200s when a man named Threo Summer leads a movement to separate part of the East from Aphirah. He makes his base in Starlight City. Conflict lasts for twenty years until he is defeated. Demand for magic increases in the 1600s, leading to Aphirah annexing Renvara for its magic resources. To avoid direct conflict and losses for Aphirah, a magical disease called the Fading is created by a Major Mage and weaponized against the Ren, who are forced to surrender their lands. The entirety of the North is now part of Aphirah.
The Late Spark Era - Present (1701 - 2140 SA):

Spoiler! :

Minor Magic and digital devices start to be used together, and a new era of technology starts. There are now very few Major Mages, but Minor Mages are widely able to make a profit from their abilities. Tech items and gadgets start becoming the new magic artifacts. Magic brings freedom and options to many, but also allows the population to protest and fight against the Houses when they are unhappy, creating new political instability. The House of Justice falls to an attack in 2026, and the House of Wisdom disbands after conflict within in 2098, leaving only five of the original Houses to struggle with taming a dissatisfied world.

Last edited by SilverNight on Fri Aug 26, 2022 9:05 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Wed Aug 24, 2022 2:09 pm

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SilverNight says...

Magic

The Nine Types of Magic:

Flare: Heat, fire, light, energy. Easy to cast, doesn’t consume much magic, hardly any special abilities.
Salve: Healing, remedy, repair. Only has effects on bodies, better for wounds than disease, can cause magic poisoning if cast with low-quality magic.
Projection: Visual, shape, form, structure. Creates the appearance of something, possible to give it physical presence (making it touchable) but hard to do without using a lot of magic, takes practice.
Concealment: Hiding, obscurity, invisibility. Can prevent something from being seen, not difficult to cast, but short-lasting.
Force: Motion, push, trajectory. Commonly used to move objects around, movement is not very accurate and is like using the wind to push something somewhere.
Acid: Neutralizing, deactivating. Can “turn off” another spell or strip an artifact of its ability, not actual acid but creates the same visual effect as it.
Tremor: Destruction, impact, wrecking. Breaks things apart violently, spreads widely, a hard type of spell to control.
Chant: Vocal, oaths, sound. Gives words power, can seal a promise, one of the most rarely used types.
Rationale: Emotion, influence, delusion. Slightly alters or creates emotions in someone such as pleasure or fear, its use is frowned upon for violating mental boundaries.

Other information:

Magic in the World of Aphirah:

Spoiler! :

In Aphirah, magic is a natural resource that can vary in quality, be affected by shortages and surpluses, has a specific sourcing location, and is distributed and regulated, much like other resources such as water and energy. Minor Mages receive a certain amount from the government monthly, like a subscription, and they store their supply in special artifact boxes that keep it safe when unopened and unused. Magic looks like threads of lightning, gleaming and jagged, rolled up into a “ball of yarn”. The quality of magic can be determined by the color: the best (from the North) will be pure or opaque white, while the medium to poor types (from the South or Central) will show yellow or rusty orange tinges. Unused magic can be turned into any of the nine types of magic, but will stay that kind, cannot be changed afterwards, and will only create a spell within that type. Low-quality magic is less stable, however, and sometimes can accidentally change types in the middle of the spell being used, which leads to undesired and dangerous effects, such as magic poisoning. The higher the quality of the magic, the more powerful a spell can be. Different types of magic can be mixed to create a spell that will have several different properties.
Minor Magic:

Spoiler! :

A small minority of people are known as Minor Mages, and they are able to control magic. They have the ability to make a specific type of all the possible spells out of it, which means Minor Mages have much more variety in their capabilities than a Major Mage does, but the actual strength tends to be weaker than a Major Mage’s and is even further limited when they are using less potent magic. All Minor Mages are born with their abilities, and everyone gets tested for the aptitude as children, even though only a small percentage of people will have it. Cyrin is one of these.
Major Magic:

Spoiler! :

No one is born as a Major Mage, and these are incredibly rare. Usually, those who are one become them after interaction with a magical creature, or sometimes an artifact. These Major Mages have a great power unique to them that a Minor Mage could never hope to reach, and they often go down in history for their achievements. Due to the extreme rarity of magic creatures, as well as the unlikeliness of stumbling upon one, almost no one becomes a Major Mage. Mireya is one of these, being able to control electricity and current.
Magic Artifacts:

Spoiler! :

Objects can be “infused” with magic, giving them a specific ability. It takes an Artificer or Alchemist (Minor Mages with the extra ability of being able to bond magic to items or substances) to create one. These artifacts can be mass-produced or entirely unique, depending on the skill and intention of the Artificer/Alchemist.

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Points: 4325
Reviews: 135

Sat Sep 03, 2022 7:47 pm

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SilverNight says...

TWO DAYS UNTIL THIS STARTS YES

I’ve made a “Which Character Are You?” quiz in the meantime for the main seven characters! If you’re wanting to know who you’re most similar to (or just excited about this like I am!), you can take it here!

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