Esoterics are people whose magic are unique to them. Whether it's a random mutation that caused the ability to manifest, or training to use Abstraction Magic, abilities wielded by Esoterics are dangerous. (This role play takes place in a country inspired by East Asia, specifically Japan and China).
The Salyan Empire is a fractured land, made up of huge cities and many small villages with no real sense of nationality. The various mountain ranges, rivers, and supernatural phenomenon keeps the cities isolated, resulting in different cultures. Even with these issues, the Cheristi family managed to unite the land, forming the Mayato dynasty that has ruled for centuries. The years of stable rule allowed for the development of the imperial government, which extracts tribute from other cities and villages in exchange for protection. The court nobles, known as the Kosen Machi, are constantly scheming for control of the Emperor, even if they can't hold the title themselves. The most recent emperor, Emperor Viseri, was assassinated with Dark Magic, which will have huge repercussions for the future of the Salyan Empire. The Arbitration Censorate is investigating the murder, and with Viseri's recent calls for a democracy, the imperial government is on the verge of collapse. Will you be one of the mages who rises to the throne? Will you ensure the late emperor's vision will be put into place? Whether you fight for peace or anarchy, the opportunity that arises once in a generation is finally here.
The Kosen Machi makes extensive usage of Abstraction Magic, which allows a mage to create their own unique form of magic. An example of this is the oldest son of the emperor, Prince Arrindor, whose Transmuation Magic has become his signature ability. Abstraction Magic is still mysterious and difficult to learn and control, which causes it to be left to a small group of people who dare to take the challenge. Among these challengers are the Grand Imperial Arbitrator, and his hopes of attaining control of the empire.
Maurikael Cheristi is the Grand Imperial Arbitrator, and his daughter, Jasmine Taulra, is an Esoteric whose powers will be essential to his goals. It is rumored that she can control a person with a single sentence, although there's no evidence to support such a claim....
Noble Families:
Cheristi/Mayato Dynasty: The Mayato have been the ruling family in Ryobei, and by extension, the entirety of Salyan land, for centuries. Due to their influence over the Kosen Machi, marriages, and other factors, the Mayato refers solely to anyone directly related to the emperor. Cheristi is the name of nobles who descended from the bloodline that became the Mayato, but are direct relatives. Members of the Mayato family are skilled with Wind Magic, and are considered the best in the empire
Kamuri: The Kamuri are nobles who are from the Azukana region, and also specialize in Ice Magic. Even among the Salyans, the Kamuri are the best, as their Ice Bloodline Magic naturally surpasses most archmages in terms of power and skill. The Kamuri head the Azukana government and are recognized as the second most powerful family, next to the Mayato.
Jikosuru: The Jikosuro family is located in Sanri. Just like the Kamuri and Mayato to the south, the Jikosuro head their own city: Sanri. The Jikosuro are best known for their mastery over Earth Magic, and legends say they were the ones who constructed Sanri over a thousand years ago. Together, the Mayato, Kamuri, and Jikosuro families are the most prestigious in the entire Empire.
It was once said that this great territory was not only united, but home to both the Salyans the neighboring Erimous. A thousand years ago, the two groups split and fought a brutal civil war, and the gods intervened, creating the wide river that forms the modern borders of these two countries, along with the Great Southern Mountains. Along this river, there's a perpetual fog, making sea travel nearly impossible.
The result of this schism was the permanent split between the Salyan's and Erimous' Bloodline Magic. When the first humans appeared in the world, the gods bestowed upon them their own Divine Aura, which later weakened in power. There was one ability that was never weakened. When the Goddess Yon-Eien gave out her own Divine Aura, humans awakened the Mikuteki and Yokasu Eyes. Those in the Salyan Empire who has this Bloodline Magic, will be able to activate the Yokasu Eyes, which grants them great visual prowess. The Salyans also have trained extensively in Ice Magic, making them the most powerful Ice Mages in the world.
The Kosen Machi is the noble court of the Empire. The name translates to "chosen magi", and the court houses anyone who is either a noble, related to the imperial family, or is a member of one of the government administrations. Here's the names:
Arbitration Censorate: The intelligence gathering and judicial branch of the government. The head is Maurikael Cheristi, an Archmage who has been using the Censorate to control the flow of information and keep his hold on the imperial family.
Machi Yin: The Imperial Guard, a group of elite mages who are personally hand picked by the Emperor himself. They are located in the capital of Ryobei, but they still have a presence outside the capital.
State Affairs: As the name implies, the State Affairs ministry handles domestic policy, including tax collection, and public works/construction. Members of the State Affairs Ministry will have the most sway with the public, as they handle matters of public policy far more than other government roles, which may be important later on.
Imperial Affairs: Along with State Affairs, the Imperial Affairs Ministry handles matters of state, but in the upper echelons of government. The ministry handles governing all around the empire, and will be able to use the Censorate or Machi Yin to enforce their will, both on the populace and even the Kosen Machi
List of Major Cities:
Ryobei: The capital of the Empire and the most powerful of the city states, Ryobei has enough influence to not house the Emperor, but to also extract tributes. The city is most famous for its grand palaces, along with the the unique climate. It is constantly raining, with myths saying it has been raining since the gods intervened a thousand years ago. Most of the Kosen Machi and the important government administrations are housed here. The main landmark is the huge Imperial Palace, and the Kosen Machi court.
Sanri: One of the Three Great States (along with Ryobei and Azukana), Sanri has major influence in the Kosen Machi and the affairs of the empire, even being the city where the Arbitration Censorate is located as well. Sanri is unique in the fact that the city was built from the ground up using Earth Magic and Mystic Seals, making it one of the more beautiful and impregnable cities.
Azukana: The final of the Three Great States, Azukana is still distant to the rest of the country. Due to its proximity to the Great Southern Mountains, the city is also home to perpetual fog. The Kamuri hold a special temple on an island just outside the city.
Sariyama: This a large market town that trades resources among the river. Due to this, the city is far more diverse than most places in the empire, and is home to many different cultures. Sariyama is the trading center of the empire
Rules
Be respectful
No one liners. I’m not looking for super long posts, but please put some effort into it
You may have as many characters, factions, and families as you want