The Empire of Cagia has enjoyed a sense of relative peace for centuries. Ruled by the Allegrod Dynasty for half a millennium, the empire has been prosperous and growing quicker than ever before. Noburo Allegrodo, the current Emperor of Cagia, has grown complacent and corrupt. People have been arrested at the emperor's whim, and he covertly supports criminal enterprises in order to undermine rival houses. The Houses of Esquoria and Sayuga, once part of the Kifonaro Alliance with the Allegrodo, has taken notice of the emperor's indiscretions. As a result, they have been drifting away from each other, but suddenly a new threat arises. It begins in the desert regions in the south. On the night of March 1, 510 ATU (After the Unification), several notable mages disappeared in the city of Baradaya. Then, in another town not too far away, there was a massacre. The group responsible for the massacre is the Etira, a faction of rogue mages whose motive is unknown. But not all of the bodies have been left behind. Some survivors of the most recent massacre claim to have seen the supposedly dead mages from Baradaya during the attack. The rogue mages left behind a strange symbol on the bloody walls of the village, along with the words "Soul Reaper". Despite the tensions between the Allegrodo, Sayuga, and Esquoria houses, they have agreed to look into the matter. There are many questions surrounding the Etira, but one thing is for certain: They must be stopped.
Map (credit to Terranihil for creating the map in the previous iteration of this RP)
Background
Cagia was once a land that was separated into hundreds of separate kingdoms and tribes. The early history of Cagia was defined by constant wars and disputes among the kingdoms. But one nation, the Iuashani Kingdom, was able to unite the tribes after decades of war. Dyfores Allegrodo, a poor farmer from the southern Iuashani Kingdom, quickly rose through the ranks of the political realm due to his mastery of the Esoteric Art of Lightning, an ability that was believed only the gods possessed. Two other mages, Baesu Sayuga and Yucella Esquoria, allied with Dyfores Allegrodo. Baesu and Yucella were Water and Earth mages respectively.
After the Unification Wars, the Iuashani Kingdom was transformed into the Cagian Commonwealth, with Dyfores Allegrodo, Baesu Sayuga, and Yucella Esquoria ruling over the Commonwealth in a triumvirate known as the Three Elites. They jointly ruled the Commonwealth until their deaths, where their descendants would carry on the tradition. The Allegrod, Esquoria and Sayuga families would vote on matters of importance, and if the majority of two houses agreed, the law would be passed. However, in 105 ATU, Aeran Allegrodo, then the head of the Allegrodo family and grandson of Dyfores Allegrodo, introduced the concept of Consuls. One Consul would represent each of the Three Elite Houses. The introduction of Consuls also resulted in a Senate being created, with Senators voting on the Consuls and reviewing laws that the Consuls would pass. But in 117 ATU, the Senate was full of Allegrodo sympathizers, who voted to give Aeran Allegrodo the title of "First Consul", and giving the Esquoria "Second Consul" and the Sayuga "Third Consul". In theory, the three consuls would have equal power, but as the years passed, the Allegrodo slowly gained the most influence in the Senate, which resulted in the First Consul being the de facto head of state, with the other two Consuls merely being "advisers of state". In 128 ATU, Aeran Allegrodo staged what was later determined to be a coup. The Senate voted to restrict the powers of the other two Consuls, and allowing the army to be directly controlled by Aeran. Aeran soon had the two Consuls detained, as he became the only Consul. The army crushed any form of resistance and did not allow for dissent. In 136 ATU, after holding the title of First Consul for 19 years, Aeran Allegrodo was crowned Emperor of Cagia, thus officially forming the Allegrod Dynasty that would be in place for the next 370 years. The events of the coup in 128 ATU, and the events preceding it resulted in the Sayuga and Esquoria growing resentment towards the Allegrodo. The Allegrodo never allowed the coup to be mentioned in public or the history books, but the Coup of 128 ATU forever remains the elephant in the room whenever the Allegrod, Esquoria, and Sayuga meet. The tensions between the Esquoria and Allegrodo reached dangerous levels around 490 ATU, as Luther Esquoria, one of the leading members of the house, made his distaste for the Allegrodo public.
List of Major Cities:
Kalingway: The capital of the Commonwealth and the largest city with a population exceeding 4 million, Kalingway is by far the most important and prestigious city in the Commonwealth. The city is the home to the Esquoria Family and the National Academy of Magical Arts, the most prestigious magical academy in the Commonwealth. Kalingway is located in the Far Plains.
Dacryn: The second largest city with a population of 2.5 million, Dacryn is the home to the Sayuga Family and is located in the West's Forest Regions. Dacryn is a large trading center due in part to the Sayuga Family’s influence over the city. The city is also known for its magical academy: The Dacryn Academy of Military and Magical Arts, which is the second largest academy of magic in the Commonwealth.
Aesyerus: The third largest city with a population of 2 million, Aesyerus is the home of the House of Allegrod. The city is located in the Desert Regions of the South. Aesyerus is one of the most beautiful and elegant cities in the entire Commonwealth. The Aesyerus Mage Academy is located here as well.
Eravil: Eravil is a city in the northern forest regions. Surrounded by mountains, it is located in the Valley of the Ancients, and is the home to the Scrolls of Eternity: A list of magical spells and conjurations. The Eravil Academy of Magic is also located here.
Magic
There are eight types of magic: Elemental, Common, Esoteric, Sensory, Curse, Dark, Inheritance/Bloodline, and Summoning Magic.
Magic is directly tied to a person's life force. For this reason, magical power is referred to as "Essence". A mage who has exhausted their supply of Essence will be heavily fatigued, and in some cases, near death. Essence will always regenerate, but this process can be slow, so the usage of Magic/Essence Restoration Pills can act as a catalyst to increase the rate of Essence regeneration.
Elemental Magic: Elemental Magic is magic that relates to the elements, usually the Four Common Elements: Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water. Control over the elements requires intense training, so most children by the age of 5 have already been entered into Academies of Magic to find their elemental affinity (usually based off their parents). The source of Elemental Magic is from the Four Gods: Epitíras (God of Earth), Occidere (God of Fire), Chyrón (Goddess of Wind), and Ilsadáton (Goddess of Water). Users of Elemental Magic are called Elementals. Each element has subcategories: Fire has Lightning Magic, Water has Ice Magic, Earth has Sand Magic, and Wind has Smoke Magic (although this can also be classified as Fire Magic).
Common Magic: Common Magic is magic that can be easily taught and learned. Common Magic involves spells used in the Scrolls of Eternity, some examples being sealing magic, shield magic, and healing magic. Common Magic is the most basic form of magic. The Scrolls of Eternity lists most forms of known magic, but notably excludes Esoteric Magic
Esoteric Magic: Esoteric Magic is magic that falls beyond the scope of Elemental Magic and is far more advanced than Common magic. Esoteric Magic is the rarest and most powerful type of magic. Mages with Esoteric Magic are often born with these abilities. Esoterics are unique in the fact that only they have the ability to use that specific ability. The Esoteric Arts cannot be replicated and are only able to be used by the mage with that ability.
Sensory Magic: Sensory magic is magic that allows the user to detect the presence of others, which can range from a few meters to several kilometers. Mages with this ability are called Sensors. Sensory Magic improves the Sensor's perception, allowing them to see what is in the area. Some Sensors can even pick apart mages based on their magical aura alone, allowing them to see who has magical powers, how much magic they have and how much magic they've used.
Curse Magic: Curse Magic is one of the most powerful forms of magic, but also the most dangerous. Due to the many risks Curse Magic has, it is considered a form of Forbidden Magic. Curse Magic often involves a Cursed Seal, which is usually placed on the caster themselves or their target. A mage casting a Cursed Seal on themselves improves their power, but when done incorrectly, can drastically alter their personality and makes them unpredictable. Curse Magic draws upon the negative emotions of a mage, and giving in to their darkest desires makes them even more powerful. A mage who cast a Cursed Seal on someone else is able to manipulate them. The caster is able to inflict great amounts of pain, both physical and psychological, on their victim. A mage who uses Curse Magic is known as a Dark Mage.
Dark Magic: Dark Magic, also known as the Forbidden Arts, are magical spells typically that have been banned. Most forms of Curse Magic are considered Dark Magic due to their dangerous and malicious nature. Dark Magic also corrupts those who use it, and ultimately, can cause a mage to go insane if used too often. The Forbidden Arts are kept secret in the Scrolls of Eternity in Eravil.
Inheritance/Bloodline Magic: Inheritance Magic is magic that only a specific family/house has access to. These abilities have been genetically passed down through the bloodline over generations. Inheritance Magic cannot be taught to anyone outside of the family due to the fact that it's impossible for a person who is not genetically compatible to use the technique.
Summoning Magic: Summoning Magic is a branch of Common Magic that allows a mage to teleport an object, animals, demons, people etc to their location. This works by either creating a Summoning Contract with that entity (such as Demon Summoning Contract or Snake Summoning Contract) or by forming a mystic connection that involves a Seal and breaking/loosening the seal to allow the target to be summoned. Summoning Contracts with a living being requires a blood sacrifice, while inanimate objects just require a seal to be placed. Since Summoning Magic is a form of Common Magic, many mages are able to summon their target to them. However, like all techniques, it requires magical energy in order to function, and the stronger the target is (such as a high ranking demon or animal spirit), the more energy is required to complete the summoning.
Types of Magic Users
Mage: A regular Mage is a magic user who has graduated from their respective Academy/School of Magic. They are officially recognized by the Commonwealth as a practitioner of magic. Mages generally graduate between the ages of 16-18.
Inquisitor: An Inquisitor is a Mage who has graduated from an Academy/School of Magic and specializes in a type(s) of Element. Inquisitors are a more powerful version of a Mage and often go on special missions for the Commonwealth. Inquisitors are most skilled in one or two types of Elements. Those with three or four elements are generally considered Archmages. Inquisitors stay at their Academy of Magic for a few years more than a Mage, and graduate between 21-25.
Archmage: An Archmage is a mage of the highest caliber. These type of mages often spend years perfecting their magic and are exceptionally powerful. A common characteristic of an Archmage is that they are proficient in all Four Common Elements (a very rare thing to accomplish) and are usually a politician or the Emperor. Archmages are exceptionally skilled mages, being revered by their peers. They also can be generals in the army or admirals in the navy
Sensor: A Sensor is a mage with the ability to detect the presence of others. Sensory Mages are born with their abilities and are often most gifted in stealth missions. Sensors can detect their targets from a great distance and can even tell people apart based on their magical aura alone.
Esoteric: An Esoteric Mage is a mage who is a practitioner of the Esoteric Arts. Esoterics have the most powerful and the most unique forms of magic. They are born with their abilities and are often scattered around the Commonwealth. The general public is unaware of Esoteric Mages due to their secretive nature and the fact that they are so rare.
Medic: A medic is a mage who specializes in healing magic. They have advanced knowledge of healing magic and use techniques to heal others, specifically those in the army. Medics have high intelligence and excellent control over their magic.
Dark Mage: A Dark Mage is a practitioner of the Forbidden Arts. Dark Mages possess high amounts of knowledge over Forbidden Magic, especially Curse Magic.
Summoning Mage: A Summoning Mage, also called a Summoner, is a mage who either specializes in summoning techniques. These mages can summon a wide variety of entities quickly to either assist themselves or their team in a battle. Summoners have advanced knowledge of Summoning Contracts and the various beings or objects that can be summoned. These mages often work in intelligence missions to assist in the capture of strong rogue mages.
Families/Houses
Factions
Factions are groups of Mages (or for those without magic) and are often present with a specific goal in mind.
The Phoenix Knights: The Phoenix Knights is the army of the Cagian Empire. They specialize in Fire Magic and wear red and gold. The Phoenix Knights abide by a strict moral code and are expected to perform their jobs at the highest level.
Etira: The Etira are a group of elite rogue mages whose loyalty to the current regime has completely vanished. Not much is known about them, except that they are the chief suspects in the numerous murders in the Desert Regions of the South. They leave behind a symbol with a dagger drawn down the middle and the words “Soul Reaper”.
Interior Guard: The Interior Guard contains the highest level mages that the Cagian army has to offer. The Interior Guard effectively functions as the secret police and intelligence gathering unit of the Empire. Members of the Cheristi House are agents of the IG due to their mind control magic.
Rules
No Godmodding, metagaming or any other variant
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
Your mage can be a combination of mage types (such as Medic and Sensor)
Applications
