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The world is a safe place.

What, you thought I'd say dangerous? Hell no, not when we've got heroes running around.

I mean sure, there are monsters and demons and natural disasters and heart disease, but I'm sure it's like that in every world! What I mean is we never face any apocalyptic threats. Prophecies of the end times, visions of demonic conquest, they're all thwarted by our beautiful and powerful Goddess, thanks to her「Heroic Selection Odyssey.」

Actually the HSO is coming up pretty soon, ain't it? Yeah, every hundred years or so she emerges from Agartha to awaken that heroic spark in people and get them on board to travel the world and help their fellow man. They say the best of these fledgling heroes goes on to stop whatever the next world-ending disaster would have been. Buuut the way I see it, the reason everyone aims for the top spot isn't for the chance to get their name in the history books. Nah, it's gotta be pure greed.

I mean, getting rich from adventuring? Having kingdoms indebted to you? Building your own harem of followers?
Getting your deepest wish granted by the Goddess herself?

Who wouldn't fight for that?

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Name:
Age:
Gender:
Appearance:
Before Awakening:
Desire:
Power Path:

A Dark Urban Fantasy

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MONSTERS

Dark creatures driven by instinct and hunger, set apart from mere animals by their paranormal bodies, supernatural abilities, and their connection to the formation of Makai. Monsters have lived alongside humanity since they both crawled out of the primordial soup, their relationship always one of animosity. Different religions and cultures have different names for different monsters, as well as differing methods for destroying them, and all are valid. However it has been observed that monsters reproduce both sexually and asexually, meaning that total eradication of a species is a far off goal.

A monster's strength is directly related to its level of intelligence. A large, heavy monster is only as powerful as its strategy to escape or defeat rival monsters. Most monsters cannot hope to match a human in intelligence, which make them truly dangerous only to those alone, unprepared, or inexperienced. Still, the damage even a single one can cause -especially within a Makai- cannot be overstated. Individual monsters have been noted to be able to change and evolve. Some grow stronger by absorbing power from other monsters, and the humans that come to defeat them.

If a monster's brain was able to undergo a new level of evolution, is it possible they could even become a Moloch...?

MAKAI

Pockets of purest darkness that form around high paranormal power output. They normally begin to form when a monster grows too strong, or comes into contact with another monster on a hunt. The size of a Makai is proportional to the power used to create it. The formation of a Makai is considered a natural phenomenon connected to Moloch, as attempts to recreate one in a controlled setting have so far failed.

From the outside a Makai appears as a dark bubble around an area, and from the inside it is much the same. All light, from fire to electricity, is snuffed out. Even the sun cannot penetrate it. Sound waves from outside the bubble are diluted and muffled. Besides the disorienting effect, Makai negatively affect anything within it. Inorganic objects will break down over time, and living creatures will become violently sick.
The sick will die or they will change.

Monsters and Magi have a higher resistance to Makai Sickness, but they are not immune.

Makai can be destabilized by removing the power source they manifest around. A destabilized Makai will eventually fade away, but the longer a Makai is fully formed before being separated from its power source and the longer it will last afterward before inevitably collapsing. They can form anywhere at anytime, whether in forests, oceans, or urban city sprawls.

MOLOCH

Primordial beings said to have inhabited the earth before any other forms of life. Or, to have inhabited the blackness of space and were trapped on the planet when it began to form. Though they have physical bodies that can be damaged and sealed away like any other monstrosity, it would be a mistake to consider them just elite monsters.

Whether they are alien or supernatural in make-up is unknown. Their exact numbers are unknown. The limits of their power are unknown.
The method for destroying them permanently is unknown.

For centuries humanity has fought back the Moloch and prevented their lightless night from manifesting. These battles are hard won due to each Moloch's strength and intelligence, but like men they all have their own traits and personalities that can be exploited. Their penchant for working alone when they do appear, however rarely, has allowed humanity to reliably put them down almost every time no matter the casualties. It can take hundreds of years for a defeated Moloch to reform, but there is no question that in time it will.

Every monster species, large or small, weak or strong, can trace its origins back to a Moloch's 'blood.'
Even humans are said to be born from Moloch.

MAGI

Like monsters, humans have the capacity to wield the paranormal via a special organ called a spiritual core. This is most often seen when a human's physical body breaks down, revealing their core and spirit form, commonly called a 'ghost.' Some humans have mystical abilities beyond becoming a ghost that they can use while alive: clairvoyants, psychics, and other more spiritually attuned individuals. Rarely, others transcend their ghost form after death, becoming more similar to monsters. Then, there are magi.

A mage's paranormal power is a cut above most humans, though there are no standards to truly measure them against each other. Magi are uniquely adapted to resisting the corrosion of being in a Makai, and thus are the best defense against monsters and Moloch alike. Due to their strong spiritual cores most magi hail from storied lineages of humanity's defenders, but that is not always the case... any human with potential can learn to utilize their power and become a mage. It takes talent, but it also takes practice.

Though the powers individual magi wield are vast and varied there are a few more common traits that can use used to classify them, such as how they manifest their spiritual power. As humans are wont to do, businesses and societies catering to magi were glad to be able to slap a label on their clients and members. These societies are hidden from the public eye whenever possible, with rumors and conspiracy the common man's shield from a mage's work of fighting back the darkness.

In addition, most magi have specialized senses that help them navigate inside of a Makai. The spectral sense -also known as the sixth sense- is more developed in magi than other humans, and works in tandem with the other senses. Within Makai there is only pitch darkness, but with focus a mage is able to perceive the area in black with dull white outlines and colorless features. A mage with particularly strong eyes -spectral eyes- may see sparks of color every now and then before they are consumed by the Makai. A mage's senses are invaluable to them, but sight is especially revered, so many go on to develop visual abilities -hereditary or otherwise- that they are quite proud of. Of course a smart mage will not rely on just one sense to fight.

Crepuscule [+] Also 'MI13,' the United Kingdom's national magi agency. Based in Birmingham, England. Houses government employed magi, contracts mercenary magi, and works directly with noble magi connected to the Crown. The magi of Crepuscule travel throughout the isles, Ireland, and continental Europe whenever and wherever they are needed.	GLOAM [+] Government Liaison Office for Authorization of Magi, a name shared by a number of magi-related departments in the United States. Employs a number of magi throughout the country, though attempts to regulate individual magi have largely failed. Offices vary from state to state, but the duty is largely considered less a calling and more a career.	Tasogare [+] The Japanese cabinet for makai research and defense, commonly called 'Tasogare' by employees, contractors, and citizens alike as its official name is rather long. Split into nine sub-agencies representing the eight regions of the country plus Tokyo prefecture, it is a covert and effective organization that looks down on all independent magi. Thus, most magi in Japan work with or within Tasogare.

Your Tasogare Support Network [+]

Tōhoku Tasogare's Three Buchō

??? [+] Name: Type: Beast Blooded Notes: big sister type, protective, encouraging. Summoner for the most part, worm is named Bakemushi. Likes "cute" things. Dislikes hot weather and in-fighting. Physical strongest of the the buchou. Also handles magi personal affairs in the branch.	"Hikari" [+] Name: Type: Soul Substantializer Notes: shorty, but older and wiser than he looks, mysterious, playful. Illusionist, quick and tricky fighting style. Likes sweets. Dislikes willful ignorance. The only one who gets away with teasing the other buchou. Also handles most of the research in the branch.	"Kumori" [+] Name: Type: Arche Aetherist Notes: kuudere type, critical and responsible. Traditional elemental user, mostly fire and smoke. Likes passionate people. Dislikes thoughtlessness and disrespect. Comes from an illustrious magi family. Often handles combat training and discipline in the branch.

Optional Allies in Your Branch

"Kohaku" [+] Name: Type: Arche Aetherist Notes: a friendly, upbeat young man whose spiritual power seems to be in direct contrast to his personality. good looking and confident, he likes to genuinely connect with other people and tends to go out of his way to speak with others, encourage allies, and protect his fellow man. A creative fighter who works just as well on the front line as on support.	??? [+] Name: Type: ??? Notes: a polite young woman who comes from an old family of healers. does not take things personally, but also may unintentionally offend with her blunt words and old school style of thought.

Crepuscule

also: MI13, British Magi Agency [+]

Additional Information

An alternate setting option. Crepuscule is an old nickname for the organization, tracing its origin back to the Roman occupation of Britannia. Apparently as an organization Crepuscule goes back even earlier than that, boasting one of the oldest collections of cooperative magi in the world, allegedly rivaling groups in China and the Middle East. The magi of Crepuscule are powerful and proud, hailing from all over Europe and beyond and tackling monsters within a wide area of the continent.

There is a clear division among the magi at Crepuscule which has historically interfered with their work before. The Crown Magi, nobility and genuine royalty dating back to Britain's oldest druids and the country's more modern royal family, have preferential status versus common British or foreign magi. Conspiracy swirls around them even outside of Britain's borders.

Ah, but anything else is irrelevant to our chosen story, isn't it?

Ghost

plural: ghosts | also: soul, spirit [+]

Additional Information

The spirit form of a human being, comprised of pure spiritual power. Whether one believes in a true after life or not, ghosts are one of the more commonly accepted facets of the supernatural among common folk. When a person's soul becomes disconnected from their body for any reason, their memories and personality often stay with the ghost - that is, they "become" a ghost. Like many paranormal aspects of life, the ghost is not entirely understood. Mysteries may always remain, both because of the difficulty of study and the spiritual faith of humanity.

Rarely there have been claims of ghost sightings belonging to animals, and despite their spiritual power there have been no ghosts of monsters observed - though that may be because certain monsters already exhibit ghost-like traits. As they are made of spiritual power, the stronger an individual's power then the stronger the presence of their ghost. People with weak spiritual power result in ghosts that flicker or fade away, or even some that do not manifest at all. A stronger ghost can remain in the world if they choose to, speak and think like they did in life, and with enough power even interact with physical objects. Over time, they will eventually dissipate or move on.

The ghosts of magi are unsurprisingly strong, but their lives battling monsters result in many of these ghosts being consumed or destroyed by monsters in the field. Ghosts are tied to a human's spiritual core, and one might say they even reside in said core, so a core destroyed before death will have dire consequences on one's ghost. Even if a ghost manages to form from a healthy core, it will normally not wield the same power it did when connected to a physical body.

Ghosts can absorb spiritual power and grow stronger in much the same way that monsters can, but this process more often than not results in the warping of the soul into an evil spirit. For this reason, the fact that ghosts can grow and transform in this way is a secret even among magi. Evil spirits are banished from existence in the same way that monsters are destroyed. Old ghosts are encouraged to move on before they discover this ability themselves. It is not the only ability of ghosts, as haunting and possession are common stories told throughout history. Experimenting with these abilities are frowned upon if not outright illegal in many places.

GLOAM

also: American Magi Bureau [+]

Additional Information

An alternate setting option. A mirror of the country itself, GLOAM is notorious for not utilizing a standard throughout any of branches. From East coast to West, North to South, highly urban areas to rural plains, each unit of GLOAM handles their work in different ways. The ability level of American magi swing wildly from barely better than a fortune teller to individuals who consider natural law to be mere suggestion.

GLOAM places more emphasis on individual performance than family lineage, and gives incentives to magi as though they were working as common contractors. In essence, this is exactly the case, and it is not uncommon for a mage to be poached by another branch. Though once loyalty is earned, it is a hard broken thing. Unlike older institutions, GLOAM did not get its start formed from indigenous groups of magi. Native magi have their own methods, and though their relationship with GLOAM is not without its issues the bureau is more cooperative than most government institutions of the US.

Ah, but anything else is irrelevant to our chosen story, isn't it?

Mage ✪

plural: magi | also: exorcist, magus, mystic, sorcerer [+]

Additional Information

Mage Type ✪

plural: types | also: category, power type, vocation [+]

Additional Information

The concept of a "mage type" is not a new one, but being assigned such categories in a more official capacity is a relatively modern development. Though every mage's power is more or less unique, the way in which they manifest said power will often overlap with others. It is in this way that magi are categorized, and many have embraced these labels.

Below are listed a few of the more prevalent categories of magi, though they are by no means the only types:

• BEAST BLOODED
  Magi who's Moloch's Blood runs thicker than most, for better or worse. Said to be the earliest form of power that magi utilized, their abilities embody bestial traits or draw power from the very monsters they fight. The strongest of this type of magi do both. Sensory enhancements, physical transformations, commanding familiars, and more.
• SOUL SUBSTANTIALIZER
  Magi who have learned to harness the power of their ghost forms while still alive. Their abilities are often esoteric or abstract; consciousness and immateriality, existence and distortion. They wield their own souls, focusing internally or imbuing them externally. Astral projection, clairvoyance, psychometry, mind and motion, and more.
• ARCHE AETHERIST
  Magi who are the closest to what a layman might consider a magic user. Their abilities likened to wuxing, mahābhūta, and classical elements, these magi draw their power from the primal earth and natural law. The creation and manipulation of fire, water, air, earth, metals... but also space, aether, and more.
• ESSENCE EVOCATOR
  Magi who are able to exert control over spiritual power itself, using their own internal alchemy as conduit for their abilities and influencing the spiritual power of others. Called fangxiangshi, onmyoji, and exorcists, they can draw from the leylines of the earth and the purity of their own 'spiritual vessels.' Consecration, power fields, binding, purification, and more.

Makai

plural: Makai | also: cursed space, desecrated ground [+]

Additional Information

The study of Makai is an ongoing endeavor, one that has reached a stand still in the modern era. Being a purely paranormal phenomenon, they follow natural law even less than monsters or humanity do. Researchers that have dedicated their lives to learning about Makai disagree with each other to this day on what, exactly, Makai truly are and how they interact with the world.

Some claim them to be an infection that takes hold on even the smallest molecules, allowing it to cling not only to surfaces but to the very air, creating the "pockets." Some say they are the original form that spiritual power takes, physical and yet not, and that is why it can alter what it comes into contact with. Some are convinced they are ruptures in reality caused by that same spiritual power, and if left fed into instead of destabilized they could lead to other planes of existence. And still others are content with the simple explanation that Makai are the mysterious, natural byproducts of a Moloch's influence in the world, corrupting the spiritual power around it.

Whether a run of the mill mage concerns themselves with speculation and conjecture, there are hard facts they will always keep in mind regarding Makai:

1. They are formed in areas of high spiritual power output, which is why the sites of battles or the presence of powerful monsters are normally the catalysts of their creation. There are records and reports on where and when Makai have formed, the information becoming spotty the further back one looks.

2. When they do form, it is almost instantly. Magi that have been present at the formation of a Makai report a drop in temperature and a brief feeling of dread before a black bubble forms and balloons to maximum size in mere moments, completely silently. Attempts to interrupt or contain the formation before completion have so far always failed.

3. The size of a Makai is influenced by the spiritual power used to create it. Though all Makai form from high levels of power in an area, "high" is a vague measure. The smallest Makai on record were 6x6 meters (about 20x20 ft), while the largest are alleged to have consumed entire towns.

4. Makai cannot be directly destroyed; or at least, attempts to do so have always failed. Makai are instead destabilized when the catalyst for their creation is destroyed. Usually, this means that killing the monster that caused the formation (or otherwise rendering its ability to use spiritual power null) will cut off the source of a Makai's "fuel," and it will collapse on its own over time. The longer a Makai is allowed to exist before being destabilized, and the longer it will linger in the world before disappearing.

5. Makai also cannot be artificially created, though this is with the caveat that attempts to create one intentionally have never bared fruit. In the minds of many researchers, the risks of creating a Makai artificially or through purposeful action do not outweigh the benefit that studying one in a controlled environment. It may be requested of magi in the field to leave a small, isolated Makai alone for this purpose, though whether these magi oblige such requests is up to the individual. Normally, swift destruction is as soon as possible is protocol.

6. Being inside of a Makai disorients the senses, though whether this is a direct effect of Makai on those trapped in it -especially to keep those inside of it from leaving- or merely a symptom of its traits is debated. Sound is muffled within a Makai, and no light survives inside making vision impossible for all but monsters and magi. Even then, the sense of sight is warped. Smell, taste, and touch are affected by a "stinging" sensation, annoying but not painful and thus simple to tune out for experienced magi. It is thought that this strange sensation is the Makai's corrosive effect, but this is not confirmed.

7. Whether large or small, all Makai are indeed "corrosive." They break down the environments they envelop, turning buildings to ruin, roads and stones to dust, and dust into nothing. The process is not a quick a one, but the longer a Makai lasts the stronger its corrosive ability becomes. Living things are also broken down while inside a Makai in a similar way, from the inside out, via a condition that has been named "Makai Sickness." Even spiritual power is broken down inside of a Makai... or it may be more accurate to say, it is absorbed to continue to fuel the bubble's existence, and the act of breaking down all matter within is a means to take in as much spiritual power as possible.

Makai Sickness

also: curse, Makai curse, Makai Disease, Makai mutation [+]

Additional Information

In the past when people spoke of suffering from being cursed, they normally referred to those afflicted with Makai Sickness. It is not contagious, the only way to contract it being prolonged exposure to the inside of a Makai. It acts much like a disease or infection, targeting the spiritual power -and spiritual core- of living beings. It corrodes the pathways of the body leading to the spiritual core until feeding on the core itself, after which it rapidly eats through the blood and tissue of the body. Humans, monsters, and animals are all susceptible, and creatures without strong spiritual power succumb very quickly. There is no known cure for Makai Sickness, and death is the most common outcome for those afflicted with it.

Long term suffering of Makai Sickness is rare. A survivor of Makai Sickness is not unscathed by the experience. Their body mutates in large or small part - an effect of the Sickness being supernatural in nature in the first place. These survivors never change in the same ways, each affliction unique to the sufferer. They also face as of yet irreparable damage to their spiritual pathways, which can have an effect on their use of spiritual power. More than that, the remnants of the Sickness that remain makes them more vulnerable to being affected by Makai Sickness again, their survival chances near zero if they were to "relapse."

Strictly speaking, saying that the Sickness "feeds" is misleading. Magi experts on Makai research disagree on whether Makai Sickness is alive in the way a virus is, or if it more similar to radiation sickness and only seems to evolve due to its supernatural nature. In reality it shares traits of both, but either way it weakens its sufferers until death or dysmorphogenesis.

Moloch

plural: Moloch | also: devils, demons, old gods [+]

Additional Information

Moloch's Blood

also: primordial power [+]

Additional Information

Monster

plural: monsters | also: demons, yokai [+]

Additional Information

A "monster" is exactly what you may be thinking: creatures from the myths and folklore of our real world. Stories of demons, dragons, fae, yokai, and more; from werewolves and harpies to devils, krakens, the undead to even just gigantic, belligerent predators. Most are solitary beings, but at times they can form small groups and even work together. As stated, what sets a monster apart from an animal is its ability to wield spiritual power, much like how human magi can. And what separates monsters from each other are their various levels of brain power. At current, there are two levels of this:

1. The intelligence level between different species. Like the animal kingdom that humanity is part of, different types of monsters have different brain capacities. One can reasonably assume that a basilisk that they encounter will have a lower level of intelligence versus a dragon.

2. The intelligence level between different individuals of the same species. Unlike the animal kingdom whose members are sorted in class, order, family, etc., monster classification is not so robust. Two monsters both considered to be werewolves may differ greatly from each other, especially where there intelligence level is concerned. One may be more beastly than its cousin, and another may even possess the ability to speak.

In general the more humanoid a monster is, the smarter it is, which seems to suggest a similar evolutionary path to the ones taken by humans. Monsters that are capable of higher thought also consider those more beast-like monsters to be akin to "mere animals." Intelligent monsters of this level can feel and understand some of the same emotions that humans do, however their base instincts will never disappear. All monsters are possessed by their hunger, without exception.

Eating and growing are how a monster gains strength. Gaining strength for survival is hardwired into a monster's brain. They use cunning, technique, or pure strength to capture prey, as all monsters must continue to consume less their hunger eventually drives them to autosarcophagy. Flora and fauna can only sate them for so long; only spiritual power -and the beings that contain it- can truly sustain a monster. Thus, the everlasting conflict between monster and man.

Rarely, a monster may evolve after consuming large amounts of spiritual power. Their evolution is varied, as even individuals of the same species that undergo evolution will not change in the same ways. Some grow larger, some develop powerful paranormal abilities, and some ascend to a higher plane of intelligence. It is the latter that is the most dangerous, as a smarter monster is a deadlier monster. Magi prioritize putting down these monsters over others in order to prevent the potential birth of new Moloch. It is only a hypothesis that monsters can evolve into Moloch, as this has never been observed during recorded history.

More common is the formation of a Makai, though these are created during a release of large amounts of spiritual power rather than consumption of it. Monsters play a part in the formation of Makai most often when they come into contact with each other or with magi during their hunts and unleash their power during battle.

Throughout history there have been tales of monsters ravaging kingdoms and villages, but in the modern era those living in large cities will never see a monster during their life time. In fact, to this day many humans the world over consider monsters to be just stories. This is in part due the majority of monsters being nocturnal, solitary creatures that take their prey swiftly or stealthily within their own territories. A monster preserves its own life even over the lives of its offspring, and will generally avoid provoking stronger monsters or magi... unless they are particularly aggressive or believe they can win. Of course, monsters encroaching into cities is nothing new. Even skeptics tend to stay indoors in rural areas when the hour grows too late.

Recently there has been an upsurge of monster activity in various regions of the world. Is there some reason for it...?

Spectral Sense

plural: senses | also: mystic eyes/etc, sixth sense, spiritual sensitivity [+]

Additional Information

Spiritual Aspect ✪

plural: aspects | also: expression of power, technique [+]

Additional Information

If a mage's type determines how they utilize their spiritual power, then their aspect represents the shape that power takes when made manifest.

Spiritual Core ✪

plural: cores | also: kanda, qi center, spirit organ [+]

Additional Information

Spirit Pathway

plural: pathways | also: chakras/nadi, magic circuits, mana vessels [+]

Additional Information

Spiritual Power ✪

also: qi, life force, magic, mana, orenda, spirit energy, spiritual prowess [+]

Additional Information

Tasogare

also: Cabinet of Magi, Cabinet of Makai Research and Defense [+]

Additional Information

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

• Weird West
• You sold your soul to the devil LOL
• Hunt down runaway debtors like yourself
• Throw in some spooky western ghost story monsties
• Maybe get some low level powers?
• ????
• Profit