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[i]"On the eve of Her departure, She shed a single tear. She bade her children not to weep for Her absence, for She would always walk with them."[/i][/center]
It was once said that of all of the goddess’ creations, humankind was her favorite. She was so overcome with love for humans that she shed numerous tears of joy. Those tears imbued them with her gift, manifesting in their ability to use magic. The humans used the magic given to them to carve their way through the world she had created for them. Over time, however, magic began to disappear as less were born with it, and humanity struggled. The humans prayed to the goddess for help, and in turn, she chose several humans to bless with a drop of her blood. This time, her gift was greater, and her influence was shown through symbols that would glow on their bodies. They were called Scions, and many worshiped them as they were living proof of the goddess’ blessing.

Over time, countries were formed around the Scions, and while the goddess’ influence was never forgotten, people’s attention turned to what the Scions could do for them instead. Royals and nobles often touted certain lineages for producing Scions, and those born of common blood were often snatched up by the nobility and given status and wealth. Notably, Scions are often discouraged from using their magic, leading to a majority becoming figureheads rather than the tools of war they were once feared to be. It isn’t unheard of for a Scion to be bested by other mages or even those without magic because of this. To combat any would-be assassins, most Scions are given bodyguards assigned from the church, and they are expertly trained to protect their charge.

The current era of peace throughout Estora has led to prosperity, albeit with the disappearance of the Scion of Time, a notable figure whose body was never found, tensions have been brewing. Some believe it to be the work of foreign threats, others believe the enemy comes from their own. The truth is only hidden to those who do not seek it.
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[hider=The Setting]
The continent of Gaia used to be divided into several separate nations. They once wielded their Scions as weapons and went against one another for control of the land, resulting in centuries of numerous bloody wars. Eventually, the countries of [color=ed1c24]Estora[/color] and [color=fff200]Veradis[/color] came to an agreement, and together brought the rest of the continent under one rule. As part of their agreement, the other countries retained their status and would support Estora under their reign. While there will always be disagreements and minor wars, overall the Estoran reign has led to prosperity. 

The current monarch, High King Nathaniel Estora VIII, is rumored to be going through a health crisis, and many are curious which of his children will succeed them. The country has become something of a melting pot, although they tend to host an assortment of luxury destinations, ranging from natural springs, villas, resorts, and home to the second-largest church. It is common for other royals and nobles to come visit and vacation there due to their warm climate, and most festivals are also hosted there as a symbol of unity. 

The royals of [color=fff200]Veradis[/color] have served Estora dutifully. They are considered the center of the goddess’ religion, having been the lineage considered holiest. Said lineage has been exclusively blessed to produce Scions of Light, and in turn have been the most consistent historically. While their status sees them as second to the Estoras, many see them as lesser than the other countries because despite being a principality, they serve Estora as a vassal state. Their royals are known to be highly pious and loyal to a fault, and the Church will always side with Veradis over any other country. The country itself has been described as serene and peaceful, with few major cities, and is unique for being the most consistent in keeping its identity throughout the centuries. There are a variety of religious places as well, and it is common to take a pilgrimage throughout the kingdom as a proof of faith. Prince Rowan Isadore Bachmeier Veradis II is currently fielding several offers for marriage to one of his children but doesn't seem interested, prompting rumors. Their symbol is a golden sun.

The country of [color=662d91]Doumerc[/color] is known as a home of scholars and is run by a parliament. They were primarily tasked with keeping track of history after the unification under Estora and kept at it centuries later. People fight tooth and nail to get accepted into their universities as graduating from one guarantees success. They are also behind many of the continent’s technological advances, being the pioneer in successful magitechnology (the term is still being argued over whether it is appropriate or not, however). The current Prime Minister, Pierre Dumont, is always hunkered down in his tower as he is studying a way to make a Dark Scion more consistent. The country is typically rainy and cold, albeit their summers are warm. Their symbol is a scroll kept together with a violet ribbon.

The rulers of The [color=0054a6]Rodion[/color] Dominion are known as warriors, chosen through feats of might and strength. While most would think years of peace would have suppressed their desire to fight, they have found other ways to channel their strengths. It is also so common to resolve things through trial by combat in their country that anyone that decides otherwise is forever branded as a coward. There isn’t a single arena that isn’t funded by them, and it was with their help that mixed martial arts are so prevalent these days. They are often employed by other countries to train their armies, and it’s rare to find an instructor that isn’t from there. Doumerc may also be the pioneers of technology, but Rodions have perfected it, having the most efficient weaponry, armor, and modes of transportation. They deny all rumors that the motorbike was invented by Doumerc, however. The current Rodion Tsar Aleksander Kresnik is under some scrutiny as he has politicized the country’s longstanding tradition of leadership being decided by combat as he never stepped foot in the arena. The climate is a dry, frigid one, their coastline famous for being frozen and difficult to get to. Their symbol is a blue and silver bow and arrow, though recently there has been talk about updating it to a gun.

The royal house of [color=39b54a]Rosaria[/color] is known as a house of artistry. Their creations are often second to none and the current Estoran castle is littered with their paintings and sculptures. That said, it is difficult to trust a Rosarian, as their beautiful words are often laced with double meanings, and it’s uncommon to meet with one without being taken advantage of. The booming entertainment industry is also run by them, with a majority of television, commercials, and books published from Rosarians. They also possess one of the largest news stations, making it a point to know what is happening everywhere at all times. The Kingdom of Rosaria is also the most traditional and is famous for their well-kept buildings, and their skyline of castles and skyscrapers give it a unique identity. Since the beginning the Scion of Wind has always been born from Rosaria, making it the second most consistent Scion to appear. Queen Mercedes Callidora Rosaria is currently petitioning the High King to accuse Lorenzia of stealing a Scion that was born in her territory. Their climate is mild with changes in the seasons being subtle. Their symbol is a green rose.

[color=f7941d]Lorenzia[/color] is known as a country of merchants and is currently run by President Bruno Esposito. Where there is coin, a Lorenzia is sure to be found. With their vast network of both local and foreign contacts, they are quick to set up shop and could sell grass to a farmer if given the chance. Their craftsmanship guilds are typically larger than those of other countries. They are also the biggest suppliers of the continent with heaps of farmable lands and resources. In recent times, the nobles of Lorenzia have expressed displeasure at the rising notion to give common citizens the ability to vote. They are the largest country by far and have a vast amount of rolling fields and valleys. Their symbol is an orange juniper branch. [/hider] 

[hider=The Religion]
The goddess Incepta is the central religious figure. There are numerous churches throughout the continent that sport statues in her image and give history on her blessings. Her teachings are commonplace, and while the devout aren’t as fanatic as they were in the past, it’s common for people to have a more casual relationship with her and the church. Many Scions of the past are considered to be patron saints as well, and it's not unusual to pray to them for certain situations. The Veradis family maintain the churches and are often seen as the most blessed of all the blue bloods and tend to have a close relationship with the clergy. 

The relationship between the goddess and humanity is akin to that of a parent and child. The goddess raised the first humans she created personally and instilled several morals into them that would later become her teachings. Some texts refer to the goddess exclusively as ‘Mother’ and it is common for people to refer to one another as brothers and sisters due to humanity being considered children of the goddess. An effect of this is seen in modern times through a cultural emphasis on parenthood and raising families.

To show unity throughout every country, the Church employs bodyguards to each Scion called Templars. While Commander Fyodor is their primary trainer, their role is not meant solely for protection. They are also tasked with confirming the Scion’s status and overseeing their usage of magic. After all, the goddess’ blessing is not something that should be used in abundance, and throwing it around without reason is frowned upon by the Church. The extent to which Scions agree with this vary–you will never find a Veradis who will disagree, but some Scions that may be arrogant or even less pious may not agree with this. To be a Templar is considered an honor, and those who are accepted into the role come from varying backgrounds as the Church does not discriminate. They are required, however, to revoke all allegiances to any country to lessen the risk of putting politics above duty. In exchange, once a Templar is assigned to a Scion, the country they reside in is required to accommodate them.

High Cardinal Margaret wishes only to carry out the goddess’ word, but it is rumored she has little patience for Scions that do not fall into place, and is often weary of royals and nobles who only seek to use Scions for political gain. There has been some disagreement on how strict she has become in regards to the Scions’ magic, with some believing that her place should be one of guidance. Others feel that the current Scions should be more pious, as without the Church’s Templars, their lives would be full of uncertainty.[/hider]  

[hider=The Scions and Magic]
Ten elements, ten scions. Magic is divided into two aspects, that of light and dark. Light elements are consistent in their appearances and are the easiest Scions to predict. For example, the Scion of Light is born exclusively in Veradis from the royal lineage of Bachmeier. It is said the goddess’ blood is strongest with these Scions, though there isn’t any solid evidence of this. Dark elements are considered less consistent and it isn’t uncommon to find them sprouting from common blood. Once discovered, they are typically brought under the protection of a noble or royal house and elevated in status. There have been many fights over the Dark Scions as a result, but ultimately it is up to the Scion themselves to decide whose protection they want to be under. 

Light elements include Light, Fire, Wind, Lightning, and Time. Dark elements include Shadow, Water, Earth, Metal, and Gravity.

Scions are identified by their elemental magic and the symbols of the goddess appearing somewhere on their body. Bolder Scions often go out of their way to make their symbols visible at all times, as it is channeling mana that manifests the symbol. They also possess the unique ability to bestow Blessings onto people, which grants the person of their choosing a lesser version of their magic. Blessings are as strong as the Scion and target is; mages will have an easier time wielding their magic while non-mages may struggle, but it isn’t unheard of for non-mages to wield it just fine. Blessings are permanent until the Scion dismisses it, and there is only one known case of a Blessing persisting after a Scion’s death.

Every mage is born with magic that can manifest at any time. It is exceedingly common to hear wives swap tales of their floating infants, and the Churches often employ a special stone that reacts to an abundant amount of mana to help identify mages. Scions’ manifestations vary wildly from Scion to Scion, with the more consistent identified from the day they are born to the random farmhand having to explain why the fields are suddenly flooded. What is consistent is the goddess’ symbol appearing with the use of their magic, and Scions that have tried to hide their identities are often outed due to this.

Lesser magic is uncommon but is strictly non-elemental. If it takes one Scion to erect a town’s barrier, then it takes five mages to do the same. Magehood is seen more as a nuisance, the unglamourous result of a tedious career with limited options. Most mages are glorified batteries for certain transportation, and a majority of barrier mages are part-timers who have other jobs to help pay the bills. Their spells are handy in day-to-day usage and as a result lucky ones can be employed by the nobility to work as servants in their manors. 

[hider=The First Scions]The First Scion of Light was a man by the name of William Bachmeier. It was his prayers that the goddess heard when humanity was in dire straits, and he is considered the holiest of the original Scions. A pious man who dedicated his life to the goddess’ teachings, he spent his life helping the poor and spreading goodwill. After receiving his blessing, he used it to strengthen the Church. He and his two disciples founded the Holy Kingdom of Veradis, though he left the throne to his daughter once she married. He was said to be a serious man in his thirties who found the beauty of life in everything. He is the patron of protectors, travelers, and teaching.

The First Scion of Fire was a boy by the name of Phoebus. Both he and his sister were orphaned as a result of a plague that ravaged the land. They were taken in by William and supported him and his work. Eventually, the siblings split apart, with Phoebus remaining in Veradis. His son married William’s granddaughter, and to honor his mentor, he bade his daughter-in-law to keep her name. This started the tradition of the name of Bachmeier to persist regardless of who marries into the family. He was said to be a fiery man with passion and love for his family and friends. He is the patron of marriage, family, and platonic love.

The First Scion of Water was a girl by the name of Cynthia. She followed her older brother and was mentored by William, and used her power to create Veradis. Her brother had found his calling and she departed Veradis to find hers, helping Rosaria to create her city in the process. Eventually, she found her calling helping orphans the same way William did for her, and thus she established governmental protections for them. While she never married, she did dedicate her life to raising the children in the orphanage she built and was said to have passed peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by love. She was said to be a kind and humble woman and loved visiting the ocean whenever she could. She is the patron of orphans, adoption, music, and the sea.

The First Scion of Wind was a noblewoman by the name of Rosaria Lima. She was the youngest of her siblings and infamous for turning away suitors, only having eyes for a man she once saw in church. After gaining her blessings in her late twenties, she used her power to leave her family and create her own kingdom, with herself at the helm. As her previous country didn’t appreciate her love of art, she let her talents flourish and invited many to do the same. While the man she pined for didn’t return her affections, she did marry and establish the royal family and a matrilineal rule. The man she was said to fancy was William Bachmeier based on letters she had written to him. She was said to be a highly confident and beautiful woman who loved every painting and sculpture given to her. She is the patron of beauty, art, wealth, and unrequited love.

The First Scion of Earth was a man by the name of Isidore Laurent. He was born a farmer and loved nothing more than tending to the fields. He was given his blessing at a time when the soil would grow nothing, and he used his power to turn the land fertile. He traveled for a long time before returning home, where he established a merchant house in his small hometown that grew exponentially. Tragedy would rob the world of him, and in his honor, his hometown renamed itself Lorenzia. He was said to be a man full of laughter and warmth known for seeing the brighter side of things. He was also said to be close friends with Thomas Durand. He is the patron of farmers, the harvest, cooks, and comedy. 

The First Scion of Metal was a man by the name of Mikhail Vadim. He was already a commander of the Rodion army when he received the goddess’ blessing, and together with his wife used it to permanently push out Kaudus when they were losing in the long-lasting territorial war. Once the war was done, he turned his attention to reinforcing the kingdom and deemed the current king too weak to rule, and took over without protest. Once his son came of age, he challenged his father for the throne, beginning a tradition that persists in Rodion in modern times. Mikhail was said to have never been prouder and took back his place as commander until the passing of his wife. He was said to be a stern man that valued strength above all in his early forties, whose thoughts were always an enigma. He is the patron of soldiers, swordsmanship, and boats.

The First Scion of Lightning was a woman by the name of Georgiana Vadim nee Auriel. While she wasn’t born in Rodion, she was of a noble family who sold her to Mikhail’s family for her dowry. Anytime her husband made a public appearance, she would stand next to him in silence, painting the picture of a meek, obedient wife. However, she led the army’s cavalry unit and there wasn’t an animal she couldn’t tame. She was also a talented blacksmith that personally made her husband’s armor, the remnants of which can be seen in the Rodion Royal Museum. Once the fighting ended, she split her time between her position and rebuilding their war-torn home. The relationship between her and her husband was puzzling as they didn’t seem to get along, but after her death, her husband publicly stated that she was the ideal wife and died shortly afterwards. She was said to be a solemn woman in her early forties who sought to serve her husband dutifully and wished only for her country’s prosperity. She is the patron of cavalry, blacksmiths, horses, and dutiful wives.

The First Scion of Shadow was a man by the name of Thomas Durand. A famed philosopher and intellect, many were surprised when he was revealed to have received a blessing. However, in receiving the magic given to him he was able to study it and made strides on mana, its usage, and how magic manifests. He ended up sharing his knowledge and tasked himself with approaching each Scion in an effort to help them control their magic. While no one could say he didn’t contribute, he was famously against the Pope at the time as he believed that the man had been wielding his power personally instead of for the service of the church and repeatedly warned people about him. He was said to be an inquisitive old man with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He is the patron of academics, schools, philosophy, and champagne.  

The First Scion of Gravity was a woman by the name of Molla Damian. She dedicated the entirety of her life to helping the sick and is known for using her wealth to give medicine to those who could not afford it. Even after her family fell from grace, she continued to help in every way she could. Her usage of her blessings included building hospitals and homes for the needy, and her creations still stand in modern times. She was said to be a charitable elder and never stopped helping others even when she lost the use of her legs. Many Scions often sought her out for her wisdom and she was the only one to know each Scion on a personal level. She is the patron of medicine, physicians, architecture, and homes.

The First Scion of Time was a woman by the name of Anani Malachy. A social pariah infamous for decrying the church, her blessing was an absolute shock to the masses. There was much friction between her and the church while she was alive and her status as a Scion was heavily questioned. The Malachy house eventually disinherited her and she married into the Estoran noble family. It was then that she received a prophecy from the goddess and used it to direct the formation of the country of Estora. She also renounced her protests and publicly apologized to the church, dedicating herself to hours of prayer and fasting as penance. She was said to be a spirited young woman in her twenties who sought justice for those who couldn’t defend themselves. She is the patron of converts, justice, and prophecies.[/hider][/hider]

[hider=The Technology]
Magic has both antiquated the world and accelerated its technology. While swords and castles are commonplace and litter the continent, technology has taken leaps in advancement thanks to the efforts of both Doumerc and Rodion. Public transportation like bullet trains are as commonplace as wagons that go from town to town. Personal cars are expensive and most common folk find investing in or renting horses to be more prudent. Due to the upper atmosphere being full of dangerous mana currents, however, airplanes aren’t a thing, and helicopters require extraneous circumstances to be used that aren’t to transport goods and materials. 

The new trend of body modification has had a successful breakthrough recently. [Person] was honored with the first fully-functioning artificial limb three years ago, replacing [their] right hand. Doumerc is currently working on a full working limb, while the Rodions are testing giving their limbs additional properties. This technology, however, is currently limited, and is not available to the common folk or even the nobility. The term ‘cybernetic’ has been coined in regards to this new technology, with both countries accepting applicants to test them.

The Church also approves of technological advances and is rumored to be working on something in secret. The most prevalent rumor revolves around a Templar made entirely of metal.

Common technology is either powered by electricity or mana. Many mana-based appliances tend to last longer, but also require a mage to power them. A majority of cars are mana-based due to the requirements to power one, and as a result most of them are owned by the rich or the noble. Home appliances are generally electric, but there are some older houses that have mana-powered appliances. Mana-based batteries are currently in development, but the more successful ones have been used for things like massive generators and for the shields that protect farmland that can’t contract any barrier mages. Smaller ones are more difficult to produce, but some say there has been a change of mana in the atmosphere that has caused this.[/hider]

[hider=The Hierarchy]
High King Nathaniel Estora VIII is seen as the supreme leader of the continent. While the other kingdoms are free to act as they please, whenever issues arise between kingdoms, they can turn to the High King for judgment. While Veradis royalty is second to Estoran royalty, they are considered below the other ruling monarchs. However, the Church’s authority is unique and holds a considerable amount of power, and most monarchs consider the high cardinal’s words to be equal to theirs. 

Each country has its own government but typically has an assortment of dukes and barons and the like. Mages are equal to other humans, but most are desired by the nobility as servants.

The Church has its own hierarchy. As they believe that only the Holy Mother is at the peak, leadership for mortals is divided by three that oversee different branches of the church. These are the church’s head cardinal, commander, and archbishop. High Cardinal Margaret leads the church in teaching, sanctifying, and governing the people of the goddess. She oversees the clergy and makes decisions on behalf of the church, with some believing her to be the true leader of the church. Commander Fyodor is a former knight whose fighting prowess is legendary, having served in the most recent Rodion-Kaudus war. Despite his age, he retains his sharpness, and all who train under him have been molded into the continent’s finest. He also oversees the Templars, with some saying he handpicks them personally. Archbishop Elijah oversees the more practical tasks, ensuring funds are placed where they are needed and directing charities. He commonly meets with royalty and nobility to receive donations as well.

Under the top three are the church’s knights, followed by the bishops, then the priests. Larger churches are often helmed by bishops with smaller churches having priests. The size of the church often determines the number of knights, though more perilous places may have more.[/hider] 

[hider=The World]
Castles and skyscrapers, swords and guns, horses and motorbikes–this world is an amalgamation of fantasy and science. Magic can be seen if you just look around, but it’s easy to get lost in a bustling city. There are jeans, there are fancy ball gowns, there are soldiers clad in futuristic armor next to a horse-pulled carriage. Being educated is common, but it’s not unheard of for a farmer to not know how to read depending on where they’re from. 

Monsters frequently dwell in forests and on the paths from place to place. They often look like morphed animals or plants, differing in size and ferocity. Scion Durand has determined that they are born from an overexposure of mana, as unlike humans, animals and plants don’t typically have the ability to channel mana, and thus are warped from it. Regular animals and plants have evolved and adapted as a result, though any wild animal can be just as dangerous as a monster. Domesticated animals are often given collars that protect them from any ill effects of mana and are required to be registered. 

The preference between sword and gun differs from person to person. Mana gives people the ability to take damage without getting injured, but it is a finite amount. Thus, someone can survive taking a bullet, but a hail of bullets can still kill a person. Scions tend to be sturdier than most due to their ability to wield an abundance of mana, but they are vulnerable to one another because of the Scions’ elemental magic. It has been almost a century since Scions have fought to the death, however, and modern Scions are considered weaker than their ancestors.[/hider]

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The roleplay will kick off during the Millennial Festival celebrating the birth of the original Scions. It is one of the few times a year where every Scion is gathered at the same place at the same time. They'll be accompanied by their Templars and expected at a grand ceremony. Players will have the option to play a Scion or a Templar and will be expected to keep up with their posts. I'm looking for a group of five to six players and hoping for people who are willing to coordinate and cooperate if necessary. If there are any questions please let me know and I'll answer right away.

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