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[center][i]“In Chains we find Reason. In Chains we have Virtue. In Chains we are Human.”[/i][/center]
Before the Chains, humanity was an unbound monstrosity, corrupting everything it touched. Base creatures beholden to nothing but instinct, their shadowy masses would have consumed all life on Reah and left the world a silent, starving husk in the void. Even the Arbiters, bearing the wills of their celestial lords, could not hold them back, and little by little humanity pushed into the kingdoms of beast and fey, of dragon and titan and all mythos lost to time. 

It was only the appearance of the Moon, and the intervention of the Mother of Prudence which forestalled Reah’s end. By binding her lunar vessel to the world, the Mother also bound humanity with Reason. Her Chains gave form to the blight, carving and shaping each shadowy vestige until the amalgam was unmade, and in its place stood the first, true, humans. 

The rest, as they say, is history. Some of it written, much of it lost. In some ways nothing was changed; humanity did, eventually, supplant the kingdoms of the Arbiters, and many of the mythos earned their name, fading into legend. The Mother never left her Moon, but her silent presence was felt all the same. 

In her shadow, in her Chains, humanity came to rule Reah after all. 

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The Chains which bind humanity, the conduit of its power, and the only thing preventing its devolution. The malignance from which they came was not destroyed, only bound by the Mother’s Virtues. Each person is a flood, each Chain is a dam; should they be broken, there would be no person at all, only a monstrous force of nature. 

That is to say, should [i]all[/i] be broken. 

Old humanity was so destructive for a reason—it was powerful. While the Chains do prevent them from devolving, they also restrict that power unique and innate to humans, and had they remained as strictly bound as they were, Reah would still be under the celestial rule of the Arbiters. 

It is only by breaking these Chains that one can access their ancestral power. The process is highly regulated, its particulars known only by a select few across every kingdom, but it can be done. Some would say it [i]must[/i] be done. Breaking a Chain is a difficult feat to perform, but even more difficult to endure. Done indelicately, one can flood the body with too much power at once; the person may die, or worse, the flood may shatter every Chain in its rushing and they may devolve into monster, endangering countless lives before they can be slain. Likewise, a person who has not prepared themselves physically and mentally for a breaking may fail to contain their new power, and suffer similar consequences. 

Each Breaking is more dangerous than the last, and for every one who has achieved the godlike status of First Chain, tens of thousands fail to break their Fifth. To free oneself without fully understanding the Virtues that bind them is doom, but to embrace them, to realize them, is both an entirely individualistic journey, and also only the first step.

The Chains are as follows:

[hider=The Chain of Judgement]
Using one’s reason to determine the nature of a thing, be it right or wrong, selfish or selfless, good or evil. It was judgement that allowed humanity to first distinguish itself from the blight, to understand consequence and remorse, to feel, for the first time, as a thing with choice. Through judgement one understands the weight of their actions, and also the actions of others. They forge laws by which to govern and abide. They form opinions through the crucible of their values. They mete out justice by the rigor of their principles.[/hider]
[hider=The Chain of Valor]
Using one’s reason to confront danger, pain, fear, and uncertainty. Sometimes disparaged by those who see doing so as the abandonment of reason, but for the valorous, bravery is reason. When humanity emerged from the blight, doubt and sin heavy upon their backs, it was valor that strengthened their bodies. When the creatures of Reah sought to extinguish them in their weakened forms, it was valor that drove them to break their Chains again, it was valor that carried their spirits and ambitions into the future they now possess.[/hider]
[hider=The Chain of Temperance]
Using one’s reason as a means of resisting temptation. The temperate are merciful and humble, almost monastic. Tempering oneself is a long process, and most are judged by the content of their journey rather than its length. As humanity rose, as their desires exceeded their means, it was through temperance that they found the path towards growth. Restraint is critical to the evolution of one’s capabilities, without it every Breaking would end in disaster. Only through understanding one’s limits can they be expanded. Only through knowing when to stop, can one know when to begin again.[/hider]
[hider=The Chain of Hope]
The first of the non-cardinal virtues. Hope exists beyond reason, almost by necessity. Hope is the Chain of imagination, creation, and belief beyond logic. When the Mother of Prudence severed the Chain of Faith, it was humanity’s own hope, its belief in itself, that allowed them to push on and utilize the Chains that remained. The hopeful, often thought of in tandem with the brave—though they are distinct—stand against the odds, or create their own.[/hider]
[hider=The Chain of Charity]
Once thought to be inextricable from the broken Chain of Faith, the Chain of Charity—sometimes called the Chain of Love—much like Hope, is removed from reason and deals much more with humanity’s heart. Through Charity was humanity given its second chance, through innumerable and unspoken sacrifice has it survived to realize that chance. To give unbidden and without expectation, to introduce kindness where it may not exist, and to bolster it where it does, is perhaps the most virtuous act of all.[/hider]
[hider=The Chain of Faith]
Once foundational to the magic of virtue, this Chain was shattered by the Mother of Prudence herself, so that her descendants could evolve without her. The belief in a higher power, while perfectly reasonable, is not necessary for humanity’s growth, and for the love of her children such a power would not wish it otherwise. However, through profaned rituals—ironically made viable by the act of removing piety—some have reforged this Chain in order to bind themselves to other beings of great power, so that they themselves may taste godhood.[/hider]

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The power once wielded by the qovu was devastating and manifold. However, with nothing to guide them their capabilities stagnated. Now, bound by the Chains, humanity can improve their capabilities through rigorous mental and physical training. 

But as in all things, caution is key. The limits imposed upon one’s body by their Chains exist for a reason, and attempting to surpass them prematurely can easily result in a catastrophic Breaking. While outliers exist in every statistic, the capabilities of each Chain level are generally understood, and those who set out to study and improve will most likely be aware of when they have reached their limit. 

The Links are as follows:

[hider=The Link of Strength]
One’s strength can be trained in a multitude of ways. Raw power, speed, durability; strength encompasses countless aspects of one’s life, and so this Link is one of the hardest to master in its entirety. Indeed, most practitioners choose to focus on one or two facets, evening out their experience with other Links along the way. Fifth Chainers who have mastered this Link might find themselves able to run farther for longer, might find their skin less likely to bruise, or themselves more likely to [i]leave[/i] bruises. Fourth Chainers might find they run much faster than their lower Chained peers, and their fists pass easily through stone and concrete, where Third Chainers would see similar results with steel, and their bodies might be able to weather the edges and impacts of mundane weapons.[/hider]
[hider=The Link of Instinct]
Also called the Link of Reflex, as both are necessary for one to successfully master it. Instinct is vital to one’s evolution; as one grows, so too must their intuition, their ability to perceive and react to things be they physical, mental, or arcane. Without instinct, the strongest warrior may not know where to throw his punch. Without reflex, the fastest runner may overlook an obstacle, or trip as a result of their poor reaction. With good instinct, one can learn to read the intent of another. Fifth Chainers who have mastered this Link might find they never miss a stair, or have an easier time swatting flies at supper. Fourth Chainers would begin to anticipate attacks from their opponents, and in the right circumstances might find themselves capable of deflecting bullets. Third Chainers may find their duels escalating into protracted feints and parries as both intuit and recalculate their moves.[/hider]
[hider=The Link of Capacity]
The simplest and also most crucial of all the Links, the Link of Capacity pervades all other disciplines and cannot be ignored. Tied directly to the well of power innate to all humans, training capacity is what allows one’s limits to be pushed, and indeed, is necessary for a successful Breaking. It must be mastered both generally, and also specifically for each discipline. A Fourth Chainer without the proper capacity for Fourth Chain strength would find themselves at best no stronger than they were at Fifth Chain, and at worst, tearing their body apart with power they were not ready to wield. One’s capabilities are tied directly and inextricably to their capacity.[/hider]
[hider=The Link of Arcana]
Proto-humans wielded all manner of magics, albeit in much more banal forms than exist today. The Link of Arcana is indisputably the most expansive and thus most difficult to master of the Links. In fact, those who have not unfastened their lifespans would find mastering it impossible, and those who have would still struggle. There exist so many schools of magic, broad and narrow, popular and obscure, and so many spells within them that one could spend even an extended lifetime trying and failing to master them all. Naturally, most choose to specialize either in private practices or at academies. Fifth Chainers might study pyromancy and manage to conjure modest flames. Fourth Chainers with their mana expanded by their Link of Capacity, might focus on golemancy, and forge constructs of raw materials or even elements, whereas a Third Chainer might harness illusionism to warp an entire battlefield into a nightmarish landscape to confuse and harass their enemies. The possibilities for this Link are nearly limitless, and as such, it often bleeds most heavily into the others.[/hider]
[hider=The Link of TBD]WIP[/hider]

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Magic existed in Reah long before the Mother lifted humanity from its monstrous origins, and has taken many forms throughout history. The Arbiters channeled power from their celestial gods; the fey cultivated their magic from the earth; the magics of titans and dragons was entirely unique to them. Even old humanity possessed profaned, horrific magic of its own, still utilized by the creatures that sprout from Reah’s ley lines. 

But humanity is no longer limited. Through a process known as Arcane Sympathy, humans are capable of learning any type of magic, be it elemental, material, primordial, draconic, and so on. To this day, new schools of magic are still being discovered at various established institutions across the world, but also, occasionally, in the homes and minds of particularly determined individuals. 

One’s magical aptitude is tied closely to their mastery over not only their Arcane Link, but the others as well, depending on their schools, and even the paths within those schools. One cryomancer may focus entirely on the conjuration of projectiles and frigid conduits and have no use for Links like Strength, or Instinct, where another may center their discipline on enhancements to their body or their weapons, necessitating good strength or reflexes. 

Likewise, there are schools of magic that seem to fill the gaps in the boons offered by the Links. Vitality magic, for instance, focuses on the warding off of disease and the reduction of fatigue or the length of time one might take to recover from an injury. Most importantly, it offers the sole method of extending one’s natural life—a path sought after by practitioners of nearly all Chains. In other areas however, magic is narrow in particular ways. For instance, there is only one school of restorative healing magic, practiced almost exclusively by devotees of the Charity Chain, in which one takes the wounds and ailments of another onto themselves. 

Regardless of school, all magic relies on one’s Arcane Link, which develops in tandem with their skill, but also just as importantly with their Capacity Link, which dictates how much of their innate mana they have access to. While outliers exist, the general pools available to each level of Chain are understood, up to First, where there is no true record. As such, most schools classify their spells not only by discipline, but by Chain level. While some spells improve as one sheds their Chains (e.g. A Fifth Chain lightning bolt versus a Third) others simply cannot be cast by higher Chains due to their cost exceeding the pool. For example, the Vitality school’s coveted spell which extends one’s lifespan is not only closely guarded, but also requires a Third Chain pool to perform. 

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Once the lands belonging the five Arbiters, humanity now reigns. Each nation is led by its sole First Chain, called their Sovereign. While there is a degree of cooperation and global trade, the kingdoms rule independently. That said, outright war has been stifled by stifled by ancient treaties, prioritizing a combined effort to stand against the creatures of the ley lines. 

[hider=Hyphon, The Kingdom of Justice]
Led by the Sovereign Dysos, called the Judge, Hyphon holds itself and its citizens to the highest standards of law, order, and justice. From it came the institution of courts, of prisons, and systems of punishment and reform. While all nations operate independently, many adopt Hyphon’s laws and mimic their methods of law-keeping in at least some capacity. 

Hyphon boasts one of the largest landmasses in Reah, but its northernly placement renders much of it into poor farmland. Its mountains, however, burst with rare metals and other precious resources. Several prosperous ley lines run through its lands, making it a leader in energy production as well. 

The people of Hyphon are hardy and taciturn, valuing unspoken adherence to order, but also and sometimes paradoxically, a devotion to one’s own principles. It is the sentiment of the people that a person must decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong, and that when ideals clash, it is by the Mother’s will that one triumph over the other. 

As such, though Dysos has created much of the law, he leaves its interpretation and especially its execution, in the hands of his lords. Disputes are often mediated in court, but Hyphon has always allowed for more martial determinations of victory, and there have been no shortages of small-scale wars fought between the various lesser rulers of the land.[/hider]

[hider=Munedori, The Kingdom of Valor]
Once ruled by the Phoenix, the only Arbiter sympathetic to humanity, and the creator of the fey race. When he died his final death, his flames passed on to the Sovereign Genwynir, who inherited the remnants of his undyingly loyal Fey Knighthood. Though regarded as a hero, Genwynir’s sickly nature and lack of martial achievements has begun to erode her reputation amongst her people. 

Munedori is a nation of glory, ruled by a code of chivalry. Comprised of a massive, moonlike peninsula as well as nearly a hundred coastal islands, Munedori is the beating heart of Reah’s waterborne trade, and also boasts the largest military force in the world. And no wonder, because the largest and most active ley line runs directly through its mainland, and splinters off even into its island territories. 

As such, the people of Munedori grow up fighting. They train their Links from early childhood, so that even those who never rise above Fifth Chain may stand some chance of defending themselves. Every vassal commands their own army, and every family seems eager to add their name to the sacred Hero’s List. To live with honor is to fight fiercely, to love bravely, and to die in service to one’s fellow man. 

But, life is not always so simple. Munedori warriors seeking glory may find themselves in one of countless mercenary troops, bolstering the ranks of armies all across Reah. Here, the code of Chivalry can be muddled for the sake of a beautiful battle, or the chance to cross blades with someone of greater renown. Those that fail to find their glory in honorable ways may walk less savory paths, blinded by their own ambitions.[/hider]

[hider=Waywen, The Kingdom of Temperance]
Currently led by Myal the monk, Waywen is the only Kingdom whose Sovereign does not extend their life, and as such, the seat shifts with relative regularity compared to the other nations. In fact, the practice is quite rare in Waywen overall. 

A nation of massive mountains and cavernous valleys, one might see the wavelike geography of Waywen as antithetical to the balance at the center of its identity. In fact, Waywen’s people see its lands as perfectly emblematic, offering both the highest highs and the lowest lows in all of Reah. Cities climb up the mountainsides and spread through the sprawling valleys, but also, one can find plenty of steads suspended in the gaps between peaks. Bridgetowns and Bridgecities are a common sight, offering temperate living conditions and also, importantly, safety from the ley lines that plague the earth and even some of the mountains.

Waywen is a peaceful land of, not plenty, but enough. Excess is rare but so to is poverty, and those who seek to capitalize on its amicable nature find themselves politely but firmly rebuffed, either in diplomatic negotiations or, if necessary, at the hands of warrior monks from any of several highly regarded schools. This societal structure leads to Waywen being a leading exporter of all manner of goods and services deemed unnecessary within its own borders. Be it food, minerals, or labor, one does not have to look hard to find something or someone from Waywen no matter where in Reah they are. 

Which leads some to believe the people who live there would much rather live elsewhere. A gross overexaggeration, but not one without a degree of merit. Some find the monasteries’ regulations stifling, climbing above one’s station is at times considered impossible without the right connections. Social capital, after all, cannot be weighed on a scale—but it can most certainly be felt.[/hider]

[hider=Riello, The Kingdom of Hope]
Led by Luca the Painter, their Sovereign’s appointment is testament to Riello’s ideals: to be passionate is to be human. Riello is the home of innovation and creativity, of artists and musicians and inventors. Galleries, theatres, concerts, cinema, all things that originated in Riello that now permeate Reah as a whole. To many in Riello, there is no life without art, fundamentally, the two are inextricably linked. 

A nation of rolling hills, pastel woodlands, and expansive fields, many consider Riello to be the most beautiful kingdom in Reah. Even its cities blend industry with artistic expression, producing wild and striking skylines and strange but beautiful architecture. Outside of the more urban areas, one can find countless picturesque towns set beside tumbling hillsides and scenic beaches.

In its heartland stretches the largest unbroken farmland in Reah, from which the food exported serves as the economic backbone to Riello’s artistic endeavors. All the kingdom’s people study agriculture in their youth, and in place of a mandatory military service, every citizen of Riello spends two years working in the heartland—plenty of whom find their passion as farmers and remain thereafter. 

Its lack of a proper military force and reliance on mercenaries for protection from the ley lines, leads some to view Riello as a helpless nation. However, its arcane universities have produced some of the most fearsome and accomplished mages in Reah’s history, and hopefuls from all across the world fight tooth and nail for the opportunity to study there. Even the Sovereigns of other kingdoms have been known to grace the halls of Riello universities, and on one occasion, the venerable Judge Dysos was said to have sat middle-row in a lecture taught by Painter Luca himself.[/hider] 

[hider=Ixil, the Kingdom of Charity]
There is no Kingdom of Charity. Ixil was lost in a profane ritual conducted by a sect of heretical humans, who, in an effort to slay the dragon Arbiter Vormorri, reconnected with their unspeakable origins. The resulting destruction did indeed slay the Arbiter, but also turned Ixil into a hive of terrible power, infecting Reah’s ley lines and bringing the locked-away monsters of old back into the world. 

Those who strictly follow the path of Charity ceremoniously call Ixil their home, and as such these devotees wander as nomadic healers across the world, establishing no schools and claiming no homes. Likewise, the identity of their Sovereign, known colloquially as the Saint, is unknown to the world outside of a select few.[/hider]

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Humanity’s origin, their monstrous beginnings. Though restrained and refined by the Mother of Prudence into proper humans, the Qovu remain an ever-present threat—not just from their emergence from the ley lines, but from the Chains themselves. All those who fail their Breaking inevitably devolve, losing their humanity in form and function, and becoming some bestial creature, devoid of all but their most basic instinct: hunt, destroy, consume.