Selan — Roleplayer Guild

INTRODUCTION

Year 1381 of the current era. The world is divided in several nations. Kingdoms, republics, independent cities and empires fill the land, as far as societies go. Small mountain towns, important merchant cities, port cities, large capitals, and many other places. This is the land of Woarel. Magic exists in this world. However, only really skilled individuals have mastered its use, and they live in isolation, with none being recorded in recent history. Nevertheless, it has been a few centuries now since a new, more accessible way of performing magic was discovered. Songs. In the past, it was proven that human voice was able to cast magic of different sorts by singing; from healing wounds, to sending powerful waves of energy, nearly anything can be achieved by singing. But the main skill voice has is that of altering the state of the human mind.

This is the reason armies always have "songstresses" in their ranks, destined to join the battle together with the rest of the soldiers. They use their chants to infuse bravery into the hearts of their soldiers, as well as trying to bring fear to the enemy. Most of these magic users are female, although a few males have achieved the necessary voice level to become one of "those who sing for the land", as they are called by some. Due to the specific characteristics of the female voice, it is easier for them to be able to cast these mystical powers. Since then, many academies have been created (called Akademiyi -Akademiye in plural-) so as to train the songstresses. Inhabited by many people, this land does not escape its own problems, and a century after the last great war, the land suddenly finds itself at a moment where tension is rising and although most nations are trying to avoid conflict at all costs, war is something that many believe to be unavoidable.

A few years ago, a Wissean patrol and a small group of soldiers from Jowav entered into battle. Both Wisse and Jowav accused each other of starting the conflict. The truth was never known and a pact was reached with the objective of trying to forgive and forget. Even with this conflict, both nations were trying hard to improve their relationship. But this was just the first display of what could happen in the future. Wisse and Jowav had been strongly involved in the last great war, which seemed to be about to be re-enacted. However, it is not Wisse or Jowav but other nations, which appear to pose the biggest threat to those who long for peace...

Most Important Places

Note: Every nation has a "cultural reference", which serves as a quick means of stablishing its general looks in terms of buildings, clothes, etc and even naming conventions.

Kingdom of Sobaya: This kingdom is a peaceful place. In the middle of the desert, a city thrives surrounding a huge oasis. They haven't been involved in a war for 250 years. They have a small Akademiyi that specializes in water-based songs. Their current leader is interested in opening themselves to other countries, improving trade and diplomatic relationships.

- Ruled by King Vanarael II
- There is an heir to the throne.
- The merchant guild is one of the most powerful groups in the kingdom.
- Their diplomats are skilled and devoted to the kingdom.
- Capital city is “Darbanay”.
- Cultural reference: Medieval Arabic.

Kingdom of Wisse: One of the kingdoms who was involved in the last great war. It is located to the north of the land and their typical landscape consists of snowy forests and mountains. Their Akademiye (there are two of them) are specialized in fire-based songs. Their leader wants to restore their relationship with Jowav, their enemy during the last great war. Wisse used to be very rich, but after the war, the kingdom lost its glory and is a shadow of their past.

- Ruled by King Saflen I
- There is an heir to the throne.
- The Diplomats used to be as good as Sobaya's, but lately they're struggling to make advances with Jowav.
- A unique job exists within Wisse. That of the 'water-seller', someone who melts snow and ice into water, in order to sell it for various uses.
- Capital city is “Fliame”.
- Cultural reference: Medieval Norse.

Kingdom of Jowav: Their landscapes consist of very cold, barren earth without many places to grow vegetables, meaning the cities are scattered sparsely throughout the kingdom. Sharing the northern part of the land with Wisse, a rivalry between the two countries' kings led to a massacre during the last great war, more than a century ago. Jowav had always been under the shadow of Wisse and the tension eventually led to a war with them. They are now even poorer than Wisse, proving war was just as bad for each of the sides. They don't have any Akademiyi, so they send their potential songstresses abroad. Their leader is trying slowly to improve the kingdom's economy and save it from being abducted, or even attacked.

- (King Ceitan VIII - Deceased) - Now ruled by General Capneese while the conflict about the identity of the next king is resolved.
- The military faction is amongst the fiercest of Woarel, due to the fact they have to deal with low resources.
- Their songstresses are trained mainly in Wisse, due to vicinity.
- Capital city is “Lanagh”..
- Cultural reference: Medieval Germany.

Kingdom of Trianea: A kingdom located on the west coast, consisting of verdant places with lush forests, mountains, and a shore where several port cities exist. Trianea is well-known for their extremely varied landscapes. Seaside areas, rivers, mountains, and forests, intertwined in an organic way. It has a temperate climate. They have the biggest Akademiyi of them all, specializing in life-based songs that are able to heal. It is said to be one of the toughest in terms of learning how to unveil the powers they teach. The king of Trianea is a calm and wise man who is trying his best to avoid war, without setting his goals too high.

- King Alomia I
- There is an heir to the throne.
- Trianea is devoted to the peace their king believes in and their Akademiyi has a really high reputation.
- Traditional jobs such as smiths and carpenters are very well-considered.
- The port city of Aneastor is one of the most important cities, and it is relatively closer to their capital city.
- Capital city is “Rolad'n”.
- Cultural reference: Mediterranean Medieval.

Aoshima: Currently neutral, Aoshima has avoided problems for as long as anyone can remember through isolation. Their citizens are extremely proud of their isolation, which detaches them from the land's problems. They have neither enemies nor allies and while nearly anyone is welcome to Aoshima in political terms, their citizens are reluctant to take foreigners aboard their merchant ships and local harbours rarely allow for foreign ships to enter the cities. It is formed by the archipelago in front of Trianean shores and one of its particularity is that their biggest city is built partially over the sea, with many bridges crossing the water and using water channels as a sort of streets. They have the smallest Akademiyi, where light-based songs are taught. It is, by far, the toughest of them, and they require an extremely high level to even pass their entrance tests. Aoshima has several feudal lords that rule over their parts of land and together form a sort of council to decide the matters of the archipelago.

- Ruled by twelve feudal lords.
- Each of the twelve small divisions of Aoshima is comparable to a small kingdom, in terms of independence, but they will cooperate when it comes to outside matters.
- Aoshima is a mysterious land and it is difficult to find someone who has actually been there. It is also uncommon to see someone from Aoshima in the continent.
- The biggest city in the archipelago is rumored to be the most beautiful city in the whole land. (Reference being a Japanese/Asian Venice)
- Jewellers, painters, and writers of Aoshima are well-known.
- Biggest city is Aozu
- Cultural reference: Feudal Japan (Muromachi / Edo periods)

Merchant City of Loein: A city that acts as a trade hub. Strategically located around the middle of the continent, they have easy access to other nations. It is also neutral, although it was once raided by the Yowlen Empire almost a century ago. It's a rocky area with many roads that lead to the different places. The roads were built by their workers. They have a merchant guild leader as the leader of the city and he only wants money income to increase so they can build the legend of the "Golden City of Loein".

- Ruled by Crell Genaim, leader of the Loein Merchant Guild.
- It is said that he will choose the next guild leader or group that will be governing the city after him.
- The city is always really crowded, bustling with people from many places.
- Loein is very rich, thanks to the merchants.
- The square at the centre of the city is the main place to buy and sell goods.
- Cultural reference: Medieval Italy.

Grenaian Empire (Empire of Grenaia): By far, the most belligerent place in Woarel. To the south, and with their tropical landscape, the beautiful flora seems to hide the truth of their leader's intentions to take over the whole continent. Palm trees and turquoise waters are a big contrast with their large, dark cities, place for mercenaries and such people. They have the dark-based-songs Akademiyi.

- Ruled by Emperor Kavelia
- There is an heir to the empire.
- Many jobs are done in Grenaia but mercenaries, assassins, and thieves are all over the place.
- The Assassin guild in their capital city is said to be one of the most dangerous groups in Woarel.
- Capital city is “Kavelia” (named after the Emperor).
- Cultural reference: "Darkest-styled London".

Yowlen Empire (Empire of Yowle): A young Empire, with a leader who wants to expand their land. Being neighbours of Grenaia, they want to avoid problems with the other powerful Empire. They also aim to merge with Jowav by negotiating with them. Dark water shores with rocky places and big mountains, it is very much the opposite of Trianea. Their approach as an Empire is that of trying to avoid war. Their Akademiyi is based in earth songs.

- Ruled by Emperor Mälhaig
- There is not a heir to the empire.
- It is rumoured that the emperor is planning on giving the throne to his son, although his wife is pressing the emperor to turn Yowle into a Republic.
- Farmers and shepherds have a strong will to succeed and that will has turned them in the best in Woarel.
- Capital city is Hildelande.
- Cultural reference: Medieval Germany.

Independent City of Veton: A city founded around their Akademiyi, teaching wind-based songs. Their location is not within any kingdom or empire, being then an easy target for possible expansions. Their landscape consists of low hills and green plains, where the city is sitting, with windmills always on sight. They have a leader who holds the title of "Commander" and who simply wants the best for Veton. They might become allies with whoever offered protection to their people.

- Ruled by the Commander, Haf Lewsan.
- The townspeople chose their Commander, but he will choose the next one.
- Not really a crowded place, but it is common for people to stop there, while travelling.
- The city is full of Pub's and Inn's.
- The name of the city came after its first Mayor, centuries ago.
- Cultural reference: Medieval France.

Holy City of Moncray: A really big city that has grown around the Cathedral, with religion being the most important belief of their people. The city is located near Veton, but has been able to reach a pact with each and every Kingdom and Empire, so they cannot attack the city, which would remain not only neutral, but "untouchable". Their landscape is mainly the same as Veton. A wide river crosses the city, so watermills are found everywhere. Their leader is the leader of the religious faction in the city. They're not interested in wars.

- Ruled by the High Priest Crayle.
- Nearly everyone who lives there follows their religion, but many people chose to live here for safety reasons.
- Really crowded place, but the city is also really large.
- Religion was what originally brought people together back when Moncray was founded. Nowadays it’s the sanctuary to religion, where they worship their God.
- From merchants to assassins, jewellers and smiths, and many other jobs are found in Moncray.
- Surprisingly, magic is completely forbidden inside the city, meaning that no known mage can enter. In addition, songstresses are also not allowed to enter, since their religion considers that their job is blasphemy.
- Cultural reference: Medieval England.

SETTING:

Since tension is common now in Woarel, everyone fears a war is about to begin. Because of this, all the kingdoms and empires are gathering troops and recruiting mercenaries. As for the songstresses, they are recently being added to the armies as a precautionary measure. However, no matter how dangerous these times seem to be, everyone tries to avoid thinking about it and they go on with their lives. At the Akademiye, everyone knows they could playing an important role in the upcoming conflicts. Conflicts, some say, that will bring an end to all the battles. Nobody knows what the future will bring, but one thing remains sure. Very hard times are to come, perhaps even before the war.

The story begins at a port city of Trianea; Aneastor, where a ship has just arrived from Areza. The city, bustling with people, is near the Akademiyi of the kingdom, and a young girl, a newcomer to the life-based Akademiyi, is anxious about what she'll find there.

AKADEMIYI CLASSES

The singing lessons' meaning is obvious. People practice their singing.

Voice lessons are mainly to gain control over one self's voice, through exercices like maintaining the voice in a note for as long as possible. They are all about voice control, rather than singing. People work in tone, pitch, consistency, etc.

Theory lessons are, of course, "how to" sing well, and specially, how to sing the life based songs.

Bravery lessons have the goal of preparing the songstresses mentally for any kind of conflict and to avoid them running away from the battlefield, abandoning the soldiers to their luck.

Psychology lessons are similar to bravery, but they also help with daily things such as trying to help the songstresses to cope with stress, as well as some small parts of the course being directed to their basic abilities like bringing fear to the enemy, etc.

Purity lessons are the only courses that are quite openly criticised in the Akademiye. It's actually a course on "how to behave well". Students have to learn about how to eat politely, how to be with the nobility, how to behave like a lady (or gentleman, when there is a male). They are also told to avoid certain types of relationships with the opposite (or not opposite, depending on the case) gender. Many people think this class should be removed, because it restraints the songstresses' freedom, especially when it comes to socializing and relationships. This class is held because, traditionally, songstresses are supposed to devote their life to singing, without anything distracting them from that. However, some people think that this is a "relic" of the past and should be abandoned.

Finally the last of the lessons, music writing, is optional, but it allows students to try their hand at writing songs. When written for a specific voice, songs can draw the real power of the person. However, it has proven to be quite difficult.

NOTES:

- The setting is based in a fantasy-pseudo-medieval-world.

- Even though each Akademiyi has its own special song-type, they all teach the braver and fear tactics, since these are the most important basics of any songstress.

- Akademiye students wear tunics and nothing else, not even undergarments, since it is believed songstresses must remain as pure as possible, so they are only supposed to wear a single piece of clothing. It is not known where or why this tradition started, but it is followed in all the Akademiye. The tunics/capes the students wear are white, although certain details change from place to place.

- The colors of the Akademiyi tunic's trimmings are as it follows:

Sobaya - Blue
Wisse - Red
Trianea - Green
Aoshima - No trimmings, just a black decorative line
Grenaia - Their tunics are completely black
Yowle - Brown
Veton - Yellow

- Even if there are not a lot of males who can sing, Akademiye have male teachers, who know the theory and can teach it. But currently, only females teach practical classes.

- Months of the year:

- Month of Snow
- Month of Wind
- Month of Silence
- Month of Rain
- Month of Life
- Month of Sun
- Month of Fire
- Month of Daylight
- Month of Songs
- Month of Night
- Month of Stars
- Month of Moon

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