The mystical world of Durantel, home to tens of billions of people across various races.
A world that boasts a size of over forty thousand kilometers in diameter. Housing multiple continents in each respective direction, with fitting names and environments that represents the unique points of its ecosystem.
The snowy mountains of the Northern Continent Fjorn. The lush forests of the Western Continent Augstr. The powerful and commercialized Central Continent Varia. The peaceful and civilized Eastern Continent Horatia and the hot deserts of the Southern Continent Azim.
It is a vessel for might and magic, like many worlds across the realm. Granting its populace the blessing to tread on the path of power.
Some that has a knack for arcane knowledge will choose the path of Sorcery and Wizardry. Others with abnormal strength and uncanny weapon skill will choose the path of a Warrior and Weapons Master. Nothing is set in stone, for the truest path lay within the common man.
There are no lack of paths an individual can tread, and no lack of people to tread through it. Naturally, however, there are people who cultivate a more 'open' path. 'Demons' as spoken in the tongue of the people.
At the expense of their own humanity and morals, many cultivate this path in search of a 'shortcut'. Therefore, it is considered as an unorthodox power. Treaded by individuals for various of reasons known only to themselves. However, sometimes such a power comes with a cost - harming themselves or the people around them to gain a significant boost in their cultivation. Whether such an act was intentional or not can not be proven, but it can be considered mostly evil. Hence why they are unconditionally hated across the realms.
However, this begs the question that scholars often debate. Is power inherently good or evil? Or does that reasoning fall onto the user who originally dictated how the power was used in the first place?
However, no matter how power was or used, every individual seeks strength. Every being desires eternal power akin to the Gods. And I have come to witness even the most righteous falling into degeneracy once tempted with such a power.
Such an act is understandable. Who wouldn't be tempted at the chance to become supremely powerful? Who doesn't long to leave their mark in history?
Such is the temptation of power! Such is the goal of fallen and aspiring Heroes! Such is the creed of broken kingdoms and warring empires!
Such motivations inspires the righteous to lead and the evil to devour!
Such is life!
- Extract from: "Vol. 1 Chronicles of a Wandering Sage: On the lesser world of Durantel and the clarification of the leading man"