Magic in a Nutshell:
Magic is said to have been invented by elves, but according to their beliefs, it was gifted to them by an ancient entity resembling a god—one they have no record of and therefore, today, only believe in loosely. They named him the Father of the Forests.
The world of Drasil has many different beliefs throughout its various races, regions, and continents. In this vast and diverse world, the continent of Grinfall harbors twelve different lands, such as Rovkre and Minrow, that understand magic.
Magic is a way to express one's ability to cast magical power, allowing them to create several diverse types of magic. These types are wide-ranging, but when discussing the basics, it usually boils down to elements like water, fire, earth, light, and others.
For example, if one were to cast a fire magic spell, they could either chant or think of the chant to manifest their power. However, thinking of the chant is far harder than chanting it aloud.
Magic, although complex, became second nature to those who harbored natural affinities.
There are two different ways to manifest a magic spell. The simplest way is merely using or gathering the surrounding elements to create a spell. The other way is using one's own magic power as the catalyst.
For example, if one stands near a river and wants to cast a water magic spell, they could either collect water from the river or the humidity in the air and use that, or use their magic to create the water. The latter is extremely difficult, and the former is the most common method used. However, there are times when one might have to create an artificial fire, as fire isn't a naturally occurring element in the world. Of course, if there was a fire nearby, it could be collected and used.
Let's assume a person has a magic power of 20. If that person wanted to cast a fire spell, they would most likely have to create the fire using their magic as the catalyst. This would consume 15 magic power. If there was a fire lit nearby, they would merely steal it and use it for the spell. Of course, the type of spell would matter—whether it is small or big would decide how costly the magic will be. Ultimately, it could end up costing 2-5 magic power. These numbers are entirely made up and used merely as a method of explanation.
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Races and Facts:
In the world of Drasil, there are many different races, each harboring unique characteristics and traits. For now, we will take this volume at a time and explain only some of the races mentioned in this volume.
Pure Elves/True Elves
Elves have an average lifespan of around 1,500 years. These elves hail from the ancient continent of Alfall, a distant and forgotten land that very few speak of. The pure elves are at the top of the ladder when it comes to magic affinity. Many legendary heroes and powerful figures are said to be elves with the highest magical abilities. Aside from having a deeper connection to magic, the elves also have a connection with nature itself and are blessed with the ability to live longer lives. However, their disadvantage is that there is only a short period during which a pure female elf is fertile, making it very difficult to have children. Usually, the period lasts 10 years, but a female pure elf is pregnant for a total of 3 years. This small time period, even when taken full advantage of, allows for a maximum of three children.
Elves
Elves have an average lifespan of around 450 to 500 years. These elves hail from the continent of Grinfall because they mixed with the human race. Although they have lost a large connection to magic and nature, they are still on top of the magic ladder (this goes to show you how strong the pure elves were). After mixing with the human race, they gained the ability to reproduce until the age of 100 and reduced the years of pregnancy to one. This has allowed their population to flourish once again. Due to their lack of stronger magic connections, more and more elves grew in other areas such as hand-to-hand combat or using weapons, although they are the minority. The downside to losing their strong ancestral magic capabilities is that the once powerful magic spells they could cast disappeared, and their magic power also decreased.
Humans
Humans are the hybrids of the world. Their average lifespan is 100-120 years. With enough training, they could rise to be very strong, but this doesn't apply to the magic category. Humans drew the short straw when it came to magic. One human out of a million would have to be born with recognizable talent. They might not be the strongest race, be born with an ability to breathe underwater, have sharp teeth, or ears that can listen through many walls, but they are the smartest among all the lands. Sure, a human could neglect learning, but their ability to catch on to things quickly and their wit is unmatched. If an elf is a graduated high school student, humans are the professors. Their sheer numbers are not to be messed with, and their ability to overcome any challenge is formidable.
Orcs
Orcs are battle-hungry brutes that hail from the ancient continent of Okadio. Orcs are a rare breed when it comes to their ability to read an opponent in a battle to the death. They range from green-colored skin to brown skin and live up to 140-150 years. Orcs are born to battle, whether with swords or hand-to-hand combat, they reign supreme. Their speed and stamina are also the highest, making them the personification of peak physicality. As the saying goes, "all brawn and no brain," they are not the brightest of the races, but that doesn't mean some of them cannot become smarter.
Dark Elves
Hailing from the ancient continent of Fanderfall, the Dark Elves are sort of distant cousins to the elves, sharing several physical features. These tanned-skinned elves can have grey and very rarely blonde hair. They live to around 700 years and have a healthy reproduction rate, so their race was never at the brink of extinction. They are usually shorter than elves but far physically stronger. Unlike elves who lost their connection to nature, the Dark Elves hold an even stronger one. However, due to their lack of affinity for magic, they resorted to other means of tapping into nature. The Dark Elves have an affinity for darker magic and alchemy. When it comes to a battle of better magic, they lose to the elves; in combat, they fall short compared to the orcs; and if they were to take a math exam, they surely wouldn't beat the humans. However, they are nimble and light on their feet and are very sneaky in battles.
Demonoid
They have horns… that's about it.
Coney
Average lifespan is 60-70 years. Rabbit folk that hail from the ancient continent of Karavarri. These furry, long-eared humanoid race are very nimble, run very fast, and are excellent farmers. Their facial features are similar to any humanoid with a regular nose and hair; their only distinguishing features are their ears and short tails. The Coney change color to white when it snows; otherwise, they are brown. Coney have very good hearing and slightly better smelling since they are of the beast category. Aside from their natural bonuses, they don't boast affinities for any type of combat abilities; however, there are a few rare exceptions.
Lacertians
Average lifespan is 70-80 years. The lizard folk hail from the ancient continent of Karavarri, where they once ruled above the rest of the beasts. These scaly people are capable of breathing underwater and swimming at great speeds depending on the sub-race. There are many different lizard folk, ranging from swamp-based to sand-dune-based races. Lizard folk/lizard men are far stronger than any other race except orcs. They have an affinity for spiritual magic. The downside is that they are not the best in stamina and are worse in other magic abilities.
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Grinfall
Grinfall is home to various lands, each with its own unique characteristics. These lands are merely names; for example, Rovkree is home to orcs, but that doesn't mean it's a country. Rovkree is home to kingdoms, each owning a domain within Rovkree. If a human kingdom were to spring up in Rovkree, it would be totally feasible. Minrow is home to elves, but unlike the orcs, the elves take their land seriously and therefore lay claim to all of Minrow, protecting its borders very heavily. So in a way, Minrow acts like its own country, whereas Rovkree doesn't.
All these lands are divided not by drawn borders but rather by changes in terrain or specific objects like rivers or mountain ranges. However in Grinfall, there have been many conflicts that have forced the redrawing of borders.
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Celestious Calendar
The Celestious Calendar was developed hundreds of years ago by a man named Celestious. He was a human who managed to calculate the most accurate calendar he could. Although other races weren't fond of the humans, this calendar was widely adopted and eventually became the standard for every land.
The year is 425 days long.
The 10 months range from 35-45 days.
The weeks are 8 days long.
Months: (from the first to tenth)
Aeloria - 40 days: The heart of Frostveil, where the land is cloaked in snow and icy winds howl.
Belandra - 40 days: Early Blossomreach, marked by the first blooms and the gentle thawing of frost.
Cynestra - 45 days: Mid-Blossomreach, a time of vibrant life and the awakening of nature.
Darethor - 45 days: Late Blossomreach, with fields in full bloom and the air filled with the scent of flowers.
Elyndra - 45 days: Early Suncrest, where the days grow longer and warmer.
Faeloria - 45 days: Mid-Suncrest, a period of abundant sunshine and thriving greenery.
Glyndor - 45 days: Late Suncrest, the peak of warmth and outdoor festivities.
Helionis - 35 days: Early Harvestfall, marked by clear nights and the first hints of leaves changing color.
Ilyara - 40 days: Mid-Harvestfall, a season of harvest and cooling temperatures.
Jorathen - 45 days: Frostveil, a time of cold winds and anticipation of the coming heavy snow.
Days of the week: named after great folk tale heroes, 8 total from 1st to 8th.
Eldras
Nymera
Valtor
Liora
Thalor
Galdrin
Almer
Robertus
Important dates:
736 of the 4th era
Almer, the 15th of Belandra, (02 / 15 / 736):
Takagi's arrival.
Someday in late Helionis or very early Ilyara, (09 / ?? / 736)
Hanz meets Takagi in the Blood Stained Forest.
Thalor, the 25th of Ilyara, (09 / 25 / 736)
The events of chapter 5 through 6.
Robertus, the 28th of Ilyara, (09 / 28 / 736)
The Elf Twins Arrive at the capitol of Minrow, Eethemor.
Sometime in Belandra, (02 / ?? / 737)
Takagi's 1 year meet up in the kingdom of Leotus with The Falling Grin.