Game Guide


Below are subjects pertaining to general society within the world we've created. We ask prospective members to please read over these additional details, so that everyone is on the same page where social nuances and moral views are concerned. The listed items below will most likely also help writers build their character[s] history.

Magic and How it Works.

Magic is the combined powers of energies pulled from nature and the will power of the one casting the spell or talent. There will be what is known as 'common magic' which includes the ability to heal oneself (and/or others, as in the case of the Faeries) from minor wounds or poisons, the ability to use cosmetic glamour, or telekinesis on smaller objects [think along the lines of hair brush sized] and the ability to light candles or lanterns with a mere flick of the wrist if they know the fire-spell for it. Some species will be more adept in these talents than others may be, so please take care to notice which character types should have what abilities.

There are down sides to magic, of course. Every magic wielding character, no matter their origin, will be susceptible to shorting themselves out. It may or may not have high impact upon their lifespans, and it may or may not be higher than another character's general output - but it will have negative effects upon them if they overtax themselves. Some powers, especially higher end elemental forces, will only be accessible by those who have the age and origins to perform them. While low key elemental manipulation will be available to most species which wield magic, these talents won't be nearly as effective as those featured in the Elven structure.

Furthermore, 'elemental magics' are defined along the lines of any force or occurrence found in Nature or the living world. Therefore, a vast amount of power types are available to the Elven power structure. (Mod Note: When creating an Elven character, we ask that writers take a look at the other species and their power brackets so not to override a specific found strongly within another type of creature.)

Social Classes

There are indeed such subsets of society within the world. Most species have these differing ranks of lifestyle among their own kind. However, they might not be as noticeable among some than others. For instance, Elves have commoners and nobles; though no true 'poor class' exists within their social ideals. Instead, commoners are valued for their daily efforts in keeping the noble class comfortable. Every commoner is eligible to raise in status, albeit slowly. Once a noble has been made, that title will stay with any following generations to come. However, those who have already found their placement among the stars of society aren't exactly fond of others rising up from more humble beginnings. While a commoner becoming a noble is highly possible, most of those Elves born in to noble society frown upon those who were born beneath them.

Humans and Dwarves are more noticeable in their cultural differences where the classes are involved. Both have a poor class, as well as the commons and the nobles. For these societies, rising in status is less possible though - in some cases - less frowned upon by those in the higher classes. Among the Dwarves, in particular, one can become a Hero from any background and shall always be seen in that light once the status has been achieved. Afterwards, that Hero's kin will be raised up, and shall also enjoy nobility status - though they will not be celebrated in the fashion the Hero of their House is.

Faeries, on the other hand, have no true ideals of poor, common or noble. Instead, their societies center around more of a communal order of sorts - putting all of their general members on the same par as one another. Typically, only elders and those who serve as a voice for their people are given more respect than most - but even then, there is little more than the distinguish of their actions or age.

Dream Wraiths, being in hiding, also tend to have no true sense of social class. However, the females battling for dominance in the Nests at times does speak of a heavy dose of order and respect for the one in charge. While in-fighting can be nearly ceaseless at some points, most Dream Wraiths tend to honor their Matriarch and pay heed to her commands when they come. They are also a close-knit society which pays attention to all their fellow members; many times helping one another to clean up any 'messes' they may have left on accident.

Dragons are also a warrior breed, with in-fighting commencing over territories. However, there is also a sense of Hero-worship. Their best warriors are typically honored above all others, with more tribes or clans uniting under particularly skilled leaders who've proven themselves against others or outside sources. Strength and cunning are typically the subjects used to judge one's standing among the rest here.

Nobility and Titles in the City

While there is the tier of nobility in the social structure of the Elves, most do not hold titles. In fact, only the Rí ruirech holds any true office among his/her peers. The Elven Council is made up of the various heads of the houses among the city's resident nobility. However, most Elves also seem to look towards how long a certain family has been among the elite of their culture. They are more prone to respecting elder families before any of the newer additions to their numbers. It takes a few centuries before freshly created nobles gain true acceptance from most of their new peer group.

That being said, nobility does exit within other cultures. However, once any social group is within the city - any titles that an individual brought with them from the lands they've fled will hold no sway in the eyes of the Elves. While their own people may hold reverence for those they name or view as powerful; the Elves will not acknowledge their placement in the structure of their society.

Mating, Marriage and Bonding

As in all societies, love is a force to be reckoned with in the city of Airialan. Among the Elves and Faeries, it is very open in some aspects. Romantic love can sometimes transcend the matter of gender, and when it does? It is not frowned upon in the least by either of these communities. Therefore, when there is a connection made in any aspect of the heart - both Marriage and Bonding are able to be considered by any romantically involved couple. Of course, there are differences in these two titles. Sometimes, a couple may only decide to Marry. This is a legal union of two individuals; it establishes them as an official couple in the eyes of the community. However, there are no true taboos with either member of the couple entering in extra marital affairs if both parties in the marriage are open and agreeable to the such. However, if they've both been Married and Bound? Such affairs would be frowned upon. Bonding is a much more spiritual pact; one which is seen as the truest expression of love within both the Elven and Faerie communities. It invites folly to those who try to put asunder the unity of a Bound couple. This is due to the fact that magic is called to the union of a couple seeking to be bound to one another; it is said that Bonding Magic will know the heart and will tie the two together.

If one were to break that Bonding, it would be felt as a death of a part of the soul in both. Likewise, when death occurs in a Bound Couple's life together - the survivor will feel the loss of their other half more deeply than if they'd merely been married. This has led to the fading of many who've decided upon it; to survive such a sensation shows a great strength of character and will to continue living. If fading does not occur in the survivor, it is then socially acceptable for them to move on in their love-life. Despite this, many who have pulled through dark times will never agree to such a Bonding again with subsequent partners. It is known, simply, to be too taxing to the spirit.

Bonding does not appear in any other communities outside of the two listed above. However, Marriage does exist within the Dwarven and Human communities. There are less accepting social outlooks of same-sex couples among many of the Human groups - though some have been known to take a less closed minded outlook on the matter. Dwarves, on the other hand, are typically accepting of any romantic outlooks among their own kind. Despite this, they are far less lenient to those who do not practice monogamy within their relationships.

Among the Dream Wraiths, such practices are not often thought upon too deeply. While these masquerading beings typically have close contact to their 'feeders', they are often times cut-off from the emotional understandings of most other species they've encountered. There is a great deal of loyalty among Nests, though concepts like affectionate romance are more or less out the proverbial window. Obsession is something which regularly clings to a Dream Wraith's heart, however. Many times, the outcomes of such delights to the mind will result in offspring - typically unbeknownst to the other side of the genetic equation. Therefore, it is safe to say that 'mating' is the main thing which happens for the Dream Wraiths - both within their Nests and outside of them.

Likewise, the Dragons aren't very prone to making such emotional connections within their tribes or clans. Instead, mating is typically seen as the strongest male's right - with 'lesser' males sometimes slipping in the picture if females are accepting of their advances. While this often times brings more troubles for males which are viewed as inferior to their leaders, it does not stop them from following their own urges. In rare circumstances, of course - matters of the heart have been known to the take their dominance in such situations. While there is little ceremony to the action, weddings have been known to bring two Dragons together; making the couple exclusive to one another. Such pairings are typically known to be for life, however.

Taboos

Like with all cultures, there are taboos to be found within the various communities which make up Airialan. Though some are more passionate about these morals than others, there are a few which stand out as being so impacting that they can not be ignored.

Elves are known to be very picky about their breeding and pedigree. While Hybrids with other species are not unheard of, they are very much frowned upon - usually with the Elven parent ending up as shamed and typically ostracized from the rest of the society. Though many would see it as an abundance of Elven pride, it is also in place due to how very low the population of the species has become. Therefore, while some Elves will take lovers outside of their own kind? They will typically be rather secretive in these actions, treating these relationships as a closeted fetish.

The Sentinel Forests are also subjects of a delicate nature to the Elves. While there are some who are allowed to walk such forests at free will, there are guards who are posted throughout the expanse. They are on watch for any who might do harm to the markers of the dead, with swift and final retribution being paid to any who would defile them. While it does not impact the essence of the dead Elf whom the tree marked, it is seen as a direct insult to those who have passed.

Along these same lines, the Faeries are rather protective and particular about the sanctity of the Wing Blossoms. These are the natural markers which grow from the burial sites of their dead. While the flowers will linger only a few months, plucking them before they are ready to wilt is seen as a grave insult to the one they sprang from. If a Faerie is responsible for this sacrilege, the community will most likely turn its back on them. Those of other species who commit such a crime also tend to get the cold shoulder, though with much less of a marked reaction. In the end, the Faeries will mourn for the one slighted; in their next life, they feel that Faerie will be given more woes than perhaps necessary.

Among the hidden community of the Dream Wraith Nests, in-fighting happens rather often. However, it does not always end in the death of one of the combatants - in fact, most of the time? Both parties will survive. However, losers will have to endure a period of borderline rejection from their peers. It is a way for the conquered to review their mistake in their actions - or to figure out how they lost to the victor. While it isn't exactly seen as a taboo to interrupt this period of reflection and shame, most conquerors will enforce it so to impress upon others their victory. Regardless, this period typically lasts for a week at most, as the majority of Dream Wraiths are prone to being very fond of one another when there aren't any disputes.

Though it is a possibility among their mages, Humans do not take well to the idea of necromancy, nor are they fond of any who try to play with the direct life forces of others. While there are those who have ventured in to these darker paths, they have always been exiled or killed upon discovery by others in their communities. Such uses have given magic a bad name in the eyes of several human cultures found in the world, while others merely frown upon the activities closely related to the cruel, manipulative subject.

The Stages of Fading

For the Elves and Faeries, Fading is a serious condition which can be triggered by certain sorrows in life which an individual can't overcome. While there are three stages to this process, the third is the only stage which one can not find recovery from. Once an individual is in this last stage, there is no turning back.

Stage One: There is a small loss of color to the skin and hair of the subject. They are less prone to react to things which typically make them happy, and they tend to be ready to distance themselves from those they love. While Faeries are prone to notice others in this first stage, Elves often don't look at what is before them unless they are remarkably observant of others.

Stage Two: Loss of color increases, soon to include the eyes. This is the longest stage of fading, and can last between a matter of days to months. In some cases with an anchoring cause, a subject might remain in this 'between stage' for years, even centuries - though it is often only so long as they feel they are needed. Individuals are far less prone to interact on any social levels, unless forced to attend upon friends or loved ones - or others force their presence upon the subject.

Stage Three: The subject is more ghostly than anything else, bordering on being seen as ethereal and transparent. While there will be glimmers of personality once in a while, the subject will typically be so absent that there are no emotional responses in the least. This is the stage of death, one which can not be recovered from. Within days, the individual will vanish; as if they'd been erased, with no proof of their existence aside from the memories and belongings they leave behind.

Dwarves versus Dragons

For as long as these two species have been in the world, they have remained largely at war. Mountainous regions are beloved by both peoples, with competitions for living spaces within them being the key reason they've long since decided upon the removal of the other. Both species have historical tales of battles waged between their kinds; hatred and competition spurring them each to higher atrocities against the other.

Among the Dwarves, Dragon Slaying is something which has become a key element in being accepted in the Hall of Heroes upon one's death. It typically is given over to the individual that struck a killing blow, or the one who showed the most valor in attempts to bring the dragon(s) down. Furthermore, to own Dragon-bone/scale fashioned weapons or armor is a mark of prestige among the Dwarven people. Some families have been known to hand such pieces of merit down throughout the generations.

While some human communities have similar outlooks on such matters, Dwarves are much more prevalent in their hunting outings and their general hatred of the 'winged beasts' which have always plagued their ancestral homelands.

Dragons, of course, have made it their main business to oust other species from their homes - the damage of such attacks being seen more and more frequently in the last few years.