[This chapter is to establish the history and systematic power of the world within this novel. This information will be sprinkled throughout the chapters. Do prepare for some chapters with lengthy dialogue between some characters. Bare with me on those.]
- Overall info:
In this world there is Verdance and Astra.
Verdance
Verdance is the life-force woven into all living things. It fuels magic, sustains growth, and acts as the natural energy reserve of plants, animals, and mortals alike. Every individual is born with a different Verdance capacity, and while it can be trained to become stronger and more refined, each person has a natural limit to how far it can grow. Verdance determines the scale, intensity, and endurance of one's casting. Verdance has multiple properties and everyone is born with at least one with a max of three unless you are a mutant. The base properties of Verdance are as follows:
Fire, Earth, Darkness, Light, Wind, Water, Space, Time and Lightning
Verdance is also categorized in three subtypes
Type 1 verdance is the full elemental aspect in spell casting. Type 1 users are usually long range mages and archers unless their race is known for strength
Type 2 is the physical property of verdance. Rather than using the elements outward, type 2 uses the elements for enhancing. For example, type 2 lightning verdance is usually used for increasing one's movement, reaction, and attack speed or Earth is used for heavier punches and more durable skin
Type 3 users are able to use both the elemental and physical enhancements of their verdance
Astra
Astra is the universal current flowing through all existence and anchored within the soul. Unlike Verdance, Astra is not defined by quantity alone but by mastery and understanding. A small, perfectly controlled thread of Astra can overwhelm vast reserves of Verdance if wielded with superior mastery. Astra manifests in two polarities: Positive Astra restores, enhances, and strengthens the soul, while Negative Astra restricts, corrupts, or even destroys it. Through profound mastery, Astra can mend the shattered soul or grant an entirely new one where none existed before.
Planet
Serekhal is a planet especially rich in Verdance which caused a chain of events within the evolution. These events would be the birth of many different races and different eras of their ideals and different eras of strength. The ecosystems, the air, the water, and the dirt are all rich in Verdance. Planets like Serekhal are made when positive and negative Astra are mixed into a highly-condensed singularity point. Completely different from the natural ways planets form.
The Mutation Rule
Sometimes an individual will have a mix of two verdance properties or evolve their existing property in a sub-category. These mutations are usually feared by many of the inhabitants of Serekhal due to bad history with certain mutations.
Wind + Water = Ice
Space + Earth = Gravity
Fire + Earth = Lava
Time + Light = Haste
There are many other mutations yet to be discovered.
Those who carry mutations are given a forceful trade off. Their mutation does not allow them access to the properties it took to make them making their mutation their only ability. However, the mutation awakens the parenting properties to their max potential before combing allowing the user to have access to tremendous and raw destructive power.