Chosen
Transmission & Vectors
The elemental magic of the natural world, previously inaccessible to humanity, Has lent its power to the Chosen for the last thousand years. Scientists and philosophers conclude the power is concentrated within vast, largely underground networks of crystal whose unstable atomic structure lends itself to leeching of their natural magic, thus bestowing some inhabitants of Arkanis with their elemental power.
Each region of Arkanis houses different types of crystals based on their unique geographic conditions, leading to different outcomes for power manifestation. The crystals mined in the mountains of Mataisa, for example, breed the conditions for ice and water magic to emerge in the general population; in contrast, the humid jungles of Zozaia manifest earth and plant magic.
Scientists are still puzzling to determine if one has a genetic predisposition for being Chosen, but most are in agreement that geographic proximity to large crystal deposits leads to the highest probability of receiving elemental magic.
Causes
Being Chosen is a sacred gift bestowed seemingly at random within a given community. Children found born with the power (whose symptoms usually appear by the age of ten) are recruited to royal programs, apprenticeships, or the army to hone their skills under the watchful eye of the ruling class.
The power comes from the surrounding environment's inherent magic, which directly links to the power crystals at the heart of each country. Power crystals, or strenga crista as they are colloquially known, are conductors and amplifiers of the power, and thus being born in close proximity to crystal deposits increases one's chances of being chosen. This is how the royal bloodlines maintain their access to Chosen power - because they have built their palace on the greatest deposit of crystal in their respective regions.
Symptoms
When brought in proximity of a piece of crystal, a chosen one's eyes illuminate with the color of the stone/power (green for earth, blue for water, red for fire, gray for light, lavender for darkness).
Each Chosen person may find themselves affected by the surrounding environment's weather conditions dependent on their power - for example, a Mistine may tire easily in dry heat, whereas an Ingisine may feel a burst of energy in the same conditions.
A Chosen person's power is strongest when in proximity to the crystals or in the land where the crystals have their roots. When traveling, power may weaken. Wearing or holding talismans made of power crystal can assist in maintaining the power while far from home.
Special Circumstances
Umbrys works everywhere because it draws power from the Void (dark matter) itself, which defies geographic limitations of time and space. Lumys works similarly, but with significant limitations due to time of day (high noon = strongest, midnight = weakest) and weather conditions (sunny days = strongest, cloudy days = weakest).Affected Groups
Demographics
The Chosen
There are no deciding physical characteristics of a Chosen person that immediately distinguish them from their normal peers. However, most Chosen are instinctually more intuitive, in tune with the natural elements, and have sharper survival instincts. Each Chosen has a particular affinity or interest in the subjects pertaining to their power, and may join vocations related to such affinities. For example, an Ignisine might favor explosives or fireworks making, whereas a Terrine may have an affinity for gardening. A Lumine may enjoy mirror or glassmaking, while a Mistine may occupy their time with sailing. An Umbrine may have an affinity for cave exploration.The Feriori
The Feriori are a special class of people who came in contact with crystals, but suffered unforeseen consequences. The Feriori are often mutated or mutilated in some way by their interaction with the crystals, and unless they are part of the holy order, are seen as a crippled underclass of society. They are often stereotyped as monstrous, selfish, and devious. Common mutilations include blindness, deafness, loss of limbs, learning disorders, insanity, speech impediments or loss of speech, and paralysis. Many were created in the early days, before the crystals' power was fully understood. They can be created by the non-Chosen coming into immediate or prolonged proximity to the crystals, by priestesses incorrectly summoning power, or by virtue of their birth. Some legends speak of Feriori having their own abilities, though most are monstrous by design - a bastardization of the original natural power. A few Feriori managed to rise in ranks within the royal courts as experienced holy people. A Chosen person may become a Feriori if their power is used incorrectly, if their power is forcibly suppressed for prolonged periods of time (years), or if a Chosen attempts to rid themselves of their power somehow.History
Origin
The Gift of Treyen legend is cited to be the first historical instance of power usage by humanity. The Priestesses of Treyen spread the knowledge of how to concentrate the power in crystals to their home countries, and soon vast crystal systems snaked their roots in caves beneath each region. For the last thousand years, power is bestowed upon those with greater proximity to power centers, or regions within a country with a particularly high density of crystal beneath them. This leads to class and power dynamics, as the wealthier classes build their settlements on areas with the highest concentration of power crystal/ore in the land and shut others out.Cultural Reception
The Chosen used to be highly revered as holy beings in ancient times. However, since systematic categorization and militarization of the Chosen, many people view them as a threat or, at their base, with indifference to their power.
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