The Supernatural World

Introduction

Magick

The average person in The Fairelands knows nothing about real magick. In fact, many civilization believe the clever tricks of stage magicians or no way to differentiate between new scientific developments and the theatrical, miasma-filled shows of spiritualist frauds.

But magick is real and it is dangerous.

This corruptive and unwieldy force has led to the fall of civilizations. To say that magick comes at a cost would be a reductive half-truth -- magick is inextricable from the horror of its use.

Bleed

Bleed is the destructive influence that emanates from magick. People, creatures, nature, and objects may all contain this corrosive power. Interacting with something or someone emitting bleed can, and usually will, do damage to anyone in its sphere.

Depending on the nature of the magick, it can manifest in a myriad of ways, and investigators should be wary of seemingly "less harmful" bleed. This devastating radiation knows no scale but time and exposure -- toying with its incredible power comes at the risk of your own peril.

The Flare

The Flare is the barrier between worlds, preventing the flow of magick into our realm from the terrifying beyond. Though it typically burns away anything that passes through it, there are spots referred to as thinnings where this veil has becom epermeable -- and all manner of phenomena can slip into our reality. These rifts are a central focus of candela Obscura.

Phenomena

Investigators within Candela Obscura use the term phenomena to describe any and all mysterious occurences. this could include a terrifying flying beast, a lake of seaweed that drowns victims, blood raining from the sky, a wardrobe that transfers human consciousness between bodies, or even a spirit trapped within a music box.

Creatures & Monsters

Creatures that defy explanations lurk in the corners and shadows of this world. These beings come from across the Flare or are born of the magick that has already infected this realm. They prey on unsuspecting citizens unfortunate enough to cross their path, or Candela Obscura investigators clever enough to seek them out.

Magickal fiends are driven by their own unique desires and goals. Some may resemble one another, but the wise investigator never makes broad statements about all creatures from beyond the Flare. Through the work of Candela Obscura, these beasts remain largely shrouded from the public eye, but their impact can be felt across The Fairelands.

Environment & Hazards

Magick affects more than just the living creatures of the world. Even the environment itself can break out into violence. Magick can unlease powerful and unpredictable forces with the power to tear apart the very fabric of the natural world. This creates strange and dangerous phenomena that may be deadly to those who venture too close.

Spirits & Entities

In The Fairelands, ghosts are an enigmatic presence some believe in, though others dismiss them as a narrative intended to scare children and gullibule Fairen citizens with money to spend.

However, in this world, ghosts are very real and can be found in nearly every corner of The Fairelands. Some spirits manifest as nothing more than eerie shadows flickering across walls, while others transform into malevolent apparitions attacking unsuspecting bystanders wtih malicious intent. The most piteous entities are the souls still entangled in the momet of their death, doomed to experience their demise forever. No two spirits are the same, and Candela Obscura believes their existence is heavily impacted by the circumstances of both their life and death.

Once someone passes beyond our world into the realm of death, they cannot be contacted. Although Mediums may speak to the spirits left beyind in our world, it's important to note that not all deaths result in spirits who are unable to move on from this mortal plane. Those in tune with the world beyond would find it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to summon a specific spirit and communicate with them clearly and coherently.

Artifacts

Even the most mundane items, once infected with bleed or tainted by magick, can become something corrupted, deadly, or otherworldly. While many of these objects are exceedingly powerful or even useful, members of Candela Obscura would do well to remember that caution can be an investigator's most valuable tool.

Still, one can employ artifacts to their advantage -- but their acquisition almost always comes with a price. Should you recover an artifact during an investigation, it is important to remember that its use may result in further misfortune. Nevertheless, there may come a time when the application of these artifacts could prove advantageous.

Alchemy

It is common knowledge amongst Candela Obscura members that Oldfaire fell due to the misuse of magick. Much like The Fairelands harnessing electricity today (though hopefully to less disastrous effect), the people of Oldfaire harnessed magick for everyday use.

It was this use of magick that resulted in the civilization's demise. As the upper class, especially Empress Iomene and her council of alchemists, began to explore the powers afforded them by magick, the lower classes of society were forced to adapt to survive. This is similar to industrialization in the modern age. Magick became an integral part of such things as agriculture, architecture, child-rearing, education, leisure activities, politics, and war. With the overproduction of alchemical works and consistent misuse of their power, Oldfaire eventually fell victim to the very creation that once allowed them to thrive and expand their empire across the continent.

Now, all that remains of this once great civilization are the ruins scattered across The Fairelands, accessible only by those brave enough to journey underground to face the mysteries within. Among these historical structures lie the relics of the Oldfairen alchemists' quest to harness and manipulate magick. This includes the use of alchemical symbols and sigils, as well as experiments utilizing various metals and materials to both contain and channel magick and its bleed. Those who visit these laboratory and ritual sites are likely to encounter incredible amounts of bleed and the phenomena born of Oldfairen experimentation.

Today, numerous organizations attempt to harness and employ magick through the use of alchemy. Members of Candela Obscura will study for years to achieve only a fraction of the mastery the Ancient Fairens claim to have widely employed throughout their civilization. Investigators who wish to study alchemical processes should be wary of anyone who suggests that the art can offer them untold power or riches. One should begin by learning to translate Ancient Fairen to engage in firsthand sources recovered from Oldfaire.

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