WorldEmber2023: Preparation

aka how a complete worldbuilding newbie like me discover a catch-up mechanic

Week 1

Face the past

It has been around 2 weeks since I came to know and learn about worldbuilding as I delve into this new hobby of mine. There are many things that I quickly found out that I am rather inexperienced when it comes to worldbuilding and its related skills. While some part can be overwhelming for me at first, I slowly familairize myself in a new environtment and learn something new everyday (Maybe not art). I also found out that I might not be a complete noob in this. As I have a knack for visualising and I kind of know what I want out of this world. But there is quite a step in order to make a mere hallucination into a reality.

Figure out the present

To learn more about worldbuilding. First I will have to learn more about the world, while learning more about my world will obviously help my own worldbuilding. I tend to spend a lot of time on other's people world, and it's not just other people world on WorldAnvil but also from other media. Only then I can create a serie of questions that I can ask myself in order to build up my world. Right now my world concepts are solid but the stage and the actor still lies dormant. While I am inexperience I am not a total newbie either as I have my own gameplan to build my worlds and there are 2 approachs in this.

Foward to the future

In order to expand my world. I have 2 approaches that I can use to make my world more complete.
1. Scenarios are used to lay a ground story and characters. Its significance may vary from scenario to scenario hence what I get from each scenario can be very different. For example: 'The first step' scenario's setting will mostly be in the Republic Academy and its 'college town' of West Centralia. Most of the actors will be student and professor. Most of November will be spent on laying the ground foundation of scenarios. I personally believe I can create over 50 articles with just the available scenarios at the time of this writing.
2. A day in life category will be used to describe how someone in my world live their life, and with it. The interaction between them and the rest of the world. I will try my best to pick someone who is not in a scenario in order to make the world more detailed. After all, Life still goes on regardless of the main character status.
With those approaches in mind. I have decided to participate in WorldEmber after contemplating to myself for quite awhile. Even through I am new and I suck at this there is no doubt I will learn and get a lot of experience from this event. But for now back to the reading jail.
Oh and here is the pledge.

Week 2

M in BDSM (Behold: Day in life, Scenarios and Meta)^{No I don't know how I came up with this.}

Now that week 2 homework has been announced. I feel like I already did some parts of the homework while I explained my process in week 1 which give me some edge in this week homework as I have an idea in my mind what do I want from those content. It is also kinda funny and ironic in some way because I don't really complete my own MAIN world meta so this somehow make my situation unique in a sense that while more experienced worldbuilder do mini meta from top-down approach. I make mini meta for each scenarios which will also be used to reinforce and adjust how my main world meta will be in a bottom-up style.

Scenarios

There is no doubt most of the time while I can pad the world count easily by doing a one shot 'A Day in Life'. Without fundamentals of the world I will not be able to consistently write a story that intertwined together. Hence most of my world count in WorldEmber will mostly come from scenarios and its articles. As I mentioned in my gameplan from week 1. Scenarios will be used by me to write a chapter story and with it: The character, the place, the world, the system behind them, the interaction between them and so on. For this reason I have decided to go with 2 main scenarios that I already have laid some foundation: The First Step and The Old Grudge. As these two scenarios are vastly different I have decided that a separate mini meta for each scenario will be the best course of action.

The First Step
Scope of this starter scenario is not big compared to other scenario I have in my mind. As it is mostly revolved around an education institute of Republic Academy. But the impact of this scenario is what I want to set them up for a greater task later on. 'You are a wizard, Harry' style if I may say so.
Thus the Focus of this scenario will be relatively light and the power level of these character will not be impactful to the world (yet). The main focus of this scenarios will be mostly magic, but also various interaction between students as the Academy accept anyone who has the capability to wield the magic across the continent.
Core Article will obviously be revolved around Royal Academy and Magic, currently there are few possible stubs that could be branch out which I will put it on the sidebar.
The Old Grudge
Unlike the first scenario where it's mostly slice of life schoolife fantasy. The Old Grudge's Scope take us to the larger scale in the world of politic. The truce is ending and Ibrossa Republic and Storiousse Kingdom must come to a peaceful conclusion or else the population of both side will suffer as the price of tardiness. The scenario overall is very impactful to the world itself.
While the interaction between the two government will be a key factor in this scenario's Focus. There is also a factor of military, history, crazy geopolitical stuff and so on. Not to mention that personal agenda also play a big role in how they act. The bigger they are, the more impactful their action can cause.
Core Article consisted of governing body of both country, the person in charge, the military organization (Special standing army for Storiousse Kingdom and mage's guild: Legerdemain for Ibrossa Republic) and many more as I could think of as of this moment. Check out the sidebar sometime later as usual.

Sorting out the category

With how my world is still new and there is not much article going on and with how I want to approach this WorldEmber. I separate my main category into 3 parts: Encyclopedia, Story and Miscellaneous. I believe with how small my world is right now there is no requirement for a complex category (yet) and I think I will make it through WorldEmber with these three. If anything I can just redo it again midway as shuffle thing around is a good procrastination technique.
Encyclopedia will contain a fact about Character, Country, Organization, Creature, Magic and Innovation and more should the need of extra sub category rises.
Story contains one shot from various source like pilot chapter for scenario, a day in life or even a new setting that I have yet imagined.
Miscellaneous will used for real world event (like WorldEmber) and staging area.

Spark of inspiration

I have been on a grind on learning various world both in and out of WorldAnvil like I mentioned since week 1, so I am going to keep up my pace on learning even more world. After all I am still new to this and I have a lot of catch-up to do.
Right now my main focus is fixed toward the magic system in various world as I tried to create a study plan and course outline for Royal Academy in The First Step scenario. So far my inspiration on this topic come from 3 sources: Harry Potter, Fate and World of Warcraft. I could write a lot of thing here but in order to keep my thought straight I will pick one thing that stand out in each reference.
Starting with World of Warcraft. The lore behind 6 cosmic forces of magic and its intertwined interaction with each other create element that is a solid foundation to the world is what fascinated me. Not only it creates the magic, the element and the world. The cosmic force also create an agent that represent them in a smaller scale that can be comprehend by a mortal. What I get from World of Warcraft is the interaction between each power at its purest form with each pair of cosmic force being a feud to each other.
While Nasuverse worldbuilding of Fate has always been confusing for those who is not into it. Magecraft in this world work different than the rest of the source as it establishes a clear difference between Age of Gods where the world is a world full of magic and mystery while Age of Man favor science and technology. However the silver lining between both of them also serves as a catalyst and the motivation to a lot of magus in that universe. Another topic worth mentioning is the attribute. There are lots of attribute that make people in this world different from one another which result in a limitless possibility of what a magus can be and what magecraft can they produce. Overall I have learnt the interaction between each magical era from Nasuverse's Fate. While there is no doubt Magic is far more powerful than a mere Magecraft. There is no place for God's Magic in Age of Man.
Last but not least is the Hogwarts the institution itself. It clearly lays an outline and not to mention a life of what a wizard would be during that time period they are studying. This is by far the most ideal source for me to look into when it comes to a life of a student. This also influence how an ideal wizard should be in that world (Say no to dark arts). Not to mention that Harry Potter also have their own take on categorizing subject which can be utilized. Harry Potter teach me the interaction between magic and its user and how such magic influence people's thought and emotion.
On top of that, There are also various sources of minor world I took a reference here and there. Here are another two example. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End show me that not all magic has to be significant in order to be important to someone (crazy magic that make a sweet grape into a sour one). The Irregular at Magic High School prove that technology and magic and go together in a modern world with the world's unique take on technomancy.
Beside magic, I also take a look toward military structure and government structure in history and such for my other Scenario. After my core media consuming is done I also like to pick up a setting that would totally be unrelated to my world as this would give me the most insight and how different world have different idea behind it.

Week 3

I have seen this week homework prove challenging for everyone. That also hold true for me for many reasons and just by learning how to design the homepage. I also able to reflect upon the event and dare say that I learn more from the past few days of doing this week homework than maybe half of my worldbuilding career (I think).
There is no doubt that my world is super new, by not having a solid foundation it can be a tough hill to climb on. After all if you do not know how the world will look like. How do your reader suppose to know it look like? It put lots of importance on meta for the creator to not lose sight of their world and actually create a content with the guidance of the meta.
Another factor when it comes to designing a homepage is the design itself. While right now I am merely a free-to-forge worldbuilder here. My perspective regarding to guild member customization vastly change after I have done this homework. There is no doubt that customizable CSS and various code can help elevate your homepage and your world in general. But it is merely one aspect that represent your world. Not to mention that there are countless combination from even the basic formatting that can push your world further and not a lot of people can really pilot basic BBcode up to the ceiling level. After all. Aesthethic should elevate the content (which should be everyone's main focus) to a new enjoyable height and not to be used as a filler to the content itself.
Speak of the content... I have pulled out previous content as I design the homepage. It is not a lot of cleanup since I do not have a lot of content but still. The idea of worldbuilding lies within the abilities to visualize and actualize. While I have no problem with visualizing thing (I would say I am good at this even). It is the actualize part that I am clearly struggling with. Thus most of my article are full of idea but lack proper execution (For now). It is something that I have to think more, learn more and most importantly... do more so that I know how to actually run the system.
One last thing that proved very valuable to me while I was repeatedly frustrated at the homepage. Your world is a living project. Everything constantly change and as a result it will need a constant maintenance to keep it up to date. As your perspective to the world change, so does the world. When I was merely a media consumer I don't really understand why 'retcon' is so hard. But now it becomes cystal clear. There are 3129873912 things of you to crosscheck LMAO. With all of the above I have decide to changed my world name into something more suited. I will completely transition this world into a new name after WorldEmber event.
With all of those points. My homepage is finished for now. It is not perfect but it will hold together for a moment. As much as I'm eager to learn more about BBcode and formatting this wall of text is a perfect place for me to take a break and act as a rebel child for once so I'm not going to add much formatting in here.

Week 4

Last week of homework is here. I have slowly do some of these along the way. Most of the remaining prep are mainly to keep practicing my writing skill in the background, expanding stub, cleaning up homepage and keep laying out idea for my articles in the background. As I want to lay down general foundation of my world I have decided to prepare everything backstage in preparation for WorldEmber.
As for real life prep. I have set up a good schedule to accomodate my writing. Everything else is decent so far and more ready than my writing aspect really.
I will use these last few days to do a final preparation.

Pengent's WorldEmber Kitchen

As I have cooked more stub and expanding fundamental on my scope I have found out that #STUBANGLE on sidebar is not enough to aesthetically fill everything. By exploiting a footnote section I now am able to cook more as the new much larger space permits me. Unlike #STUBANGLE this will go more into what do I think of the topic and how I plan to expand them. The format will look like me arguing with myself back and forth alongisde a subscript where I add my own personal comment that I could work on.

Magic

Basic and Magical Trait

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By default: The core principle of Magic is a tool for a desire to change the cycle. It works on 2 steps: Step 1 is to have a desire. Step 2 is to impose user's desire.

The desire can't just be ordinary, Magic user must have the desire strong enough to 'defy the cycle'.

For example: If someone doesn't want a day to end. Depend on the strength of their desire and the reason behind it. Various magic spell can form up to help the user achieve their desire.

But everyone have desire? Why can't everyone use magic then?

There are two congenital traits that can be passed on from generation to generation. These two traits are required to be present in the same person or else they would lack the ability to penerate the fabric or siphon mana or both.

Without the first gene, even if they process the strongest desire in the world, they will not be able to penetrate the world fabric. However they can still be affected by a magic from someone else aka they can't use magic. It is called Chamber Gene.

Another congenital trait called Trigger Gene is where user can penetrate to the other side and siphon mana but they cannot cast magic.

WIthout Chamber Gene, User can't penetrate the fabric to the other side of the world and thus, siphon mana to use magic. But without Trigger Gene, User will naturally penetrate to the other side whenever you posess desire and gain mana but cannot cast magic, People without trigger gene are also exposed themselves to Hazard Depth.

Lacking both of Chamber Gene and Trigger Gene obviously are a nightmare for a child especially the one born in a mage line.

Thus a mage would marry another mage in order to keep the bloodline 'pure'_{(Can be add as a conflict point)}.

A person who has the ability to sink and siphon is called a magic user. Magic user that complete their study is called a mage, Mage that is in Magician's Guild is called a magician aka licensed mage.

While user are able to use wandless magic. A wand is mandatory for student at magic school and contribute to a reason why wand is the most popular option when it comes to casting tool as it is small and it helps user focus their mind onto the tip of a wand. Seasoned magician can opt to use other tool instead like staff or even mageblade or even forgo the tool altogether.

Evocation: Sink and Siphon

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However, Let's say someone have both genes. What will happen?

The act of penetrating the world fabric by itself is called Sink. As user partially submerge themselves into the other side of the world.

The act of gaining mana while you sink is called Siphon.

By default, When user have a desire. They will naturally sink and siphon unconsciously. However, once user acquire a wand the process become more efficient.

That simple? Then why would this is worth mentioning then?

No, When user sink and siphon. It is not just mana that enter their body.

Evocation: Hazard Depth

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'When you share your mystery to the world. The world also share its own mystery to you'. Alongside mana, There are lots of side effect that go into user body.

The amount of side effect depends on the amount of mana circulating in their body. We refer to it as Hazard Depth.

Hazard Depth level 1 (Apporximately 10% of mana circulating in the body) is where people are prone to be more emotional: being more angry, sad, you name it.

Then comes Hazard Depth level 2 (Approximately 25% of mana circulating in the body) where you start to hallucinate. However those hallucination are real as the thing people hallucinate are Mystery. Think of ghost, demon, magical and mythical creature. Thus there is a saying that Magic is a gateway to mystery.

Hazard Depth level 2 is considered standard when user start learning how to actually wield magic and thus magus can see/interact spirit and these kind of mystery more than your average john smith who go out in the farm at night and wet himself when he see a scarecrow.

However on Hazard Depth level 3 (Approximately 55% of mana circulating in the body), side effect will start causing physical effect to the body_{(maybe if im down bad enough I can make them be 'in heat')}.

Hazard Depth 4 (75%), User experiences even more physical effect in form of a constant pain and paranoia. Hazard Depth 5 (100%) mean user siphon too much mana than their body can circulate and the flow of mana is very unstable, One wrong step and the user will explode like a balloon that hold too much gas. This term is called Hazard Overload.

This is why people who have Chamber gene but not Trigger gene are the most unfortunate as not only they cannot cast magic. But they also expose themselves unwillingly when they posess desire. Although it is unlikely that they reach high level of Hazard Depth. This is also why sometimes normal people who doesn't seem to be able to use magic can see ghost as they only have Chamber gene.

Mana and Mystery dissipate at a slow rate once the user no longer have the desire. By default sleeping is the best action to dissipate them. There is a term Mage sleep where user would just go unconsious after a long usage of magic as the body could barely keep up.

Evocation: Prevention of Hazard Depth

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That sounds dangerous professor, How can we prevent that situation happen?

Ideally speaking. User should never hold mana in themselves. If user have to cast a spell, siphon and cast, siphon and cast. If user have mana at high capacity theu might just collapse before casting due to deteriorating body condition or even worse, Hazard Overload.

However, the act of siphon take time. People would rather hold some mana to themselves as they can quickfire your spell right away.

One method is a meditation to increase the limit that mana can circulate in their body. This take a very long amount of time and user cannot expand their mana pool in one night.

This is where Oscillating Bracelet come in to play. Oscillating bracelet limit the amount of mystery and side effect that can enter a body. By default user will use wand as a way to evocate. The mana and the mystery will then enter the wand into a body. Oscillating bracelet let mana go through while blocking mystery access to a body. As a result the mystery can only circulate around the wand and can be disposed when user cast a spell.

Mystery still go through it, Bracelet can only partially block mystery depends on the quality.

Oscillating bracelet is to be worn on the same side of hand that use a wand.

The faster user siphon, the faster mysterious can enter their body and thus Hazard Depth also climb at a rapid rate.

The effect from Hazard Depth also amplified if a huge amount of mystery enter their body at once. One advaned spell could make user's Hazard Depth rise from level 1 to level 4 instantly which is another cause of Hazard Overload.

- This is also why 'siphon and cast' method is really good. User will not actively endanger yourself by having too much mana.

Thus Oscillating bracelet is not the most effective way to combat this issue. Not to mention that Oscillating bracelet have the ability to prevent Hazard Overload (from instant rise of depth, not from capping mana pool) but the bracelet will be destroyed in a process.

This is where studying Evocation come in. In magic school curriculum across the continent. Evocation is the first subject that a student will have to learn (The scope is too large to be put in Magic Fundamentals). Republic Academy curriculum however go further beyond and make evocation subject required from year 1 to year 5.

In Evocation they will learn: How to effectively sink, How to siphon efficiently, How to increase mana pool, How to deal with various level of hazard depth, Siphoning etiquette (Like don't siphon more than you need to use???), Meditation that helps with evocation, How to dissipate mana from your body without casting a spell, How to siphon directly using your body (This way you don't have to wave your wand back and forth to siphon it).

A great evocator can: control their flow of mana, siphon mana efficiently, siphon mana with their body while casting spell with their wand and more (I can't think of it yet).

This is also why most big bad wizard are paranoid as hell as they like to contain large amount of mana in their body all the time.

Evocation: Mana Attribute

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There are 2 main attribute of mana: Heaven mana and earth mana

However back in prehistoric empire era, there is also a third attribute of mana. As a mage of that era can siphon mana from star however that does not penerate the fabric of the world anymore as you penetrate directly into the fabric of the universe (This is why a foriegn god can invade due to the excessive usage of star mana, and since siphoning star mana doesn't require user to sink, There is no side effect from inside of the world but from outside instead).

For the sake of simplicity (For now, no foriegn god involved): Details about Star mana will be omitted_{(cuz I haven't think of them yet)}.

Both heaven and earth mana process different quality_{(add a detail to explain what's the difference)} that make one type of mana more suited than the other.

Generally speaking. Earth mana are more far suited to cast Elemental Magic while heaven mana are more compatible with Miracle Magic.

However exception happens. Upper Layer Elements works with heaven mana better and enhancement miracle tends to works better with earth mana.

Some magic also doesn't really care which type of mana as it has equal compatability, Some magic requires specific amount of mana like 50% earth and 50% heaven.

User can choose to siphon either heaven mana or earth mana with their initial wand pointing. Simply by pointing their wand right at the start of the evocation process.

This is why people who perform wandless magic are likely shaman or elementalist as they mostly use earth mana where their legs are the anchor point of evocation.

Same reason also apply to priest who praise the sky as a way to channel the power from heaven and thus gaining heaven mana.

WIP FROM THIS POINT ONWARD:Elemental Magic

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Basic

Elemental magic is the most common form of magic and very likely the first spell that a user can cast. Due to simplicity and the ability to visualization of the spell as there are elements around us.

Element works like a rock-paper-scissors like this: Light > Wind > Water > Fire > Earth > Shadow. With one extra wild card element: Arcane.

Wind, Water, Fire and Eath are 'Standard Elements' as they could be observed and interact with.

Light and Shadow are 'Advanced Elements' as they could be observed but not interact.

Arcane is 'Complex Element' which could not be observed nor interact.

There is also 'Lower Layer Elements' and 'Upper Layer Elements' but we will talk about that later on.

Standard Elements

Consisted of Wind, Water, Fire and Earth.

Example spell of Wind magic are faster writing enhancement, gale blast magic, limited flight magic and more.

Example spell of Water magic are reverse current magic, water barrier magic, downpour magic and more.

Example spell of Fire magic are ignite magic, cauterization miracle, fireshower magic and more.

Example spell of Earth magic are earthmind magic, earth golem magic, avalanche magic and more.

Advanced Elements

Consisted of Light and Shadow.

Example spell of Light magic are holy barrier miracle, healing miracle, purge curse and more.

Example spell of Shadow magic are emotion suppression magic, night vision enhancement, silence curse.

Complex Element

Arcane is the only Complex Element in the whole element.

While Arcane can be used as a raw spell. Its best property is that it can fundamentally change the standard and advanced elements into something different.

Arcane can change Upper Layer Element into lightning and Lower Layer Element into nature.

Layer of Element

Miracle Magic

Absolute Magic

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Basic

Considered the peak of desire, in term of both output and requirement. Can potentially turn the tide of even the whole war just by sheer power of it.

Required a specific activation phrase that resonate with the user heart's instead of wand movement, Although wand movement can be incorporated into it.

Some known activation phase:

Absolute Magic can be considered 'ultimate' and 'signature' move for that person.

This also mean you cannot really 'share' or 'teach' Absolute Magic, but people of same quality might be able to replicate the spell with a lesser degree.

Magical Theory

Magical Creature

Country

Ibrossa Republic

Storiousse Kingdom

Arachenest Kingdom

Reisengarde Maritime Kingdom

Republic Academy

School Year: Admission

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In month X to month Y, Administration staff work with magician from Legerdemain across the republic. They go from town to town and set up an admission post.

A child whose age is 14 to 17 is eligible for admission. At an admission post. A child fill out his personal information, receive a check-up for Chamber and Trigger Gene, do an interview with a professor in charge of the post and that's it. Parents are also required to have an interview with a professor.

2 week to 1 month after the admission post is gone from the town. The result will come in front of a house by mailbird. Should a child is accepted. The mail will inform the family of neccessary details including life in academy, day in life, subject, grading but the most important detail in the mail is the date and place for student depature, Parents are responsible to bring their child to a designate spot which generally is a nearest town. They are compensated for a time and money loss during that.

However if a child does not pass the admission the mail will details a reason why, if it is not the absolute reason like it's the only child in the family and they run the important business. A child is allowed to register again until they reach 17.

Since professor and magician only set up admission post in Ibrossa territory, What will happen if you live in the other country and would like to send your children there?

There are 2 way for forienger to join the academy, via direct mail and foreign admission post.

Foreign admission post is a ship that land on the biggest port town of other country once per 2 years and staying there for 6 weeks. At the end of 6 weeks they set sail back to republic with every student that pass the admission.

Direct mail is to send to the director of the academy. If a child pass the admission this way the family are required to bring them to the port city to board the ship. Or they can send them directly to the republic should they can afford the cost and they do not want to wait for another year before the foriegn post reopen in their country.

Unlike native Ibrossian student, The foreign student does not receive free tuition.

School Year: Arriving at Academy

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When you arrive at the randevous spot near the town. You will ride a carriage to the academy.

Or by ship if you are a foreign student.

By default the carriage will arrive at the academy 4 days before the semester start while the ship arrive to West Centralia port 1 week before.

First year student will take a rest for 1 day, get their wand and bracelet on 2nd day, having an orientation ceremony on 3rd day, have another year opening ceremony on the last day then the semester officially begin.

NEED COOKING (LAST UPDATED: WEEK 2)

Expanding Stub

Read more work out there

Complete for foundation

Figure out from all of those stub what do I want to write

Make a stub and don't forget to reset creation date when you actually want to cook

Make a proper tag list

#STUBANGLE

World Overall

Magic of Storiousse

Magical trait

Chamber Gene

Trigger Gene

Interaction

Evocation

Sinking and siphoning

Hazard Depth

Prevention of Hazard Depth

Evocation Study

Oscillating Bracelet

Mana attribute

Elements

Standard, advanced and complex elements

Upper and lower layer elements

Wind

Water

Fire

Earth

Light

Shadow

Arcane

Miracle Magic

Conceptual Magic

Absolute Magic

Magical Creature

Magical Armaments

Scenario: The First Step

Republic Academy

Subject

Place

History

School year

Student year

Administration

Character

Luimen Stanza

Anna Asceth

Jenneth Fischer

Madeline Asceth

Outis Valtaria Graphine

Professor Valvandis Biltonia

Professor Risaya Robinson

Professor Malorias Biltonia

Profession

Student

Academy Staff

Professor

Academy Nurse

Academy Cook

Academy Janitor

Innovation

Wand

Oscillating Bracelet

Scenario: The Old Grudge

Country

Ibrossa Republic

Storiousse Kingdom

Arachenest Kingdom

Character

Ibrossa Republic

Carmen Graphine

Professor Malorias Biltonia

Professor Valvandis Biltonia

Eileen Stanza

Benjamin Stanza

Story: Pilot Chapter - Perilous Crossing

Organization

Royal Workshop

Arachenest's Mercenary Guild

1 Apex tier party

Smuggling Bandit

Innovation

Flightspear Prototype

Spellumbrella

Story: Pilot Chapter - Admission Result

Story: Pilot Chapter - Legacy of Ancestor