The Progenitors of Life...
The realm of Sonenheim. A massive super continent that of which a history of change and growth has shaped and molded into a vast and diverse landscape. At the heart of it all was the intervention of three fabled progenitor spirits. Augur, spirit of air, thought, breath, and the creator of the various energy sources known as chakra found within a person through inner reflection and meditation. They are responsible for creating many of the chakra aligned beings and forces found throughout the land. Faunus, a creator of nature and animals, and would later combine their own creations with that of a third figure to create the anthropomorphic animals known as beastfolk. Manus, the creator of all humans and human variant races, would come to be the most well known of these figures. He bestowed onto man and beastfolk, as special burning fire that of which would allow the spirit of these mortals to come to life. This fire would come to be known amongst man as Regalia.
The Eternal Fire...
Regalia is a concept that is widely known about but still not completely understood, but that has not stopped it from becoming an integral part of mortal culture, mythos, and society. It is known to be present within the bodies of humans of all races and creeds, as well as beastfolk. For most, regalia is little more than a philosophical and metaphysical equivalent to the soul. But for others, it can be much more. Regalia is an ability that all those with a soul kindled by Manus can use, at least with enough practice. Because regalia is the manifestation of the soul, it can appear very differently depending on who is using it. Physically, it shows itself within the windows of the soul, or more directly, through the color of a person's eyes, which change into an alternate from their natural state when they utilize a notable amount of regalia to create tangible, physical effects. With enough use, sometimes even a colorful aura will appear enveloped around the user, typically only visible to those with strong enough control over their senses to detect such forces. People prone to danger or combat are the most prone to have a strong regalia, as while heritage and genetics play a part in the power and characteristics of one's regalia manifestations, training and exercise, just like a muscle, can be used to hone and better control it. Heroes are the most common users of strong regalia, as their line of work requires them to be at odds with many dangers. From allowing users to shield themselves from damage, to increasing their natural abilities, to even helping minor wounds heal faster than normal, or act as a sixth sense of sort, regalia is a boon if uses right, but one that requires focus and finesse lest it be wasted. Regalia is spent up overtime with continual use, and can leave a user vulnerable if close to or completely depleted, not typically becoming usable again until proper care, rest, and time has passed.
The Academy of the Sacred Blue Flame...
In the center of Sonenheim, sitting on a slender peninsula stretched into the inland Gallant Sea, is a prestigious and large scale academy. An institution the only of it's kind. A place of education that of which teaches the young and determined how to be Heroes, skilled and efficient individuals who are hired to solve problems and face both adversity and dangerous threats. Whilst sellswords and crafters are talented and capable, many of the threats found in the reaches of the land are more tenacious and capable of ripping most normal mortals to shreds. Heroes trained by Astra Nova however seek to find an end to this lively hood of fear by educating young heroic teens how they can play a part in defending the realm from darkness and evil. This training not only seeks to make them formidable guards against nefarious villains and ravenous beasts, but also the hollow, corrupt beings known as Dreamers. Dreamers come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and levels of power, but all are dangerous to mortals. They have the ability to embody concepts into tangible and horrifying forms, from the elements like fire or water, all the way to the most esoteric like sleep, anger, or love. These concepts are contorted and used as outward physical powers and characteristics of Dreamers that make them sometimes completely immune to normal means of combating them, and even when defeated, they are only temporarily subdued, prone to begin again in due time. Those who know the true power of regalia however can slay these fiends outright, and Astra Nova seeks to teach how, ensuring all students are well acquainted with the prospects of protecting others from all kinds of threats, as well as generally helping them to find a profession to pursue in their adult years.
The Arcane and Technical Combine...
Amongst the constant struggle against the forces of dark, an era of unprecedented growth and communication reigns among the many areas of Sonenheim. Thanks to the continuous growth of knowledge about the dangers of the world, more ways as well as more people have became able to stop them. The use of magic has also come to reach a new age of innovation. Once believed to be only a mere minor convenience, incapable of being produced in feats greator than lifting 5 pounds telepathically except by beings of otherworldly magical origin, magic has come to become a potent source of utility in it's own right through the development of Implements. Implements or as they are commonly nicknamed "arcanotech," are devices, regents, and foci that of which are used to create potent magical effects, from dazzling offensive spells to defensive countermeasures, to more utility or personal kinds. All magic puts to use devices or materials like this, as it is impossible to cast from nothing, though certain kinds of magic certainly do still require focus and awareness from the caster to work. From wands, staves, runes, alchemical solutions, and enchanted weapons, to ranged spell slinging devices known as spellcannons, to energy generators used to power entire factories, to trains and automobiles with engines fueled by the fires that would typically only be produced by fire elementals. The world is in an ever adapting era of technological, magical, and societal growth, bound to lead to it's own share of improvements and challenges.
The Beginning You've Always Dreamed...
You are thrust into this world and into the hopeful clutch of could-be students at Astra Nova, the Academy that could help you become the warrior, mage, crafter, explorer, or anything else you've always wanted to be, and learn how such skills will help you make your world a better place through your actions. You are arriving on time to the front gate of the academy, awaiting to pass into the gate. You know that you must take part in a challenging and arduous trial to get in. The trial tests you of your aptitude of skills you already know, as well as for a look into if you have what it takes to learn. If you finish and are accepted, your performance will also play a part into which of the five student body houses you will be recommended to join. All you can hope for now is that you will make the cut...
