Ataraxia

Year 306, Season of Fire

Ataraxia Originally, it was a term describing 'a state of lucidity, serenity, and freedom from distress and worry.'   They must be joking.   To call this world, ravaged by powerful mana, terrifying monsters, and extreme environments "serene." I'm sure it was beautiful once, before The Collapse. Civilization hit the reset button, and all too quickly --- the past was forgotten. Human civilization fell back into the dark ages, technological superiority reverting into the human struggle to re-tame nature. The land was dominated by one thing: the law of the strong. The very structure of the Adranis continent had changed to a point of extremity; insurmountable mountains, dark and dangerous oceans, ardently blazing deserts once more hindering human progress.   Now, the world itself is shrouded in mystery. There are rumours, of course, about lands beyond what anyone is familiar with. Tales of humans surviving the journey across the deadly seas, beautiful elven-like people living within the great forests of the north, and a curious description of an immense magical artifact deep beneath the earth.   Such tales stir the hearts of men and women alike, and the profession of "adventurer" became a common sight. Seeking fame and fortune, and utilizing the mysterious power that is mana, these brave souls can attain capabilities in the realm of the super-human. Of course, that's if they can survive the never-ending stream of unfamiliar and highly dangerous monsters threatening this constantly-changing world. Some would say they're the spitting image of an illusion of grandeur.