Hulumet

A world of blood and magic, of scheming and betrayal, of despair and hope, Hulumet is an ancient world that has been dominated by the Seven Demons for the past 777 years. Magic flows through the world, powered by belief, channelled by stories. Those who tell the finest stories can weave the belief of others in them into powerful and terrible magic. They can spit fire from their tongues, read the minds of others, and force them to see their darkest fears.   The greatest storytellers can shape the very fabric of history, for by their words, they shape reality. One such storyteller, the greatest to ever live, was a goatherd named Themba. By the power of his stories, Themba built an army of loyal disciples, and blessed them with incredible powers. Themba dreamed of bringing about a Golden Age of peace and prosperity, but first demanded that all vow to swear fealty to his dream, and devote their lives, wealth and power to achieving this cause.   Many great rulers refused. They would not surrender their wealth, power and titles to some upstart goatherd with little more than a rabble of rebels behind him. Among those who refused, were the Seven greatest and most powerful leaders of the continent of Meret: wrathful Warlord; a gluttonous Ogre King; a greedy Tyrant; an envious sea-monster; a slothful Pharaoh; a proud Empress; and a lustful Prince. They refused Themba's summons, mocked him for even asking, and laughed at his dream of a Golden Age.   And so, one by one, Themba cursed them. And by these seven curses, they became the Seven Demons.   Each was cursed in such a way to punish them for their sins, and yet, with each curse, came a twisted gift.   Igazi, the Lord of War and Demon of Wrath was cursed so that everyone he ever loved would die brutally and painfully, and that he would come to know of each and everyone of their deaths. However, in so doing, so long as just one person is left who Igazi loves, he can never die, granting him immortality.   Yezinbochi Geta, the Lord of Flies and Demon of Gluttony was cursed that every bit of food or drink that touched his tongue would turn to ash in his mouth, and was cursed to be eternally hungry and thirsty. However, in so doing, he was gifted eternal life.   Werik'ama, the Tyrant of Gold and Demon of Greed was cursed so that everything he touched turned to gold. Unable to eat or drink, Werik'ama began wasting away, watching as his mercenaries tore his failing realm apart. In the chaos, his only daughter was slashed by a sword, going to her side to comfort her, he turned her too into solid gold. He took her body to Themba, and begged him to bring her back, promising him everything he had in return, but it was too late, and the Magi turned him into solid gold, trapping his consciousness within until the breaking of time. However, this left him invulnerable.   Livyatan, the Queen of the Sea and Demon of Envy was cursed to know of every possession held by everyone else, and was cursed to feel pain that burned in her as deeply as their love for that possession. Now in eternal and excruciating pain, the ancient sea beast drags and shatters all ships she can to the depths to rob their possession from others, unless she is paid a heavy toll. However, he curse also ensures that no treasure can ever truly be hidden from her.   Nigati, the Duchess of Dreams and Demon of Sloth was cursed to be eternally exhausted, but to never be able to sleep. However, this granted Nigati not only eternal life, but the ability to make all around her tired, and to put anyone she touches into an eternal sleep. It is said she also haunts the dreams of her enemies.   Birihani, the Eternal Empress and Demon of Pride was cursed to come to watch with failing eyes as her once great Empire slowly crumbles to dust. This terrible curse grants her eternal life, so long as the Kibirian Empire stands, but not eternal youth. Now nearly 820 years old, the Empress has aged all these years. Her eyes, body and mind have long since failed her, and she lives out a half-life under constant medical care.   And finally, Asmodai, the Prince of Pleasure and Demon of Lust. The salacious shapeshifter was cursed to be eternally lusted after, but never to be truly loved. The perverted prince has taken many a bedfellow, willing or otherwise, but all seek to leave him eventually, incapable of loving his cruel depravity and never-ending narcissism. Yet, he is also eternal, and can bind others to his foul will.   With his greatest rivals cursed and broken, Themba thought he had won, that this would convince the other rulers to bend the knee. But instead, the Seven Demons united, along with many rulers who feared that they would be the next to be cursed. They rallied their forces, gathered their full strength, and unleashed their combined power on Themba and his disciples. And on the summit of the great Umamantaba mountain, they shattered the power of Themba the Deceiver, and left his broken corpse on the mountainside.   Afterwards, the Seven Demons formed a pact dividing the continent of Meret between themselves. And for the past 777 years, they have wielded their influence and power over the continent, and indeed the whole world of Hulumet. Eternally at each other's throats, the Seven have sabotaged one another's plans, burnt one another's cities and waged wars against one another's states. And yet, they always seem to fall back into an ever-shifting network of alliances with one another, betraying each other when beneficial, knowing deep down that the fall of just one of the Seven would challenge the power they wield along with the anguish of their curses.   But now, some 777 years after the pact was made, the power of the Seven has come into question. Their Empires are crumbling, their subjects grow rebellious, and belief in them in waning. And as this belief dissipates, replaced with doubt and defiance, so their powers just weaken more swiftly and dramatically.   The words of Themba the Deceiver are truer now, centuries after his death, than they ever were when he was alive:   "The world totters on a precipice. All one needs do is just, push …”