Introduction to Isidoro
Don't know where to start? Look here!
Meta Knowledge
The setting of Isidoro is primarily meant to fall under an Urban Fantasy genre. This meshes present day/recent technology with magic, allowing the two to interact in interesting ways. This interaction is one of the main sources of tension withing the setting, and is discussed more in Arcane vs Tech section.The main appeal of the ubran/modern fantasy genre was the option of combining familiar settings and technology with fantasy creatures and scenarios-- such as regular humans living with dragons, and how the world might have changed through their interactions. Another example is the ability to use glamours to change one's appearance instead of only just hair-dye or body mods. It takes inspiration from many medias: TTRPGs, novels, TV and more.
Combining these concepts and playing with how they interact with one another is a huge draw. Though while these ideas are the backdrop, the main focus is on an organization called Penumbra. Their motives appear to be pure, and they are a huge figurehead in the development of magi-tech and magi-pharma, but it seems like there's something darker under the surface just waiting to come to light. The story within this world is planned to feature Body Horror and Mature Themes, so please browse with caution!
Pantheon
The Devi Pantheon
The Devi Pantheon is the term for the main Gods and Goddesses within the Dev designation. This pantheon involves the four elements of the earth, as well as beings with dominion over life and death. They are often combined into groups of four: The Life Force Quartet and the Elemental Quartet. Within the Life Force Quartet is Life, Death, Lethargy, and Creation, and the God and Goddesses of Earth, Air, Fire and Water of course falling into the Elemental Quartet.The Gods of Death, Destruction and Lethargy & the Goddesses of Creation/Energy, and Life
The Elemental Quartet are a large part of the Isidoro Calendar. There are celebrations for each god and goddess, typically within the season that coresponds to them. All of the pantheon have temples scattered across the land, staffed by a few devoted personnel and Priest or Priestesses that heads the ceremonies.
The God/Goddesses of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water
Silence
The Bloodkeeper-Human War and the aftermath of this caused bloodkeepers to begin seperating their culture and traditions even more than they already had. This resulted in bloodkeepers abruptly stopping in the worshipping of the Goddess Devishtari. There is common belief that the Goddess had abandoned them, allowing the unfair slaughter and genocide of their people, which culminated in the myth of the Creation of Silence. During this time, temples under her name were ransacked, one noteable one being Norcrest Temple. Within the myth of the creation of Silence, it is rumoured that Devishtari forcibly elevated one or more bloodkeepers to God status to reign over and protect their people, distancing herself from the species and allowing them to suffer. This god is explicitly referred to with they/them pronouns, due to their creation myth. Some depictions state that when they show themselves in front of others they will present in a way that makes the one in front of them most comfortable. Bloodkeepers of the Leaf Clan honour the dark fur of their god, seeking to imitate their fur.
Magic
Click the Ley-Lines Layer to see the magical undercurrent of Isidoro.
The Nexus and The Holy Points
Within Isidoro's very being, are veins of magic. This current runs through the landmass and crosses at various points within the earth. These lines of magic are called Ley-Lines. There are sixteen (16) points in total, but there are nine (9) that are considered holy. They are the farthest landmass and sea points, along with the Nexus which resides in the center. The typical swears and curses remove the Nexus from the count, and keep it to 8 as an even number. Intersections of Ley-Line points channel more magic in those locations, with the more lines crossing over the more powerful the magic that can be siphoned from there can be.Arcane vs Tech
While many places have accepted magic into their everyday lives, there are some locations where magic is shunned or considered far too restrictive. This divide has caused countless years of fighting and struggles for beings that are innately magical, such as dragons. In fact, this great divide came to the forefront in the dissipation of Hippessia, splitting it in two. The disagreements have simply accelerated and grown from there, and in harsher communities, there are even laws forbidding magical species to live in certain areas.
Arcane
Areas that are abundant in magical energy. These locations are accepting of glamours, public magic use, and magical creatures.These are spaces where one can go to to improve their magical prowess.
Magi-Tech
While some locations are more wary about Magic and Technology combining, there are some cities and settlements that are trying to embrace magic and create the best of both worlds. There is a prominent example in the business Penumbra.
Tech
These areas have pushed magic to the side, attempting to push technology to the forefront. These locations are not as comfortable with open displays of magic, and magical creatures. Magitech may be used occasionally.
Traditionalists VS Modernist
Species
There are numerous species within Isidoro, and while some may be mentioned in this section there are others that are not as relevant. To see all of the species within the land, using The Visual Guide to the Species of Isidoro is recommended, due to its gallery. This section is a WIP.
Bloodkeepers
Bloodkeepers are a demon species, made for hunting in small packs and living in large communal groups.Their territories span from lush forests, snowy tundras, and blistering deserts. Each of these locals affect how Bloodkeepers appear, and changes their culture.
The species, true to their namesake--consume minimal blood during rituals, customs, or other circumstances. They are a Mana attuned species and with their blood consumption, intake some of the Mana within it. This is usually saved for prey they have hunted, as Bloodkeepers use this to give thanks for the life lost to give them sustenance.
Bloodkeepers are wary of humans, the only ones that are somewhat used to them are ones that have moved into human settlements.
Corvids
Corvids are a demon species, which typically live in medium to large sized communal groups, and they are suited for hunting in pairs before returning to their current community. Their territories span lush forest, cliff-side abodes, and more; the Corvids are an adaptable species, but avoid frigid climates.
Their species is named after the common species of corvids they resemble, with wide wing spans, dark plumage and taloned lower limbs. They are the inspiration for myths of winged humanioids such as Harpies.
They are wary of humans, though they're not as reclusive as Bloodkeepers . Corvids are able to co-exist with usually little judgement.
Dragons
Dragons are a wide category of creatures, known for their normally large statures and impressive magical skill. They are known to live in small groups, due to how they grow as they age. Their territory is spread far and wide throughout Isidoro, covering the land, air, and sea.
The species is incredibly magical, having one of, if not the best magical capabilities of all creatures and beings existing in Isidoro. Their bodies are heavily stocked with mana, and it is assumed that this abundance is part of the reason they are such potent and dangerous magic users.
Dragons are mostly secretive, and most species of dragon are likely to avoid many other species of Isidoro. They have been hunted and heavily prosecuted in the past, and as a result tend to not meddle in other species affairs unless asked.
Mermaids
Mermaids are Wild Folk, and live within Isidoro's oceans and rivers. They are not constricted to saltwater, and can thrive within freshwater as well. They often live in pods with a collection of other families, and feel safer in a group than alone.
They cannot live out of water without heavy magical aid to keep their gills and aquatic body-parts damp and properly maintained. As a result, if any do live out of water, they typically choose coastal cities, or areas near numerous bodies of water.
Mermaids don't mind interaction with other species, and some of their closest allies are water dragons. It isn't uncommon to find a water dragon acting as extra security or a bodyguard for a pod.
Nagas
Naga are a demon species, which typically live in small to medium sized communal groups, and they are suited for hunting alone, or rarely in pairs, before returning to their current community. Their territories span deserts, rain forests, and more; however due to their serpentine physiology they cannot handle cold temperatures.
Their tails come in a variety of patterns, and communities normally are of one particular scale pattern. It is abnormal to see many types of naga in a single village unless it is a trading caravan or village.
They are wary of humans, though they're not as reclusive as Bloodkeepers . Nagas typically have a hard time co-existing with humans, due to their size and intimidating features.
Weres
Weres are a shape-shifting Demon species, which typically live in medium to large sized communal groups, and are often seen adopting other species into their communities and family. They live just about everywhere, often among humans due to the fact they blend in so well.
While one may think of a stereotypical werewolf scenario, weres are far more varied; in fact, if it is a land living species and is a predator, you're likely to come across one. (For example: wolves, foxes, big cats, badgers, etc). They are the inspiration for myths of Lycanthropy, through many will tell you 'not all Were's are wolves!'.
They interact well with other species due to their shapeshifting, and have a strong comradery with Bloodkeepers.
Arcane
Areas that are abundant in magical energy. These locations are accepting of glamours, public magic use, and magical creatures.These are spaces where one can go to to improve their magical prowess.Magi-Tech
While some locations are more wary about Magic and Technology combining, there are some cities and settlements that are trying to embrace magic and create the best of both worlds. There is a prominent example in the business Penumbra.Tech
These areas have pushed magic to the side, attempting to push technology to the forefront. These locations are not as comfortable with open displays of magic, and magical creatures. Magitech may be used occasionally.Bloodkeepers
Bloodkeepers are a demon species, made for hunting in small packs and living in large communal groups.Their territories span from lush forests, snowy tundras, and blistering deserts. Each of these locals affect how Bloodkeepers appear, and changes their culture.
The species, true to their namesake--consume minimal blood during rituals, customs, or other circumstances. They are a Mana attuned species and with their blood consumption, intake some of the Mana within it. This is usually saved for prey they have hunted, as Bloodkeepers use this to give thanks for the life lost to give them sustenance.
Bloodkeepers are wary of humans, the only ones that are somewhat used to them are ones that have moved into human settlements.
Corvids are a demon species, which typically live in medium to large sized communal groups, and they are suited for hunting in pairs before returning to their current community. Their territories span lush forest, cliff-side abodes, and more; the Corvids are an adaptable species, but avoid frigid climates.
Their species is named after the common species of corvids they resemble, with wide wing spans, dark plumage and taloned lower limbs. They are the inspiration for myths of winged humanioids such as Harpies.
They are wary of humans, though they're not as reclusive as Bloodkeepers . Corvids are able to co-exist with usually little judgement.
Dragons
Dragons are a wide category of creatures, known for their normally large statures and impressive magical skill. They are known to live in small groups, due to how they grow as they age. Their territory is spread far and wide throughout Isidoro, covering the land, air, and sea.
The species is incredibly magical, having one of, if not the best magical capabilities of all creatures and beings existing in Isidoro. Their bodies are heavily stocked with mana, and it is assumed that this abundance is part of the reason they are such potent and dangerous magic users.
Dragons are mostly secretive, and most species of dragon are likely to avoid many other species of Isidoro. They have been hunted and heavily prosecuted in the past, and as a result tend to not meddle in other species affairs unless asked.
Mermaids
Mermaids are Wild Folk, and live within Isidoro's oceans and rivers. They are not constricted to saltwater, and can thrive within freshwater as well. They often live in pods with a collection of other families, and feel safer in a group than alone.
They cannot live out of water without heavy magical aid to keep their gills and aquatic body-parts damp and properly maintained. As a result, if any do live out of water, they typically choose coastal cities, or areas near numerous bodies of water.
Mermaids don't mind interaction with other species, and some of their closest allies are water dragons. It isn't uncommon to find a water dragon acting as extra security or a bodyguard for a pod.
Naga are a demon species, which typically live in small to medium sized communal groups, and they are suited for hunting alone, or rarely in pairs, before returning to their current community. Their territories span deserts, rain forests, and more; however due to their serpentine physiology they cannot handle cold temperatures.
Their tails come in a variety of patterns, and communities normally are of one particular scale pattern. It is abnormal to see many types of naga in a single village unless it is a trading caravan or village.
They are wary of humans, though they're not as reclusive as Bloodkeepers . Nagas typically have a hard time co-existing with humans, due to their size and intimidating features.
Weres
Weres are a shape-shifting Demon species, which typically live in medium to large sized communal groups, and are often seen adopting other species into their communities and family. They live just about everywhere, often among humans due to the fact they blend in so well.
While one may think of a stereotypical werewolf scenario, weres are far more varied; in fact, if it is a land living species and is a predator, you're likely to come across one. (For example: wolves, foxes, big cats, badgers, etc). They are the inspiration for myths of Lycanthropy, through many will tell you 'not all Were's are wolves!'.
They interact well with other species due to their shapeshifting, and have a strong comradery with Bloodkeepers.
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