Lords of Sins and Virtues

The Lords of Sin and Virtue are beings who have become vessels for the cores of divine fragments, making them embodiments of a specific virtue or sin. Unlike Rune Masters, these individuals are not chosen by chance or circumstance. The cores are tied to their wielders from the beginning; it is destiny. The cores are bound within artifacts forged from Onyx Luna, a rare and enigmatic material. These artifacts, inseparable from their wielders, serve both as a source of immense power and as a constant temptation, urging their bearers to align with the sin or virtue they represent.

Each Lord represents one of the cardinal sins or virtues, such as Wrath, Greed, Kindness, or Patience. Their powers manifest as an extension of their essence: a Lord of Greed might have the ability to hoard energy or materialize wealth, while a Lord of Wrath might command destructive forces capable of laying waste to entire armies. However, these powers come with a cost. The cores magnify the host's defining trait to an extreme, often leading to internal conflict. A Lord of Patience may find themselves immobilized by indecision, while a Lord of Pride might alienate allies through their arrogance.

Royal Bloodlines

All Lords of Sin and Virtue are members of the seven royal lines of Kena'an. These ancient bloodlines are intrinsically tied to the divine fragments, and it is from these families that the cores draw their hosts. Some Lords hold power over their respective kingdoms, wielding their influence both politically and spiritually. Others, however, walk a path of obscurity, operating in the shadows to pursue their own goals. Intriguingly, the Lord of a specific sin is always related by blood to the Lord of its opposite virtue, further entwining their fates and responsibilities.

Free Will

Despite their connection to either a virtue or a sin, the Lords retain free will- at least initially- making their role in the world's balance unpredictable. Not all Lords of Virtue align themselves with the forces of Novirath, nor do all Lords of Sin side with Haestrom. This duality makes the Lords pivotal figures in the ongoing struggle for control, as their choices can sway the tide of conflict.

Immortality

The Lords of Sin and Virtue are immortals in every sense. They cannot be permanently killed. When a Lord dies, they are immediately resurrected. However, each resurrection takes a toll on their soul, eroding their free will and binding them ever more tightly to the core's will. Over time, they risk becoming mere puppets of the core, losing all autonomy. Additionally, each resurrection claims the life of another person, chosen seemingly at random. It is said that the unfortunate souls who die to sustain a Lord’s resurrection are lost forever, unable to reach the underworld or any afterlife.

Influence and Legacy

The Lords are both feared and revered. Their actions shape nations, inspire legends, and leave lasting scars on the world. While some Lords use their powers to uplift civilizations, others bring ruin and despair. Their presence is both a blessing and a curse, for they embody the extremes of their respective traits, serving as reminders of the divine’s fractured nature and its lingering influence over Kena’an.

Connection to Runes

The bearers of the cores, the Lords of Sin and Virtue, can sense the awakening of a rune tied to their respective sin or virtue. This connection allows them to feel the general location of the rune, granting them an advantage in finding and interacting with these powerful artifacts.

The End Game

According to prophecies and long-forgotten lore, when all the cores and runes are awakened, the war to determine the fate of Kena'an will begin once more. What ended in a stalemate during the Era of Purification will start anew, and the prisons of the creator gods, Novirath and Haestrom, will finally open. This event will signal the dawn of the Era of Destiny and mark the end of the Era of Change. It is believed that this final conflict will either reunite the divine fragments, restoring balance to the world, or unravel the very reality of Kena'an, erasing the world from the material plane once and for all.