Coryphian Blood
In the annals of the Church of the Five's religious texts, it is believed that the mages, were born from the extraordinary union between humans and the Coryphians, the ancient beings who once ruled over Aigea. This crossbreeding, a consequence of the Ancient Coryphians' dominance and their desires to assert control over all living beings, gave rise to the Entherite race. The Entherites considered the ancestors of Human Magi who are seen as living remnants of this unholy union, possessing both human and Coryphian blood within their veins.
The legend tells of the Ancient Coryphians' pursuit of power and dominion, leading them to intermingle with human slaves who toiled in the treacherous mines of Entherel. This crossbreeding resulted in offspring known as the Entherites, who inherited a unique blend of human tenacity and Coryphian magic. The infusion of Coryphian blood bestowed upon them innate magical abilities and a connection to the raw, mystical energies of the land itself.
Magi, initially seen as a tool of oppression by the Ancient Coryphians, would ultimately play a pivotal role in the grand narrative of Aigea. Over time, their latent magical talents would awaken, and they would become instrumental in the events that led to the War for Aigea and the eventual rise of Matheus and the heroes.
Following the culmination of the War for Aigea, a period of profound change and upheaval swept across the land. The heroes, led by Matheus, emerged victorious in their battle against the Ancient Coryphians and the oppressive forces that had plagued Aigea for centuries. However, the aftermath of the war was marked by complex dynamics and lingering tensions, particularly for the Entherites.
In the wake of the heroes' triumph, a sense of uncertainty and fear began to pervade the human populations of western Aigea. The mages, who possessed innate magical abilities due to their unique lineage, were viewed with a mixture of awe and apprehension. Some saw them as symbols of hope and resilience, while others harbored deep-seated suspicions about their potential power and influence.
As a result, a wave of discrimination and persecution swept across the region, leading to the systematic hunting and marginalization of the mages. Many were driven into hiding, their magical talents concealed to avoid persecution. Communities that had once thrived under the Ancient Coryphians' rule now turned against the mages, fearing that their abilities could be used to dominate and oppress once again.
This sustained campaign against the magi would ultimately take a toll on their population. They were hunted to near extinction, their numbers dwindling to a mere fraction of their former strength. The legacy of their near-eradication would have a lasting impact on the region, shaping the demographics and dynamics of western Aigea for generations to come.
Over the millenium, the once-potent mage population has dwindled to a mere 5% of the total population in western Aigea. The scars of their persecution still linger, and the memory of their near-extinction serves as a somber reminder of the darker chapters in Aigea's history.
The dwindling population of mages and their near-eradication also plays a significant role in explaining why only a small percentage of the contemporary population possesses magical abilities. The suppression of their magical heritage and the fear-driven persecution resulted in a loss of certain magical knowledge and traditions that would have otherwise been passed down through generations.
Today, the few remaining mages are often cautious about revealing their magical talents, aware of the prejudices and dangers that still exist in a world where magic is both a gift and a burden. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring struggle for acceptance, equality, and the protection of individual rights within the diverse tapestry of Aigea's societies.
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