Rayne: Info and Trivia
So, as a follow-up to the story I'm working on, I thought I'd post something explaining a little more about the world Twilight Tales is set in, as well as an overview of some of the more important events. Nothing too detailed, that's why the story is there! x3
Rayne: First Empire of the Realm Syrith
After the Exodus, in which the survivors of Origin left the dying world by way of the Realm Gate and settled in Syrith, the Custos (Guardians) of Light and Darkness established the first colony of what would grow to become the country of Rayne, located on the largest of the three continents. The descendants of Sylar, Custos of Light, would become the ruling house, while the descendants of Dyre, Custos of Darkness, would become the sworn keepers of the country as well as the realm.
The People
Before Syrith, the peoples of the realm of Origin were human. One of the greatest technological advances of the peoples of Origin was genetic splicing - the ability to alter their genetic sequences with the DNA of other species. Over time, the people evolved so that the most popular splicings became races among them, slowly phasing humans out of existence. By the time of the Exodus, the only remaining races were canines, felines, and dragons, with small numbers of other species and a plethora of hybrids therein. Being that all species from Origin are of a common origin, all are able to breed with one another and produce fertile offspring.
Technology
Of the three countries, Rayne is the most advanced. However, as most of the advanced technology of Origin was lost in the Exodus, Rayne is currently only just entering the age of steam power.
Additionally, low level mages often find work using their powers in industry or small businesses.
Religion
Rayne, being part of an artificial plane and founded by two of the plane's creators, has based much of its religion on the elements and the Custos.
The Elements
The Seven Elements are Earth, Fire, Air, Water, Light, Darkness, and Twilight. Each has its own associated Custos and are thought to have a very basic sentience of their own.
During the Exodus, each element championed its own Guardian, or Custos, and gave them great power. Together, the seven were able to unite their powers to forge the plane Syrith and seal the gateway between, locking the Chaos within Origin.
During the Exodus, the Custos of Twilight remained in Origin to restrain Catalys, trading his life for the lives of the plane's survivors.
Chaos
Chaos is the essence of creation and destruction, the raw element from which all was born.
It is said that when Origin was created from the Chaos, it bore with it a higher sentience, which called itself Din. Din was Chaos incarnate, with power that could match the combined might of the seven elements.
The Awakening of the Elements and the Exodus
For a time, Din gave her power to those she found favor in - underdogs, heroes, and villains all were to her liking. But one sought to use her power to wreak havoc and destruction, to unmake the world and remake it in her own image. This was the betrayer, Catalys, who was of dragonic birth.
Through blasphemous blood rites, she contracted and slowly dominated Din's power. With it, Catalys spawned abominations of pure Chaos; Wraiths, Devastators, and Nightmares all quickly began to prey on Origin.
Desperate to abate the destructive plot Catalys held, Din used her power to quicken the elements, giving them sentience enough to awaken as their own entities. This awakening in turn awakened elemental magics in those who were attuned to the elements, and from those rose the seven Custos.
However, the elemental powers awakened were no match at the time for Catalys's stolen power. The only hope for the world and its survivors was to escape to a world devoid of Chaos, and thusly seal Catalys away. This event became known as the Exodus, and is the earliest even in recorded Syrithian history.
Din's Pact
Because of the dangerous nature of her powers and the betrayal of Catalys, Din requires a heavy sacrifice of her chosen's blood to attain her blessing.