Background
Here you will find random background information. Please note that I know a good deal more about the Demons at this point, but I will post more as we learn more about other races and the world.
About the Project
This project began when Hikage put a notice on her website about wanting a co-writer, and I randomly replied to it. We began hammering out basic ideas, developing characters. Now, of course, the characters develop themselves (It's not uncommon for me to say things like "Vance decided he writes songs, and Nellum needs spectacles.") and sometimes they run away with the show. These things happen.
About the World
The story takes place in a small area of the world. This area is ruled from the city of Zevelle, where the High Priest makes his residence. It is separated from the rest of the continent by a range of mountains that wraps aroung the north and east, and a large bay to the south. The climate is slightly varied. The north experiences a cold, snowy winter and a hot summer, while the southern part has a more mild climate, due to the air currents from the ocean mostly.
Other important cities are the trading center Sharvalla and a few as-yet unnamed towns. The towns of Braghton and Colvelle, while smaller, have temples that are frequented by different Gods. Colvelle is particularly known, at least among summoners, because it has very suddenly become extremely hostile to them, instead of just forbidding. Summoners are not welcome anywhere, but the persecution has gotten particularly bad, resulting in many executions, burnings where there are no Death priests to perform the duty.
Hidden from the Gods worshippers is the summoner's refuge known only as the Haven. Here, summoners can hide from the persecution of the 'normal' populace, and display openly their status as a summoner. This place is physically located in the mountains to the east, although it is far into the mountains and extremely difficult to get to by conventional means.
About Gods
There are both Good and Evil Gods. Each God has a particular expertise, such as Hell God Ishiot or Chaos God Koltanon. The Gods as a whole are ruled by one God who has power over everything. This God's name is Shaini. Currently, Ishiot's former subordinate Morryr is leading a faction against Shaini. Morryr has almost sole control over the High Priest in Zevelle, so Shaini may have to resort to unconventional means to get rid of this dangerous and powerful contender.
Some of the known domains of the Gods are-- Life, Death, Hell, Light, Dark, Time, Plants/Flora, Chaos, Order.
About Demons
Demons are divided into three classifications-- Voshen, Tarshen, and Shinshen.
The Shinshen are known as imps, and have no elemental powers, but instead have more random abilities, like teleportation. They tend to be short in stature. Xlr'Madine is about 4 feet tall, and is considered extremely large for am imp.
The Tarshen are known as fairies, and have only one elemental power. They tend to be very small, although there are human-sized fairies.
The Voshen are considered the highest class of demon, as they have two or more elements, and sometimes other powers. Only the Voshen are able to shift their form to appear human.
The demons as a whole are ruled by the Osheimi (pronounced 'oh-SHEH-mee'). This position was named after it's first holder, K'Osheimi, who had all five elemental powers. It has since passed down his line of the K' family, and is now held by K'Ai. K'Ai is equally powerful in Fire and Water, which has resulted in their conflicting natures giving him power sickness. K'Ai is often very ill, and is supported by his advisors and his wife, G'Mendal.
Serving directly under the Osheimi are five Voshen of particular power. Their position is Advisor, and there is one of each element. Each Advisor has five Generals of his/her element. Because the demons are mostly independant or family/clan ruled, the Generals are normally mediators of sorts, and of course a war council in times of crisis.