Medieval World

The hierarchy in this world is based on rank; normal people are capable of rivaling a mage, but it's rare.

Level 4: Beginner in the use of mana

Grade 3: Can do reinforcements

Grade 2: the level at which an average wizard finds himself

Grade 1: the elite of the world

Special grade: Capable of destroying a country on its own, there are only a few of them in the world

Adventurer guilds are organizations that bring together individuals with or without innate skills, mercenaries, explorers, and mages, offering quests, protection, and opportunities for enrichment. They function as centers for information, trade, and training, and are essential for those seeking fame, experience, or resources outside the traditional kingdoms. Guilds accept all kinds of members: from militia soldiers with basic magic to naturally gifted mages seeking challenges. Missions vary: exploring dangerous territories, defending villages from demons, recovering lost artifacts, investigating magical anomalies, or fulfilling contracts for clans and kingdoms. Each mission has rewards in money, artifacts, fame, or access to special techniques, depending on the risk and importance. Guilds also function as social and information networks. There, rumors about demons, magical discoveries, and opportunities for alliances between clans are shared. Guild leaders are usually veterans or experienced mages who combine combat expertise, strategy, and world knowledge. Being part of a guild allows adventurers to improve their skills: training physical enhancements, learning basic spells, honing innate techniques, or studying magical artifacts and contracts. Furthermore, guilds encourage cooperation, as many quests require coordination among members with different abilities.

The economy functions practically as it does in the present day. Most people work in common trades such as farming, crafts, trade, and blacksmithing, selling goods and services in local markets. The primary currency is metal, but magical artifacts, runes, and potions are also used as payment between guilds, clans, and mercenaries. Basic magic, such as body enhancements, simple barriers, and melee spells, generates a market for training and services. The war with demons affects some prices and the demand for weapons and mercenaries, but the overall structure remains simple and functional. Coins of Aetherion: Copper: basic unit, equivalent to buying food or simple utensils. Silver: 10 coppers, used for tools, clothing, or medium-scale services. Gold: 100 coppers, for basic weapons, potions, or reinforced equipment. Platinum: 1,000 coppers, used by mercenaries, minor magical artifacts, or special training. Ether: 10,000 coppers, a rare currency that represents power and prestige; it is used for unique artifacts, important contracts, or the acquisition of minor techniques from supreme clans.

Aetherion is currently experiencing one of its most perilous times. Human kingdoms, elven domains, dwarven strongholds, and maritime confederations coexist in constant tension, each protecting its own interests and resources. Adding to this age-old rivalry is a growing threat: daemons, creatures of corrupted mana, extremely resilient and numerous, emerging from forgotten and corrupted territories like Nocthyr and regions abandoned by civilization. Demons are not only powerful individually; their numbers and regenerative abilities make them nearly unstoppable. Their spread forces traditional races to set aside temporary rivalries and face a common enemy. In response, the kingdoms mobilize their mana-enhanced militias, combining seasoned soldiers with members of the supreme clans to form mixed units capable of both resisting and counterattacking. Conflicts occur both on the borders of kingdoms and in neutral territories. Demons plunder villages, corrupt forests, and pollute rivers with dark mana, disrupting the natural balance and forcing the population to adapt. The struggle is not only military but also strategic: mages seek to seal off areas of corrupted mana, establish barriers, and use magical contracts to coordinate actions between races. In this scenario, even those without innate abilities play a vital role: physical reinforcements, barriers, and melee spells allow the common militia to remain relevant and protect key territories, while innate mages face more powerful threats and lead decisive battles. The demonic threat has temporarily united the kingdoms, but rivalries between races and clans remain, and any internal conflict could weaken the resistance against the demons.

In Aetherion, kingdoms organize their most skilled mana users into a militia, training them in body reinforcements, barriers, and melee spells. Basic magic is also applied to weapons, increasing their strength, durability, and combat effectiveness, making even soldiers without innate techniques effective. In major conflicts, kingdoms integrate members of supreme clans into these forces, combining innate power with tactical discipline. Thus, reinforcement not only protects and empowers the body but also transforms the militia into a flexible and formidable force, essential for the defense and expansion of any territory.

In Aetherion, magical contracts are supernatural agreements that bind the word, will, and mana of those involved. They function like binding vows: once someone commits, their mana recognizes the agreement, and breaking it has immediate consequences, ranging from temporary power loss to physical harm or weakening of their innate technique. Contracts can establish a wide variety of conditions: promises of support, protection, information sharing, cooperation in combat, personal restrictions, or even temporary exchanges of skills. What makes them effective is that magic detects the person's intention and seriousness, creating a bond that cannot be easily ignored. There are several types of magical contracts: Personal vow: Only involves the person making the promise. For example, a mage swears not to use their technique in certain situations, and their mana compels them to keep it. Bilateral contract: Two parties make mutual commitments. Breaking it triggers automatic penalties for the breaching party. Group contract: Involves several participants, such as a guild or clan. Violation of the promise can affect all members, reinforcing collective discipline. Conditional contract: The promise is activated only if a specific condition is met. For example, a warrior may pledge their strength only if an ally survives a battle. Creating these contracts requires concentration, experience, and clarity of intention. The more powerful the participant, the stricter and more permanent the magical obligation. Even users without innate techniques can sign magical contracts, although their penalties are usually less severe and their effects more limited.

In Aetherion, only 20% of the population possesses innate techniques; these mages are born with the ability to transform mana into unique skills that reflect their essence and affinity. The rest have no special techniques, but can still use mana in basic ways: reinforcing their bodies, creating simple barriers, or employing melee spells developed by those who defied the supreme clans. While these skills don't match the power of a born mage, they allow the vast majority of the world to participate in combat and conflict, using strategy, coordination, and ingenuity to survive and protect themselves. Body enhancements increase strength, speed, and stamina; simple barriers deflect direct attacks; and melee spells, though limited, allow one to engage low- or mid-level enemies. This fundamental magic directly influences the daily lives of humans, elves, dwarves, and beastmen, ensuring that society functions beyond the clans. The ancient mages who created the supreme clans understood the importance of preserving and enhancing their techniques, but also of teaching practical methods to the majority, guaranteeing that everyone could participate in defense, warfare, and survival.

In Aetherion, everyone possesses mana, the life force of the world, but only a select few can transform it into innate techniques—unique abilities that reflect their essence and affinity with mana. Each person is born with an affinity that determines the type, strength, and versatility of their technique, which can manipulate space, time, elements, matter, mind, or even abstract concepts. These techniques require concentration and control; uncontrolled use can be counterproductive or harmful to the user. With training, a technique can evolve, generate variations, or adapt to new situations, but brute force doesn't guarantee superiority: strategy and experience are equally important. There are offensive, defensive, support, and utilitarian techniques, and even some considered useless, reflecting the unique diversity of each individual. Fully mastering an innate technique can take years, and only a few reach legendary status. To preserve and enhance these abilities, the supreme clans arose. Powerful ancient mages forged alliances to combine, study, and pass on their techniques to future generations, creating bloodlines that maintain the essence of their unique skills. Each clan protects its knowledge, strengthens its members, and ensures that innate techniques are not lost, generating structures that dominate politics, warfare, and influence throughout Aetherion.

1. The Kurozen Clan is feared for its absolute mastery of space and strategy. Its leader possesses the Eyes of the Threshold, unique in his generation, and masters the Infinite Threshold technique, which manipulates conceptual distance, preventing attacks and objects from ever touching him. Only one leader per generation can activate this technique. The clan is calculating, secretive, and wields indirect influence over kingdoms and guilds.
2. Clan Argenfall enjoys absolute authority and political excellence. Its leader masters the Mandate technique, which issues brief orders within a certain range. Experts in diplomacy, espionage, and information control, they firmly maintain the balance between clans and kingdoms without resorting to direct combat.
3. Clan Veyrion is untouchable in direct combat and a master of tactical space. Their leader controls Sovereign Fold, bending space to his advantage to avoid attacks and reposition allies. They favor precision and strategy, and their influence is primarily military.
4. The Hōraku Clan is feared because its mere presence crushes the weak. Its leader possesses Ancestral Pressure, an aura that instills fear and demoralization. Its strength lies in intimidation and superiority, not in political maneuvering.
5. Clan Myrhal specializes in reflecting attacks and exploiting enemy mistakes. Their leader masters Cursed Echo, leaving a residue of every technique used against him that he can later return. They are feared in duels and ambushes, and always plan their next moves.
6. Clan Solvarn is invincible in duels thanks to their control of personal space. Their leader utilizes the Inner Realm, an area where he has a complete advantage. Although lethal, they focus on one-on-one duels rather than large-scale conflicts.
7. Clan Thraxis possesses absolute power in the manipulation of ambient mana. Their leader masters Incarnate Will, causing mana to respond to him more readily than to anyone else. Their strength is dependent on the environment, and they excel at defense or ambushes.

5. Demons Average lifespan: Variable, from centuries to potentially immortal. Some can "reborn" from their remains as long as dark mana exists. Affinity with magic: Extremely high, but completely corrupt or unstable. His mana is not only powerful, but it can alter reality and corrupt those who come into contact with it. Clans of mages: No, demons do not form traditional clans. They live in temporary groups or legions guided by force, instinct, or pacts. Only a few ancient demons have maintained long bloodlines. Society: Hierarchical and based on absolute power: the strongest rule over the weak. Cooperation is limited and always utilitarian; betrayals are frequent. Outside their territories, they are considered natural enemies of all races. Culture: They do not possess “culture” in the human sense; their lives revolve around power, survival, and the expansion of their influence. Many demons are destructive entities; some seek knowledge, others dominion, and others simply to perpetuate their existence. Special notes: Some ancient demons possess unique techniques that break the rules of mana, similar to anomalies but more aggressive. Their appearances often coincide with corrupt or unbalanced areas of the world, such as Nocthyr or forgotten territories. They can corrupt humans and beasts, transforming them into hybrids with unstable techniques. Relationship with the world: Supreme clans and kingdoms consider them the greatest threat in times of war. Their mere presence generates fear, chaos, and political change: demons are both destroyers and catalysts of conflict.

3. Dwarves Average lifespan: 250–400 years Affinity with magic: Low to medium. Their magic is usually linked to runes, weapons, and magical objects rather than pure innate techniques. Mage clans: Yes, although they are more artisans than sorcerers in the traditional sense. Their clans are focused on artifact creation, defense, and war tactics. Society: Hierarchical and community-centered. Dwarves live in underground fortresses and value loyalty and technical skill. They have little interest in foreign politics. Culture: They honor tradition, forging, and the art of runes. They respect strength and physical endurance, but above all, ingenuity. Special notes: Their leaders often possess defensive techniques or magical construction skills. They do not mix with other breeds except for trade or exceptional situations.
4. Bestial Average lifespan: 50–200 years (depends on species) Affinity with magic: Low to medium. Their magic is instinctive and linked to physical abilities or enhanced senses. Mage clans: Rarely. Most beastmen form packs or tribes based on strength and natural hierarchy, not complex innate techniques. Society: Tribal or nomadic, very diverse. Its structures depend on the territory and the species. Some integrate humans or other races as allies or subordinates. Culture: Warlike and territorial. They value strength and cunning above all else. Special notes: Their instinct makes them unpredictable in combat. Many live in Nocthyr or outlying regions, and some become mercenaries or war beasts.

1. Humans Average lifespan: 70–120 years Affinity with magic: Medium. Some humans are extremely talented, while others can barely use mana for simple tasks. Mage clans: Yes, primarily in Valdyr. The strongest human clans combine ambition, intelligence, and mastery of innate techniques. Society: Very diverse, they occupy cities, towns, and academies. Politics are complex, and status depends on both wealth and magical power. Culture: Humans are curious, innovative, and adaptable. They create guilds, academies, and strategic alliances. They are the most numerous race and, therefore, the most influential. Special notes: Their techniques vary greatly: from offensive to support or defensive. Some humans manage to rival elite clans of other races, but never with the same longevity.
2. Elves Average lifespan: 600–1200 years Affinity with magic: Very high. They are born with great sensitivity to mana and their magical evolution is natural, progressing over the years. Mage Clans: Yes, almost all elves belong to family magical orders or natural magic guilds. Each clan has centuries of history and refined techniques. Society: Hierarchical and traditional. Elves respect nature and their environment, and value knowledge and precision over brute force. War is only a last resort. Culture: Philosophical, elegant, and patient. Their techniques are sophisticated and require concentration and discipline. Elven leaders rarely seek conflict, but are deadly in defense of their territory. Special notes: Their territories are ancient forests and areas protected by natural and magical barriers. Most clans keep their secrets and rarely interact with humans or dwarves, except for trade or strict diplomacy.

Aetherion is a magical medieval world where the essence of life is tied to mana, an invisible energy that flows through the land, rivers, skies, and all living beings. Mana is not just magic; it is the life force of the world, and every creature, from a simple insect to a legendary wizard, interacts with it in some way. In this world, magic isn't learned from books or through prayer; it's born within individuals. Every living being has a natural affinity, though only a few can transform it into innate techniques. While many use mana for simple tasks, a select few can mold it into powerful abilities capable of altering reality itself. Aetherion is neither a perfect nor a safe world. Over the centuries, the use of mana has left deep scars on the land: corrupted forests, lakes that boil for no apparent reason, mountains that emit an eerie glow, and territories where magic itself becomes unstable. This imbalance has given rise to dangerous creatures and anomalies, beings that defy the natural order and that only the strongest or most cunning can face. The world is divided into kingdoms, territories, and supreme clans, all in constant tension. Politics, war, and magic are intertwined, and although treaties and alliances exist, power is measured by the strength of technology and the cunning of its wielder. The most dangerous aspect of Aetherion is that it's not just about raw power. The ability to manipulate mana and combat experience can determine the survival of a kingdom or the fall of an empire. Its inhabitants know that in this world, there are no invincible heroes or guarantees of victory: a single mistake can be fatal, and a misunderstood power can consume even its wielder.