Kifliy

Character

Quirolene's kindness isn't softness, but a willingness to take responsibility for those who are weaker. Justice isn't a cold law, but the ability to see a living person and their circumstances behind every action.

He doesn't console with empty words. If a peasant complains about an unfair tax, the king won't just listen—he'll immediately instruct his advisers to check the calculations and personally oversee the corrections. He remembers that behind every figure in the report are real people.

Quirolen doesn't interrupt, even when time is tight. His favorite phrase is, "Give me a minute to understand." He asks clarifying questions that help others get to the root of the problem. Even stubborn advisors feel their opinion is valued.

If someone abuses trust, the king acts decisively, but without cruelty. He doesn't shout or slam his fist on the table—he speaks in a calm, unyielding tone that sends shivers down the spine of the guilty party. Punishments are always proportionate to the offense and aimed at correction, not humiliation.

He has a genuine interest in crafts: he can spend hours talking with an alchemist about herbs or with a blacksmith about tempering steel. He repeats, "Those who know how to do things with their hands better understand the value of effort." He views magic as a tool that should serve people, not elevate its owner.

He's not afraid to admit his mistakes—he'll be the first to point out a bad decision and try to make it right. He keeps a diary, where he records not only his actions but also his doubts, so as not to forget what it's like to be just a man, not a king.

He has a warm, slightly ironic smile and the ability to defuse a tense atmosphere with a single, well-placed joke. He knows the world is imperfect, but he still wants to make it a better place.

Quirolain devotes much attention to the education of the young: he supports schools for poor families and oversees internships at the palace. His goal is to leave not just a prosperous kingdom, but also people who can preserve it.

Appearance

At 40, Quirolen Dagmar Arklin looks like a man who has been tested by life but not broken. His regular, slightly asymmetrical features give him a lively appearance, not like a cold monument. His skin is lightly tanned—he doesn't hide in the throne room, but often ventures beyond the palace. His dark gray eyes, the color of a stormy sky, gaze intently and calmly, as if reading not only the words but also what the other person hesitates to say.

His dark brown hair, streaked with gray at the temples, falls slightly carelessly across his forehead—he runs his hand over it every now and then, contemplating. His beard is short and neatly trimmed, highlighting his strong jaw. His build is strong but not bulky: not a heavyweight, but one accustomed to long walks and horseback riding. His posture is upright, but not stiff—he carries himself naturally.

Quirolain favors understated elegance: a dark blue tunic of dense fabric, over which lies a cloak of fine wool with a silver lining. On the shoulders is a clasp with an engraving: a stylized cap and intertwined lines, a symbol of the kingdom's magical crafts. Around her neck is a thin silver chain with a small stone the color of the morning sky. The rings on her fingers are modest: one bears the Arklin family crest, the other is of dark metal—a gift from her mother.

On his left wrist is a leather strap with tiny runic inlays, part of an amulet for clarity of thought. The edge of a leather-bound notebook often glimmers in the folds of his cloak: the king loves to jot down sudden ideas.

Around him, people involuntarily speak more quietly and honestly—as if his calm encourages sincerity. He lacks arrogance, but has a dignity that prevents anyone from overstepping their bounds.

He is 25.
Kifliy has voluminous white hair, his bangs covering one eye. His eyes are light blue. He wears glasses, one of the lenses of which is completely black (due to the sigil), and the bridge of the glasses is shaped like a diamond. When out in public, he wears a grayish-white cap, distinguishing sorcerers from commoners, with a triangular lapel secured with a gold button; a long black ribbon hangs from the end of the cap.

Under his robe, he wears a black underlayer to prevent his sleeves from getting stained with ink. The neck of his turtleneck is made up of several straps, which he braids every morning. This helps him wake up fully. He has similar straps on his legs.
Personality: A gentle and reasonable mentor is the most accurate description of him. He is always ready to help and explain the mistakes of his students. However, he is not as simple as he seems: Kifliy hides many secrets, some of which are unknown even to us...
Interesting facts: He loves water magic and began studying it because he dislikes getting wet. His friend Orugio also advised him to study water magic after noticing this dislike.
Kifliy likes to cook in the evenings, when the students are already asleep.
He tolerates alcohol fairly well; he gets a little tipsy, but not enough to lose control. He frantically searches for the Hatters, trying to regain his memories and his eye. He literally hates them. He flies into a rage at the mere sight of the Hatters.

The story takes place somewhere in the 8th century BC.
The origin of the world
The action takes place in a world where wizards live alongside ordinary people. However, the mystery of magic itself is considered sacred and hidden from the eyes of ordinary people. Ordinary people believe that one can only be born a wizard—the path to becoming a sorcerer is closed to the average person.
A key turning point in history occurred after a devastating war. In its aftermath, mages decided that magic should be used only by a select few, and its distribution should be strictly limited. Thus a secret society emerged—the Kolpakovs (witches in wide-brimmed hats), who took on the role of guardians of the rules.
Conflict and schism
However, not all magicians agreed with these restrictions. An opposition group emerged—the Hatters (so named for their wide-brimmed hats)—who rejected the idea of ​​secret knowledge and continued to practice forbidden magic.
Thus, a deep split emerged in the wizarding community: the conservative Caps and the anarchic Hatters represented two irreconcilable camps.
Magic in this world
The main feature of the universe is the system of magic itself. Here, spells are not spoken aloud, but drawn with special magical ink. Every symbol, its direction, size, the severity of its lines, and the composition of the ink all have significance.
An important limitation: spells can be cast on objects (lamps, shoes, doors), but cannot be cast on people. This limits mages' omnipotence and adds consistency to the system.
(For all types of magic, there is only one ink made from the so-called "blood of the silver tree." There are only some additives to make spells last longer or be more powerful.)

composition of sigils
Glyphs

They are drawn in the center of the sigil. The magical effect depends on the type of glyph. Glyphs are divided into four main types:

Glyphs of water that saturate everything around and nourish the source of life.
Glyphs of power that can turn stones into sand and vice versa.
The glyph of levitation, which gave rise to progress and made travel to inaccessible lands possible. (Old name: the glyph of wind).
A glyph of fire, the shield and sword of humans, which without precise balance and dimensions can spiral out of control. It must be handled with care, as it creates a formless natural phenomenon.
Signposts

Drawn around the glyph, they determine the shape, size, and direction of the magic.

Sigils

A circle containing pointers and a glyph. The magic will begin to work when the circle is closed.

Forbidden Magic

Forbidden magic is any form of magic that affects a person in any way—such as moving through space, healing, or reversing time. This also includes altering the body, changing age, or magic that influences feelings and thoughts, and inflicting wounds are also considered serious crimes. There is only one exception: memory erasure, which is used on criminals and those forbidden to know the secrets of witchcraft. ANY IMPACT OF MAGIC ON THE BODY IS PROHIBITED, EVEN IF THE GOAL IS TO HEAL.