Casey Albright Ramone (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
dragonaught) wrote2016-04-18 11:22 pm
dragonaught) wrote2016-04-18 11:22 pm
•Dragon Dating Simulator•
 | •SETTING•
In the common year 3157, the world is a mishmash of magic and science, spellwork and technology. Many of the conveniences common to our world remain, although possibly with different history, names or sources, the relative function of it all stays the same. Visual and audio entertainment broadcast over screens in short program bursts, or small communication devices that host a multitude of other functions, or transportation to fit a family or publicly-available cabs that can fit scores of people at once. Historically and geographically, the world is completely different; however, the state of humankind ('sentients') does always seem to retain certain qualities no matter the universe and culture can be seen to have evolved similarly to many Earths. Racial and gender inequality still exist in different measures per species and through different qualities: trolls and orcs might look down on humans, elves and dwarves for being so much smaller and without physical prowess; amphibians and avians belong to matriarchal societies whereas humanoids and draconics are patriarchal; interracial relationships are still considered an out of place minority, and sometimes meet outright hostile attitudes. There's no such thing as a perfect world and in one with even more options of difference between its people, there's no shortage of problems to find if one looks for them. Nothing too horrendously different... save for the people that inhabit the world itself. There exist four common species of sentient beings, each associated with a major element and trait. Humanoids (humans, trolls, orcs, elves, dwarves) encompass the element of earth and the trait of multitudes; amphibians (mermaids, nymphs, selkies, kelpies) are the element of water and the trait of bounty; avians (harpies, gryphons, fairies) use the element of air and possess the trait of freedom; draconics (dragons, salamanders, kirin, demons, yokai) possess the element of fire and embody the trait of power. Being entirely different species, only the races within each species are able to mate and have children together; other races are free to have fun, but genetics just don't work like that, kids. Although harmony is a difficult thing for such varied races of people, current times have seen a shift in general culture through the concerted efforts of radical, free-thinking individuals paving the way for treaties and the easy combination of lifestyles in order to create a more peaceful tomorrow. Humanoids are by far the most populace of the four species and are often the most prolific with their works. Most major cities in the world have a humanoid influence in their construction due to their numbers and ability to manipulate the earth with their magicks, although there do still exist older cities made entirely by non-humanoid hands that now serve as cultural landmarks open for all to observe and appreciate. Additionally, there are still many sky and sea cities in use where humanoids cannot reach that act as sanctuary for those who would remain secluded from the rapidly changing world around them. Dragons are most notorious for publicly shying away from the merging of cultures — this is a popularly misunderstood fact as most of the draconic species are capable of humanoid forms and use those in lieu of interacting with society on a disproportionate scale. In order to actualize magic, two things are necessary: magical aptitude, and a proper catalyst for the intended element. Humanoids are tied to quartz, gold, and carnations; avians use emeralds, iron, and tulips; for amphibians, it's pearls, silver, and lotuses; and draconics synchronize with rubies, mythril and amaranth. Being in the presence of or wearing something with the correct properties allows the actualization of specific elemental magic. All races are capable of using ambient magic for smaller things and using their type of technology even without their catalysts. It's recently come into common practice for interracial groups of friends to make up friend bracelets that incorporate the catalysts of all the involved races, and some people simply wear unaligned catalysts for fashion. Practice is key to becoming strong and specific "spells" are intricate techniques that maintain cohesion despite very focused application. There exists a phenomena in the world where certain members of a species will have innate access to elements not usually within their genetic set. Due to the draconic belief in their soulmates experiencing a karmic reincarnation cycle up until the point these elementally-unique people are reborn as dragons themselves, they are called dragonaughts in accordance with draconic spirtuality. No scientific or magical studies have been able to prove such a theory, but the fact does remain that dragons only ever find lifelong love in those who display some measure of elemental dissonance (whether it only be fire and their genetic element or up to all four at once); some argue that this is the belief influencing their decision process and not the other way around. |  |
| •GLOSSARY•
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| •SOCIETY• •HUMANOIDS• As the most multitudinous species, humanoids can be found pretty much anywhere there is clear space on the wide earth. Their magic and connection with the earth gives them the ability to build towns and cities quickly, as well as work the land without harming it in order to provide for their large numbers. Being so many of them, there are various schools of thoughts and mythologies even among the same species and small disputes or wars are not unheard of. Despite their lack of chill every now and then, they are quick to band together when anyone else steps into the fray. Because of their own infighting nature, they learned the value of peace and interpersonal relationships quicker than the other species. This prompted them to become something of peacekeepers and extend the first hand in friendship between the species with the avians several thousand years ago due to their closer lifespans making relationships more tenable. Many of the other species consider humanoids to be immature and lacking in respect. Thanks to their spread and reach, their ancestors have left them with a legacy of desecrating, destroying and building over grounds sacred to the other species. Efforts to restore these previous monuments are being made and there have been many diplomatic missions to make up for the harm caused to the other cultures. Casey Ramone comes from a small western humanoid town, populated mostly by humans, dwarves and a lesser amount of orcs. Being not very central to anything, visitors of other species were rare. Elves are one of the two races that are born with inherent magical capability rather than having to grow into it. They age more gracefully and are the most likely of any race to continue being carded at bars up until their seventies. •DRACONICS• On the whole, draconic races live rather secluded lives due to a number of factors. Being one of the longest-lasting species, their numbers are few which means there simply aren't all that many to spread out into the world. Draconic races often live inside mountains or among terrain that would be difficult for any other species where their hardiness comes into play. They are known for their near-insurmountable power and large egos. Nearly ten thousand years ago, dragons warred for land and power among their many clans. These dragons pulled other draconics into the war and tore much of the world to pieces. (Among other species, this is one of the theories for how the supercontinent became several smaller continents.) Heading up what would eventually be the triumphant side of the war were nine dragon Heroes, all considered paragons of virtue by their peers, who fought valiantly in the face of losing their most beloved partners. The tides turned when several people of other species came to seek out the dragons and presented an ability to use fire magic that belonged to the draconics — these not-dragons were believed to be reincarnations of the beloved, flawed dragons come back to continue the fight. With the upper hand of this unheard of magical mix, peace was brought to the draconic species which allowed the rest of the species to begin spreading out and create their own cultures. In modern times, it is believed these Heroes are in an endless loop of reincarnation with their loved ones, the dragonaughts, in order to guide them back to their truest selves and break the cycle. (There are, in fact, dragonaughts first reborn during the draconic wars, and others that were more recently brought into the cycle making for some souls being much younger and inexperienced than others.) Those found to be dragonaughts are thought by the more liberal draconic clans to be on equal standing with the dragon to whom they belong, and are considered dragons in applicable personal and societal matters. Essentially, magical dual-citizenship. Although no incarnation ever recalls a previous life, retaining the magic of all their cycles before is proof enough of their status; their dragon soulmates are also able to sense when they see their dragonaught for the first time in that lifetime. Unscientifically proven, it still is considered fact by draconics and other species merely use the term "dragonaught" to denote one with non-genetic magical capability whether they believe the myth or not. Although many dragons would prefer to stay away from the rest of the world, others have taken it upon themselves to hide among society and keep watch on the other species. They do this via special transformation magic, and hardly anyone outside of dragonaughts know of this secret practice. Dragons are one of the two races that are born with inherent magical capability rather than having to grow into it. As part of their coming of age ceremony, dragonets journey from the draconic capital all the way to their most holy place, making several important spiritual stops along the way no matter the current state of those stops. Unique to draconics is the magic to shapeshift into a humanoid body, most often the human race. It can take upwards of one hundred years to master putting them in young adulthood by the time they can use it properly. Yokai are known for their trickster natures. They are vaguely humanoid with animalistic features, making them blend in the most naturally with other species without having to change forms. Their true strength lies in the ability to shapeshift into everyday objects in order to play pranks on the unsuspecting. Kirin are essentially scaled, fire centaurs. Small compared to horses, but their scales are tough and they grow bone-white antlers. Usually weigh their hair down with braids or beads and the like so they don't get caught up in the horns and such. Kyanos Skyheart, also known as Gabriel Logan, leads the most influential of the nine main dragon clans. Not only is he the reincarnation of the first Kyanos, he is the genetic descendant several generations down. Gabriel maintains the high-rise apartment building where most dragons and dragonaughts centralize to welcome dragons on pilgrimage, most notably those participating in the coming of age ceremony. •AMPHIBIANS• Society here. Mermaids have long enough tails to use them to traverse on land much like nagas. Nymphs' hair never totally dries out. Selkies are essentially water hobbits when outside of their pelts. Short, chubby, with large feet to fit inside their flippers. Their fashion sense is notably the loudest of all species as a cultural defense mechanism to magically hide their pelts in one piece of their outfits. Kelpies can stand bipedal like fauns, and change into a vaguely humanoid shape on land. •AVIANS• Society here. Fairies are the smallest race. Full-grown, they measure about half the size of an average human but remain proportionate unlike the similarly-small but stocky dwarves. Young fairies are often found being carried by older parents or siblings as they are the only avian race that requires magic in order to achieve full flight with their wings. Gryphons have five digits on their front paws that can be used with tools like hands would. Harpies have claws at the bend of their wings that can be used in place of hands, and highly dexterous claws on their feet. | |
| •CHARACTERS•
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