CHRYSAETOS LORE

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context

Gypaetus— the land of ravenous sapiens, humans who hungered for power beyond their reach, always left wanting more. They turned to the Velamari Sea, a large stretch of ocean that hadn't been explored before.

The Velamari Sea surrounds Gypaetus on all sides, and the air was imbued with strange magical power. Those who left on ships to explore returned with a madness they hadn't had before. For those able to get pregnant, they bore children touched by the arcane. These children became what is known as the Flouted Folk, or the fae.

The Sapiens, likely unhappy with their differences and magical ability, began to subjugate and segregate each of the original races. This continued for years until a Serpens known as Drakhal had a vision of a Golden Eagle leaving the continent across the Velamari Sea.

This in turn inspired the Flouted Folk, under Drakhal's guidance, to flee the continent and cross the previously thought of as "uncrossable" ocean- in fact, the ocean was crossable, but only by the magically touched.

On the other side of the ocean, they found and named a magical continent imbued with natural gemstone and materials (opposed to Gypaetus's herbal continent). They called it Chrysaetos.

chrysaetos - geography

Chrysaetos is split into three subcontinents by three rivers- the Verdant, Crimson, and Prism rivers. The subcontinents are Upper, Central, and Lower Chrysaetos.

Each subcontinent contains four Courts- each with their own primary race, culture, etc. for a total of 12 Courts (for twelve races).

chrysaetos - timeline-ish lore

1. Gypaetus is settled by Sapiens.

2. Sapiens run out of area/power to hold in Gypaetus.

3. Sapiens turn to the Velamari Sea in hopes to explore and find a new continent.

4. The Birthing - Sapiens attempt to cross the magical unstable sea, causing madness + pregnant Sapiens (who crossed) to birth the first Flouted Folk.

5. The Flouted Folk were subjugated/segregated in Gypaetus and led to years of strife.

6. The Fleeing - A serpens, the first noble Drakhal (of the Sunstone Court), had a vision of a "Golden Eagle" which guided the Flouted Folk across the Velamari Sea to Chrysaetos.

7. Court Formation - Upon arrival, the segration from Gypaetus continued, leading the Flouted Folk to form twelve distinct Courts across Chrysaetos.

chrysaetos - races

Sapiens

Your normal humans- listed here only for lore reasons (they dominate in Gypaetus and cannot cross over to Chrysaetos (the continent).

• Physiology: human features, natural skin tones, no fae traits.

• Weaknesses: Pregnant Sapiens exposed to the Velamari Sea birth Flouted Folk/Sapiens.

• Culture: tight knight, valuing sociability among other Sapiens. They're inspired by the Roman Empire, Antebellum America, and medieval Europe (for... obvious reasons).

• Stigma: They are prejudiced against Chrysaetoans and Flouted Folk, believing in racial superiority and historically subjugated Flouted Folk for their magic and appearances.

• Names: based on Roman, Antebellum, and English.

Flouted Sapiens

The EXCEPTION to the rule- magically touched humans who lack fae features. They are able to cross to Chrysaetos. All information from Sapiens remains the same with the Flouted. They are generally still disliked in Chrysaetos due to being Sapiens (despite magical ability).

The Flouted Folk

These are the Fae Folk born from "The Birthing" event stated previously. There are 11 original races and 1 evolved.

• Weaknesses: formerly subjugated (and even still subjugated) by Sapiens.

• Culture: segregation led to the formation of 12 distinct courts by race on the three different subcontinents.

• Stigma: prejudice persists within Chrysaetos, and some courts and races face internal biases and stereotypes.

CORVUS

The Crow Flouted Folk, associated with the Obsidian Court of Upper Chrysaetos.

• Abilities: These Folk have darkness/moonlight based magic.

• Physiology: Black feathered bird legs, talons, wings, tufted/feathered ears, often (almost always) pale-skinned.

• Weaknesses: Due to cultural practices of wing-cutting, feather plucking, and footbinding, these folk have a horrible sense of self-worth as Fae, instead choosing to identify as another kind of Sapiens.

• Culture: The Corvus are isolationist, militant, and racially supremacist- using crow companions as spies/pets and admire Sapiens through name mimicry. Their propaganda is off the charts.

• Names: based on Roman, Antebellum, English, and Russian.

• Stigma: They are seen as stoic, blunt, and cynical with Gypaetian-inspired superiority.

CORAX

The Raven Flouted Folk, associated with the Pewter Court of Upper Chrysaetos. These folk evolved from the Corvus after arrival/settling in Chrysaetos.

• Abilities: These folk have silver based magic. Do with that what you will.

• Physiology: Same physiology as the Corvus, but with Grey skintones.

• Weaknesses: Their grey skin tones led to marginalization by the Corvus.

• Culture: The Corax are empathetic, unity-focused "Emissaries" that value communication to the nearby courts of Jade and Ivory, while undermining Obsidian court efforts. They value history keeping as a way to keep integrity.

• Names: based on Roman, Antebellum, English, Russian, and Greek.

• Stigma: They are seen as stoic, empathetic, and deeply thoughtful.

CERVIDS/CERVID

The Deer Flouted Folk, associated with the Jade Court of Upper Chrysaetos.

• Abilities: These folk have nature based magic- think druids: animal communication, plant/tree/nature control.

• Physiology: deer legs/hooves, scut-tails, nature-toned hair, tree-material antlers (as in they have antlers that are made of tree-material/wood), deer ears.

• Weaknesses: Can be seen as "superior" due to self-preserving nature.

• Culture: self preserving, peaceful, conflict-avoidant. They welcome immigrants from each of the nearby courts (Pewter, Ivory, and Obsidian).

• Names: Derive from Latin flora names (think mainly tree names).

• Stigma: viewed as welcoming, "hippie" and self-superior.

VULPINES/VULPINE

The Fox Flouted Folk, associated with the Ivory Court of Upper Chrysaetos.

• Abilities: fire, warmth, ember magic (as well as natural warmth/heat)

• Physiology: bushy tails, pointed ears, thermic horns, fox color skintones (chapagne, grey, orange, etc. etc.), darker skin at extremities, hair matches skin tone unless dyed.

• Weaknesses: viewed as unadvanced by the Obsidian Court (and their influence)

• Culture: communal, family-based groups.

• Names: short and shoutable, with surnames blending parents' names.

• Stigma: mainly in the Ivory Court (see Ivory Court for more information on why), resilient and creatively adaptive.

HEXES/HEX

The Insectoid Flouted Folk, associated with the Bronze Court of Central Chrysaetos.

• Abilities: These Folk have earth-based magic, primarily around building (mud, dirt, rock, sand, etc).

• Physiology: Insect-like humanoids, with antennae/mandibles/wings/varying amounts of limbs, chitinous/glossy skin.

• Culture: caste-based, matriarch-like hives with communal care, contribution over lineage.

• Names: based on mimicry of buzzing/humming noises.

• Stigma: they are rare in Chrysaetos due to their shortened lifespans, but known as builders and team players.

SPECULUMS/SPECULUM

The Mirror or Changeling Flouted Folk, associated with the Amethyst Court of Central Chrysaetos.

• Abilities: illusion, invisibility, and shapeshifting magic.

• Physiology: humanoid, mimicing other Flouted Folk (often exaggerated). Seen as ethereal/spectral/unnerving.

• Weaknesses: intimidating, associated with paranoia.

• Culture: secretive, solo operation, secret codes/societies.

• Names: Titles (think The Fool from ROTE!).

• Stigma: common in Gypaetus (due to ability to appear Sapien), rare in Chrysaetos because they are feared, distrusted, and seen as eerie.

SUIDS/SUID

The Swine Flouted Folk, associated with the Garnet Court of Central Chrysaetos.

• Abilities: intellect, psychic, mind magic.

• Physiology: artiodactly feet, stocky, short, swine ears, long lower incisors, tassel tails.

• Weaknesses: stereotyped as greedy for resources.

• Culture: self-preserving and debate prone.

• Names: weird, uncommon, hard to understand words (science-y shit)

• Stigma: known as geniuses, seen as intellectually superior.

URSIDS/URSID

The Bear Flouted Folk, associated with the Amber Court of Central Chrysaetos.

• Abilities: fog, metallurgy, industry magic.

• Physiology: large, hairy, bear ears/tails.

• Culture: Family-based clans.

• Names: Their names reflect the clan's name. For example, the Stone clan might have names like Pebble, Rock, Boulder, Granite, etc. and might be written as: BLANK of the BLANK Clan.

• Stigma: seen as intimidating, empathetic, joyful, and altruistic.

VERIDIANS/VERIDIAN

The Plant Flouted Folk, associated with the Topaz Court of Lower Chrysaetos.

• Abilities: sunlight, photosynthesis, and anchoring.

• Physiology: plant-like features, often mirroring/resembling their name (plant).

• Weaknesses: They often have to stop and anchor somewhere outside for nutrients/sunlight/water.

• Culture: Communal by plant-type.

• Names: Latin plant-based names.

• Stigma: Warm, symbolic(personality often resembles their plant), sometimes lazy.

BOVINE

The Cloven Flouted Folk, associated with the Rose Quartz Court of Lower Chrysaetos.

• Abilities: strength and rage magic.

• Physiology: cloven digitigrade legs, horns, cow/bul heads/tails (think minotaurs, satyrs, etc.)

• Weaknesses: prone to anger, undervalued economically

• Culture: extremely social, artistically inclined

• Names: tied to arts/creativity.

• Stigma: bold, gentle, and curious.

MARINUS

The Sea-Folk Flouted Folk, associated with the Sapphire Court of Lower Chrysaetos.

• Abilities: water/storm magic, underwater breathing.

• Physiology: aquatic traits (scales, fins, tails).

• Culture: group by aquatic type.

• Names: tied to oceans/sea life or other aquatic themed names.

• Stigma: fluid, adaptive, communal.

SERPENS

The Snake Flouted Folk, associated with the Sunstone Court of Lower Chrysaetos.

• Abilities: celestial, prophecy, and dream magic.

• Physiology: can be naga-esque, scales, forked tongue (even resembling Dragonborn (but with snake-heads)). The Drakhal lineage (as stated in the context section) is a royal bloodline.

• Culture: warmth-based gatherings, parental care is shared.

• Names: guttural, hissing, and serpentine.

• Stigma: noble, wise, persuasive, and righteous.

Genos

Known as "The First Folk", theorized to have flown from Chrysaetos to Gypaetus (and back again).

• Abilities: possess all magic types. Strength in each field varies.

• Physiology: monstrous with mixed Flouted traits.

• Names: nonhuman or strange names.

• Stigma: EXTREMELY RARE, viewed as mysterious, ancient, isolated.

chrysaetos - UPPER courts

IVORY COURT

• associated with the color white and ivory (material), this court is settled in the northernmost tip of Upper Chrysaetos, with a cold, harsh, arctic, and almost inhospitable environment. There is no formal rule and efforts are communal.

• primary races are the Vulpine, who can survive the harsh environment. They originally settled with the Corvus in the Obsidian Court, but were eventually pushed out into the Ivory Court and trapped there. Due to a lack of food and other materials, they often venture back into the Obsidian Court to steal food and supplies.

• Clothing= animal hides, leathers, furs. Variable coverage, since they have internal heat.

• Resources= ivory, rock, hard-packed snow, with a lack of wood and food.

• Buildings= built into sea-caves (Frozen), ivory/bone shelters, igloos, etc.

PEWTER COURT

• associated with the color silver/grey and Pewter (material), this court is settled in the western, pewter-mountan cold region of Upper Chrysaetos. They follow a High Chancellor and Confederacy of autonomous mountain regions, with a focus on Emissaries and Diplomats who venture into the Ivory, Jade, and Obsidian Courts.

• Emissaries work to bring the Vulpine immigrants into the Jade/Pewter Courts and dismantle the Obsidian Court's regime/propaganda.

• primary races are the Corax and Vulpine immigrants.

• Resources= pewter and stone- reliant on Jade Court for food.

• Buildings= shiny cave and mountain dwellings, carved into the stone.

OBSIDIAN COURT

• associated with the color black and Obsidian (material), this court is settled in the southeastern rocky, dark, volcanic area of Upper Chrysaetos. It is isolated and cold. Governance is a theocratic autocracy with an elite rule of militant Wardens and their 'surveillance crows'. They are isolationist with a superiority complex, propaganda emphasizing likenesses to Sapiens and inferiority of other fae.

• primary races are the Corvus, with most other races heavily subjugated and imprisoned.

• Clothing: natural fibers, hides/furs and leather armor (black)

• Buildings= brutalist obsidian fortresses.

JADE COURT

• associated with the color green and Jade( gem), this court is settled into the southern, cold-temperate taiga forest of Upper Chrysaetos. It is governed by a High Elder (Alnus) elected by an Elder Council with community and peace emphasized.

• primary races are the Cervids, with a high number of Vulpine and Corax, as well as a small number of refugee Corvus who broke free of propaganda.

• Clothing: linen and fiber cloth. Often draping.

• Resources= jade, wood, flora/faunda goods, and linen.

• Buildings: tree homes, either tree-houses or built into the trees themselves.

chrysaetos - CENTRAL courts

AMETHYST COURT

• associated with the color purple and Amethyst (gem), this court is settled into the foggy, cool, nothernmost mountainous ravine of Central Chrysaetos. It's a relatively "unpopulated" Court due to the mystery of Speculums. There is no clear ruler, but a rumored masked council, intelligence, and political reigme of subterfuge.

• Primary races are the Speculums, Suids, Ursids, and Hexes.

• Clothing= layered, concealing, with veils/masks/cloaks/gloves common, as well as shifting colors and hidden symbols.

• Resources: amethyst, fog-water, reflective stones, hallucinogens.

• Buildings: hidden cave-labyrinths, mirror halls.

the Bronze, Garnet, and Amber Courts make up a Decentralized Confederation cooperating for trade, diplomacy, and stability.

BRONZE COURT

• associated with the color brown and Bronze (metal), this court is settled into the southern dry steppe, plains, and underground cave networks of Central Chrysaetos. It is governed in-court by a caste-based, matriarchal hierarchy that mirrors an insect hive. The Matriarch is the highest authority elected by worker councils.

• Primary races are Hexes, Suids, Speculums, and Ursids.

• Clothing= heavy-duty, layered, with bronze accessories and caste specific markings.

• Resources= bronze, clay, resin, wind power, and irrigation.

• Buildings= mid-brick hive towers, buried multi level cities with ventilation and cooling.

GARNET COURT

• associated with the color red and Garnet (gem), this court is settled into the eastern dense iron-rich forested temperate valley. It's governed by a meritocratic, intellectual, and oligarchy Council with a High Scholar, debate-driven, with factional schools of thought.

• Primary races are Suids, Hexes, Speculums, and Ursids.

• Clothing= intellectual symbolism, layered, with hats/glasses/magnifying lenses/protective gear being common.

• Resources= garnet, iron, precious metals, clockwork tech.

• Buildings= stone structures, forest-integrated workshops, mechanical displays.

AMBER COURT

• associated with the color orange and Amber (gem), this court is settled into the rocky volcanic pleateau area, with extreme weather and geothermal hotsprings, of Central Chrysaetos. It's governed by a Clan-based leadership with trade and defense as a focus.

• Primary races are Ursids, Suids, Hexes, and Speculums.

• Clothing= heavy fabrics, warm, geometric/metal inlays.

• Resources= amber, metal ore, geothermal energy, and alloys.

• Buildings= forges, stone/metal cliff settlements that are quake resistant.

chrysaetos - LOWER courts

The Sapphire, Topaz, and Rose Quartz Courts are subordinate under the Sunstone Court's Monarchy.

SAPPHIRE COURT

• associated with the color blue and sapphire (gem), this court is settled into the western coast of Lower Chrysaetos, on cliffs, islands, deltas with a humid and storm-prone climate. They have a governor that controls Marinus operations in the Court for the Monarchy.

• Primary races are the Marinus, Bovine, Serpens, and Veridians.

• Clothing= scale patterns, waterproofing, shells, and sapphire status wear.

• Resources= sapphire, seafood, pearls, storm crops, and salt.

• Buildings= coral docks, underwater cities, cliff dwellings, and sunken temples.

TOPAZ COURT

• associated with the color yellow and Topaz (gem), this court is settled into the central plains, terraced farmlands, and hot/arid area of Lower Chrysaetos. They have a local Veridian governor that controls Veridian operations in the Court for the Monarchy.

• Primary races are the Veridians, Marinus, Bovine, and Serpens.

• Clothing= light linens, floral wreaths, headdresses, and sunhats.

• Resources= topaz, solar crops, plant-based dyes, and textiles.

• Buildings= terraced farms, solar-reflective, greenhouses, granaries, and mural.

ROSE QUARTZ COURT

• associated with the color pink and Rose Quartz (gem), this court is settled into the eastern rocky pastures and hot grasslands of Lower Chrysaetos. They are a local Bovine governor that controls Bovine operations in the Court for the Monarchy.

• Primary races are the Bovine, Veridians, Marinus, and Serpens.

• Clothing= sturdy leather, wools, horn adornments and moon motifs.

• Resources= rose quartz, livestock, dairy, and volcanic rock.

• Buildings= fortified barns, market plazas, and communal halls.

SUNSTONE COURT

• associated with the color gold and Sunstone (gem), this court is settled into the southern, high pleateau coast with sacred mountains. This is the central rule of the Drakhal Monarchal Rule, where Drakhal Lineage Serpens hold divine authority, and prophecy drives rule.

• Primary races are Serpens, Bovine, Veridians, and Marinus.

• Clothing= gold-embroidery, celestial motifs, and rank-based jewelry.

• Resources= sunstone, volcanic metals, and solar crops.

• Buildings= marble palaces, observatories, and temples.