CULTURE OF ESTELLIA

[Sagiisa]

Estellia exists based on the mixing of various cultures from multiple nations - most prominently from the Castarian Empire. Due to such, over the centuries more than a few races have become prominent within the Kingdom; which is either met with lack of care or racism from another race. However, over time the culture has blended itself so well to create a rather unique culture of its own, which many citizens unknowingly follow.

In this book you will receive details on the various races, religions, languages, and magic within Estellia. I hope that you find it enlightening.

[Sagiisa]

races of estellia,

Hade (hay-de)
The Hade race are individuals of average stature (around 5'3 - 5'10), often tan in skin color or somewhat yellow-ish. The average lifespan for a Hade is seventy years, however do not be mistaken. The Hade do not count their birth date yearly, but rather count every two years as only one, as they age slower than normal Hume. You will know a Hade by a common trait in them - being hard workers and often disassociates with any other races unless absolutely needing to. This is a pure-blood race, as it is against their own set of laws to marry out of their own race. They have a racial ability of being adept with fire (fire spells do twice as much damage), and having the ability to harden their skin as if they were like dragon scales.

Hume (hyum)
Humes are friendly, eager to get along with anyone. They're notified for being energetic and optimistic, and if not these traits you will find them opposite - being lethargic and depressing. They come in all sizes, and are often a bit too reckless when it comes to doing things, as they have a habit of undertaking tasks that may be a bit too difficult for them to do alone. Racial ability wise, Humes are charismatic and can attract beasts easily - often befriending them, making them excellent Tamers. Skin wise, they are light skinned, or slightly pale. Life span is around one hundred years, though some have been known to live just a little over it.

Minaf (mee-naif)
Childlike, and said to never grow up even when hitting old age. They appear around the ages of eight in childhood, and about fourteen in adulthood. Their voices also remain childlike, and they're known to be mischievous and often use their natural childlike frame to trick others into sympathizing with them. However, they aren't very strong - most tend to be more agile and swift. Their own racial ability is being able to fly and utilize wind (without purchasing spells) for offense of defense. They come in many different colors skin tone wise, though they are pretty short.

Syren (sci-rin)
A Syren aren't the same as many other races, in fact they are a race often prosecuted and ridiculed back in Castaria. A Syren is made of fire and smoke, though this does not give them the assumed 'fire ability'. Rather, they are blessed with the astute power over magic - being capable of performing any sort of magical spell they desire so long as their concentration and strength allows it. Personality wise they are arrogant and prideful, often looking down on the other races - though in right. They also come in any skin color and any height, and they lead the research for the government as they study more ways to utilize their magic.

Zhal ( za-al )
In the eyes of the world, the Zhal are nothing but savages. Because of their rather distant and sometimes aggressive personalities, they treated as lower beings to everyone else. Zhal are in fact very intelligent people, however they rather keep to themselves than argue with others, though they are very good at listening. They are rather tall, lean, and have a dark skin color, often with white-ish tattoos they gain from birth called "tribal markings". All tribal markings are different form one another, and can cover the whole body, or can simply be in a small area. They're mostly recruited to do all the killing or heavy lifting for some places, or are often hired as body guards. They're very in tune with nature, so they'll refuse to chop trees or hunt animals, and remain vegetarians, believing that it is the food mother earth graces them with while animals are companions they should live with. They make excellent tamers.

Azca ( azz-ka )
The Azca are a very exotic and elegant race. With fair skin, brightly colored eyes and hair that would make any woman jealous, the Azca are perhaps the most sophisticated race. They live by a high moral standard set by their races, as they must act proper at all times and not show an ounce of imperfection. If they do, they are discarded, branded and seen as ugly. Because of this ideal, they hardly show any emotions or dreams outside of being a dignified and elegant Azca as it seen as disgusting as well. Though at a young age they tend to be carefree and rebellious, all of them conform to the idea less they desire to be disinherited from their families. They are usually merchants or nobles, and those that are thrown away are kept as pets by some.

[Sagiisa]

religion of estellia,

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SHEPHALIM
As claimed in its creation story, order and chaos (Xairo and Xile) created the universe and the four racial deities during a great battle between them. While they are still regarded as gods, it is the other four which are worshiped among different races.

Xairo (god of birth and order)
Father of the world.

Xile (god of death and chaos)
Father of the underworld.

Teriv (god of the earth, seasons, and beasts)
Patron of the hume race.

Nixa (goddess of the sky, wind, and youth)
Matron of the minaf race.

Dazh (god of the sun, war, and fire)
Patron of the hade race.

Manu (goddess of the moon, magic, and water)
Matron of the syren race.


TRITHEISM
Created by priests from the four racial religious sects, Tritheism was made to unify the religions of Estellia by focusing on the only two deities not worshiped by any one race. Xairo and Xile or Order and Chaos are the two main gods of this new religion. There are three sects to Tritheism: one honoring both gods as equals to maintain balance in the universe, one honoring only Xairo, and one Xile. Of the three sects, it is the honoring of Xairo that is most popular as many have a hard time seeing the god of death in a positive light.

TERIV: SUMMONING
It is said that followers of Teriv are given a birth ability with being compatible with beasts - and in this compatibility they are able to summon beasts they've captured by stroking a tattoo located at the inside of their forearm. Though it costs a bit to get the tattoo done, "Tamers" (as they are called) elsewhere say the cost - and pain - is worth the ability to summon beasts who will obey their every word.[/blockquote][/justify]

[Sagiisa]

magic of estellia,

There are various shops around the city that often sell scrolls. These scrolls will contain spells that you may learn. Learning a spell is not difficult - in fact it is rather simple to perform after purchasing it and using it. However, after purchase and learning the spell, the scroll itself burns into ashes as a method to keep you from giving it to others. Why does it do this? It was decided by the Minister of Magic that it would simply be better, and would keep the economy flowing properly.

There are various types of magic, as follows.

CURSE
This type of Magic is considered illegal to perform, though many still do. It is the oldest of all the magic, performed back in ancient times. Curses can be extremely powerful, capable of condemning someone to a life of misery, or even turning someone into a hideous beast until they learn how to love. You will not find these type of scrolls sold in stores legally, though there tends to be some floating around in ancient ruins - though some say the Third Floor of the Sisila Institution is where most are kept.

Everyone is capable of using Magic, and often it is used without a staff or wand - though some people tend to still use those sort of vessels. It is agreed however that wands and staff's do indeed give more power to any spell used.

BLESSING
Like its counterpart Curses, Blessings are illegal. Anything that tampers with a persons 'fate' is considered blasphemous, and you won't find any Blessing Scrolls in any stores around Estellia. Though old priests following Xairo specifically will often write down their knowledge and give the scrolls to others - yet in recent years the Kingdom has created a spell that a spell must be written a specific way - otherwise the scroll will begin to burn before it is even complete. Like Curses, it is rumored that the Blessing spells can be found on the Third Floor of Sisila.

ELEMENTAL
These are relatively new - teaching one how to master the forces of nature. These scrolls mostly fill up the stands within stores, and you'll find them relatively easy to master. The Elements are Fire, Wind, Water, Rock, Electric, and Dark. Though many who learn Dark type spells turn out to be illusionists, there are still some Dark spells that do physical damage.

NORMAL
'Normal' magic, also seen as 'Basic' Magic is also sold - things such as levitation, empathy, resisting fear, and telepathy all can be found in this category. Though they aren't as flashy as Elemental Spells, without a few normal spells you may find yourself in a pretty bad situation.