in anadeia, multiple races co-exist in a so-called harmony-a harmony that is, in truth, fragile and fraught with conflict. the humans, in particular, have always harbored a deep-seated desire to extinguish that which is different. this prejudice has only grown stronger over the past decades, especially in light of the rise of a new breed of sirens, whose very existence has sparked fear and hatred in the hearts of humankind.

it all began with a peace treaty signed between human representatives and the merfolk, which granted humans the right to hunt sirens as they pleased, on the condition that no harm befall other ocean creatures. this agreement, paired with a lost war against the faes and an alliance with dragons-one that holds little weight beyond appeasing human nobility-has only deepened the rift between the races.

magic in anadeia is drawn from essence-an ethereal energy that permeates all things, both living and inanimate. this essence takes on different forms depending on the environment and the manner in which it is wielded.
- water essence flows through oceans, rivers, and lakes, tightly bound to the sirens and merfolk who draw upon its power. it is a force of fluidity and change, shaping the waters of the world in ways both beautiful and dangerous.
- soul essence is a mysterious force tied to the cycles of life and death. it is unique to the new sirens, whose very existence is infused with this power. soul essence grants them abilities that stir fear in those who encounter them, for it allows the wielders to touch the realms beyond life.
- earth essence is the magic of the land-found in plants, minerals, and stone. it is the power that fuels the constructs and is wielded by faes and dragons alike. it is a force of growth, stability, and strength, often used to shape the very foundation of the world.
- celestial essence is the energy of the heavens-the stars, the moon, and all celestial bodies. this essence is wielded by the fae and the nobility, often through ancient artifacts passed down through generations. celestial essence grants its users powers of foresight, manipulation of time, and influence over fate itself.

sirens once lived in harmony alongside merfolk in thalassa, but after the 'betrayal,' as many sirens call it, the two species parted ways. seeking safety, the sirens established the hidden kingdom of leucastra, a self-sufficient refuge beneath the waves. its location is a tightly guarded secret to protect against hunters. despite this, some sirens doubt leucastra's security, choosing to scatter across the oceans to avoid capture or death. they are tied to water, but the new breed can traverse land as well. they have ethereal upper bodies with translucent, shimmering skin that ripples like water under moonlight. their lower halves differ: traditional sirens have tails, while the new breed can shift between legs and tails. their hypnotic, fractal-like eyes can enchant or ensnare those who stare too long. traditional sirens control water essence, using it to manipulate tides, summon mist, and create illusions. their voices are their most powerful weapon, capable of luring prey or causing confusion. the new breed possesses additional abilities through soul essence, allowing them to heal, drain life energy, or sense death. this dual capability makes them adept on both land and sea. sirens live 300 to 500 years, aging normally until 20, then aging one year for every eight human years. they are feared by humans and regarded with a mix of caution and pity by merfolk.

the merfolk reside in nerevion, a kingdom that once coexisted with sirens in thalassa. after the treaty with humans, the merfolk distanced themselves, valuing peace above all else. they are devoted to maintaining harmony in their waters, though some question if their commitment to peace has made them vulnerable. while often mistaken for sirens, merfolk possess a gentler presence. their eyes are reflective and adapted for underwater vision, and their tails come in iridescent blues, greens, or earthy browns depending on their habitat-ocean, freshwater, or deep sea. unlike the sirens' predatory allure, merfolk exude a graceful, serene aura. merfolk excel in water manipulation, using their abilities to calm storms, heal aquatic life, and maintain ecosystems. elder merfolk can wield deep-sea magic, summoning creatures or adjusting water pressure. they live between 200 to 300 years, aging normally until 20, then slowing to one year for every eight human years. though they once shared a bond with sirens, sirens now see them as traitors and cowards. humans, on the other hand, are seen as unpredictable allies, whose desire for peace can be either dangerous or easily manipulated.

humans inhabit solisca, with the capital valrendia serving as the heart of their kingdom. society is divided by class, with the nobility enjoying power and luxury while peasants endure labor and hardship. nobles are recognized by their fair skin and fine clothing, while peasants wear plain, patched garments and bear the marks of hard work. hunters, with their scarred skin and rune-adorned armor, form a distinct class driven by a fear of magic and the creatures that wield it. the largest hunter organization, the ashen vanguard, leads the effort to hunt sirens and other magical beings. they see sirens as deadly threats and merfolk as hesitant allies who may turn on them at any moment. faes are viewed with suspicion, not because they are manipulative, but because of their perceived arrogance. dragons are feared but tolerated due to their overwhelming power. most humans lack innate magic but compensate with crafted runes, artifacts, and rituals. hunters create runes to resist magic, while nobles wield ancient relics granting foresight or light-based abilities. despite their divisions, humans share a common goal: maintaining dominance in a world they barely understand. their fear of the unknown drives their mistrust of other races, pushing them toward alliances and betrayals in equal measure.

dragons reside in ignoros, their vast, mountainous homeland. they are a majestic and formidable species, with half-dragons possessing a permanent humanoid form. these beings are easily recognizable by patches of scales on their limbs, face, and arms, their thick, glossy hair matching the hues of their scales, slit-pupiled, glowing eyes, retractable claws, and horns. true dragons, however, are colossal, often towering above other creatures. even in their more humanoid forms, they retain wild, unkempt hair, fully scaled skin, a tail, wings, horns, and claws, marking them as beings of immense power. dragons wield fire essence, a subset of earth essence, enabling them to breathe fire, harden their scales, or control heat. the oldest dragons, however, can tap into primal essence, an untamed force capable of altering landscapes, shifting weather, and even shaping the world itself. dragons live for thousands of years, and upon their death, they dissolve into the world of anadeia, merging with the planet's nucleus. half-dragons, though not as ancient, still live impressive lifespans, with most surviving around 500 years. humans see dragons as both fearsome and revered, but dragons view humans with indifference, while often regarding other races, such as faes, with both respect and rivalry.

faes are an enigmatic race, divided between day and night faes, each possessing distinct physical traits tied to their time of birth. day faes live in the radiant kingdom of velinora, while night faes are drawn to the shadowy moonlight forest. day faes have shimmering, radiant skin, with hair in hues ranging from pure white to golden or pastel shades. their eyes shine like jewels, and their wings are delicate and almost translucent, with intricate patterns resembling those of butterflies or dragonflies. night faes, on the other hand, have pale or shadowed skin with a subtle shimmer of midnight blue or silver. their dark hair often holds unnatural streaks of colors like violet or crimson. their eyes are piercing and predatory, but retain a jewel-like quality, while their wings are more angular and moth-like in appearance. day faes wield celestial essence to heal, nurture plants, or create illusions based on light. they are known for their grace and elegance. night faes tap into a darker, more elusive form of celestial essence, using shadows, invoking fear, and summoning creatures of the night to do their bidding. they live between 1000 and 1200 years, with night faes typically living longer due to their connection with the darker aspects of celestial essence. humans, who view faes as arrogant, often misunderstand them, but faes tolerate human arrogance with indifference. dragons, while respecting faes for their power, often find themselves in rivalry with them, as both species possess ancient abilities that make them formidable opponents.

constructs are beings of magic, forged from materials such as wood, stone, or metal, and imbued with the power of earth essence. runebound constructs, the simpler type, are mechanically designed beings with glowing eyes and an intricate system of magical runes that dictate their function. their abilities are limited to the essence imbued in their runes, performing tasks with precision but no true autonomy. awakened constructs, however, are far more advanced. they have smooth, humanoid forms and are capable of independently manipulating essence. they can shape their bodies, adapt to their surroundings, and even develop emotions over time. awakened constructs can live for centuries, and if they gain awareness, they may become immortal, their bodies constantly regenerating. constructs, regardless of type, do not have loyalties or prejudices unless their creators imbue them with such traits. runebound constructs have shorter lifespans due to their mechanical limitations and susceptibility to damage, but awakened constructs can endure much longer. faes often keep awakened constructs as companions, seeing them as loyal but independent entities.

✦ question! what is your favorite species, and why?

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