Mists FAQ
|
| Magic - How does it work?
|
- Magic, before the schism, was fueled by the Breath of Imperius and had to be recharged every two months otherwise a mage would face serious consequences. Since the schism and subsequent cure for the lack of Breath of Imperius, magic, for the most part, seems to function as it did, only without breath.
- The actual casting of magics can vary depending on many factors, sphere of study, style of casting (chanting, ritual, incantation,) and whether or not you use components. Some spheres, such as transportation, do require the use of components and given the most successful components in that sphere, gold and silver, it can be a costly endeavor.
|
| What is the source of magic?
|
- The source of magic was the Breath of Imperius, which shrouded the isle in a fog every night. No one knows how or why it worked as it did, only that it worked. It's been the topic of centuries of study, but for all the conjecture, there have been few answers.
- Some areas like Gryphon's Reach and parts of Crescent Coast were more densely covered, while places like Polaris Port in Dragon Lake were less so, and therefore safer for non-Mistians visitors.
- With the Breath of Imperius gone, mages were forced to find an alternative source for their magic, and cure their addition to the breath. On December 4th 508, after an enormous and exceedingly complex ritual, the mages were cured of the addiction, and the use of magic continued.
- * If you have questions about the source of magic now, please direct them to Pascal.
|
| How long can I stay away from Mists?
|
- Before the schism it was two months, but since the schism it's changed and is believed to be once every three months before a mage will find they are in danger of becoming ill.
|
| What happens if I don’t go back to Mists in time?
|
- You will die.
- Just as before the loss of the breath, mages need to go back to their home isle for their continued survival. Now it's not to due to an addiction to the breath, the truth is that almost no one knows why a mage still needs to return to Mists since the schism and restoration, only that they still have to at least once every three months.
|
| Can I fight with magic?
|
- Are mages able to fight with their magic? That depends on what you mean. Yes, a mage is able to fight with their magic alone, in duels or against other non-magic combatants, but you won’t find people who are trained to use their magic in conjunction with more mundane fighting styles. The reason for this is simply the time it takes to study magic to a proficient level is so great that there simply isn’t time to dedicate to other skills like swordplay. Because both take years of study, by the time someone was able to become proficient in both, it is highly unlikely that they would be able to physically endure the strains of battle.
|
| Magic use beyond the barrier.
|
- Use of magic beyond the barrier has to be carefully measured. Think of your magic as battery powered, the more you use it, the more you drain it, and that can be distinctly dangerous if you’re a week away from Gateway.
|
| What is the main trade of Mists, and typical professions?
|
- Trade on Mists is almost entirely rooted in magic. Varying components, spells and wards, magical items, magical services, for example, the weather mage on Green Fields.
- Jobs come in nearly every variety, from the most menial of jobs as a dockhand or a barmaid, to high end merchant families and all shades in between. The only thing you will see seriously lacking on Mists would be any kind of farmer, or much work with livestock.
|
| What is the population of Mists, and the typical distribution?
|
- There were roughly between 450,000 and 500,000 people on Mists. A huge portion of those people lived in the capitol, Fang of Imperius. The rest are dispersed between the lordships, some areas like Wraith's Watch and Enchanted Coral having a higher population while places such as Arden Vale only a few thousand.
- After the schism and cure, the population is significantly less. Between 225,000 and 250,000.
|
| How do citizens and nobles typically relate on Mists?
|
- The common citizen generally doesn't care much about who leads them as long as their way of life doesn't change. There are, however, some exceptions to that rule. Some people are very protective of Solomon Karaganinas' place on the ducal seat, but less concerned about the lesser houses on Mists. It is often only when a noble fails in his or her duty to the people that they will protest or act out against the noble.
- Nobles, especially those who hold land, often view themselves as better than the common citizen, but also view it as their responsibility that these lesser folk are taken care of.
|
| What recent major political/social/geographical events should all of Mists be aware of?
|
- Duke Raziel Devonshire relinquishing the ducal seat for reasons mostly unknown.
- Baron and Baroness, Matthew and Phoebe Forester’s disappearance shortly before notification of was made throughout the city that they were wanted for plotting the murder of Crown Prince Jordan Caprios, among other charges.
- The Great Schism of 508 saw the death of over 50,000 souls on the Isle of Mists alone and loss of the Breath of Imperius, which threatens the remaining mages that survived the initial night.
- On December 4th 508, after an enormous and exceedingly complex ritual, the mages were cured of the addiction, and the use of magic continued.
- On January 11, 509, The Emperor appoints Joseph Starling and his wife Lazuli Starling to the position of Duke and Duchess Regent of Mists.
- On March 31, 510, after a lengthy disappearance by the Duke and Duchess Regent, Lord Myrddin Karaganinas, the recently recognized son of former Duke, Lazarus Karaganinas was named Duke Mists.
|
| What is the typical education?
|
- Class plays a distinctive role in education. Children of nobility or wealthy families have every chance and opportunity that money can provide. Most children from wealthy families attend the academy for many years, roughly from the age of eight until, most often, they reach Journeyman status in their chosen or main sphere.
- Education at the academy beyond Journeyman level can continue for those who can afford it, some mages remaining there until Master. Those who wish to remain while studying until High Mage status do so performing in the capacity as a teacher while continuing to study. Those who do not wish to remain must find private instruction, either in the form of apprenticeship to an elder mage, or tutoring, the latter being costly and most often reserved for those of noble blood.
- Very nearly every child is taken to the cave at the age of five, this is tradition, children rounded up by villages, but this does not ensure education. Nearly every child of the isle is taught to control and manipulate their magic to some degree, but not all are taught enough to go beyond the very basics, and these are the children you will often see grow up to work the menial jobs, hard labor, waiting tables and tending bars. Those that are afforded higher education are given the better jobs, frequently due to being highborn and having the privilege of connection.
|
| What is the attitude of the typical Mistian citizen toward those of each other isle?
|
- Green Fields - Generally thought of as harmless, except in certain cases (Phineas Forester, for example.) Uncouth and unsophisticated, they lack in education but they provide all of the food and quite a few jobs for Mages, so we tolerate them and their strange customs.
- Guardian - Brutes. They go beyond uncouth, they are ill-mannered and barbaric creatures who dissolve to war at the drop of a hat. We are clearly superior to them in very nearly every way. For some reason they have a tremendous grudge against us, but it's probably just jealousy, since we are clearly so much better than they are.
- They do provide us with some jobs, so we will tolerate them when we must.
- Draught - They have often been our closest ally in many things, and we have maintained a peaceful and even symbiotic relationship with them, even though there have been the conflicts with the purists sects.
- Gateway - Gateway is the seat of the Keeper and the location of court. It's from Gateway that the world turns, fashions started, politics politicked. Strange things happen on Gateway frequently, but being from Mists where strange is a way of life, it's something we easily adapt to.
|
| What is the attitude of the typical Mistian citizen toward Providence?
|
- The story of how Providence selected a champion to save humanity from the demons is one told to many a child while they're growing up and though there is little in the way of active worship, the majority of people will claim to believe.
- Mistians that are true Purists number in the very few due to some fundamental conflicts between the practice and application of magic and Purist beliefs.
|
| Where does our food come from?
|
- Because of the breath, growing food on Mists that is actually edible is an extremely difficult, ridiculously expensive and arduous task. All food sold in markets is imported from Green Fields and are carefully stored in magical containers to prevent contamination from the breath.
|
| Does the water get contaminated?
|
- Yes. Water, as well as nearly everything else on Mists, does get contaminated by the breath of Imperius. Wells, public or private, must be maintained by water mages in order to purify the water of the breath and make it safe to drink.
|
| Magical Items - On Mists and Gateway.
|
- While some of the household and more common place magical items are in abundance on Mists, such excess is illegal on Gateway. Magical items are closely monitored by the Mogur and a owning too many of them without the proper permission can lead to some serious consequences. Any magical items your character might own and use in game must be approved by magic admin first.
|
| Use of magic on Gateway
|
- The use of magic on Gateway is highly regulated. Excessive use of magic, or the casting of larger spells can potentially result in arrest, or at the very least an unpleasant altercation with the city guard. Use of magic near or within the castle is strictly prohibited and will most assuredly lead to a meeting with the castle guard and/or the Mogur.
|
| Magic and the Currents
|
- Magic cannot be cast across the currents, this fact is well known amongst mages. Teleportation is only able to happen intra-island, a mage isn’t capable of crossing the currents using his or her magic, and attempting to do so is strongly advised against. The consequences for attempting it could be ugly.
|
| Who are the main noble families and other notable figures on Mists?
|
- Ducal Seat: - At present it's held by Duke Myrddin Karaganinas who has recently been recognized as a son of former duke, Lazarus Karaganinas. Before him it was held by Duke Regent Joseph Starling, though the official Ducal family is Karaganinas, who held Mists for over half of the empire's history. For several years Raziel Devonshire served as Duke with Marquis Solomon Karaganinas to inherit the seat. Before Raziel was Lazarus Karaganinas.
- Noble houses on Mists:
-
- Foxfire Cradle: - Foxfire Cradle has no Baron or Baroness at present, held by a steward while the noble bloodlines of previous families are researched. It was formerly held, for a brief time, by Malachi Windermere until he was stripped of noble lands and title in May 506.
- Crescent Coast: - Currently vacant, the Barony of Crescent Coast has gone through a number of leaders over the last ten years, the most recent of which was Dyonith Zeloral until the breaking of his betrothal to Ellie Clapton. Before it was held in stewardship between Dyonith Zeloral and Ansel Tyce. For several years before that, the Crescent Coast was in the care of Phoebe Forester, until August 508 when the Baroness Forester was declared a wanted fugitive by the crown. Before Baroness Forester came the Baronial family of Rosal, Jayden Rosal and before that, for many years his sister Lily Rosal.
-
(This section is a work in progress)
|
| Who are some of the most infamous people from Mists and what do I know about them?
|
- Alastor Zecht - Several years ago the most prominent name would have been Alastor Zecht, otherwise known as Vox. Leader of a Demon worshipping cult, murderer several times over, he eluded capture for over a year before he was finally slain on Gateway.
- Phoebe Forester - A member of the notorious Forester family, Phoebe lived up to her family's reputation well. In 502 her ability to manipulate magic was revealed, and she soon after swore fealty to the Isle of Mists and the then Duke Regent, Raziel Devonshire. She was elevated into Mistian nobility and for years served her people well, even if she played the politics at court viciously. For all the rumors of her wrong-doing, she seemed to escape each incident virtually unscathed, until 508 when both she and her brother, Phoenix Forester, became wanted fugitives of the crown for endangering the Gateway and plotting the murder of Crown Prince (and her own nephew) Jordan Caprios.
- Zipporah Gilat - Vampiress, known to have had a relationship with a Purist before being murdered (can you murder something that is already dead?) by Athar Soranus.
- Addison Brandivere - Once the ward of Alastor Zecht and a cultist, she along with her brother, Fairfax Brandivere, somehow became the wards of the Keeper and Empress. There was a brief lived attempt to wed her to Duke Raziel Devonshire that failed after protests from fellow Mistian nobles, challenges and no shortage of controversy.
-
- Valin Caprios - Uncle to the Keeper, Valin Caprios is a figure of some mystery. More than once he has been presumed dead only to reappear at court, typically bearing some message of doom. What he does when he's not wandering around Gateway creeping everyone out is a subject of much debate.
- Myrddin Karaganinas - Making a brief and somewhat scandalous appearance on Gateway in the year 505, Myrddin dared to claim that he was the legitimate heir of Lazarus Karaganinas, though at the time he was denied by the dowager Duke. He reappeared in early 510 to again press the same claim, only this time, he is recognized by his father and supported in his pursuit of the ducal seat. This pursuit was successful, for on March 31, 510, he was named Duke Mists.
|
| Who is the High Council?
|
- The High Council is made up of mages who have achieved the status of High Mage, and though it was once thought to be upwards of two-thousand strong, a tragic magical mishap has seen that number reduced significantly. Their official capacity is to oversee and regulate magic on Mists and the running of the Academy, though this illustrious group has, over generations, been known to throw around their collective weight and considerable power to push social and political agendas.
- There are five positions of leadership within the High Council, once seat for each sphere of study and the Mogur Imperius who oversees the Mistian High Council as a whole.
- Mogur Imperius - Oversees the High Council and Academy of Imperius, serves as counselor to the Keeper on magical matters, and is generally thought of as the authority on magic in the Empire.
- Quinta Essentia - High Mage of the Elemental Sphere
- Omnia Viator - High Mage of the Transportation Sphere
- Illusia Primus - High Mage of Illusion
- Nex Ingredior - High Mage of Necromancy
|
| So I want to play a Mistian, what else do I need to know?
|
- There are a few fundamental things to keep in mind.
- Generally speaking, magical power and ability are determined by the length of time one studies. Age is a factor: you will never find a twenty-year-old master mage, but you will find a forty-year-old beginner. This could happen if someone was never able to get the formal education required to attain any higher status.
- This is also a factor for anyone who decides to actively pursue something that requires quite a lot of study directed elsewhere. Mages are rarely well skilled in both magic and something like weaponry, alchemy or other scientific arts for the simple fact that those too take years of dedication and service, and that would detract from the study of magic. Those few who do opt for alternative paths and education frequently find themselves disdained by their fellow Mistians for wasting their natural gift for more mundane things.
- The magical spheres open for player application are as follows.
- Transportation
-
- Illusion
- Elemental
- Fire Mage
- Air Mage
- Water Mage
- Metamage
- Weather Mage
|
|
|
