*This is not a spoiler. This overview only covers the basic history that is set in this unfamiliar world without revealing any details or twists about the characters.
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*History of Aethelgard
In the world of Aethelgard, magic was not merely a force, it was the very essence of existence, woven into the fabric of reality itself.
This boundless arcane energy was nurtured and guided by Aethelred "The Script-Weaver", a benevolent and ancient primordial guardian.
Aethelred was believed to be the fountainhead of all magic, an ethereal architect who literally wove the complex laws of arcane energy and wisdom into the world, allowing it to flourish in unimaginable ways.
For eons, every aspect of Aethelgard pulsed with this pervasive magic. It illuminated the deepest caverns, spurred the growth of unique flora and fauna, and shaped the very landscapes, seas, and skies.
Society itself was built upon its foundations. Great cities hummed with enchanted lights, vital tools were imbued with effortless power, and even the daily rituals of life were touched by its harmonious flow.
At the heart of this magical society were the "Tomes of Arcana". These were not just spellbooks, but living conduits of Aethelred's power, unique artifacts that pulsed with raw potential.
Those who wielded these tomes were not merely casters, they were collaborators with Aethelred's essence, channeling and shaping the generative magic that brought spells and wonders into being.
But then one day, without warning, Aethelred vanished. Their guiding presence simply ceased to be, leaving no trace, no explanation, only an echoing void.
The harmonious flow of magic faltered globally, replaced by a profound, unsettling emptiness. The air felt thin, colors seemed to dim, and the familiar, gentle hum of magic that had permeated every corner of the world simply snapped.
The very Tomes of Arcana that Aethelred had created and blessed, once glowing with vibrant energy, turned hollow, just empty husks. Their pages, once alive with arcane script, became silent, brittle, and lifeless.
The endless magic they once channeled, the essence that allowed them to create and empower, became dormant, trapped within their hollow forms.
This abrupt cataclysm plunged the world into an era of uncertainty. New generations, coming of age at sixteen, which traditionally underwent the sacred ceremony to receive their own blessed tomes and connect with the world's magical lifeblood, found the original source of their creation gone.
They stood at the starting line of adulthood, expecting to grasp the power that defined their heritage, only to find empty hands and a hollow promise.
The absence of magic meant they were left without the fundamental means to wield it, forever altering the future of Aethelgard.
The passage of time in Aethelgard is now marked by "After the Silence (AS)", signifying the years since Aethelred's mysterious disappearance.
The initial decades after the Silence were indeed a period of hardship and profound loss, as societies struggled without the magical abundance of old.
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However, amidst the despair, a pivotal discovery emerged around 200 AS, roughly two centuries after the Silence.
Through countless trials and the innate talents of mages, it was found that the ancient, silent tomes weren't entirely dead. These dormant Tomes of Arcana could be reawakened.
By pouring their own magical power and raw arcane talent, drawn directly from their bloodlines or sheer effort, mages could reignite the bound spells within these precious relics.
This unique ability was intrinsically tied to a mage's personal growth. Which is, as they leveled up and increased their own strength, resolve, and understanding, their capacity to charge and revive these precious relics grew.
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*Present Day Aethelgard
By the current narrative year of 316 AS, a demanding, new method of magic revival has emerged and become well-established.
Aspiring mages, such as new awakened people that starts at the age of 16, must revive a Tome of Arcana from vast libraries, dungeons, ruins or nobles' kingdoms around Aethelgard, often overflowing with the silent, empty husks left by past generations of magic users.
To awaken one of these dormant tomes, a young mage must pour their innate talent, accumulated skills, intrinsic magical potential, or sheer unwavering effort into a device, depends on the location, acts as a conduit that disperse the person's specific quality in the whole are filled with tomes.
Each tomes has their unique requirements to be revived successfully and choose their new owners. Some people are called specials, some are lucky but all of them should be proud for accomplishing such feat and is able to step on the starting line to greatness.
This arduous process forges a unique bond between a mage and their tome, allowing for new generations of magic users to wield formidable power once more, through a challenging path forged in the wake of Aethelred's lasting absence.