A world in precarious balance.
On the vast continent of Elyndor, large cities and vast natural territories coexist under the latent threat of dimensional rifts known as dungeons. Elyndor is divided into regions that alternate between bustling technological metropolises and extensive natural landscapes, from ancient forests to mountains that hide millennial secrets.
The most important cities—such as Dravenfall, the commercial capital, or Veythar, the bastion of ancient magic—combine modern architecture with touches of fantasy. Neon-lit streets coexist with traditional markets selling arcane artefacts and relics. Despite progress, the threat of dungeons and their inhabitants never disappears.
Outside the cities, the forests, mountains, and plains are home to wild creatures and other species that have learned to coexist with magic, often fighting the spectral hordes that emerge.
Fundamental Powers: Mana, Threshold Essence, and Primordial Threshold
Power in Elyndor is based on three essential pillars:
1. Mana
This is the vital energy that flows through all living beings and is the basis for magic and special abilities. It is used to perform techniques, spells, or special abilities, and varies in quantity and quality depending on the individual and their training.
2. Umbral Essence
A dark and corrupting energy. Those who manipulate this essence walk a dangerous path; those who have fallen to this power are slaves to spectral beings from another world and can no longer be the humans they once were.
Corruption consumes the body and mind, turning them into umbral creatures even though they remain human.
3. Primordial Umbral
The purest and most ancient form of threshold energy, a powerful and mysterious force linked to the cores that sustain the balance of the world. Varathion, the spectre that accompanies Kael, is linked to this essence.
The Primordial Threshold can be used to seal cracks or summon devastating forces, but its use requires a delicate balance and sometimes requires great sacrifice.
The System
For everyone, and especially for Kael, the perception of power is not only internal but visible through a system known as the 'System.' This system displays levels, states, and abilities in a coded form.
=== STATUS ===
Name: Adrian Calenford
Age: 16
Rank: S+
Talent: SS
Strength: S
Agility: A+
Stamina: B+
Intelligence: B
Mana Capacity: S+
Luck: B
Charm: A-
Profession: Holy Swordsman
Martial Manual: [★★★★★ Elyndor Solar Style] Quality 5★ | Level 4 |
Prof. 3/5 Skills: [{SS} Light Cut] - Powerful strike imbued with solar mana, high damage. [{S} Cloak of Light] - Shield that reflects minor damage. [{A} Purifying Strike] - Attack against undead and spectres. Status: OK Example of Kael's HUD (primordial core, hidden from most)
=== Status ===
Name: Kael Veyren
Age: 16
True Talent: SSS (Public record: C)
Synchrony: Partial
Energy: Stable
Profession: Spectral Swordsman
Martial Manual: [★★★★★ Art of Spectres] Quality 5★ | Level 4 |Prof. 1/5
Skills (normal): [{G} Quick Strike] (Level: ???) [{G} Light Footwork] (Level: ???)
Skills (spectral): [{SS?} Threshold Spear] (Level: ???) [{SS?} Elemental Camouflage] (Level: ???) [{S?} Spectral Anchor] (Level: ???) Passive: [{S?} Primordial Regeneration] (Level: ???) [{S?} Threshold Resistance] (Level: ???) Status: Weak Synchrony - watch out for wear and tear Creatures and enemies
Dungeons
Dungeons are populated by creatures of various kinds, from simple monsters to spectral horrors. Examples:
Sewer goblins (G): small, weak, but numerous and prone to setting traps.
Quartz spiders (E): poisonous and capable of slowing down their prey.
Plains Wights (D): undead warriors who use minor necromancy.
Forge Trolls (C): regenerate quickly and strike in an area.
Moon Basilisks (B): petrify with their partial gaze.
Lightning Elementals (A): attack with electric shocks.
Barrier titan (S): formidable enemies that protect cores.
Arcane dragons (SS): multiple phases, absorb mana.
Liches of Sanctity (SSS): Massive control of undead.
In addition, there are spectral fragments, mutated shadows that attack without reason and are especially dangerous due to their connection to the Primordial Threshold.
Kael's companions
Kael will not be alone. His group, made up of eight elite warriors, is his anchor and strength in battle. All with talents ranging from S+ to SSS, each one masters a unique style and outstanding mastery of mana.
1. Adrian Calenford — Holy Swordsman (SSS) — Original MC
Appearance: Tall, muscular, golden blond hair, intense blue eyes.
Weapon: Solar long sword.
Style: Direct and powerful combat, wields solar mana to amplify damage and defence.
Abilities: Light Cut (massive attack), Mantle of Light (shield), Purifying Strike (extra damage to dark enemies).
2. Liria Ainsworth — Arcane Warrior (SS-)
Appearance: Slim, light brown hair with golden highlights, honey-coloured eyes.
Weapon: Magic staff that channels mana.
Style: Combines offensive magical attacks with field control.
Abilities: Rapid healing, light shields, attack blessings.
3. Darius Fenmore — Agile Duelist (SS)
Appearance: Athletic, short black hair, amber eyes.
Weapon: Two short swords.
Style: Mobility and fast strikes, mastering evasive techniques and counterattacks.
Skills: Double Slash, Ghost Step (evasive movement), Precision Block.
4. Serena Morthys — Shadow Assassin (SS)
Appearance: Slim, jet-black hair, violet eyes.
Weapon: Dagger and spectral claw.
Style: Silent combat, master of stealth and critical attacks.
Skills: Temporary invisibility, shadow slash, arcane sabotage.
5. Eron Valcrest — Aerial Explorer (SS-)
Appearance: Slender, silver hair, blue eyes.
Weapon: Light spear and short bows.
Style: Aerial mobility and ranged attacks, wields wind and speed.
Abilities: Cutting gust, breeze veil (detection reduction), vertical propulsion.
6. Myra Solis — Stealthy Saboteur (S+)
Appearance: Small, short black hair, steel-grey eyes.
Weapon: Short swords and sabotage tools.
Style: Infiltration and sabotage with quick and precise attacks.
Skills: Invisibility, arcane sabotage, shadow manipulation.
7. Faelan Rys — Assault Pyromancer (S+)
Appearance: Slim, dark red hair, green eyes.
Weapon: Fire staff and igneous gloves.
Style: Area damage with fire and field control.
Skills: Fireball, ash rain, burning cloak.
8. Kaela Veyrin — Archer and Melee Fighter (SS)
Appearance: Elegant, dark brown hair, green eyes.
Weapon: Compound bow and short sword.
Style: Combines ranged and melee attacks, high mobility.
Skills: Rapid Fire, Agile Thrust, Natural Camouflage.
This chapter is intended to provide a general context for the novel. There will be things that are slightly different from this chapter, things that will be added or modified as time goes on.