The World's Chronicles
Religion and Spirits

Overview
Aida
Elda
The Spirits
Elemental Gems
Magic and Elements
Mages
Elemental Resistance

Overview: There is no real unifying religion within most of the world anymore - or, where there is, it is only within small groups. In other parts of the world, people have given up on the idea of Aida, the Great Divine Goddess of the Eastern Quadrant, in lieu of more progressive ideas and the power that lay in mankind. These people have also given up on the Spirits, saying they never existed now that mortals themselves can control the Elements. In smaller communities, people still believe in the loving Goddess and the world-creating Spirits, especially in Seldra, where the believers have sent off their own kind to call the Spirits to confront the Senshuu (that is, Ronou and Mune).

People used to give offerings of food to the Spirits of Wind, Water, Earth, and Fire: Sefir, Laki, Gordo, and Pyre, whom they assumed (or were influenced to think spiritually) were in their presence since SOMETHING must control the Elements. (The people themselves named the Spirits, after all.) In more barbaric times, people would even make bigger sacrifices. Everyone hoped to appease the Spirits enough so that one day they shall appear to them and bless them with some sort of Elemental or divine gift, or at least to stop ignoring them. The practice is done rarely today, though, because the people have mostly given up on the Spirits, thinking they have been abandoned by them, or that they tried the wrong approach, or that maybe they did not exist in the first place.

+ AIDA +
One of five sister Goddesses of the Universe, of the Eastern Quadrant. The Quadrants are divided like so from the Universe's center:

\ N /
 \ /
 W. E
 / \
  / S \

...although the people of Seldra don't know this yet. (They aren't huge on astrology or anything beyond their atmosphere.)
Aida is said to be made of pure love and concern. She is also said to be arduous and severe, an unwavering divine spirit. Unfortunately, most find her to be aloof, desiring her literal presence and ignoring signs from the spirit.

ELDA The Fifth Goddess, of Darkness, outcast from her sisters before time for treachery. She looms in darkness, lying in wait for openings in her sisters' creations to destroy them. She exploits weaknesses, poisons minds, and corrupts hearts.

+The Spirits+
In the first forms they choose to manifest themselves in...

Sefir, the Spirit of Wind. His power gave life to soulless bodies during the creation. His rune represents his two wings. His color represents warmth.
Gordo, the Spirit of Earth. His power crafted the world and created Humans and creatures during the creation. His rune represents his inner power. His color represents stability.
Laki, the Spirit of Water. Her power filled the empty earth with gentle water during the creation. Her rune represents her finned ears. Her color represents wisdom.
Pyre, the Spirit of Fire. His power gave the world light and warmth during the creation. His rune represents his two wings. His color represents cunning.

+Elemental Gems+
The ones who can find any of the four Elemental Gems can receive "blessing" from the Spirits more directly; however, the journey to obtain those jewels would be hard, so until now no one has bothered to try but one person. The Zephyr Ring holds the Spirit of Wind; the Gaia Stone holds the Spirit of Earth; the Aqua Pearl holds the Spirit of Water; and the Rah's Jewel holds the Spirit of Fire. For the most part, the Spirits do not want to be bothered, which is another reason why it is so hard to find them.

The Zephyr Ring is a golden ring with a tiny Diamond embeded into it. It was forged by Sefir himself.
The Gaia Stone is composed of clear black Obsidian. It noticably grows in pillars out of the last plateau of the Great Plains.
The Aqua Pearl is a beautiful pearl that irridates several colors. Its core is a speck of Topaz instead of sand. It's said that a clam has claimed it.
Rah's Jewel is a multi-ended piece of Sardonyx. It lies in a cavern deep within the Volcanic Mines.

+Magic and Elements+
Magic (or, more correctly, Elemental Manipulation) plays an integral role in the world. For a millennium, it has affected the way everything exists. People have been gaining more and more control over Elemental magic to help their everyday lives, but they still seek more to do with it, whether it be for good or evil.

Fire The Element of Fire was said to give light and warmth to the world. Fire is used to light paths, but it also can be the most destructive Element.
Water The Element of Water sustains life itself. That is why it is integrated into healing practices.
Earth Earth composes the land and the plants. It is said that physical bodies were molded from the earth itself at the beginning of the world. The Earth can also be used to enrich other life.
Wind Not a very popular Element, Wind has been said to have given life during the creation of Aret. No one is quite sure how that works, however. One only manipulates the wind to do things like power windmills nowadays.

Mages
Short for "magicians" and also called "manipulators"; they are ones who specialize in controlling the Elements. It is a very challenging thing to accomplish, but when done well, a Mage can become a destructive force - especially if one gains the guidance of a Spirit. Training to be a Mage used to begin when a person turned 12 and end when they reached the age of 23, but today they start at -much- younger ages (as young as 5) and thus end sooner as well. Training consists of meditation, physical training, and the honing of Elemental summoning skills by concentration.

After the year 2000, certain animals (now called Cho Ikii - see other sections!) were given Elemental powers by the shattering of the original Elemental Gems due to the Senshuu. Humans and other races gained the capacity to manipulate the Elements, but they cannot be united with them normally.
It is said that when the four Elements come together, electricity can be generated, and life can be destroyed. Though the Spirits say that only Gods can create or destroy, the mingling of the Elements may be the cause of great change... and the 1000-year buildup of Elements without their direct control may cause demise.

Elemental Resistance
Since Mages and Cho Ikii can use Elemental power against each other, one must note the advantages and disadvantages Elements may have. (In handy list form!)

FIRE
Strength: Ice (a variable of Water), Earth
Weakness: Water, Wind, certain kinds of Earth

WATER
Strength: Fire (Earth as Ice)
Weakness: Earth (Fire as Ice)

WIND
Strength: Fire
Weakness: Earth

EARTH
Strength: Water, Wind, Fire in some forms
Weakness: Ice, Fire

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