A Note on the Lore Guide
For those who find themselves drawn into this vast and layered world, this Lore Guide serves as a companion—a place to return to, to better understand the people, places, and elements woven throughout the story.
While my original intention was to include it at the end, I realized how important it is to have it available early. Whether you're piecing together history, recalling a character, or simply exploring deeper meaning, the guide is here to support your journey.
Feel free to read it at your own pace, flip back to it whenever you're curious, or skip ahead when something calls to you. This world is full of secrets, and you're invited to discover them in your own way. I shall update while i write.
Lira – Main character. Has a connection to Earth magic. Quiet, intuitive, and newly discovering her abilities. Arrives at the Velmira Sanctum of the Elements.
Name: Lira
Age: Teenage (around 15-16 years old in this chapter)
Appearance:
Hair: Long, dark hair that flows with the wind, often tangled with leaves and twigs from her forest walks. It has a natural wave to it, like the branches of trees swaying in the breeze.
Eyes: Glowing faintly, especially in the dark or under the full moon. They have an ethereal, almost otherworldly quality to them, like moonlight on water, revealing her witch's bloodline.
Skin: Light, with a touch of sun-kissed bronze from her days spent outdoors. Her skin has a softness to it, marked by rough hands from years of work with the earth and plant life.
Clothing: Wears simple, practical clothing made from scavenged materials—leather patches, tattered cloths, and rough-spun wool. Her attire is often layered, with an old cloak or shawl made from fabric that has been worn and patched many times. Her clothes smell of earth, wood, and herbs.
Accessories: She carries a small pouch filled with dried herbs and magical trinkets, such as crystals or feathers she's found on her walks. She might wear a necklace made of woven vines, or sometimes a wooden talisman hanging from a string, each piece holding significance to her magical practices.
Magical Gift:
Primary Ability: Nature Magic (especially connection to plants, animals, and the earth itself)
Empathy with the Natural World: Lira can communicate with and sense the emotions of animals, plants, and even the soil beneath her. She can feel the pulse of the earth when she places her palms on it, feeling the ancient magic that flows through nature. Her connection with the forest has taught her to listen, understand, and respect its language, as if the world itself speaks to her through whispers.
Healing Touch: Lira has a natural ability to heal wounds, especially for animals and plants. Her fingers tingle when she touches something in need, allowing her to channel her magical energy into restoring balance, whether it's easing the pain of a wounded animal or encouraging a sickly plant to thrive. This ability is intuitive rather than learned, a reflection of the deep bond she shares with the forest.
Elemental Control (Vines): Lira's power manifests most strongly through plants. In moments of stress or danger, her magic can be channeled through the vines, roots, and branches of the forest. When she is emotionally charged, or when the forest feels threatened, vines may grow around her wrists and ankles, as if the earth itself is trying to protect her or pull her back to safety. This ability is still volatile and not fully controlled, but it hints at the strength of her potential magic.
Moon Magic: Under the full moon, Lira's magic becomes stronger and more focused. Her eyes glow when she stands beneath its light, and her connection to the forest deepens. She may experience heightened abilities, such as clearer visions, stronger empathy with the natural world, or more potent healing powers. The moon acts as a conduit for her magic, allowing her to tap into ancestral knowledge and forgotten spells.
Backstory and Growth:
Lira's power was never taught to her—it is something intrinsic, something she was born with, and something that was both a gift and a curse in her eyes. While the villagers saw her as an omen, her mother's shame led her to abandon her in the forest, where she would grow under the forest's care.
As she matures, Lira learns that her powers are tied not just to nature, but also to her emotions. The more she understands and learns to control her feelings, the stronger her magic becomes. However, when her emotions run wild—such as fear or sadness—her powers can spiral out of control, leading to accidents or unpredictable outcomes.
Her eventual journey into the wider world will be not only a physical one but also a spiritual and emotional journey. She will need to learn how to balance her magical gifts with her sense of self, and she may find herself caught between the teachings of the forest and the pull of the human world that she's only just begun to explore.
Home:
Forest Cottage: Her small cottage has evolved alongside her gift. What once was a simple shelter has become a sanctuary for her work. Shelves lined with books and jars of dried herbs fill the space. Bundles of plants hang from the rafters, each carefully labeled and categorized in her own cryptic system. The air is thick with the scent of herbs and magic, and the steady bubbling of her cauldron marks the rhythm of her days.
Thara – Head herbalist and greenhouse guardian. Wears a dirt-streaked apron and has wild orange curls. Calm, grounded, and knows the secrets of plants. Gave Lira a subtle test involving a lonely flower.
Ivvie – A tiny, sassy magical flower fairy. Queen of Bloomroot Grove (or at least the greenhouse corner). Can only be seen and heard by those attuned to Earth. Teaches Lira plant wisdom in exchange for nectar.
Nareen – Earth element teacher at Velmira Sanctum. Sharp, no-nonsense mentor. Teaches by hands-on challenge and respects true intuitive Earth connection.
Velmira Sanctum of the Elements – Also referred to as the Academy. A magical academy where students learn to master elemental powers.
Sanctum of the Elements – The magical academy where Lira is studying. It teaches various mystical arts, including plant lore, counting (symbolic magic), and more. The name suggests each area of study might connect to elemental forces.
Greenhouse – A magical space within the Sanctum where rare plants grow, and Earth students often learn and train.
Whisperleaf – A plant that blooms only when someone with true Earth attunement approaches. Invisible to the senses of most.
Ice Lotus – A beautiful but dangerous flower that can freeze a person's blood if touched unprepared. Responds to those attuned to deep Earth and Water.
Unhappy Flower – A plant that was drooping due to being separated from a bonded plant. Lira suggested reuniting them, revealing deep intuitive plant empathy.
Grandmaster Elion - carries a noble, timeless feel, perfect for a Grandmaster.
The powerful and mysterious leader of the Sanctum of the Elements. His presence likely signals important turns in Lira's journey—whether for guidance, testing, or deeper magical revelations.
Mandra Inkwell – Strict but wise librarian. Appears to respect magical books and has authority over the library.
A strict librarian with a monocle, who commands respect. Mandra has a deep knowledge of magical books, and she governs the library with a firm hand. She seems to recognize the significance of certain books, such as the "Green Book," that choose their readers. She might play a key role in Lira's learning of ancient magic and deepening her connection to the natural world.
Nareen – Earth element teacher at the Sanctum, sharp and no-nonsense. Nareen has little patience for inefficiency, preferring hands-on challenges. She recognizes Lira's innate connection to Earth magic and pushes her to refine it further. Nareen respects Lira's deep intuitive link to nature but ensures that she learns discipline in her craft.
Dominica – A proud student with black hair. Dominica exudes control and authority, often asserting herself as the one to follow. She tried to involve Lira in strange plant usage, a decision that will create tension in the future. While she may not be inherently malicious, Dominica's desire for control may lead to confrontations.
Magical Elements:
Lira's Bird Messenger – A small, silent companion that seems to guide her through her journey.Guardian Familiar. It communicates through subtle gestures and actions, offering Lira hints and guidance when she needs it most. It symbolizes her connection to the unseen forces guiding her path.
The Green Book – A living book that contains magical plant knowledge. It has bonded with Lira and seems to reveal more the deeper her connection to nature becomes. It plays a central role in her education and growth.
Grandmaster Elion's Bird
A magnificent red-gold bird with a long, shimmering tail that trails like ribbons of sunlight. Its head is crowned with elegant feathers, and its eyes glow with ancient wisdom. The bird's melodic screech resonates with magic. It is deeply connected to Grandmaster Elion, often seen perching near him or gliding from the rafters of the Sanctum. The bird's presence signifies insight, foresight, and magical power—possibly a familiar or guardian spirit.
Gabriela – Elemental Foundations Teacher
A tall, elegant woman who teaches the foundational lessons at the Sanctum of the Elements. She wears a deep blue gown with flowing sleeves that move like water, emphasizing her graceful and composed presence. Gabriela carries a carved wooden staff, which she uses to draw focus in class. She is calm, precise, and focused on teaching the classical elements and their natural cycles. Her lessons lay the groundwork for deeper magical understanding among the students.
Fireleaf – A rare plant native to volcanic ridges near the Town of Fire. Known for its healing properties, especially in salves used to treat burns and deep wounds. Fireleaf prefers dry, rocky soil and thrives in steady warmth gathered from basalt or lava stone. Its blooming is encouraged by infused heat, such as that from sunstones or ember-charged stones. Its crimson-edged leaves pulse faintly with residual warmth.
East Wing Greenhouse
Located in the academy's East Wing, this vine-wrapped greenhouse holds some of the rarest and oldest flora under magical care. Its air is thick with ancient soil, energy hums through it like old incantations, and many plants only bloom once every few years—or not at all, unless certain conditions are met.
Some blossoms shimmer out of sight when looked at directly. Some roots pulse with their own rhythm, responding to unseen forces. The greenhouse is overseen by Thara and monitored by protective spirits like Murell, a guardian fairy.
Murell
A sharp-tongued, dragonfly-winged fairy no taller than a hand, Murell is one of the few caretakers of the rare flora within the East Wing greenhouse. She wears a crown of curled petals and a bark-and-silk gown. Despite her irritable exterior, she deeply respects life that grows with intention and care. Murell only shows gentleness toward those she finds worthy—particularly those who listen instead of taking. She speaks in riddles, with old knowledge hidden behind sarcasm.
Moonveil Flower
A legendary and deeply sensitive bloom. It only flowers every few years—if it feels safe. The Moonveil responds to emotional resonance and moonlight. When it blooms, it glows like liquid silver and emits a magical resonance, heard not with ears but with spirit. This resonance calls to other ancient flora, reminding them of beauty and growth even after war and devastation.
Murell notes that it has only bloomed twice in her memory, the last time being before the war. She believes it may bloom again—if trust is earned through patience and gentle presence. The Moonveil cannot be rushed or coerced. It is a flower of patience, not performance.
Master Anire – The Flame Listener
A revered forge instructor at the academy, Master Anire is known for his calm, focused demeanor and unmatched control over fire. Unlike many fire elementers who command flame with force, Anire teaches his students to listen to fire—treating it as a living force that responds to respect and patience. His quiet strength, sharp intuition, and deep bond with elemental energy have earned him the title "Flame Listener" among students. Though stern at times, he is deeply dedicated to helping young elementers forge not just weapons, but their own mastery.
Potion Master Therin
Title: Master of Herbology and Alchemical Arts
Affiliation: High Institute of Arcane Studies
Elemental Alignment: Earth, with minor Water affinity
Potion Master Therin is a tall, sinewy man with deep-set hazel eyes that always seem to be calculating. His long coat—dyed in rich earth tones—bears the emblem of the potion master's guild: a silver flask entwined by a vine. His hair is tied back in a practical knot, streaked with gray from years of working with volatile ingredients and rare herbs.
Though known for his strict demeanor and dry humor, Therin has a reputation for producing the most precise, stable, and effective potions in the region. He is an expert in wild plant foraging, ancient brewing methods, and enchantment-infused concoctions. Despite his traditional approach, he values talent and curiosity over bloodlines or status.
Therin's signature brewing tools include a foldable flask made from dried pumpkin skin—enchanted to change size—and a carved root-wand used to stir his mixtures without physical touch. He's respected across the continent and was once a traveling potion-merchant before settling into his teaching role at the Institute.
City of Arvellien
Designation: Wandering Market City / Site of Annual Elemental Competitions
Known for: Magic Trade, Rare Creature Auctions, and High-Scale Arcane Tournaments
Arvellien is not a fixed city—it appears each year in a different region, summoned and sustained by a grand circle of mage-architects. The city rises overnight from enchanted stones that lie dormant until the time of gathering arrives. With its sky-hung lanterns, ribbon bridges, and levitating spires, it is a marvel of magical engineering and one of the most anticipated sites for any magic practitioner.
Every building in Arvellien is alive with enchantment. Shops shift to suit the needs of customers, temporary homes construct themselves for guests, and market stalls glow with protective runes.
During competition season, Arvellien is filled with:
Practitioners: young students and seasoned mages alike, arriving to test their strength.
Beast-traders: offering magical companions and battle familiars.
Potion vendors, scroll dealers, rune smiths, and rare artifact brokers.
Tournaments: Elemental duels, potion challenges, creature-handling trials, and focus endurance competitions.
The city is also closely watched by the Circle of Balance, an overseeing council ensuring fair play, safety, and magical containment.