The Astaroth Chronicles -Part 0-
Alta: The Golden Age
Based on the work of William Bashford (Smash_Bash)
- The Year was One-Thousand-Five-Hundred and Thirty-Four -
The Industrial Empire of Tera, lauched a surprise Military Force against the peaceful Republic of Naybohr. It's Capital, the City of Bluebelle, fell overnight, along with the rest of the country, leaving only a wasteland of superheated glass behind. The destruction of Naybohr, altered trade relations between all nearby nations immediately...
On paper, the act was attributed to Tera's Iron Battalion working in tandem with it's partner, the subterranean Nation of Onda. In reality, the act was commited by just one man, Tera's Usurper King, the man known as Astaroth. Said to wield the full force of Tera's industry in a single weapon, which could change the very face of this world, Ragnarok...
Immediately afterwards, the Sage Pluto sent his peackeeping force to ascertain the situation and if possible exfiltrate any survivors as well as the now missing Crown Prince of Tera, now the only man capable of inheriting the throne after the deaths of the Teran royal family in the Bluebelle attack...
The Heroes:
Helias Rael (Age: 21) - Shining Aspiration -
- The Protagonist of this tale, a young man with incredible magical talent, even surpassing that of Alta's Seven Sages. Fights with a combination of magical spells an a unique flute that he can channel his mana into to create a blade. A staunch pacifist, he fights soley to end conflicts and protect the people and world he cares about. Hides his real passions under the mask of his duty. Will his strongly-held ideals crack under the pressure of the coming conflict...
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Lorelei Smith (Age: 20) - Inherited Melody -
- Helias' childhood friend and stalwart companion, tragically afflicted with the seemingly incurable condition of Magishock. Fights with twin swords that allow her to both protect and attack. Despite her condition, her smile and infectious energy shine a ray of hope even in this bleak present. She'll keep going, so long as she can see another earnest smile. Once the fighting is over, she yearns to be an artist, but will she live long enough to sieze that long-held dream...
Maya Blender (Age: 22) - Moon's Reflection -
- Another of Helias' childhood friends, and magical scholar who has spent many years trying to find a way to cure Lorelei's Magishock. Fights with magically woven fans that allow her to both weaponise and heal using her inherent talent of Water Magic. Truly wants the best for her friends yet struggles to articulate the right words, which can lead to her seeming cold or distant. Wants nothing more than peace for everyone...
Lithos '' Galantine (Age: 23) - Prodigal Prince -
- The bastard son of a cadet branch of the Kingdom of Tera, on a bloodstained mission of revenge after the total annihiliation of his home by the evil Emperor of Tera. Fights with a huge lance he looted off of one of the Iron Soldiers of Tera, alongside his destructive level of physical strength. Never wanted to sieze his birthright and even still refuses to consider himself a prince. Bluntly honest and abrasive, having lost all he cared for, will he achive his desperate revenge...
Silvia Alphecca (Age: 34) - Demon's Half-Sister -
- The half-sister of the villainous Emperor of Tera, living in self-imposed exile to escape her abusive family life. Fights with a combination of Dark and Light magic as well as the Life-stealing plants found in her home. Due to her isolation, she treats every new experience with the same innocence. But won't sit idly by as her half-brother carves up the world in his own image. Will she be able to help him see sense, or will another bond be broken in this tragic war...
Melilot Fable (Age: 19) - Courageous Soldier -
- A courageous Musketeer within the Altan Armed Forces, went out to fight to support his family and terminally ill sister, whom he would do anything for. Fights with a custom musket and rifle, engineered to fire magic bullets which cast spells on impact. Truly believes that risking his life is worth it so long as he can protect and support the people and the country he cares for. Though he wants nothing more than to see his sister smile once again, will fate allow him this oppunity...
Eighth Sage Pluto (Age: 84) - Architect of the Underworld -
- The honourary Eighth Sage fo Alta, previously an engineer working for the precious King of Tera, on a project to try to bring life in inanimate objects. Framed for a murder he did not commit and forced out of Tera, his heart is filled with resentment for his previous student. Rejecting the ideal that both countries will be able to sort out their differences peacefully, he trains a peacekeeping force to put an end to the conflict before it breaks out in earnest. Despite that, will the future he fears come to pass...
Tera:
- Once a proud and noble kingdom, Tera has been transformed into a industrial hellscape at the hands of Emperor Sidian Astaroth. Soverign of Onda, a subterrainean kingdom. All for the purpose of mass-producing soldiers for the nation, not of man but of steel. The people of Tera becoming the workers to create the unstoppable Iron Battalion, the first autonomous fighting force in history. The old royal family fled to nearby neighbour, yet still drew the ire of the new Emperor...
- Old King Oric (Age: ???) - Deposed Sovereign -
- The Previous Ruler of Tera, deposed by Meric Vulcanis in this Bloodless Coup.
- High Prince ??? (Age: ???) - Bastard Prince -
- The Brother to Old King Oric, and the Father of Lithos Galantine.
Naybohr:
- Little remains of this once fertile oasis after the assault by Sidian Astaroth, now merely a sea of superheated glass, frozen in time from the moment of the attack. Though survivors remain, they are few and far between, testament to the sheer effectiveness of the Emperor's new weapon. Yet the assault continues as one man linked to the Royal Line of Tera still persists, thus war has broken out over the still-warm sheets of glass, The iron legion determined to finish the job...
- Lithos' Mother (Name Pending)
- Lithos' Mother, a Naybohrian Dancer Girl.
Hiyama:
- A small island archepelago both bordering and off the coast of Tera, largely a neutral nation specialising in mercenaries that will figth for the highest bidder, the nation itself has little stake in the outcome of this war, beyond of course what happens to the nation itself. Some areas sides with the new Empire of Tera and others haven't leading to divisions between individual factions in the nation. Due to this turmoil, some have chosen to seek employment elsewhere away from the wars of Tera.
- Kumo Kabashima (Age: ???) - Travelling Magician -
- A travelling magician from Hiyama, uses his water magic to captivate audiences.
Avaria:
- A stretch of rainforest running from the eastern border of Naybohr to the southern border of Alta, miraculously unscathed from Sidian's destruction. A neutral nation in the burgeoning conflicts in the region, it houses a number of tribes that have learned to thrive within the strange ecosystem of the forest. This makes it perfect for infiltration into the Naybohr region from the Altan side, something our heroes are going to have to make great use of end this conflict as soon as possible...
The Demon Witch (Age: ???) - Master Alchemist -
- Spoken in hushed whispers and knowing nods, the tribesman of Avaria speak of a Demon in their midst. A witch they must pay tribute to receive her boons, who lives so deep in the heart of the forest that no man would dare venture there without due purpose. Said to be a master of potions and spells and unrivalled in beauty. Most consider her more of a minor deity than an actual person...
Alta:
- The magical nation of Alta, a coastal land and series of islands that directly border the ocean. Due to the lack of traditional resources in the country such as those in neighbouring Tera the nation has come to rely on magical power as opposed to technological. Ruled by Seven Noble Sages each a magical expert in their own right, Alta seems impenetrable, but can the nation of magicians, truly stand up to the cold mechanical might of Tera's Iron Legion...
First Sage Mercury (Age: 21) - Prince of Aether -
- Alta's First Sage and Master of Time Magic, an optimist who wishes to create a truly just world. Though indecisive at times, he is truly a heroic soul. Manipulates his own time to alter the flow of combat and to allow him to achieve more in a single day. Previously a Prince of Alta, but rejected this title when he became a Sage, despite this he still carries a royal demeanour, even if it isolates him from his comrades.
Second Sage Venus (Age: 40) - Lady of Consciousness -
- Alta's Second Sage and Master of Psychic Abilites she calls Love Magic, an empath who truly cares for others and does everything in her power to assist all she can. Uses her abilities to strengthen convictions and break down the will of her enemies alongside ttraditional magic spells. Despite her understanding of emotion, she is hopelessly romantic and will try to infleunce relationships she comes across.
Third Sage Luna (Age: 22) - Scholar of Dusk -
- Alta's Third Sage and Master of Night Magic, a rare aspect of magical darkness. Though intorverted and somewhat cold, she tries her best to fulfill the role expected of her as a Sage. Can hide objects or people within magical darkness as well as intrap and dispose of foes. Was thrust into the role early after a previous Sage passed away unexpectantly, so is somewheat inexpereinced overall.
Fourth Sage Mars (Age: 37) - Commander of Strife -
- Alta's Fourth Sage and Master of Fire Magic, headstrong and conpetitive. He believes the only way to achieve lasting peace is military might. Uses his flames and flaming staff to immolate and char his enemies in blazing fury. His very self-conscious about his lack of height, especially in comparison to the other Sages. Sees physical strength as equal to magical ability and trains both.
Fifth Sage Jupiter (Age: 35) - Lord of Elysium -
- Alta's Fifth Sage and Master of Lighning Magic, stern yet kind. He has the air of a natural born leader, commanding with his words alone. Creates powerful storms to control space and strike with devastating lightning bolts, obliterating his enemies. Is easily the most magical powerful of the Seven Sages. Idolises the Sages of the past, so seems archaic in comaprison to the rest of the council.
Sixth Sage Neptune (Age: 29) - Hero of Propagation -
- Alta's Sixth Sage and Master of Water Magic, nonchalant and chill. He takes great offence at what he considers to be injustice, was a travelling hero before being asked to join the Council. Uses compressed water to deal precise damage both at range and up close. Has no need for footwear and so walks around barefoot. Taught a young Helias how to play the flute and they are close friends.
Seventh Sage Uranus (Age: 82) - Hermit of the Beyond -
- Alta's Seventh Sage and Master of Light Magic,
Former Sage Saturn (Age: ???) - Omen of Terminus -
- A previous Sage of Alta who passed away fairly recently.
- Azalea Fable (Age: 5) - Sickly Butterfly - …and Phi-Phi!
- Melilot's little sister, inflicted with terminal Magishock and permanently bedridden. Her body unable to produce enough heat on it's own, this leaves her feeling incredibly cold. Her plush Phoenix appropriately named Phi-Phi doubles as a hot-water bottle for keeping her warm. Worries that when Melilot does leave, he won't ever come back home.
- Oberon Fable (Age: 85) - Old Man of the Woods -
- Melilot and Azalea's Grandfather, who looks after Azelea in Melilot's stead.
The Villains:
Meric Vulcanis (Age: 33) - Emperor's Houndmaster -
- Sidian's second-in-command and turncoat pupil of the 8th Sage Pluto. Framed his teacher for the death of the Princess of Tera and used to confusion to seize power for himself. Seeing the value in Sidian's ideals and preferring to play the supporting role, they entered into partnership together. He is the brains behind the operation, developing new ARMOR units, though he is by no means powerless. Using his ARMOR Gauntlet Mjolnir, he can simulate both Magnet and Lightning Magic with devastating consequences.
ARMOR Kronos (Age: ???) - The Stains of Time -
- The first of the next generation of ARMOR units developed by Meric Vulcanis, this is the first equipped with the ability for full autonomous action and decision making on the battlefield. Equipped with powerful Time Magic and twin blades in the shape of clock hands, the autonomous field commander fights leagues above the rank and file ARMOR units in Sidian's force. A caustic attitude and total reverence for his master, complete this mechanical menace.
Emperor Sidian Astaroth (Age: 37) - Zenith Above All -
- The ruler of both the subterranean land of Onda and the surface nation of Tera. Desires the miracle power of time travel, rumoured to exist within the nation of Alta, to grant himself eternity. An eternal, unchanging nation, an axis of total control. To achieve this, he has set out to eliminate the stragglers of the Teran royal family. To leave no possibility of survival he has tested his greatest creation ARMOR Gungnir and it's Ragnarok superweapon, removing Naybohr from the map.
Orcus Ordo (Age: ???) - Architect of Disaster -
- Hatred and despair are cut from the same cloth. Fear, the fear of a undesired outcome can lead even great men to commit horrible atrocities. Fear leads to distrust, distrust to anger, anger to hate and hate begets atrocities. In the wake of that annihilation, what will be born from that. The world will forever change as the result of one man's paranoia and hands of steel will irrevocably alter the world...
Artwork Gallery:
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Credits:
- Original Story, World and Characters: William Bashford (Smash_Bash)
- Additional Story Details and Artwork: Myself