Agent23
"Honey!!! Wheres my Supersuit?"
Lore
The Four kingdoms began 1200 years ago when a man named James Stryker left the oppressive religious order of the Argossian Empire and took with him those who wished to practice magic. He and the first four aces established a glorious kingdom where magic was practiced freely and everyone was considered equal. A true utopia.
When James Stryker Died his four greatest pupils took on their own students. The four houses were created initially as seperate houses teaching the elements. Eventually rivalry was sparked between the houses. The numbers system was implemented in an effort to help regulate the vastly growing number of magic users. Social Imbalance began to set in and the first blemishes were cast upon the glorious kingdom.
900 years ago the great magic war began. Spurred by a duel between a 10 and a 4 in which the 4 was killed, and was the son of the spades ace, while the 10 was the son of the diamonds ace. The war split the houses, diamonds and hearts attempted to stay out of it but were eventually dragged in as well. The four kingdoms were nearly destroyed until A child prodigy named Miko Anati found a book from James Stryker and Defeated The four aces. She then left the four kindoms. After that Aces were removed from leadership and the system involving the equal royals was put into place.
when the four kingdoms finished the great magic wars they were weakened and in a state of disarray. This was 700 years ago the argossian empire had just discovered gunpowder and natural gases. Feeling emboldened by their new technology the Argossian empire launched a holy crusade to reclaim the four kingdoms which were once a part of the empire. Though there have been many high and low points this crusade still continues to this day.
the Kings, Queens, and Jacks, mighty mages who run the four kingdoms. These are the royals. Becoming a royal in this world is not something that can be gained via birthright or usurping. First one must attain the Rank of 10 and maintain it for at least five years. In addition they must attain a 5 year degree in either Military, Economics, Or Justice. Only by accomplishing these can they qualify for one of the three Royal tournaments. The Kings tournament is in spring, The Queens tournament in Autumn, and the Jacks tournament starts in the middle of winter. Each tournament has 16 challengers and only the winner can challenge the respective Royal to a NONLETHAL duel for the position.
The Aces, the mightiest in all the four kingdoms. Becoming an ace takes more power than most can even imagine. It is also very dangerous. However it requires no prerequisites only two battles...Impossible battles. First They must Be able to best all three royals of their respective nation simultaneously. They must do so without killing or Maiming the Royals, yet the royals are free to kill and maim as they see fit. Only by accomplishing this feat will the rank duel be valid. Afterwards the Ace May set a venue and they challenger must defeat them in a one on one duel to the death. The winner takes or maintains the rank of ace. Due to the insane nature of the requirements however few are able to even make a challenge. When the battle happens only other aces are permitted to witness it. They act as referees, preventing others from witnessing or intervening and creating barriers to prevent widespread destruction.
Severance - A Day of mourning every first of the year commemorating those who stayed behind giving their lives to ensure that the founders of the four kingdoms could escape the Argossian army. 52 candles are lit in the Central four Suits Palace and all citizens of the four kingdoms wear red and black to mourn the 52 brave men and women who made the 4 kingdoms possible.
Freed- the Day following Severance. A massive kingdom wide party takes place after sundown. Bars, Taverns, Restaurants, Even some brothels open their doors and offer their services free of charge. The Aces and Royals must not be permitted to join the festivities as they use this day to catch up on work they have fallen behind on and protecting the kingdom alone.
The Kings Royal tournament- on the third month of the year the candidates for the Kings tournament are prepared for the 3 day ceremony. On the first day preliminary battle royals drop the numbers to 16 if need be if not then it is a day where the contestents address the public and state their "political policy" much like a presidential election. Day two the Tournament begins and all fighters have their bracket style tournament. Afterwards the winner spends the night healing and recovering. Day three is the Main event so to speak. Current King vs Challenger Mono e mono.
Quartet- on this day in the dead center of the year at month 6 the four aces entertain the people by sparring publicly. Their power is very heavily restricted, but only the royals would notice the difference. Most of the spells used are more for show than damage.
Devils Due- A day dedicated to demons in the 7th . Meant to terrify them so that they will not dare battle the four kingdoms. Mages wear costumes and have duels free of knowledge about rank. 3's may come up against 10's. While killing is not permitted any collateral damage is not held against the mage responsible. Royals and Aces are not permitted to participate. But they have a costume party of their own.
Queens Royal tournament- held in the same arena during the 9th months. As the kings Tournament this event plays out much the same way.
Day of Rest- this is a day held in the 10th month of the year. This day commemorating the peaceful death of James Stryker. A parade is held and all aces and royals participate. No one works, no huge celebration besides the early morning parade. Afterwards everyone just relaxes for the day.
Jacks royal tournament- held in the 12th month of the year, same arena and premise as the other two. The wealthy seem to find this one the most interesting.
Freed- the Day following Severance. A massive kingdom wide party takes place after sundown. Bars, Taverns, Restaurants, Even some brothels open their doors and offer their services free of charge. The Aces and Royals must not be permitted to join the festivities as they use this day to catch up on work they have fallen behind on and protecting the kingdom alone.
The Kings Royal tournament- on the third month of the year the candidates for the Kings tournament are prepared for the 3 day ceremony. On the first day preliminary battle royals drop the numbers to 16 if need be if not then it is a day where the contestents address the public and state their "political policy" much like a presidential election. Day two the Tournament begins and all fighters have their bracket style tournament. Afterwards the winner spends the night healing and recovering. Day three is the Main event so to speak. Current King vs Challenger Mono e mono.
Quartet- on this day in the dead center of the year at month 6 the four aces entertain the people by sparring publicly. Their power is very heavily restricted, but only the royals would notice the difference. Most of the spells used are more for show than damage.
Devils Due- A day dedicated to demons in the 7th . Meant to terrify them so that they will not dare battle the four kingdoms. Mages wear costumes and have duels free of knowledge about rank. 3's may come up against 10's. While killing is not permitted any collateral damage is not held against the mage responsible. Royals and Aces are not permitted to participate. But they have a costume party of their own.
Queens Royal tournament- held in the same arena during the 9th months. As the kings Tournament this event plays out much the same way.
Day of Rest- this is a day held in the 10th month of the year. This day commemorating the peaceful death of James Stryker. A parade is held and all aces and royals participate. No one works, no huge celebration besides the early morning parade. Afterwards everyone just relaxes for the day.
Jacks royal tournament- held in the 12th month of the year, same arena and premise as the other two. The wealthy seem to find this one the most interesting.
In this Universe magic is not some mystical force. It is a cosmic power that everything living, dead, animate or inanimate possess. The rare exceptions are the Celestial beings responsible for the creation of magic. What they use is beyond comprehension. There are several classes of mage but only three kinds of raw magic. Mana the magic of the living, Dysidia the magic of the dead and afterlife which creates Mana, and Magicite the Radioactive byproduct of magic use.
Mana is the most known. It is the raw force of magic which is channeled into spells. All beings can sense the level of mana that a being possess and can usually accurately gauge their power with this. However Mana has a Lifespan of 120 years before it becomes Magicite. Unfortunately it is the lifeforce of all beings so when it finishes its Half-Life the being who owns the mana will perish.
Dysidia is barely known of at all. It is the power which fuels necromancers, Zombies, vampires and various other forms of Un-life it also has a halflife of 120 years but when it finishes it turns back into mana usually recycling into a new living being.
Magicite is an unknown energy which happens when large amounts of mana are used. Howeved for whatever unknown reason is floats upwards into space with no time to effect the world.
Magic used for a purpose is a spell. Most spells are combat applicable due to a long history of violence however it is just as often crafted into items. A spell in the open air disappates quickly but if put into an item it is preserved forever unless broken which can only be done by either stronger magic or A entity in possession of Celestial power.
Many legendary magic items exist from before even the Argossian empire. They are immensely powerful but nearly impossible to find. They are called "Precursor artifacts" and are worth a fortune. They can make a 2 into a 10.
Mana is the most known. It is the raw force of magic which is channeled into spells. All beings can sense the level of mana that a being possess and can usually accurately gauge their power with this. However Mana has a Lifespan of 120 years before it becomes Magicite. Unfortunately it is the lifeforce of all beings so when it finishes its Half-Life the being who owns the mana will perish.
Dysidia is barely known of at all. It is the power which fuels necromancers, Zombies, vampires and various other forms of Un-life it also has a halflife of 120 years but when it finishes it turns back into mana usually recycling into a new living being.
Magicite is an unknown energy which happens when large amounts of mana are used. Howeved for whatever unknown reason is floats upwards into space with no time to effect the world.
Magic used for a purpose is a spell. Most spells are combat applicable due to a long history of violence however it is just as often crafted into items. A spell in the open air disappates quickly but if put into an item it is preserved forever unless broken which can only be done by either stronger magic or A entity in possession of Celestial power.
Many legendary magic items exist from before even the Argossian empire. They are immensely powerful but nearly impossible to find. They are called "Precursor artifacts" and are worth a fortune. They can make a 2 into a 10.
The money system is run off of 5 different kinds of coin. 1 copper is the base coin and can buy a meal.
1 silver is worth 100 coppers and can buy a good sword.
1 gold is worth 100 Silvers and can buy a horse.
1 Paladium is worth 100 gold and can buy a large house or ship.
1 Stratium is worth 100 Paladiums it is more money than most will ever earn at 100,000,000 coppers! You could buy an army, or a fleet with just one.
The Jacks primary purpose is to keep the economy balanced.
1 silver is worth 100 coppers and can buy a good sword.
1 gold is worth 100 Silvers and can buy a horse.
1 Paladium is worth 100 gold and can buy a large house or ship.
1 Stratium is worth 100 Paladiums it is more money than most will ever earn at 100,000,000 coppers! You could buy an army, or a fleet with just one.
The Jacks primary purpose is to keep the economy balanced.
The four kingdoms operate on a very complex but basic legal system. There are three solutions to a legal dispute. Repayment, Duel, or Definitive selection.
Repayment simply means the plaintiff is satisfied with the defendant simply paying the fee.
A duel is a more primitive solution in which the Defendant and plaintiff must agree to a duel. The Jack must approve the duel. Last one standing wins the case.
Definitive selection is when the Jack decides to dispense justice. Often times it is due to an unfair rank gap or obvious cases such a definitively proven murder. Only an Ace my overturn the decision.
Repayment simply means the plaintiff is satisfied with the defendant simply paying the fee.
A duel is a more primitive solution in which the Defendant and plaintiff must agree to a duel. The Jack must approve the duel. Last one standing wins the case.
Definitive selection is when the Jack decides to dispense justice. Often times it is due to an unfair rank gap or obvious cases such a definitively proven murder. Only an Ace my overturn the decision.
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