Table of Contents
- Mythology
- Society
Mythology
Woolyne religion is largely centered around the two gods, Mazrim and Amirlyn. These two represent balance throughout the world and are regarded by Woolyne as the dominant gods. Each town or city may have smaller patron gods of nature, trade, or health that they also pay respect to, but Amirlyn and Mazrim remain the gods with the most influence on Woolyne culture.
The Gods
The summer god, Mazrim
Reigning during the months of warmth, Mazrim encompasses the elements of Earth and Fire. Loud-spoken and hardy, he is the more vocal of the two. Quick to anger but also quick to calm, his emotions range wildly. Despite that, he tends to be the more approachable of the two and treats any Woolie seeking his guidance with warmth.
All Dragon Woolyne have been chosen especially by Mazrim, and mimics his looks to display his favor.
The Winter God, Amirlyn
Reigning during the months of chill, Amirlyn encompasses the elements of Wind and Water. She prefers silence, and will speak only what she feels is necessary. Holding herself aloof, she may appear distant. If a Woolie can prove their wit and intelligence to her however, she takes special interest in guiding them however they may need it.
All Unicorn Woolyne have been chosen especially by Amirlyn, and mimics her looks to display her favor.
Festivals
Every solstice the cities of Ur-bahn and Aldlight host a large festival dedicated to their patron gods! Ur-bahn is known for its wild and colorful festivities meant to honor Mazrim, and Aldlight boasts many forms of artwork and music to show respect for its patron god Amirlyn.
As Mazrim is the patron of all Dragon Woolyne, and Amirlyn for Unicorn Woolyne, the capital cities of both kingdoms have strong base in worship.
The Blessings
What makes Mazrim or Amirlyn choose a Woolyne? How does it work?
The Dual Gods of Andras don't technically make their home there-they exist in a separate plane of reality from the one that Woolyne call home. However there is one access portal in Andras that connects to the wellspring of their power-a deep pool hidden in the wilds of Andras.
While the actual location of this wellspring is unknown, Woolyne who have performed an act that caught the attention of one of the Dual Gods will have an unceasing and overwhelming urge to travel towards the location. Usually shrouded in magics that deter the average passerby, a chosen Woolyne may pass through the shields undeterred, and enter the spring. From there they must undergo trials within their mind, such as facing the depths of their fears, or confronting an old regret. If they are able to pass the journey to the spring, and the harsh trials afterwards, it is only then that they will complete the transformation and become a full Dragon or Unicorn Woolyne. Once they leave the spring, all memory of its location and appearance is forgotten, leaving it undisturbed throughout the centuries.
Dragon Woolyne are known as Mazri Woolyne, while Unicorn Woolyne are known as Amiyn Woolyne.
The kingdoms
mazri kingdom
The Dragon Kingdom is ruled by Asajj in Ur-bahn, and is known for becoming a bit unconventional during her reign. Her effect on the kingdom has produced a number of new inventions and ideas. It's history reaches far back to the first Dragon Woolyne, a powerful Forger rumored to be a master of all types of Lyss. The kingdom claims Mazrim as their patron God.
Amiyn Kingdom
The Unicorn Kingdom is ruled by the just hand of Pandora, at the court in Aldlight. They value tradition and history, and are a bit slow to change.The kingdom's past is long reaching and detailed, ranging back thousands of years to the very first Unicorn Woolyne, a great general in an ancient battle. The kingdom claims Amirlyn as their patron god.
The Arcanum
Not much is known about The Arcanum besides their thirst for knowledge. Its members are secretive and its location unknown. The Arcanum seeks to push the boundaries of what is known of Lyss, searching for new spells, new frontiers of what has been lost to time or yet undiscovered. Their passion for forbidden and unknown lyss has led to many effects on both its members and Andras as a whole-Woolyne theorize that the Fiend of Fenmoore is the result of one of their experimentations.
Recently The Arcanum has surfaced after the affects of an experiment were felt across Andras, with many Woolyne loosing their memories temporarily. What could they be up to?
Neutral Territory
Woolyne who live in the neutral territories pay no allegiance to any monarch, but rather a collection of governors and lords-that is, if they pay allegiance at all.
Lathule
The Seatouched city of Lathule has a government of its own. Deep underwater where neither the Unicorn nor Dragon court hold sway, Lathule is governed by a council of three woolyne, one shifter, one forger, and one warrior.
Lathule has only recently begun to interact with the land-side world again and not much is known about them or their culture.
Battle classes
Warriors
The Warrior class passes up magics and uses weapons exclusively, with minor magic being used as an amplifier to the Woolyne's weapon of choice.They are a physical class and don't use magic as a weapon like the Forgers do, or shape change like the Shifters. Warriors favor technical and a wide range of combat skill to outmaneuver their opponent. As a result they are the most diverse class! Weapons range from swords, spears, bows, hammers-whatever the Woolyne's preference is! Most Warriors tend to name their weapon as a rite of passage.
Some skilled Warrior Woolyne will use an enchanted weapon-perhaps a spear that electrifies enemies or a sword that creates a strong gust of wind. These weapons take some time to master and aren't for beginners!
Forgers
The Forger class uses magic as an offensive or defensive force exclusively. This power is known as Lyss, the name of a Woolynes inner magic. There are some cases where a weapon has been used to amplify magic (such as a decorative sword to be used to direct magical attacks), but on the whole Woolyne Forgers use magic without any additions. Forgery is performed by learning spells and casting them verbally with a directed movement from the body or a tool (ex: wand, sword, staff etc). Forgers are quite versatile and can be both long range and short range battlers.
Woolynes have innate magic, but only with proper training can it be brought out. The color of a Woolynes magic will be the same color as their eyes! Woolyne with multi-hued eyes have a stronger magic potential, with complete rainbow or faceted 'gem' eyes being the strongest!
Shifters
The Shifter class is a physical class like the Warriors, but instead of using weapons like a sword or bow, these Woolynes shape change into a different form with the use of a Shifting Stone. These stones can be purchased or passed down as a family treasure and can vary in appearance, but it takes more than owning one to Shift. Only with practice and training can a Woolyne assume their shifted form and control it properly.
The battle form assumed by the Shifter class is stronger than the Woolyne's normal form and is usually much larger. The Woolynes hands become claws, their eyes become a solid color, and their horns grow larger. Shifters tend to rely on brute force to secure victory rather than any technical or magical skill. Infact, this form is incapable of using magic attacks unless the Woolyne is bonded with an Elemental Spirit, in which case the Woolyne can only use attacks of that element. Alternatively, both Mazri and Amiyn Woolyne can use magical attacks when shifted-Shifted Mazri Woolyne gain fire breath while Shifted Amiyn Woolyne gain a freezing ice breath.
Shifter Stones
Magic
Oh, what a bliss, to forge one's own Lyss!
Oh, what a blast, one's power to cast!
Magic, known as Lyss in the Woolyne language, is a deep-rooted part of Woolyne culture and nature. Its uses range from offensive, healing, everyday use-and even being used to customize appearances! Each Woolyne is born with an inner magical fire, it is up to them if they decide to stoke the flames.
The practice of creating spells and using magic is known as Forgery-so any Woolyne who practices the art of Lyss is known as a Forger.
Spells are used with a verbal command, often accompanied by a gesture (eg: throwing a summoned fireball). Particularly accomplished Forgers may however be able to cast nonverbal spells. This however requires great mastery and skill and is not usually seen.
A Woolyne training to become a Forger will choose one magic type to master-combining different types without adequate skill and training can lead to unfortunate consequences. Once that magic type has been mastered to a certain level, a Woolyne may begin to master another. There are rumors of some Forgers who have mastered all the types, although most consider it a tall tale.
Below are the known Lyss magics.
Elemental
By far the most common and versatile forms of Lyss, these magics are elemental in nature! Most Forgers are elemental users as it is the easiest type to master. A Woolyne with a focus in elemental magic can choose one of the following elements:
Fire
Earth
Water
Air
Lightning
Plant
Sol
Otherwise known as light magic, this magic type has versatile uses. Most important is its ability to Heal, making it the second most popular Lyss choice for Forgers. Woolynes who choose to master Sol can learn these core techniques:
Healing
Scrying
Illusions
Skilled Sol users are said to even be able to become invisible with their power over illusions. Even rarer are those skilled Woolyne who are rumored to create a dreamlike state around another-rendering their targets unable to tell illusion from reality.
Void
One of the rarer forms of Lyss, not much is particularly known about Void magics. Woolynes who master this form are few in number and tend to keep their abilities secret. However it is known that these forgers seem to be able to manipulate the fabric of space-disappearing from one location and appearing in another.
Known techniques include:
Teleportation
Shadow manipulation
??
A Forger with both skill in Sol and Void makes for an excellent spy, with their power over space and illusion. Some say that truly skilled Void Forgers can even access dimensional travel or time manipulation!
Weapons and Armor
Weapons
Woolyne weapons are incredibly diverse in their forms and uses! There is no one preferred weapon type, instead each Warrior will have their own preference for which kind of weapon they use. Weapons can be anything: swords, bows, spears, axes, daggers, and more!
Warrior Woolynes have an incredibly strong relationship with their weapon-their weapon is their protector between life and death. The creation of a weapon is something Warriors take very seriously, gathering the proper materials and some even forging the weapons themselves. Woolyne weapon craftsmen regard their work with a great sense of duty, knowing that they are creating a life partner for their customers. Each weapon is tailored to the specific Woolynes taste.
The last step of weapon crafting is the Giving of a Name-something that a Warrior Woolyne doesn't take lightly! Only once it is named is the weapon considered fit for battle.
(yes, woolyne name their weapons)
Enchanted weapons are also seen, the weapon crafted with spells interwoven into its body. Warriors who use enchanted weaponry don't use any magic themselves, and the weapon usually has limited functionality compared to a Forgers abilities, but nevertheless they can provide an advantage in battle. Only experienced Warriors are able to master these difficult weapons.
Armor
Armor is almost as important as a weapon to a Warrior Woolyne. While not surrounded with quite the same amount of ritual a weapon has for a Woolyne, armor is nevertheless something each Woolyne takes seriously! The type and look of armor varies from Woolyne to Woolyne and reflects their fighting style. A warrior with armor is regarded as more professional than a warrior without, despite there being many unarmored warriors who can hold their own.
Armor can be enchanted, although enchanted armor tends to be rather expensive. Some popular forms of enchanted armor are pieces that are enchanted to give the illusion of wings springing from the wearer's back, or some other physical change. Enchanted armor also lends more benefits than visual awe-they often give the Woolyne wearer better strength and stamina, with some even offering healing.