These are the times...

Wyle Thicket, Daagon Forest

With a quick step over a rock mound then a graceful landing upon two of her feet without any obvious signs of struggle. The sheen of her pale skin glistened in the misty atmosphere of the forest floor and a soft cool breeze chased her as she laced through the trees with ease, her black cloak billowing after her.
Nymphamadria knew these lands well. There had been many times she had run through them to get to safety or blindly questing through the villages of Daagon Forest to get to informants or fellow Insurgence allies. Oberon was no stranger to Nymphamadria anymore, she knew her intimately.

Any form of light soon diminished within the forest and a blanket of night took cover over the sky. Up ahead, Nymphamadria could see a clearing. She hadn't experienced any trouble so far on this quest however as the woods stood quiet, it was as if a shroud of fear and dread crept close making Nymphamadria more alert than ever.

Then just as if the trees had read her thoughts, she had heard movement close by. Momentarily she approached a large silver oak tree and traced her fingers upon the bark, whispering an incantation. Suddenly her black cloak began to glow incandescently then became see-through. Nymphamadria lifted the cloak’s hood upon her head and attempted to cover herself entirely.

A strange figure appeared in the distance, crouching upon a tree stump trying to peer into Nymphamadria's direction. Its eyes glowed like the moon as they scanned the forest floor. The figure suddenly stood up. Nymphamadria watched as the dark figure raised a shadowed fist, opened it and released a small gush of red fire from its palm. The figure was quickly illuminated by the fire held within its fingers, and in the crimson light revealed a man with monstrous scars upon his face. His eyes yellow and alert, ready to attack at moments notice.

Nymphamadria held her breath and continued to stay still. She watched carefully as the fire sorcerer gave light to his surroundings but after a while, seeming convinced that he was not being watched or followed, the man conjured the fire away and disappeared back into the deep woods of Daagon.

Nymphamadria sighed in relief. It had become uncommon for Oberon inhabitants to use magic, even more so in parts of Oberon that they did not belong. A Bakun fire-being in Daagon Forest, a land originally inhabited by the Naiad forest-people, was an example of this rare coincidence. However it had also been uncommon for many years now that any Oberon citizens used magic. The Yuri laws instated on the people established that performing ancient Oberon magic would result in your instant demise. Truth be told, the magical ways had been exiled a long time ago and henceforth extinct. Only on rare occasions did Nymphamadria ever witness magic being performed by Oberon people other than herself and the people who closely associate with her. These instances usually occurred when in confrontation with the Yuri police, the enemy’s enforced army. The Yuri may have dictated the way Oberon should exist, but are often the first to use their dark magic to exercise their rule. Experience has had Nymphamadria become extremely vigilant and skeptical of any ancient magic being used by anyone other than the Yuri. 

Suddenly a scream was heard in the distance. Nymphamadria looked towards the direction of some thorn hedges a few yards away. Just over them she saw a tree house short way off the ground and firelight flickering madly through the windows. Without hesitation Nymphamadria leap from the ground and moved with incredible speed towards the small house.

“What is the meaning of this?” A strong voice boomed from within the tree house. Nymphamadria had just reached the hedge as she heard the familiar voice of Farmer Jedemia escape the windows. Cautiously she weaved her way around the remaining hedge groves and along the edge of a large pond, gradually becoming closer to the commotion. As she peered carefully through an open window, she managed to catch a glimpse of four muscular men in leather leggings. Each man carried an iron torch that held an abundance of mystical red flames.

“We have evidence to believe that your youngling has been performing illegal magic.”

A thinly woman dressed in a long grey cotton gown took small steps backwards. Nymphamadria gasped in shock as she watched the woman suddenly make a break for a doorway close behind her.

“Demeter!” Farmer Jedemia yelled as two of the burly men made swift movements in her direction.

“Get her!” Another man had become revealed when the two of his guards moved away. He was shorter than the other four and wearing a long black cloak, much like Nymphamadria’s. His whole body was covered in this cloak including his head, and it was made very clear that he was in charge of the situation.

Jedemia was held back as he watched one of the other guards escort Demeter and a small girl clinging tightly onto her mother, come into sight. She was no younger than two years and clearly scared.

“She can barely speak let alone control her powers.” Jedemia protested trying to free himself from the strong grip that kept him.

“No matter,” the cloaked man replied shrugging, “she must be held accounted for.”

Farmer Jedemia’s wife Demeter held her daughter as to shield her and stared dangerously at the unwelcome visitors.

“She’s not going anywhere,” Demeter spat, “and if you monsters do not leave our home at once we will have no choice but to use force.”

Nymphamadria felt a surge of heat exude from inside the tree house, an unnatural heat, an invisible power that seemed to zap Nymphamadria making the hairs on her skin stand and singe from the charge.  Then she watched with grit teeth as the hooded man revealed himself.

“Lelonis…” Nymphamadria whispered to herself recognizing that sinister smile that spread across his face as he looked at the threatening Demeter.

“Force you say?” He spoke steadily. “Please, enlighten me…”

Nymphamadria gripped at the window frame ready to throw herself into the tree house and ultimately into danger, but suddenly the tree house began to tremble. The contents within the wooden house shook wildly and crashed sideways onto the floor. Then Nymphamadria heard Jedemia yell out, “Hold on!”

Immediately obeying Nymphamadria watched as Demeter laid herself upon the floor with her daughter protected inside her embrace as the others tried to keep balance on the quaking floor. Suddenly Nymphamadria felt her feet leaving the ground. The tree house was shooting upwards. Nymphamadria gripped tightly to the window peering into see Farmer Jedemia had no longer been held captive by one of the men but his eyes glowing like pearls and his hands directed up towards the ceiling.

“Stop him!” Lelonis cried out trying to stand up as the tree house seemed to keep shaking and moving upwards.

With obvious difficulty one of the men hauled himself up and started towards Jedemia. Nymphamadria freed one of her palms and thrust it into his direction. In one swift move, it had seemed like an invisible rope had wrapped itself around the guard’s waist and threw him back, crashing him hard against the wooden walls of the house.

Nymphamadria’s presence had been made known. Both Demeter and Lelonis looked over at Nymphamadria, Demeter’s wide eyes expression of relief and Lelonis of dangerous intrigue.

“Apprehend that traitor!” He yelled now pointing his finger towards Nymphamadria.

*****

In the beginning….

Magic was brought forth to Oberon by means of the Houri spirits, deities of our world.

They created not only the physical elements of the land but established a deep source of magic in every aspect that was produced.

The Houri spirits were the purest of beings, something of interstellar travelers, exploring the infinite heavens and brining light to where darkness inhabited.

Once Oberon came into existence, the Houri summoned life into the world and from this magic, different race of beings sprung from the earth, air, ocean, fires and the heavens. Mystical plants and creatures also took form upon Oberon, establishing balance and continuity of life.

Six races of mystical beings established dominance over Oberon. Each specific race was modeled after an individual deity and possessed similar magical traits:

The people of Sujun were beings from the oceans, rivers and lakes. They had control over water and were capable of traveling at incredible speeds through it. Their magic allowed them to manipulate water into any form they wished and to summon the creatures of the deep.

The people of Raiju first appeared from the sky. They walked with the wind and flew amongst the clouds. Their powers gave them reign over the atmosphere and also enabled them to control the weather.

Beings that sprung from the forests were people called the Naiad. Limber and acrobatic the Naiad could move about and along the treetops with incredible skill. Their magic let them control the forces of the forest and its creatures, and at will they could establish wooden barriers using trees.

The Chiron people originated from the Oberon earth, more specifically, the great mountain that towers from the centre of the world. Their magic enabled them to live under the earth in deep underground fortresses, impenetrable to all who are not welcome.

The Baku fire-people derived from the red hot fiery flames of lava that streamed throughout Caballo volcano. Their magic included conjuring fire and light from their fingertips. They could also withstand scorching heat and walk through flames without inflicting harm unto themselves.

People who possessed the Djin qualities were created from the heavens. The very first that was produced, and the race that was to model all other races. The Djin powers were a lot more generalized and encompassed a great deal more. They were also very skilled in telepathy and could produce force fields. Teleportation at will was also a magical aspect.

Each Oberonian race lived quite peacefully in their respected parts of the world. They had also established civilization amongst each race, created villages (and eventually cities) and formed an adaptable way of living. And of what concerned magic? Magic became apart of the everyday life in Oberon and with that, time passed quite peaceably throughout the land.

The Houri, being very pleased with the world so far, set out to establish communication and a state of unity between each of the six races. From this idea the Houri named a worthy representative from each race and formed a council. This council would speak with each other and to the Houri on behalf of each race.

Bright green and blue lights took form in the center of the room. They moved in circular actions, spinning over a singular spot. Nexus could feel a steady pulse vibrate through the cave. Knowing immediately that it was much too slow to be his own heart beat, he concluded that the pulse was coming from the light. The spinning light seemed to grow larger with each beat and soon enough Nexus was staring in astonishment at the glassy green orb that had suddenly revealed itself.

"The Orb of Ecruos..." Nexus whispered treading carefully towards it.

The orb seemed rise higher over Nexus head exuding bright green mist from it's surface. Nexus was reluctant at first to obtain it but knew that more than anything he needed the orb, that everyone was counting on him to get it back onto land and in the right hands. Then without another thought Nexus rose his hand up into the mass of spinning light and carefully reached for the orb.

And here are the representatives:
Didn't add much about them but the info will progress as I keep writing.

Mistress Celestra Auris –
The original Djin representative for the Council of Mystics
Djin Master and Oberon elder
Whereabouts are currently unknown, feared deceased.

Mistress Gialle Lasan –
The original Naiad representative for the Council of Mystics
Naiad Master and Oberon elder
Whereabouts are currently unknown, feared deceased.

Master Marjin Flight –
The original Raiju representative for the Council of Mystics
Raiju Master and Oberon elder
Whereabouts are currently unknown, feared deceased.

Master Theoban Skult –
The original Baku representative for the Council of Mystics
Baku Master and Oberon elder
Whereabouts are currently unknown, feared deceased.

Master Aquamis Stream –
The original Sujun representative for the Council of Mystics
Sujun Master and Oberon elder
Whereabouts are currently unknown, feared deceased.

Mistress Mother Draag –
The original Chiron representative for the Council of Mystics
Chiron Master and Oberon elder
Whereabouts are currently unknown, feared deceased.

Raven –
Corrupt Djin and leader of the Yuri army
Dark sorceress and sociopath
Currently resides in the Temple of Relics in the City of Tiran
Over 600 years old however manages to keep her youthful appearance in tact and does not claim to be an elder

Master Jarvis Cutthroat–
A name that gets spoken of quite frequently among the Yuri
Rumored to be the man behind the Yuri success
Currently resides in the Temple of Relics in the City of Tiran
Race and Age unknown
Said to be an Oberon elder 

Lelonis –
Head of Yuri Police and executioner
Race unknown however he does seem to exude a sinisterly mysterious power
Resides in Lavellan Temple, Caliban but travels Oberon frequently 

Eurell –
Governor of Yurikan Beach
Manager of the slave auction and trade

Hoonda Roy –
Storyteller and entertainer
Oberon celebrity
Keeps quiet that he possesses Djin magical abilities
Resides in Tiran

Enchantresses of Diathia –
Five sorceresses who reside in Laviathan Temple
Delve into dark magic without actually possessing magic
Oberon elders 

Yuri Warriors –
Burly men who don’t openly show to have any powers however seem to be very strong and forceful
Training base is located in Caliban but most warriors are stationed in different areas of Oberon
Rumored to possess Bakun magical abilities

Oberon Elders

• Are 600yrs old or older
• Have last names
• Not all Oberon elders are masters in their race however the older you get the stronger your magic will become
  
• Start showing aging physical traits i.e Grey Hair, wrinkles etc

Post- 2nd Great War

• The dictatorship that is the Yuri Government are in control of Oberon
• The use of magic became prohibited to all Oberonians

Oberon Cities

• Tiran - Was home to the Djin race but became the Yuri Government headquarters after they won the 2nd Great War
• Lyrus - The floating city and natural home to the Raiju had fallen and now serves as market grounds and trading posts
• Pleithora - Underwater city was mostly destroyed during the 2nd great war, all the Sujun that survived fled to land or to secret underwater villages for refuge.
• Caballo - A supposedly deserted city within a heated volcano. A strong source of bad mystical energy comes from city. Oberon citizens usually avoid the place. The Bakuns originated from here.
  
• Caliban - The Bakuns moved to the Pyramid city shortly after the deities left Oberon. The city was partly destroyed during the 2nd Great war however once most Bakuns fled the Yuri army took over these lands for training.
• Sirun - The large city in Daagon Forest is home to many Oberons. After the 2nd Great war, most people rebuilt the city.
• Draag - The underground city that is protected by the great mountain. The Yuri have attempted to penetrate but have yet failed everytime. This city is untouched by the Yuri Government.
• Yurikan Beach - A city created by the Yuri. Very busy with a lot of Yuri businesses. Also a great source of entertainment for the citizens of Oberon.

Here is some more art... Not very good art, but art at least. If you have read the prologue you would know what this picture depicts.

Just some art. Well Gemma wanted some stuff for her to look at and I feel kinda bad cause I dont really wanna post parts of my chapter until I have it 'mostly' completed, which its no where near. And also I wont post all my backstory cause I'm kind scared passerbyers are gunna knick some of my stuff ya know? But I do have a creative commons license on here so I really shouldnt be too worried and its not like my stuff is GOLD or anything .. but meh .... So anyway Gemmie, here is some Nexus art... Well its suppose to be a teen version of Nexus and in the background, I've kinda tried to depict a part of Draag, my underground city. His character, you will soon find out, has been brought up there.

This could possibly be Xenus, but I always imaged him kind of blonde. Either way this is my arty depiction of a Raiju warrior. Isn't he cool?

My attempt at Nymphamadria. She's a lot taller in my head but this is quite okay for my first attempt.