Post by The Divine Empire of Vessia on Nov 22, 2016 17:21:25 GMT -8
Within the realm of Vessia, magic creatures and those that can use magic are feared due to a turbulent history and the general fear of the unknown. Witch Hunts happen often, if not by the secular and governmental-approved Witch Hunters, than by the populace themselves who have been known to take matters into their own hands when a person or persons appears suspect of manipulating the arcane. The best case scenario for discovered magic users is imprisonment or exile, and for children a quick and hasty internment with the Church or other approved organizations where they can brainwash the child into serving their purposes. The worst case scenario -- and the one most often found throughout the empire -- is death, usually by burning as fire as seen as purifying, but sometimes in more brutal ways.
Not all magic is prohibited, however. The Clergy and Church are known to use magic, usually for healing. The Inquisitors have also been known to use spells to "discover" or "reveal" the truth, and even some well-respected members of the upper class are allowed to use magic if under the watchful eye of others, but these individual are very rare and are often shrouded in scandal and distrust.
There are the occasional “magi-Vessians,” people born with massive magical power, not to speak of their even greater potential in every sort of magic at once. If not born into the nobility (which is rare due to the much smaller blessings upon the population) they are taken away from their families and taught about how to use their powers, which is generally accepted by the family who will be fearful of this overwhelmingly powerful child.
The safest way for a person of magic to live in the Vessian Empire, and of whom doesn't want to serve the ultra-regimented Clergy, Inquisitors, or Witch Hunters, would be to either never use magic, ever, or to leave Vessia for the thick forests of Swavia to the West.
In the thick forests that border Swavia and beyond, magic is more "welcomed" if it ascribes to a certain type. Blood magic, necromancy, and the Dark Arts are always hated for their connotations with evil and harm-doing. The Barbarians of the Swavian Forests have magic that borders on shamanism, with some clans even able to turn into werebeasts. The Fae, Dwarves, Werewolves, Vampires, and the like have escaped into Swavia or elsewhere, but due to the rare nature of magic at all, they are not rampant.
TL;DR
Not all magic is prohibited, however. The Clergy and Church are known to use magic, usually for healing. The Inquisitors have also been known to use spells to "discover" or "reveal" the truth, and even some well-respected members of the upper class are allowed to use magic if under the watchful eye of others, but these individual are very rare and are often shrouded in scandal and distrust.
There are the occasional “magi-Vessians,” people born with massive magical power, not to speak of their even greater potential in every sort of magic at once. If not born into the nobility (which is rare due to the much smaller blessings upon the population) they are taken away from their families and taught about how to use their powers, which is generally accepted by the family who will be fearful of this overwhelmingly powerful child.
The safest way for a person of magic to live in the Vessian Empire, and of whom doesn't want to serve the ultra-regimented Clergy, Inquisitors, or Witch Hunters, would be to either never use magic, ever, or to leave Vessia for the thick forests of Swavia to the West.
In the thick forests that border Swavia and beyond, magic is more "welcomed" if it ascribes to a certain type. Blood magic, necromancy, and the Dark Arts are always hated for their connotations with evil and harm-doing. The Barbarians of the Swavian Forests have magic that borders on shamanism, with some clans even able to turn into werebeasts. The Fae, Dwarves, Werewolves, Vampires, and the like have escaped into Swavia or elsewhere, but due to the rare nature of magic at all, they are not rampant.
TL;DR
- Magic and magical creatures are feared and persecuted within Vessia, if not by the populace, then by organizations like the Church, the Inquisition, or the Witch Hunters.
- Some magic is learned and used within the approved organization of the Church, Inquisition, and Witch Hunters.
- Magic-users of the upper class are rare, and sometimes allowed a 'pass', but even then they are usually pariahs of society. (These would be your "Merlin" type characters).
- Magic users found as children are often taken from their families and forced into the pre-approved magic-using organizations of Vessia.
- Magic users and Magical users flee Vessia to survive, either by ship, through the Northern mountains, or into the thick forests that spread west of Swavia (the eastern most region of Vessia).
- The Barbarians of Vessia are known to use shamanistic magic, but the "dark arts" or usual evil magic is still shunned, as well as the magical creatures that embody otherwise evil or harmful natures.
- Ultimately, however, magic beings are rare in Vessia. Not many fae, elves, dwarves, etc. left.
- Magic in Vessia is supposed to exist in the same way that magic existed in traditional medieval folklore, legends, and fairytales. Creatures or characters with a noticeable "Brothers Grimm" take to them will do well in Vessia, granted they keep in mind the penalties of being caught by mobs, the clergy, the inquisition, or the witch hunters.