IN-WORLD SETTING: WORLD BUILDING.
POWER SYSTEM (Supernatural Framework).
Core Source: Pneuma (Breath of Life)
PNEUMA is the fundamental essence of life. It is intrinsically linked to breath, vitality, power, spirit, and a universal force. It forms the core of both living and non-living things.
All living and non-living entities take their form in one of the Four Pillars of Existence, which are:
Pneuma
Soma
Psyche
Nekros
Manifestation: Pneuma manifests as Menos (power or life force).
Users: Individuals who possess and can use Menos are called Gifters or Menos Users.
Forms and states of Pneuma
Natural Pneuma (The Harmonious Form)—is a form of Pneuma drawn directly from nature and it is the purest form of pneuma found within the natural world. When absorbed correctly, it amplifies itself within the user, enhancing their overall output and capabilities. At its peak, sensory perception sharpens as the individual harmonizes with the natural world.
The more complete the harmony, the greater the user's connection to their surroundings. The world itself becomes an extension of their awareness.
Natural Pneuma is life existing in balance with the world.
Represents: Harmony, Life, Balance, Growth, and Nature.
Dark Pneuma (The Corrupted Form)—is a corrupted and unstable form of Pneuma produced when energy is tainted, distorted, or forced beyond its natural balance. It functions like a cytotoxic and pathogenic force against other forms of pneuma, spreading damage through direct or indirect contact.
Though it remains a type of pneuma, it is unstable and tainted. It weakens opposing pneuma and inflicts damage upon both Soma and Psyche. When wielded, the user gains immense destructive power, but the corruption does not distinguish indefinitely between an enemy and wielder.
Dark Pneuma is life energy that has forgotten the balance from which it came.
Represents: Corruption, Decay, Instability, Contamination, and Destruction.
Anti-Pneuma (The Negating Form)—represents the final stage of Pneuma decay and corruption. Prolonged exposure may result in either temporary or permanent loss of Pneuma, depending on the magnitude, intensity, and duration of contact. It is the ultimate evolution of Dark Pneuma.
Once introduced, it suppresses, disrupts and completely shuts down the flow of all natural and physical Pneuma. Despite its name, Anti-Pneuma is not the simple absence of Pneuma. It is an active force of negation.
The only force capable of resisting it is Sacred Pneuma, and even then, survival depends on the strength and intensity of that Sacred Pneuma. Weak Sacred Pneuma cannot withstand Anti-Pneuma.
Anti-Pneuma is Pneuma that has descended so far from its origin that it seeks to deny Pneuma itself.
Represents: Negation, Extinction, Suppression, Decay, and Entropy.
Spiritual Pneuma (The Transcendent Form)—is a transcendent form of Pneuma achieved when an individual's energy surpasses the ordinary limitations of physical existence. It is closest to the divine and represents a transcendental state between mortal and godlike existence.
Unlike that of the Natural Pneuma, which harmonizes with the world, Spiritual Pneuma represents the individual's Pneuma becoming harmonized with their own Psyche, identity, and will. Achieving this state marks the beginning of a higher, divine journey.
The bearer must possess sufficient mastery over themselves. A fractured Psyche, unstable identity, or divided will cannot properly sustain Spiritual Pneuma. The more complete the individual's understanding and command of their own existence, the greater their ability to manifest it.
Spiritual Pneuma is the moment when power ceases to be merely possessed and becomes an expression of the self.
Represents: Transcendence, Identity, Will, Enlightenment, and Self-Mastery.
Sacred Pneuma (The Ascendant Form)—is the purest and highest known form of Pneuma. It's not merely more powerful than the other forms. It's fundamentally different from the rest.
Where Natural Pneuma harmonizes with creation, Dark Pneuma corrupts, and Anti-Pneuma negates. Sacred Pneuma endures, purifies and harmonizes with the higher order governing creation.
For this reason, Sacred Pneuma is the only known form naturally capable of resisting Anti-Pneuma. Yet even Sacred Pneuma is not absolute. Its resistance depends upon the strength, purity, and intensity of the bearer.
Sacred Pneuma may approach the divine, even reflect it, or exist in greater harmony with it—but it can never surpass its origin. Thus, Sacred Pneuma represents the highest point of the known ascent.
Sacred Pneuma is creation at its nearest point to the divine, yet forever beneath the source from which all creation flows.
Represents: Divinity, Purity, Transcendence, Order, and Ascension.
In all of this: Pneuma may remain in balance, ascend toward the divine, or descend toward negation.
Pneuma Hand Signs.
These are 12 symbolic hand seals, corresponding to the animals of the Chinese zodiac (commonly used to channel or activate abilities):
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
SOMA: This refers to the tangible and intangible form in which existence manifests its presence. This can be referred to as the body. Almost everything that exists has soma.
PSYCHE: This describes the totality of the living entity's mind, be it divine or flesh. It's the conscious and unconscious state of all things that exist.
NEKROS: This is the final stage of existence, the beginning of the end. It's the gateway where all things return to the end of the beginning.
MENOS (Power)
Menos is the physical and practical manifestation of supernatural arts and techniques. It is used in combat, skills, personal development, and various abilities.
Remuneration Ritual: A replenishing ritual performed to recover lost Pneuma (due to combat, exhaustion, or overuse). It restores the user's Pneuma reserves.
Benediction is the act of blessing and consecrating an object or any combative tools for effective output.
Forms of Menos Utilization.
Menos can be expressed and applied in the following ways:
Manipulation
Nature Transformation
Titans
Enhancement
Transmutation
Conjuration
THE COVENANT.
COVENANT: This is the special god-tier law that governs pneuma and its relation with humans. It's the foundational law of the universe and how it operates.
THE TWELVE LAWS OF THE COVENANT.
1. The Law of The One:
Above all laws stands The One, from whom the Covenant flows; none can rise above the Covenant without forfeiting their very existence.
2. The Law of Balance:
Aside from The One, all things exist in balance. Every Pneuma, Soma, Psyche, and Nekros is sustained by another. To disturb one is to disturb all. For balance governs creation.
3. The Law of Exchange:
For something to be obtained, something of equal value must be exchanged. Every gain demands its rightful cost.
4. The Law of Prohibition:
None shall obtain that which the Covenant has forbidden, regardless of power, desire, or sacrifice. If forbidden, do not obtain.
5. The Law of Dominion:
None may command what they cannot first command within themselves. Dominion belongs only to one who knows a thing's true name.
6. The Law of Consequence:
Every use of Pneuma leaves behind a consequence. Whether immediate or delayed, no action escapes repayment.
7. The Law of the Vessel:
Power is limited not by desire, but by the vessel that bears it. Should Pneuma exceed the strength of Soma or Psyche, collapse is inevitable.
8. The Law of Return:
All that enters manifestation journeys toward Nekros. Life may delay the path, but none shall escape the final return.
9. The Law of Corruption:
Power gained outside the Covenant rejects its bearer. Stolen Pneuma, forbidden knowledge, and broken Covenants corrupt Soma, Psyche, or both.
10. The Law of Identity:
Pneuma answers to identity before intention. Every soul bears a unique essence, and none may become another without first changing their own.
11. The Law of Will:
Pneuma bends only to steadfast will. Where resolve is whole, power is made complete; where spirit is divided, power is diminished.
12. The Law of Judgment:
The Covenant remembers all. When the weight of one's actions surpasses the strength of one's existence, the Covenant itself becomes executioner.
The Unwritten Law of Origin:
No created power surpasses its source. Every current returns to the spring from which it first flowed.
World Structure (Geography and Nations)
The Kingdom of Luciana
Geography
Location: An island country in the northern Atlantan Ocean, off the northwestern coast of continental Arcadia.
Surrounded by archipelago chains of islands. A person from Luciana can be referred to as a Lucianan or Lucianian for cultured reasons.
Largest island province: Crownpoint (across the Strait of Doverline).
Total landmass: Approximately 155,000 mi² (401,448 km²).
Climate and features: Temperate climate with ancient active geological phenomena, resulting in rich mineral deposits.
Government
Type: Constitutional Monarchy.
Population: 90 million people, with diverse multicultural communities.
Status: One of the world's oldest superpower countries, having transitioned from an empire to a sovereign nation.
Administrative divisions: 12 provinces and 2 territories.
Political Structure
The King
Royal Minister
The Royal Chamber / National Assembly:
Council (House of Public)
Chancellors (House of Nobles)
The Royal High Court
Province Overseer (equivalent to Governor)
District/Municipal Mayor (County Mayor)
Military and Defense Forces.
Kingsguard: Elite military unit serving as the primary defense force for the Royal Capital. They protect King Lucious and the royal family, acting as the final line of defense. All Kingsguard members are Gifters who can freely use Menos.
Enforcers: The kingdom's elite armed forces, composed of soldiers skilled in Pneuma manipulation. They make up 10% of Luciana's total armed forces. Enforcers are Gifters/Menos users and form the core of the nation's elite defense.
Royal Police: Primary law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining peace, enforcing laws, and arresting major offenders/political criminals. Only a small number of officers are Gifters capable of using Menos.
Provinces of Luciana
Queens
New Jackson
Greenwich
Crownpoint
Riverhampton
Scotinavian
New Edensburgh
Tenebrae
Middleton
La Corona
Newcastle
Los Amarillos
Territories of Luciana.
Oxford
Royal Capital
Districts of Crownpoint.
Upper Crownpoint
Hell's Kitchen (includes Front Marina and Undercity)
Goldhaven
Canopy
Springfield
The Republic People of Berline.
Geography
Location: Eastern Arcadia.
Status: The largest country in the world, spanning three time zones and sharing land borders with seven countries.
Population: Over 160 million (most populous in Arcadia and fourth-most populous worldwide).
Urbanization: Highly urbanized.
Capital: Berline Central (smallest in size).
Other major areas: Borussia City (most populous metropolitan area, located in Borussia state); Saint Frankfort (second-largest state and major cultural center).
Government
Type: Authoritarian Government under a Parliamentary Republic structure.
Key positions:
Head of State: The Führer (also serves as Commander-in-Chief of the military)
Chancellor
Federal Ministers
Court Martial and Judicial House (Public)
National Assembly
Military and Defense Forces
Rankers: The primary powerhouse of the military. Rankers are Gifters/soldiers with Menos abilities, fully integrated into and subservient to the military hierarchy. They serve as Berline's equivalent to Luciana's Enforcers.
Republic Armed Forces: Consist of three service branches (Army, Navy, Air Force). 60% of the forces are Rankers, making Berline a formidable superpower.
Military Police: Responsible for policing within the Republic Army, including crime investigation, maintaining military discipline, and general policing duties.
Federal States of Berline (and Capital)
Winterberg
St. Frankfort
Borussia
Berline Central (capital)
Bresden
Manefurt
Festung
Strandburg
Eintracht Stein
Brague
Portgart
Union Bern
Damburger