ZIDEUS
Zideus is a world scarred by its past. Once a planet consumed by relentless wars, it is still recovering from the the Mana-Glow Plague, a cataclysm triggered by the overuse of mana and the reckless exploitation of magic.
The destruction of nature and rampant magical conflict left billions dead and reshaped the very fabric of the world.
Even now, mana is no longer entirely safe for the environment. Its overuse can cause sickness, fatigue, and long-term damage, a constant reminder of the cost of unchecked power.
LOCATION
The nations of Zideus lie along the northern axis of the planet, close enough to influence one another yet separated by harsh terrain and political barriers.
With all nations crammed into one corner of the world, resources are scarce. They can't afford full-scale wars as it would kill the planet, so they use Proxy Wars and Covert Operatives to fight over the remaining clean land.
MANA
Mana, one of the primordial energies that shaped Zideus, was once drawn freely for every purpose, and during the great wars, its overuse reached catastrophic levels.
Massive spells and prolonged battles oversaturated the world with raw mana, destabilizing its natural balance and corrupting life at a molecular and chemical level.
The energy itself, living and reactive, rebelled against reckless exploitation, producing toxic backlash that harmed both humans and nature: forests burned, animals twisted, and people fell ill from residual mana.
Over time, the very substrate of the world changed: soils, waters, and even the atmosphere became laced with harmful compounds, creating permanent zones of instability.
In these scarred regions, spells misfire, mana surges unpredictably, and dangerous magical phenomena emerge.
The emotional residue of war: rage, hatred, and desperation amplified this corruption, leaving a psychological and spiritual weight on the land and its inhabitants.
As a result, Zideus became a world where magic carries inherent risk, life and nature are fragile, and the lessons of precision, control, and caution are hard-earned, explaining why institutions like West Trinity Academy exist to train the next generation to navigate this hazardous, shadowed reality.
THE FIVE NATIONS
Valdoria
Aurelia is a proud, traditional monarchy, celebrated for its grand universities, arcane academies, and elite scholars. Its fertile lands, golden fields, and towering spires make it a jewel of civilization, though this beauty also attracts spies and opportunists. Aurelia's mastery of magic research and theoretical knowledge allows it to subtly manipulate events and people alike, and its covert operations often focus on magical intelligence and the acquisition of rare artifacts. Beneath its scholarly and noble façade, secret experiments with mana continue, leaving behind hidden zones of residual corruption.
Reyndar
The Iron Confederation is a militaristic, industrial nation, blending medieval hierarchy with early experimentation in technology and magic hybrids. Its mountainous terrain is rich in minerals, and its fortress cities are nearly impregnable. Veyndar excels at field espionage, sabotage, and infiltration, often deploying operatives to disrupt Valdoria's magical advances or Calthera's trade networks. The nation's obsession with weaponry and technological superiority makes it a formidable shadow power, its influence stretching far beyond its borders through covert operations.
Calthera
Calthera is a wealthy merchant republic where trade and political cunning are the keys to survival. Its bustling coastal cities, hidden canals, and labyrinthine marketplaces are perfect cover for secret guilds and intelligence networks. Skilled in manipulation, espionage, and political assassinations, Calthera rarely wages open war, preferring to destabilize rivals through bribery, trade embargoes, and covert interference. Its influence is subtle but powerful, shaping events across Zideus without ever raising armies openly.
Nivara
Nivara is an isolated monarchy set amidst glaciers, frozen tundras, and volcanic hot springs. Its people are hardy, trained to endure extreme environments from birth, and its small military forces are elite specialists in survival, ambush tactics, and covert operations. Rarely seen by outsiders, Nivara relies on mercenaries and shadow operatives for proxy conflicts, making it a quiet but deadly player in the political game. The harsh climate itself acts as both a shield and a proving ground for its operatives.
Oriondel
Oriondel is a theocratic nation where the clergy controls both government and magic. Its temple cities, floating spires, and enchanted forests reflect a society steeped in devotion to the sanctity of mana. Oriondel's operatives are masters of illusion, perception manipulation, and magical surveillance, often carrying out covert missions to secure sacred mana zones or influence events abroad. Though outwardly pious and serene, the nation's shadow networks are extensive, capable of altering outcomes without ever engaging in open warfare.