Groom
The land is alive. It has a language spoken through the wind in the trees and the groaning of rock underfoot. Many beings spend their lives pressing their ears to the ground attempting to overhear some secret about the meaning of life. Zack, a wood elf born from the oldest pine in the Far North, was the first to theorize the land may be speaking not only through the wind and rocks, but also through its people and cultures. After all, creatures come from the land the same as trees or rocks. Zack left the Far North to visit other cultures in the hopes of understanding all that can be understood. Zack’s powers lie in the ability to comprehend and mold knowledge into simplified actions and words. Because of the latter, Zack is known as the Author.
Bride
Claudia Coffey comes from River Valley, a land of peaceful farming communities. These communities are held together by a powerful group of witches and wizards, known as the Tribe, led by the Shaman. The Shaman can morph one’s inner magic into a form recognizable by the individual, educating beings on their own, hidden abilities. The Shaman’s powers enlighten individuals, who are then equipped to contribute to the Tribe. Claudia grew into her own strength during her time at Musk Academy. Her self-examination, through the lens of creating art, helped her unlock vast stores of magic. This mastery made her the most powerful member of the Tribe and earned her the title of Shaman.
Best Man
Jake Vayda, a wood elf born from the tallest tree in the Far North, spent his formative youth alongside Zack and Jesse, fighting off invaders of all kinds from their forests. As Jake’s magical abilities center on charisma and growth, others seek out his leadership. After the Western Migration, Jake attended The Mount, honing his ability to use his powers to lead the masses. Upon graduation, Jake left the Tribe to explore the Western Coast. He settled in the land of Diego, where he now uses his abilities to lead youth to deeper levels with their own magic and purpose. He is known as the Oak, signifying both his origin and the sturdy, consistent guidance he brings to his students.
Maid of Honor
Before the Western Migration, as Zack, Jake, and Jesse challenged their enemies in the Far North, Claudia, Kayla, and Brittany (all of them of the same high elf lineage) took on adversaries from within their own, corrupt governments. Their powers wove through each other’s, and to this day, their magic is strongest when cast together. Kayla’s abilities come from committing to and making the most of every moment. Of all the potential held in a single second, Kayla can command and manipulate it all. Kayla says the right things, makes the right gestures and acts out the right deed with stunning accuracy. Using her skills, she worked her way up through the government structure to the very top, becoming the Valley Chancellor.
Groomsman
The Far North is not just the home of wood elves; dwarves, carved from granite mountainsides, have as much claim to the land as the elves. Dwarves are sturdy, reliable beings. In this way, Jesse proved to be the foundation for Jake and Zack in their youths, as elves tend to be less consistent. Jesse’s source of power comes from the very center of the earth, a natural, warm kind of magic. Those around Jesse are slow to anger and quick to empathy, which rightfully earned him the title, King of Dwarves. To this day, Zack and Jake know they have warm beds waiting for them in the King’s halls.
Bridesmaid
In the deep south lies an ancient swampland known as the Bayou. Here, the source of magic comes not from the living, but the dead. After death, souls remain tethered to the land and their living descendants. Using ancient spells and rituals, the living convene with their lineages, pulling on their power and knowledge. The Broussards, the oldest family in the Bayou, have but one remaining living member: Olivia. Olivia prefers to use her magic, one of the largest independent repositories in the land, to access the boundless wisdom from generations trailing back to the very beginning. This knowledge is so expansive, Olivia is the first witch to be able to predict the future accurately. Beings travel from lands far and wide to receive even the most modest piece of wisdom from the Foreseer.
Groomsman
Nik, the young mage, joined the trio in the years just before the Western Migration. Nik draws knowledge from everything around him, whether it be a trying experience like the Western Migration, a tutor like his professors and brothers, or the wisdom shared from ancient scrolls and tomes. Unlike others who have their abilities gifted to them from outside sources, Nik’s knowledge will be the wellspring of his power, coming from within. In this way, Nik can tailor his skills to be a perfect fit for him and him alone. With all knowledge at his fingertips, it has been foretold his strength, once freed, will be formidable. For this, those around him have already begun calling him the Unbound.
Bridesmaid
Comfortability can lead to kindness and peace, but often, comfortability leads to stillness and apathy. Much of the land closes their eyes and ears to the cries of the less fortunate, but Brynn is not one of them. Brynn’s powers come from the heat made by friction. This magic flows through Brynn, but how it is perceived depends entirely on the seer. To the blind, this heat is bright, hot, and wrong. But to those willing to open their eyes, the heat lights the path forward for those who stumble, it wraps the cold in a warm blanket, and it fuels a fire in every being looking to lift others up. To her followers and her enemies alike, she is known as the Huntress.
Groomsman
Both light and darkness come from something (or the absence of something), whereas nothingness simply is. Dark elves, like Spencer, are born from this nothingness. Dark elves understand life is not about becoming something, it is simply about being. Because life is about being, and dark elves simply are, life is often attracted to dark elves. Wild animals are drawn to Spencer, insights and ideas are drawn to Spencer, answers to unsolvable problems are drawn to Spencer. Even music, the least quantifiable expression in existence, seems to make perfect sense to dark elves. Spencer’s enchanting, haunting, ethereal music speaks to the very soul of every living creature. Thus, he is known as Thrall.
Bridesmaid
Like the residents of River Valley, Kayleigh is consistent, steady, and unafraid of hard work. At Musk Academy, Kayleigh delved into activities, groups, and organizations across campus at breakneck speed, hardly stopping to eat or sleep. At first glance, it may seem that her powers revolve around her unwavering work ethic; however, her loved ones know that her power springs from her ability to bring people (friends, family, and strangers alike) together. Through her determination, innumerable differences have been soothed and countless alliances have been formed. Kayleigh’s years of bringing people together has provided her a vast network of beings across the map. This army, if ever needed, would rise to her aid at the tip of a hat to defend Kayleigh, The Amalgamate.
Groomsman
It was at Musk Academy, the oldest school of magic in the land, where Kurt, Spencer, and Zack first crossed paths. While their magic converged in music, each power shined in vastly different ways. From his earliest days, Kurt knew he was not mentally and physically tied to this world as most beings were. Over the years, Kurt developed the ability to transport himself into parallel and alternate realities, often vanishing for days, even weeks. Upon each return from these mysterious worlds, Kurt brought back with him boundless knowledge of cultures, peoples, stories and timelines; information that would baffle even the most learned professor. Because of this, Kurt is rightfully known as the Librarian, Keeper of Knowledge.
Bridesmaid
The Erie Sea coast is but a hundred miles north of River Valley, but feels as though it is a world apart. Dark, cold, and oddly haunting, even the strongest inhabitants succumb to the whispers in the fog. They lose their way because they actively avoid the Dark. Thus, they are wholly unprepared for when the Dark finds them. However, Madison knows the only path forward in the Dark is through. With the Erie whispers as her companions, Madison guides her loved ones through their Dark, their tragedies and pains, offering companionship and comfort in their time of need. At the end, the Dark isn’t shaken off and disregarded; it is donned as a part of one's self, a constant reminder of one's strength and the value of the Light. For this guidance Madison offers, she is known as the Shrouded Guide.
Groomsman
The southern boundary of River Valley known as Greene Country is a land lost to time. Generations have tilled the same land for millennia and have developed a keen wariness to fabrications and exaggerations. And yet, Storytellers are held in high esteem, offering mental respite in the few idle hours between labor. Raised on stories and educated at Musk Academy, Adam’s storytelling gift has raised the art to mystifying heights; the worlds that he creates with his words materialize in front of others, specters and fables imparted from his dreams. Those that have glanced into the extraordinary cosmos of Adam’s mind know him as Raconteur.
Bridesmaid
The Western Coast is a land unique unto itself, filled with sun and sand, warmth and life. As sea nymphs are born at the intersection of the sea and sun, their connection to their powers are one and the same. Kaelia surrounds herself with beings from many backgrounds, striving to better herself through her understanding of others. The sea nymph power isn’t so much something to control or understand as it is something to become a part of, something to experience. Through Kaelia, the soothing sea calms the angry and aggressive, and the comforting sun warms the hearts of the cold and indifferent. Those in Kaelia’s circle know her as the Soothsayer, for simply being in Kaelia’s presence brings others closer to community, peace, and oneness.
Groomsman
The giants of River Valley are secretive beings, preferring to keep to their kin, whereas the drive behind mankind leads to power and respect. This is why Jacob, a half-giant, often finds himself battling between the two. Jacob feels equally comfortable (and uncomfortable) on the front lines of the War, leading his men into the fray, as he is alone, in utter solitude and reflection. This duality often feels like a curse, but half-giant magic resides within that conflict. The friction between the two creates a spark that, when fueled, burns deeper and brighter than any magic-less flame. In this blaze, Jacob takes on any enemy with bright red fury and cool blue strategy, thus earning his name, Eclipse.
Matron of Honor
While Kayla’s abilities win the moment to her end, her power holds little command over great lengths of time. This is where Brittany’s powers of consistency in the face of adversity become essential. Brittany’s magic relies on her own steady hand, demanding others hold a higher level of self-responsibility. The magic soothes mental and emotional aches, allowing others to focus on the “straight and narrow,” despite past sufferings. Because of this, the citizens under her governance are some of the most determined and loyal beings in River Valley. Brittany is affectionately known as the Valley Hand.