[Background Knowldge] Lore:Novum [WIP Title]

Magic Types

Runic - Overall it is the "brute force" magic type, and is immune to other magic type so runic casters can only be countered by other runic casters or physical attacks. Since the magic type uses runes(one time use), the costs are high as you can only cast one spell before you need to change over to another one whose incantation you have to have already memorized. As the world currently is, there's only one user of the art whose family has passed it down through the generations to someone with an aptitude for the arcane.

Mana - A more moderate version of magic, the user is limited just as in runic magic, but they can cast the same spell multiple times without the need for memorizing it only having to use ti once to be able to command it again and again. Unlike the other two forms of magic, its supply is limited, but infinitely replenishes. That is, if everyone used a high-consumption spell at once, the world would be empty of mana, which is partially the case in this story. As the population grew exponentially, mana could not keep up and eventually there were too many people using it and it simply faded away. There are still sources of mana in the world, but they are few and far between. Unlike runic magic, its legacy has been snuffed out.

Hex - The modern form of magic. It has no cost and is in limitless supply to the universe and humanity has only recently been able to tap into it via new technologies. Hex can be applies easily to weapons, armor, buildings...anything. The effects it has on people who bear the common hex-core implant(takes the form of a sphere that houses the soul) are: their veins glow faintly the color of their soul in dark areas, superhuman strength, agility, and intelligence(by old Lore standards), and amplifying the magical abilities of demigods to god-like proportions.

Cities

Barun - Where the stories focus lies. It is the home of the largest arcane college in the world where prodigies go to enhance their natural abilities with the knowledge of the Hex and how to use it. The main character's sister, Estris lives and works here as a senior student. As with all cities it uses Hex to create roads that have traction but are completely smooth and generate a small shielding so that impacts are harmlessly absorbed(if you fall, you don't get hurt). The buildings are made of a pseudo-metal that easily conducts Hex so that the buildings are powered. Due to the abundant usage of magic in the city, it glows at night so that artificial lighting is not necessary.

Algus - A very small town many miles southwest of Barun where my character(and is considered the main in the case of his sister), Nora lives. The town features cobblestone roads unlike Barun and artificial lighting via lantern posts. Small sections of it are used for farming but for the most part it is a commercial town/market place.

The Creep - Located far to the north of Barun in the icy tundra stands a very large property that is the source of much debate and conflict, as nearby towns believe that it is there property to share* despite the College of Barune buying it off of the years ago. Very little Hex is resent in this area, so Hex-cores cannot interpret the structural layout above or below ground in the area. Some say the interference is simply due to a lack of Hex, other researchers believe an undiscovered energy may be pushing the Hex energies away from its source. One thing everyone can agree on is that as large as it is, it is not a kingdom from the old world. It is a large castle forged by a very powerful and long-dead entity that used to reside there. Why any number of beings would have a need for such a large housing is beyond the researchers at Barun. It got its name because of a disgusting substance found in the damper, underground parts of the estate which is cataloged by the College as "Creep".

*The Creep is so large that it invades deeply into the borders of several nearby towns, which is why they want to share it rather than just give it to the College, as their schools have an interest in the property as well.

Progress - The second largest city in the world as well as the economic and technological center of Lore. Their buildings are of unique architecture that is very abstract, offsetting tourists and new arrivals to the city, as they twist and turn into foreign shapes that some consider to be strange. Everyone in the city dislikes the appearance of it, but they are also aware of his god-like power and are intimidated by him as a result.