Kingdoms Across the Stars

===Species:===

==Human (human mini):==

Humans are the most populous of all species in colonised space. For a thousand years they have grown and expanded to establish a variety of kingdoms in colonised space.

Known Territory:
- The Colgrave Monarchy
- The Windemark Sovereignty
- The Aetheric Dominion

==Star-kin (elf mini):==

Star-kin are in fact, humans who have grown and developed for hundreds years in low and no gravity environments, most Star-kin are nomadic, living in colony fleets travelling through colonised space. Each colony fleet is considered its own nation and represented by an admiral. Star-kin possess pointed ears, a feature that is not natural, rather a mutation that has come about through the use of medication to allow them to develop healthily in low gravity. Furthermore, they are all taller than other humans, another result of low gravity.

Known Territory:
- Colony Fleet Shimmering Dawn
- Colony Fleet Corona Bloom

==Grounders (Dwarf/Gnome/Halfling mini):==

Grounders, yet another branch of humans who have come from hundreds of years of development on planets with high gravity. Their bodies are very short as a result, however as a result of their development conditions they are much stronger than other species.

==Warforged (robot mini):==
i.pinimg.com/originals/20/7a/26/207a264a8eafdd8e6f...

Warforged; 500 years ago they were created to be mechanical servants and warriors powered by Yellow Orichalc. They soon developed their own free will, their own life and demanded freedom. After much deliberation, they were granted it. In the hundreds of years since, they have colonised their own territories and can now be found all across colonised space.

Known Territories:
- The Hegemony of Iron

Orichalcum

Orichalcum, a metal in a crystalline structure as its ore form.. A naturally occurring resource brimming with energy: the wonder that allows technology to function and ships to travel across the stars. Orichalcum being the name of the unrefined form, Orichalc being the refined form which is a proper crystal

- Yellow Orichalc: The most common form of Orichalcum, it is used to power things from small devices to land craft, even certain buildings. Depleted Yellow Orichalc is used as ammunition for most personal ranged weaponry.

- Red Orichalc: An uncommon form of Orichalcum, it is used to power large vehicles or anything that flies; from airships to spaceships. Its discovery facilitated space travel. Large ranged weapons utilise depleted Red Orichalc as ammunition.

- Blue & Purple Orichalc: The most rare forms of Orichalcum, Blue Orichalc possesses a unique form of energy, it can be harnessed by only a small few who use it to perform the arcane arts. Even more rare is Purple Orichalc, utilised to perform arcane arts of a darker nature; such arts are strictly forbidden by most.

Combat

The majority of combat (especially civilian combat) is done with melee weapons. Often swords, or axes which are popular with boarding crews.

The cutting/striking edge of the weapons are powered by a yellow Orichalc crystal, which increases their cutting power greatly.

Rifles do, however, exist. For civilians they are more rare, but not totally uncommon:

cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/001/905... / i.pinimg.com/originals/56/bb/9d/56bb9d3058a6dd3d58... (the crossbow-like arms fold away when the rifle isn't in use)

Rifles accelerate a slug of depleted yellow Orichalc, producing a minor detonation on contact with the target.

Along with rifles, there exist pistols. Made out of a similar material and in a similar style, the pistols look similar to flintlocks. Holding a single shot at a time they don't need external heat sinks due to the slow rate of fire. i.pinimg.com/originals/41/cd/1c/41cd1cee6e6f13facd...

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For a standard soldier, their armour is a more technologically advanced version of these imgur.com/a/W6KPSA4 designed to keep them lightweight and mobile. Whilst also offering them protection from swords and rifle fire

Magic Mechanics

Magic, overall, is relatively freeform. Spells themselves, can be made up by the individual mage. However, there are certain mechanics and restrictions that must be kept in mind.

The most notable restriction is the type of magic. With Blue Orichalc, there can be no cruel/brutal or "dark" magic spells. Such as necromancy or torture-type spells. As this sort of magic can only be done with Purple Orichalc.

Secondly, the power and effects of spells. As freeform as magic is, it is important to self-limit. A low level character would not be able to cast spells with powerful effects, not expect dramatic outcomes from their spells. (For example, a level 2 character shouldn't expect an AOE fire spell to reduce an entire corridor to molten slag.)

Finally, there are two sorts of spells. Basic spells, which can be instantly, and freely cast. These are akin to D&D cantrips; they are simple spells with simple effects. They can be useful, and may make up the bulk of your combat actions as a mage. However they are not dramatic or extremely powerful. An example of a basic spell would be Magic Missile, which is simply hurling a bolt of blue energy at the enemy.

There are also Advanced Spells which are akin to more traditional magic. These spells are more powerful, often with special effects such as AOE, Damage over time, Debuffs, etc. These spells, however, cannot be used freely. They carry a PP cost that is required every time the spell is cast.

An example of an advanced spell would be a healing spell, or some form of AOE explosion. Even a multi-person teleport.

At level 0 a character can have only five spells. Two cantrips and three advanced spells. Every 20XP at level up alongside the level up bonus a mage can add one extra cantrip or advanced spell