#🔥 ; ˡᵉᵍᵉᶰᵈᵃʳʸ ʰᵒᵐᵘᶰᶜᵘˡᶤ (.Amestris lore building)

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Below you will find an overview of the old myths of the Legendary Homunculi of Amestris. Whether one chooses to believe in the factual nature of this is up to them, and you will be hard pressed to even find a born and raised citizen of the region that does so. Really, you will have difficulty finding one that’s heard of them at all, or wishes to admit that they have.

Ouroboros, the one responsible for the creation of the rest. Comparisons can and have been drawn to Arceus, “The Original One,” of Sinnohan mythology. Though like much in Amestris, its color palette and the story surrounding it are much darker than has come to be expected.

Type: Normal Special move: Conviction Other names: Father of the Homunculi

Emissa, who is said to know what you seek before even you do yourself. It can offer whatever it is that you want, or show the path to achieving this goal. But it will always come at a terrible price, and you may not be willing to let it enact that toll. Take caution, as well, for if it agrees to help . . . consider what it may be getting out of the deal, for it will never offer a helping hand just from the goodness of its heart.

Type: Dark / Psychic Special move: Ultimate Spear Other names: The embodiment of the sin of Lust* *this presents itself most often in the form of bloodlust, a wicked streak of violence plaguing wherever it wanders. As well as its tendencies to draw out what it is that its victims are looking for, and using that to further its own goals.

Voraci, a being of never-ending hunger. While it may appear docile much of the time, it is easily prone to fits of frenzy, where it will attempt to eat anything (or anyone) that crosses its path. Despite these tendencies, it has been noted to be one of the kindest of the Homunculi, showing little of the disdain that its siblings do for humanity. It considers itself close to the rest of its kind, and has been known to ask them for permission before going on its ravenous rampages. It has even spared lives, in the past, at the very request of its would-be victims. There is never a guarantee, but it is worth the attempt, should you come across it.

Comparisons can and have been drawn to Snorlax, “The Sleeping Pokémon.” It is unknown what the connection is, or if this legend is simply a mistake on the Amestrians part, having been unfamiliar with Snorlax from its lack of appearance in their own region. It has been suggested that Voraci may simply be a variant, but more research is necessary.

Type: Dark / Normal Special move: World Eater Other names: The embodiment of the sin of Gluttony

Instiga, said to have two highly different forms depending on the level of its power. On the left is its weaker, default state, and on the right is when it is completed. The primary motivation of this creature is to cause problems wherever possible and make humans and pokémon alike fight amongst themselves. Wars have broken out by Instiga’s ministrations, and this is something that it has never had regrets about. It lives to take joy in the suffering of others, and will freely continue to sew that discord whenever the opportunity arises.

At its core, it is jealous of the relationships that mortals are known to share with each other, and the inner strength that they possess. The Homunculi do not show each other such care and dedication, they do not tend to display much in the way of emotional connection at all. It is this fact that drives the serpentine beast to enact a more personal vendetta than the rest, hating and mistreating them far more than any of its siblings ever could.

Type: Dark / Bug Special move: Discordant Other names: The embodiment of the sin of Envy

Avarishi, a dragon through and through. It desires nothing more than to accumulate everything that it can, whether that be wealth, allies, and anything else to allow it to live in the lap of luxury. It is the only one of the Homunculi to not wish to associate with their Father, or even the rest of its siblings, and instead strike out on an entirely solitary path. Openly defiant, Avarishi only knows and does what it personally wishes to, though it’s been noted to have a surprisingly caring nature. Anyone that finds themselves as a subordinate or other associate may be surprised to discover that, though it does insist that this is merely because people are possessions as well, and breaking them is breaking what belongs to it.

Type: Dark / Dragon Special move: Ultimate Shield Other names: The embodiment of the sin of Greed

Daisical, the one who lurks far below the surface of this world. It spends its days traversing the terrain, on a mission that even it does not know nor care for the full extent of. It does not have strong feelings one way or the other about humanity, and instead carries on with a simple drive to do what it has been told. Whether these are the orders of its Father, or anyone else that’s managed to claim the mantle of master, Daisical will diligently work until the job is done. It will work and work and work, for the simple promise of rest at the end of the line.

Rumor has it that its duties have indeed come to an end, and now it simply slumbers, enjoying the rest while it still can. Awaiting the day that it is awoken again, and dreading the very possibility.

Type: Dark / Ground Special move: Drums in the Deep Other names: The embodiment of the sin of Sloth

Ultimeye, the watcher in the water. This one is said to lurk in the shadows of the swamplands, though there are conflicting accounts as to its nature. Some say that it is quite kind, sympathetic to those who have found their way out to it (usually far more turned around than they would like to admit). Compassionate, in spite of the vice that it is meant to represent most, and displaying quite the mischievous streak.

However, when angered, it is more than clear what it embodies. Ultimeye is downright vicious when it wishes to be, often shaking from restraint as it attempts to contain itself. Brutal in attacks, an ill encounter with it is not something that will likely be survived. One must endeavor to impress it if they are not immediately eviscerated, and even still, the last words they are likely to hear are the taunts of this foe and condemnation for being so disappointing.

Type: Dark / Grass Special move: Ultimate Eye Other names: The embodiment of the sin of Wrath

Imperius, the smallest of the Homunculi, but do not let that fool you. Whatever you do, be sure to exercise caution around this one, and do not ever for a second underestimate it. It appears unassuming in its default form, as shown on the left. An innocent spirit, one that enjoys its playthings, taking great joy in pulling all manner of creatures into its games. Should one find themselves included, however, they are much more likely to catch a glimpse of the form that it reverts to when it feels no need to hide.

It is selfish and incredibly self-absorbed, placing itself far above that of every mortal and even its own siblings. There is nothing in this world that is mightier or stronger than Imperius, save for their Father, from which it takes great pride in having been a part of. Brutal and cruel, it delights in taunting its opponents at every opportunity, never believing that they could ever come close to being a match.

If even the rest of its kind cannot defeat it, well, what hope does anyone else think they have?

Type: Dark / Ghost Special move: Kneel to the Crown Other names: The embodiment of the sin of Pride

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Human Transmutation: Chimeras

A chimera is a creature that’s been created by alchemically combining two or more living beings into a new, completely different form, displaying attributes of each of its components. While it is considered a legitimate and perfectly legal branch of bio-alchemy, there have been those who have threatened that image. Most research in this field does not cross the line into the taboo, as scientists focus solely on pokémon for these experiments.

However, there have been very rare, rumored cases of human transmutation being involved. The desire to enhance humanity, giving them traits and power they would not otherwise be privy to. The need to prove that new, even more unique combinations are possible, if we would only stop limiting ourselves out of our fear.

It is strictly banned as a practice under the authority of the military, and officially, it has never succeeded.

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Amestrian Geography: Overview

Amestris is a populous region with numbers upwards of 50 million. It’s been composed of several former regions, each diverse in culture and religion alike, but brought under the fold of their militaristic neighbor. It is from these annexed states that the five administrative zones are drawn: East, South, West, North, and Central.

The most diverse of these is the Eastern sector, particularly the province of Ishval that it holds within. The Ishvalan population did not assimilate as the rest did, remaining wholly their own ethnic group separate from the rest of Amestris. They are a deeply religious people who renounce the science of alchemy entirely, leading to a series of conflicts that ultimately cumulated in a civil war. Much of this area is covered in desert, expanding out into the true desert beyond the Eastern border, a no-man’s land that has not been claimed by anyone.

There are great plains to the South and West, farmlands that provide agricultural stock to the rest of the region. Much of the population can be found in the countryside, while there is comparatively a lower urban population. This has been growing in recent years, but it is still disproportionate in number. While the South boasts a Mediterranean-like climate, and thus holds more of a draw, the West can be quite sparse and dotted with much smaller towns.

Central serves as the heart of the region and the base of all its government and militaristic institutions. Large buildings and sprawling cityscapes make this the urban-most area to be found, and by far the busiest.

The North is very barren the farther that one travels, known for the inhospitable Briggs Mountain Range along its border. Near glacial, there are very few that make a journey out that far, and the low temperatures are nothing short of brutal to endure. It’s described as incredibly bleak, and blizzards are known to roll in with little to no warning. Fickle temperatures drop far, far below zero during the winter time, plunging the entirety of the area well past the point of inducing hypothermia in any of its occupants.

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The Amestrian legendaries are distinct not just for their numbers, but for how the legends surrounding them are kept so hush-hush. They are far from the revered figures most have come to expect, viewing the other regional mythologies as a template. They are not the sort of thing you may tell your children as a bedtime story, or be found caught dead whispering about. It’s an ill omen to acknowledge their existence, lest you draw their attention to you and those that you care most for.

The original being, the source of all the rest, is often referred to simply as Father. So it goes that he cast off parts of himself to make the others, and they are tangible embodiments of his greatest flaws. Father himself was not merely a Pokémon, but partially human in nature himself. He sought so desperately to rise above that, that he cast apart his immortal soul into 7 pieces. Carving out the greatest sins he believed plagued humanity, so as to make himself into a truly perfect being.

It is these beings that became the Homunculi, named as such for their being artificial imitations of people. Named one by one for the sins they represent, they each are known to consider themselves as superior to those they mock. They do not like humanity, they do not like mortal life as a whole, and it is for this reason that you best not make yourself known to them. They are cruel, sadistic creatures, knowing only how to embody that flaw which they were designed with. Knowing loyalty only to their creator, and whom even then, it can be . . . a strenuous relationship, at best.

By the modern age, most of the information surrounding these myths at all has been censored, and the fear carries through only in those who still know if it. Whether passed down through families, or found in old alchemical volumes long forgotten, it tends to be only those connected in some manner to the field of alchemy that know anything at all. The government has worked overtime since its very inception to censor this topic, supposedly for the safety of its people. But just as anything that the Amestrian government does, it’s rarely as benevolent as it seems on the surface...

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Human Transmutation: The Binding of Souls

This form of human transmutation looks different from the one most commonly associated with the concept. It is not the way that the taboo is typically committed, and on official records, it is not something that has ever truly been performed.

In theory, it has been proposed that one can extract the soul from someone’s body, and transplant that into an inanimate object instead. Drawing a rune in blood on the object will alchemically bind the soul so that it cannot escape, and disappear off into the void where it is meant to go. These thought experiments have been suggested mostly in terms of binding the souls to armored bodies, and in which case, it is suggested that the iron in the blood bonds with the iron found in the object.

These souls exist in the mortal plane without their bodies, are able to manipulate the objects to which they are bound and communicate verbally with beings around them. They cannot feel pain nor die by any conventional means. However, the soul knows that this is not the vessel it is meant to be inhabiting. Eventually, whether in a matter of seconds or a span of years, the two will become incompatible and reject each other.

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The Ultimate Taboo of Alchemy

Within this field, there lies one practice that should never, ever be attempted. There is no coming back from it if you do, and you will be met with nothing but scorn at best for the rest of your days if your deeds are discovered.

Alchemy’s one and only unforgivable sin.

Human Transmutation.

Whether out of despair, malice, or hubris, several alchemists have been known to attempt the application of transmutation to the human body and/or soul. In essence, playing God with human lives. But, just as the Law of Equivalent Exchange applies to the transmutation of non-living matter, devastating rebounds can occur in Human Transmutation, as human lives and souls are priceless according to the flow of the world.

Attempts to bring deceased human beings back to life are the most common practices to be called Human Transmutation. Using various experimental theories and methods, multiple alchemists have endeavored to resurrect dead loved ones, but such pursuits are always failures, forbidden by the flow of the universe and alchemy itself. A soul that has passed on into the afterlife can never be called back by human means. The attempt will cause a rebound due to both: - The inherent lack of any particular substance able to match a human soul in value and - The fact that the initiated transmutation is reaching for an unattainable goal. Of the known attempted Human Transmutations, the rebound has been the "taking" of parts of the initiator's body out of the living world and into the void of the flow. It should be noted that the size of the body parts taken are generally equal to the size of the human being transmuted, in accordance with the law of Equivalent Exchange.

In addition, for having trespassed in God's domain, the initiating alchemists are essentially called into The Gate of Truth to face God itself. Being pulled through the gate grants alchemists great alchemical and universal knowledge, in exchange for paying a physical toll through the body parts "taken" by the rebound.

This knowledge results in the ability to perform transmutations without needing the use of a circle.

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A Continued Study of Alchemy: Arrays

A Transmutation Array is similar to a transmutation circle, in that it is used to circulate the energy used in a transmutation. However, it differs in that the runes are not confined to the circumference of the circle, and may use the circle only as a small aspect of its function. In some instances, an array may not even be a circle at all, using different concepts to bring about the circulation or release of the energies involved. Transmutation arrays are often found as full body tattoos on alchemists. It is possible that the non-cyclical nature of these arrays amplifies the “destruction” stage of alchemy, as has been observed by certain individuals in the past. “Reconstruction” has also been noted to be augmented in a similar manner. Over the hundreds of years of alchemical history in Amestris, great strides in research have been made by mixing varying runes together to augment their power, converge their results, and even create entirely new pathways of utilization.

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A Continued Study of Alchemy: Transmutation Circles

There are no machines or highly specialized equipment needed to produce the energy that a transmutation requires. However, there is more to it than simply understanding the theory and its limitations by way of Equivalent Exchange.

In order to begin, a symbol known as a Transmutation Circle is required. This symbol can be drawn on the spot in which the process is going to occur, and it does not matter what medium is used to draw with. Chalk, pencil, ink, paint, thread, dirt . . . even blood has been used, and all work equally as well as the other. One can also permanently etch or inscribe the symbol beforehand onto something that they carry with them, whether that be a clothing item or their own skin.

Transmutation Circles are made up of two parts:

1. The circle itself is a conduit which focuses and dictates the flow of power, tapping into the energies already existing within the earth and matter. It represents the cyclical flower of the world’s energies and the phenomena that turns that power into malleable ends.

2. Inside the circle are specific alchemical runes. These vary widely based on ancient alchemical studies, texts, and experimentation. But they correspond to a different form of energy, allowing that which is focused within the circle to be released in the way most conducive to the alchemist’s desired effect.

In basic alchemy, these runes often take the form of triangles. When positioned differently, these triangles can represent the elements of water, earth, fire, or air. However, they can also be combined into varying polygons, such as the hexagram composing one of the most common and basic of the runes. Its shape creates eight multi-directional triangles when inscribed, and thus represents all four of the classical elements at once.

Other, more esoteric runes include astrological symbols, symbolic images, and varying lines of text. These are prevalent and represent a multitude of other, specific functions for the alchemical energy that is released.

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A Continued Study of Alchemy: The Principle of Equivalent Exchange

The mystical practice of alchemy to create objects out of raw matter or turn one object into another is widely believed to be capable of anything. Indeed, alchemy is often viewed as magical or miraculous by those unfamiliar with the craft. But it is a science and as such is subject to certain laws and limitations, all of which fall under the concept of Equivalent Exchange: "In order to obtain or create something, something of equal value must be lost or destroyed."

In standard practice, this principle is separated into two parts:

1. The Law of Conservation of Mass Energy and matter cannot be created from nothing nor destroyed to the point of elemental nonexistence. In other words, to create an object with the mass of one kilogram, at least one kilogram of material is necessary; destroying an object with the mass of one kilogram would reduce it to a set of parts, the sum of which would have the mass of one kilogram.

2. The Law of Natural Providence

An object that is made of a particular substance or element can only be transmuted into another object with the same basic makeup and properties of its initial material. In other words, an object made mostly of water can only be transmuted into another object with the attributes of water.

Rebound

Since the alchemical forces being manipulated are not human in origin, but of the world as a whole, the consequences for attempting to bypass the Law of Equivalent Exchange in transmutation are not merely failure and cessation. When too much is attempted out of too little, what occurs is called a Rebound, in which the alchemical forces are thrown out of balance on either side of the equation. These forces fluctuate wildly of their own accord in order to stabilize themselves, taking or giving more than what was intended. The results are unpredictable and catastrophic, having been known to cause accidental mutation, serious injury, or even death.

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Introduction to Alchemy

Alchemy, the pride and joy of Amestris, comes off as nothing but pure magic to those unfamiliar with it. However, to those who practice it, they know it to be a highly advanced branch of science that takes years of study to have any hope of understanding. Those capable of it are few and far between, and even those who are tend to stick to one very specialized area of expertise.

Each student begins where all students do, with mountains of textbooks and likely no small amount of tears. Reading, reading, and reading some more. Parsing carefully through their volumes and any number of research pages galore, long before having the chance to begin with the practicalities. There are certain notions that are drilled into their heads forwards, backwards, and every other way that they will fit. Important lessons that cannot ever be forgotten, under penalty of things too unspeakable to name.

Alchemy. It is the scientific technique of understanding the structure of matter, decomposing it, and then reconstructing it. If performed skillfully, it is even possible to create gold out of lead. However, as it is a science, there are some natural principles in place. Only one thing can be created from something else of a certain mass. This is the Principle of Equivalent Exchange.

At its heart, it is is the science of manipulating and altering matter through the use of natural energy. The act of doing so is known as transmutation, and its sequence is usually broken down into:

1. Comprehension Understanding the structure and properties of a particular material that is to be transmuted, down to the atomic level. Including the flow and balance of energy within it, both in potential and kinetic forms. 2. Deconstruction Using that energy to break down the physical structure of the identified material into a more malleable state, so as to be easily reshaped into a new form. 3. Reconstruction Continuing the flow of energy so as to reform the material into a new shape.

The proper application of this process requires not only a full understanding of chemistry and ancient alchemical theory, but also no small amount of natural talent towards recognizing and manipulating this energy.

There are many paths by which alchemists can transmute the various substances of the world, with some being said to transmute by way of the Four Classical Elements (Water, Earth, Fire, and Air) and some by way of the Three Essential Principles (salt, sulfur, and mercury).

But the basic tenet at the very foundation of all alchemy is that of Equivalent Exchange.

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While the Pokédex does technically exist, it is entirely paper and only something that can usually be found in libraries. Central is known to have the most extensive version of it available, covering not only Amestrian’s variant, but the National one as well.

Outside of Central, it’s highly variable in how much you’ll be able to find. And none of them, short of some volumes deep in the heart of the State library, will be able to tell you anything extensive on the legendary Homunculi. This is the largest literary repository in the region, and while most of its information is in fact available to the public, there are a multitude of branches that are off-limits to any without a State Alchemist certification. It is within these branches that one is most likely to find the information they seek on the legendaries, stories that may very well be better off buried.

If they weren’t, why would the government be going through such efforts to do exactly that?

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Amestris is behind the majority of other regions when it comes to technology. It’s commonly stated that rather than have a technological revolution, they had an alchemical one instead. Outside of imports, they seem to have little interest in curating these devices themselves.

They are frozen, as it were, in an industrial age. Steam power and automobiles are aplenty, though there are also a surprising number of Mudsdale-drawn-carriages still to be seen. Similarly, electricity is common, but there are also still a large number of areas where gas and coal are the primary sources of power.

The one key area in which this is known to differ is with automail, a highly sophisticated prosthesis that they are very well known for developing. Their knowledge of bio-mechanics is truly unparalleled, and while it is a painful procedure to undergo and the recovery can be brutal, the benefits are hard to beat. They are extremely precise and function even better at times than their biological counterparts, owing in part to the dedication of this region’s scientists to all aspects of chemistry and and metallurgy.

Unlike a typical prosthesis in which one takes it on and off, automail replacements are wired directly into the nervous system of the user. Automail limbs are generally made with a full steel skeletal frame and layered with steel armor-plating to protect the various wires and intricate machinery inside. However, contemporary technological advancements have allowed certain types to be comprised of other materials, so as to be less cumbersome and more durable than steel in abnormal conditions.

There have been instances of more combat-oriented replacements being developed as well, suitable for the military types who have lost their limbs during Amestris’ many conflicts. Diamond-tipped-claws, hidden blades, and even firearms have been incorporated. Some folks have even been rumored to willingly discard their biological parts in order to “upgrade” to these.

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There is no Pokémon League in Amestris, and as such they have no official representatives in the way of Champions, Elite Four, or even Gym Leaders. Citizens can be found practicing amongst themselves, conducting their own fights for fun or sport, but there is nothing to sponsor these activities.

There are branches of the military that focus on the development and support of Pokémon, both scientifically and training for use in battle, and many a soldier can be seen with one in tow. The higher-ups in particular are known to have full teams with them, ready to go at a moment’s notice, though they still much prefer the tactical advantage of the State Alchemists.

Why rely so fully on a beast, when you have human weapons to combine that power and forethought?