lorekyle

[lorekyle]

FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE LUMEN ORDER - STORK BRIEL

STORK BRIEL

Previous Occupation: Ambassador

Ranking: Lumen

Weapon: Ranger

Proficiency: Scouting

Status: ???

Description: Stork Briel was a noble that grew sick of mingling with the nobility that profits from the Shredder's attacks. He first came across The Lumen Order due to some nobles sneering at their beliefs. At this point, the order lacked a connection to any royal court. Without any sort of validity, they might as well be branded as a merchant militia. The Order simply needed a noble to vouch for them and they were able to gain an audience with the Royal Court. Stork couldn’t care less at first about their beliefs, but Stork always wanted to wipe the smirks off the nobles. So in his petty actions, Stork vouched for them. During his time with the Lumen Order however, his outlook began to change. He noticed the Order were genuine and true, even if his work with them was short. This single moment made Stork become an Ambassador for the Order. With his connections, he is able to initiate global connection for every kingdom with the Order. Stork Briel unfortunately passed away when his carriage was attacked by Shedders. However, House Briel continued to support the Lumen Order and for many years to come

[lorekyle]

FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE LUMEN ORDER - MARGARET AND ELISE STOLA

MARGARET AND ELISE STOLA

Previous Occupation: Naval Merchants

Ranking: Lumen

Weapon: Sword and Gun

Proficiency: Swordsmanship and Sharpshooter

Status: Active and ???

Description: The Stola sisters were seafaring merchants, they managed the transportation of precious materials and imported goods from various cities of Bakonaua. Ever since the arrival of the Shedders. Merchants tend to avoid or even outright cross out the option of using the sea to export their goods. While it is safe during the day, at night, the sea-based Shedders often prowl the murky depths. Rumor has it that Shedders were able to capsize frigates, leaving nothing but stray planks.

The Stola sister’s involvement with the Lumen Order started with the sisters meeting Emeritus. For a while, The Stola’s discovered a way to light up their ships with the use of a bioluminescent algae. However, the algae itself is toxic to the touch. While they could think of a way to attach them to their ship, it was simply not enough for their funds.

Emeritus discovered their predicament and offered to fund their research in return they must offer their results to the Lumen Order. They happily accepted them especially if it meant saving their business. The result was a small ship but with transparent tubes filled with bioluminescent algae around it. Currently Elise Stola manages the seafaring business, however her status with the Order is still unknown. Margaret Stola on the other hand, handles the Lumen Order’s seafaring affairs.

[lorekyle]

FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE LUMEN ORDER - LADY QUINCE OF NAVIS

LADY QUINCE OF NAVIS

Previous Occupation: Bookkeeper

Ranking: Lumen

Weapon: Crossbow

Proficiency: Translation

Status: Active (Professor at Navis Institute)

Description: Lady Quince of Navis is a curious individual. Ever since she was young, she was afflicted with a disease that made her incapable of traveling beyond her villa. Quite ironic for being a daughter of a Traveling Merchant Guild, The Dune Gazer. Yet, that didn’t stop Quince in dreaming of travel, while her physical state didn’t allow her to travel as much, her mind became her faithful companion. She was a scholar, loved every book especially if they were geographical in nature. But the one thing that everyone knows about Quince is her fascination with mechanics. Even if she has lived her whole life in a wheelchair, her expertise became invaluable to the Merchant Guild and eventually, to the Lumen Order. She improved upon the present equipment of the Order and in return, Quince was provided with enough funds to improve more. She even managed to adjust her wheelchair to make short distance travels between towns. Currently she teaches machinery and mechanics to the students of the Navis Institute.

[lorekyle]

The Hypnoth Towers [Universe 9]

The tower was 3000 steps in total, and every 100 steps there was a window, illuminating the staircase. It had only been 400 steps when I took a break and looked out the window. It was clear this wasn’t the best view of what lies north of the tower. I had never made it this far. There were stories of mystical beings that resembled icy, ghostly entities, and temperatures dropping so harshly you could wake up frozen stiff. Despite such an arctic scene, there was no snow falling so I could see the second Hypnoth tower in the distance. The Towers had been constructed centuries ago, built completely from ice stone. The stone was given its name due to it’s attribute of having increased strength and durability when used in conditions below -100 C. I took another gulp from my flask of Alebraa, promising me an intense hydration boost, a spike in energy output and a numbness to resist the chilling winds breaking through the windows and echoing along the staircase. The regularity of windows on this climb was interesting. I wondered if they were a way to discourage Nomads, with a scene of mostly white to look at each time and a regular reminder that the extreme weather conditions would push anyone to their limits of exhaustion, let alone those brave enough to climb to the top of the towers.

As I approached the final few steps, it became hard not to question why I’d undertaken such a journey. This whole time, searching for the orb of Syzygy had been the reason for lightyears of travel full of pain, sweat and tears. This journey that had started before my conception, even before my parents conception. It was at this moment when the pressure kicked in, and the reality of the task became apparent. What if it doesn’t exist? What if the plan was wrong? What if I never find it? Finally nearing the end with 3 steps to go, my mind was racing with doubt and a gargling of questions. As my foot lifted once more, the weight felt heavier with every millimetre it raised. In the corner of my eye, a bright light flickered and sparked, my foot fell down. No flash of light to be found. I tried again, lifting my foot and once again a light trickled into my peripheral. A minuscule and meaningless detail held me in complete pause. what was this doubt that gripped me? Out of anger I stomped my foot onto the next step and then all I remember is a sharp metallic clang, followed by a cackle that sounded like it was coming from inside my skull. Then falling. So much had happened in just one second. Before I could even start to feel discombobulated, I was flying in a downwards trajectory. The fall was like nothing I’d ever known, gravity seemed to flow inconsistently, like a heart skipping a beat.  

As I fell for an ephemeral moment, moving fast and slowly at the same time, shards of holographic glass fell past me and THROUGH ME. Surrounding me was only darkness, filled with streams of these light shards. I tried to focus and look for a door, a wall, anything that felt familiar or something I could concentrate on. A shard shining right at me, about 10 metres away burned into my eyes. On its bubbling metallic surface there was… me? and Xena!

[lorekyle]

boops the nose

cooper from remember the flowers vn

[lorekyle]

FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE LUMEN ORDER - EMERITUS DULCINA

EMERITUS DULCINA

Emeritus Dulcina

Previous Occupation: Miner

Ranking: Lumen

Weapon: Warhammer

Proiciency: Smithing

Status: Active

Description: Emeritus owned various mining companies and has connections to world renowned forgeries and smiths. His connection and knowledge over smithing and minerals paved the way to most of The Lumen Order’s equipment and a more secure watchtower. At present, he is the Lumen of the Makilias branch of The Lumen Order.

[lorekyle]

FOUNDING MEMBERS OF LUMEN ORDER - CORNELL LAYZON

FOUNDING MEMBERS

The Lumen Order was founded by individuals who have some background in merchant and travel. As such, these people became the backbone for the organization in its infancy stages. Some of them took on administrative roles and are still active to this day. Some assist in a more hand-on approach, providing the Order some leeway on travel restrictions. While the rest passed away during its infancy stages or later in life.

CORNELL LAYZON

Previous Occupation: Merchant 

Ranking: Lumen

Weapon: Swords and Traps

Proficiency: Illusion Magic

Status: Retired

Description: Cornell was part of a circle of trading guilds that used to be a center of power for Bakonaua. Their central spice trade and efficient groundwork made it possible for merchants to sell their wares, even in remote locations. Due to their knowledge, Cornell established The Lumen Order’s scouting path. Cornell is currently retired but he assists in choosing the next Lumen.

[lorekyle]

Lumen Order - Hierarchy of Order

HIERARCHY

The Lumen Order has a fairly simple hierarchy, the process of ascending one’s rank is dependent on various factors. The first is merit, recommendations, and full support of the current leader. The simplest one is merit, any Lumen Order can ascend rank easily if they did their job, depending on certain cases, extraordinary merit can ascend a Lumen to a higher standing. Every Lumen Order headquarters has a specific member and all of them follow the hierarchy. The hierarchy is as follows:

LUMEN: The highest power that any branch of The Lumen Order can offer. Their responsibilities are mostly off-field and always coordinate with any town or city official. Unlike the other positions, A Lumen cannot be simply ascended on one’s merit alone. There are certain factors that need to be met before a Lumen rank is to be given. A first factor is that a Lumen member must pass away. After that, there will be a meeting to be held among various Lumen heads from various branches. They will discuss certain candidates and each Lumen head will then vouch for that said candidate.

Once that is settled, the candidates will then introduce themselves to one of its founding members or one of its descendants and they will show their prowess in various fields. These fields consist of: Politics, Arcane Arts, Martial or Weapon mastery, and Situational Events. Once the necessary information has been met, the founder will choose the next Lumen and the role will be filled and assigned to a specific branch.

LIGHTKEEPER: Lightkeepers are considered the Left and Right hand of a Lumen Head. They mostly answer to a Lumen and prioritizes them above all else. Lightkeepers are usually assigned personally by a Lumen themselves and most likely trained by them. Although Lightkeepers are considered as the most skilled second to a Lumen, their roles are solely focused on being administrators. They handle any important paperwork and prepare any verification for the Lumen.

However, there comes a time when dire situations arise, Lightkeepers will often handle war table strategies and important missions that are to be handled alone. This is why it is important that Lightkeepers are often inside, because if anyone saw them outside and armed, you better run. For if there is a Lightkeeper, there is a darkness that not even Torches and Wicks can handle.

LIGHTBEARER: Lightbearers often handle fieldwork, training, and maintenance. They assign jobs, tasks, and deploy Lanterns wherever they are needed. Lightbearers are skilled individuals who can take on any Shedder even if they are in the deepest of darkness. Just as the name suggests, they bear a powerful light that can illuminate a Shedder territory. In a party of two Lantern squads, there will always be Lightbearer with them. They act as a beacon and provide information to a Lumen Order branch. But if they are not on-site, they act as mentors and provide necessities to other members. Most initiates believe that Lightbearers are the heart of any branch due to how helpful they are to the Wicks and Torches.

LANTERN: Lanterns tend to work best when they are outside. They handle any Shredder related activity in the area and handle any public disruption. Essentially Lanterns are one of the peacekeepers. Lanterns however do not work alone however, they work as a squad composed of Torches and Wicks. A Lantern can have a squad of three Torches and five Wicks. They’re responsible for the welfare of the squad and ensure that the Torches and Wicks are able to finish their task dutifully and swiftly.

TORCH: Torches are one of the ranks you usually see when you travel at night. They have enough combat talent to combat low ranking to medium ranking Shedders. They are comparable to guards and are mostly stationed to watchtowers on every road.

WICK: Wicks are a term referring to initiates, they have some combat experience to low ranking Shedders and in higher numbers, they can take down a single medium ranking Shedder. While they do appear in patrols, Wicks are considered as trainees and they often trained in a Lumen Order headquarters. Wicks on patrols are often accompanied by Lanterns in a squad or a Torch if they travel by pair.

[lorekyle]

The Saint of the Apocalypse

Pictured posthumously, the Saint of The Apocalypse was an experiment in the creation of artificial cybersaints after the ascension of the Saint of Virtual Idols. Upon activation of its positronic brain, it declared its title to the world and attempted to do what it was made for.

Find out more about the Cybersaints here

[lorekyle]

Concept for a SocDem Shock Army fighter, 2021. Commentary below.

Mostly me continuing to experiment with the idea of "softening" the depiction of the military in Light Era. I took a principle from graphic design and GUI design where one uses dark schemes to look "pro", whereas light schemes imply friendliness—seeing how typical sci-fi soldier designs bias towards dark and imposing silhouettes, I tried to go the opposite here.

A particular character design trick I learned doing these kinds of designs was the exposure of the face: generally, the more you hide, the more unrelatable and distant they will feel. I iterated the visor helmet so that it was even lighter and ensured that the individual's face remained visible and head silhouette intact.

They're still military, but as far as scifi designs I've made sure to keep the feel lightweight—they have a vest and exoskeletal suit but no power armour or even any large amount of solid armour at all, instead relying much heavier on their shields (which are lighter and regenerate, so they're better anyway) and mobility over brawn. Other than that, I also tried to make it clearer that they are wearing a kind of hoodie as well to further add to the casual-isation.

I think overall it has succeeded, at least to me who has seen countless iterations of big, uptight bulky power armour soldiers. The Shock Army is still quite a serious, professional army of the SocDems, but I'm happy I've managed to inject a bit of socialist idealism into even this hyper-masculine area of Light Era.

[lorekyle]

[lorekyle]

Lumen Order - The Oath

Oath of Illumination

From a group of travelers of varying degrees of upbringing, The Lumen Order slowly garnered people from various lands, sworn to the cause. Should you wish to join, new members are casted inside the hallowed halls of The Lumen Order’s Lighthouse for training. Depending on your combat experience, your stay could only be six months or five years. However, regardless of how long your stay is, all initiates must swear to the oath of Lumen’s Authority:

“I solemnly swear to remember my training in the darkest nights. Bring compassion and safety in the gentle evening. Let my light shine the path ahead until morning light. If I falter, brothers and sisters shine a light above me. I am a lost ship looking for the guidance of the light. Bring me back under its golden ray, for I am the bane of darkness, I am the light bringer, I am Lumen’s Authority and our oath will illuminate the darkest lands.”

This oath embodies what The Lumen Order should be, solidifying their resolve and most importantly, gaining some resistance to the shedders. The origin of The Lumen Order’s magic is still a mystery to this day.

[lorekyle]

Sea Angel OC, Feller

[lorekyle]

Lumen Order - The Order

ORIGIN OF THE FACTION

The world after Baku was not as it used to be after his ascension to the moon. When dusk falls, monsters prowl into the night. They were called Shedders, named after the scales that were shed by Baku during that unfortunate night. In the daytime, they mostly prowl inside caves or well-shaded forests. Most travelers showed that the Shedders are susceptible to sunlight and heat to some various degree. That is why most of them and several guilds advised people to either travel in daylight. 

However, it is uncertain that people will follow through with this simple rule. Out of necessity or desperation, travelers will travel beyond. But in the end, they will bite more than they could chew. For the first few years, around 30% of travelers in larger groups were killed. 20% were from smaller groups, albeit some of them survived. While 50% were unscathed. This statistic all came from travelers who traveled to towns, the numbers tend to grow larger when it comes to cities. The information led to some towns closing themselves from outsiders until a group of clandestine travelers arrived with a solution. 

They call themselves, “The Lumen Order.” An organization that establishes to make the roads safer again from the Shedders. Adorned in a crimson banner with three candles inside a ring and a crescent moon in the center. Most travelers tend to see their banner as a lantern in darkness, a warm light in the tormented void. The Lumen Order swore to protect the travelers in their travels and hopefully liberate Bakonaua from the dark horrors.

[lorekyle]

Lumen Order - Introduction

“OUR OATH WILL ILLUMINATE THE DARKEST LANDS”

THE WORLD

In the realm of Bakonaua, the lands are always ravaged by thieves, violence, and monsters that prowl in the darkest nights. People tend to stay inside the city walls when dusk comes and night falls. However that was not always the case in this realm. Bakonaua, around the age of progress, was a beautiful land known for its night festivals. People celebrate in the comfort of the star-lit night, they bask in the afterglow of the moon, and most importantly, the people revere the serpent deity, Baku. Baku resides above the moon, they say the stars are his scales that were shedded and left there so that people will know their way around the lands. Whenever the sun rises, Baku goes away to travel among the stars and returns every night for him to tell stories to his people. In return, the people give offerings to the serpent god for the story and his light. 

Unfortunately, that is where their story ends. While Baku’s stories provided him reverence from his followers. There are some who are not content with his wisdom. At first, it was impure thoughts of wanting power that spread around their minds like a snakebite. These thoughts eventually blossom on how they can persuade Baku to impart his power to their most devout followers. It made their minds numb with greed and obsession over what they believe to be a way to gain power from the heavenly bodies. 

Nobody knew where that baseless rumor started, but the way it affected the lands is like an infection. A poison spreads slowly, creeping its way and numbing the mind and any rationality. It struck the hardest at the Capital, where Bakonaua resides and conducted sermons to groups of children who went out of their way to visit him. The fanatics visited as well, but with less than pure intentions.

It was ironic, the very incident that will impact the realm for all eternity was around a New Moon. The light in the dark, the celestial body that embodies their very god hides for what’s coming. 

First, they sealed every exit. No one goes in or out, the walls stood quietly muffling the screams that came after. Second, they took over the supplies and controlled the waterway of fresh water. They now control who gets to eat or drink. But the usurpers only took it for themselves. Lastly, they took the very children hostage as they waited for Baku to fulfill their demands. Yet he remains firm, they have nothing to gain but stories from beyond the stars. 

The fanatics grew restless and Baku calmly looked at them on the altar. His slithered body wraps around the center of the temple. His scales glimmered whenever the flames from the torches came into contact with it. He thought of a way to diffuse these situations, it was normal for people to misinterpret his stories. Baku always resolved it by telling the story again in different angles, much like how the stars tend to look different on certain occasions of the night. Sometimes he would use allegory to better make them understand his teachings, this technique was popular with the children. As he was about to come up with a solution, the fanatics did the unthinkable. The blood of the children flowed along the cracks of Baku’s temple. Fresh and warm to the feeling as each fanatic gilded their blade along their necks. Bright young flames snuffed out one by one. It was stupid suggestion, a simple quip between one another. They suggested that the power would be given with a sacrifice, so they did and all they got was the prowling eyes of Baku. 

In his rage, Baku immediately rose up and broke through the temple’s canopy roof. He didn’t even care who might be struck with the rubble. Whether it was the temple priest or the fanatics, all he must do is avenge the young ones. Baku rose until he came face-to-face with the moon, still cloaked in darkness. In the sea of stars, he slithered unto the moon and wrapped his whole serpentine body around it. After that, it was quiet down below. The fanatics waited, the priest cowered, and all of who saw it from afar felt an emotion from a being they least expected. Fear.

As Baku wraps his body around the moon, his scales fall onto the world like comets. These fallen stars break and scatter among the lands and everything it touches become corroded and fester into unspoken horrors. The trees died as branches splintered open and oozing with tar-like sap. The ground darkened and cracked as no life began to grow, not even weeds. Small bodies of water began to muddle as fish rose up lifeless, animals who began to drink the corroded water began to change into horrible creatures. They lose any traces of sanity as their skins begin to go gray, their tails losing their skin, and their eyes bloodshot and mindless. 

The humans weren’t spared as well, to those unfortunate souls who got touched by the shedding skin had a fate worse than death. Their bones were mangled to a degree that it wasn’t humanly possible. Some were still able to walk with their own two feet, others crawled or were on all fours. Their skin darkened like the night. The hair, nails, teeth, and eyes were stained in blinding white. In the dark, they are mostly dangerous, the only thing you will notice is their wailing. A cacophony of voices fighting over which words to say. But before any foolish traveler could act, the moment of death has been inscribed by the terrors of the night.

Truly the only thing that Baku gave to those fanatics and the entirety of humanity, was just another story in another way. A story of greed in a world sunken in darkness.

[lorekyle]

Hello welcome!

So I settled this place to share my lore and my plans for this Short Story Collection by sharing my lore.