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NOW OPEN

Welcome to the Next Page of humanity…where hundreds of years have passed since a catastrophic event forced us to rapidly evolve for survival, becoming Homo sapiens alius. The Change clawed its way across the globe: power over the elements, shifting into animals, becoming an echo of the stories and creatures of legend. We are connected now with the magic this world has to offer, and we survived for a reason when everyone else did not. We rebuilt. We thrived. We are the authors of a new story. What will you write on the Next Page?

HOMEPAGE / GUIDEBOOK / DISCORD

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SITE OPENING

Hello friends! We are planning to open up Next Page to the public tomorrow, January 7th! We will post a link to the site once it is live.

In the mean time, if you have questions, or just want to say hi, here's our discord link!

https://discord.gg/uh7VHR2Cfj

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NEXT PAGE DISCORD LINK NOW LIVE

Come say hi, ask a question, or plot with us!

https://discord.gg/uh7VHR2Cfj

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#next page rp member intro

Hello, friends! We are opening up member intros and face claim reserves! (You can find the list of currently reserved faces here.) To reserve a face claim, you must complete your member intro and post it to the #next page rp tag. You may reserve up to two (2) face claims. (Alternatively, submit your intro to us!)

ALIAS:

AGE:

PRONOUNS:

MBTI TYPE:

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?:

FAVORITE TROPES:

GUILTY PLEASURES:

RESERVED FACES:

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“Mana is a gift the government would have you reject. They encourage you to wear shackles, to dampen the power that connects us as people to each other and this world. We offer you the option to accept yourself and your power.” This is the rhetoric of Yeoju’s only mana rights group. Broadly known as campaigning against the use of limiters and proposals to regulate and document specialized abilities, the Mana Rights Coalition (MRC) ensures that the government cannot fully move forward on its plans to better protect the community from errant uses of specialized power. In many ways, the MRC is a public entity; its representatives appear in government, lobbyist organizations, and every level of business. But the true backing of the MRC is a banded group based out of the Awan Isle, tough to break into and nearly impossible to leave. Once you swear yourself to their mission, your power is theirs...but remember, theirs is yours too. MRC members may have been accused of illegal activities, but no one ever stays in jail for long, and the public always remembers such allegations with the air of celebrity gossip. Awan Isle is a glittering world away to most. The MRC holds private meetings in Awan Isle and conducts their more illicit business in the halls of private, lavish parties. Their most-prized form of profit was created in their pursuit of the embrace of mana and its full potential; a year ago, the MRC’s research groups created a drug, Sugar, to enhance mana. The drug increases mana tenfold...with a laundry list of potential side effects if you read the fineprint: addiction, lethal loss of control, and dynode failure. But this is just the next stage in humanity’s evolution, and the MRC is content with casualties for the cause. A breakthrough will happen. For now, the drug is already in circulation, and the testing phase has begun.

FOLLOW US // ASK

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Taufan never intended for the turf war they began; when they stole, it was from those who would never notice the money had gone missing—small thefts from deep pockets that hardly lightened when they succeeded. It was, in a way, a balancing of the scales in the minds of the small group they began as. What they stole from Awan Isle could then be anonymously donated to those who were struggling in other districts of the country. And then they stole from the wrong woman. Her connections ran to an organization that prided themselves on being mana rights activists, and their profits were closely tracked. Taufan became their target, and as they scrambled in the crosshairs of a more powerful and wealthy faction, they had to evolve. Small thefts became larger ones, and the money grew Taufan into a group that could stand against the ire they had raised. Some still hold true to their original purpose—to clothe and feed those struggling in their community—and others insist that Taufan is more than the rain that brings new life by placing food in outreached hands; it is the typhoon that will tear apart those who endanger the people of Yeoju. It will tear apart the mana rights activists in Awan Isle. It will tear apart the injustice of the wealthy in their gated mansions while others struggle. And then it will help those who remain...rebuild. Taufan will fight for the people when the government fails to protect them. No matter the law.

FOLLOW US // ASK

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FACTION: PRIVATE HERO FORCES

Beloved by many, heroes are now a common sight amongst the population—well, among those that can afford to pay for it anyways. Unlike the police, heroes belong to the private sector, where numerous companies have grown to step up in the face of crime. Heroes enjoy a greater latitude in limiter strength, but also bear the responsibility of responding to more dangerous incidents.

Districts often bid for the presence of a hero to patrol the area, and with the government remaining largely uninvolved, there is no regulation on price. Critics of the privatized hero system liken this phenomenon to extortion but the public refuses to heed their call. The result is a clear disparity in protection: richer districts regularly achieve top ratings in terms of public safety.

Each private hero company is different in its approach and chosen heroes. Many have also started to develop a brand and personality. Most of the heroes are civilians, though a few former military and police personnel have opted to join hero companies. With sufficient proof of power control, instincts, and (on occasion) morality, the companies provide their own rigorous training for hopeful recruits from all walks of life.

Two of the most prominent companies are Polaris and Team Legacy, led by Torren Jackson and Reza Zarei respectively. Polaris boasts some of the flashiest and well known (and well dressed) heroes on the streets, while Team Legacy is (in)famous for their mythics, Reza himself being one.

FOLLOW US // ASK

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YEOJU'S FOUR DISTRICTS

BERUANG COVE

Boasting large swaths of undeveloped land, as well as the majority of the island’s orchards, Beruang Cove is a haven of natural beauty. The buildings are smaller here, and the neighborhoods are quieter, dotted with aging vending machines and the odd corner store. Most residents live in squat apartment buildings or brightly-colored condominiums. While you’re here, be sure to check out the Beruang Cove Family Beach and the Hijau Subur Nature Reserve, home to the Yeoju National Botanic Garden and several kilometers of hiking and biking trails.

MOA SENG

The largest residential district of Yeoju, there’s never a shortage of things to do. The number of shopping complexes and restaurants rival, and perhaps even surpass, that of Yeojudo’s. Surrounding the many high-rise apartment buildings and schools are numerous parks and green spaces. The reservoir park is a particularly popular place to visit, as is the Moa Seng Science Center.

YEOJUDO

With its ultra-modern storefronts and instantly recognizable skyline, Yeojudo is as much a testament to creativity as it is a marvel of engineering. All of the nation’s major government buildings are here, and so are most of its large corporations and universities. Since space is at a premium, almost all of Yeojudo’s housing is contained within its veritable forest of towering high-rise apartment buildings. Cahaya Bay Recreational Park offers great views and a handful of tennis courts, if you don’t mind the crowd.

RACHANA

There’s no mistaking Rachana for any other district. Everything looks more upscale here, from the luxury shopping district stocked with local and foreign-made products to some of the only single family dwellings on the island. The residents of Rachana enjoy their own private schools from pre-kindergarten all the way up to post-secondary education. Tucked away on the north end of Rachana, across the Cloudcross Viaduct, is Awan Isle, where the houses can be called mansions and the grass is always greener.

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SETTING

Yeoju is an island country that lies near the equator. Though it stretches only thirty-one miles across, it is well known as a premier tourist destination—courtesy of its year-round warmth tempered by consistent rainfall over beautiful flatlands, beaches, and rolling hills. Founded only two hundred years ago, Yeoju already boasts considerable wealth and colorful, clean streets that draw many from other countries to its borders. Yeoju welcomes them all. The distinct cultural and natural offerings of the island can be discovered in its four districts: Beruang Cove, Yeojudo, Moa Seng, and Rachana.

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ELEMENTAL — powers that enable user to manipulate natural elements

PSIONIC — mind-based powers like telepathy

KINETIC — corporeal powers that are not necessarily elemental in nature

MYTHICAL — powers that emulate characteristics of creatures from legends

HYBRID — applies to anyone who possesses powers from multiple types

In addition to common magic, the Change caused humans to develop more powerful abilities, some people even developing a second ability after they experience life-altering events (and dianovas often developing two early in life). While each power draws on mana as a common source, the expression of the Change has five distinct types (listed above), which has created a society with profoundly different powers from control of fire all the way to possessing the power or physiology of a mythical creature while still remaining entirely human. Powers are also classified by how they operate—whether they are initiated by the user through conscious choice (an active power) and therefore deplete mana on activation or if they are always in use (a passive power), which are sustained by the human body’s mana channels. Passive powers usually require less mana and do not often lead to mana fatigue, though traditionally, this also makes them less powerful as a whole. Important to note: While certain mythic powers may grant effective immortality, invincibility is not possible. Even those with mythic abilities are still human and can be killed; it just won’t be old age that does them in.

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After the Change, humans who survived developed an organ—called the dynode—to process raw magical energy (mana) from the environment so that it could be used without causing harm. The dynode can only store so much processed mana at once, and it takes time to regenerate (think: blood, but magic). Trying to use more mana than you have stored manifests with specific physical ailments—commonly called mana fatigue—that are similar between individuals regardless of power. These symptoms often include inability to use common magic, exhaustion, and a weakened immune system that leaves the person susceptible to other illnesses as their mana recovers. Additionally, other types of damage and injury to the organ affects common magic and power use. It is also entirely possible for the organ to fail, and some illnesses can have temporary or long-term negative effects.

COMMON MAGIC

Simple telekinesis

Simple empathy

Raw mana output

Since the Change, magic has become exactly as its name suggests: common. Every human in existence is now linked to the magical energy in the world and has the ability to express it in the basic forms listed above. The simple telekinesis is only powerful enough to summon small-to-medium objects through the air at non-lethal speeds, while empathy allows those better attuned to other people a greater insight into their emotions. It is not telepathy. Characters who have trouble expressing emotions probably struggle with using this magic, and it doesn’t allow anyone to transmit entire feelings word-for-word. Rarely, people who are highly empathetic by nature may be able to transmit quick mental images from their mind to another’s, but it’s still not a reliable method of communication even for the most skilled. Finally, raw mana can be expended in a variety of ways, some of the more common being uses like soft lights or brief zaps for self-defense. Raw mana is (magical) potential energy, and while it can be used in many creative ways, it is not particularly powerful or helpful for anything other than day-to-day use.

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After the Change, a new subspecies, H. sapiens alius, replaced humanity as it had been known. Believed to be in response to a mass casualty event, the species stabilized the population through various reproductive and defensive evolutionary adaptations. Notably, the species possesses the following distinct characteristics:

Three sexes—nova, dianova, and kinova—with the physical differences between the sexes only being notable in weight distribution, as gender expression varies between individuals of every sex. The sexes are also not viewed as static, and many individuals do transition through hormonal therapy and surgeries.

An organ, called the dynode, which allows the species to manipulate naturally occurring magic.

A unique form of nonverbal communication that uses tonal changes, fluctuations, and vibrations similar to the purrs and growls other mammals use to communicate.

Monthly “mating seasons” based on heats and ruts—though unlike other species who do so, they retain the ability to have sex for pleasure and are not at the whims of their hormonal responses or impulses. Sexual availability remains determined by higher mental faculties.

NOVA

In some areas of the world (like this one), novas are revered as the most trustworthy of the sexes. With the lowest levels of hormones linked to aggression, they are stereotypically believed to be calm and level headed—ideal for leadership. At a physical level, novas are often the smallest of the sexes and have the highest body-fat percentage due to high levels of a hormone called estradiol. With the possible exception of novas who are transitioning from one of the other sexes, novas also have a womb and the necessary genitalia to carry a fetus to term and give birth. Much to the annoyance of many novas, they also enter “heat” (or are in estrus) every twenty-eight days as their hormones change to encourage reproduction. Kinovas can say what they want about that; novas can hold onto the fact that they run the government, and the schools, and the military, and…you get it.

DIANOVA

Dianovas are culturally typecast as being able to do anything you can do, but...you know...they can do it better. While novas and kinovas are often noticeable from their difference in height and weight distribution, dianovas vary widely and are hard to pick out of a crowd on sight. At a purely physical level, many dianovas have both a functioning womb and penis. However, one is always the more dominant sex organ, and it will more strongly affect other secondary sex characteristics. Each dianova also has a unique hormonal balance, which will impact whether they enter heat or rut, or both, but the latter will never happen simultaneously. None of this is what leads to tension between dianovas and the other sexes, though. No. Most maddening to others is that dianovas also possess a dynode that matures more quickly; this means that dianovas often have two specialized powers instead of one. That’s right. They can do magic better than you too.

KINOVA

If you can make up for a bad reputation with lots of attitude, kinovas are doing all right—that’s if you listen to all the stereotypes, of course. With high amounts of hormones linked to aggression, kinovas are often the least trusted in leadership positions and the most culturally “ignorable” sex. Dianovas, after all, are perfectly capable of contributing to population growth alongside the novas without any other help. Kinovas, however, do often stand out in a crowd physically. As the tallest and leanest of the sexes, they have more than their fair share of muscle mass, if they choose to cultivate it. Unless transitioning from another sex, all kinovas possess an intromittent sexual organ and do not have a womb. Though sexual activity still remains an active choice, they also enter ruts in response to exposure to someone in heat, and while dianovas may do the same, kinovas get a lot more cultural grief for it.

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Hundreds of years have left the threat a memory—there are guesses, of course, as to what caused the Change, but they are only theories no matter what some experts might claim. What is known is that the Change began as a defensive evolution in the human race, a development of magic to protect themselves from a threat; at first, humanity viewed the initial expressions of the Change with terror, as if it was the source of the danger. It likely did not help that the initial expressions were often mythic in nature; humans turning into wolves does tend to leave an impression.

Slowly, the Change continued to transform humanity into something that could adapt and protect itself beyond what it had ever been able to do in the past. The limitation of the magic was initially unknown; it grew to the heights and beyond of humanity’s imagination. It mimicked monsters in stories and unheard of abilities that could only exist in the changing world as it modernized. The Change became so powerful through the centuries that the threat it existed for vanished and only the new species of humanity remained.

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COMING SOON

Welcome to the Next Page of humanity…where hundreds of years have passed since a catastrophic event forced us to rapidly evolve for survival, becoming Homo sapiens alius. The Change clawed its way across the globe: power over the elements, shifting into animals, becoming an echo of the stories and creatures of legend. We are connected now with the magic this world has to offer, and we survived for a reason when everyone else did not. We rebuilt. We thrived. We are the authors of a new story. What will you write on the Next Page?

FOLLOW US