The world of Aethel, though without a single name in its various tongues, is sustained by pillars of power and race, shaped by the mana vibrating at its core. Three great realms dominate its vast expanses, each a testament to the strength and culture of their founding peoples: Drakhalor, in the heart of the oldest mountains; Velmore, a mosaic of kingdoms and counties on the central plains; and Allheim, the hidden jewel in the depths of the eastern jungles. Although the three realms maintain a tense peace, trade alliances and ancient blood debts still shape the decisions of their rulers.

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Drakhalor, the dwarven kingdom, is an impregnable fortress carved into the bowels of the Great Iron Mountain Range. Its domains are intricate networks of tunnels and halls, where the echo of anvils resonates like the heartbeat of the earth. Masters of engineering and forging, the dwarves are a resilient people, with a culture tied to mining and metallurgy. The rock itself is their ally, and the terrestrial mana beats stronger in their veins. Adapted to scarcity and rocky grandeur, they thrive where the dry mountain air challenges outsiders.

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Velmore, the land of humans, stretches across vast plains and fertile valleys. Forging empires and counties through adaptability and numbers, its medieval castles and villages dot the landscape. It is in Velmore that most of the non-magical population resides, where the line between the power of the sword and the power of mana is thinnest. Its mild winters and vast summers nourish endless fields, shaped by the rhythm of life and war.

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Allheim, the elven sanctuary, is immersed in lush and mysterious jungles. Its advanced magical civilization weaves spells with the very essence of nature, its cities rising in harmony with ancient trees and rivers of mana. Guardians of ancient knowledge, their domains are protected by magical barriers and a wild nature that deters the unwary. Elemental mana, particularly Wind and Water, is purer here. In these forests, where almost constant rains nourish the eternal canopies, the elves live in perfect symbiosis with the natural world.

But the realms are not the only sentinels of power. Amidst the delimited territories, or on forgotten borders, live excluded intelligent creatures—peoples without a name for their land, marginalized and persecuted. Their existence is a constant reminder of the prejudice that afflicts the world. Many hide in dense forests or isolated caves, their survival a silent struggle.

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Above the Eastern Ocean, floats Etherland, the realm of the Sky Beings. Mountains that defy gravity shelter a mysterious civilization of winged beings. Some say it arose from fragments of the sky shattered by an ancient god—others, that it is just a forgotten continent that learned to fly.

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Mana, the life force that permeates all existence, pulses at the core of every being, although only three out of five individuals can manipulate it. Of the beings who manipulate mana, Arcanists resonate with expelled mana, shaping it into spells that dance in the air. Forgers weave mana with the essence of matter, infusing it into equipment and runic artifacts. And Enhancers channel mana into their bodies, enhancing physical attributes and transforming into living warriors. Although the boundary between these classes is fluid. Mana, the life force that permeates all beings, awakens in a dispersed way, like aimless fog, until it finds its way to the Mana Core—a point of convergence that matures through the Essence Scale. This scale represents a gradual blossoming, sometimes similar to the growth of a tree, sometimes to the cutting of a rare gem. It all begins in the Rooting Phase, when mana barely manifests, faint as a whisper in the soul. As it stabilizes, this energy gives rise to the Budding Core, where the first flows take shape and volume, still diffuse, but pulsing with promise. Over time, it consolidates into the Core Essence, when the essence condenses and gains density, becoming a stable and vigorous center. The Intermediate Phases indicate refinement and direction. In the Conducting Core, the flow of mana already follows defined trajectories, moving with intention and control. Next, the Latent Core marks a period of accumulation and waiting: the power, though present, anchors internally, like a chrysalis before breaking. Then comes the Dawn Core, where the energy awakens outward, manifesting with renewed beauty and vigor—the prelude to greatness. In the Advanced Phases, mana transcends common limits. The Prismatic Core reveals the pure essence of magical energy, refracting its nature into multiple nuances and possibilities. Finally, in the Stellar Core, mana reaches its zenith: a focus of absolute power, rare as the light born at the edges of the world, radiating a presence that touches the mythical. Elemental affinity facilitates magical manifestation. Although all races can access the four elements, dwarves tend towards Earth and Fire, elves towards Water and Air, and humans have a random, rarely dual affinity. Mages without affinity or in initial stages use devices like chants, seals, or magic circles to shape their spells. Those with affinity can conjure simple spells with direct words, without needing these rituals...

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The Central Continent — The Interracial Kingdom Even with the great racial and territorial divisions, there are beacons of unity. In the center of the world, resides a vast continent of free lands, governed not by a single kingdom, but by an Interracial Court. This is a vibrant melting pot of cultures and races, a safe haven for all—the primary and the “non-primary” peoples, including intelligent creatures. Here, the greatest Arcanists, Forgers, and Enhancers live and thrive, attracting talent from all over the world. The strength of these lands comes not only from mana, but from diversity and teaching. Entire cities make up the Central Continent, acting as beacons of hope within this continent, testaments to the possibility of coexistence and the power of mixed peoples and magic.

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Closing the worn covers of the volume Political Mana-graphy of Aethel, a young scholar in Sinoparis yawned, his eyes absorbing the vast knowledge that filled the pages. He felt the familiar melancholy that always came with contemplating the divisions and secrets of the world. However, there was also a glimmer of hope —the hope that, perhaps, the story had not yet been fully written.