Magic was "gifted" to the children of Tilaba by the Ancients, whose origins remain a mystery lost to time, but whose influence left a mark on all places of the world and beyond the veil between. Even in the modern era of Tilaba, there has been much debate about the "how" and "why" of magic. Although it was known that the Ancients were part of its source, the question still puzzled generations. Each race and generation has speculated on the origins and meaning of magic, and has passed down their arguments as tradition dictated. Over time, these traditions wane, as most things do, as life and the present take precedence. After all, what is tradition if not the things we inherit from the dead and the past? For the people of this world, time and tradition all change, and they evolve.

The people of the trees, the Watumi, are the youngest and smallest in number, identified by their youthful glow of skin, white or cream-colored hair, and what many consider unparalleled beauty. They dwell in isolated places to find serenity. Some still live deep within forested locations, remote deserts, and high mountain caves, burning incense and enveloped in the pleasures of life. The Watumi have always interpreted magic as a gift from the ancient ones, intended to ensure a universal or cosmic balance. The first of their people saw this power not as a means to distinguish any one person, but to ensure the pleasures of all as they exist amidst the harsh realities of creation. Their most revered prophets and scholars cite this interpretation in old texts carved in black stone in long-forgotten ruins.

The men of stone, the Watuji, are the largest and hardiest humanoids, possessing incomprehensible strength and constitution, who strive for family unity. Many of the present-day generation still dwell in the lush but harsh places like the base of windswept mountains, desert oases, cliffs near crashing waves, deep canyons, and on glaciers to the far north and south of Tilaba. They all agree that magic exists as it does in all places. In the heavens or between worlds in the faded veil, it is all the same to the Gods. They have no reason to question magic, for it is a part of reality, as it always has been. Their attitude, like many things the Watuji believe in, "is the simplest of explanations," and it has always been such, even in the modern era among their elder-led pastoral societies.

The Wajuku, or people of the spore, believe that the origin of magic was an intelligent and elegantly laid conclusion, one that should not be questioned or objectified by mortal minds. They believe that such questioning often leads to anarchy and heresy, which are strictly forbidden to them. They say, "Seeking an answer to this, even one that may be correct, often leads to devastation." For them, the answer likely lies beyond mortal comprehension and could ruin their society. They believe careful reasoning, balance in life, and integrity are the best ways to understand life. As the second-largest and longest-lived of the races, the Wajuku are often regarded as wise but unimaginative.

The Wajuku prefer damp and humid environments, often cultivating crops in bogs, swamps, coastlands, mangroves, and mires. They have evolved to resist most diseases, plagues, and bacteria, even as their "true" bloodline thins. "Pure-blood" Wajuku are distinguished by their small to medium frame and, in some cases, scaly skin. In rare instances, many Wajuku have tints and hues of gray, matted brown, or deep-set green. They might be mistaken for lizard or snake people by some cultures, but they are not offended by this perception. They know their flesh and bones will outlast most, and they are grateful for it. To outsiders, their society might appear primitive, but it is a complex system with hierarchical family structures focused on traditions passed down through oral histories.

Then there is the largest race of Tilaba, the Wajuudo, or men of the soil. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. They are seen as the middle child race because they branched out during the highest peak of civilization's cultivation. Most, if not all, great cities were founded by the Wajuudo. However, spotting a "pure-blood" Wajuudo is difficult, as they are most known for their assimilation. More often than not, people simply assume they have some Wajuudo bloodline.

The Wajuudo are known for their easily tanned skin, which rarely freckles, and adaptability. Along with their aptitude for blending in, many have developed a charismatic effect as an evolutionary trait. A true pure-blood Wajuudo, if such a thing exists, is often said to have a cult-like personality or a tendency to be innocuous, so as not to draw attention. The first kingdom of Wajuudo in Tibilan believed that magic among the Tibilan people is less ambiguous and is the sum of many collective factors. Among the writings of Wajuudo glyphs from the first era, before any of the great wars, many clans had a constant debate about whether the creation of magic was both a curse and a blessing. The wisest Wajuudo priests and scholars concluded that "magic was given to ensure we can live by a set of principles or die by them." They see any conflict caused by magic as a sign, whether the outcome is good, bad, or indifferent. Some say it is a freedom and blessing over all things, but can only be gained through pain and strife. However, over time, these thoughts became a burden or a hindrance to the Tibilan people. Wars were fought over these many ideas and among many other things. So, as the maps and the world were redrawn and changed, so did the people and their beliefs.

Things change, and compromises in ideals occur, often sacrificing choice and happiness for the security and livelihood of those who hold the most power at the time. Eventually, races scattered into more homogeneous groups. Over time, each pure race became less common. By the last great war, the topic of magic and bloodline was more of a conversation starter than a declaration of war or an outright zealot talking point. Religion, politics, and growing knowledge shaped many ideas among the people of the world. With the intermingling of Tilabian people in all these places, it is difficult to adhere to one facet or idea related to magic. Most were focused on survival, and the topic or history of their people was mostly lost. Unless you live outside a city's borders, such as in the Hidam Desert, you can seldom spot a "true" Watumi, still herding various desert cattle, sheep, and goats in the rough, arid terrain. Even then, these nomads often cannot cite the rites of their ancestors or use the rituals that use magical runes of a forgotten time. Moreover, many in Tilabian do not utilize magic and rely heavily on the sword, axe, hoe, or beast for their needs. In small cases, folk magic to light a small fire or try and remove a hex is all you would find among any household in Tilaba. This change is normal; it is what allows the races of Tilaba to live within the concept of their society. Their cities may fall, but the people often endure with this ideal.

Take, for instance, the nation of Burgeon. Their identity is less and less meaningful than the collective whole of Tilaba, but it affects so many small aspects of nations beyond their borders of the Western Continent. The city itself formed after the fall of the Nine Kings during the last Great War on both the Eastern and Western continents. They changed the name from Anita after that war and wiped its history from the records. To ensure stability, bonds were formed to regulate land ownership and prevent conflict. Thus, the Kingdom of Anita died, and the nation of Burgeon rose. This small but influential nation, named after the Burgeon family who first cultivated various plants for dyes, was famed for their enchantments and timber. Initially, they were loyal to the king of the land of Anita and held a prominent position of power and wealth. However, as time passed, instability, greed, and the desire for power grew among the King of Anita and the royals. The Burgeon were one of the main backers and aided in the usurping of the King and other kingdoms during the last war in the western territories of the Western Continent. They helped reshape the world and overthrew the monarch’s system. Their spoils saw their power, wealth, and influence grow.

As centuries passed, they, along with their allies, established a banking system and controlled a prominent stretch of land in the Western Continent. The Burgeon took control of the small but resource-heavy western coastline. Their borders stretched from the edge of the northeastern mountains of Odenspall to the red sands facing the Dividing Sea. They offered land to many non-nobles, something most monarchs denied in the past. Their other changes were seen as even more radical, allowing many without noble blood to hold power and vote for certain judges and generals. They also allowed councils in nearby towns and cities, basically granting them a sense of autonomy. During the collapse of the Nine Kings and the subsequent kingdoms in the last Great War, their laws enormously changed the landscape politically and topographically. For some time, the wealth of the city was held by the family and then spread to various lower houses and court officials. This ended as power began to be held by only a few groups, mimicking the very kings they had overthrown. Many riots began during their reign, roughly a few hundred years or so after the war. Many felt trapped by the economic pressure to produce, with no room to grow and flourish economically. Many felt they had replaced one monarch with another, one who simply did not wear a crown, which was not entirely inaccurate. To quell this uprising, most of their critics were assassinated or jailed, leading to many more riots and unrest. It was not until the age of expansion, as smaller townships grew in power and wealth, with their granted autonomy, that the Burgeon family needed to address the growing threat outside their walls.

The Burgeon head households realized they could not continue to fight within their borders and worry about external concerns as other larger nations grew in power and industrialized. So, they opted for an unethical but effective process: expelling most of these rebels and branding them Feral. The term "Feral" grew more out of myth and lies during this exodus of citizens. They were thought to be people who lived in the savage and untamed forest, hundreds of miles from the main capital city. This forest, which no nation seemed able to tame, was a refuge for wild creatures and unimaginable horrors. Over time, this myth evolved into tales of a cabal of evil, murderous thieves, or beast-like men, or worse. Some said they were a demon race formed by the old Gods, who sought the downfall of society to return to foraging and hunting like their ancestors. In any case, those with power inside the city walls created most of the stories about the Feral, claiming they sought to corrupt and kill the city's citizens. Any looters, pillagers, and murderers were automatically labeled Feral. When there were food or pay shortages, the Feral were blamed for creating incidents and acting as an invisible hand hindering the city's prosperity. This led many to believe these outcasts were masterminds who wished to overthrow their way of life.

For more than three hundred years, a great expulsion saw thousands sent outside the walls and borders into the forest. Few chose a life outside the city walls, instead opting for death or a lifetime of "owner bond" to the city, a form of contracted slavery. Over time, stability returned, as many angry citizens became pacified with the safety of the walls or the risk of being branded Feral. The world had changed and become something different from the years before the great expulsion. Fewer people used magic, as its knowledge was kept secret or ran the risk of competition or threat from the masses. Although not outright outlawed, it was more or less reserved for the wealthy, soldiers, and those whose occupations required it, such as alchemists or priests. At most, you would find some using old folk magic to light a candle or try to remove a wart. However, this story is not just about a single nation or one voice. It isn't about the "Feral" within the walls who plots against its people, or the Burgeon. No, often it is best to start with the seemingly dull or unimaginative. Not a fated hero or group, just people and a person who exist in this world like so many. So, we start with one young man, deemed ordinary, humdrum, and see how he reacts in a dire situation, and whether he becomes his uncharacteristic self. Then see how fate, destiny, and the world of Tibia are forever changed through the many eyes of the inhabitants.