Leifandi
Leifandi exists in a parallel reality adjacent to Earth Prime, and though connections to the dimension are rare, they do occur as natural phenomena occasionally, though direct breach of the walls of reality is the usual method of transit between the two. There have been few visitors from other dimensions to Leifandi, and of those the most notable is Dr. Atom from Earth Prime. The planet is a near analogue of Earth, with oceans, forests, lakes, vast plains, and arctic areas, though there are no deserts. The most striking difference between the two, however, is the various array of crystalline formations that lay across the landscapes, sometimes entwined with the local flora itself. These crystalline formations are generally made up of gemstone-like material, with one major difference; these formations have some form of consciousness and sentience, with the ability to lend their innate power to the people of Leifandi most in touch with the planet’s mystical energy.
The People of Leifandi
Those who call Leifandi home are multiple and varied. The most human like are the ones are referred to as Leifandians. Their forms are as varied as other humans, though natural hair colorations can tend to hew towards the colors of gemstones, with dark greens and light blues being the most common. The most striking difference between a Leifandian and a human is their eyes; while a humans iris’ are round, a Leifandian’s are subtly faceted like a cut gemstone, only truly discernable up close. It is speculated that the facets are due to the crystalline structures that dot their planet, a melding of the two dominant life forms of the planet. Though some other theories exist, they are generally not held to have any basis in reality. Not all of the Leifandians are able to connect to the planet’s mystical energy, but those that are create a bond with one crystalline structure, allowing them access to the energy it represents and the ability to manifest it. The ability to wield Gem Magic is seen as a high honor, and those who can are usually destined for great things. It is quite rare for a Leifandian to be able to bond to more than one type of crystal; only certain individuals, like the Master Mage of the dimension, have ever been known to wield more than three, though history does tell of one who had mastery of nearly a half dozen or more. However, an individual capable of that type of control has not been seen on Leifandi in several centuries, if not longer.
Next are the Crystalloids, creatures of crystal who roam the planets surface and tend to the various flora entwined with the crystalline formations along with those formations who stand apart. Not much is known about these creatures; some speculate that they are some offshoot of the crystalline formations themselves, a sort of progeny, while others believe that they are a younger version of the crystalline formations, experiencing Leifandi before eventually settling in to be one with the planet. They vary greatly in height and color; imposing figures made of greens and blacks or smaller, nimbler figures of orange, yellow or blue. One thing is clear however; these beings share some connection to the crystal formations, and history has various accounts of them being fiercely protective of the crystal formations and any flora they intermingled with. There have been interactions between these beings and those Leifandians who can connect to the planet’s mystical energies, but there is no recorded history of these beings ever speaking in any sense of the word.
And finally, the crystalline formations themselves. As stated, they share some connection to everything that exists within the planet, often intertwined with local flora. However, outside of the knowledge that these formations have some form of sentience and a connection to the mystical energy of the planet, little is truly known about them.
Leifandian History
In the earliest eras of Leifandi, there was conflict, much as it is with other worlds. Conflict between the Leifandians and the Crystalloids, as the Leifandians sought to move beyond their nomadic lifestyles and begin to settle in larger and larger encampments. The early Leifandians may not have known the connection the Crystalloids shared with the crystalline formations, only knowing that the flora that was melded with the formations made for sturdier construction materials for shelters. These early conflicts led to the discovery of Gem Magic, and it was through this discovery that an understanding between the two was founded. The first Leifandian Master Mage (for it is not known if there was a Crystalloid or crystal formation that held that title before it was passed to the Leifandians) oversaw the foundation of cities and villages in harmony with the land itself, able to draw out both the necessary materials and the energy by which these settlements could begin to build around.
Once the cities and villages were established, there was an era of general peace, as the Leifandians grew to understand their connection to the planet’s mystical energy and the crystalline formations themselves. It was not without its periods of upheaval, however, as there are almost always individuals who wish to garner more than what they have. During one of these periods, it was noted that the overuse of crystal magic had a horrible side effect; if a Leifandian mage drew too much energy from their bonded crystal without its consent, the formation would explode into splinters, and if those splinters affixed themselves to any Leifandian or Crystalloid without the force of will to resist they were drained of something, be it life force or something similar, causing them to become devoid of all reason and feeling. For those who could resist the splinter’s effects, they found they could control those who had become Soulless, and used them to attempt to wrest Leifandian society for themselves. It took the Master Mage of this time, a woman by the name of Berea Whitestorm, and a number of her acolytes to put a stop to the use of the Soulless, defeating the tyrant Ademamon and his followers. Berea then founded schools for the teaching of Gem Magic to Leifandians, urging them to live in harmony with the crystals they formed bonds with, as a way to keep the practice of the Soulless from returning to Leifandi.
Since then, with the instruction and guidance of the Master Mages and their acolytes, the denizens of Leifandi have been able to live in relative peace, both with the various communities that gradually continued to grow and with the world itself. Today, most Leifandians settle disagreements with the help of arbiters in each of the settlements, or with more than one if the disagreement happens to be between people of two different settlements.
Leifandian Culture and Spirituality
Leifandians have had an interesting history with the crystal formations of their world. Once the connection they bore to the planet’s mystical energies was discovered, many Leifandians believed the crystals to be extensions of the planets will, and for a time there was a great reverence to the formations and the Crystalloids. As time went on and Gem Magic became less rare among the Leifandians, there came a period where there was much discussion about the nature of the crystals, their bond to elemental powers and their place in society. Since that period, there are various beliefs that have cropped up; along with the idea that they could be extensions of the planets will, there are also schools of thought that purport them to be elemental beings or, perhaps, gods.
Regardless of the truth behind the crystal formations, the Leifandians have worked the crystals into their culture. Almost every Leifandian has some sort of necklace or bracelet bearing a piece of crystal infused flora, as this does not form a bond like a pure crystal piece does for a Gem Mage. Most non-gem mages are some sort of artisan, able to successfully work with both normal flora and crystalline flora. These artisans make everything from new housing or other structures, to furniture and clothing. Clothing consists of the colors of the crystalline formations, being gauzy and breathable for the summer seasons and sturdy and layer able for the winter seasons. Gem Mages usually wear clothing in the color of their bonded crystal, and the crystal is either woven into the fabric of the clothing or as an accessory that can be attached, as it must touch the skin for the mage to draw on it’s power.
Gem Magic
Gem Magic is only capable of being utilized by individuals born of Leifandi; there has been no documentation of any Crystalloids being able to bond with a crystal and wield it’s innate power. To be able to utilize a crystal’s power, one must first have an innate ability to sense and connect to the magical energies of Leifandi. In time, there is usually a feeling of being drawn to a specific formation, and upon arriving there a small chunk of the crystal is always awaiting the mage who was called. The crystal can be cut and refined without losing it’s abilities, though some mages choose to use the crystal in the form it was presented to them. A bond is formed between the mage and crystal, and over time the mage develops the ability to use their mystical abilities to draw out the inherent power of the crystal to perform various spells and effects. Most Gem Mages cannot bond with more than one crystal; even the current Master Mage of Leifandi is only bonded to two crystals. Those who have the power to form bonds with more than two crystals are rare, once in a generation beings.
Notable Sites
- Perle: Capital city of Leifandi, oldest and most renowned settlement on Leifandi. The planning of the city allows it to be the dwelling place for thousands of citizens while also being one of the more open and natural settlements on the planet. The city itself is a love letter to the harmony wished for by the early Leifandians.
- The Leifandian Mage Academy: While there are a multitude of branch sites throughout Leifandi, the main one sits in Perle, as both the oldest and grandest of the locations. Many of the Gem Mages who graduate from the Perle academy come from the city itself, however mages from the other cities are always invited to attend as well, to foster good relations between those who grew up in Perle and those who did not.
- Whitestorm Rotunda: This is the hall in Perle where leaders from all over Leifandi meet to discuss matters of importance and work out any issues or disagreements between the settlements themselves. Also usually the seat of the Master Mage, though they generally split their time between the Perle Academny and here.
- Lake Ontovia: The largest inland lake on Leifandi is also home to the most varied group of crystalline formations on the planet. The majority of Crystalloids are seen here, which has led some to designate this site as the settlement of the Crystalloids. While the area can be visited by anyone, there are certain boundaries the Crystalloids enforce, and only the Master Mage and select other Gem Mages have been allowed beyond.
Episode 12: Emerald Tower