Komia is a vast and diverse world filled with unique races, powerful creatures, and ancient mysteries. Its lands were shaped by the Original Dragons, whose influence still lingers in the world’s foundations. Towering elemental mountains, living forests, and shimmering deserts whisper of lost civilizations and dragon gods long gone. Magic flows through Komia like an unseen river, woven into its fabric and harnessed through divine blessing, arcane mastery, or ancient runes left behind by forgotten ages. Beneath the surface lie labyrinthine ruins and underground kingdoms holding relics from the era when dragons ruled openly. In their absence, mortals, chief among them the Drakari, (dragonkin), have risen to power, forming kingdoms that mirror the virtues and flaws of their ancestors. Some rule with wisdom and order, others with ambition and conquest. Though the age of dragons has passed, their legacy endures, echoing across Komia like an ancient roar that refuses to fade.

The Runes of Resonance

The Runes of Resonance are ancient symbols woven into the very fabric of reality, allowing spellcasters to tap into powerful energies from the distant past. These runes manifest as glowing inscriptions on objects or as symbols in the air when cast. While spellcasters, those capable of wielding these runes, are relatively common in Komia, few truly understand their full potential. Those who possess this deeper knowledge can alter a rune’s structure to enhance or modify a spell’s effects, increasing its power or versatility. Because of this, highly skilled rune casters are in high demand.

Paths to Magic

There are many ways to become a spellcaster, some more difficult than others. An individual may gain their abilities through rigorous study, poring over ancient magical texts, while others inherit their magic through bloodlines, born with an innate connection to the arcane. Some spellcasters are granted power by mysterious beings, forming pacts with deities, spirits, or otherworldly entities. There are also those who draw their magic directly from the land itself, channeling the natural energy of the world.

Although each spellcaster’s abilities differ, influencing which runes they can use most easily, all magic in Komia is connected through the runes. This suggests a universal foundation for magic, regardless of its source.

Casting with Runes

To cast a spell through a rune, a caster must understand both the rune’s structure have the required energy at the moment of casting, as it depletes the spellcaster’s mana reserves, leaving them drained. Though there are a few ways some spellcasters have learned to recover some mana relatively quickly, it will naturally recover through rest.

If a caster lacks knowledge of a rune’s basic structure, they are unable to use it until they understand it. On the other hand, the more familiar a caster is with a rune, the more powerful they can make it, this does come at a greater cost to their mana recourses.

Runes fall into three main categories:

• Instant Runes: These immediately deplete mana upon activation, producing a swift effect.
• Sustained Runes: These require continued focus to maintain their effects.
• Ritual Runes: These runes may be set up to cast over a longer duration than instant runes, allowing a spellcaster to use its effect without draining their mana. These runes are also able to be cast in the same way an instant rune is if the desired rune's effect is wanted quickly. using a ritual rune in this way has the same effect on the caster of an instant rune.

Currently, spellcasters can only use one rune at a time, with one exception: they may sustain a previously cast sustained rune's effect while invoking a new one, as long as their concentration is not broken.

Runes on Objects

Runes can be inscribed onto objects, infusing them with magic. However, if someone other than the original caster wishes to use a runic object, most often than not, they must first form a magical connection with it. This process, is not limited to those who can cast magic, allowing non-spellcasters to access magic and enables casters unfamiliar with a rune to use its effect, making enchanted objects highly valuable.

While most runic items are intentionally crafted, rare instances of have been found where runes are carved into cliffs, trees, or ruins, sometimes acting as ancient traps or wards.

The Search for New Runes

New runes are still being discovered and translated, continuously expanding the world's magical knowledge. Many believe these runes hold the key to unlocking the secrets of the old dragon gods, embracing them as a path to enlightenment. Others, however, fear the power they possess, believing that great power inevitably leads to corruption.

Runic Interpreters

Those who dedicate their lives to studying and deciphering runes are known as Runic Interpreters. Their knowledge is highly valued, and many rulers and powerful figures seek their favor. Kings and scholars alike fund expeditions and research projects, hoping to uncover lost magic, claim untold power, or perhaps even rediscover the divine knowledge of the ancient gods. In Komia, those who uncover new magic hold something more valuable than gold itself, knowledge and power.

Drexathir

These people are said to be legends amongst spell casters. For they are more powerful in magic than any other. Whatever they speak in the tongue of the ancient dragons, it is said that the world of Komia resonates with their ancient power.

Many think they don't exist and are just myths, something for powerful mages to strive for. Yet some scholars think that they might have found evidence they existed, and they have might even be connected to the legendary dragons and Sun Scales.