Tag: #ScalesSeries

Scales Series, Species Spotlight

Species Spotlight: Doppelganger

KC J. Hutchins

With no past to remember, the doppelgangers take on a form of whoever they chose; desperately trying to find an identity. These faceless phantoms once had no bodies, until the Betrachs came into existence. A shock wave rippled through the reverse world where the doppelgangers live and attracted the beings to the battle of the Dracux and the newly formed Betrachs. When the battle subsided the doppelgangers possessed two things; metallic bodies with glass panels and a burning hatred for the Betrachs. They are masters of disguise, trapping those they are impersonating within mirrors that have their own void dimension. Always be on guard for the eyes that lie within the glass or they might just grab you from the mirror.

Scales Series, Species Spotlight

Species Spotlight: Betrach

KC J. Hutchins

Dragons that hold their appearance in high regard, these creatures are a sight to see. Their skin is made of colored metal that they design themselves. Panels of mirrors spread across the length of their body. Most members of this species contain either a frill, sail, or fan made of glass to decorate their elegance. They are masters of the strange force that resonates in mirrors. The Betrachs are a type of dragon that came into existence during experiments conducted by the Jiqeeran while working with the fear wielding dragons known as the Hofoka. They were attempting to make the images that the Hofoka display stronger and give them the ability to portray more than one illusion at a time. While in the middle of experimenting, the Dracux, dragons who can bend light to their whim, attacked saying that science was a cruelty to any living creature. The prototype armors the fear dragons wore helped indeed boost their powers but with the drawback of slowing their movements. As consequence, they became bigger targets for the enemy to strike. With a might blow, the light dragons burst forth a blast of energy defeating their foes, or so they thought. As the Hofokas lay defeated, they began to glow; absorbing the very light that had struck them down. Their bodies changed, giving them metallic skin and mirrors that coated various parts of their body. The Dracuxes started to blast light at their enemies once again. The now Betrachs brought forth mirror shields from their skin, reflecting the attack back at their oppressors. The rebounded energy struck the Dracuxes, knocking them down. Filled with rage they countered, drawing their swords, and slashing their steel against the metallic bodies of the Betrachs. They grimaced when they found that their weapons did no harm to the mutated creatures. Realizing that this purge was unsuccessful, the light dragons retreated. The new creatures decided that it would not be safe to move back to their homeland of Hofu which was close to the land occupied by the Dracuxes, Lux. They settled for a land that was once a major human city but had long been abandoned. The buildings were crumbling, and sand littered the streets. The Betrachs sought to turn the barren land into a paradise for them. With friendship, the mirror dragons requested aid from the Matahari, who used their abilities to create the hottest fire known to Magitotum, to convert the sand into glass. The Betrachs then used the glass to make the reflecting land of Spiegel.

Exploring New Lands, Scales Series

Exploring New Lands: Staude

KC J. Hutchins

The land is a vast forest with trunks much larger than a person. Two types of tree grow here; glowing black bark Weeping Willows with purple shining leaves and vines that shower down to the ground and radiant white barked Ash trees whose leaves outshine their counterparts. At one time, these grew on two separate sides of each other. When Elfriede and Gundisalv joined together their people with the help of Pelzgrauen, the forest became intermingled with a large center hybrid tree known as Verbin. Here the new king and queen built the royal palace. As for other landmarks, there are none left. The constant civil wars of the elves have destroyed any places sacred to both sides.

Scales Series, Species Spotlight

Species Spotlight: Elves, Dark and Light

KC J. Hutchins

For many centuries, the forested land of Staude has been torn my civil war. Within its borders, two types of elves battle for dominance, the light and dark. There are only slight differences between the two pointed eared peoples. The fair skinned light elves are more elegantly dressed, preferring to use the mind rather than fist. This fits well with their skill over light based magic. On the other hand, dark elves are renown hunters. Unlike their relatives, they are experts at hand to hand combat using their aura based abilities. Their skin has a purple hint or pitch black skin which gives them the ability to camouflage with the dark night. At one time these two people were once one, but the history has long been forgotten.

Confusing Concepts, Scales Series

Confusing Concepts: Energies

KC J. Hutchins

There are six major energies that can be tapped into by the beings found in Magitotum. Werewolves and vampires can easily access the primal. This animalistic energy is made by every living thing that breathes. When it takes shape, you can see the pale light of the moon. It is thought that the moon can bring out the beast out of even the most civilized creature. Next would be the elemental, or Primus, these that occur in nature. This force flows through the world itself and through every living thing. Shamans use this energy mixed with their own magical network to cast spells. This brings me to a second one, magic. Much like our nervous system, those who can tap into magic have what we call a magical network. It serves as a way for their body to properly channel the power. This energy pools in three locations in a sorcerer’s body; the brain, chest, and the abdomen. Because of where these are found, the one using it has a limited amount they can perform at one time. Overtaxing themselves could lead to their very deaths. There are locations throughout Magitotum that naturally flows a wellspring of magic itself, like their home of Mendaxum which can expand their abilities in the immediate area. Metaphysical energy, or Eximus, is characterized as being beyond comprehension. It is not that it cannot be manipulated but that the energies are not fully understood. For example, over in the land of Orario are the Tempago who manipulate the very fabric of time; something they dedicate their lives to master. Not one of them have full control over the force; as is true for any of the metaphysical forces. The final two energies are less known by most of Magitotum. The first is called aura, the internal fighting spirit. Each person has a unique form of this energy that appears as a color and covers the outside of the body. The form it takes can show the abilities the individual may possess. Finally, the last one is called chakra. This form is wielded by very few and connects to the spiritual energy that flows from person to person. There are seven pools of this energy that are found within the body. If someone taps into all of them, it is rumored that they can avoid death until they are ready to accept it. Necromancers are one of the very few that can tap into this and usually end up as key keepers along with Reapers and the Phasm in the land of Peractium.