Gramarye
Develesjans are no strangers to the supernatural. On this page, you may find information regarding the more... esoteric encounters your Handler might happen upon.
On The Arcane
You will find no flashy, colourful magic in Develesja. Instead, the arcane permeates everyday life, showing in subtle but indisputable ways throughout the nation.
Heard 'bout that Astrathalian scout yet? The knave sought to sneak through the forest to Velmir Keep.'Twas of little avail - Fool must have thought our land so blessed that a throng of fair, unclad maidens dancin' in the dark woods seemed to him a common occurrence.
Found him in bits this morn. Full well we know what lurks in these woods. Makes for a finer defense than our walls, I say.
While the gods' presence and influence is very much palpable in Develesja, their worship affects Develesjan society more than it does the world at large, and as such, the gods are described in more detail on the Develesjans page.
What is Out There...
Many a mythological creature dwells not only in Develesja's wilderness, but also within the homes of its residents. These beings cannot be fought directly, their immense power sure to overwhelm even the most powerful of Lokaji. Instead, the residents of Develesja have learned to live alongside these occurrences, and no longer deem them supernatural.
The Develesjans' ability to live alongside their more obscure neighbours has resulted in a number of superstitions often regarded as unserious by foreign visitors. Develesjans may, for example, hurry to leave their fields around midday, and will refuse with absolute conviction to venture off the cobbled paths in the woods. They may also leave offerings of food outside and inside their homes - just in case.
Lokaj Arcana
Lokaji are, by their nature, divine beings. However, it is possible to guide a Lokaj to be more in tune with the powers present in Develesja when specific items are used during Steelchant. These Lokaji may then possess unusual abilities which they can extend to their Handler when in weapon form.
Fiery Scorn
Those unfortunate enough to have encountered a Zmej will swiftly recognise this Lokaj's influence. Lokaji with these powers grow spikes along their body and possess the ability to breathe fire or poisonous smoke, which results in a permanent glow being emitted from their beak.
These Lokaji are closely in tune with the Běs. Their front halves grow long, sharp feathers, and their eyes lose their pupils. These Lokaji are capable of affecting others' minds, clouding them with such fury that even sworn brothers will not hesitate to attack one another.
Vile Fury
Boreal Talons
Lokaji in tune with the Lešij, the guardians of the forests, gain patches of flower petals where their feathers would otherwise grow. Their bond with nature is harmonious and flawless - branches lean out of their way when they walk, animals come to their aid, and groves close around those that would do them harm.
Soul Adrift
In large bodies of water, one may encounter a Vodník - a water-dwelling creature with a penchant for drowning careless humans and trapping their souls in decorative cups. Lokaji in tune with these creatures display patches of white, porcelain-like colouration on parts of their body, decorated with floral motifs or gold, similarly to the rims of vintage crockery. These Lokaji gain extensive control over water.
Curses of Transformation
Particularly unfortunate Handlers might find themselves seized by Curses of Transformation - vile, irreversible spells which forever transform not only their countenance, but also their spirit and behaviour. Thankfully, these occurrences are as rare as they are dangerous, and Handlers are unlikely to happen upon them in most of their everyday activities.
Curses of Transformation will not transform you into the mythological creature in question! You will only suffer one of their key aspects, but never gain their full power or form.
Curses of Transformation should not be thought of as superpowers, or admirable qualities in general. Handlers rarely achieve a harmonious coexistence with their Curse and are instead often condemned to live out the rest of their lives struggling against their very nature.
You will always receive sufficient warnings prior to your Handler getting affected by a Curse during in-game events.