DISCLAIMER .
This is a work of fiction. The world, characters, events, and beliefs depicted herein are entirely fictional.The following pages contain themes of violence, death, grief, abuse, suffering, and other potentially disturbing subjects. These themes exist solely within the context of the fictional narrative and do not reflect or endorse the creator's beliefs or condone the actions depicted.Please proceed at your own discretion!
Photographs were gathered from Pinterest as placeholders for visual reference. I do not claim ownership of them. If any of the images belong to you and you'd like them removed, just let me know!Any illustration without listed credit is made by me.If you'd like to make an OC for this verse, feel free to! Just keep in mind it will exist separately from canon. But do show me please, it'd make me happy :-)Also I use a translator for Latin and English is not my first language, please keep that in mind (and feel free to correct me when I get anything wrong!)
world .
The continent of Ceryneia - 7 nations ruled by the descendants of the pillars.
the ancients .
The three pillars of existence - Grief, Hunger and Desire.
doloris
fames
imerus
the patrons .
The Seven Descendants - borne from the pillars, they shaped the Lands.
euthemis
epimene
cthasis
videntia
neres
eromanis
fortunia
cosmology.
Grief, Hunger & Desire
These are the Ancients - primordial manifestations of impulses inherent to mortals. From them came life, for before we are, we grieve, crave, and yearn.But Chaos needed order, as the World could not be governed by instinct alone, thus from the base instincts arose The Seven Descendants: from Grief came Life, Death & Order, from Hunger came Knowledge & War, and from Desire came Fortune & Love. Each member of the Septet has a halo, a veil and a stigma - a mark of the Ancients, which distorts their image, distinguishing them from mere mortals.The Communion of the Ancients, a church dedicated to breaching the gap between Humankind and the Divine, is in charge of communication and maintaining the Order, lest the World falls into Chaos once more. For that reason, they have a Seer for each Ancient, a human imbued with blood of the Ancients, who becomes a being halfway to Divinity and gains the ability to speak and hear them. However, they also suffer greatly because of their new stigmata.
DOLORIS
the mournful witness
The primal of Grief. It's neither death nor mourning, but rather the emptiness borne from anguish.
Celebrated by the faithful in the "Exsequiae" - a ceremony where the faithful bury their elders whilst they still draw breath and mourn for one night, with prayers from the Seer of Doloris.
FAMES
the ravenous maws
The primal of Hunger. It's neither appetite nor starvation, but rather the void borne from dissatisfaction.
Celebrated by the faithful in the "Ambrosia" - a ceremony where living faithful are consumed by other devout believers, with the Seer of Fames being the one to take the first bite.)
IMERUS
the sybaritic heart
The primal of Desire. It's neither longing nor want, but rather the yearning for fulfillment.
Celebrated by the faithful in the "Bacchanalia " - a ceremony where the faithful engage in frenzied orgies and ravenous feast that lasts two nights, without sleep or rest. The Seer of Imerus is present the entire time.
Adraste.
The Everfair
capital: praxidice
patron: euthemis, the praetor
motto: "justice, honesty, integrity"
Adraste is a nation towards the northeast, whose permafrost has earned her the nickname "The Everfair". Perpetually frigid, the tall mountains and tundra make navigating life in the country challenging for anyone unused to the climate.The economy of Adraste is that of tourism and services for the most part, although there's also many skilled hunters whose catch fetches good prices in markets due to the arduous conditions (so much so that such products from Adraste are considered a delicacy pretty much anywhere). Within the city, however, Adrastians excel in the legal field and notary work.The governing faction are the Senatus, a group of lawmakers who debate within the Palace of Praxidice to reach a consensus before presenting it to the patron — Lady Euthemis, The Praetor.
symbol: ⚖️
colour: skyward (#a5c6ca)
animal: lion
card: justice
Euthemis.
epithet: the praetor
progenitor: doloris
patronage: law, justice & punishment
seat: hyperion
stigma: caecitas
Lady Euthemis, The Praetor is the patron of Adraste.
She is a descendant of Doloris, the primal of Grief, and embodies the equilibrium between life and death. An iron fisted ruler, she has the last say in government affairs and oversees any and all transactions and contracts.She has marble skin, with cracks fixed with liquid gold, and a veil over her eyes - or rather, where they should be. Her stigma is a lack of eyes, as justice must be blind. She always weas a crown of gilded wings.The national holiday is the Dies Jovis. On this day, the people march Hyperion, the tallest mountain of the Lands, where Euthemis resides, to offer their respects.
iustitia, probitas, integritas
Rumina.
The Flourishing
capital: virides
patron: epimene, the mother
motto: "the roots bind us"
Rumina is a nation to the north, dubbed "The Flourishing" due to the abundance of nature. The people of Rumina live in harmony with the world surrounding them, protecting and caring for it in return for the bounties they are gifted.The economy is mostly rural, with the best of the greenery and produce coming from there. Those who don't dedicate themselves to farming or harvesting are usually herbalists and apothecaries. The people are so in touch with nature that consumption of meat is frowned upon.There is no central government, instead each village manages their own territory and people; the cooperative nature of this scheme helps preserve peace and make work and life efficient for everyone. If they need to reach a consensus, each village has an elder that acts as a representative.Lady Epimene, The Mother is their patron, whose abode is in Hyperborea, the deathless tree in the centre. The role of the Patron in Rumina is purely religious, rather than political.
symbol: 🌱
colour: rustic sage (#99A56F)
animal: deer
card: the empress
Epimene.
epithet: the mother
progenitor: doloris
patronage: nature, childbirth & health
seat: hyperborea
stigma: graviditas aeterna
Lady Epimene, The Mother is the patron of Rumina. She is a descendant of Doloris, the primal of Grief, and embodies life.A gentle and caring figure, she's the overseer and guardian of the Land of Rumina and its every plant, animal and inhabitant. Her stigma is a perpetual state of pregnancy, as the representation of life itself. A crown of branches rests on her head.The national holiday is called Calligeneia. The people gather to celebrate bountiful harvests with massive feasts and pray for prosperity for the coming seasons.
Radices nos ligant
Eurybdis.
The Unsinking.
capital: nereus
patron: videntia, the oracle
motto: "from the waves we rose"
Eurybdis is a maritime nation in the southeast known as "The Unsinking", due to being surrounded by water sources (falls, rivers, ocean) and having a low coastline, yet managing to thrive.Eurybdians have historically excelled as navigators and sailors, and as such are the principal hub for maritime commerce and fishing. The famed Port Nereus is the largest harbour in Ceryneia, acting as an international market for distributors and traders.On the other hand, Eurybdis also hosts the largest and most important library within the Great Institute of Thaumas, an academy with thousands of years worth of history and material. This is also where the Disciples of the Tides, the governing council formed by honoured scholars, operates.Deep beneath Thaumas resides Lady Videntia, The Oracle, their patron. Much like her elder, Epimene, she abstains from political participation and mostly serves a spiritual role.
symbol: 🔮
colour: precious blue (#203399)
animal: octopus
card: the magician
Videntia.
epithet: the oracle
progenitor: fames
patronage: sailors, divination & science
seat: thaumas
stigma: pyxis
Lady Videntia, The Oracle is the patron of Eurybdis. She is a descendant of Fames, the primal of Hunger, and embodies the thirst for knowledge.A mysterious and sagely entity hidden away from the surface who's often consulted for forecasts in navigation. Her four arms stigma represent each cardinal direction. A violet veil obscures her face under a halo of stars.The national holiday is Eidothea Carmentalia, where people go to the Institute to ask for the Oracle's forecast on the new year. It's customary also to cast into the sea bottles containing things one wishes to leave behind, such as bad luck or sad memories.
Ex undis surreximus
Chryseum.
The Glimmering.
capital: via aurea
patron: fortunia, the gilded
motto: "the sun shines on us"
Chryseum, "The Glimmering", is a nation to the west which is largely a desert. From within the sands, springs forth a majestic oasis: Via Aurea, near the coast.The arid climate, as well as the scorching floors of the Gilded Sands, make any sort of agriculture dififcult. However, Via Aurea is a major centre of commerce and culture, famous for its beautiful architecture, luxurious markets and plentiful entretainment. Justice in Chryseum is particularly interesting, as disputes are settled via games of chance, attributing the results to divine justice through Lady Fortunia.The government is at the hands of the Chamber of Mercatores, a group of the most successful merchants operating in the Great Markets, aided by bankers.In Chryse, amidst the sands of the Eye of Pontus, lives Lady Fortunia, the Gilded. The patron of Chryseum prefers a life of enjoyment and fulfillment rather than one burdened by politics.
symbol: 🪙
colour: gold feather (#E2B555)
animal: peafowl
card: the wheel of fortune
Fortunia.
epithet: the gilded
progenitor: imerus
patronage: good fortune, gambling & commerce
seat: chryse
stigma: membra aurata
Lady Fortunia, The Gilded is the patron of Chryseum. She is a descendant of Imerus, the primal of Desire, and embodies all material desire.An entity with a penchant for games of chance and simple pleasures. Her stigma are her gilded limbs, which weigh her down. A crown of laurels adorns her hair and holds her transparent veil.The national holiday is the Automatia Magna, a grand festival where the people of all the Lands travel to witness majestic parades and entertainment unlike anywhere else.
Sol nobis lucet
Tyrneven.
The Ash-Shrouded.
capital: reginbrennen
patron: neres, the merciless
motto: "for the fires that forge our blades"
Tyrneven is a mountainous nation to the south of the Lands. It's sulfuric winds and frequent volcanic activity force its inhabitants underground or high above, leaving the surface level territory to the mercy of the elements. It is the southernmost point in Ceryneia.The people of Reginbrennen all live within a large crater named Fenrir's maw, which branches out into tunnels underground; this allows the people to live an otherwise normal life without concern for eruptions. Naturally, the most profitable and easily available source of income is mining, as well as the use of magma for forging and smithing weapons and tools alike.The governing body is The Branded, knights serving directly under Lady Neres, the Merciless in Fort Elysium, a vantage point atop a rocky platform that looks down upon Bridge of Garmr's Jaws.
symbol: 🐺
colour: roof terracotta (#A72D25)
animal: wolf
card: the strength
Neres.
epithet: the merciless
progenitor: fames
patronage: the forge, miners & war
seat: fort elysium
stigma: sanguis lupinus
Lady Neres, The Merciless is the patron of Tyrneven. She is a descendant of Fames, the primal of Hunger, and embodies bloodlust and hunger for victory.Marked by scars all over, she is the picture of war. Her stigma makes part of her body that of a wolf, much like war turns people into beasts. She traded her halo for a skull and wears her veil as a cape that hides her monstrous form.The national holiday is the Vulcanomachia, a competition where the brave climb their way to Elysium during eruption season to reach the Fortress. Once they arrive, they must face a duel against a knight and if they survive, they become part of the Order.
Pro ignibus qui laminas nostras fabricant
Arcadium.
The Halcyon Isles.
capital: nymphis
patron: eromanis, the enamoured
motto: "for love is the way"
The Arcadium Isles are an archipelago in the easternmost part of Ceryneia. A tropical paradise where the sun never stops shining (even at night), these islands are the most popular destination for newlyweds.Arcadians live for pleasure, as much as their patron does. They devote themselves to the arts, be it music, fine arts or poetry - bathed in the glimmering sunlight and breathing in the seasalt in the air, anybody feels a surge of inspiration. Another big part of the economy is tourism, as the archipelago is frequently visited by people from all over the Lands.The Isles are a Monarchy under Queen Alba, the current head of state, along with crown princess Aurora. Their patron, Lady Eromanis, the Enamoured lives in her sanctuary Hesperides, where she lounges about surrounded by flowers and crystalline waters, as well as her dearest nymphs, enjoying life away from politics.
symbol: 🐚
colour: cobalt pink (#EE5D97)
animal: dolphin
card: the high priestess
Eromanis.
epithet: the enamoured
progenitor: imerus
patronage: love, pleasure & arts
seat: hesperides
stigma: praecordia
Lady Eromanis, The Enamoured is the patron of Arcadium. She is a descendant of Imerus, the primal of Desire, and embodies hedonistic pleasure.A beautiful nymph whose depictions leave mortals breathless. All clocks in the Isles are synced to her heartbeat, which is visible due to her stigma. Her halo takes the form of flowers on her hair, and her veil is absent - only worn by brides on their wedding day. She also has stretch marks on her hips that spiral into heart shapes.The national holiday is the Veneralia Caristia, a week long festival where people organize great feasts and scatter petals into the winds, for Lady Eromanis's blessing to reach far and wide.
nam amor est via
Orphneus.
The Everdark.
capital: ■■■■■
patron: chtasis, the forlorn
motto: "unto us are grief, hunger and desire"
Orphneus is a small area within the eastern mountains of the Nomia Mountain Range, a place where the sun never shines and the fog never dissipates. A natural cemetery, the entrance is guarded by the Undead.Orphneus has no population outside of the Church, the Communion of the Ancients and their patron, Lady Chtasis. The entrance is locked behind rocky formations, thorny briars and flocks of ravens - accessing the Church is a rite of passage in of itself.The Church is a sort of government, although it serves a purpose greater than local politics. Each branch of the Church has a Seer, one for every Ancient. Their patron, Lady Chtasis, the Forlorn lives in her sanctuary Hesperides, where she lounges about surrounded by flowers and crystalline waters, as well as her dearest nymphs, enjoying life away from politics.
symbol: 🐦⬛
colour: ash lilac (#948C9B)
animal: raven
card: death
Cthasis.
epithet: the forlorn
progenitor: doloris
patronage: funerary rites, gravekeepers & memory
seat: ■■■■■
stigma: putrescens
Lady Chtasis, The Forlorn is the patron of Orphneus. She is a descendant of Doloris, the primal of Grief, and embodies death.A somber entity chained to the underground, her stigma makes half of her body rot and decay. Her halo is a crown of seven points made of bone, holding a funerary veil.There is no centralized holiday for Orphneus, but rather one for each Ancient. Lady Chtasis does not take part, as she is secluded in the crypts below the Church. The Seers are the ones to communicate with her every dusk, upon the first ray of moonlight.
nobis dolor, fames et desiderium
cast .
{ click on the cards for more information }
noire
ceres
vittorio
eophis
cordelia
camilla
{ more TBA .}
Noire .
Leonore Iphigenis
hunger (n) /ˈhʌŋɡə/
a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat.
symbol: 🦷
colour: shadow grey (#1F2233)
animal: mouse
card: the hierophant
faction: the communion
About
The mysterious Seer of Fames. Despite the constant tormenting whispers of the Ancient in her head and the ravenous hunger the maws inflict upon her, she remains a kind and gracious host and a diligent priestess.
alias/nickname: noire, leni (by eophis)
age: 35
pronouns: she/her
height: 165 cm / 5'4
notable features: stitching across face, maws protruding from left side of face and neck
traits: reserved, kind-hearted, mellow, indecisive
occupation: seer of Fames
relationships: eophis (elder sister), camilla (daughter)
notes: maws require sustenance, specifically raw meat.
Tandem omnes devorantur; sola quaestio est a quo.
Vittorio .
Vittorio DiLorenzo
duty (n) /ˈdjuːti/
obligatory tasks, conduct, service, or functions that arise from one's position (as in life or in a group)
symbol: 📿
colour: carbon black (#191919)
animal: wolf
card: the emperor
faction: the communion
About
Once an underground pugilist, he now lives a life of duty marked by unwavering discipline as a Priest and Exorcist in the Communion of the Ancients. Even in the face of the uncanny and sinister, he remains composed and maintains order.
alias/nickname: vic
age: 45
pronouns: he/him
height: 190 cm / 6'2
notable features: scar across face, closed left eye, tired eyes
traits: stoic, cool-headed, stern, sensible
occupation: pugilist (formerly) exorcist, priest (current)
relationships: camilla (disciple), noire (lover?)
notes: chainsmoker, won't quit even when told to
vincere est manere; cetera tantum memoria tenentur.
Ceres .
Ceres DeMorgane
hedonistic (adj.) /ˌhiːdəˈnɪstɪk,ˌhɛdəˈnɪstɪk/
engaged in the pursuit of pleasure; sensually self-indulgent.
symbol: 🌿
colour: olive (#76821F)
animal: hyena
card: the fool
faction: the coven
About
A witch secluded in the Northern Forests who thrives in chaos and seeks only the most self-indulgent of pleasures in life. She cares little for the consequences of her actions.
alias/nickname: the witch (vittorio)
age: ??
pronouns: she/her
height: 175 cm / 5'7
notable features: tattoos all over arms and legs, scars across neck and on shoulder, heterochromia (green-amber)
traits: selfish, hedonistic, sadistic, irresponsible
occupation: witch
relationships: cybele (eldest sister), ceto (youngest sister)
notes: even among the witch society, she's regarded as an eccentric and outcast
Bestia in insidiis latet, non occulta sed coram oculis tuis.
Eophis .
Eva Marie Iphigenis
diagnosis (n) /ˌdʌɪəɡˈnəʊsɪs/
the identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.
symbol: 🩺
colour: stormy teal (#1C5F5C)
animal: lion
card: the hanged man
faction: institute of thaumas
About
Chronically exhausted but determined, she works with surgical precision even on the smallest of tasks to ensure success. Her desire to help (especially her sister, Noire) drives her to obsessive ambition.
alias/nickname: eophis, eve (noire)
age: 39
pronouns: she/her
height: 178 cm / 5'8
notable features: double beauty mark under eyes, dark undereyes
traits: workaholic, strict, obsessive, meticulous
occupation: psychiatrist, researcher
relationships: noire (younger sister), camilla (niece)
notes: she's a caffeine addicted insomniac. suffers from ocd (obsessive compulsive disorder.)
corpus machina est: si frangi potest, recomponi potest.
Cordelia .
Cordelia DuPont
preserve (v) /pri-ˈzərv/
to keep alive, intact, or free from decay
symbol: 🕯
colour: deep twilight (#211D5D)
animal: deer
card: the hermit
faction: the manor
About
A gravekeeper and head of the household staff in the Manor.
She's a dilligent and hardworking woman with a vast knowledge in the art of undertaking and housekeeping.
alias/nickname: little miss bones (ceres), delia (vittorio)
age: ??
pronouns: she/her
height: 163 cm / 5'3
notable features: stitched mouth, teardrop tattoo on face
traits: observant, timid, responsible, easily startled
occupation: manor custodian and head housekeeper
relationships: ■■■■■ (■■■■■)
notes: her mouth is sewn shut, she communicates via gestures, grunts and sign language.
Mortuos veneror, ut vivi placide dormiant.
Plumeria.
Plumeria Frangipane
mysterious (a) /mɪˈstɪə.ri.əs/
strange, not known, or not understood
symbol: 🌸
colour: deep lavender (#987CBB)
animal: serpent
card: the stars
faction: the manor, the coven
About
Mistress of the Manor and a member of the Coven, a prominent necromancer in the society of witches.
alias/nickname: lady of flowers
age: ??
pronouns: she/they
species: ?
height: 170 cm / 5'5
notable features: flower eyepatch, beauty mark
traits: serene, unsettling, elegant
occupation: mistress of the manor
relationships: cordelia (employee)
notes: the flower is just a decoration.
noli oblivisci ianuam claudere cum exis.
Camilla .
Camilla Iphigenis
vision (n) /ˈvɪʒn/
an experience of seeing someone or something in a dream or trance,
or as a supernatural apparition.
emoji: 🎀
colour: brick red (#B12E2A)
animal: rabbit
card: temperance
faction: the communion
About
A young exorcist-in-training who bears the blood of Fames and the daughter of Noire. Hardworking and determined, she endures the intrusive visions of the Ancients that bleed into her everyday.
alias/nickname: cami
age: 18
pronouns: she/her
height: 160 cm / 5'2
notable features: lightless red eyes
traits: polite, hardworking, meek, gullible
occupation: exorcist in training
relationships: noire (mother), vittorio (mentor)
notes: the blood of fames gives her an unruly appetite, causing her visual hallucinations that call for her to feast. she tries her best to keep them at bay for the sake of her training.
hi oculi ultra ea quae visibilia sunt vident.