Seaside2

I have a shitload to compile about the actual regions of the continent so in the meantime here's something bite-sized.
What do people in this setting look like? I lieu of the typical fantasy tropes, and to save myself the struggle of trying to figure out the evolution of social structures, there are no "races." Since everyone is literally made of magic, they can look like just about anything, though their appearance is typically reflective in some way of the elements of mana that compose them, and most are either humanoid or anthropomorphic. The most "pure human" a character can be still has some animalistic or elemental traits.
Also, trans people exist. I know that shouldn't need to be said but I'm saying it. There are multiple ways to transition and it is normalized basically everywhere on the continent. I'll touch on those methods at some point.

surely its been long enough after Deltarune's chapters 3+4 releasing to be able to post this, i feel it looks a bit wonky but what can ya do

Let's talk about magic, alchemy, and technology. In a world where everything is made of mana, raw energy given form through a binding of elements, these things are a bit different than you might understand them. I've explained how magic works, and how using it takes a similar toll on the body as overexerting oneself with physical activity. Alchemy, then, is in this world the process by which mana changes form. Alchemical processes, usually conducted by injecting a small amount of mana from the alchemist's body into the subject, can transform mana from one element to another, fundamentally altering the physical properties of an object or material. The object or material itself cannot be transmuted into another form altogether, however, merely altered. For example, you could turn lead lustrous, but this would not make it gold.
Very technically speaking, a spellcaster who produces an elemental effect different from the elements that make up their being is using alchemy to transmute energy into a different form. This particular application is referred to as Alchemancy. A talented Alchemancer is able to alter the elemental state of any many within reach, transmuting energy even as others manipulate it.

Technology in this world is born from alchemy. Transforming raw material into energy to power complex devices is the foundation on which multiple nations have been built. However this process damages the natural cycle of energy between the Circles. Mana spent magically will return to the Circle from which it came and eventually cycle back into the world, but mana which is forcibly transformed into energy becomes polluted and unable to return to the cycle. Technology must consume an endless amount of raw resources, depleting the natural mana in its surroundings.
In this atmosphere of depleted mana, these civilizations have developed complex machines that run on intricate electrical systems comparable to modern technology in our world. These systems, however, are delicate, and a sufficient presence of natural, ambient mana can at best interfere with them, creating energy fluctuations that make their functions unstable, and at worst cause catastrophic failure.

There are three, technically four nations on the continent who have developed technological systems, with varying levels of advancement. At the lowest end is modern-day technology, and at the highest end is androids and mecha. These things are fundamentally incompatible with magic, and cannot exist in lands suffused with mana. Electrical systems overload and shut down. There is a level of distrust between magically-developed nations and technologically-developed nations, even those who have generally good relations. They each see their way as the way, and the other as some kind of savages railing against the natural order.

Quote from: clockworkmonkey on Jul 06, 2025, 02:52 PMRod is so friend shapedYou cannot view this attachment.

Revenge attack!! >:3

Your OC Tor'Gorath was just so cute and cool. I knew it had to be him that I attacked you with.

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Quote from: bunwizard_tammy on Jul 10, 2025, 05:48 PMi think its important to show good emotions like that! being vulnerable about how you feel makes people feel better imo!

I really hope so!! 

i think its important to show good emotions like that! being vulnerable about how you feel makes people feel better imo!

Quote from: TrikznHeartbreaker on Jul 10, 2025, 11:25 AMit's ok to show emotion, you are a hooman after all (when not being a fursona *snicker*) so it's ok to let your guard down once in a while. you did a good job

Thank you, Trikz. :X

it's ok to show emotion, you are a hooman after all (when not being a fursona *snicker*) so it's ok to let your guard down once in a while. you did a good job

I was presenting at the company all hands and I was so happy to report some good news about the project I was leading this quarter. And then the presentation got kind of heavy with the news about the US, since we work with nonprofits, and then when it was my turn I just started crying, lmao. :X

I talked about how my grandmother passed during this quarter, how hard it was to focus at work, how it felt like my efforts were for nothing. And yet it ended up being enough to help get a project for the company finished that actually made a huge impact into how quickly we can fix bugs. Like, our engineers solved a Priority 1 bug (a big deal) in one morning. I've never seen something get resolved so fast. And it was totally because of the work my project accomplished. We didn't even meet all the goals we wanted to, and yet we still had an impact!! And somehow having to share that good news made me want to cry, lmao.

I was so embarrassed. I still am. >_> I'm going to be kicking myself for weeks about it. But a ton of people told me how emotional it made them to hear what I had to say and felt inspired and thanked me for being so honest and vulnerable. And my boss and I had our 1-on-1 right after and they were like, "You shouldn't feel ashamed at all!" It was really nice. I'm just still...really embarrassed, lmao.

And also. Totally emotionally exhausted. Ugh. I feel good and also so fragile. Like after a really good cry. :X

He totally is your sporty gay uncle xD