Xadia is a vast, magical continent where the six Primal Sources of magic—the Sun, Moon, Stars, Earth, Sky, and Ocean—flow through every living thing. Once a united land shared by humans and magical beings, Xadia was divided over a thousand years ago when humans discovered and began practicing dark magic—a form of magic that consumes magical creatures for power rather than drawing from the Primal Sources.
THE PRIMAL SOURCES
All magic in Xadia stems from the six Primal Sources—fundamental, powerful connections to the natural world:
- SSun - Connected to heat and light, Sun magic is powerful, direct, and potentially destructive.
- MMoon - Associated with illusion, concealment, and the spirit world.
- SStars - The rarest and most mysterious Primal Source, connected to cosmic forces, divination, and time.
- EEarth - Represents the power of flora, fauna, and the land itself, associated with growth and abundance.
- SSky - Connected to wind, storms, and lightning, representing freedom and movement.
- OOcean - The power of water in all its forms, from gentle streams to raging seas, representing change and adaptation.
Magical creatures in Xadia are born with innate connections to one or more Primal Sources. Elves typically have a connection to a single Primal Source, which defines their subspecies (Moonshadow, Sunfire, etc.). Dragons, especially Archdragons like Queen Zubeia, often have deeper connections to their respective Primal Sources.
GEOGRAPHY & REGIONS
Xadia is a land of breathtaking diversity, with landscapes shaped by the Primal Sources that flow through them:
- The Midnight Desert - A vast desert that appears normal during the day but transforms at night when the sand glows with magical energy and comes alive.
- The Storm Spire - The tallest mountain in Xadia and the nexus of Sky magic, home to Queen Zubeia and the Dragon Prince Azymondias.
- The Moonshadow Forest - Dense woodlands where the Moonshadow elves make their homes in settlements like the Silvergrove, magically hidden from outsiders.
- Lux Aurea - The radiant capital city of the Sunfire elves, centered around a powerful Sunforge that harnesses the energy of the Sun Primal.
- The Tidebound Territories - Coastal and underwater realms where the Tidebound elves dwell, largely mysterious to land-dwellers.
- The Earthblood Valleys - Fertile regions where Earthblood elves live in harmony with the natural world, tending to plants and animals.
The border between Xadia and the human kingdoms is marked by a river of lava—a fiery barrier created when the continent was divided. This molten boundary serves as both a physical and symbolic division between the magical east and the human west.
INHABITANTS OF XADIA
Elves
Elves are humanoid magical beings with pointed ears, four-fingered hands, and horns. Each elven subspecies has a connection to one of the six Primal Sources, granting them unique magical abilities and cultural characteristics:
- Moonshadow Elves - Stealthy assassins who can become nearly invisible under the full moon
- Sunfire Elves - Warriors with connections to heat and light, capable of entering a "heat-being" state
- Startouch Elves - Extremely rare elves connected to the Stars Primal, like Aaravos
- Earthblood Elves - Nature-connected elves with abilities related to plants and animals
- Skywing Elves - Some born with wings, all connected to the Sky Primal
- Tidebound Elves - Aquatic elves who dwell in and near water
Dragons
Dragons are powerful, intelligent creatures that hold a position of authority in Xadia. Like elves, dragons have connections to the Primal Sources, but their connections are typically deeper and more powerful:
- Archdragon Zubeia - The Dragon Queen, connected to the Sky Primal
- Azymondias (Zym) - The Dragon Prince, son of Zubeia and Avizandum
- Avizandum (Thunder) - The former Dragon King, slain by humans
- Pyrrah - A young Sunfire Dragon who patrols the border
Archdragons, like Zubeia and Avizandum, are the most powerful of their kind and often serve as leaders and protectors of Xadia.
Magical Creatures
Beyond elves and dragons, Xadia teems with magical creatures of all shapes and sizes. From adorable moon phoenixes and shadowpaws to dangerous magma titans and banthers, these beings are infused with primal magic and form a vital part of Xadia's ecosystem. Many of these creatures became targets for dark magic practitioners, leading to their decline in numbers and contributing to the conflict between humans and Xadia.
CULTURE & SOCIETY
Xadian society is diverse, with each elven subspecies and dragon community having their own customs, values, and social structures. However, some common threads run through Xadian culture:
Magic as Life
In Xadia, magic is not merely a tool or weapon but an integral part of life itself. Magical beings view their connections to the Primal Sources as sacred, and the practice of dark magic—which consumes magical essence—is considered an abomination. This fundamental difference in perspective lies at the heart of the conflict with humans.
Respect for Nature
Xadian cultures generally emphasize harmony with the natural world. Even the more martial societies, like the Sunfire elves, view their powers as extensions of natural forces rather than tools to dominate nature. This philosophy stands in contrast to the human approach, particularly that of dark magic users who extract and consume magical essence.
Longevity and Tradition
Elves and dragons live much longer than humans, with some like Startouch elves and Archdragons living for millennia. This longevity shapes their perspective, often making them more resistant to change but also allowing for the preservation of ancient knowledge and traditions. The weight of history is felt strongly in Xadian society.
Art and Craftsmanship
Xadian cultures value artistic expression and masterful craftsmanship. From the enchanted weapons of Moonshadow assassins to the living architecture of Earthblood settlements, magic and art are often intertwined. Many Xadian artifacts are both beautiful and functional, imbued with magical properties that enhance their purpose.
"Xadia is a land where magic breathes through every living thing, where the impossible is merely waiting to be discovered, and where the balance of the six Primal Sources shapes the destiny of all who dwell within its borders."