[ This is just like a foundation I feel like you guys deserve to know to understand the story completely tho it's just the begining part so I'll leave parts that may inevitablely spoil ]
The world of Tears of Shadow is unique similar to our own, yet entirely foreign. It exists across two distinct realms: the First Realm and the Neather Realm. These realms are on completely different planes of existence, connected only by an unstable, mysterious force known as a Shiver.
THE FIRST REALM
The First Realm is the main world where most of humanity dwells. On the surface, it appears ordinary full of cities, nations, and stable skies. But beneath its calm exterior lie hidden forces and ancient powers. Though it is a realm of light, law, and order, it is laced with a powerful and unpredictable energy: mana. This realm balances on a fragile thread, threatened constantly by forces that should not exist.
THE NEATHER REALM
The Neather Realm is a distorted mirror of the First a world swallowed by eternal night. The sky here knows no sun, only the haunting glow of a blood-red moon that never moves. Time flows strangely, marked not by the sun's arc, but by endless, whispering rain. Here, rain serve as the only mark of time the concept of day doesn't exist so rain is the only way in which time is known. This is a land straight here reality is twisted Corrupted by unstable, tainted mana, this realm is home to madness, monsters, and horrors shaped by something ancient and wrong. To most, it is a realm of nightmares unfit for life.
SHIVERS
A Shiver is a tear in the very fabric of reality an unpredictable, violent breach that connects the First Realm to the Neather Realm. When a Shiver appears, it pulls parts of the First Realm into the Neather, dragging along land, people, and even time itself. Entire villages have been consumed without warning. Few who enter return, and those that do are... never quite the same. Shivers are the only true link between the realms and the greatest threat to balance.
MANA
Mana is the lifeblood of the world omnipresent, invisible, and ancient. It flows through all things: stone, sky, soul. Some call it the World Force; others whisper that it is the breath of a dead god. No one truly knows. Only a rare few can sense it. Fewer still can wield it.
To touch mana is to feel the pulse of creation. But mastery requires more than strength it demands sacrifice, will, and often, the unknown.
Humans who gain access to it are known as awakeners being who fell and use mana
1. Awakened : The first spark. The individual forms a connection with mana. Their physical abilities are enhanced as mana passively flows through them.
2. Adept : Mana can now be seen and felt within the body. Users learn to guide it, enhance their senses, and infuse it into weapons or movement.
3. Expert : True control is achieved. The user can shape and manifest mana outwardly crafting techniques, forming barriers, or bending elements.
4. Ascendant : Mastery of both internal and ambient mana. At this stage, the user sees the flow of the world and moves in harmony with it. They become a deadly force, often able to stand against armies alone.
5. Transcendent : A rare and sacred level. The user surpasses mortal limitations, stepping beyond the boundary of ordinary mana. At this point, a State is awakened an innate, soul-born ability bestowed by an unknown cosmic force.
6. Champion : ??? (Whispers speak of world-changers and realmwalkers. But dose who have achieved such power chose to keep it a secret.)
7. Nirvana : ???
STATE
A State is a powerful, soul-bound ability granted only to individuals with a unique soul signature—either from birth or through a divine or unknown encounter. It is not something one can learn. It is something one awakens to.
Most people, even talented mana users, never develop a State. Those who do are often fated for greatness… or destruction.
How States Are Obtained
There are only few known ways to awaken a State:
1. Innate Birthright : Rare individuals are born with unique and rare souls, such souls are noticed by the dead gods so the bestow upon a dormant State, often manifesting during emotional extremes, near-death experiences, or moments of intense mana awakening.
2. Transcendence : Those who reach the Transcendent mana rank surpassing the mortal limit of mana and are bestowed a State by an unknown force.
3. Divine encounter : most don't truly know what this means the answer people are told is that you reach a place or point of enlightenment that the gods bestow you a state
State are vary rare and not fully understood but they are a great source of power for the few awakened one who posse them
1. Dormant
Most State users exist in this stage. At this level, the wielder can activate and use their State, but with limited control. The State is a weapon but one not yet fully understood.
2. Bounder
This stage is reached only after Transcendence. A Bounder's State undergoes a transformation, evolving in both form and function. At this level, the user doesn't just wield the State they begin to become one with it.
WIRENS: Beasts of Mana
Wirens are unnatural creatures born from raw, chaotic mana. They exist in both the First Realm and the Neather Realm, though their forms differ drastically. In the First Realm, they are dangerous anomalies unstable, often hostile. In the Neather Realm, however, they are fully corrupted monstrosities, shaped by madness and dripping with death.
They are not animals. They are manifestations beasts given form by the world's own energy, twisted by what lies beneath.
Wirens are ranked by their strength, mana output, and corruption level:
1. Low-Level (Classless) : Wild, unstable, often in swarms. Dangerous in numbers.
2. Variants : Specialized evolutions with elemental traits or mutated features.
3. Apex Beast : Predators of their region. Highly territorial.
4. Sacred Beast : Rare and often revered. Known to be powerful creatures that move alone
5. Cardinal Beast : Strategic threats capable of devastation. Often possess unique abilities or minor States
6. Cataclysm Beast : plant-ending threats. Their presence warps terrain and weather.
7. Titan : World-ending forces. Few exist. Even concept fear them.
CORRUPTION
Corruption is the result of prolonged exposure to twisted, unstable mana. It infects anything beast, human, or spirit. Many ponder its origin. Some believe corruption is mana in its true form unrefined and untamed. Others whisper it is the breath of mana born from a dead god's corpse, leaking endlessly from the Neather Realm.
STAGES OF CORRUPTION
1. Corrupted : The early stage. Mental clarity fades, and mana begins to shift unnaturally.
2. Mutated : Physical form distorts. Power increases, but so does instability.
3. Fallen : A total loss of self. These creatures are no longer who they were.
4. Cursed Echo : Remnants of powerful souls, echoing through corrupted mana. Half-real, fully monstrous.
5. Damned : The final descent. Beyond redemption. These beings carry the scent of ruin and can twist the mana around them.
OTHER TERMINOLOGIES
Runes : Symbols infused with mana, carved or inscribed by rune mages. Used in crafting, rituals, and combat. Their effects vary based on precision and intent.
Techniques : Developed methods of manipulating mana into specific actions. Designed to help bridge the gap between mana ranks, especially for lower-level users.
Mana Stones : Crystallized fragments of pure mana. Used for storage, enhancement, or to power runes and machinery. Can sometimes be consumed.
Essence Cores : Dropped by slain Wirens. They hold concentrated mana signatures and are used in alchemy or to boost mana mastery. Core strength scales with the rank of the Wiren.
Mettalions : Rare metals born from mana-drenched lands. Infused with mana over time, they are used to craft legendary weapons and armor (e.g., Lansing Steel).
Mana machines : Technology keeps advancing to a point where machine used for various part of life are created due to mana, mana stones and so much more (e g metabus)
Mana Plants – Flora altered by ambient mana. Their properties range from medicinal to explosive. Often used in potions, rituals, or as healing remedies.