An Introduction to Paracosia

A Preface

I must admit, it is extremely difficult to even introduce this piece of me. There is a lot depth and room to explore for you, the reader, and for me as well. I will try my best to condense it into something digestible.

What's Paracosia?

It's an imaginary world that I've had since March 2008. So far, most of the cast is from the same planet, Hangarin. Many characters of mine are at least a decade old, and have gone through—or will go through—major redesigns since their original conceptions. Paracosia is perpetually a work in progress; a lot of my time is spent fleshing out the world and its inhabitants. Just a matter of having the ideas be presentable for the site…

What are Its Themes?

Speaking of ideas, common themes include: identity (the loss, inability to pinpoint it, not belonging); the unfairness of society; and how those who are trampled upon refuse to give up, struggling even if their lives are meaningless (thanks Marvin). Innocent people are dismantled, destroyed, for the supposed "good" of an oppressive hierarchy. If one can believe it, I do hold out hope, even with such horrific circumstances. I don't want Paracosia to be completely doom and gloom.

Despite knowing the hardships, the life-altering experiences these people shall face, will you still bear witness to the journey ahead?

What's the Setting?

Until I develop other planets, realms, what have you, the stories so far take place on planet Hangarin.

What is Hangarin?

Hangarin is the planet that the Original Five Gods created. Its name comes from the Tagalog word meaning "desire". The technology would mirror Earth's, with some modifications. For example, trends in 2010s would be similar—more frequent use of smartphones, "hipster" aesthetics being commonplace.

Who are the Original Five Gods?

Pamaragul, creator of All, was the first deity, responsible for creating mortals. Danum, the god of Water, helped it terraform the planet. Kamatayan, deity of Death, created the afterlife, to allow the souls of the deceased to rest. Aldó, god of the Sun, and Búlan, deity of the Moon, came to be, providing light and darkness to Hangarin. Eventually, they both gifted mortals tools to survive their unforgiving planet. With innate talents and arcane magic, mortals survived longer, and thus, the planet prospered. Inspired by its peers, Pamaragul tested different mortals to give its special gift. Eventually, one survived, and received its blessing.

From left to right: Búlan, Pamaragul, Kamatayan, Danum, Aldó

The Gift System

Paracosia's magic system, so to say. I don't use that phrase outright since magic is one of those components.

Búlan, Aldó, and Pamaragul are responsible for these gifts, which mortals use in their day-to-day lives. The existence of this system affects many parts of Hangarin—socially, politically, etc. Since Pamaragul's introduction of Blessings, Hangarin has been embroiled in conflict.

Magic

Manipulation of the elements/outside sources. Búlan gave mortals the gift of magic. Those with this gift are known as the arcane, magic users, magically arcane.

Talents

Manipulation of the self. Aldó presented mortals with innate talents. Those with this gift are known as the innate, talent havers, innately talented.

Blessings

The lack of a gift. However, it is not treated as something one is deprived of, and still counts as such. Pamaragul granted blessings to those who do not have arcane magic or innate talents. It is said that the Blessed are tasked to be mediators between the arcane and innate.

Vardan is arcane, being born with plant magic, and trained himself in the ways of explosion magic.

Eli is innately talented, born with the ability to shapeshift and mimic others.

Sagrado, the first Blessed mortal.

Limitations

A mortal can have two different magic types/innate talents at most. Any more will overload the mortal's body, resulting in death. Having one innate talent and one type of magic is very rare; mortals with one of each gift do not live long.

When it comes to gifts, magic is slightly more accessible to learn. However, the body will reject it initially, treating magic like an intruder. Constant training, as well as the use of minerals, plants, medicines that can ease magic acclimation, helps.

Blessed mortals cannot innately tell the difference between magic and talents, often conflating the two as one and the same. This has had dire consequences, especially with Blessed mortals who refuse to learn from their arcane and innate peers.

Where Next?