This is the general baseline of the lore, and a badly explained skeletal world myth if you want to familiarize yourself with terms beforehand.
Again, it's badly explained, but still has the primary terms you could take note of. And no, skipping this doesn't really change anything. Probably. It's more of a guide to myself since I forget details easily.
Disclaimer:
1. No game-like structured power systems and level-ups. No transmigration or possession. For reference, it's an amalgamation of LOTM, ORV, Six of Crows, Red Rising, Poppy War trilogy and other majestic books. Though of course, this book will never dare compare to those masterpieces.
2. No harem. Get the hell out of here if you're expecting mommy collection. My collection involves hot traumatized characters playing bad politics. Mentally-ill kids. Parental issues...and vague zestiness.
3. May cause discomfort or trigger certain readers.
4. And lastly, this may be very confusing. Read at your own risk.
MYTH AND COSMOLOGY
The world consist of realms where deities reside above the mortal plains.
The Triad of Realms:
1. Kaelum: the domain of life and order; center of orthodox worship.
Seraphim: deities of Kaelum
2. Olethros: once illustrious divine realm, now the embodiment of wrath and corruption.
Draconem: deities of Olethros
3. Abyss: the domain of death, rot, and grief; known as the Land of the Nameless.
Adonis: deities of Abyss
The Four Bastions of Humanity:
Kingdom of Vendalius
Situated in the north, once a mighty empire now reduced to a kingdom—with a long-standing creed for war, and of war. Military centered.
Holy Kingdom of Helgium
Western kingdom centralized in religion and holy doctrine. Its patron deity had changed over the years, leading to division between the old and new faith.
Danalith Confederation
A small independent nation in the East comsisting of the Grand Lysis, the prided scholars with the most advanced technology among the four bastions.
Empire of Zethyl
Though still known as the southern empire, what remained of it was a tethering nation barely escaping ruin, with no god and no mortal ruler.
The Primordial One, Aeon: the beginning, the universe, and creator Almighty.
Yggdrasil: The celestial world tree at the center of the world, born from the remnant of the Primordial One's divinity. Made of, and from threads of fate; its sacred fruits give birth to deities.
Sorenians: the deities themselves, the proud children of Aeon. Their bodies are forged from soren and the celestial threads of Yggdrasil. Essentially mythical beings of divine power than living, breathing ones, who possess authority over their respective domains.
POWER SYSTEMS
Mana
The pragmatic energy of Earth that may manifest into elements. It is like a common boon that's borrowed to obtain power. You can only guide and control it, but never make it yours.
Soren
The essence of divinity and psyche, not inherent to the world. It is tied to one's existence, emotions, True Names, and threads of fate.
Runes
The medium to harness and manifest the power of soren. It is an ancient language with mystical properties suited for carrying divine weight.
Psyche
One's soul.
True Names
Bestowed at birth at holy sanctuaries. Defines one's existence and anchors their thread to Yggdrasil, the celestial world tree. Used in runic spells, relics, and rites. Losing a True Name severs the thread to Yggdrasil, risking corruption.
Threads
Invisible strands connecting psyches to Yggdrasil, floating from their chests. Disturbed/severed threads lead to Nightmare manifestations.
Nightmares—psychospiritual terrors that can become physical or spatial.
Ichor
The gilded blood of Sorenians, made of pure soren in a form of fine dust. Small amounts are diluted into drinkable potions and are given through rituals to create Nephilims (affiliated to Kaelum/Abyss) or Heathens (affiliated to Olethros).
These rituals are called Bestowals.
UNIQUE STATES & ENTITIES
The Nameless
Beings who lost their True Name and had their threads of fate cut. They are anchored to unknown entities instead of Yggdrasil. Many reside in Abyss; lucid but existentially fractured.
Corrupted
Souls whose threads to Yggdrasil are cut but have no alternate anchor. Mad, twisted, often hostile. They seek chaos in the land, and the main reason why nations are better known as bastions.
Threnodomains
Subspaces born from powerful corrupted psyches. Manifest the corrupted's memories or fears into reality. Time inside is does not affect reality; escape requires resolving the root of conflict.
Eidolons
Nephilim-exclusive personal subspaces invoked by True Name activation. Reflect the wielder's identity, psyche, and emotional law. Temporary, intense, and sacred.
The Aegis Domes
Large-scale barriers in the form of domes protecting every bastion from outside hostile forces of Corruption.
FACTIONS
Nephilims
Humans bestowed with a Sorenian Seraphim/Adonis's Ichor. Range from orthodox to unorthodox in affiliations.
Heathens
Humans bestowed with a Sorenian Draconem's Ichor, generally affiliated with the deranged and corrupted.
ORGANIZATIONS
Atra Genesis
Militia organization that serves as the vanguard of humanity. Closely tied to Vendalius's current royal family as its founder was the former ruler of the original monarchy.
Temple of Kaelum
The orthodox religious authority. Sole accepted orthodoxy in most of the human world with many branches of faith.
The Grand Lysis
Organization of mages in the Danalith Republic. Rejects worship of the Triad; believe the divine should not rule mortals. Treats soren as discipline, not a subject of devotion.
Aetheris Concordia
A prestigious military academy founded under the banner of Atra Genesis, post-war.
The Exodus Order
Rebel Nephilim faction that emerged post-revolution. Though they generally seek chaos, their true intentions are unknown.
Wraiths
The Lord of Abyss's shadow army, trained to live and die for 'Her' sake. Divided into three legions: the Silver spies, the Red executioners, and the Onyx guards.
Phantoms
A special unit of Silver Wraiths deployed in Vendalius, serving as the Lord of Abyss's eyes and ears. On the surface, they pose as a inconspicuous cathedral preaching the virtues of the Western doctrine.
Additional:
Rankings of military in Vendalius:
Imperator: The Supreme Commander, ceremonial title reserved for the Emperor of Vendalius. This title is what is usually used to addressed the emperor traditionally. Vendalius currently has no Imperator.
Praefectus Primaris (First Prefect): military generals that answer directly to the Imperator alone, one of which is reserved for the Ludex, or the Imperial Judge and the Imperator's confidant.
Ducenarius (High Marshal): oversees entire regional military districts. They have the same authority as a governor.
Tribunus Regalis (Royal Tribune): acts as deputies of Ducenarius; often their children, heir, or disciple.
Centurio Magnus (Grand Centurion): senior veteran imperial knight in-charge of overseeing the imperial guard. Reserved for the commander of imperial guards.
Centurion: veteran imperial knight leading an army of 100 men. Candidates for Grand Centurion.
Decanus: elite imperial knight leading a cohort of 10 men, usually part of a larger centurion.
Armiger: entry-level knight that graduated from being a cadet. A freshie.
Praelus: Novice/cadet.
Saint: special ceremonial title bestowed to individuals with strong connection to their Sorenian whom they were bestowed Ichor from. Usually a common term for the recluses of the Temple of Kaelum. Abyss is...a bit of a special case in many ways.
Stages of Corruption from least to worst:
Blighted
Profaned
Defiled
Unchained
Nullborn
P.S. If I missed anything it's either I forgot of I purposely left it out. Or I haven't thought that far out yet.