𝕊𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕤𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕜

First and foremost is Arazaad, the head of the Pelgian sect, Elder Blade of Terrun Calibre, and leader of Calibre Island itself. He is universally respected for his strength, compassion, wisdom, and experience. Even though he holds unpopular opinions, due to the esteem in which he is commonly held, his rather "radical" ideas on equality are tolerated.

Somewhat unusually, he personally trained a rather large amount of students-- 16, where most Runeblades only take one to a small handful at most, due to the nature of the training. A group of them, referred to as the Eight Blades, are considered to be the strongest of all Runeblades, behind Arazaad himself. Among their number are followers of both the Jibricia and Pelgia sects, which is considered highly unusual and a break from (recent) tradition. While many continue to distrust the followers of Jibricia's teachings for various reasons, he maintains that they are as deserving of their place in Terrun Calibre as Pelgian Runeblades such as himself.

Several of his students see him as a father figure of sorts, and as such, his way of thinking has left a lasting impression on them. His desire for a reunited Terrun Calibre resonates within many of them.

He was betrayed, seemingly out of nowhere, by his most accomplished student. His death immediately plunged Calibre Island into chaos, with messy transfers of leadership, as well as the first draft in a century bring put into effect due to the emergency.

When Arazaad was killed, the one who was called on to take over Terrun Calibre in his absence is Landevian, one of the Eight Blades. Arazaad considered Landevian to be his most trusted student, although there are plenty who question this logic. On the surface, Landevian is lazy and childish, with little regard for protocol. Early on in his training, he acted out frequently and resisted discipline, but that only served to bring Arazaad's attention more intensely down on him as he tried to compromise with his unruly pupil. Eventually, teacher was able to make a breakthrough with student, and despite his rather unique personality remaining intact, a responsible and trustworthy man emerged.

He is much more observant than he lets on, often throwing subtle jabs and teases at his peers. He's able to focus and delegate with frightening efficiency, and when put to the test, he proves his worth as a leader who understands those who follows him, and as someone who can use their abilities to the greatest potential. It's his first task as Acting Elder Blade to assemble a search party to hunt down the traitors... although, he first subtly ensures that the impromptu vanguard is well on their way.

Another of Arazaad's most trusted students, and perhaps the strongest of the Pelgian sect, is Ishura, another of the Eight Blades. Nearly Landevian's opposite in every way, he is serious, formal, and strict with everyone around him; yet, for all his rigidity, he tends to behave quite impulsively. Beneath his curt exterior is a deeply emotional, idealistic person who matches and even exceeds his master's fervor for equality within Terrun Calibre.

He is Unukalhai's mentor, and the influence he's had on his student is readily apparent in many ways-- including appearance. It has been said that Unukalhai is like Ishura's mirror, separated only by a finely tempered ego. Ishura may possess the decorum to appear more in control, but Unukalhai is the raw, undiluted essence of his heart and soul.

In the wake of Arazaad's murder, Ishura is quick to chase after the traitor. Even through the storm of emotions within him, he takes note that the fatalities are strangely low, given the gravity of the situation. Hot on the trail, he resolves to find out just why someone so dear to him had committed such a heinous crime. Unukalhai, as rash as his teacher, follows close behind.

Ishura's best friend, and the final of Arazaad's three top students, is Holstatt. Holstatt was the rising star of the Jibrician sect, taking his place as the sect's leader even before his Runeblade training had truly been completed. His mastery of elemental rune magic is unparalleled in living memory, and it was only natural that he follow through with and refine such raw talent. Arazaad took him on, despite the difference in their sects' approach, and Holstatt took to his studies dutifully. He respected the Elder Blade deeply, much to the distaste of many. Under Arazaad's mentorship he became known as the strongest of all runeblades, apart from Arazaad himself.

He and Ishura bonded quickly and deeply early on in their training. Although the elders of the island forbade their friendship, they met in secret nearly every night, chatting until dawn. Eventually and inevitably, their conversations turned to the rift between Pelgia and Jibricia. The pair dreamed of ending the conflict and changing the ways of the island itself, breaking the shackles of the prejudice that had set in like a deep rot.

However, something shifted in their dynamic. Holstatt grew distant and cold over a period of months, then years, offering no explanation. Nevertheless, Ishura always hoped for things to return to the way they were, and for their dreams of a better Calibre Island to be realized.

Those dreams all came crashing down the day Holstatt killed Arazaad and fled Calibre Island with four of the Eight Blades, all Jibrician followers. Those of the Jibricia sect who remained were immediately cast under violent and relentless scrutiny as those seen as idols and role models to Terrun Calibre became traitors of the most dire kind.

Holstatt, however, had only acted in a desperate attempt to save his people. In truth, Arazaad had been leading Terrun Calibre down a dark, evil path, and most adored him too deeply for their eyes to be opened to reality. He lost faith in the future and had simply given up, choosing to offer his people to the forces of darkness rather than stand and fight what he believed could not be withstood.

Holstatt left in search of ancient wisdom hidden by the ancestors, hoping to avert the coming calamity, even if it meant throwing away everything he had known and loved.

Eupheria trained under Arazaad alongside Landevian, Ishura, and Holstatt, although she was not one of the Eight Blades. There was a time when all four were relatively close-- even if Holstatt had been somewhat on the outside of the group-- but rising tensions and the growing divide between their power and hers had seen her take a step back from them to focus on her own progress. Arazaad's death hit her the hardest of all.

Finally, Rejan was Holstatt's student, apprenticed to him on the same day Ishura took on Unukalhai. Their lessons were often joined, and over the years, Rejan and Unukalhai grew close. However, the more distant Holstatt grew, the more Rejan's training suffered, until Arazaad himself took over many of her lessons.

So! What is Terrun Calibre? Simply put, it's the organization that the overwhelming majority of runeblades belong to (although not all-- note the lowercase!) It is both the heart of Calibre Island's military and the face of one of the two branches of its religion. Therefore, its leader is of great importance to the entire country and holds considerable political power.

Terrun Calibre is further broken up into two sects: those who follow the teachings of Jibricia, a shaman who is said to have perfected the knowledge of rune magic handed down to them by the gods, and those who follow the teachings of Pelgia, a legendary swordsman who developed sacred blade magic. The two joined together to found Terrun Calibre, a rallying cry and guardian force to watch over Calibre Island.

From the very beginning, they intended for their methods to become one. However, it's nearly impossible for the human body to withstand the full power of both rune magic and blade magic. The vast majority of those who attempt to master both are utterly destroyed. Therefore, all runeblades focus their training around one, and simply cover the basics of the other. There is a small genetic component to this, as many are born with a natural aptitude in one direction or the other. It's likely that only those with said aptitude have the ability to truly master either sect's teachings at all.

There are exceedingly rare few who are able to surpass this mortal limit and master both forms of magic. These extraordinary individuals are known formally as Rune Sages, although their incredible rarity sees them defined as mythology and nothing more.

Rune Sages are capable of fulfilling the original duties intended for Runeblades. Their otherworldly power allows them to commune directly with the divine and control ancient weapons capable of unfathomable devastation.

Instead of divine messengers, Runeblades are explicitly the custodians of their ancestors, known as the Baaz. While much of their influence has been lost over the centuries for various reasons (not least of which is the diminished and now isolated presence of the people of Calibre Island) their words and deeds are still seen as sacred, and the resting places of even the recently deceased are treated with extreme respect. Only a chosen few are even allowed to set foot into certain areas sanctified for or by the Baaz.

The other main branch of Calibre Island's religion, therefore, are the Rune Shaman who maintain their connection with the gods. Although their power pales significantly to that of the fabled Rune Sages, especially within the last century or so, their existence remains among the most ancient of Calibre Island's cultural identities. Their sacred charge is as important, if not more so, than that of the Runeblades. Through communion with the gods, they determine direction and policy for the entirety of the island. These gods can be thought of as powerful spirits rather than omnipotent deities, and their dominion ranges from spirits of the home, of paths, or luck, all the way to embodying the souls of mountains, oceans, and the sun itself.

It is entirely possible for those who have been trained in these deeply spiritual roles to forsake their duties or defect entirely. It's especially common for runeblades to become unaffiliated, as many who join Terrun Calibre do so in order to gain personal power. The promise of prestige as Calibre Island's elite military forces, as opposed to "standard" soldiers, calls more loudly to them than does the responsibility that comes with it. For these individuals, the potential strength of a runeblade's unique abilities often leaves them feeling frustrated and stagnant in their growth, as much of that power is derived directly from reverence of the Baaz. It's suggested that those who follow Jibricia's teachings are more likely to obtain that power, and Jibricia's origin as a shaman is likely involved. Historically, less Jibrician Runeblades abandon their duties, although there are also less Jibrician Runeblades to begin with.