#genesai

So we really have never talked about this!? My goodness, gurl, buckle up! 

Apologies in advance if any of this is confusing to longtime followers - I’ve been updating and altering a lot of lore (especially geographically and culturally) to fit with the latest draft, so certain place and people names might be a bit different from what you’re aware of. I’ll be sure to denote them when I can!

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In the kingdom of Genesai, there exists an elite military faction known as the “Shadow”. These people throw away their own identities - forsaking family, fame, and even their own names - so as to best protect the most important people in their nation. Each Shadow is assigned to a high-ranking political official (or other person of importance, when necessary), tasked with following and obeying their every order.

But Shadows are no mere servants. Those they serve are meant to bring the light of the Dawnmother (known as the Earth Mother in former drafts) to the world around them while their Shadows must do the unruly deeds in the darkness that their pure counterparts should not be burdened with: espionage, assassinations, theft, intimidation, etc. All is fair game for Shadows.

But Shadows need tools at their disposal in order to accomplish their dangerous missions. While each is trained in various forms of weaponry, there is a more pertinent power available to them: the Dawnfont.

By inscribing the language of spirits into their skin, Shadows can access supernatural power otherwise unavailable to mankind. The process of inscription is inexplicably painful, most oft done in a healing spring or other bathing pool in order to soothe the now-weakened body and under the supervision of a senior Shadow in case of incapacitation therein. But once the process is complete, the Shadow need only touch this Dawnfont with at least one drop of blood and speak the command word to activate its abilities. Combining different runes into a string of commands can result in varying, often unknown, effects. One can know the activation process was successful because the corresponding runes will emit a dull glow - believed to be a sign of the internal light their Dawnmother imbued within all of mankind at creation now coming out of them.

What can these runes do, you ask? Good question! Whereas the Divine and Profane Seals control the seven elemental domains of Edenfell, these powers can affect one’s body, soul and spirit. Shadows primarily utilize these runes in order to: create illusory duplicates of themselves, temporarily blind others, silence their footsteps, cripple or paralyze opponents with fear, etc.

Shadows can have entire sleeves of these inscriptions, and the more one can endure, the more respected they are throughout the community. The physical toll it takes on one to endure the inscription process, let alone continually using the runes, is no small matter. 

Certain Shadows specialize in different techniques and tactics. For example, one might prioritize runes that can alter emotions so as to control the atmosphere of political negotiations or citywide celebrations. Those burdened with more dubious assignments might choose to use runes that make one suffer from hallucinations, confuse their senses, etc. Nothing is off-limits to them. After all, it would be monstrous to mar human flesh! But who would care one whit whether a tool is left unblemished or carved to bits?

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That’s the basic rundown of my magical tattoos - the Dawnfont (known before as the Earthfont) - in Kingdom Come! Hope that was exciting to read for you. Thanks for asking, my friend :)

Small portraits of all my “current” dungeons and dragons characters. Starting from top left:

Human Cleric Geneva Wood Eld Druid Ashera Tiefling Warlock Augery Water Genesia Monk Rain Sun Elf Fighter Vivianna

Excerpt from an Easterner’s eyes:

The Shirogawa Floodplains sprawled out into bodies of bountiful nature. Each hill held a cedarwood hovel balanced atop its peak, every valley cradled rice paddies in its water-laden embrace. Orchards stretched skywards towards the Starfather, too burdened in abundance to reach His domain. Wrinkled men and hearty women sowed soybeans, bundled sheafs, filled buckets with milk and baskets with flowers.

How idyllic, she mused. Idyllic and...insignificant.

Kasumi knew that no illusion of life could conceal the truth: that these earthen caretakers were nothing more than corpses enthralled to the Earth Mother. Or at least to their Exalt.

Throughout the Eastern Imperium of Genesai, agriculture retains a prominent role: tending to the Earth Mother and her children. The Earth Mother who once dwelt in Edenfell loved the land so deeply that she chose to live here instead of amongst the heavens with her husband, the Starfather. Although her people have now lost their Mother, to honor her memory by maintaining and beautifying the earth is a position of great respect.

The Rooted - those in Genesai who chose stable settlements instead of nomadic lifestyles -  rely on the consistent sustenance of the earth. Unlike their Uprooted counterparts, the Rooted refuse to eat animal meat out of respect to the Earth Mother and disdain for the beasts that took Her from them. As such, their dietary options are limited to the fruits and vegetables the land can provide, as well as the products of those animals (milk, eggs, etc.). Therefore, when one receives their lifelong role from the Imperial Government, it is highly likely that one will be chosen as a farmer.

Farmers, while not at the top of the social hierarchy, are treated with dignity throughout both Rooted and Uprooted civilizations. Everyone recognizes their dependence on these people, and view their work as a form of worship. It is not uncommon for families to pass down their farmland over the generations, allowing for their offspring to learn from their successes and failures to ensure the future improvement of their crops. 

Happy STS to you too! Thank you so much for helping me participate in the day :) I’ll be sure to shoot you over an ask as soon as I’m done with this one

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It’s funny that you asked this, because it’s been something I’m struggling through in my own worldbuilding as of now. Despite my love for languages, I’m better at learning them than developing them. Thus, I haven’t spent much time deciding on what everyone speaks (beyond a “common” tongue), especially with the scope of my stories primarily taking place only over one interconnected continent.

That being said, there is a tongue or two worth talking about beyond what everyone knows. The Genesai’i engrave runes on their flesh called “Earthfont” that allows them to manifest supernatural power when the bearer touches the mark with blood and utters the word inscribed there. The Earthfont alphabet forms what came to be known as the Runesong - a collection of lyrics telling a story lost to time. Kasumi, as a Shadow of the Genesai’i Imperium, has inscribed many runes throughout her body and memorized their meanings. However, she would not know how to form a legible sentence with them.

CONGRATULATIONS on completing your finals, friend! That has to feel like such a significant accomplishment. Finally able to breathe now, huh? I feel ya. It’s been an insane season of life for me, too, and today’s the first time I’m feeling fully creative again. Time for us both to get back into action!

Okay, not gonna lie, I not only love this but admittedly chuckled. These poor people - these beings of immense magical ability forever haunted by the fact that the only reason they have any abilities in the first place is because they like fell down a flight of steps or tripped into a vat of acid LOL to be fair, that’s how plenty of superheroes became who they are too, so the Mediums are not alone! Do people look down on the Mediums for being so accident prone, or is it almost a mark of honor for them to have survived those types of circumstances (even if they brought it upon themselves)?

Worldbuilding Fact for Kingdom Come:

Since we both have characters with magic-enhancing tattoos, I thought I would spend some time focusing on Kasumi’s culture: the Earthfont of Genesai! For those who missed prior facts, the “Earthfont” is a term for runes carved into one’s flesh that allow the bearer to channel specific supernatural abilities at will. The Eastern soldiers of Genesai use these spells in conjunction with their combat abilities to defend their homeland and spy on foreign nations, albeit at a high personal cost.

Now, for a new fact! Although not the originator of the Earthfont, Kasumi’s father - Tenzin, War General of the Eastern Imperium and husband of their ruler, the Exalt - has a distinct spellcasting style all his own. Tenzin possesses a sleeve of wind-elemental Earthfont runes running up his right arm and wields a thin, elongated blade known as “Wingsplitter” in both hands. The weapon may not possess any supernatural power of its own, but the way it channels his runes has earned him a reputation. Tenzin prefers long-range combat, as with each slice of his sword, he can channel blades of wind to soar across the battlefield. Rumor has it that these wind scythes can cut through armor, tear down catapults, and, if Tenzin’s ancestors are to be believed, cut even dragons down out of the sky. Thus, the title bestowed upon the weapon.

His wife, the Exalt (whose household animal is the butterfly, of all things) was none too amused by her husband’s choice of weapon name. She liked the wings of her family crest, thank you very much.

“Kingdom Come” Character Moodboard: Exalt Meijing

Mistress of shadows Maintainer of tradition Word of law, sword of order Butterfly unified with the boulder Exalted Empress of the Eastern Imperium

“Remember, Kasumi,” Mother whispered, “you are a Shadow. And shadows do not wander from their maker’s side.” These words of wisdom would have seemed but a suggestion, if only the shadow did not know it’s maker’s innermost darkness - and this Shadow did not intend to disobey an unspoken demand. Meijing left the hall, the trails of her robe lingering in her wake, and Kasumi haunting the hem of her garment.

“Kingdom Come” Setting Moodboard: Genesai, the Eastern Imperium

Origin of honor. Land of endless fields. Source of civilians and savages. Seated in the shadow of the Exalt.

“The world knows Genesai for two things: the savagery of the Uprooted and the honor of the Rooted. I’ll let you in on a little secret. Those facts? All false. Course, no one will call them on their falsities on account of their Exile! A terror of a queen, that one - quick to condemnation, but never to mercy.”

Learn more about the Eastern Imperium here!