The Kingdom of Ithaka is a cursed kingdom bound by fate, where magic is slowly disappearing.
Kingdom
Raven, Eight-Pointed Star
The Kingdom of Ithaka is a land marked by a lingering curse that has shaped its history, magic, and society. Once, magic was abundant and accessible to all, but over time, it became concentrated among a ruling class of mages, while mundanes—those without magic—were marginalized and forced into segregated settlements. The kingdom is governed by a mage monarchy, with the King of Ithaka appointing Great Houses, powerful noble families who oversee law, commerce, and regional governance.
All mages are required to attend the Academy of Magic, where they receive formal training and a grimoire, a vital tool for harnessing their abilities. The Academy, located in the Lost Forest, is protected by unknown wards that prevent the king and his forces from entering. Its influence extends beyond education, shaping the future of Ithaka’s magical elite and reinforcing the kingdom’s rigid class system.
Magic in Ithaka varies, with mages possessing different abilities and affinities. The kingdom’s gods, once central to mage society, have largely faded into myth, though their influence lingers in traditions such as the House names at the Academy of Magic, which honor the four wind gods Boros, Notos, Euros, and Zophos.
Ithaka’s history is marked by conflicts between mages and mundanes, including a failed mundane rebellion, which led to stricter laws and deeper societal divides. While the kingdom outwardly thrives under mage rule, rumors of lost magic, hidden knowledge, and a greater conspiracy suggest that Ithaka’s future remains uncertain.
Notable characters living in Ithaka:
These are some of the most notable locations in the Kingdom of Ithaka.
Magic in the Kingdom of Ithaka is a fundamental force tied to the elements, the divine, and the kingdom’s history. Though magic was once accessible to all, it has become restricted to a select few, shaping Ithaka’s power structure and societal divisions.
Mages are individuals born with innate magical abilities. Each mage is tied to at least one primary element and receives a grimoire, a magical book that records their spells, magical growth, and unique abilities. Without a grimoire, a mage cannot advance their studies or fully control their magic. Some mages also develop a secondary ability known as an affinity. These are usually magical gifts, such as healing or truth detecting.
A mage’s power can manifest as a beast form, an extension of their magical essence. When a mage channels significant energy, this force takes on the shape of a living creature, reflecting the mage’s personality and magical elements. Once a beast form is summoned, it remains a permanent extension of the mage’s magic. Magic beast forms are often used when battling other mages.
A Heartstring is a thread of fate that binds two souls in a predestined union that transcends time and space. These mystical bonds are similar to fated mate bonds. They grant the bonded pair unique magical abilities, such as shared power, enhanced magic, or extended lifespans. Because love is the frequency of magic, the bond strengthens both individuals. If a Heartstring is severed or rejected, one of the bonded will die, but it is impossible to predict which one.
Unlike mages, witches wield magic freely and are not bound by elemental limitations. They do not require grimoires to channel their abilities and can use magic at will. Witches were once highly respected but were hunted nearly to extinction due to fear of their unpredictable abilities.
Mages form the ruling class of Ithaka and hold significant political and social power. They govern the kingdom, control magical education, and oversee commerce and law. Mages reside in wealthy cities with access to enchanted artifacts, high-quality food, and luxury items. Many are unaware of the harsh conditions mundanes endure, as their lives revolve around magic, politics, and status.
Education
All mages must attend the Academy of Magic to receive their grimoire and formal training. The Academy is essential for mastering advanced magic and preparing for leadership roles.
Mundanes are non-magical humans who have been systematically marginalized in Ithaka. Once equal to mages, their status declined as magic became rarer.
Social Status: They live in segregated settlements under strict control, with limited access to resources. The kingdom’s authorities monitor, oppress, and sometimes kill mundanes, seeing them as a potential threat.
Living Conditions: Mundane villages are in poor condition, with crumbling homes and scarce food. Their diet consists of whatever they can grow, hunt, or scavenge within their restricted areas.
Relations with Mages: Mundanes resent their oppression and see mages as tyrants. While some believe in peaceful coexistence, others hold rebel sympathies, though uprisings have historically been crushed.
Shades are shadowy creatures linked to dark magic and death. They thrive in fear and darkness, growing stronger by feeding on negative emotions and draining life force.
Physical Traits: Shades appear as formless shadows, sometimes with elongated limbs, wings, or glowing green eyes. They can move undetected in darkness and often herald their presence with a thick mist.
Behavior: Shades are parasitic and attach themselves to victims, whispering taunts and manipulating emotions to weaken their prey before feeding.
Connection to Ithaka’s Curse: Legends suggest that Shades emerged due to an ancient curse on Ithaka’s royal bloodline, though the full truth remains unknown.
Witches were once respected magical practitioners, with roots tracing back to the Kingdom of Drathka, the first kingdom blessed with magic. Unlike mages, witches do not require grimoires and can use magic freely.
Magical Abilities: Witches wield wild magic, allowing them to manipulate enchanted artifacts, cast spells without grimoires, and use scrying tools like witch mirrors.
Persecution: Fear of their abilities led to centuries of witch hunts, resulting in near extinction. Today, witches are rare, their knowledge fading into legend.
Ithaka’s gods were once believed to be powerful elemental spirits, deeply intertwined with the kingdom’s magic. Some myths claim that the first mages were born from unions between gods and mortals, while others suggest the gods were manifestations of magic itself.
Influence on Magic: The gods are associated with elements like wind, fire, and the sea. Though they have become more symbolic figures over time, remnants of their influence remain in Ithaka’s magical traditions. The House names at the Academy of Magic, for example, honor the four wind gods: Boros, Notos, Euros, and Zophos.
Legacy: While active worship has declined, the gods’ legacy persists through ancient myths and the subtle ways their power lingers in Ithaka’s magical practices. Some believe that divine magic is not entirely gone but simply dormant, waiting for the right conditions to awaken.
Long ago, all inhabitants of Ithaka had access to magic. Over time, magical power concentrated within a select group, forming the mage ruling class. The Academy of Magic was established to control magical education, while mundanes were gradually pushed into a subservient role.
A significant rebellion occurred when mundanes rose against the mages in power, seeking freedom from oppression. The official records claim that mundanes wished to destroy magic and overthrow the kingdom, but alternative accounts suggest that mages manipulated history to justify increased control.
After the rebellion’s failure, strict segregation laws were enforced, further deepening the divide between mages and mundanes.
Starmages, once honored for their celestial magic, became feared for their unpredictability. Rumors of their connection to the ancient gates and the lost magic of the gods led to their persecution. Many believe that the eradication of Starmages was intentional, orchestrated to suppress celestial magic.
The four Houses of the Academy of Magic are named after the four wind gods. Ithaka’s wind gods were once invoked for protection, guidance, and power, but their worship has largely fallen into legend.
Several secret societies and underground organizations operate in the Kingdom of Ithaka, each with distinct objectives and allegiances. Some serve the King of Ithaka, while others act in opposition, pursuing their own interests in the kingdom’s magical and political landscape.
The Nameless is a secret guild of assassins created by the King of Ithaka to enforce his rule and eliminate threats to his power. The guild was formed using orphans and survivors from villages destroyed during the king’s expansionist campaigns. These individuals were indoctrinated and trained to become loyal weapons of the king’s will.
Purpose:
The Raven Society is a secret society of mages dedicated to hunting powerful magical objects. Members are identified by a black feather tattoo behind their ear, infused with ink magic. The true purpose of the tattoo remains unknown.
Notable Members: Lucian Darkwing, Bastian Lightcroft, Dorian Mistfall, Edmund Stonehart, Tobias Stonehart, Kaspian Ashwind, and Atticus Nightstar.
Purpose:
The Iron Circle is a secret society that rivals the Raven Society in the hunt for magical artifacts but seeks them for a different purpose.
Purpose:
The Serpent’s Tongue is a secretive group of mages with their own agenda. Their ultimate goal is to assassinate Prince Lucian Darkwing and seize control of the kingdom. They operate covertly and use manipulation, deception, and assassination to advance their objectives.
Purpose:
The Red Water Society is a secret society with unknown motives. No further information is confirmed.
The Lunar Society is a secret society with unknown motives. No further information is confirmed.
Just as Odysseus faced gods, monsters, and deception on his journey, the Kingdom of Ithaka is a land where magic, secrets, and destiny entwine, challenging those who seek to uncover its mysteries.
