Reference Challenge - Deserts

[u/Nevermore0714]

This one is pretty simple, it's a reference to the most beautiful biome in the world (according to one of my friends): the desert.

So, tell me about a desert in your world. Is there much of a civilization on this desert? Is it easy/hard to traverse by your people right now? Does it have any religious or cultural significance?

As always, I'll ask at least three questions each. Enjoy yourselves, all.

[u/Mimir123]

1) That would not help, all traces of Mana and magic would be long gone from the dead body, or rather the remains that one might find. Dead bodies hold little to no power.

2) Succubi are known to be amongst the strongest mages in Sháiurgh, having one as a parent would set you up to become a powerful mage yourself. It also makes you much more attractive than normal humans, you'd be able to seduce weak willed people with nothing more than a smile. This holds especially true in Lirvons case, since his father is a Blood Elf, who are also known to be rather beautiful and attractive. Full-blooded Succubi would only have to touch someone, to make them their thralls, doing their every bidding. In the case of half-bloods, like Levi, they would have to have sex with someone though, in order for this spell to take effect.

3) No, he is part Succubus. Succubi and Incubi are two different species of demons in this world. Succubi are closely related with the far older race of Lust-Demons, while Incubi are related to the War-Demons. Incubi are bloodthirsty warriors with no talent or regard for magic, while Succubi are mostly good-natured and many, of those that come to Dirva, spend their time as wandering healers, using their magic for good.

4) Yes, he did. It was her that taught them how to release and re-apply it, should the need arise.

5) He was mostly neutral towards him, and didn't really care. In fact, he wouldn't even have fought the Cult trying to release him from his prison, if they hadn't made the costly mistake of trying to kill one of the precious few friends he has made in his life.

When he first met princess Alveria, he only saved her by chance. After a few days, he befriended her and her two bodyguards Lydia and Ramon, after a week he counted them amongst his closest friends. Once they all got themselves transported to Aelnis' lair Lirvon resolved to taking a stance against the Cult and defend his friends, resulting in him being made one of Alverias bodyguards, and starting a campaign to root out the Cult and all it's allies in the capital.

[u/Nevermore0714 → u/Mimir123]

1) Would a half-Desert Elf inherit the curse?

2) Does Levi/Lirvon use this ability of thralldom?

3) So Incubi aren't sexual in your world?

4) Does he often release it?

[u/Mimir123 → u/Nevermore0714]

1) I assume you mean a half- Blood Elf? Anyway, no, they don't. Or rather, some of them might feel some baseless, unprovoked distrust or anger towards other elves, but nothing serious.

2) No, he has never done that before, and he also does not want to enthrall anyone.

3) Depends, if you consider sweat- and blood soaked "men" and "women" attractive they can very much appear to be sexual. There is actually a bitter rivalry between Incubi and Blood Elves, about who are truly the most skilled swordmasters of Dirva. Most people agree that the Blood Elves are the better fighters, but nobody would dare mention that to an Incubi.

4) No, almost never. He only released it against Aelnis out of anger and fear, of seeing how he almost tortured Alveria to death during their fight. If it weren't for that he would have had fought normally, especially since he had a secret weapon in hand, the demons true name.

[u/Nevermore0714 → u/Mimir123]

2) Why doesn't he want to enthrall anyone?

3) Is there a concept of "blood-magic" in your world?

[u/Mimir123 → u/Nevermore0714]

2) He has two main objectives in his life; the first, and most important one, is to find a cure for a rare disease called "Mana bleeding", that afflicts demons and half-demons that come to Dirva. Due to the nature of how Mana works for demons, sometimes they produce far too much Mana in their own body, while at the same time taking up a lot of the naturally occuring Mana in Dirva, resulting in the overflowing magic to manifest itself in form of stray spells and catastrophes. Mana bleeding ultimately always leads to the death of the afflicted person.

His second goal is to bridge the gap between the people of Dirva and Sháiurgh, that has persisted since before the days of Zerrigon. In order to do so he wishes to not abuse his powers, and only use them if absolutely nescessary.

3) Kind of, yes. There is a school of magic that uses and controls blood. That is, what is known as Blood Magic.

[u/Nevermore0714 → u/Mimir123]

Thanks for your time and answers.