Corona

> "Black and White eternal, Corona lives just as the people upon it and the creatures traversing it's plains as the hearts of all beat as one in eternal peace."
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 - The scriptures of Light volume four

## History

An ancient world with a long history of adventures and wars, Corona is a unique world that has a living biosphere which seems to be interconnected in all forms. With much mystery surrounding the specifics of this living world, the most basic understanding as of now is that this world has a living entity called the Heart of Corona by it's inhabitants. It can communicate mentally to beings and control the fauna of the world, it being able to expand and convert other entities and worlds into its state of being.

Having always had life brimming on it, Coronan's have been documented to have existed since the beginning of the planet as sentient beings which idolized the Heart. Surviving early on with mining and the discovery of liquid metal, Coronan's began to build most of their society out of this metal which could mold into swords, armor, buildings and whatever they seemed to desire. Having an abundance of the resource upon their planet, most Coronans were able to form shelters and other tools for survival which helped further along their development early on.

Clashing in wars like any other species, the world found itself unified in its adoration of Corona with most civilizations following its teachings and guidance. Informing them of its own deity known as the Light, ancient Coronan's found themselves split between worshiping Corona itself and the deity it faithfully serves. Conflict arose from the Hearts attempt at unification, several more attempts persisting throughout history until the Noble Wars which finally brought the world into harmony between White and Black. A century passed without conflict and the planet lived in peace until the the Succession War. Once forgotten brutality resurfaced once more, death and despair twisting the land into cruel creatures as the vegetation grew sickly and Corona itself wailed in sorrow. Historically the bloodiest war in Coronan history, the Red Maw would be birthed from this conflict in the far south and claim a warped patch of land for its own devices. Quelled by the quick foresight of Queen Quila which made historic contact with the beast, the war would end not long after this and bring about normality once more on Corona. The land began to heal and thrive once more, the Coronans vowing to never repeat the tragedy that was the Succession War.

Taking to the stars in 5 NAC, the unified Kingdom of Zoscia stands as a testament to the Hearts efforts of unifying its children. Successful in its endeavors, the world now receives unending praise from its inhabitants that spread its gift amongst the stars. A world of Black and White, it stands as one of the greatest anomalies within the Aoshtai Galaxy and the home of a people that desires no other than Corona itself.

## Heart of Corona

A creature that appears to be interconnected with all beings on Corona, the entity known as the Heart of Corona by Coronan's is an enigmatic being which seems to semi-consciously expand itself and convert any and all foreign material to Black and White. This expansion seems to only apply for vegetation which naturally produces the compound named Coda, materials, animals and other elements of Corona not having the same effect. The Heart appears to be capable of controlling plants and animals directly whenever it desires, however it usually directly communicates with whatever being it wishes to catch the attention of. This manipulation of nature is an ability that the Linorn rulers can obtain through the staff of Corona which allows similar powers to that of the Heart.

Gentle and a teacher of the Light, Corona is a sentient entity which can be spoken to. Taking the physical form of a white orb that resides in a isolated forested cavern, pilgrims come on scheduled days to speak with and learn from it. This form has been proven to be but a creation of Corona, its true forming being the land itself which is thrives or dies with; emotional energies affecting it's health greatly. This was not seen any better than during the Succession War which nearly wilted away entire regions of Corona which were on the brink of death, the energies of death eventually leading to a byproduct forming called the Red Maw which inherited powers similar to it's parent. When these same energies are harnessed for good, it takes the form of magic called Coronan Witchcraft which is based around the manipulation of Corona's vegetation and gaining psychological powers such as precognition and mind reading. Only capable of manifesting near Black and White worlds, the effects become weaker the farther one gets from Coronas influence.

The nature of the Heart starting as vegetation on new worlds has caused it to be a low-tech terraforming tool for the Kingdom of Zoscia as it can be planted even on barren worlds such as the moon of Corona and begin terraforming and changing it into a world of Black and White. While efforts still must be made to make it a habitable environment, it will at the very least be converted already and open for colonization. The properties of the Heart have called into question what exactly the entity is since while sentient and seemingly having grown alongside nature, it appears to be in charge of it and operates like a world covering parasite or disease; spreading and converting everything it touches into something it can control or at least live on or by. When asked upfront, it simply says the Light created it to be the guardian of all Coronan's and will only expand where Coronan's allow. While vague, it does rule out the entity being malicious to outsiders even if the likelihood of them living on White-Black worlds without being converted is impossible; the entities words though at least gives peace to Coronan's worried about it's intentions, showing that the Heart is simply a being which desires to nurture the Coronan's.

## Red Maw

The great mistake and one created by the Coronan's themselves in their bloody Succession War, the conflict created several scars upon Corona; the Red Maw being one such scar, a beast of intelligence like the Heart but without compassion or any desire to help the Coronan's. In a sense, it is like every other worlds version of nature, uncaring towards civilization and following its own beastial desires alone. Originally created from the Hearts pain in the Succession War and the successful stabilization of Mada compounds, the resulting manifestation became a being known as the Maw. Converting the land around itself into a contorted and warped place where animals kill for flesh and blood rather than hunger and every plant wishes to see blood poured upon it's hardened roots; it became an infamous byproduct of the war and is considered evil incarnation. Some even believing that is a potential fate that the Coronan's scarcely avoided with Kolagahs victory.

Uninviting to guests, the Maw's lands are hostile to all that enter and stronger contorted versions of their Black-White counterparts. Only able to survive within the Red lands, it appears corrupted animals lose all bodily functions when they leave and soon after pass from a lack of breathing. The Maw itself does not communicate with anyone aside those which enter through it's gaping teeth jutting out of the ground and follows the blooded path down. Once they enter it's inner caverns and meet it face to face, then it will speak and so far only the Queen has been known to have made it to the Maw. Despite the atmosphere and the Maw's demeanor, it does speak softly from what is known and is very callous alongside methodical, it is reasonable and can be surprised which is probably it's most positive known emotions so far.

Physically unable to expand past it's current borders, the Maw is but a visitation site now for strong hunters to prove themselves and followers of the Light wishing to see evil incarnate. While not a major threat, the Maw is a dangerous region and shows no signs of expansion or decay; a permanent reminder of the Coronans past.

## Fauna

Varying from docile to hardened killers wandering the plains of Corona in search of prey, the fauna of Corona is one of the most intriguing features of the natural world besides the Heart and Maw. Having a range of plants and animals that inhabit its lush landscape, there exists three iconic creatures which are best known by all Coronans. The Sincordins, Rolmers and the Karads dominate many regions of the world and are some of the most commonly domesticated species. Plants are also known to be domesticated, mostly for food aside several exceptions such as the Yurn; producing antitoxins as a bi-product of it's absorption of starlight and water, it is a commonly used medicinal plant.

Karad's were the first version of aviation technology on Corona, these large flying beasts with long skin wings and deadly tails capable of penetrating most metals are a sight to behold. While hard to domesticate, it is possible and makes for a very deadly ally in combat which throughout history was known to assist the Coronan's in battle by flying down and swiping at foes with their tail. They were also used for transporting elite troops and luggage in times of peace. Large towers called Sky Towers dot Corona which were originally built to house nests of domesticated Karad's, it being a place where riders could purchase a ride or pick up their stationed Karad to ride out. These towers now serve mainly as interstellar defense platforms and house spacecrafts with Karad housing being largely downsized.

Sincordins are considering nearly impossible to domesticate considering their destructive and wild nature as borrowing armored worms. With most of their food sources being underground, the incentive of food rarely succeeds in domestication attempts. In the few recorded instances when they were domesticated, Sincordins were used as siege weapons with a rider that guided them to various structures which they would burrow under to collapse. Being able to form sinkholes and throw formations into disarray with sudden attacks, they were feared and legendary warriors in the few instances they accepted Coronan riders. In modern times, they are primarily domesticated for ancient traditions and have remained one of the largest disruptors of Coronan structures. Being actively hunted year round, their populations have diminished and been pushed further into reserves away from civilization where they can thrive undisturbed.

Rolmers were the first creature domesticated by Coronan's and their favored pet. An agile and fast animal on four legs with a beaked mouth, Rolmers have feathers all over their body to stay warm and long claws to kick up soil and claw their foes. Having a beak with a strong jaw and thrust, Rolmers are deadly in packs yet weak alone, relying upon pack coordination to take down larger foes. Domesticated by Coronan's early on in history, they were originally trained as hunting companions and transitioned into domestic pets as time went on. This tradition has continued on into the modern era, Rolmers being household pets in many homes and abundant hunters in the wilds of Corona.

## Landmarks

Dotted with ancient monuments and tombs holding the spirits of various past kings, Corona is ripe with places to explore and adventure from the great Red Fields of the Maw to the Halls of Corona's past rulers. While not all can be listed, a compilation has been of the planets most prominent locations.

Heart of Corona's Cavern: Situated in Central Corona, the Hearts lair lies within a large cavernous system with all possible paths inevitably leading to it. Home of Corona itself, the Heart holds the answers and guidance any visitor could need for faith or simple curiosity. Living within a large open cavern, the Heart is known to have countless visitors and missionaries which make pilgrimages to its lair for counsel. Being able to host up to fifty visitors at a time, the Heart closes off its passages whenever it's capacity is reached or if it senses malicious intent. Rejecting any attempts by the Kingdom for establishing a guarded outpost, the Heart has stated its confidence in defending itself and remains one with the forest that surrounds its cavern.

Hall of Kings: The resting ground for all past rulers and nobility of Corona, the Hall is situated underground in a cavernous system off limits to the majority of Coronans. Known to have restless spirits which wander the Hall in search of some unknown final respite, it is a quiet and respectful place which is visited often in honor of the dead which served Corona faithfully. Being a remote location out in the wilderness, a small town was built around the cavern entrance known as "Kings Rest" which is the home to predominantly government workers which maintain the Hall. Held deep within the ancient complex, Queen Yirin currently serves her eternal sentence as the last ruler of white; the one living monarch amongst the resting dead.

Tomb of Giants: An underground vault that holds treasures of past eras, it is an ancient ruin dating back to the Age of Anarchy and was utilized by monarchs generationally to hoard their wealth. Maintained by a dedicated group of archeologists which excavate and catalog the vaults valuables, only government and certified personnel are allowed inside. Over the centuries, a large forest has grown within the cavern leading to the vaults entrance, large creatures seemingly having claimed the forest as their home. Named after these creatures prior to the vaults rediscovery, the name remains unchanged as they guard over an ancient tomb of forgotten history. Picked on occasion for the yearly hunts, the Tombs occupants stand as the ultimate challenge for any seasoned hunter.

Calria: The capital and home to the largest artist guild within the entire Kingdom. Calria is home of many artists, politicians and churches which the latter of which originally founded the city in a bid to create a capital to the faith. Now operating as Zoscias current capital, Calria lies within the White Kingdoms old territory and is known as a place of great beauties and imagination; the Queens personal attention to its artisan guild making it an ever inventive place where expression through art is welcomed with open arms. Home to several cathedrals and the nations largest archive of religious texts, it is a hub of religious and political activity.

Delrosh: Once just the Tower of Delrosh which was home of the great Professor, this small town is a prevalent part of Coronan history considering its past contributions to science within the Kingdom. Now operating as an administrative center for the Kingdoms various nationally funded science centers, it was originally the home of the legendary Delrosh and his servants, the tower in due time forming a town around it full of intellectuals and free thinkers who fled Yirins purges. Much of the Succession Wars history as a result has been recorded here, from the Professors personal history to the intellectuals fleeing Yirins atrocities; there is much which keeps the soft spoken and intelligent citizens in such a cold and harsh northern town and much that attracts new citizens and visitors. One such attraction is the largest archive within the greater Kingdom, the Archives of Delrosh which is considered legendary for its vasts wells of knowledge and documentation about any and all things. Allowing public access to stories and adventures which aren't considered government sensitive material, it has became a library of sorts while also serving its function as the studious recorder of the nation.

Red Maw: Home of the great mistake and its corrupted children, the region it calls home is a spiritual and scientific landmark which is scarcely visited without an armed escort. With unique fauna on the Red Maws contorted land and peculiar weather such as blood rain, it is a disturbing marvel of life no matter how unnerving. Home to groves of beautiful red and white plants that release their petals endlessly for months unceasing, it is a mirror of Coronas own beauty that is fueled by death instead of life. Visited frequently by priests and armed worshipers on holy pilgrimages, the Maw stands as a testament to what could have been.

School of Witchcraft: A small and hidden school on Corona which only those of the Linorn Dynasty can attend who have the gift of Witchcraft or semblances of the gift. Hosting a small number of students at a time, the school is predominantly an archive of information on Coronan Witchcraft and is rather small; having only a single building for the school which has underground rooms for most of the training and archiving. The small scale size of the school was done on purpose to save space and keep it hidden from those with prowling eyes.