The World of Metera

Metera is a diverse world containing many different creatures from Myths, fantasy, and horror legends. It exists on the other side of Ventoria which is a gateway world to Mundus.

## Geography

Metera has all sorts of lands, Deserts, oceans of underwater kingdoms, Forests ranging from jungles, enchanted, woodland, swamps, Mountain ranges from rocky to frozen, and everything else possible.

Although their government is undivided and lives under one rule (with the exception of the Mirage Islands), the lands are divided into 4 continents.

* The Continent of Medies; this includes the Mystic Islands and the South Eastern body of land.
* The Continent of Rudimenta; this includes Koral and the Northwest body of land.
* The Continent of Levi; the continent of Levi is east of Rudimenta.
* The Continent of Aquarius; all of the oceans are untied under this continent.

[Later each Continent name will link to an article on further information on each region]

The map on your right doesn't show the Mirage Isles, because another land type that exists on Metera is something they call "vanishing lands" These lands are known to be blessed by Licentia, the goddess of Metera, and will vanish and reappear. For some its periodic, for others you need to gain the favor of Licentia, Abysses, or the guardians in order to enter. The Mirage isles is the later, it is known as her holy land and only those with her favor- or Abysses or the guardians may enter it.

## Government

The Meteran government is an altered version of the government that the region of Arey had prior to world conquest. It is headed by an emperor/ empress, a second in line, their court, Overseers, knights, and soldiers. The Meteran Palace also plays a large role.

### **The Meteran Palace**

The Meteran Palace is the home of the Emperor/ Empress, second in line, and their court. It is a place that both exists everywhere and nowhere. It exists in its own separate domain that can only be accessed by those granted with palace access from the current Emperor/ Empress.

The space inside is easily customized by the current ruler, the current ruler forms the space of the palace with a simply thought. They can easily just think a room in the palace into existence, and out of existence. Decorating it just by imagining it there. The windows of the palace look out into Metera, usually transitioning between random places - in this phase it avoids private areas so you wont randomly catch somebody showering or something. The Emperor/ Empress can control where the windows gaze out too and use this to oversee delicate operations.

The Palace is also somewhat sentient. It can detect when the masses of Metera are unhappy with the emperor/ empress and when the current ruler is unfit. When this happens the palace reject them like failed transplant, distorting and often times spitting them right out. It is often told to second in lines that in order to truthfully reach ruler status you must first show the palace that you are fit. It also has the ability to upon the death of the Ruler take the Emperor/ Empress inside itself for safe keeping.

### **The Emperor/ Empress**

The Ruler of Metera. One becomes the ruler by being elected by the previous ruler. In other words when an Emperor/Empress dies their second in line gains Ruler-ship and immediately must select their own second in line and start training them to proceed them in death. In this process they also create a list of 50 candidates all succeeding down the line. It can be expanded upon as the years go by. The 3rd + in lines are never informed of their status, this is to prevent them from staging coups to take over.

The current Emperor in The Ex Slayer Series is Onisuke Kubawari

Their job entitles being the ultimate overseer. They keep the overseers in line, create new laws, destroy unnecessary ones, and all in all do all they can to keep the peace.

### **The Second in Line**

As described in the Emperor/ Empress section; the second in line is the one next up for the throne. Chosen by the current Emperor/Empress and trained by them in preparation for when the fateful day comes. They undergo rigorous combat training, because in Metera in order to be any political figure you must be a very highly acclaimed warrior. They're taught how the job works, and even get experience in it by helping participate in events with the Emperor/Empress. All in all their main duty is to be prepared to take over.

The current Second in like in The ExSlayer is Aivi.

### **The Emperor/ Empress's Court**

They can have as large or small of a court as they desire filled with whatever staff members they feel they need as long as it doesn't break Meteran law (ie: they can't have a court prostitute).

The only requirement for their court is that must have a royal guard. the royal guard is responsible for aiding in military operations and overseeing/ doing top secret high level missions, and of course the more obvious function- aiding the Emperor/ Empress in combat.

The current members of the Emperor's court in the Exslayer are Keito Inuzaki and Yukino Kurozukin.

### **Overseers**

Overseers are responsible for overseeing a specific region on the Meteran Map. They keep the peace on a basic level, see to their peoples needs, and when things escalate immediately report to the Emperor. They can purpose laws and control trade. They also control the regions guard.

Overseers are elected by vote in the region, they can also be recommended by the Emperor/ Empress. Meterans will only elect War Lord like figures due to their culture. If the Overseer becomes corrupt by Meteran law Meterans are able to lash out at the Overseer and riot. It is then the Emperor's duty to put them down- if the Emperor doesn't do this the Meteran Palace most likely will consider the Emperor corrupt and remove them from the throne- knowing this most Emperor's comply.

### **Knights**

Each Overseer can have up to 10 knights. Each knight is selected personally by their Overseer. In order to become a knight you must have a very well established military record. The Knights job is to oversee the military in that region and on occasions perform patrols. It is not required that they stay by the Overseer's side, but most will at-least have one with them at a time.

### **Guards**

Guards perform patrols to their assigned area, In order to become a guard there is rigorous training involved and upkeep to make sure they don't lose their peek fighting condition. Guards are like the Meteran equivalent of Police Officers. The guards are also monitored, a corrupt guard is required under Meteran law to be a criminal, and depending on the type of corruption there is a punishment for it.

Guards often are called "soldiers" depending on the current context.The only military rank below the guards are called Guards in Training.

## Culture and History

**Metera has a very war like society** influenced by the fact that they have been at war for thousands of years, currently facing a civil war and a war against Ventoria. Their political figures are required to be experience in war because anybody else wouldn't properly be able to handle the job since its such a huge part.

**Magic usage** **also highly impacts Meteran culture**, used for crops, healing, construction, and all else. Potion making provides aid as well. Technology does have a presence here as well, usually inspired by what Ventorians bring over on raids. Some coming from high risk operations in Mundus. Typically initiatives for technology are driven by non magic users, or people who are just fascinated by Mundus.

**In the earliest portion of Meteran history they had a close bond with Mundus,** being able to cross through Ventoria with ease. This changed when Ventorians noticed a spike in activity related to Meterans killing and harassing the people of Mundus. So they chased them back over the border and back into Metera in an event called "the Great Divide". Those that didn't get chased back over were hunted down in Mundus and Ventoria and killed. Legend says some Meterans are still alive in Mundus or that they had children with the locals. To this day Ventorians still cross over for the reason of "population control" just to keep them in place.

**Metera wasn't always this united,** in the very beginning they were as divided as can be. Separated into tribes scattered all across the lands. In this age they couldn't even procreate with other tribes of the same species let alone cross with another. Eventually however trade became established across the tribes, agreements were made and many years later kingdoms were established. It was like this until the king of Arey decided to strive for world domination. Using connections, agreements and with some kingdoms brute force they took over majority of Metera except Licentia's holy land - The Mirage Isles. This will be expanded when the story gets into it more.

**Marriages in Metera are limitless.** More detail into this in the section for Ignis, guardian of love. In modern Metera species can intermingle, some families will still however incorporate arranged marriages and wont allow their blood line to be muddled. Otherwise Meteran society couldn't care less if you were a troll trying to marry a high elf, what genders are involved, or anything of the sort. There are a few lines drawn however; first off don't take advantage of a species or being that is of lower intelligence. Meaning a Mermaid shouldn't marry a fish, or a high elf shouldn't marry a bear, this can also qualify against pedophilia. The other is don't intermarry. These are laws set in place by Ignis, and Natalie, the guardian of Family.

## Religion (Condensed)

For more details on Meteran religion click the links [when available]

In the beginning there were two beings- Licentia and Abysses. The two beings would always compete, Licentia always coming out on top and Abysses wanting more than anything to win just once. One day they decided to compete in who could create the best and most functioning world. Licentia created a beautiful diverse world with a thriving eco system. Abysses created a world that didn't even function in the form of a planet but rather like it was its own plane of existence, it was dead, and non functional unable to support life.

Licentia reached out to Abysses and turned his world into the afterlife for her world. She became the goddess of Metera and Abysses the god of death and the afterlife. They fell in love and gave birth to the 13 guardians.With each birthing she gave them a portion of her power.

She first gave birth to twins; Nuria, the guardian of Peace and Congeria the guardian of Chaos. The two siblings would forever be in rivalry.

Then she gave birth to Tempus; the guardian of time.

Next were the triplets; Alma, Regio, and Caelum. Alma being the guardian of the seas, Regio being the guardian of the lands, and Caelum being the guardian of the skies. The three are close friends.

Then there was Ignis and Odite. Ignis being the guardian of love and Odite being the guardian of hatred. The two being polar opposites who can't even stand to be in each others presence.

Natalie and Amnecia were originally one being, but one day the split into two. Natalie is the guardian of family and Amnecia is the guardian of platonic bonds.

Then came Navi; the guardian of energy.

Percilla; guardian of the weather and storms came soon after.

And finally she had her youngest, Somnio the guardian of dreams.

### **The functions of a god and guardian**

On a physiological level god's and guardians are slightly different. For one gods cannot procreate with Meterans. A guardian however can, and historically they did for the longest time until Licentia had enough with the hanky panky and took their ability to do so away.

Both the gods and guardians have no genders, only presentation and pronouns. This is shown by guardians with she pronouns still being able to impregnate women. After all the only way to have a child with the guardians is to have a working womb. This even works with species where the men are able to carry children.

The gods and guardians oversee Metera, interfering for their own agendas and even sometimes toying with Meterans for fun. Each guardian and god is different.