Extraordinary Individuals

## Information

***Extraordinary Individuals*** are humans who are born with supernatural abilities that are otherwise impossible to perform by standard individuals. These abilities extend through a vast range, from exceptional combative prowess to the ability to use magic, as well as other niche abilities that are specific to the wielder. Extraordinary Individuals are tasked with using their abilities to defend Minerva from the onslaught of the Unusuals, a race of demonic creatures who threaten the existence of humanity.

Extraordinary Individuals are typically identified at birth with the presence of what is known as the "*Mark of The Extraordinary*", which is present beneath the palm of the individual. The appearance of the mark can vary depending on the individuals abilities, and functions as a gate in which the individual is able to channel their power. Most extraordinary individuals are born with a single mark, though it is possible, though uncommon, for an individual to be born with two marks, signifying the ability to utilize more than one power.

Very rarely will an extraordinary individual be born with a third mark, as current studies have shown that the body of an extraordinary individual is biologically designed to only harbor a maximum of two marks. The presence of a third mark is not unheard of, though it is exceptionally rare. If a third mark is present on an extraordinary individual, it signifies that the individual has broken beyond their human limitations into a further realm of development, and possesses incredible power. Currently, the number of extraordinary individuals who have three marks is estimated to be somewhere between 200-300.

## Origins of the Extraordinary Individuals

* In July of the year 1 AE, a boy by the name of Ark would be born to two individuals living in Aldorei. Ark was born with a mysterious star-shaped crest beneath his left palm, which doctors originally chalked up to a genetic mutation causing skin discoloration. However, in his early childhood years, Ark began demonstrating abilities impossible to perform by regular humans. He was able to cast magic, and thus became the world's first **Extraordinary Individual**.

* Ark was extensively studied by doctors, though they could not come up with a reasonable explanation as to where his abilities came from. As Ark grew into an adult, he utilized his magical abilities to help others around him and was propelled to godhood within Aldorei, though he disliked the fact that he was being worshipped as he saw himself no different than anybody else. Because of this, he started using his abilities less.

* A religion was created around Ark and his abilities, with many claiming that he had been sent by God to help the world prosper. Numerous statues, churches, and other forms of immortalization were constructed in his name, many of which still exist today, with Ark remaining a commonly-worshipped figure responsible for the existence of all other Extraordinary Individuals. He is the second-most worshipped figure behind Tamashi.

* When Ark was an adult, he married a woman named Yangchi, and they had three children, two sons and a daughter. Their names were Dojima, Chan, and Kyo. All three of them were born with the same mark as Ark, and possessed abilities of their own. This was the beginning of the rapid spread of extraordinary individuals throughout the world. Kyo was the world's first female extraordinary individual. Many establishments today are named after Ark's children.

* Ark's children rise to political power within Aldorei, eventually ranking directly beneath the King and Queen. However, one of Ark's sons, Dojima, has other plans for the direction of the country. Dojima, being the strongest of the three children, and eventually overpowering his father, uses his abilities to overthrow the King and Queen, becoming the next king of Aldorei, King Dojima.

* Dojima, Chan, and Kyo all had children, further expanding the reach of extraordinary individuals across the nation. A massive tree of extraordinary individuals would be created after many centuries. The calendar used across the world was adopted after Ark's death, and is currently used to tell the year based on the birth of Ark.