Even the worst sinners can find redemption under Ceremona's wings. Even still, there are things you can not run from. ...That will not stop me from trying.

As usual, the Thursday_Prompt only serves as a jumping off point. And again, I found a character that I really want to develop further but I can't and it's highly saddening :C
But what if...I were to write more about this character and never publish it for anyone to see? Ohoho, delightfully devilish, Nocturne!
...I might try to force a future prompt into continuing the story of this character XD

Glossary:


spells: Every spell in Alka requires ingredients of some kind, and many of these spells come in the form of potions. The art of spellcraft involves careful measurements, specific techniques, and also a touch of etherial manipulation. Without a mage's inborn talent, not even a person following a spell's recipe to the letter can hope to create one for themselves.

ether: Sometimes called lifeforce or mana, this is a mysterious energy that suffuses the world, allowing mages to cast spells and giving rise to many strange, magical plants and animals.

lanri: An amphibious monster that thrives on playing pranks. Unfortunately, they have a different sense of humor than most people, leading to widespread destruction if they are allowed to have their way.

lamm: This ephemeral monster slips into bedrooms and siphons the restful sleep from its victims, leaving them more tired than when they first laid down.

lorkan: Not much is known about this monster except this: if you hear what sounds like loud, steady, and rhythmic snoring out in the woods, you need to drop everything and run.

Hali'Tuin: This is best described as a continent of extremes. Hali is a humid hellish jungle, full of deadly animals and virulent disease. On the other side of the Twin's Divide mountain range, Tuin is a frozen, desolate wasteland. Despite the harsh conditions, the people that live there, the Halini and Tuini, have managed to carve out a niche for themselves with clever inventions and mighty magic.

Verdania: With its numerous trade routes, wealth of magical resources, and status as the seat of Belbatoria's worship, it is not uncommon to hear people say that Verdania is the center of the world. Even those living in the most remote areas of Alka know at least a few words of Verdish.

Belbatoria: The proud goddess of order, light, and knowledge. Of all of the gods and their followers, hers are the most numerous, with devotees across the entire world.

Halik: The twin god of fire, war, and magic. The weathered and cracked carvings in his temple read: "At the beginning, he laid out the Edicts, shaping and constraining the flow of ether. In that way, he set the paths for mortals to follow to great glory and fortune."

Dutuin: The twin goddess of ice, wisdom, and magic. The carefully-preserved ancient texts in her temple read: "From nothing, she created the River of ether that flows through the world of Alka. In that way, she provided an opportunity for life to flourish forever more."

Ceremona: The forgotten goddess of life, hospitality, and union. The only clue as to how widespread her influence used to be is the fact that every alk of every nation, no matter their language, uses the word "ceremony" to describe the same thing. Even though few actively worship her, she is the second most involved goddess in the affairs of mortals.

alk: The anthropomorphic residents of Alka call themselves alks to differentiate themselves from the animals that they resemble.

Scourgebane: A title bestowed by the king of Verdania to the brave knight who not only fought off the monstrous hordes to the south, but also decimated the barbarians, bandits, and black magicians. Everyone in Verdania knows of him, but few know that he wielded the sword of Ceremona: Ceres. (To learn more about the Scourgebane, read Animus.)

Sarkuul: A vast, mostly flat land consisting of windblasted grasslands, scorching deserts, shifting swamps, murky thickets, and more. The nomadic people of this region, the Sarkuuli, are as diverse as the landscape and its climates. People that are running from the consequences of their actions often find themselves here.

gunk algae: Despite flourishing in contaminated water, this plant is known to be a potent fire-aspected spell ingredient. Some specifically cultivate it for its unique sickly sweet fragrance.