Post by MU on Sept 21, 2013 15:49:01 GMT
FIRE - SOUTH
heat and pride
The Fire Caste. These equines trace their abilities origins to the South. Prince Jagan was the first horse to show ability with fire, and he passed this on to his heirs for generations. With time, the general populace began to show the ability to wield fire. In the South, fire is still the most predominant ability, and generally seen as more acceptable to the still fairly traditional region. In the past, they saw themselves as first among the benders, and this thought often led them to war.
beginner: at this level, you can control your own body heat in either direction. you can radiate heat to keep others warm next to you. you can breathe life into embers, and are tolerant to heat and flames. however, using any power for too long will quickly exhaust you, and you must rest to restore the energy, through rest or eating.
intermediate: at this level, the user may control the direction of flames for a few moments, or encourage them higher. you can now begin to manipulate flames into weapons as well. your resistance to fire and heat has increased past that of merely high stamina. you can preform and tolerate the energy loss required to perform these tasks for hours instead of moments, without wasting all your energy. however it is still easy to over do it.
advanced: the user may now cause flames to come into being, and is virtually able to walk through flames with no problem. the heat of the air is no issue for you, and you can maintain your abilities for more than an a day easily. you can manipulate flames around yourself, without burning.you can form these flames into weapons, whips, balls, anything you can force a flame into the shape of.
master: Fire is your element. the user may now control a massive amount of fire at one time. you are virtually invulnerable to fire for an extended time, you can boil water, medium amounts, and you can now radiate heat around yourself, that may harm others. for a short burst, you may even exhale flames, but your insides may not thank you. however, with this power comes a drawback, the cold is even more effective against you, and snow is painful to come in contact with when you use your abilities. there is a chance also, that your control on your emotions will flare and twist like a flame.
kingdom's view of castes:: they see the caste system as good as law, and tend to show prejudice towards other castes. Modern thinking of the ruling family may change common thought though.
beginner: at this level, you can control your own body heat in either direction. you can radiate heat to keep others warm next to you. you can breathe life into embers, and are tolerant to heat and flames. however, using any power for too long will quickly exhaust you, and you must rest to restore the energy, through rest or eating.
intermediate: at this level, the user may control the direction of flames for a few moments, or encourage them higher. you can now begin to manipulate flames into weapons as well. your resistance to fire and heat has increased past that of merely high stamina. you can preform and tolerate the energy loss required to perform these tasks for hours instead of moments, without wasting all your energy. however it is still easy to over do it.
advanced: the user may now cause flames to come into being, and is virtually able to walk through flames with no problem. the heat of the air is no issue for you, and you can maintain your abilities for more than an a day easily. you can manipulate flames around yourself, without burning.you can form these flames into weapons, whips, balls, anything you can force a flame into the shape of.
master: Fire is your element. the user may now control a massive amount of fire at one time. you are virtually invulnerable to fire for an extended time, you can boil water, medium amounts, and you can now radiate heat around yourself, that may harm others. for a short burst, you may even exhale flames, but your insides may not thank you. however, with this power comes a drawback, the cold is even more effective against you, and snow is painful to come in contact with when you use your abilities. there is a chance also, that your control on your emotions will flare and twist like a flame.
kingdom's view of castes:: they see the caste system as good as law, and tend to show prejudice towards other castes. Modern thinking of the ruling family may change common thought though.
EARTH - EAST
Solid faith
The Earth Caste. These creatures reside in the eastern section of Zenith, and are one of the most defensive capable elementals on the planet. They follow the God of Earth, and were chosen to try and maintain the balance that Fire threw out. Often known for a deep set of moral standards, these powerful equines are the ones that prefer to play mediator to the other more violent castes. In the recent years, they were some of the first to embrace the idea of breaking down barriers between the castes, and letting others in and out of their borders. Despite their more lenient attitude, their monarchy is still firmly in place.
beginner: at this rank, small pebbles, sand, loose dirt, these things are what you can move with your ability. your skin can harden if you concentrate on one area at a time. sadly you cannot maintain it for long. you can sense movement through the ground, only in short distances, and not accurately.
intermediate: large rocks, and stronger abilities. you can now lift rocks, move amounts of earth without being immediately tired. you can now use earth and rock to a defensive shield, though not a thick one. your ability to harden your skin for a time has increased, and now it can me more than just a small spot, and relies less on personal concentration. you can also manipulate plants to grow, a small group at a time.
advanced:moving boulders, is no issue. you cannot throw them, but moving them is no issue. smaller rocks, are no issue to throw for long distances, and often are accurate. your shield of earth is also thicker and more powerful as well. the ability to harden your skin now extends to all parts of your body, but duration still relies on energy. you can 'see' using the plant life and ground via vibration for a few yards around yourself, accurately. flora now sways to you commands, at least simple ones do.
master: throwing boulders, almost impenetrable armor, no earth will stand in your way if the other is not a master as well. you can turn mud to dry earth, quick sand and mud are no issue, and the ability to sense movement from the ground from a greater distance are also yours. you may also now command even the largest of trees, to speak to you, to grow or move their branches, and smaller flora are no problem. the drawback to this rank is that while you may grow more in tune with the earth, but your ability to see with your eyes will fail the more in tune you grow.
kingdom's view of castes:: Generally open minded towards change, these horses see the caste ideals as restrictive and almost cruel. However, this has not stopped the ruling family from keeping power.
beginner: at this rank, small pebbles, sand, loose dirt, these things are what you can move with your ability. your skin can harden if you concentrate on one area at a time. sadly you cannot maintain it for long. you can sense movement through the ground, only in short distances, and not accurately.
intermediate: large rocks, and stronger abilities. you can now lift rocks, move amounts of earth without being immediately tired. you can now use earth and rock to a defensive shield, though not a thick one. your ability to harden your skin for a time has increased, and now it can me more than just a small spot, and relies less on personal concentration. you can also manipulate plants to grow, a small group at a time.
advanced:moving boulders, is no issue. you cannot throw them, but moving them is no issue. smaller rocks, are no issue to throw for long distances, and often are accurate. your shield of earth is also thicker and more powerful as well. the ability to harden your skin now extends to all parts of your body, but duration still relies on energy. you can 'see' using the plant life and ground via vibration for a few yards around yourself, accurately. flora now sways to you commands, at least simple ones do.
master: throwing boulders, almost impenetrable armor, no earth will stand in your way if the other is not a master as well. you can turn mud to dry earth, quick sand and mud are no issue, and the ability to sense movement from the ground from a greater distance are also yours. you may also now command even the largest of trees, to speak to you, to grow or move their branches, and smaller flora are no problem. the drawback to this rank is that while you may grow more in tune with the earth, but your ability to see with your eyes will fail the more in tune you grow.
kingdom's view of castes:: Generally open minded towards change, these horses see the caste ideals as restrictive and almost cruel. However, this has not stopped the ruling family from keeping power.
WATER - WEST
Liquid Intelligence
The Water Caste. The intelligent equines of the West, and the great thinkers of Zenith. These horses are often more likely to be heard of than actually seen. They enjoy their privacy, and do not tend to enjoy unannounced guests. They take after their element half the time, and are very adaptable, with most of their situations. Out of the four castes, it is their alignment that has spent the most time switching bloodlines within the royal family. Multiple families have held the title of 'royal', and a murder scheme is never uncommon.
beginner: drying oneself out completely after a swim, keeping ones-self from becoming dehydrated, and being able to swim for hours without tiring are merely pros of being born into this caste. Your use of these abilities in excess will cost you though, in your destroyed energy levels.
intermediate: Water coils, painful water bubbles, water manipulation, is what you get here, as well as improved skills of previous abilities. You can freeze or melt water as you need now, and if the water is still, you can freeze it quite painfully solid. You can't quite manipulate anything larger than a few meters of it though, and you'll feel the strain.
advanced: Water to ice, pulling water out of steam, these things are now open to you. Swimming seems to rejuvenate you, rather than tire you. You can create momentary weapons out water and ice, with a skill that is frightening. You can pull water out of plants now, in desperate situations, but other animals are still beyond your reach.
master: You can manipulate the water in another's body for as long as your strength holds, and you are dangerous in a fight. You can dive to depths far deeper than others, and as long as there is a source of water in anything, you can travel anywhere. You can pull water up in waves, and use it to your own devices. The only drawback seems that heat causes you extreme distress, and cold makes you sluggish and slow, and in extreme cases, dormant.
kingdom's view of castes:: The West is quite willing to do anything as long as it seems to have a good reason, and a favorable result for them. The change in views on the caste, has caused them no harm, though it has shaken the idea of a monarchy in the mind of the commoners.
beginner: drying oneself out completely after a swim, keeping ones-self from becoming dehydrated, and being able to swim for hours without tiring are merely pros of being born into this caste. Your use of these abilities in excess will cost you though, in your destroyed energy levels.
intermediate: Water coils, painful water bubbles, water manipulation, is what you get here, as well as improved skills of previous abilities. You can freeze or melt water as you need now, and if the water is still, you can freeze it quite painfully solid. You can't quite manipulate anything larger than a few meters of it though, and you'll feel the strain.
advanced: Water to ice, pulling water out of steam, these things are now open to you. Swimming seems to rejuvenate you, rather than tire you. You can create momentary weapons out water and ice, with a skill that is frightening. You can pull water out of plants now, in desperate situations, but other animals are still beyond your reach.
master: You can manipulate the water in another's body for as long as your strength holds, and you are dangerous in a fight. You can dive to depths far deeper than others, and as long as there is a source of water in anything, you can travel anywhere. You can pull water up in waves, and use it to your own devices. The only drawback seems that heat causes you extreme distress, and cold makes you sluggish and slow, and in extreme cases, dormant.
kingdom's view of castes:: The West is quite willing to do anything as long as it seems to have a good reason, and a favorable result for them. The change in views on the caste, has caused them no harm, though it has shaken the idea of a monarchy in the mind of the commoners.
AIR - NORTH
Free and determined
The air caste, the north. These creatures have a very developed sense of 'right' and 'wrong', and tend to think forward instead of stay in the past. These beasts are constantly flowing with the time, and believe it or not, it they were the ones responsible for the idea of breaking down the caste superiority idea. They can be quite loud and vocal about certain ideas, the downfall being that they are too keen to back it up. The North is not designed for war, and it has cost them over the years. Now they are more nomad than stationary, and it shows in the past several years.
beginner: mild breezes, persuading air currents, breathing deeper, jumping higher. Simple things are gifted to the beginner. You can run much longer and faster than other castes, and not be winded. you can scent the air for smells for several miles more than other castes, and simply directing blasts of air is no problem.
intermediate: you can now run for hours on end at top speed with no problem. Moving an area of air, mostly still is no problem, and directing it into a wild, powerful blast is now yours. You can now jump higher, and glide slightly, but not from a great height or for long. you can now also make small funnels of air, but it's not all that dangerous to others.
advanced: Gliding, storm force winds, directing air currents, these are yours to keep. Also, low oxygen levels do not bother you in the slightest, though it may harm your body if done for more than a few days.
master: You may now actually build a tornado. you can even direct a storm away from your current location, as long as you can feel it. you can glide from heights, too high for anyone else, and using air currents, land safely. you can use the wind in almost any way possible. the drawback is, is that with your new powers, you lose your connection to the world, and your memories start to become foggy easily.
kingdom's view of castes:: They have no love of the idea of caste superiority, and tend to disregard it all together. They have a royal family yes, but the way that this caste spreads out, it is difficult to get an approved idea across all minds.
beginner: mild breezes, persuading air currents, breathing deeper, jumping higher. Simple things are gifted to the beginner. You can run much longer and faster than other castes, and not be winded. you can scent the air for smells for several miles more than other castes, and simply directing blasts of air is no problem.
intermediate: you can now run for hours on end at top speed with no problem. Moving an area of air, mostly still is no problem, and directing it into a wild, powerful blast is now yours. You can now jump higher, and glide slightly, but not from a great height or for long. you can now also make small funnels of air, but it's not all that dangerous to others.
advanced: Gliding, storm force winds, directing air currents, these are yours to keep. Also, low oxygen levels do not bother you in the slightest, though it may harm your body if done for more than a few days.
master: You may now actually build a tornado. you can even direct a storm away from your current location, as long as you can feel it. you can glide from heights, too high for anyone else, and using air currents, land safely. you can use the wind in almost any way possible. the drawback is, is that with your new powers, you lose your connection to the world, and your memories start to become foggy easily.
kingdom's view of castes:: They have no love of the idea of caste superiority, and tend to disregard it all together. They have a royal family yes, but the way that this caste spreads out, it is difficult to get an approved idea across all minds.
