The Lessathi (Also known as "The Ancients") are a species known for their ability to build magical devices, such as Dragon Traps, artifacts that grant the use of magic, and the Stat Device. They possess something akin to an innate connection with the Magium.[1] They are also the species who imprisoned orphans (Such as Kate, Diane, and Leila) in The Beacon of Hope, for the purpose of experimentation.[2]
Introduction[]
An underground organization led by Meridith that is rumored to be backed by the kings of Varathia, they control a vast network of spies and assassins. They operate in hidden villages and are generally unknown to the island's locals.[2] The lessathi consider themselves a pure race, one free from defects; marriage with outsiders is prohibited. Rogue lessathi were hunted as outcasts until the shift in leadership to Meridith after the recent death of the previous leader, Lord Heksol.[3]
Appearance[]
The lessathi are physically identical to humans, save the complete absence of magic in their auras. Members of the main group often wear hooded, dark blue robes, with a chest brooch depicting a hawk, the lessathi, holding the sun, the gods, in its talons.[2]
History[]
The Lessathi Empire[]
The lessathi are the oldest race on Varathia, and are known by the island's current locals as 'the ancients'.[2] Their empire reached its peak five thousand years ago, and enjoyed many technological advancements. Their cities were marked with four, large, seredium towers that reached thousands of feet off the ground. An incredible amount of magical energy could be seen radiating from the tops, moving wildly in all directions. Hundreds of flying, horseless carriages flew through the air. Large holographic screens relayed messages in the common language. These technologies were powered by human mages, who lived among the lessathi.[1] During this time, humans frequently married into lessathi families, and half-lessathi were common.[4] Human mages often attended the lessathi high council meetings.[1]
Since the decline of their empire, however, many of their advancements were lost. The cause of their downfall is unknown, but could partially be a result of the banshee spirit Arraka, whose banishment eliminated the female mages from their forces.[1] Following this incident, they maintained power within the Varathian cities, but would never regain their previous splendor.
The Still Winter[]
Six hundred years ago, the lessathi, led by Eiden and the golden fox, fought against Arraka, Therius, and his stillwater army in what has come to be known as the still winter war. While these events are shrouded in mystery, the conclusion of the war led to the prohibition of Arraka from possessing humanoid hosts, and the island's entry into an age of peace and prosperity.[5]
The lessathi civilization collapsed during this time, commonly believed to have been a result of their arrogance, and disappeared into obscurity as a long forgotten race. They retreated to hidden villages on the island, and forbade relationships with outsiders.[2] Their relationship with Eiden seems to have deteriorated as well, with his message, "remember the still winter", coming off as a veiled threat in recent events.[6]
The Beacon of Hope[]
Run by a handful of influential lessathi with ties to the Varathian royalty, the Beacon of Hope was an experiment, disguised as an orphanage, dedicated to the creation of artificial mages. There, orphaned children had magical circuits forcefully injected into their bodies in a risky, painful procedure. Out of the thousands, only a handful survived. Due to the lack of results, funding stopped and the rejects were thrown into the wilderness to fend for themselves.[2]
Current Events[]
The Magium Tournament[]
The lessathi cooperated with the kings of Varathia to host the Magium tournament. They had originally planned to keep as many participant survivors as possible, but after realizing that the kings would disapprove, they sabotaged the announcement of the tournament's objectives.[6] Their reasons for holding the tournament are unknown.
Attributes[]
Non-Magical Aura[]
The lessathi lack all magical traces in their auras, and are unable to cast magic spells.[2] Their auras also allow them to make full use of the stat device's capabilities, as well as access several other lessathi inventions.[3][7]
Connection to the Magium[]
Their non-magical auras have an innate resonation with the Magium, which may have resulted from their millennia-long obsession with it.[1] It has been speculated that this helped them in their technological creations, some of which involved the blue crystals found underground.[8]