More lore stuff! This time: Mediums.

Mediums are essentially magic users who've devoted themselves to a certain belief/skill/art to the point where they impress a wandering spirit. They can commune with the spirits of the land and enter a trance, during which they often exhibit remarkable strength and agility as well as some degree of magical prowess at the cost of giving the spirit temporary control of their actions.

With training, however, mediums can retain control of their bodies while in a trance but most will inevitably lose control and cause great harm to their surroundings until they are either too exhausted to continue or are put down.

Persecuted up north and hunted down south, most mediums live a relatively quiet existence in Astrian, a small town that has remained neutral to either side despite rising tensions.

The head of the village is an individual called The Matron, a powerful medium who founded the town with her fellow defectors several decades ago in the aftermath of the Grand War.

Astrian is famous for its artisanal goods and services, with a travelling troupe that periodically goes out to perform/entertain in the northern and southern kingdoms as well as a bi-annual festival to celebrate the spirits of the land and pay respects to ancestral ties.

Most are somewhat aware of the mediums in charge, but many either don't care or are just glad they're isolated in this town and not roaming the streets back home.

At the end of the day, mediums are just folks who got caught up in a passion; most did not actively choose to become mediums (though admittedly most mediums in Astrian did). For your average medium, the world is cruel and harsh but in this little town, a little slice of peace exists as long as you're willing to protect this way of life with your very being.

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Short Bios
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Lina: Owner/Lead performer of a circus troupe, an Artisan of Ribbons.

Esther: Permanently tranced former Artisan of Blades, current Head Librarian and Eisa's caretaker.

Tenzei: Famed Chef and Artisan of Cuisine, owner of a cafe in Astrian beloved by locals and tourists alike.

Damien: Last in a line of jewellers from the Lareme lineage, an Artisan of Gems

... And many more but I'm lazy and I have way too many in my head to draw here.