Profile
Setting
This verse takes place in a fictional world called Lainsa. While ecologically similar to Earth, its history has been more peaceful. The major continent the story takes place in is split up into 10 main countries, as well as several island nations that ally closely to their larger neighbors. This main continent is all the people of Lainsa know, as beyond its oceans is a ring of unsurpassable mountains, known colloquially as "The Wall."
A unique part of Lainsa's universe is the Spark Phenomenon. There is a mysterious energy present throughout the world. The energy itself is referred to simply as pure energy. Pure energy is found in all living things, and can sometimes linger or collect in non-living things as well. In general, it is a substance that likes to pool and stick to itself. In cases where a person has a large enough concentration of it within them, it can be intentionally manipulated by humans. This results in powers that vary from person to person. A person who is able to utilize the Spark Phenomenon is called an ember, or is said to "have the spark."
Plot
The main starting group is made up of four strangers jailed for various crimes. Some have been wrongfully accused, some not. The story kicks off with them grouping together to escape, but they fail and are captured again. The jailer Grier steps in and makes an offer. Their criminal records will be cleared if they can journey to the top of the Bylett Spire in Winvary and retrieve from it a powerful artifact filled with pure energy, called the Eye of Fire.
In actuality, Grier is one of many officials in the country's (and possibly the continent's) government that hopes to use the artifact to obtain great power. East Kardia, where the main party meets, hides the fact that it’s run by a corrupt group that seeks to reach out past Lainsa to other far-off lands and use the power of the Spark to conquer them, believing the phenomenon to be something gifted to them by God so that they may carry out this plan. At least, that is what they claim. The artifact would be used to force people’s sparks to be more powerful or to have certain effects useful to this goal, which goes against the natural order.
During their trek up the tower the group meets Lorelei, who seems to know about the country’s plan, but distrust and miscommunications continuously cause them to clash with each other. Eventually the objective changes from retrieving the artifact for the jailer to retrieving it to bring to a holy site in The Charredlands, where it can be kept safe.
