Arcana

Arcana are powerful entities with deity-like abilities that emerged prominently in the post Lost-Light world. These beings, known by various names such as gods, princes, rulers, and terots, possess immense power and influence. They can offer gifts to mortals who make pacts with them, but these gifts often come at a great cost. Arcana include demons, lesser gods, and supreme entities like the Four Princes.

In the post Lost-Light world of Hora Lucerna, Arcana play a crucial role in the ongoing struggle for power and survival. Their influence can be seen in the rise and fall of factions, the corruption and salvation of individuals, and the shaping of the world's new order. Mortals who seek their favor must navigate the perilous balance of power, loyalty, and the ever-looming threat of losing themselves to the Arcana’s will.

Arcana represent both a source of immense power and an ever-present danger, as their gifts can elevate a mortal to god-like status or doom them to a fate worse than death. The choices made by those who interact with these entities can alter the course of history, for better or for worse.

The Four Princes

The Four Princes are the supreme Arcana, each ruling over a specific element and direction. They embody the ultimate powers of opposition, pride, independence, and secrecy, each with their unique rituals and symbols.

1. Satan; Lord of the Inferno
   • Domain: Fire
   • Direction: South
   • Symbol: Sigil of Baphomet
   • Attributes: The adversary representing opposition. Satan grants immense power over fire and destruction, but at the cost of eternal servitude and opposition to divine forces.
2. Lucifer; The Morning Star
   • Domain: Air
   • Direction: East
   • Symbol: Candles during ritual
   • Attributes: The bringer of light, representing pride and enlightenment. Lucifer offers the gift of profound knowledge and enlightenment, but this comes with the risk of overwhelming pride and hubris.
3. Belial; Without a Master
   • Domain: Earth
   • Direction: North
   • Symbol: The sword during ritual
   • Attributes: The baseness of the earth, symbolizing independence and self-sufficiency. Belial grants unparalleled strength and resilience, fostering a sense of self-sufficiency that can lead to isolation and disconnection from others.
4. Leviathan; Serpent of the Abyss
   • Domain: Water
   • Direction: West
   • Symbol: The chalice during ritual
   • Attributes: The great dragon, representing primal secrecy. Leviathan offers mastery over water and the deep secrets of the abyss, but those who accept his gifts often find themselves drowning in secrecy and madness.

Types of Arcana

1. Demons

• Bael: A prince of Hell who grants the power of invisibility and enhanced cunning to his followers.
• Astaroth: A demon who offers forbidden knowledge and dark magic, but slowly corrupts the mind and soul of the pact-maker.

2. Lesser Gods

• Sylvana: The goddess of the wild, granting her followers control over plants and animals, but demanding absolute reverence and sacrifice.
• Nereus: The god of the sea, who bestows the power to manipulate water and communicate with marine life, in exchange for lifelong service.
• Lilith:

3. Elemental Lords

• Ignis: Lord of Fire, granting pyrokinesis and resistance to heat, but risking the bearer being consumed by flames.
• Aeris: Lady of Air, offering the ability to control winds and weather, at the cost of the bearer’s grounding to the earth.

4. Ancient Spirits

• Chronos: The spirit of time, providing glimpses of the future and control over temporal flow, but trapping the bearer in a loop of ever-repeating events.
• Nyx: The spirit of darkness, offering mastery over shadows and night, but causing the bearer to slowly lose their identity in the void.

Arcana Gifts

Arcana can bestow a variety of gifts upon their followers, ranging from physical enhancements to magical abilities. These gifts are often accompanied by severe drawbacks, tying the mortal closer to the Arcana’s influence.

• Physical Enhancements: Enhanced strength, speed, and resilience.
• Magical Abilities: Control over elements, telekinesis, and necromancy.
• Forbidden Knowledge: Insight into the past, present, and future, or secrets of the universe.
• Summoning: The ability to call forth lesser entities to serve the bearer.