Overview

In the distant days before the advent of the Invisible Sea, it is said that magitek functioned quite differently. Every living thing was innately attuned to an elemental essence, and as such was said to be governed by an Elemental Court.

These Courts, in turn, were presided over by powerful Princes: enigmatic figures made manifest by the fundamental nature of the universe itself.

The stories of their intricate political weavings and power struggles are largely lost to time, however one of the few mostly agreed-upon facts of our modern age is the Courts’ relationship to one another.

Swearing to a Court

Regardless of Faith or Lineage, the majority of people in Civilized Space still perform a ritual known as Swearing to a Court. This ritual attunes the subject’s magitek to one of the elements, and enhances certain aspects of their personality.

The content and tone of the ritual itself varies wildly depending on local culture and the Court itself, but always involves a small blood sacrifice and a statement of pure intention. In many cultures Swearing to a Court serves as a coming-of-age ceremony.

Changing Courts

It is extremely rare, though not impossible, to change one’s allegiance to a Court. Typically this is something that happens late in life or after a traumatic event. One’s magitek loses its elemental potency, and the individual in question becomes Courtless.

There are no known modern cases of of an individual switching directly from one Court to another.