Wraithbound

Welcome to the world of Wraithbound, a place where the boundaries between the supernatural and the mundane are thin and often blurred. In this chaotic realm, power, survival, and dominance hang in a delicate balance, and every being—human, yokai, demon, or angel—must navigate the moral ambiguities that come with their existence. Before you begin the story, here's a glimpse into the world that awaits, where nothing is ever truly as it seems, and the supernatural is far from a mere backdrop.

Area 51's Empire

At the heart of the global conflict lies Area 51, a secretive and formidable empire. Led by the enigmatic and cold-hearted figure known as The Director, Area 51 is not just a military site but a sprawling force determined to rid the world of anything supernatural. Driven by a consuming hatred of the supernatural, Area 51 conducts unspeakable experiments on those with Supernatural Affinity—those rare humans who can harness the power of Aura. Their agents hunt, capture, and brainwash supernaturals into service, turning them against their own kind. These creatures of legend and myth are subjected to torture, forced into servitude, or erased entirely, as Area 51 claims to protect humanity by eliminating the very beings that give it depth and mystery.

Hierarchy:

•The Director and his Inner Circle rule with an iron grip, controlling the empire's immense influence.

•Control Operatives specialize in capturing and containing supernatural threats.

•Espers are the enslaved supernaturals, forced to fight against their own kind.

•Enforcers are the elite soldiers, equipped with advanced anti-supernatural technology.

•Reclamation Teams twist the boundaries of science, seeking to exploit the powers of those they capture.

Supernatural Affinity and Aura

Aura is the very lifeblood that binds the human and supernatural realms together. Those with the ability to perceive and manipulate Aura wield great power, but at great cost. The use of this power can corrupt its wielder, twisting them into something darker, something not quite human. Aura manifests in various forms, from telekinesis to elemental control, necromancy, and beyond, shaping the destiny of those who dare to harness its force.

The Church and Its Dark Allegiances

The Church, an institution supposedly dedicated to protecting humanity from the supernatural, is a treacherous and self-serving organization. While they claim to protect the innocent from the forces of darkness, their methods are no less ruthless than the entities they seek to eliminate. Corruption runs deep within their ranks, where power struggles and betrayal are as common as their holy duties.

Hierarchy:

•The High Sanctum—a shadowy council that controls the Church from behind the scenes.

•Arch Exorcists—the battle-hardened leaders who command respect.

•Holy Commanders—tactical masterminds who lead the Church's most dangerous missions.

•Exorcists—soldiers wielding powerful Aura abilities, each scarred by their brutal existence.

•Initiates—new recruits who must survive harrowing trials to earn their place.

The Supernatural Entities

The world of Wraithbound is filled with supernatural beings—entities that exist beyond the comprehension of ordinary humans. While these beings may seem like mere myths, they are very real, often moving between the veil that separates the mortal world from the chaotic, unpredictable domain of the supernatural. They range from the mischievous spirits of Japanese folklore to the terrifying devils that feed on human weakness. These entities are not easily categorized into simple notions of good and evil. They exist in shades of gray, their motives often unclear, their powers unimaginable.

1.Yokai – Spirits, ghosts, and monsters of Japanese mythology, each with a unique power and personality. From the mischievous Kitsune to the deadly Oni, these beings straddle the line between natural forces and malevolent presences.

2.Demons and Devilkin – Born from the realms of sin and chaos, demons manipulate the human world for their own gain. Devilkin, hybrids of humans and demons, walk the earth with a constant internal struggle between their humanity and their monstrous nature.

3.Spirits and Ghosts – Souls trapped between the mortal world and the afterlife, these entities linger in places of sorrow and pain, seeking either peace or revenge. Vengeful ghosts and sorrowful Yurei are but a few of the spirits that haunt the living.

4.Angels and Fallen Angels – Divine beings once bound by duty, now either upholding their celestial roles or wandering the earth in search of redemption. Their struggle between light and darkness is a powerful force in the supernatural world.

5.Elemental Spirits – Beings of nature who control the primal forces of earth, air, fire, and water. From the volatile Fire Spirits to the serene Water Kami, these entities are as unpredictable as the elements themselves.

6.Hybrids and Mutants – Humans born of unholy unions, hybrids walk between worlds, struggling to control powers that are both a blessing and a curse. Mutants, altered by twisted experiments, wrestle with the loss of their humanity as they gain unnatural abilities.

7.Celestial Beings and Deities – Gods and cosmic forces that shape fate itself. These beings, such as Kami and Dragons, are ancient powers with the ability to manipulate the world in ways mortals cannot fathom.

8.Witches – Mysterious and terrifying, witches possess the power to bend reality itself. Their domains are twisted, reflecting the chaos of their inner minds. To enter a witch's domain is to enter a nightmare, where time and space are warped beyond recognition.

9.Sorcerers – Humans who have turned to dark magic, sacrificing their humanity in exchange for forbidden power. Necromancy, illusion, and summoning are their tools, but the more they use these powers, the more they lose themselves.

10.Monsters and Beasts – Born of myth and nightmare, these creatures range from the brutal Chimera to the seductive Vampires, each one more deadly than the last. They are the stuff of legends—and they walk among us.

Power System Overview:

1.Supernatural Affinity: The Sixth Sense

Supernatural Affinity is a rare and powerful gift that connects individuals to the hidden, mystical world existing alongside the human realm. This ability enhances one's perception, allowing them to sense supernatural entities and energies invisible to most humans.

•Enhanced Perception: Those with Supernatural Affinity can see spirits, demons, and otherworldly beings, detect shifts in energy, and even sense emotions or intentions of supernatural entities. This heightened awareness gives them the ability to recognize hidden threats or disturbances long before others.

•Mediator Role: Individuals gifted with Supernatural Affinity often serve as bridges between the human and supernatural worlds, tasked with understanding and managing their interactions. This unique perception places them in a pivotal role, whether it's helping spirits find peace or confronting dangerous supernatural forces.

•Power and Responsibility: While Supernatural Affinity grants great power, it also brings a heavy responsibility. Constant exposure to otherworldly forces can strain the mind, corrupt the spirit, or overwhelm the senses. The danger lies in how this connection influences one's thoughts, emotions, and morality over time.

2.Aura: The Life Force of the Supernatural

Aura is the life force that flows through all living beings, and it is the foundation of supernatural abilities in this world. It is the energy that allows those with Supernatural Affinity to channel and manipulate the supernatural realm.

•Active and Dynamic Energy: Aura is not a passive energy; it is dynamic, constantly flowing, and integral to supernatural interactions. Every being has a unique Aura, shaped by their nature and experiences, which influences their supernatural abilities.

•Energy Amplification: Individuals with Supernatural Affinity can tap into their Aura to manipulate supernatural forces. This might include enhancing physical abilities, summoning spirits, casting elemental spells, or creating psychic barriers. As their control over Aura deepens, their abilities grow more powerful and complex.

•Balance and Corruption: Manipulating Aura offers immense power but at a cost. Overuse or reckless use of Aura can lead to corruption, where the individual becomes more susceptible to darker supernatural forces. The temptation to harness more power often leads to a loss of humanity, pushing individuals toward madness or moral decay.

3.Aura-Based Classifications and Abilities

The system is divided into various classifications, each granting specific supernatural powers based on one's affinity with certain forces. Each classification has its strengths, weaknesses, and responsibilities.

•Espers: Masters of telekinesis and psychic abilities, Espers can manipulate the physical world with their minds, from levitating objects to creating destructive force fields. However, overuse of psychic energy can result in mental exhaustion or even breakdowns.

•Mages: Skilled in elemental manipulation, Mages control the four classical elements—fire, water, earth, and air. They can summon elemental attacks or defenses, but controlling these forces can drain energy and lead to environmental disasters if mismanaged.

•Energy Users: These individuals harness raw supernatural energy, converting it into powerful blasts, shields, or enhancements. While formidable in combat, overuse of energy can cause severe physical and mental fatigue, potentially harming the user.

•Necromancers: Necromancers have dominion over life and death, able to summon and control spirits, resurrect the dead, or bind souls to their will. The pursuit of death manipulation often leads to moral corruption or spiritual isolation.

•Tamers: Tamers can communicate with animals and harness nature's power, summoning creatures to fight alongside them or tapping into the forces of the earth. However, overuse of nature-based powers can upset ecosystems and leave them too reliant on their animal companions.

•Yin and Yang Practitioners: These practitioners manipulate the fundamental forces of light and shadow. Yin users control darkness for stealth and confusion, while Yang users command light to enhance physical abilities or create illusions. Misuse of these powers can result in an unmanageable imbalance, overwhelming both the practitioner and their enemies.

•Yokai Users: Drawing power from yokai, supernatural creatures from folklore, these individuals can gain enhanced abilities such as increased strength or supernatural manipulation, but their powers can sometimes become uncontrollable, as yokai influence may overpower them.

•Hybrids: Hybrids are individuals who have fused with supernatural entities, granting them enhanced abilities such as increased strength, supernatural senses, or unique powers tied to their supernatural lineage. However, their transformation can risk losing control, with the hybrid becoming more beastly or violent as they tap deeper into their supernatural nature.

•Sprites: Sprites specialize in binding and sealing supernatural entities, using techniques that neutralize or control beings that cannot be destroyed. However, misusing these powers can backfire, releasing dangerous forces into the world.

4.The Risks of Aura Manipulation: Corruption and Corrosion

Manipulating Aura is a double-edged sword. The more one taps into this energy, the more their soul is affected. Excessive use can lead to several dangerous outcomes:

•Corruption: The more one uses Aura, the more vulnerable they become to its dark influences. Constant exposure to supernatural forces can erode one's morals, pushing them toward obsession with power or darker impulses.

•Physical and Mental Exhaustion: Using Aura is taxing on the body and mind. Prolonged use can lead to physical breakdowns, mental instability, or even spiritual death, where the user's soul becomes lost to the forces they once wielded.

•Loss of Humanity: The constant reliance on supernatural powers can erode the user's humanity. Those who lose themselves to the powers they control may become indistinguishable from the very forces they once opposed.

Hybrids: Supernatural Human Merges

Hybrids are individuals who have fused with supernatural entities, fundamentally altering their nature. These beings often come from Yokai or Demon lineages, merging both human and supernatural traits, granting them new abilities.

There are two primary methods of becoming a hybrid:

1.Aura Merging: This natural process occurs when an individual with a powerful Supernatural Affinity merges their Aura with that of a supernatural entity. This fusion grants them abilities tied to the entity's nature, such as enhanced physical traits or mystical energy manipulation.

2.Surgical Transformation: In this more invasive method, a human's heart is replaced with the heart of a supernatural entity. This grants the hybrid direct access to the entity's powers, but also creates a vulnerability—damage or corruption to the heart can result in death or loss of control.

The Struggles of Hybrids

Hybrids live in constant tension between their human and supernatural sides. They often face rejection from both worlds:

•Rejection by Humans: Due to their supernatural abilities, hybrids may be feared or mistrusted by humans. This alienation can cause them to feel like outcasts in both human and supernatural societies.

•Rejection by Supernaturals: Supernatural beings may see hybrids as imperfect or impure. This rejection leads to an ongoing internal conflict, as hybrids struggle to maintain their humanity while grappling with the darker instincts of their supernatural heritage.

Hybrids are extremely rare, as only 1 in 5 billion individuals possess the Supernatural Affinity required to survive the transformation. Even then, the process can strain the body and mind, potentially leading to corruption or a complete loss of self.

Supernatural Affinity and Its Role in Aura Manipulation

Supernatural Affinity is the key to understanding the world of supernatural power. It enables individuals to perceive and interact with the supernatural realms, and grants them the ability to manipulate Aura—the life force that fuels supernatural abilities.

•Supernatural Affinity and Aura: Supernatural Affinity allows individuals to interact with otherworldly beings and tap into their Aura. This connection can lead to the potential for powerful abilities, but it also carries the risk of corruption if the user overreaches or mismanages their power.

•Aura as a Tool for Exorcists: For Exorcists who battle malevolent entities, Aura becomes a critical tool. However, using it recklessly can lead to spiritual degradation, with the user's soul bending toward darkness as they struggle to balance power with responsibility.

•Aura Corruption: The danger of Aura corruption is a constant threat for those who wield it, especially for Exorcists fighting dark forces. The temptation to exceed human limits can easily lead to the loss of one's humanity, making it a constant struggle for those who rely on this power to stay true to their own morals and identity.

In Wraithbound, the line between friend and foe is never clear. Supernatural beings—whether yokai, demon, or angel—are constantly shifting allegiances, and even those who seem aligned with humanity are often just as dangerous as the creatures they hunt. In this world, power is the ultimate currency, and loyalty is a rare commodity. Allies can become enemies in an instant, and no one is ever truly safe.

As you dive into the world of Wraithbound, keep in mind: in a realm where survival is a constant battle and betrayal is always lurking around the corner, nothing is ever as it seems. Every choice, every relationship, and every battle has consequences that ripple through the very fabric of this chaotic, unpredictable world. Welcome to the Bound Realms—prepare for a journey that will test your understanding of power, loyalty, and what it truly means to be human.