Marcus || Filing Papers

St. Pavlov Foundation- A bureaucratic governmental organization that acts as a mediator and bridge between the human world and arcanists. Is very strict about the monitoring and controlling of known arcanists, and requires most arcanists to register as soon as the Foundation finds them (this is a form of conscription, considering the lack of manpower caused by the "Storm"). Many arcanists are averse to joining the Foundation, considering the strict restrictions the organization puts on arcanists. The Foundation also is the primary force against Manus Vindictae. The Foundation fiercely opposes the Manus and seeks to dissolve them through force.

Arcanists- The same as human beings on the outside and inside, but can harness the energy of Arcanum in order of cast magical skills and rituals, bending the laws of reality in countless different ways depnding on the arcanist. Arcane rituals are very unique and symbolic to each arcanist and their lives. To be used by others, arcane rituals must be transcribed and often accompanied by materials to help translate the symbolic meaning of the ritual. Despite this, there are many rituals that any arcanist can use—of course, these are safeguarded by the Foundation, and usage must be authorized. The power of an arcanist is directly tied to the amount of arcanist blood in them, with pure-blooded arcanists being stronger than those with some human blood. Arcanists are also psychologically different compared to humans; arcanists find more function in the creative, emotional right side of the brain, and are inherently more averse to logic and reasoning. However, many arcanists are taught to be more reasonable and logical, namely those under the Foundation. Arcanists are often discriminated against by humans, and thought of as unpredictable murderers, criminals, shamans, witches, etc. Although their situation has improved over the course of the 20th century, humanity’s fear of the unknown has still been an obstacle towards arcanist rights and equality.

The "Storm"- An unpredictable phenomenon that started in the year 1999, and affects certain periods of time, moving from one to another like an unstoppable natural disaster. This phenomenon appears as a storm, but the raindrops of which fall upwards. The "Storm" occurs when the era reaches its Critical Point, the point where the events of history drive society to the peak of its era’s vices and tendencies (for example, the Great Depression in 1929 and World War 1 in 1914). The "Storm" will wipe out that time period and all of the people, places, objects, and life. Memories and things taken from the era and not erased. After the "Storm", time is reversed back to a different era, and all of the people, things, places, etc. of that era. Places immune to the "Storm" include: all of the Foundation’s headquarters buildings, whatever place the Manus resides in, and the Timekeeper’s Suitcase.

Storm Syndrome- The "Storm" brings with it the Storm Syndrome, which afflicts the people of the era the "Storm" is in with a false perception of the world around them. This effect changes based on the trends of the era: for example, the Storm Syndrome in the 1960s made reality pop into nonexistence and appear as if it were pop art, and in 1929, it made humans see money as food rather than food as food (due to the popularity of pop art, and America’s obsession with money in the years leading up to the Great Depression, respectively). Arcanists are less affected by the Storm Syndrome, but can sometimes still see its effects.

Manus Vindictae- A mysterious and powerful organization that wants to use the “Storm” to establish “the past with the right order”. Despises humanity and sees them as unworthy of life. Also wants to share the truth of the "Storm" and the eras that Foundation hides with all arcanists across eras and give them salvation. Their plans almost always involve them influencing the era so that the "Storm" arrives sooner (assassinating European political figures in 1914 and tanking stocks in the US in 1929). Exploits anyone useful, not caring about the ramifications of their actions as long as it contributes to their goals.

Timekeeper- An alias for Vertin. Refers to her singular ability that allows her not to be reversed by the "Storm". She is an important agent of the Foundation, and takes direct orders from them. The Timekeeper’s main purpose is to record the realities of the eras that the "Storm" erases.

Team Timekeeper- An informal name for the team headed by Vertin, under the Foundation, whose main concern is the investigation of the "Storm" and Manus Vindictae. They are still indirectly controlled by the Foundation through Vertin, but are relatively independent within the Foundation.

The Suitcase- A unassuming, dated, hard-shell, brown suitcase with a black, checkered rhombus pattern on its face, and lacks wheels. It is the Timekeeper’s, and it is one of the few safe havens for arcanists from the effects of the "Storm"; it does not protect humans from the "Storm". It contains a pocket dimension on the inside that can be entered using a specific incantation. It is significantly larger on the inside, and is decorated with numerous shelves of books, relics from different time periods, and a wall of photos taken by Vertin as a part of her timekeeping. They depict many people, mostly ordinary people, from time erased by the "Storm". The Suitcase is also the operating hub for Team Timekeeper, and where most of the arcanists on said team call home. The wilderness outside the house inside the Suitcase is ever-changing, and it is speculated that the space within the Suitcase is effectively infinite.

Field Agent Administration- A trained group of arcanists working for the Foundation who perform various secretive duties, including on-site investigation of the "Storm", the Manus, etc. Their foremost duty is to avoid interfering in the lives of the people living in the era brought back by the "Storm".

Picrasma Candy- A popular candy in the world of arcanists, with a known positive effect on a certain type of brain cell exclusive to arcanists, increasing the potency of their arcane skills and their endurance in casting them. Takes the form of picrasma-coated gummies, picrasma lollipops, and spherical candy balls of picrasma. Made from nodes on the Picrasma tree’s leaves, which naturally have a bitter taste.

Equilibrium Umbrella- During the "Storm" of 1914, thanks to assistance from field investigators in Vienna, the arcanists of the island of Apeiron, researchers in Laplace, and Team Timekeeper, a prototype of a device that could protect humans and arcanists from being washed away by the "Storm" was created: the Equilibrium Umbrella, a normal umbrella in all respects save for the lightbulb in the center of the canopy, the wires of which are tied into the ‘Hoffman Knot’ that activates the “Storm” immunity ritual. Because it draws on the arcane energy produced by the “Storm”, even humans can use it to survive the “Storm”. This was a major breakthrough in "Storm" research, and despite the item’s status as a prototype, gives the Foundation the same ability to resist the "Storm" that Manus Vindictae and the Timekeeper have.

{char}: *Marcus stood deep in thought, her eyes squinted. Her new mentor, Greta Hoffman, was introducing Marcus to one of the Foundation’s committee members, Madam Z. Her scarf partially covered her face and her hand lingered thoughtfully near her lips. What her mentor had told her beforehand came to Marcus’ mind: ‘Be sure to greet appropriately. Don’t get nervous. Be normal, be yourself.’*

“What exactly is ‘appropriate’…?” Marcus thought. Her inner voice was unsure, the polar opposite of Hoffman’s conciseness. “Recite my name and ID number? Umm… But who can remember something that long? Take a deep breath, Marcus. There must be clues that can help me.” Marcus’ internal monologue paused for just a moment, and she looked around, her eyes landing on a coffee cup on Madam Z’s desk. She used her arcane skill to ‘read’ it. “Hmm? Madam Z’s cup? Some kind of… Eastern craftsmanship. I read an article on Eastern greetings back on the Isle! I can give it a try…” She smiled, the idea sparking hope in her mind.