Dear new Grey,
As you begin your journey with us, we want to share some essential information about the nature of reality and the unique creatures that we all are. Perhaps this will help you understand how we have come to be and why we persist in our mission.
While some of this may already be known to you, the nature of our societies does not encourage much study of the past and it is important that all new recruits be provided with the tools to approach their missions effectively and safely. There is much information to share and we ask that you not only be discrete with the information you are being given, but that you are patient with yourself in the learning and us in the telling. The history of our kind is long and we kin are many times not accustomed to thinking too deeply about the past or future.
Our world was created by the Soul that is the Sun, a creature known by various names across different cities. In Firefly City she is called the Beloved, while in HoloHue, she is more commonly known as Bad Kyttie. This reality and all within it are creations of her imagination and soul. Indeed her association with the Sun is not a metaphor but a fact: the bright star that warms our galaxy is a literal spark of her soul. It is important to note that Beloved is not a god, as there are other beings known as deities in our history. Instead, she is more akin to reality itself.
We, the creatures who populate this planet, are known as “kin.” Each of us has a special relationship with the Beloved because it is a spark of the Sun, known as “starfire”, passing through the gateways of the heavens that becomes our own souls, giving us life. Her soul gives life to ours. The timing of this event in relation to the position of the planets and stars shapes our personalities and this along with our individual cultures and choices makes each of us unique.
Because of the starfire in each kin, we are all gifted with magic and the ability to create like the Beloved herself, though it is a talent that must be nurtured to achieve such heights. If a kin grows powerful enough in their magic, they may become more like the Beloved, able to create worlds and realities with their souls and imagination.
As a species, we kin are present-focused and pleasure-seeking, with a limitless journey of reincarnation. Our souls may be reincarnated both backwards and forwards through time from one life to the next, or even be reincarnated on another planet in the solar system. The true nature of time in our world is like a lake, rather than a rushing river with steady progression from past to future. Your past life may indeed be a future one from the perspective of incarnated time and the living.
This unique perspective on time has led many of our civilizations to focus on the present rather than recording history, ironically resulting in few magicians who can break through the barrier of reality to enforce their will, especially in these current times. However, the Arcane Hierarchy recognizes the importance of preserving our past and understanding our magical heritage. We are one of the few groups that place emphasis on recording history, finding and preserving artefacts, especially books, which have been incredibly rare throughout most of history.
As members of the Arcane Hierarchy, we have great respect for our magical gifts, both past and future, but it is the relatively recent history and its tragedies that have shaped our current culture and its restrictions on magic and magicians. These are restrictions we support as one of our primary rules. While you have no doubt heard of the Ruin, the deadly disease which only magicians can contract, we would like to give you more information on how this disease came to be in our next communication when we discuss the ages of our world to the extent that we have been able to piece them together.
We hope this introduction has given you a deeper understanding of the complex nature of our world and the important role we play in preserving it. We look forward to working with you and helping you develop your skills and knowledge as you progress through our ranks.
Sincerely,
A. Grey