The Jorpa

TRADITION & HISTORY

The origins of the Jorpa are as old as Zioa itself. As the Celestial Children began to worship the Celestials, their awareness of power grew, and numerous Children soon sought to steal this power through magic. Their dark motives soon bled into their practices, and magic, once pure, now showed a different side - dark magic.

The Maatkassa (MAHT-kuh-SUH), a term for the dark Maatsgid, found a home in Merim amongst a people who both feared and revered them. However, the cycle continued and a number of Merimians sought to steal the Maatkassa's power, making a pact with the Children: their own firstborns in exchange for magical abilities. The pact-makers were originally known as The Circle, and upon their formation, bought a plague onto Merim. A flood of spirits, grotesque and horrific, soon haunted the land, flitting through the dark streets and bringing peril to all. Upon asking the Maatkassa for assistance, The Circle were given a choice - possession by the Maatkassa for power that would defeat the spirits, or to flee Merim completely.

The Circle was broken. Those who chose to flee became known as the Dubsar, and helped found a new nation, Cadmira. Those who stayed became known as the Jorpa, which directly translates to bones. When possessed by the Maatkassa, the Jorpa are able to wield great and terrible power, even raising the dead to do their bidding. Yet, the price they pay is a grave one - in exchange for knowledge and eminence, they have become close friends with death, fear, and pain.

Rituals vary from Jorpa to Jorpa. Their magic is characterised by a self-serving nature, and many Jorpa choose to practice alone, offering their services to Salqanam who are willing to offer the greatest benefits. In battle, the Jorpa use ranged magic to deal devastating damage, as well as spells which eat away at their enemies over time. The Jorpa are generally very open to technology that enhances their magic, some going so far as to fuse their bodies to cybernetic enhancements. However, all Jorpa understand that rituals form the crux of their class and their society, and come together several times a year for religious events that they consider incredibly important.

The Paroch (pah-ROK)

The Paroch are an exception to the Jorpa, their stereotypical lone-wolf mentality, and their openness to transforming one's self into a cyborg. Considered extremists even by Merimian standards, they operate underground. Extremely powerful individuals led by one who calls himself The Ascendant, they train vigorously in order to kill all Celestial Children who are not Maatkassa. What truly fuels them is their hatred and disdain for modern society - the almost mad dependence on technology and the polluted dystopia that the concrete jungles of mega-cities have created. The Paroch wish to establish themselves as the new Celestial Children alongside the Maatkassa. Their number is unknown, and their headquarters are somewhere in Thelax.

RELATIONS

Though most Jorpa prefer to seek knowledge and power for its own sake, some have created a business from their talents, gaining prosperity through trades and services. Because of this, the Merimian government has opened its doors, seeking to benefit from their magical citizens.

However, the Jorpa by and large will refuse to associate with the Dubsar, who they view as traitors, and the Ruaj, who they view as extremely dangerous and xenophobic.

Possible Companions:
Dibij | Duga | Yuhr | Yukassa