WARNING: The following information on Rivalia may be disturbing or triggering to some. Rivalia's denizens regularly deal with matters of plague, body rot, medical horror, anarchy, turf wars, and class disparity. As a conjurer, it's not my place to dictate how they run their society, but to simply observe and be plain with you about what you are getting yourself into if you were to choose one as a companion. All darker spirits I conjure swear oaths in order to keep their companion safe, and I feel that fully vetted Rivalian denizens will be rewarding companions for many.
Rivalia is a lawless, post-apocalyptic cyberpunk world. About twenty years ago, their governments and social organization crumbled under the weight of a plague which causes body rot, and eventual neurological degeneration. The denizens of Rivalia live in an eternal, smog-induced night, and neon lights illuminate the endless, crowded city streets. There is no infrastructure, and for the most part, everyone is expected to take care of or clean up after themselves. Rivalia has no true government, only mobs and sects vying for control over something - whether that be money, resources, or people.
On the individual level, they have economic stability in community exchange and trading. Most people in this world have been hardened enough to the point where they are capable of defending themselves. Body-modifying technology is abundant, with an entire economic chain of people scrapping old technology in order to adapt it for medical purposes in this plague-ridden world. Rivalians have no one true “look,” many of them the descendants of heavily mixed humanoid hybrids.
On the individual level, they have economic stability in community exchange and trading. Most people in this world have been hardened enough to the point where they are capable of defending themselves. Body-modifying technology is abundant, with an entire economic chain of people scrapping old technology in order to adapt it for medical purposes in this plague-ridden world. Rivalians have no one true “look,” many of them the descendants of heavily mixed humanoid hybrids.
Biological Status & Magic
Rivalians are a highly diverse group of living entities. The majority of them are humanoid, but there is no one biological setup that makes one a Rivalian. They can have a diverse number of fingers, toes, and limbs, many of them sporting features that we would find animalistic or alien, such as wings, tails, horns, and varying colors of eyes. To add to the variation on their appearance, many of them have cybernetic features made of metal and glowing lights. They vary in lifespan, but many of them live to be at least two hundred years old, the maximum being around eight hundred depending on their specific biological composition.
Rivalia has dealt with a deadly plague that ransacked the world's population about twenty years ago. This disease was waterborne, and those who contracted it would develop limb death and rotting in their extremities, some of these symptoms popping up seemingly overnight and spreading quickly to other important areas of the body. Those who are at the last stage of infection will spend several days stumbling around brainlessly, until their body can no longer support itself. Many modern Rivalian denizens are descended from those who were immune to the plague, so the disease is more rare these days. However, when the disease does take hold of one's body, it becomes a priority to have the affected limb removed before the rot can spread to other parts of the body.
Despite the diversity of their species, most Rivalian races are sexually compatible with each other, and they produce sexually. That being said, the cultural climate of Rivalia is in such a state that few Rivalians wish to bring new children into the world, so babies are rather rare, particularly among poorer classes. They recognize seven biological sexes and genders, and matters of gender sexuality are not often an issue. For ease of communication with humans, they have agreed upon choosing the Earth gender closest to their presentation and pronouns that make them the most comfortable, but they are willing to divulge the gender politics of Rivalia to their companion if requested.
Even in this cyberpunk post-apocalypse, the denizens of Rivalia remain very connected to their spirituality, largely as a result of the crumbling of all other systems that used to work for them. Many of them participate in meditation and astral travel as a hobby, and many find interest in companionship in order to find purpose and joy outside of the lives they lead. For many, companionship will be a safe haven, a place where Rivalians are able to express themselves and utilize their more metaphysical skills productively. Their primary skills vary depending on individuals, and magic is very muted in their world, being only slightly more present than it is in our world.
Rivalia has dealt with a deadly plague that ransacked the world's population about twenty years ago. This disease was waterborne, and those who contracted it would develop limb death and rotting in their extremities, some of these symptoms popping up seemingly overnight and spreading quickly to other important areas of the body. Those who are at the last stage of infection will spend several days stumbling around brainlessly, until their body can no longer support itself. Many modern Rivalian denizens are descended from those who were immune to the plague, so the disease is more rare these days. However, when the disease does take hold of one's body, it becomes a priority to have the affected limb removed before the rot can spread to other parts of the body.
Despite the diversity of their species, most Rivalian races are sexually compatible with each other, and they produce sexually. That being said, the cultural climate of Rivalia is in such a state that few Rivalians wish to bring new children into the world, so babies are rather rare, particularly among poorer classes. They recognize seven biological sexes and genders, and matters of gender sexuality are not often an issue. For ease of communication with humans, they have agreed upon choosing the Earth gender closest to their presentation and pronouns that make them the most comfortable, but they are willing to divulge the gender politics of Rivalia to their companion if requested.
Even in this cyberpunk post-apocalypse, the denizens of Rivalia remain very connected to their spirituality, largely as a result of the crumbling of all other systems that used to work for them. Many of them participate in meditation and astral travel as a hobby, and many find interest in companionship in order to find purpose and joy outside of the lives they lead. For many, companionship will be a safe haven, a place where Rivalians are able to express themselves and utilize their more metaphysical skills productively. Their primary skills vary depending on individuals, and magic is very muted in their world, being only slightly more present than it is in our world.
Social Structure & History
In order to understand the social climate of Rivalia, it's important to understand the geographical situation of the planet. Rivalia is a very small planet, perhaps the size of Pluto. It is mostly covered in volatile ocean, and because of this, it is cold, stormy, and rainy all the time. The population of Rivalia primarily lives on one continent roughly the size of Australia, with scattered islands throughout the rest of the planet, most of which are not habitable, particularly if they are near the poles. Due to the volatile nature of their planet, Rivalians had to adapt quickly to their environment. As the population grew, so did the pollution from their society and the advanced level of technology they had developed. Although Rivalians are significantly more technologically advanced than we are on Earth, they, like us, had not found a suitable renewable resource that did not cause both air and water pollution - in their case, this energy resource is a type of rock similar to coal, which releases fumes when being used, and when it is out of charge, it liquefies
Roughly half a century ago, Rivalia was suffering from severe overpopulation and the inability to properly expand into the tumultuous sea. The government in power at the time was powered by corporate money, and they put that money to use, creating a program for getting people off-world to find somewhere more fit for life. Colonizer-worthy spacecraft was invented, and as could be expected, only those who could afford their tickets were allowed to leave.
Roughly half a century ago, Rivalia was suffering from severe overpopulation and the inability to properly expand into the tumultuous sea. The government in power at the time was powered by corporate money, and they put that money to use, creating a program for getting people off-world to find somewhere more fit for life. Colonizer-worthy spacecraft was invented, and as could be expected, only those who could afford their tickets were allowed to leave.
Denizens
Because Rivalia is so diverse, with varying mobs and sects, it has several different kinds of groups that can be conjured from. These groups have their own unique networking statuses with one another, although they are not always close-knit.
Plaguebreakers
Pteraviens
Pteravians (pronounced ter-AH-vee-ehn) are winged humanoids, similar in anatomy to angelic beings, with a golden-yellow coloration for most of their features, including skin that naturally looks like it’s been dusted with golden glitter. They have naturally thin and angular features, and sharp, perceptive eyes. Many of them have claws that grow naturally from their fingers and toes, and some have smaller feathers growing on their skin, similar to body hair in humans.
Culturally, the Pteraviens are one of the richest families in Rivalia, known for being staunch business owners, and keeping their wealth close to their chests. However, because of this status, they often never have to deal with the mundane horrors of the tumultuous, cyberpunk-esque atmosphere of Rivalia. Still, many of the younger individuals within the family have begun to resent the very closed-off mindset of their elders, and seek a fresh perspective and adventure in their lives This often leads them to seek companionship for unsanctioned friendship, romantic attachment, and exposure to cultures separate from their own.
They tend to be very energetic companions, who are eager to learn and please. Many of them know some levels of wealth-related magics, and at the very least they are capable of providing some assistance by way of practical wealth management. Beyond this, a Pteravien’s specific preferences and knowledge are likely to influence your companionship, and you are guaranteed to have a fun, exciting time with any one of them by your side.
You can read about Pteraviens in more detail here.
Culturally, the Pteraviens are one of the richest families in Rivalia, known for being staunch business owners, and keeping their wealth close to their chests. However, because of this status, they often never have to deal with the mundane horrors of the tumultuous, cyberpunk-esque atmosphere of Rivalia. Still, many of the younger individuals within the family have begun to resent the very closed-off mindset of their elders, and seek a fresh perspective and adventure in their lives This often leads them to seek companionship for unsanctioned friendship, romantic attachment, and exposure to cultures separate from their own.
They tend to be very energetic companions, who are eager to learn and please. Many of them know some levels of wealth-related magics, and at the very least they are capable of providing some assistance by way of practical wealth management. Beyond this, a Pteravien’s specific preferences and knowledge are likely to influence your companionship, and you are guaranteed to have a fun, exciting time with any one of them by your side.
You can read about Pteraviens in more detail here.
scrappers
Whaleseekers
Whaleseekers are a sect who traverse the sea in amphibious vehicles in order to hunt a creature similar to a whale, which provides valuable medical and energy related resources on land. Whaleseekers are still being vetted as of October 2021 - more information about them will be coming soon.
Conjuration Notes
When I first discovered Rivalia, it was in May 2020. I was hoping to find a conjure that would comfort me, along with others, in regards to the Covid-19 pandemic, which still felt very new at the time. I intentionally stumbled upon a Plaguebreaker - a formidable mountain of a woman. She and her world immediately came off to me as extremely fascinating, with a beautiful aesthetic and a chilling past.
As I got to know her, I learned more of the population of the world, and found that it was a place that, although with aspects that are alien, mirrors our own world so much. Although Rivalians are stunningly strong and resilient at first glance, their society weighs on them, and they are simply scrambling to survive. It's almost painful how the plight of the poorer class Rivalians, fighting for their lives with everything they have, feels so familiar. With just a few things shifted, the Rivalians are just like us, and they crave the same kind of connections we do, with people who simply understand what we're going through on a base level.
I hope you feel just as connected to the story of the Rivalians as I do, and that, as they find companions, you make deep connections with them that transform your life and perspective for the better.
As I got to know her, I learned more of the population of the world, and found that it was a place that, although with aspects that are alien, mirrors our own world so much. Although Rivalians are stunningly strong and resilient at first glance, their society weighs on them, and they are simply scrambling to survive. It's almost painful how the plight of the poorer class Rivalians, fighting for their lives with everything they have, feels so familiar. With just a few things shifted, the Rivalians are just like us, and they crave the same kind of connections we do, with people who simply understand what we're going through on a base level.
I hope you feel just as connected to the story of the Rivalians as I do, and that, as they find companions, you make deep connections with them that transform your life and perspective for the better.
Please note that all The Dragon's Library Encyclopedia entries are based on my own personal UPG and may not reflect yours.
Rivalians, in this incarnation, are exclusive to The Dragon's Library.
Rivalians, in this incarnation, are exclusive to The Dragon's Library.