((Incomplete. This post might be updated in the future with new information. Don't hesitate to ask, to make suggestions or to point out any mistakes. Also forgive my terrible English. uvu))
Shira is a small planet situated in an alternate universe. Its size and rotation period is similar to the one of Mars. Even though it albergates a large diversity of life, the living conditions of this planet are rather hostile and harsh. The living species have been forced to adapt to these conditions through many years of evolution, hence becoming very tough and resilient.
Most of the surface of the planet is either sand or rock desert. Its general climate is arid dry and consists of high temperatures (60~80ºC). The total mass of water in Shira is estimated to be about the 24% of the planet's mass, and not that much of it is even remotely accesible or safe to the use. Raining only occurs once or twice a year. The rest of the year, the creatures living on the surface must survive obtaining water from the plants and vegetables that absorb the water from the ground.
The fauna of Shira consists mostly of reptile and mammal creatures.They are either huge, powerful monsters, or tiny little lizards. Birds are the less common creatures.
Shira is also inhabited by one specific population of intelligent creatures that have created their own civilization. These are called Shirans. They are the equivalent of the human race. Shirans' civilization is also very similar to the latter, when referring to social and cultural constructions.
The Shiran civilization isn't very modern and hasn't got any great advances in technology. Their lifestyle is quite the simple one, where there are people who stay in the cities who are dedicated to agriculture and other duties, and people who become royal soldiers or monster hunters ((AN: whoops obvious reference)). Those who decide to take the tough life and choose the latter option, even if exposed to danger, are way wealthier than the rest of the population. Thus, the differences between the upper and the lower class are very pronounced.
The civilization is divided in five great kingdoms, each one ruled by the power of a monarchy. Each monarchy belongs to a small, privileged family group, and the government of each kingdom is passed from generations of the family, from parents to children (no distinction between males and females). Most of the population is not happy with this system because of the huge, unfair difference of privilege. However, they owe them a lot of respect, for kings and queens are the most important figures of the civilization, and their whole social construction depends on them being in power.
Magic exists in Shira as a natural basic component. It's based on an elemental chart, and it's found naturally in the natural energy flow of most living species, including Shirans. Natural magic is passed from generations and is different for each family. Shirans are able to control and use their natural magic if trained properly. Objects can be enchanted with magic by skilled magicians; they usually do this to enchant weapons and armor. The most common elements found in Shirans' natural magic are Venom and Fire, while the less common element is Water. So uncommon, in fact, that Water is the natural magic element of the families in the monarchy.
Natural magic is very difficult to master. Skilled magicians are respected and powerful figures in society. However, natural magic might also be very dangerous to use, for it's exposed to corruption caused by negative forces that may drive the person to insanity or even to death.
The corruption of magic is basically a form of negative energy flow that invades the natural energy flow of the person. It is translated as the formation of the element of Darkness, so to speak. It only affects active magicians and other creatures that use magic frequently, and is produced by the use itself of magic, like a tool that gets damaged with each use. It can also get transmited like a virus if the corruption gets too far as to be incurable: any magician corrupted to this point must be killed immediately in order to prevent contamination. Even if it happens slowly, corruption can't be prevented, as it's a normal consequence of the use of magic. Any magician with enough common sense will follow a treatment to cure small amounts of corruption periodically, taking potions and other products made with ingredients blessed with Light magic.
Darkness and Light aren't considered natural elements, or, at least, it's a myth if there has ever been someone born with any of those as their natural magic element. As far as we know, Darkness grows with magicians and creatures in the form of corruption as a consequence of the waste of energy, whilst Light grows in people and creatures that have never used their natural magic, hence remain uncorrupted. Priests collect Light magic from plants and animals to make potions for corrupted magicians.
