Circle of Storms
Sage: Altino
Values: Mediation, Trust, Courage

A storm came to Karma, vicious and destructive. It ate away at all that Karma had been remembered for and left Altino standing in the rubble of her precious Zenith while winds that refused to stop blowing whipped around her. Dread filled her bones as she looked around. The storm only grew, and she clasped her wings against herself to avoid being carried away by it. This is not the fate she had hoped for her home. Karma's evolution had always required breaking down old things to build something new. Altino had learned to dance through demolition with hope for the future because she knew change would come, but it was hard to remain hopeful while she squinted against the storm. This was not demolition, not renovation. This was destruction. She was afraid.

The storm roiled and battered her with the dust and sands of her ruined world. Altino reached down and drew a small circle on the ground. The storm did not cease, but she discovered that inside this circle of her own power, she was safe. The wind slammed against the invisible wall she’d created. She tested stepping outside of the circle to see if she could leave but found that it moved across the ground with her. She walked a few paces and drew a bigger circle around herself. The wind within the circle immediately stopped blowing. Again she tested moving outside of it and found that though the small circle traveled with her, the larger circle stayed put. The winds could not break them. Altino beamed. She could fix this. Right. Reasonable. Whatever it takes.

Altino stared out at the storm and decided that she would not call it an enemy. She would find a use for it. Her fingers skimmed through the dirt and she scribbled her mantra into the ground before flying away. Slowly she trekked out into the storm to find her people and bring them to the safety of her circle. They would be free, they would be understood, but above all they would be safe.

Circle of the Unknown
Sage: Athena
Values: Knowledge, Curiosity, Challenge

As you navigate the streets of Karma you start seeing strange symbols here and there, painted or carved, on the sides of buildings, on crosswalks, on street signs, on power boxes…
Everytime you pass through those symbols they seem to call to you louder and louder, enticing you to follow them… Until one day you quietly decide to do just that. They say curiosity killed the cat, but you’ve seen plenty of cats live through the dangers that their curiosity brought them, and you like to think you’re capable of doing the same.

The first ones are easy, they’re practically arrows pointing you where to go… But as you go through hidden streets that you weren’t even aware existed your journey becomes more challenging. A barely noticeable symbol high up in an archway. A symbol above an old poster you have to take your time deciphering. At times you wonder if you’ve maybe followed a red herring, but the next day your path leads you there once again… And so you try again, persisting until you succeed.
Eventually the red herrings do come. You fall for one here, another there… But still you adapt and push through, your thirst for knowledge drives you forward.

Finally after diving into many suffocatingly narrow streets, deeper into the city, where the light seems to have more and more trouble reaching you, you finally come across… A park? Well more like a clearing with a single tree in the middle of a patch of grass. There’s a symbol carved on the tree. You approach it and as you do you notice that painted in a color that makes it unreadable from afar is a message:

“If you are ready for a challenge
If your curiosity drives you to seek knowledge
If you are not afraid of the unknown…
Reach out to the goddess of wisdom.”

This feels like a final clue… One that leads you to someone rather than some place. Will you follow it and continue your journey?

Circle of the Carnation
Sage: Lev
Values: Kindness, Change, Hope

Lev was never the social type. He met many people during his academic studies and even made a few friends, but Lev never cared that much about kinships, not back then. He was consumed with his studies, spending time locked away in his room reading book after book for hours on end. This habit of seclusion never really left him, as even after he donned the mask of the doctor, he always kept to himself and did what he had to.

Moving constantly from town to village, Lev never really settled anywhere, he never felt truly welcomed as he was often shunned for the bird-like mask he wore. A symbol of ill omen, they said. But during his travels, he found a dense forest, untouched by human civilization. It called to Lev, beckoning him with its mysteries and serenity. Intrigued, he ventured into its depths, his footsteps swallowed by the lush undergrowth. The silence enveloped him, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of woodland creatures.

As Lev delved deeper into the forest, he discovered its hidden treasures. Majestic trees towered above him, their ancient branches intertwining to create a natural canopy that filtered sunlight, casting a tranquil green hue over the forest floor. He stumbled upon a bubbling brook, its crystal-clear waters meandering through moss-covered stones, providing a soothing melody to his ears. He observed the delicate dance of butterflies, the intricate patterns of spiderwebs glistening with morning dew, and the symphony of birdsong that filled the air.

The forest’s beauty filled Lev with utter happiness and joy. He finally found a place where he could escape from the judgmental gazes of society. Even the herbs and plants had unique healing properties that he could use to improve his medical practice.

Gradually, a bond formed between Lev and the forest. The forest provided him with solace, inspiration, and the resources to heal, while Lev, in turn, became a guardian of the woods, dedicated to preserving its beauty and ensuring its well-being.

But this bond was immediately tested… The forest grew sick and started rotting at an alarming rate. The green shriveled, leaving the browns and grays to consume the earth and its vegetation. Lev watched as an entire world of love, hope, and giving was being erased right before his eyes, but he was not about to let his home, his friend, wither away.

Lev got to work, brewing all sorts of weird concoctions and potions, trying to find something - anything - that can revive his forest and bring back its vibrance, but to no avail. He was stuck, unable to do anything, except watch the miserable scene and give up. And it was in this moment of mourning and surrender that something seemed to catch his eye at the periphery of his vision. Moving closer and closer towards it, he could see… a flower, a singular red carnation that was standing alone in a field of dead herbs and trees.

This sight rejuvenated something in Lev, a feeling of hope long-lost, which was the kindling he needed to save his friend. He gathered up his bag of herbs, coat, and mask, and set out on a journey to cure the forest he loved.

Circle of Seekers
Sage: Plasma
Values: Hunger, Revelations, Opportunity

As one explores Karma there is a strong possibility that they will hear of the Seekers, information pertaining to this group will vary depending on the source but if you genuinely seek answers about this organization then it is said that the Sky Tower where the Seekers reside will finally reveal itself before you. An ornate yet formidable tower of clouds that seems to stretch towards the heavens, it is here where the Seekers convene as a base of operations while they conduct their schemes and personal agendas for the region of Karma.

You might hear noises coming from Sky Tower no matter what distance you may be apart from it, rest assured that such occurrences are normal and not a cause for a concern no matter how disorienting they may be. Sounds like someone is blasting distorted music out of a speaker? Don't be ridiculous, just be aware that the Seekers will utilize a wide variety of means to achieve their objectives that some will consider to be......unorthodox.

What are these objectives? Can't say as that is something inherently unique to each Seeker, just know that to be a Seeker means that one embraces a never-ending hunger towards what they seek the most in this world. Satisfaction is the ultimate downfall of a Seeker as it brings stagnation which prevents future revelations and opportunities from being discovered, which could've assisted towards achieving greater heights than initially anticipated.

That being said, all Seekers benefit from a sense of camaraderie as they operate out of Sky Tower, no one said that a never-ending quest can't be fun and benefit Karma simultaneously after all! Let the wind carry your steps towards their home in the sky if you wish to join their ranks, it shall guide you towards the one who will start you on your journey.

Results may vary.