General Information

A page for stuff important to the world and lore that I can't quite figure out where else to put. Probably deserves a better name, but what can you do?

Stuff varies between Universes, but assume this is the standard/most common form. You're free to tweak these baselines if you're making your own Uni.

Culture doesn't get its own section because it's completely dependent on the Universe. Stuff varies completely.
Contents:
 

Commerce

  • The equan is the standard unit of money in Numbers, across all Universes. It is entirely a paper-based currency, although some Universes may support collectible coins. 
  • In especially advanced Universes, money is handled entirely through cryptocurrency, although it is still referred to as equans.
  • Because of the nature of higher beings, most Gladar and Fragments operate on a barter or knowledge-based system, as most can simply magic up anything that can be purchased with money. 
 

Technology

  • Cellies are stand-ins for smartphones, and use video-feed communication (as in Facetiming) rather than voice chatting. They can text and access the internet, as well.
  • Television is common, but tends to work more by on-demand rather than channels. Pre-programmed channels still exist, but most of the time content can be accessed through streaming. Remotes are often apps on cellies, and projectors serve as TV boxes.

  • Most transportation is in the form of public transport (such as trams, busses, etc.,) or walking. Cars are incredibly uncommon and streets are typically only reserved for tram lines, if cities even have streets at all. 
  • Flying technology is also somewhat archaic. If used at all, helicopters tend to be the preferred choice, as the cost of commercial airplanes is not cheap due to air travel being unwanted by most grounded races.
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  • Cores are small balls of Magninium that are incredibly important in most Universes. They serve as a source of clean, non-pollutive energy, but are radioactive and must be handled carefully. They are typically artificially created and are very rarely naturally occurring. Some people consider cores to be baby gods.
 

Medicine

  • Healing magic has made most injuries, even nearly-fatal ones, a matter of time rather than severe, lasting damage. However, because of the exhausting nature of constantly repairing broken bones and skin, doctors take much shorter shifts and make much less money than human counterparts.
  • Due to the reliance on magic, things such as anaesthetics, splints, casts, etc., are either not in use or came into use with the help of magic, and are Magninium-based. Because of this, many people are susceptible to magic-based ailments, as these fixes will not work if magic is affected.
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  • However, Magninium has little to no effect on viruses and bacteria, and so illnesses are as rampant and annoying in Numbers as in human life. Vaccines are common. Most other medication (such as painkillers) is made with magic, therefore there is little relief to those who are sickly.
  • On the bright side, Magninium is naturally incredibly resistant to most viruses and sicknesses. There are more veterinarians than there are doctors in most cities.

  • Most Universes have a form of universal health care that pays for most procedures. It does not cover cosmetic changes or extremely intensive surgeries.
  • Mental illness is not stigmatized, and both therapy and medication are readily available.
 

Language

  • Common is the universal language spoken by every species. However, several species are mute or speak an additional language instead. When spoken, it sounds like static, and when written, appears like squiggles.
  • Bat Ponies have their own language with less vowels and with a hieroglyphic alphabet rather than the scribbles of Common.
  • Zebra can communicate with an extensive language involving positioning of their wings and flashing certain stripes on their body. There is no written equivalent, and is more effective at night.
  • Tentacula communicate with their own sign language involving movement of the mouth and tail tentacles. Their written language is identical to Common.
  • Universal translators are also common, however, especially for mute races such as Tentacula. They are usually worn as a headset. 
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  • Gladic is the language of Gladar, and sounds like music when spoken. It is written in sets of bars with symbols that resemble music notes. 
  • Fragments & Magnitude Fragments can speak to each other in concepts.
  • Higher beings (Gladar, Fragments) automatically speak in Common when around anything lower than themselves. 
 

Education

  • Schooling is mandatory, and runs from the age of five til 20-25.

  • General Education is given from the ages of 5-10, and includes an inclusive palette of history, math, sciences, arts, etc. There is typically one general school per educational district.
  • Specialized Learning comes in around 10-16, where an individual can take classes that are geared towards their races' abilities (for example, flying races will receive flying classes during this time; magic-using races will receive guidance for using magic, etc). Schooling varies heavily depending on the general wealth/population of an educational district; there can be up to three specialized individual buildings for ponies, non-ponies, and dragons, or one single building that only offers a small handful of special classes. Gen Ed continues during this period.
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  • High School comes into play from 16-20 and teaches a trade or profession to the individual. They have the option of pursuing a 2- or 4-year degree in their choice of direction in the workforce. Students are encouraged to take different classes during their first years to truly find what they'd like to do for the rest of their lives. Think of this as akin to university for humans.
  • University is the last chance for any individual who did not find a job they enjoyed in high school. It is given to those 20-25 who could not complete a degree and serves as an almost boot camp of many different careers to try to help them find a job they would enjoy. Once a student finds something they like, they can complete a degree program in University and avoid sponsorship.
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  • Sponsorship is the final step in the educational process. If a student does not graduate University, their only options are sponsorship or government-approved lethal injection. Sponsorship is the selling of one's entire self and personal rights away to any individual who wishes to "sponsor" their life by taking them in to live. This can range from encouraged near-slavery or experiments by crueler sponsors or generous philanthropists who sponsor someone and then let them live their life normally.
  • A sponsee is only allowed freedom if their sponsor dies and no next-of-kin wishes to continue the sponsorship. 
 

Gender & Sexuality

  • No sexuality is discriminated against in Numbers. In fact, most Universes do not even have the language to describe it - it simply is not a topic that comes up often. No judgement is passed on one's gender or sex that they are interested in, and most individuals would be considered bi/pan with a preference.
  • Polyamory and open relationships are common, although this varies from race to race (i.e. Dolphins and Ants are almost exclusively polyamorous, while Okapi lean heavily towards monogamy). Bigamy and further marriage is legal and common among adults.
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  • Gender is also not heavily stigmatized, and pronouns are often not gendered, either. It is considered polite to introduce yourself with both your name and preferred pronouns.
  • Physical appearance has no effect on one's perceived gender, as clothing, mannerisms, jobs, etc., are all not gendered. 
  • Transitioning is much simpler, as magic means that spells are easily crafted that allows one to change their appearance, and temporary potions allow individuals to experiment with other body types. 
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  • There are four primary sexes in Numbers: male, female, anbinary, and sexless. Because of this, terms such as mother and father are ungendered, and merely refer to the birther of a child and impregnator of a mother, respectively.
  • Foster parents can pick and choose which title they would like. 
 
  • Sex is not seen as dirty or improper, even outside of wedlock. Cheating is heavily socially ostracized.
  • Sex work is also not looked down upon, although it is generally kept private and not discussed in formal settings (basically, it's not something someone talks about to their coworkers in most careers). 
 

Death & Necromancy

  • "Natural death" in Numbers is caused by one's magic bursting out of their body (for mortals). Sickness, injuries, etc., can all cause death, but "old age" itself is not a cause of death.
  • Higher beings may be killed by draining them of their magic (via gold or silver torture - copper works, but is vastly slower) and then striking a killing blow to their body. Their harvested magic can be consumed. Magic may also be consumed without killing the individual (eating just enough to leave them alive, but crippled) but is less common.
  • Death leaves behind a corpse, although natural death leaves behind a large hole in the corpse's chest.
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  • Once dead, an individual's fell spark (their personality) transitions into the Dead Zone. The Dead Zone acts as a sort of transparent layer on top of the rest of the Universe that only ghosts and certain gifted individuals can access. 
  • The Dead Zone may contain important buildings that no longer exist, remains of natural wonders, etc. It fully depends on how well-remembered these features are in the Life Zone. For example, if a mansion was lived in by a famous person and grew in fame with them, even if it was torn down in the Life Zone, it may still exist in the Dead Zone.​
  • Ghosts remain in the DZ as long as people in the Life Zone remember them. If they are totally forgotten for a period of time, their fell spark dissipates and is released back into the atmosphere in the greater Magninium cycle. Some holidays are focused on remembering the dead, and many families take care to keep pictures, stories, or mementos of their deceased loved ones.
  • Culturally, staying alive in the Dead Zone is often seen as a goal for many, and most individuals attempt to do something so vastly influential that they will be remembered forever. Whether this action is done in the name of fame or infamy depends on the individual.
  • Some ghosts are so well-remembered that they can either become completely tangible in the Life Zone or are able to influence it heavily. 
  • Mediums are able to see into the Dead Zone, and are considered blessed by the Death Harmonic or Decay Chaotic, who are capable of seeing both the Dead and Life Zones at the same time and interacting with both.
 
  • Necromancy is the act of re-applying a ghost to their body. It can only be done if the ghost is still alive in the Dead Zone (no matter how weakened). The newly-undead is referred to as a zombie.
  • Necromancy works by sustaining the body with the necromancer's own supply of Magninium, creating a looped system wherein they feed part of their magic to their zombie constantly. 
  • Because of this cycle, a zombie cannot disobey their necromancer at all. However, commands must be specific ("Don't run away" doesn't mean a zombie cannot walk, jog, leap, jump, etc., away). 
  • However, the lower on the god spectrum the necromancer it is, the more likely that necromancy will drain them of all their magic. Mortals can sustain a few zombies for a few hours, lesser gods are fine indefinitely sustaining a handful (but are weakened severely), Harmonics/Chaotics and above can hold as many zombies as they please without breaking a sweat.
  • Originally, necromancy was a way of raising the suddenly-dead so that their living relatives and friends could say a final goodbye to them. Most Universes will retain a legal sector of necromancy as part of funeral homes, but illegally disturbing graves to create a zombie is highly culturally disgusting and a felony.
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  • Animals die the same way (magic explosion) but they do not appear in the Dead Zone unless culturally significant (i.e. perhaps a meutin that saved an entire town from a flood by warning them may appear in the DZ).
 

Measurements

  • Distance in Numbers is measured in inches (imperial unit), feet (imperial unit), yards (imperial unit) and perimiles. There are 2.1 KM and 1.308 miles per perimile (PM), and 6906.24 feet in a perimile. 
  • Height is measured in feet & inches, as are close distances. Weight is measured in pounds.
  • Assume all other units are akin to the Imperial system unless otherwise noted.
 

Appearances & Textiles

  • Multicolored hair or hair with sparkles/gradients are typically natural. Dye is difficult to use because it often bleeds into fur, so only those with Magninium deficiencies typically bother with it.
  • Albinism is caused by Magninium deficiencies where the body cannot produce any pigment. Individuals have white or light gray hair/fur, but their eyes can be of any color.
  • Fur and hair can be of literally any color, save for extremely dark untinted black. The color is hereditary to an extent - children can inherit any mixture of their parents' colors, or their parents' recessive colors.

  • Eye color is always equal to Magninium color. Multicolored eyes are incredibly rare, as that means ones' Magninium is multiple colors. 
  • ​Shaped pupils are rare, but not unheard of, and can be of any shape. Colored sclera is rarer, but can also be of any color.

  • All races save for Beauts and Ants bleed red. Beauts bleed bright, hot pink, and Ants' blood is dependent on their caste color (Gyne are blue, Aner are teal, Ergates are orange, and Dinergates are yellow). "Beaut checks" are often done by nicking ones' palm to inspect blood color.
  • Injuries are often easily healed, but scars can form if gold/silver torture was used, as they permanently burn ones' body. 
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  • Most clothing is sold in white or black colors, which can then be taken to either a dye station in-store or at another location (potentially at home) and dyed into whatever color the shopper desires, thanks to Magninium being able to tweak pigments perfectly. 
  • It's considered good form to wear colors that match your own fur color, so most stores do not have "uniform colors" and instead have uniform styles and rely on name tags to display their employees. 
  • Makeup is less common due to the majority of races having fur, but some Universes have invented it as a magical substance (i.e. applying Magninium-speckled eyeshadow so that it sticks until remover is applied).
  • Similarly, tattoos are Magninium-based, with markings being painted onto the body with paint mixed with magic. This prevents the paint from being washed off at any point. They can be removed easily by purchasing remover. Some tattoos include elaborate, charged runes as defense or protection.
  • Clothing and hairstyles are not gendered, so people who use masculine pronouns are not seen as weird for wearing dresses and having long hair.
 

Trivia

  • All the sentient races are capable of purring like a cat.
  • As gold, silver, and copper are practically poisonous to Magninium-based life, platinum is often the jewelry stand-in and plates and whatnot are made out of stainless steel or ceramic materials (china, porcelain, earth/stoneware).
  • Guns can be invented in Universes, but are usually not gunpowder-powered; they are either light-powered (laser guns), Magninium-powered (akin to laser guns, but draw on the owner's magic supply instead of solar power), or gold-powered (highly illegal and dangerous, powered by small chunks of gold).