Into the Depths

Into the Depths, or ITD for short, is an original story that I've been working on for the past few years!

The basic plot is that in a small town, a company is attempting to extract resources from the earth. A sealed cave breaks open and monsters and mutated humans spill out. The company then asks a group of explorers to go into the cave system and find out what's causing these mutations.

As the main characters venture into the cave systems, they realize that there has been an underground society of people who were forgotten after the cave system was shut down for mysterious reasons a few hundred years ago. These people are called Crystallines, and they are all slightly mutated and have crystals growing out of them.

The further they go, the more that the characters realize that they are in serious danger. Not just from the monsters, but from the deadly magic radiation coming from the deepest parts of the cave system. What's down there? And why is it down there at all?

The Magic System

In the world of ITD, there are several Sources scattered across the globe. Each of them are physical manifestations of where the magic leylines cross over and intersect. Each Source governs a different elemental magic. For example, you could have a Source of Fire.

The (incomplete) list of Sources is:
    Fire
    Lightning
    Ice
    Earth
    Light
    Water
    Wind

Sources are sentient and sapient. If you appear in front of a Source and ask for powers, they will ask you questions about why you want this power and how you will handle them. If you are unsuitable for a given element emotionally, you will not be given any powers. A key part of magic usage in this world is emotional regulation, as one's powers can fluctuate wildly depending on your emotional state.

    Note: Poor emotional regulation and being out of tune with your emotional state can result in serious injury to self or others.

In order to obtain powers, one must take a Pilgrimage. You walk to the Source you want the powers from and you do some introspection on the way. You clear your mind, meditate, and travel to your destination. These journeys are often taken as one enters adulthood, but can be taken earlier or later in life.

Magic isn't something everyone is born with, it's a choice you make. Therefore, people try hard to cherish their new abilities. It's a general goal to cultivate a healthy relationship with how you experience emotions- and how you use your powers!

Main Characters

There are 5 main characters in ITD!

Lu Songshi

[Image ID: A set of 3 reference images of an original character. Each pose is standing with the body facing to the left with the head looking right. The character has somewhat pale skin, and long hair that ends in a ponytail going over their shoulder. Their hair is brown with a gradient to turquoise blue, and they have blue streaks in their hair as well. They have 2 small crystals in their hair. The first reference is the character wearing only boxer shorts. They have turquoise top surgery scars and strange blue and peach coloured marks on the left half of their body. The second reference is them in a blue and grey caving jumpsuit with a helmet and climbing harness. The third reference has the character wearing a vivid cloak that looks like butterfly wings. Their colour palette is now much more saturated. End image ID.] [Image Text: 绿松石 文 - Lǜ Sōngshí Wén Chinese/Crystalline - He/They - 5’7” Lǜ Sōngshí is a temporary team member of Carnelian, Yosuke, Hayase and Hinata. Lǜ Sōngshí is the translator of the team, as he is the only registered guild member who can speak fluent Crystalline. He refuses to talk about himself unless it is life or death information, or if people are actively in danger. Most people would describe him as devoted, sincere, and kind, albeit a bit quiet. However, Lǜ has serious anger issues and issues with magic regulation that prevent him from functioning properly in day-to-day life. End text.] There are also arrows pointing to the reference poses and describing some of the details. For the first reference, the arrows point out magic marks (his strange marks and the crystals in his hair), his top surgery scars. They point to his climbing harness and gloves, his caving suit, and his helmet with a light-magic rock in the second reference. In the third reference, they point to his now-glowing hair crystals and eyes, his saturated colour palette ‘post-break’, and his butterfly cloak that acts as camouflage.

Lu Songshi is the main character of Into The Depths. Most information is listed here on his reference.

Additional information

    Lu Songshi has never visited a Source, but still displays traits of elemental abilities.
    They are autistic and have depression.
    绿松石 means Turquoise, and 文 means Culture/Language.

Kishimoto Hayase

A digital reference sheet for an OC named Kishimoto Hayase. There are 3 drawings of the character in different outfits. Hayase has shoulder length brown and red hair, tan skin, and tattoos on her arms and legs that look like fire. The first outfit is her in a dark blue sports bra and boxers, the second outfit is a red caving suit, and the third is the caving suit with a red and orange butterfly wing cloak overtop. The reference sheet includes text on the side explaining her personality, and text and arrows pointing to details on the outfits.The text above the drawings reads: ‪岸本 逸瀬 - Kishimoto Hayase. Japanese, She/They [pronouns], 5 foot 6 inches, 22 years old. ‬The side text reads: '‪Hayase is a permanent team member of Carnelian, Yosuke, and Hinata. Hayase is the twin sister of Hinata. Hayase is an active combatant and uses two handaxes in fights, along with fire powers. For this reason, her outfit is modified to have fireproof wrist braces.‬ Hayase is loud and passionate, a true older sister. Many people love her and she has enough love to give to everyone as well. They tend to go with the flow a lot of the time, but it means that they never have a plan. The text and arrows pointing to the details on the first outfit reads “sun’s out, guns out” in reference to her arms, and “magic marks”, referring to her tattoos. The text and arrows on the second outfit say “caving suit” and “wrist braces”. The text and arrows on the third outfit say “scar and bandages”, “ear piercings”, and “butterfly cloak that acts as camouflage.'

Hayase is a supporting character of Into The Depths. Most information is listed here on her reference.

Additional information

    Hayase is the glue holding this group together.
    Hayase is the twin sister to Hinata! She's older by a few minutes.
    逸 means to flee, escape, or break loose, and 瀬 means swift current, rapids. 岸 means beach, shore, or bank. 本 means base, root, or origin.

Kishimoto Hinata

A digital drawing of a young man from the shoulders up. He has tan skin and blue hair in a ponytail with a fringe. He has red eyes and a blue butterfly cloak on.

Hinata does not have a full reference yet! Come back later for a full reference!

Additional information

    Hayase is considered cool and aloof by everyone who knows him. It's true. He is cool.
    Hinata is the twin brother to Hayase! He is younger by a few minutes.
    陽向 means towards the sun.

Carnelian

A digital drawing of a young man from the shoulders up. He has dark skin and brown hair in locs. His hair fades to orange at the ends. He has a double chin and several piercings, namely pierced ears, a pierced eyebrow, and snakebites. He is smiling.

Carnelian does not have a full reference yet! Come back later for a full reference!

Additional information

    I'll be honest I just designed Carnelian to be modelled after my idea for Cole Lego Ninjago. Which is why he's the hottest character in the whole cast.
    Carnelian is the adoptive brother of Yosuke!
    Carnelians in real life are semi-precious stones that are reddish-brown.

Yosuke

A digital drawing of a young person from the shoulders up. They have lightly tanned skin. Their left eye is bright yellow-green, and their right eye is hazel. They have short messy hair that is mostly brown, but the very ends of their hair are beginning to turn blonde. Yosuke has dimples, acne, and they have pierced ears.

Yosuke does not have a full reference yet! Come back later for a full reference!

Additional information

    Yosuke is the only character on the main cast to use just one set of pronouns (they/them)!
    Yosuke is also the youngest person on the main cast, being the only character who is below 20 years old.
    陽, meaning light, and 介, meaning assist or help.