Sex Mage World of Civero

Now here’s a concept I’ve struggled to work on for years, but never could really wrap my head around how it would work out. As mentioned in a recent post, trying to combine the Sex Mage concept with Civero comes with a host of logistics issues that makes writing a Civero-based SMW story somewhat problematic. Part of the issue is Sex Magic works best as a concept, in my mind anyway, when there aren’t any other forms of supernatural power to counter it. So, the idea of Sex Magic spreading across a world that already has several other magical power concepts in place certainly lessens the blow.

Moreover, part of Civero’s conceit is that not only do both men and women equally gain powers here, magical individuals are also relatively rare. Naturally, my stories focus on these individuals, and usually on empowered women specifically, but part of the appeal here is that very few people have magic powers, and therefore, the power dynamic of such couples functions differently. More over, while in some ways the man is even more helpless against a mage when she can tease and torment him without anyone knowing what’s really going on, at the same time, the truly evil mages can be stopped by supernatural authorities whose job it is to shut down people like them. This as opposed the Sex Mage World, where everyone has all the same powers, everyone knows what’s going on and lets it happen, and the “novelty” of Sex Magic kind of dulls after a while.

Another part of the struggle was that, just like with Earth, trying to figure out exactly how Sex Magic was going to affect all the different cultures of the world is difficult. With Earth, I admit I ultimately just copped out with having all the countries of the world turned into the Queendoms. With Civero, it was a matter of lacking both a fleshed out world concept, but also just not knowing how the Magic was going to clash with certain elements of the setting. Figuring out how Civero societies deal with Sex Magic does make for an interesting world building exercise, I’ll admit. It’s an unexpected way to find out what each country values. However, as Civero has developed further, I have also came to realize there are things about the world as a whole that don’t match up with Earth.

THINGS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

GENDER ROLES

They aren’t really the same as they are on Earth, despite a surface resemblance. By and large, there is true gender equality. This is not due to some progressive social engineering, but rather the “evolutionary” history of humans on Civero. For ten thousand years, men and women existed as a slave class under the rule of the godlike Maji, ridiculously powerful magic-users of the Majestic Era. Men and women were both the working class peons, forced to worship powers far greater than themselves. And when the Dark War occurred, every capable man and woman was drafted into the fight, their bodies genetically altered to become magic-wielding soldiers.

After the Dark War, as humanity tried to eke out a living among the monster-infested ruins of the old civilization, every member of any given tribe was expected to do their part. Man, woman, child, old, sick, pregnant, if you were capable of any sort of labor or skill, you worked. Every person was valued. Men were not sent to sacrifice themselves for the sake of their village, for they needed every capable hand for every chore. Women and children were not specially protected in battle, they were expected to join the fight, as there were just never enough people in a given tribe to not throw every warm body at the enemy. Even a pregnant woman could fire a gun. Even a handful children with knives could at least dog pile a small creature or two and stab it to death while the adults handled the bigger monsters. The human tribes post-Dark War went all-in.

This led to a society where gender roles a we know them on Earth don’t really exist, not because of any ideology, but because humanity and society evolved in a world where such things are not valued. This is not to say there aren’t genders, of course, it’s just that these genders do not necessarily come with the same expectations one might find on Earth. Men and women do the same jobs. They both pursue one another romantically. They both attack one another openly. Both genders may gain supernatural powers as magic returns to the world. The strength difference between men and women is less than on Earth, both genders are overall stronger and more resilient than their Earthly counterparts, and both genders have the same life expectancy.

SEXUAL RELATIONS

Civerons also tend to be looser when it comes to sexual relations. Many are monogamous, but there is little stigma against sleeping around a lot before settling with a partner, open relationships are more common, and infidelity is more easily forgiven. Sexual relations only become scandalous under certain conditions (usually involving human-Demihuman relations or dalliances with foreigners from rival nations).

There is no stigma against homosexuality or bisexuality. In fact, humans on Civero lean closer to bisexual on average than can be found on Earth; while the majority are still mostly heterosexual in practice, it’s not uncommon for “straight” people to occasionally indulge in relations with the same sex. A large part of this looser and more tolerant approach to sexual relationships developed from the problem of Civeron reproductive compatibility.

METAHUMANITY

Although only a small percent possess the powers that mark their differences, the humans of Civero are actually four separate species of transhuman. Thus, strictly speaking, “metahumanity” refers to humanity as a whole. In common parlance, however, Metahumans are those who manifest powers, while humans are the vast majority who have not. (This terminology also excludes Demihumans, who are empowered by a separate means, and referred to wholly as a separate species.)

Ostensibly, each transhuman species correlates to one of the four major types of magic: Geomancy (elemental), Biomancy (healing and chi), Psychomancy (psychic, aka, esper), and Shadowmancy (light/shadow/sound and gravity/space). These powers only manifest in a rare few, but every human alive has the potential to awaken to them.

What wasn’t known until near the present timeline (approximately 1000 A.T.) was that these power archetypes not only divided possible magical skills, but also represented the lines of transhuman genetics. Geomancers are a different species to Biomancers, different to Psychomancers, different to Shadowmancers. All human species, but divergent enough that none of them are reproductively compatible with one another.

This, of course, was a considerable problem among the survivors of the Dark War, because for centuries, Civeron humans found it difficult to find compatible mates. Since the four transhumans types were not ethnically divergent (there are no obvious racial features such as skin color to tell the difference, though there are several races tied to different geographical regions), it was not immediately obvious to people why they couldn’t reproduce except with certain pairings. Genetic testing didn’t exist to figure such things out until the present, so back then, finding someone to have children with was pretty much a total crapshoot.

As such, one’s “spouse” and one’s “mate” are not always the same thing in Civero, due to the human race having to rely on a system of surrogacy to ensure offspring. Of course, it was possible that one’s romantic partner could turn out to be compatible, and such couplings were considered very blessed, but more often than not, couples who couldn’t have children agreed to attempt pregnancies with other couples. The couple who wished for children would be the one to receive the child, be it the mother who carried or the father who donated, with the donor or surrogate relinquishing all parental rights to the receiving couple. Sometimes that was just the end of it, but other times, this has led to certain powerful families bonding and forming alliances via common children, instead of using marriage as a uniting method.

This, of course, was back before the magic of Biomancy and modern medical technologies allowed for artificial insemination techniques, and before blood tests could determine compatibility for couples ahead of time. As such, the only way to obtain children for centuries was to have sex with several different available women or men, until a pregnancy occurred.

The end result is that, even in the modern era where such measures aren’t necessary, and though most Civerons prefer monogamy, there is still a generally looser attitude towards sex than is found on most Earth cultures. As such, the appearance of Sex Magic would likely not be the massive culture shock on Civero that it caused on Earth.

More over, Sex Magic would be limited among Metahumans. Realistically, the power would not be able to spread between then, nor affect one another; statistically, any given man would only be vulnerable to one out of every four women, greatly reducing the potential for negative encounters, or least making anonymity a bit more difficult, and still allowing men privacy from most women on average, assuming a fairly even mixture of species.

DEMIHUMANITY

Despite their myriad of forms, Demihumans are all one species. Due to the nature of their monstrous empowerment by Temael, they are highly adaptable and mutagenic from one generation to the next. For centuries, it was thought that Demihumans were a myriad of distinct sub-species (Rouccuan, Worgen, Lopfollo, Aevir, etc.), but in fact, while two similar looking Demihumans might have a child that resembles them, there is a chance the child will have a different physiology. This is guaranteed when two different Demihuman “types” procreate. For example, two “werewolf” Demihumans will likely have another werewolf child, while a werewolf and a mermaid could end up with a humanoid crocodile, a werepig, a wereshark, a manticore, a winged-folk, or any other manifestation.

Even moreso than the (Meta)humans, Demihumans required rampant sex just to keep their species going on the hellish continent of Zoaheim. However, sex for Demihumans is considered a survival mechanism before all else. The concept of the nuclear family is completely irrelevant, when a child likely doesn’t even resemble their parents, and chances are, one or both of their parents will be dead by the time they are a few years old. Both will definitely be gone by the time they reach early adulthood. Such is the lethality of life on Zoaheim. Demihumans are raised, and are loyal to, the Tribe, regardless of who is part of it. Sexual relations of all sorts are accepted, because forming any sort of long-lasting romantic, or even just stable, relationship is next to impossible.

Because of this, Demihumans when first encountered were thought to be rampant sex fiends, with legendary tales of tribal orgies and mass rapes. In truth, while these practices did exist, it was not out of some insidious deviance on the part of their genetics. This was simply what needed to be done to keep their species going. As such, despite still having a reputation in human society for savage sexual prowess, most humans are surprised to find that Demihumans are not especially interested in sex.

Their libidos are notably lower than those of humans, and even those Demihumans living in human civilization more often use sex as a means of making a living than as a means of recreation or reproductive drive. This is not to say they don’t enjoy sex or that none use it for personal fun, just that by and large it is not a priority for them, and their use of it in modern civilized society tends to be as a means of business; for example, Demihuman pornography is tailored for the sake of human interests, not other Demihumans. Demihuman prostitues (male and female) serve human clientele for more often than their fellow Demihumans, despite the fact that Human and Demihuman relations are considered taboo.

Where Sex Magic is concerned, Humans and Demihumans are reproductively incompatible to an even greater degree than the Metahuman species, meaning that neither can affect the other or spread the power.

DJINNOA

These extremely rare half-elementals are untouchable by Sex Magic. Although they are effectively hybrids of humans and djinn, they are all unable to reproduce. Likewise, while they do have bodies of flesh and bone, the core of their essence is raw elemental power from the Fae Realm. There are also so few of them, that even if they did manifest the power, finding another Djinnoa to affect would be extremely unlikely unless they really went out of their way to search.

LUST WALKERS

Lust Walkers pose a bit of conundrum here. Certainly, most of the initial panic of Sex Magic appearing on Civero will be from people thinking it’s a new hyper-contagious strain of the Curse. This is what will cause the most immediate damage to society as at least the first month will be one of panic and a hasty search for answered. However, the Magic should spread fast enough that within the first month, that drastic measures like the Annihilation Protocol would be useless to stop it, and by then, it should be fairly obvious that Sex Magic isn’t the Curse.

However, it’s when the two forms of power combine that one of two things could happen: either Sex Magic would allow the condition to spread insanely fast, in which case, the planet would be doomed to become a world of Lust Walkers. Ironically, this would end up spreading compatible sexual powers to everybody, men and women, though with Sex Magic remaining with the women.

However, this may not be so bad, as the healing power of the magic, and it’s ability to draw Lust Energy from men means that effectively, they now have an infinite well of energy to draw from to feed the Curse. Women could tease men, draw in their Lust Energy, and allow the men to draw it back with their Lust Walker powers, splitting it between them. Sex just ends up becoming part of everyone’s “diet” as it were.

On the other hand, the healing and energizing power of the Lust Energy could very likely end up satiating and eventually dissolving the Curse, thus freeing Civero of its threat.

In either curse, Sex Magic actually becomes the solution to the problem, and is thus even more likely to be accepted as an ultimately positive force.

CIVERON MAGIC
Whether or not the Lust Walker Curse spreads, there is also a high chance that everyone being empowered with Sex Magic will throw enough magical energy around for people to absorb that it might also forcibly activate everyone else's natural magic potential within a couple years, jump starting the whole human race into fully activated Metahumans. Sex Magic is itself rather weak against most other forms of mystic power, including Civeron and Temaelean magic, the various forms of which are already able to block one another with training.

This means that even among compatible men and women, it may mean that eventually, men would have ways of shielding themselves from Sex Magic on their own. While women may still hold more power (especially if they use their own counter spells to support their magic), the completely rampant female domination seen on Earth would not be a problem on such a world where all Civerons now possess means of counter-acting it’s effects. If anything, Sex Magic could be used as a simple and easy way to re-energize mages using Lust Energy as a base for the re-charging of spells. Everyone becomes a Mana Fount, of sorts.

Of course, the rapid empowerment of humanity may be a cause for greater concerns, as the excess of mystic power further strains the Great Barrier that keeps out most supernatural incursions from other realms and dimensions, but realistically, it would be at least a few centuries before the Barrier was fully under threat, assuming no other outside involvement.

THE NATIONS

For the sake of addressing the spirit of the premise, which is how the people of Civero would react if the Sex Magic was in a similar situation to Earth, we shall assume it has spread around the world for at least a few years, but there isn’t yet a massive outburst of Civero-magic empowerment or the Lust Walker Curse. How do each of the separate nations deal with it?

ARGONIA

I picture Argonia as much like America in terms of being capitalist and valuing individualism and industry. Like all Civeron nations, however, Argonia has a strong sense of nationalistic pride that would make it unlikely for the country to break up into smaller Queendoms. More than likely, people would just shuffle to different regions based on their preferences for the ways to use the magic. In this way, Argonia is likely to have the most variety in terms of you never quite know if one town is going to be hardcore female dominant or a lot more fair. Overall, however, the ideals of “freedom” would lead to true sexual slavery being quickly rooted out and brought to a stop, save in those smaller, tucked away towns where such practices are hidden from the greater society.

BELLAMY

Bellamians are more rigid and stubborn in their views. Unlike their Argonian cousins, Bellamians by tradition believe that family ties are more important than individual glory, and are less likely than most Civerons to engage in extra-marital relations, beyond the necessity of the surrogacy system. As such, Sex Magic is considered appropriate only to use on one’s spouse or lover. It’s temptations may start to loosen this view, however.

CURRAN

The Curranians know the danger of power. Fifty years ago, the country was in the grips of a civil war as the aristocracy, who jealously guarded their growing magical power, was overthrown in a military coup. Since then, the country has been under the rule of an iron-clad dictatorship. Distrustful of normal mages and outright rejecting of demihumans, Sex Magic would be seen as a curse almost on par with the Lust Walker condition. While it is inevitable that female leaders would have to replace male ones, as a general rule, Curranian women would very likely self-police each other into locking their magic down as much as possible. However, the Curranian government would very likely utilize the magic for military purposes, ensuring that the only skilled Sex Mages are those directly loyal to the dictator.

ELYSSIA

Elyssia is known for its xenophobic view of other nations. While they reluctantly engage in trade relations, foreigners are rare, and immigration is heavily restricted. Elyssia remains the only nation other than Curran where demihumans cannot obtain citizenship, and remain an underclass servant race. Elyssians value loyalty to ones country, even before family, and while individual talents that succeed in life are admired, conformity is socially, and sometimes financially, enforced. Along these lines, however, the power of magic is viewed with fascination and the one way for a foreigner is readily accepted into society is if they happen to be a mage (provided, of course, that they are willing to dedicate such power to the betterment of society). As such, women’s elevation into Sex Mage empowerment will shift their hierarchy some, leading to gender inequality. Men will not be enslaved, per say, but will be expected to understand that the empowered women are their betters and should be accommodated and obeyed to ensure social stability.

SARKOVIA

A powerful socialist state, Sarkovians value collective support of society through the hard work of the people, for the people. While the citizenry is allowed more freedoms than one might expect, especially as compared to Curran, social pressures prevent the sort of individualistic grandstanding and dangerous ambitions found in Argonian society. To ensure a minimum of corruption, political leaders undergo rigorous mental and ideological training to break their egos and force a mentality of serving the people, despite the great influence they may have over society. Sex Magic is not likely to change this line of thinking. Women will take over positions of power, but will be expected to use self-discipline. Sarkovia will have no problem drafting skilled Mages into military and medical positions as well.

ATLA

Atla is a nation of immigrants, refugees, and exiles, a melting pot of various unwanted peoples forced to co-exist. If Atlans could be said to have a shared value between the hodge-podge of peoples, then it is simply: “Live and let live.” As such, this is likely to be a place Sex Magic abuse may very likely run rampant and people look the other way. At the same time, Atlans know what it’s like to get shit on, so many won’t abuse their powers, just out of a sense of empathy. Then again, Atlan is also a place where criminal types run to, and are left to their own devices as long as they don’t screw with too many people. More than likely, Sex Magic will be more flagrantly used by not too over the top, except in pockets where severe abuse occurs, but most people will ignore it as long as it stays in it’s own corner.

HYLAN

Hylan broke away from Sarkovia’s oppressive grip, but they are a pacifistic people by and large. Although there is no religion in Civero, they could be considered the most spiritual of the various cultures, valuing personal contentment and harmonious co-existence. Sex Magic maybe somewhat unbalance this a bit, but by and large, women are likely to focus on using the Magic in more supportive ways, medically and mentally.

ITERU

The Nation of Isles is a vast and culturally diverse archipelago that values a more relaxed and positive view on life, being will to role with the punches. Like Atla, they have a live and let live policy, but theirs is motivated more out of accepting that people get along better if they are allowed to be themselves. Thus, they share Argonias individualistic spirit. If any nation was likely to divide into separate Queendoms, it would likely be Iteru; the country was already a series of separate island nations for a few hundred years, before the threat of Sarkovian encroachment forced them to unite. They will likely remain united, but it is very likely people will move to those islands that most fit their ideology in terms of using the Magic. As such, Iteru will likely vary greatly between extreme dominance and equality, but by and large, Iteruns are unlikely to enforce true sexual slavery.

ZOAHEIM

While not fully recognized as a country yet, the northern peninsula of Zoaheim has been slowly getting “civilized” over the past decade, hoping to allow the Demihumans to form their own stable nation. However, the rest of the continent remains hopelessly savage and still infested with monsters. Northern Zoaheim may see the spread of Sex Magic, but it is unlikely to spread throughout the rest of the continent, save by chance meetings between certain tribes. In either case, Sex Magic becomes one more tool of survival, used to defeat enemy tribes, heal fallen warriors, and ensure healthy and hardy offspring. Ideally, the psychic potential of the power could bridge the language barrier between the many disparate tribes, but this is unlikely to be of much use until the rest of the continent can be conquered and tamed.