> Child of Stars

Fourteen-year-old Jaiden Snow knows her uncle's demise was no accident. Following a trail of clues left after his death, she finds herself wrapped up in experiments, aliens, magic, and cults.

> Major Characters

> About the World

Tega is an alien planet where the aquatic Tega'si originate from. The Tega'si have both lungs and gills, and are hatched from leather eggs like shark pups. They're also born with tails that shrink up like tadpoles. Tega’si can eat things that many humans would consider poisonous—with the high amount of poisonous/venomous Tega animals, they evolved to be able to digest it. However, Tega’si are lactose intolerant.

> Magic System

There are two different types of magic: aethermancy, light magic, and umbromancy, shadow magic. Tega'si use pearls carved with sigils that are used as a focus for their magic. A Tega'si can only have access to one of the kinds of magic—most have aethermancy, with umbromancy being rare. Some Tega'si can be born unable to access any magic, though this is just as rare as umbromancy is.> Aethermancy
  > The manipulation of light into solid objects.
  > Can also increase temperatures and even cause fire.
  > Also able to create illusions of oneself.
  > Associated with the sun, sky, fire, and the idea of being above water.
  > The most common form of magic.> Umbromancy
  > The manipulation of shadow into solid objects.
  > Can also decrease temperatures.
  > Able to turn into a shadow-like creature for a short period of time.
  > Associated with water, space, ice, the idea of being underwater
  > Rare.

> Jaiden Snow

  > Species: Human and Tega'si
  > Age: 14 (turns 15 over the course of the story)
  > Pronouns: She/her
  > Gender/Sexuality: Gender nonconforming and aromantic asexual
  > PlaylistThe main protagonist of the series. Her experience with aethermancy is... explosive.She is the result of a failed experiment to create a “perfect lifeform.” Since she’s only partially Tega’si, she can’t stay underwater as long, and her magic doesn’t work right ^{(I don’t know exactly how yet… but it will be important to the story)}. Her story begins when her uncle dies in a fire, and she resolves to solve who caused it, and why. As she learns of the alien world of Tega, she meets many of the remaining cast.She is stubborn and sarcastic, and she often feels the need to prove herself. She likes video games and bugs. She’s very mischievous and likes to jokingly annoy others, but she actually would be really hurt if someone told her she was annoying (when she wasn’t trying to be). Still, she's loyal and protective to those she sees as her family and friends, and would do anything to protect them.

> Akira Kaine

  > Species Human
  > Age: 45-46
  > Pronouns: She/her
  > Gender/sexuality: Cisgender and panromantic asexualMajor character. No magic (human).She was raised to be an assassin, but was able to escape and turned to a new passion: being a florist! She also meets and marries a man named Damian Kaine, but he’s murdered by a mad scientist named Markus Wolfe. 15 years later, Akira meets Jaiden and begrudgingly takes her in, but finds herself enjoying her company and the lightness she brings.Akira may be thorny around the edges, but she has a softer side. She likes gardening, and became a florist after Damian’s death. However, she can still be frightening when someone threatens Jaiden. Outwardly, she’s very reserved and monotone.

> Elrris Taaleri

  > Species: Tega'si (Coral)
  > Age: 49
  > Pronouns: She/her
  > Gender/Sexuality: Transgender and bisexualA major supporting character. Doesn't practice aethermancy.Elrris grew up in a normal family in the coral reefs of Tega, eventually went to college for geology, and got married and had a son, Heron. But all that fell apart when she crashed on Earth, where a mad scientist used her DNA to try and create the ultimate life form (which failed and made Jaiden). She managed to escape back to Tega, but her husband became overly controlling, fearful of her disappearing again, which lead to their divorce. Now, she works as a geologist while her son works part time as a starship pilot and mechanic. Recently, she’s made contact with Jaiden, to show Jaiden the alien world she only now found out about. And Elrris is finding herself getting closer with Akira…She's easily excited and supportive of both her kids. She loves geology and teaching others about it.

> Heron Taaleri

  > Species: Tega'si (Coral)
  > Age: 22
  > Pronouns: He/him
  > Gender/Sexuality: Cisgender and aromantic asexualA supporting character. He was born unable to use any magic, a rare occurance.Heron spent most of his life with his mother, Elrris. He recently graduated after studying starship mechanics, and is working as a starship pilot running supplies to space stations around Tega.He's laidback and relaxed, but takes his job as a pilot very seriously. He is very attached to his self-aware ship, Star-Follower.

> Yon Finrel

  > Species: Tega'si (Deep Sea/Coral)
  > Age: 15 (almost 16)
  > Pronouns: He/him
  > Gender/Sexuality: Transgender and bisexualA supporting antagonist (for now...). He's an umbromancer.Yon has lived with Vren and the Teruin, a cult that worships the Light and scorns umbromancers, for almost all his life. His parents died when he was young, and Vren, an old friend of theirs, took him in. After being trained from a young age to become a thief, Yon is sent on "missions" to steal artifacts and information for Vren's mysterious plans. While his father claims that it is a part of his duty to make up for his "evil magic," Yon is starting to doubt if what he's doing is right. But he's too loyal—and too scared—to do anything about it.Yon tries to mask his true personality with indifference to stay safe, and once he's away from Vren, he has a chance to be himself. In truth, he’s loyal, sincere, and believes strongly in doing what’s right—even though what he thought was "right" was pretty mixed up. He's often anxious and quiet, a result of his isolation, and dislikes using his umbromancy. He likes nudibrachs, cooking, and art, especially sewing.

> Vren De'vors

  > Species: Tega'si (Coral)
  > Age: 50
  > Pronouns: He/him
  > Gender/Sexuality: Cisgender and bisexualOne of the main recurring antagonists. He has high skill in aethermancy.He’s Yon’s mentor as well as a father figure, which he uses to advantage. Spinning tales of a dead wife and missing son to make Yon feel all the more sympathetic for him, as well as guilting Yon with the death of his parents, Vren gets Yon to do the stuff he doesn't feel like doing himself—like stealing. Even though he's a member of the Teruin, he has his own plans that don’t always line up with what the Emissary of the Light wants.Vren is charismatic and manipulative, but has a more violent, angry side. He hides his more unsavory self in front of others, except for Yon, who often gets the brunt of his frustrations. However, he also manipulates Yon into believing that Vren’s the only person who cares about him. To him, the Light the key to getting back the past he desperately misses. He also really, really hates Jaiden. Almost to the point of being comical.