A historical lecture series introducing the political life during the Canvas Age.

Lesson One: Social Structure of the Canvas Age

In 2149 AE, when Graphia concealed the ancient Benzaitengoku within her painting, Planarcadia entered what became known as the Canvas Age: the era of the World in Canvas.

Though the World in Canvas and the real world exist in different dimensions with differing laws of physics, those living within often struggle to perceive any difference between the two. Yet, complete isolation from the outside world inevitably allows nihilism to spread like a plague. Society loses its vitality, individuals drift through life in a daze, just like a painting that never changes.

To break the stalemate, people placed their hopes in an ancient ceremony: the “Phantasmoon Games.” By selecting suitable Supplicants and having them perform all manners of incredible feats, they could bring joy through the Power of Elation, delighting all living beings and breathing new life into the painting.

The victors of the Phantasmoon Games and their families were usually expected to take on the mundane management and related obligations of the World in Canvas, becoming de facto administrators (though a considerable number of victors chose to erase their winning records, thus successfully avoiding this responsibility). It wasn't until the Interastral Peace Corporation intervened after emerging from the canvas that Planarcadia's operations and management gradually became decoupled from the Phantasmoon Games.

King of Entertainment

During the Canvas Age, the Phantasmoon Games were held once every 30 to 50 years on average. The winner of each Phantasmoon Games was called the “King of Entertainment,” who could have a direct audience with the Aeon of Elation and temporarily borrow THEIR power for one minute. (There have been many different theories regarding the exact title of the winner, with “King of Entertainment” being merely the most credible one thus far. “Super Fun Lover”, “Duke of Elation”, “Emperor of Haha”… The archaeological community has made several breakthrough advances regarding the “Truth of History,” but each title has ultimately been discovered to bear traces of the History Fictionologists.)

The King of Entertainment carries the people's wish for “change.” While most Kings of Entertainment have permanently altered the history of Planarcadia, a few have failed to fulfill their duties, squandering precious opportunities. For instance, one King of Entertainment simply wanted to catch a glimpse of Aha and had absolutely no interest in the powers of Elation. To make things worse, they didn't even tell the people what Aha actually looked like in the end.

However, the Phantasmoon Games itself brought about enough change. Unlike the pre-Cindearth Age version where style trumped substance, the Phantasmoon Games of the Canvas Age became wildly unrestrained and ludicrous. People would prank each other fearlessly, crack all kinds of crude jokes, and it eventually turned into a full-blown carnival that everyone got in on.

Aristocrat of the World in Canvas