I've had this weird idea cooking in my head for a while now. So far it's more of a worldbuilding idea than a full-on game idea, but I do want to translate this concept into a game someday.
In this fantasy world, the Constellations have a much more magical presence than they do on Earth. The Zodiac you are born under determines your magical abilities, and more subtly, your purpose in the world. There are 16 zodiacs, each associated with one of the 16 months of the year.
The 16 Zodiacs
Ignis, zodiac of fire and heat. Those born under Ignis are unburnt by fire and are capable of living in scorching hot climates. Skilled pyromages are capable of conjuring flames, superheating objects, and controlling lava and ash. Every 50 years, a special Ignis capable of producing blue flames is born, known as the Al Qadir.
Aqua, zodiac of water and liquids. Those born under Aqua are excellent swimmers and can breathe and speak underwater. Skilled hydromages are capable of controlling the flow of water and other liquids, using water to heal wounds and purge conditions, and even walking on water. Aquas are also capable of performing Blood magic, but it is regarded as taboo.
Pruina, zodiac of solidification and the cold. Those born under Pruina are impervious to the cold, allowing them to live in arctic climates. Skilled cryomages are capable of freezing and solidifying objects to near unbreakability and conjuring ice in order to create physical constructs and tools. Only a small handful of sorcerers are capable of reaching Absolute Zero temperatures. (Alternative Names: Gelum, Nix, or Frigus)
Ventus, zodiac of air and the atmosphere. Those born under Ventus can jump high and survive a fall from any distance. Skilled aeromages are capable of conjuring howling tempests, cutting flesh with wind, controlling the weather and the atmosphere, and are even capable of flight. (Alternative Names: Aer)
Fulgur, zodiac of lightning and energy. Those born under Fulgur become superpowered in the presence of electricity. Skilled electromages are capable of blasting foes with lightning, energizing comrades, and manipulating metal objects via the power of electromagnetism. Fulgurs make for exceptional engineers. In fact, they invented the first automaton. (Alternative Names: Tonitrus)
Terra, zodiac of gravity and the earth. Those born under Terra are unwavering and innately strong. Skilled geomages are capable of chucking boulders, metal objects, and waves of erosive sand at their foes, forming stone structures, and briefly altering the force of gravity. The Terras worked together with the Ventus and Fulgurs to create the first airships and machines.
Sonus, zodiac of sound and enchantments. Those born under Sonus have an innate appreciation for music. Skilled phonomages are capable of producing enchanting melodies and hexing serenades, controlling the elements with the power of music, and blasting sonic bursts at their enemies. In short, Sonus make for excellent bards.
Mentis, zodiac of kinetics and the mind. Those born under Mentis are very persuasive, charismatic, and influential. Skilled psychomages are capable of manipulating a person's emotions and thoughts, reading minds, creating illusions, and moving objects through telekinesis.
Manus, zodiac of strength and raw power. Those born under Manus have no magical prowess, but are instead gifted with superhuman strength and instincts. Manus are hard to kill, making them some of the best warriors in the land.
Lumen, zodiac of light and virtues. Those born under Lumen are treated as superiors, especially after forming one of the mightiest empires in the land. Although, their hubris is highly toxic. Skilled holomages are capable of smiting their foes with divine energy and healing the wounded and blessing their comrades with prayers.
Umbra, zodiac of shadows and vices. Those born under Umbra are regarded as scum, often being stigmatized as thieves and killers. Skilled nyctomages are capable of enshrouding themselves in shadow, turning shadows into physical beings, and cursing their enemies with the greatly feared Sin magic, based off the seven deadly sins of man.
Vita, zodiac of life and nature. Those born under Vita have an innate connection to nature and the wilds. Skilled biomages are capable of manipulating flora, communing with fauna, transforming into monsters and wild creatures, and repairing wounds and corruption through the power of regeneration.
Mors, zodiac of death and decay. Those born under Mors are feared by many due to their destructive nature. Skilled necromages are capable of corroding flesh and plantlife, raising undead, consuming souls, and inflicting curses on their enemies. Mors are pariahs, just like Umbra, often regarded as naturally evil by the public.
Tempus, zodiac of time and speed. Those born under Tempus are unnaturally fast and agile. Their power over the flow of time is awesome, but only a handful of powerful mages are capable of utilizing time magic. Skilled chronomages are capable of manipulating a person or object's velocity and momentum, briefly manipulating the flow of time, and creating paradoxes.
Fortuna, zodiac of chaos and luck. Those born under Fortuna are either a four-leaf clover or a broken mirror. They constantly radiate chaotic energy wherever they go, bringing good or bad luck with them. Skilled xaomancers are capable of casting magic from any zodiac school, albeit randomly. They are also capable of causing completely random things to happen out of the blue, and have the power to mimic the spells and abilities of their foes. (Alt Names: Chaos, Fors)
Aether, zodiac of divination and portals. Those born under Aether tend to be mysterious and studious, and have a strange connection to the cosmos. Skilled astromancers are capable of summoning monsters, creating portals, predicting the immediate future, and controlling the power of the void. Some of the most powerful sorcerers in the world are Aethers for a reason, although it is very, very difficult to master these powers.
I'm not entirely sure how I would go about transforming this idea into a full-fledged game. The only guideline would be that I would want to make one party member for each zodiac, so that would result in a 16-man party, potentially. There would also be the issue of creating a story with this idea. Thoughts? Ideas?