Glossary of Terms
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Glossary of Terms
Akeldamus
'Field of Blood', bastardization of the term 'Akeldama.' The formal name of the Akel species. Plural is 'Akeldamus.' Named aptly for the Akel's propensity to have a voracious appetite.
Akel Shorthand for 'Akeldamus.' Plural is 'Akels.'
Mundane Anyone who is mortal.
Donor An Akel that has turned an embraced.
Embraced The act of turning one into an Akel. Any vampire strain has the chance of turning an embraced into an Akel. An Akel donor will always result in an embraced Akel. Requires complete death of the embraced, followed by a saturation of Void from their Donor. Those that are unwillingly embraced are more likely to arise Void Blind.
Half BloodNatural born Akel. This Akel is the result of a natural birth with one parent being an Akel. They are weaker than blue bloods, but stronger than embraced.
Blue BloodNatural born, 'Pure Blooded' Akel. An Akel born from a natural birth from two Akel parents. Blue bloods experience a closer tie with The Void than their embraced or half blooded brothers and sisters. They are overall more powerful and more in tune to their capabilities and usually express enhanced intelligence. Blue bloods are naturally resistant to Void Blindness.
FakelA derogatory term among the Akel blue blood population in reference to the embraced. Play on words for "Fake Akel", implying that the embraced are not well trained or very in tune with The Void, that they are merely pretenders.
FledglingsYoung Akel, blue bloods, half bloods and embraced. Any Akel under the biological age of 26 is a Fledgling.
StarlightThe transitional lifeblood that only Fledglings possess. It has rapid restoration and curative properties, all Fledglings have Starlight in small amounts. It is the only known substance to cure Rabbit's Sickness. Comparable to Void, little is known about Starlight as studying the essence has been deemed unethical by The Council of Shadows. Once a Fledgling has reached the biological age of 26, their Starlight shifts into Void. Both natural born and embraced Fledglings will have Starlight.
VoidThe literal lifeblood of an Akel. When bleeding Void, the substance resembles stars poured in a liquid. It's viscosity is that of mundane blood, but is slippery with an oil-like texture. It has healing and regenerative properties between Akels, and can be used as a food source. To other Akels, it tastes like sweet and to anyone else, it is incomprehensibly bitter and near always causes stomach upset. Every Akel has a limited pool of Void, replenished through rest and feedings. Draining too much at once can kill them. Flushing wounds with Void is a requirement if the wound was created by or maintains contact with silver. All Akels both natural born and embraced know how to channel Void.
• The Void'The Void' is the infinite celestial pool of stars from which all Akels are born. It is the place they return to upon their deaths, a collection of souls intertwined through complex road maps binding one individual to all of the others. Every Akel that ever was, ever has been, or ever will be is found within The Void. Upon their embrace or birth, a star comes to life within The Void in a physical representation of their soul. When an Akel channels Void, it is The Void that they bleed, and it is a precious resource. It is a corporeal place traversed only by Akels, and when present within The Void, they are surrounded by the sensation of floating. All conjured portals pass through The Void and it is visible through the portal's edges. Comprised of vortexes of purple, blue and silver on a sea of black, The Void would be most comparable to the essence of 'Outer Space.' Existing within The Void leaves the individual with complete peace.
Sun SicknessAn Akel's natural allergy to the sun. Exposure, unprotected to the sun will cause an Akel's eventual death. This death is slow and excruciatingly painful, coupled with burnt and split flesh and the outpouring of Void. Any Akel killed by the sun are able to be returned through the Rebirth ritual. Sun Sickness is alleviated through enchanted tattoos, scarification, or jewelry. Any Akel who does not have a Sun Sickness remedy will experience extreme irritability and lethargy during the daylight hours as well as decreased magical capabilities.
Akel BloodAkel blood is condensed, thick, dark and sweet. It takes on a very dark red or black appearance. It is thicker than standard mundane blood and tastes very sweet to anyone who tastes it. It is particularly appealing to other Akels and hemophages. It is very slick and slippery, and has a rainbow, oil-like sheen on its surface. Akels can sustain upon other Akel blood, but it is very nutritionally lacking and is often considered 'dessert' meals. Akels feeding upon one another is generally seen as an act of intimacy.
HemophageOne who exists solely or primarily on blood.
Mundane bloodBlood of a mortal. The primary food source for Akels. Without it, they are apt to go Void Blind.
Thrall'Cattle' for Akels. Thralls are created through a process of feeding a mundane Void. They are not turned, and they do not gain the full spectrum of Akeldamus capabilities, but Thralls do benefit from being half-turned. They experience an addiction to being fed upon by their Masters, followed by intense euphoria. The relationship between Master and Thrall is symbiotic. Thralls must be fed their Master's Void on a regular basis, or their natural metabolisms will eventually flush it from their system and they will return to 'mundane' status. Thralls must be bled or fed upon regularly, or they will experience a painful buildup as all Thralls have increased blood production. It is not uncommon for families to keep multiple Thralls in their care.
Council of ShadowsA group consisting of eleven Akeldamus elders. They are responsible for maintaining stability and unity within their Akel community. There are many Councils, each governing a community of Akels which is generally dictated by country or state, depending on size. All sanctuaries and safe houses are run and maintained by the Council, and any cases of Void Blindness or Rabbit's Sickness is tended to by their Agents. Lost, forgotten or unknown totems for the Rebirth ritual can be located through the Council's Seekers.
Intisars"Triumphant Ones." The two creators of the Council of Shadows. Their word is law above all others and they govern all of the Councils. Upon their demise, the role is passed through familial lines. Should no family be willing or able to act as Intisar, they can be elected with a majority vote from three major Councils.
AgentsAgents of Shadows. They are the footmen for the Council of Shadows and are primarily tasked with euthanizing Void Blind Akels, and dealing with the fallout. They are to be considered the police force of the Akels, and they will handle all domestic issues. They form the largest group in the Council of Shadows.
SeekersThose that find which do not wish to be found. Seekers are the scryers for the Council of Shadows. They are tasked with finding lost and unknown Totems for the Rebirth ritual. They make up the smallest group in the Council of Shadows.
TendersThose that tend the safe houses and sanctuaries for the Council of Shadows. They maintain, stock and keep all sanctuaries and safe houses, providing protection and safe passage for any Akel in need. They are also tasked with the responsibility of maintaining portal gardens, which provide a safe place for Akels to portal to and from other sanctuaries and safe houses, undisturbed and undetected.
Sanctuary and Safe HousesAs it says on the tin. These places disguise themselves as legitimate businesses within a community, usually as restaurants, apartment complexes, hotels and community centers. They are exclusively Akel owned and operated and very seldom employ non-Akels. All sanctuaries and safe houses are equipped with a bunker and at least one portal garden.
BunkerA concrete room lined with magically enhanced lead, fixed with a blast style door. Bunkers are one way rooms - portals can be made to enter the bunker, but all magics will fail within the bunker. The only exit is through the door. Bunkers are used to contain dangerous Akels or those who have gone Void Blind. All bunkers have a Cleansing Circle carved into the floor for the cases of Rabbit's Sickness.
Void BlindnessOne of the few sicknesses an Akel can experience. Void Blindness is a total separation from The Void. The proverbial umbilical cord has been cut, preventing them from manifesting Void and upon their death, they are not returned to The Void. Cut off from their brothers, sisters and The Void, a Void Blind Akel will quickly go mad. The only cure for Blindness is euthanasia, followed by the Rebirth ritual to guide their lost souls back to The Void. Rebirth from Void Blindness can sometimes take years.
Rabbit's SicknessThis disease exists exclusively within the continuity of 'Lower Light' A disease brought forth due to tainted doses of Rabbit's Foot, a medication given to Akels to offer them protection from Sun Sickness without the need of an enchanted tattoo or trinket. Causes rapid degradation of the body, usually in resulting in blood seeping from the nose, mouth, eyes and ears. Highly contagious and contact with any other Akel will see the disease spread. Causes intense hostility and violence towards other Akels, especially towards one's donor if the infected was embraced. Blue bloods experience generally minor to moderate symptoms, half bloods experience more severe symptoms, while the embraced carry the brunt of the sickness. Rabbit's Sickness will eventually drive the infected to madness, with the infected killing themselves and anyone around them. Curable by using a Cleansing Circle in any bunker. Requires a willing donation of Starlight to remove and purge the infected Void. Immunity lasts for about a week, preventing widespread reinfection. Those killed this way will need to undergo the Rebirth ritual.
Elemental SilverThe primary threat of all Akeldamus. Silver in all of its forms is deadly to an Akel and they are especially sensitive to the metal. Silver emits a particular scent to all Akel, it is pungent and sharp, causing a tingling sensation over the tongue and back of the throat. Contact with silver causes immediate burning and searing pain, and wounds caused by the metal are more likely to scar and be permanent, unaffected by rebirth. Simply being in close proximity to the metal is enough to cause physical discomfort and mild panic. Silver placed inside the body of an Akel, even in small amounts, will eventually cause death. All silver needs to be purged with Void before the deceased can be reborn.
RebirthThe act of which a deceased Akel is returned to life. Rebirth follows a ritual in which four totems tied to the individual are placed beside lit candles. These totems represent what ties the Akel to the mortal realm, and are generally sentimental tokens such as wedding rings or childhood trinkets. Akels at any time can choose to deny their rebirth, and instead remain at peace within The Void. This decision can be reversed once a year, during the Communion of Echoes. The ritual is performed over and over until the candles beside the totems are extinguished, indicating that the totem placed is a correct one.
Communion of EchoesHeld on the day when the distance between The Void and the mundane realm is at its thinnest. Akels can perform a ritual called the Communion of Echoes, where they can speak to the souls of departed Akeldamus, those lost to The Void due to Void Blindness, and departed mundane. This ritual can only be performed between the hours of 3 and 4 AM with a shrine honoring a specified soul. During this ritual, they are able to speak to the departed as if they were alive and beside them. The departed is unable to tell the Akel any 'new' information, and only retain what they knew and experienced until the time of their death. 'New' information can be given to the departed, such as knowledge of a birth, marriage, celebration or death, but the retention for such information is low and the departed will likely have to be reminded the next year. Communing with the lost can help locate or determine their Totems for the Rebirth ritual.
The SacramentA natural process of conversion undergone by any Akel when they reach the biological age of thirteen, or the halfway point from birth until maturity. This process involves the natural death of most organs, including the heart, lungs, liver, intestines, kidneys and bladder. These organs are sacrificed to prime to body for the eventual transition to Void from Starlight, thirteen years later. This conversion is celebrated among Akels, as it dictates the turning point in which the fledgling is less susceptible to 'mundane deaths.' This also marks the age at which Akels will become adept at their shadow and elemental powers. Some Akel, primarily the embraced and half-bloods, will not be able to use their magic until they have undergone The Sacrament. Blue bloods, however, often have access to these magics far sooner.
Shadow MagicsMagics pertaining to the manipulation of The Void and shadows. All Akeldamus can use Shadow Magics. Blue bloods are especially adept with this form of magic.
Elemental MagicsMagics pertaining to an Akel's chosen element. Elemental magics must be practiced like shadow magics, and are generally deemed weaker than shadow magics.
ElementAn element chosen by an Akel at the moment of their birth, or the moment they are embraced. Embraced are free to choose any element, where blue bloods and half bloods are limited to choosing between the elements of their parents, if any. If neither parent has chosen an element, the blue blood or half blood will have no element. Elements are optional and can be disregarded at the moment of birth or when embraced. Once disregarded, an element cannot be chosen later, even after Rebirth. Elements are Earth (nature, soil, stone), Water (ice, blood, steam), Fire (lava, magma, heat), Air (wind, storms, temperature).
Safety MagicsAkel, whether embraced, a half blood or blue blooded, have an ingrained nature of secrecy. The desire to protect themselves from the outside world is irresistible, and employ the usage of safety magics. These are defined as magics, enchantments or illusions that protect the Akel from being exposed to the world. Glamour is primarily a magic used by an Akel, to hide their new or previously used Sun Sickness tattoos, emblems or jewelry, fangs, scars or other markings, as well as producing a 'real' heartbeat and continuing to breathe. Every attempt to look and act as mundane as possible are taken by Akels through the usage of safety magics.
JagliteThis material exists exclusively within the continuity of' Lower Light'. A material comprised of gold and plutonium mixed with Void. Invokes an overproduction reaction in children, causing an overabundance of Starlight. Often used when the marrow has been cleaned out of a host, Jaglite will be poured into femur bones in its place. Sachets of powdered Jaglite in soluble casings placed within the chest cavity provide a time release of Jaglite within its host, allowing for Starlight harvesting over an extended period of time. Internal exposure to Jaglite in a host that does not produce Starlight will result in death. Touching, inhaling or consuming Jaglite in any form will cause rapid hemorrhaging of Void or Starlight. Death is inevitable, and cannot be reversed with the Rebirth ritual. Using, producing or funding the production of this material is seen as a torturous act by the Council. Being in possession of this material is illegal, punishable by euthanasia.
ScorchAn alcohol made by filtering various dragon's blood through Void. Incredibly potent to Akels, to anyone else it tastes offensively bitter.
