A list of the confirmed races.
- Humans-
- Vampires- Vampires were a race of extremely power beings with superior physical and magical abilities to all other races. Though they mostly preyed on humans, all races feared them due to their almost cannibalistic craving for blood. However, after their overwhelming defeat in the Holy War at the hands of the Inquisitions' Holy Knights, not a single Vampire remains...
...Not that the world knows of, at least.
Though very few know that they once existed, those that are familiar know Vampires best for their unique blood-red eyes and pale complexion, as well as their adversity to sunlight and fire.
- Elves-
- Orcs-
- Goblins-
- Succubi & Incubi- Demonic beings that have the ability to enter the dreams of any living creature. Also known as Dreamwalkers, these demons mostly prey on humans of the opposite sex, playing to their utmost desires in order to drain their vitality and strengthen their own powers. This "Spirit Drain" acts as a catalyst to fuel their other powers, giving them capabilities like flight, increased strength, speed, and endurance, as well as the ability to affect the dreams of others either positively or negatively.
Due to males being extremely rare and nigh unheard of, the race is mostly referred to as Succubus despite it being considered a derogatory term akin to "slut" or "whore" due to its implications about their seductive natures. Though most don't care and embrace the name for what it is, many still prefer being called Dreamwalkers.
Technically, the name is more accurate than Succubus since Spirit Drain is not a skill they are required to use. They have no life-threatening craving for human spirit, and mainly do it to satisfy their own lust for power and pleasure. Though they are few in number, there are Succubi who make use of entering the dreams of others for purposes other than utilizing their ability.
Some towns even offer therapeutic "Dream Healing" services, where Succubi will enter the dreams of paying customers in order to ensure they have a pleasant sleep. However, this can also include the use of Spirit Drain, so these locations are widely controversial and mostly available only through underground channels.
- Beastkin- A recently discovered species that resemble Humans with animalistic characteristics. It is unknown what their true origins are, but many suspect that magic was involved with their creation. Those affiliated with the Church even believe that it was the Savior who birthed a new species for mankind. Because of all of these beliefs, Beastkin are usually treated with kindness and respect by nearly all races.
However, there are always those that would abuse them, believing them to be lesser Humans. Many can be found in slavery, either subjected to cruel physical labor, or more-often...other activities with those that find particular "interest" in their animal-features.
There are more than a few subspecies of Beastkin currently known, and more are being discovered all the time:
-Dog (and all its sub/sister species)
-Cat (and all its sub/sister species)
-Bird (and all its sub/sister species)
-Reptile (Lamias thooooand all its sub/sister species)
-Rabbit/Hare (Bunnygirls thoooo)
-Cow (While generally viewed as exquisite in beauty and sporting impressive, almost impossibly large bust sizes, most cow Beastkin tend to be rather simple minded and are quick to fall into servitude, earning this subspecies the derogatory nickname of Milkmaids)
-Rodent (The newest subspecies to be discovered. Only mice have been recorded however, and rats, squirrels, and other species have yet to be discovered) - The Arboreal-
Arborics, Dryads, and Hamadryads
By Calister Devon, Adeptus Flora - Y. 491
“Arboreal” is a blanket term for those effected by The Cord, with the more specific terms “Arboric”, “Dryad” and “Hamadryad” being general measures of their floral transformations: Be it lilies, lotuses, or orchids flowering on their flesh, or colorful mushroom colonies budding from their backs; all are Arboreal regardless of what stage they currently preside.
The transformations may be major or minor to be considered Arboric. Arborics are those with a majority of their original identifying features. The floral traits are usually small and vestigial at the genesis, and grow over variable time spans ranging from weeks to several years with wide range of size and prominence. All varies depending on each specific genus of flora bonding with the fauna, each case requiring immense study to properly understand. Regardless, all shift into the next stage at the end of this gestation/budding phase. So long as some semblance of Fauna remain, Arborics are not Dryads yet. So long as subjects remain in this phase, reversal of The Cord is possible, the means at which to do so a subject of heavy research, with surgical methods the most effective at the earliest of substages.
Dryads are considered those who've succumbed substantially to The Cord, marked by a few key aspects including a certain control afforded to the now developed floral traits. The florally inclined’s flesh becomes leafy, course, and green with components that grant plants their life, akin to stems. Others become spongy, soft like shrooms. Others like hard bark, sturdy and rigid. Studied Dryads display a deeper emotional connection to their [Sky Blossom] bordering on reveration, all doubts as to their new state gone and usually replaced with acceptance. Dryads can be thought as the synthesis of flora and fauna, teetering on the edge of becoming wholly foreign to what they once were. This stage can last indefinitely until the end of a subject’s natural years. Further study is required to prove if The Cord’s effects hinder or expedites aging.
Those who've stepped beyond, who've undergone top-to-bottom reworkings of their entire being are considered Hamadryads. They are those Dryads who've connected themselves to the vast networks of red roots of their [Sky Blossom/Lotus], and “communed”, forsaking all that makes them animal. They go inert, their insides atrophying, their minds weakening. The floral traits they've possessed until now rapidly overtake and altar away the rest of the original man, kin, or other such. They become vague statues of their former selves, unrecognizable save for a basic shape. Very many remain this way for the rest of their lives (if they can be considered a singular being and "alive") scattered about the Arboreal Valleys, some blank faces still sporting a vacant awe and strange euphoria.
However, the very rare Hamadryad has awoken, but rarely do they consider themselves by their past. No, they are new beings, spared true harmony with their [Sky Blossom] and charged with secretive tasks. Unknown magicks allow them to traverse where their legs holds no muscle, only plant-flesh. Voices sound where their mouth need not move, and rarely does so. Many retain their original shape, but they need not do so, and have been recorded to become sprawling masses of brush or elongate their features at will with no recourse. They enjoy all manner of Arboreal capability, regardless of their base alterations. They may root themselves and gather sunlight to feed, harden themselves to oak and shed it a moment later, sprout thorned vines or any genus of flower or fruit, vegetable, or sprout. They may germinate with other Hamadryads, or themselves to spawn children bearing a striking resemblance, but further information has yet to be ascertained on that front. This stage of Arboreal more likely possess long lives rivaling if not surpassing Elves, if the accounts of a few specimens can be trusted.
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A brief History of The Arboreal, and The Concordium
Some time in the last half century, Great bulbous stalks sprouted amidst the mountains between the Elven forests and the territories of men and kin. Sightings of these mythic structures were held in suspicious rumor for years, until the Theocracy staged an expedition. It was meant to quell fear, to keep tabs on any unholy acts being performed in those winding valleys. When the first Inquisitors did indeed make contact with the truth behind the rumors, only one returned. The rest would become the founding elders of the Concordium: The first Men turned Arboreal charging themselves with the protection of these gargantuan flora. These massive plants bore stems as tall as the surrounding mountains, with vast root structures spreading far deeper and far wider than any Drawven dwelling. These fat, coiling above ground roots sprouted leaves and flora themselves to create dense jungle ecosystems in the once grassy valleys. They were the anchor for what would come to be called the [Sky Blossoms].
Further expeditions over the years found the Ex-Savs' new faith to these [Sky Blossoms] stalwart, their reasons for betrayal frantically earnest and steeped in evangelical metaphor. All the while, more and more Inquisitors, Holy Knights and all, followed suit in renouncing their vows to the Saviour to instead protect these false gods. Some were recorded to have even left families behind. After more years of this with little progress in understanding the phenomenon made, the region that came to be known as The Arboreal Valleys became forbidden grounds. Stories of the Concordium's numbers growing continue as the curious, ill intentioned or profiteering traveler end their journey on their knees, gazing skyward.
Today, the Concordium is tolerated in the land of men and kin for the trade of exotic goods and out-of-season foodstuffs. In return, many Dryad caravans take with them willing recruits, usually orphans, beggars, ne’er-do-wells, and other such back to the valleys as well as plenty of other goods the growing community requires. In this way, the uneasy opening of borders remain, with the cities ridding themselves of the costly impoverished and the Concordium gaining new followers. No religious tension exist between the two sects, with many in the Concordium Ex-Savs still holding with them ample respect for the Saviour. It’s just that they’ve a new teacher guiding their lives. - -
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