| Races The Half Bloods Tainted Known also as "half-demons", the tainted are a race created by accident mostly. Many demons vastly enjoy the pleasures of the flesh and usually have their way when pillaging villages. From this �fun� can come the half-demon child. On most accounts, the mother is very unwilling but wicked women have been known to summon demons for the sole purpose of creating these children. Like half-dragons, the Tainted combine the aspects of both races and can either appear all demon, or simply have various demonic features such as wings, horns, or barbed tails. As they mature, half-demons begin to feel a fiery sensation within their bodies often referred to as �the Burning,� which is the essence of the Abyssal Flames from which their demonic parents were created. Furthermore, they will slowly inherit part of the inhuman strength characteristic of demons. Within Poliel, a sort of organized chaos is present. While there are no constant brawls in the streets, much of the town is on edge. The nightlife is certainly entertaining with the plethora of brothels and bars, but during the day, many demons lead common lives, kept in order by a defence force loyal to the town�s Protectorate, chosen simply because they are the most powerful and exude the greatest influence. Like the half-dragons, tainted are often slain or exiled from common communities and for this reason remain in hiding, largely shut off from the world. Tainted speak the native tongue of their parents and often learn the demonic tongue of Abyssian. It sounds similar in many ways to Draconic, but is far fiercer and holds less wisdom. The arcane symbols of the alphabet are also very indiscernible. Very rare do non-tainted beings learn the Abyssian language. The Tainted mostly follow Darkness or the Lord of Storms, but some occasionally follow Neutrality and now those of the Warrens. Solaris has largely forsaken them, though in some rare instances has made exceptions to those that have proven themselves worthy. Depending on their physical capabilities, half-demons pursue various courses in their lives, from warrior to priest, though many prefer the power of being a mage. Racial Skill: Abyssal Fire, Sub-Demon Strength Movement: If given 'Flight' ability: 5 squares per day over land and water; if not: 3 squares over land and water Vampires Of all the various types of undead, none are more feared than the vampire. The common belief that vampires cannot go out in the sun light is nothing more than an myth, and while many vampires cannot stand the sunlight they cannot be killed by it. Once someone is turned into a vampire, they keep all of their memories and powers; it is this that makes them so dangerous. Of all the various races, humans are the most common form of vampire. Draconians cannot be turned into vampires because of the powerful magics coursing in their veins, nor can half-demons due to the taint of their dark blood. If an avari or dar'avari are bitten, most are de-winged by fellow members of the race and exiled, if not slain outright. Aside from looking slightly paler, vampires look exactly like every other member of their living race. Vampires have an inhuman strength and an innate sixth sense known as �blood sense.� Their blood sense allows them to perceive the beating of a heart and flow of blood of a being within a quarter-mile radius. However, it takes them a great deal of time to adapt to the sensation for the flow of blood pounds heavily in their ears in densely populated regions. Largely exiled from the rest of Illcara, many vampires find solace in Jeremiad. The society is largely based upon a sense of nobility; the more powerful are more respected than the weaker. The Arch-Father ensures peace and protection for all of the Brood, allowing Jeremiad�s citizens to live largely undisturbed lives. Oddly enough, most vampires are very devout followers of whatever god they chose, taking to religion quite vehemently. However, there are still those that lose all faith in the gods entirely, blaming them for their plight. Many devote their ageless lives to study while others explore, making the vampire society one that is largely knowledgeable. However, there are also those that pursue endless pleasure, giving a poor perception of what many vampires are truly like. Aside from their native race�s tongue, vampires have developed their own language over the centuries: Vampiric. It is very similar to sun elven, sounding very lyrical, but more dour and enchanting. Its scriptures are also largely similar to sun elven. While most vampires become twisted and evil, a few have a more neutral view to things, feeding only when they must and never taking enough to kill. Followers of Light who are turned into a vampire are turned away from Solaris for he sees them as �impure� due to the blood-seeking nature they would pursue. They are then forced towards Vrakna or Neutari, and some even seek out the Children of the Storms or become faithless. Though, recently, many a vampire has found solace with the new lord of the Abyss, Dorian. Vampires pursue a wide range of paths in their long lives, though their physical prowess and affiliation with the darkness has moulded more than one into a deadly killer. But, others that take to years of study become powerful mages. What�s more, some even become highly devout priests. Racial Skill: Increased Strength and Speed, Blood Sense Movement: If given 'Flight' ability: 5 squares per day over land and water; if not: 4 squares over land and water |
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