Who We Are...Species and TermsSpecies
Angels - One of three varieties of beings, true Angels serve the side of goodness and light. They are advocates of Order and Obedience. In the war, they are constantly at odds with their nature but are some of the fiercest opponents. Angels have white wings.
Dragons - An ancient race, dragons live for thousands of years. Some are said to be as old as the land itself. Though there are oddities, dragons have a love for treasure and enchanted artifacts. They have a natural ability to shape shift their form to that of a human, allowing them to easily blend in in the mortal realms.
Drow - Drow, also frequently known as dark elves, are a dark-skinned race closely related to elves and eladrin that predominantly lives in the Underdark. They are generally evil. They are shorter than many other sub-races of elves and, similarly to most Underdark dwelling creatures, have a tremendous resistance to magic. They also have a much higher birthrate than most other elves, but strife tends to keep their numbers down. Drow are taught from an early age to trust no one, forging alliances only when they are confident that they can outmatch their ally if he/she decides to turn on them. The inherent pride in their own abilities quite often leads to such alliances being forged, though they almost always end badly when one party decides said alliance is no longer convenient. Even drow who escape the cruelties of the Underdark find it more difficult to form long-term friendships than most races do. In many ways, drow resemble elves the most physically, and are slender compared with humans. Drow have black skin and pale yellow, silver or white hair, the latter being by far the most common. This hair is carefully groomed and cared for by most drow and worn long with jewelry and other accessories decorating it. Like eladrin and elves, drow are incapable of growing true beards, though many males are fond of long sideburns or small tufts of hair on their cheeks or chin.
Drow eyes are usually bright red, but some are known to have different colored, commonly much paler, eyes such as blue, lilac, pink or silver. They usually vary in height between 5'4" and 6', and weigh between 130 to 175 lbs on average.
Elves - Elegant in speech and custom, Elves are beings of high intellect and beauty. They look similar to humans save for their pointed ears and so can easily mesh with the Academy environment. Elves are gifted in many areas of magic. Their handcrafts are highly valued in the Other Realms
Fallen - Fallen are Angels who chose to pursue the side of evil and darkness. Fallen often are very combative, but also very attractive and charming. Many rely on their interpersonal skills to bring them closer to their victims.
Faeries - The Fae are a race distinguished by their love of nature. Fae often have specific elements of nature that they affiliate with, making them expert magicians. Fae run the gamut from being cheerful to pessimistic and are noted for their elaborate wings.
Grigori - The original "Fallen Angels" Grigori are those who have fallen from their place in heaven because of their love for mortal women. Many see their fall as unjust and so vehemiantly despise the forces of Heaven. However, some still wish to re-gain their place. Grigori have black wings.
Humans - Humans are mortal creatures who live in the realm charged with keeping the balance at the gateway. Though they have little knowledge of the other realms and dismiss the rest as supernatural events, they are hard working and competent. Humans have no natural powers.
Vampires - Vampires are the Gateway beings that most closely resemble humans. In fact, many vampires were humans before. The pure-blood lines are considered Nobility, while average Vampires come and go through the Gateway. The Pure bloods can perform some magic, but average Vampires only have increased strength and vitality. It is forbidden for Vampires to drink the blood of humans. Special Blood mixtures are available at the Gateway House should a vampire feel the need to feed on blood.
Terms and Events
Atlanthum - a major city known as the 'Hub' of the realms. It contains Gateways to every realm, and the only known stable Gateway to the Human Realm.
Di Yu - A Labyrinthine Realm adjoining Hell, Di Yu harbors beings known for their reclusive habits. Thieves and Monsters not fond of large crowds or who wish to become lost and never found. Di Yu is a dark realm notable for it's anarchic state. No one rules here and it is uncertain who founded it.
Elysium - A Realm of vast prairies and soothing winds. Elysium is the retreat of nomadic warriors. Humans know Elysium as the Greek version of Heaven, but in the Other Realms it is known for being the home of noble warriors. Each clan of warriors is led individually, and it is unclear who founded the realms.
Heaven - Heaven is quite different than human myth described it as. Though it's inhabitants are indeed angels and souls of good moral standing, it is also a place as imperfect as any other. The God of Heaven is only one of many others. Heaven is adjoined on one side by Hell and on the other by Elysium.
Hell - Hell was founded by renegade angels - defectors of Heaven's army. Known for it's vicious inhabitants, it is not wholly bad either. There are still Demons with hearts and Fallen Angels who have virtues. Hell is bordered on one side by Heaven and on the other by Di Yu.
Other Realms - The Other Realms is a series of different worlds all connected by stable Gateways. These Gateways are protected by gatekeepers, but unlike the Gateway between the Other Realms and the Mortal Realm, are unrestricted. Imagine a wheel and spokes. The Central Hub is Atlanthum which contains Gateways to all of the Realms. Spokes radiating from Atlanthum are the different worlds, Heaven and Hell are among them.
Purgatory - Purgatory is the space between the Realms of Heaven and Hell. Literally right at the Gateway, Purgatory has been a boundary of conflict since its creation. Patrolled by both Demons and Angels alike, fights often break out here. In one particularly notable episode, a Gateway to the Human world was created at the boundary. Gatekeeper Amon Sordeau had the duty of closing the Gateway but lost his life in the process.
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