A human’s guide to the Real World

 

Dryads - Dryads are the embodiment of a tree’s living spirit. They have the peculiar characteristic of changing their appearance of age with their mood, with the exception of Iws, which always look ancient. Iws are the spirits of yew trees and they make up a ruling council of dryads, known as the Iwhad. All dryads are known by the Old English name of their tree variety. Dryads are all sexless and leave reproduction to the trees they inhabit; new dryads form naturally within a tree once it is mature enough to support the additional life. Though very rarely seen by humans, they are treated with respect by other Real World creatures. Always treat Bercs (birch) with extreme caution as they will deliberately send you in harm’s way if they can. As they get older, many dryads begin to create long verses that can take hours to recite through its tree’s leaves.

Gifts - All dryads have the ability to search the minds of flesh-based races. They can also manipulate the memories of flesh creatures. Dryads are the source of prophecies in the real world

 

Elves - Elves are a race made up of tribes and clans. Tribes are groups of several bloodlines that live together, hidden from the human world. The majority of tribes live in rural locations. Clans are single families and live closer to humans. Elves can be distinguished from humans by their gold eyes that glow with the energy they absorb. Elves cannot eat meat or drink alcohol. Because of the elven belief in keeping their bloodlines pure from dilution from outsiders (blood purity), they are not viewed favourably by other creatures. Contemptuous of humans, elves will, however, make use of their natural beauty to lead humans into sexual encounters. Elves have a particular hatred of faeras.

Gifts - Absorbing energy from the ground, communicating with animals, phasing out of sight. Clan elves have more evolved versions of some of the lesser gifts, such as healing and absorbing pain from others.

 

Faeras - Faeras are a warrior race, sometimes likened to Vikings. They live a high-octane existence of feasting, drinking and fast motorbikes. Their diet is mostly meat based.  All faeras live alongside humans with perfect ease. They have a complex culture full of ritual. Faeras are distinguished by their either light or dark eyes that reflect other colours. Their eyes also contain silver flecks that can spark with their emotions. Protective of their families, faeras are only dangerous when crossed, otherwise they are affable and sociable. They are most easily identified by their tattoos of complex knot work designs and preference for wearing leather. Faeras reciprocate the elves contempt. At one time, there were two courts of faeras, Blessed and Unblessed. Now only the Unblessed remain. The myth of fairies being repelled by iron can be traced back to the faera legal system: Any faera sentenced to death would be executed with their own sword.

Gifts - Plant manipulation. All faeras can make plants grow by placing their hands on or close to the plant and focusing on what they want the plant to do. They have incredible stamina, meaning they can cover vast distances on foot without needing to rest. Their warrior training from childhood means they are all exceptional fighters.

 

Gyptish - Descendants of the Egyptian goddess Hathor, the Gyptish are viewed as humans as being the same as Romany gypsies. However, they are very much a part of the Real World. Like their Romany cousins, they live a mobile life. Their leader is known as the Heart and Mouth of the Mother. The Gyptish have no concept of property, so are often at odds with others for taking what they view as free to anyone. Though virtually unkown of, even in the Real World, those who are aware of their existence have reported the eyes of a Gypt can turn white.

Gifts - Gypts are all mildly psychic. Some are talented seers. As with many other Real World creatures, they are stronger and faster than humans, though not to the same degree as halfbreeds.

 

Halfbreeds - Part human and part vampire, halfbreeds need to consume both blood and ordinary food. They are created when humans treated after vampire attacks are prevented from turning fully. The treatment was the brainchild of one Dr. Lindsey, though not successful until after his death, when his son continued his work. The Lindsey family still treats victims of vampire attacks. Though they pose no threat, halfbreeds can terrify humans with eye contact. The only time they are likely to be a danger to others is if they are kept from their mates. All halfbreeds have voracious sexual appetites and these can only be satisfied by their mate. Recognised by their black eyes, hence their other name of blackeyes.

Gifts - Faster and stronger than when they were fully human, halfbreeds also have heightened senses. Many halfbreeds have some psychic ability, though this varies from one to another. Their gifts can be combined and increased by physical contact with another of their kind.

 

Imps - Imps have no trace remaining of their own culture and live entirely in the human world. In evolutionary terms, imps are the cousins of elves. Imps have a unique aging process, growing to the age their spouse will be when they meet, then staying that age until they are espoused. Their aging after that depends on what creature their spouse is. Imps are only able to achieve fertility with their spouse. They are identified by their green eyes, a true green that can emit some light when they are particularly energised. Light is also emitted when they have sex with their spouses. Harmless, though occasionally tricky. Imps have an affinity with water and always live close to a river. They need the energy created by running water and absorb it in a similar way to elves from the ground.

Gifts - Absorption of energy from water. Hydratransmutation is a rare gift amongst imps, one that enables them to transform their bodies to water. It is commonly known as ‘going liquid’. Imps can take the energy from a human, and give it as well. If enough energy is absorbed from someone, it will render them unconscious.

 

Lady Sabrena (The Lady of Justice) - Born to a Blessed Faera mother, Lady Sabrena was sired by a mixture of elf, faera, imp and picsa. Thousands of years old, she is the ultimate justice for Real World creatures, and inspires fear in all who know of her. Though she will help those who ask it of her, she only does so at a very high price. Use extreme caution at all times when dealing with her. Highly dangerous.

Gifts - Being a mixture of so many creatures, her gifts are limitless.

 

Lukos -  The lukos are more commonly known as werewolves. The lukos race originated in Eastern Europe and gradually spread out from there through the infection of humans. They transform to their wolf form in the two or three nights before and of the full moon, when they lock themselves away to protect others from their infection and appetite for flesh. In human form, they are impossible to distinguish. The lukos have a well-earned reputation for being extremely aggressive and territorial. Treat with caution, particularly approaching a full moon.

Gifts - All lukos are exceptionally fast and strong, particularly during the nights they transform. They have good night sight and their hearing is equivalent to that of a true wolf. A lukos will heal all injuries in minutes.

 

Naiads - Naiads are the spirits of the water. They live in rivers and lakes, often bearing the name of their body of water. They are usually thousands of years old. Comprised of water held in form by a centre of pure water energy, they generally have a watery appearance, though can look more solid if they wish to. They work to keep their homes clean and running efficiently. Not likely to be seen, they are usually harmless. Not naturally occurring, naiads are created by elves and imps combining their energy manipulation and passing it through dryads.

Gifts - They have the ability to move their form between liquid and solid and in solid form can breed with imps, though not with each other. Being made of energy, they can move and manipulate the energy from any moving water source, including flesh creatures.

 

Nereids - Nereids are very similar to naiads, only based in salt water. Unlike naiads, nereids are not created but born. They can live for thousands of years, though many chose not to. Nereids sometimes take mates from amongst the land-based creatures. The children and descendants of these unions are always drawn back to the sea.

Gifts - As naiads, they can shift their form between solid and liquid. They can predict storms. 

 

Picsas - An extinct race, picsas were identifiable by their fang-like pointed teeth and vividly blue eyes.

Gifts - Unknown.

 

Vampiros - The vampiros, or vampires, are another creature that has spread out from Eastern Europe. Dangerous at all times and entirely dominated by their hunger for human blood, they should be avoided at all costs. The vampiros form into small packs (more than four together tend to end up killing each other). They are only loyal to their parent, the vampire that turned them. They have a particular weakness for the blood of children and always kill them rather than turn them, which is why they are always adult in form. The easiest way to recognise a vampire is by the simple fact of not wanting to look at them at all. They have red eyes that give them their name of redeye parasites. Never approach.

Gifts - Stronger and faster than halfbreeds, they also have exceptional senses. Though lacking the halfbreeds psychic gifts, the oldest vampiros can learn to manipulate the air and solid matter with their minds. One theory suggests this is due to the sheer number of conscious minds they absorb when draining humans to death.