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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Table of Contents < --- You are here
2. History, Setting
3. Races
4. Character Creation and Accepted Characters
5. Story Thus Far

RACES

Humans - They breed like rabbits and are resourceful. Humans possess marginal aptitude in the realms of physical and magical combat (this varies from human to human, and those who excel in these fields are often suspected of being one of the other races), but one thing is for certain: wounds last for days and weeks upon humans. Humans have no regenerative property and therefore must rely on cumbersome armor and shields to protect them from lasting harm. As far as magic goes, humans can use all types, but those who dare to practice shadow magics are either excommunicated and hunted just like vampires, werewolves and demons, or hide in the shadows and hope to remain undiscovered.

NOTE: All of the below races are referred to as the "other" races, and are ageless. While they do develop and mature up to a certain point after birth (all of the below races can breed), halting the aging process at around 25-35 years of age (development and maturing proceeds at a 'human' rate until it halts).

Vampires - Vampires require the blood of others to survive. Rumored to be the first of the 'other' races, no pureblooded vampire exists today. Most vampires today are fractions of purebloods, most ranging from three-fourths pure to half being the most common. As such, these half-vampires (called vampires simply because there are no more purebloods) are no longer susceptible to the sun, nor are they completely destroyed by the presence of profoundly holy objects. Also, note that vampires are not turned. Those bitten by vampires and drained of their blood die, period. There is no coming back for them. Vampires (purebloods) are created through an ancient and long-forgotten dark ritual that takes immense magical power and skill to perform, as well as a willing vessel. While the latter exists, no mage or wizard, vampire or otherwise, has existed for centuries. Vampires can mate and do so frequently, and the production of vampires is much more efficient as such. Vampires are vulnerable to fire and holy magic, and as such cannot use those schools of magic. However, vampires are prone to use ice and shadow magic. Vampires also have the highest regenerative rate of any of the other races, and are slightly vulnerable to holy objects. No specific material is harmful to them.

NOTE: A vampire that goes too long without blood is considered to be 'fallen.' They will become weaker than a normal vampire (still stronger than a human) and gradually slip into insanity. However fallen vampires are generally hunted down by their own kind. If a fallen vampire does not receive blood within the first week of becoming fallen, then the transformation cannot be reversed. The primary reason fallen vampires are hunted by other vampires is due to the vampire belief that becoming fallen is a sign of weakness, and that fallen vampires drink blood indiscriminately, even from other vampires.

Werewolves - Werewolves are often referred to as mutts or dogs to anyone who despises them. These creatures however are often complex and cunning, as well as deadly. Werewolves have three forms. The first and foremost of these forms would be their human form. This they maintain almost all the time, as it is the most easily accessible form available to them. The secondary form would be that of the wolf itself. This form is primarily used for travel, hunting, tracking, and sometimes even in combat, depending on the werewolf. The third and 'ultimate' form a werewolf has would be that of the half-wolf monstrosity, the lumbering, muscled, hulking monster people typically think of when they think of werewolves. This form, called the Wolfkin, is not a form that werewolves can assume through force of will, no matter what age they may be. Werewolves only assume the Wolfkin form under extreme duress. The transformation of a werewolf is at first predictable. The very first turning of a werewolf, after being bitten, will occur on the next full moon. However, the newly-turned werewolf will find countless animal instincts to combat, and through meditation and focus, the werewolf can eventually gain control over the transformation process. Such practice allows a werewolf to maintain their possessions even while in other forms (at first, the transformation utterly destroys all clothing and causes possessions held upon the person to fall off or be otherwise ruined), allowing convenience of not being nude and unarmed when shifting out of wolf form. Werewolves, however, are always vulnerable to silver. Wounds made with a silver implement regenerate slower, and often cause werewolves to become slightly dizzy or nauseated (depending on the amount of silver that entered the bloodstream). If significant amounts of silver enter the bloodstream, a werewolf's system will accumulate the silver into the stomach and evacuate it, generally via vomiting. If not, the silver generally becomes assimilated into the werewolf's system and the pain ceases. If large amounts of silver enter the bloodstream in quick succession, it can kill a werewolf. A werewolf's physical prowess, however, is above and beyond that of the strongest vampire, and their regenerative qualities rank higher than that of demons. However, werewolves are the least skilled in magical combat, but are the only 'other' race capable of wielding holy magic (those who do, however, are often Ex-Hunters). Werewolves are not forbidden racially from any form of magic, though most find themselves relatively unskilled with such abilities.

NOTE: A werewolf who rejects his 'wolf side' can become clinically insane. This is incurable, and is known as becoming Feral. Feral werewolves, either through fear or through lack of will, are overcome by their feral instincts as a wolf, and are often found traversing forests and other vacant areas, hunting like their non-human cousins. Feral werewolves spend most of their time in wolf form, and are often hunted by their normal brethren simply because of the danger they pose to their race.

Demons - Demons are a race that were arguably the last to arrive upon the continent of Greynam. Demons are a cruel lot, though they have calmed down recently. They are often disoriented after breaking through the planar barriers, arriving upon this plane. Also, note that a demon has much greater power within the confines of Hell itself, and much of that power is drained and lost during the transit from Hell to this plane. However, demons are still a force to be reckoned with. They, like werewolves, have multiple forms. Their demonic form is rarely seen, this is a last-ditch effort which would allow them their natural weapons (such as claws, teeth, etc.) that they may have in their natural form. However they often maintain a human form that they can willingly assume without any sort of penalty. They lose no physical prowess save for their natural weapons, and as such generally carry human implements of war, just to not attract attention. The magical abilities of demons far surpass that of any vampire, and are fond of all elements, save for holy magic, which is forbidden to them by their very nature. Demons are physically stronger than vampires but are still weak compared to werewolves, and demons have the worst regenerative properties of all three other races.

NOTE: Sometimes, the transition from Hell to this plane can be disturbing to a demon. In rare cases, some demons have been known to develop a sort of conscience, and become disturbed at the acts some of their brethren may perform. When this happens, it is not uncommon for the demon, in the guise of a human, to join up with the church and hunt demons as any other hunter would. These demons call themselves the 'Redeemed,' and a 'redeemed' demon is often exterminated with extreme prejudice if discovered by another demon who is not 'redeemed.'

The peace treaty, once intact, is now jeopardized. Dead demons, humans, vampires, and werewolves are turning up all over the place, all showing evidence to foul play from all sides. The elders of the other races, together out of contact for five hundred years, have reconvened to address this disturbing situation.

No side claims responsibility. Every side blames the other. Things are falling apart.

It is then that the werewolf elder Wilhelm Godfrey decides to rouse a group of capable individuals, each with their own unique talents, to investigate these murders. It is suspected that a rebel group of some race is instigating this, though there are other possibilities as well. The story begins when our unlikely heroes are gathered at the subterranean Hall of Elders after receiving a letter sheathed in a black envelope. The Hall of Elders is in western Greynam, deep below the earth. It is there our heroes gather, and meet face-to-face for perhaps the first time...