The Cruenti
For centuries, humans thought they were the most superior beings living on the earth. They thought they were the masters of fate and faith. They thought they were the supreme predators.
They were wrong.
Contents:
Introduction
Rules
The Hierarchy (a.k.a. Races)
Terminology
Appearance
Drinking Blood
Ways to Kill the Immortal
Character Creation
Introduction
It's 2010, not far into the future. The cruenti Counsel of Elders has noticed an unnatural increase in the ancillae and innatancillae population, and they don't seem to have any parent vampire controlling them. Normally, this wouldn't be on the counsel's top list of concerns, but since several of the oldest vampires in the city have turned up exsanguinated, they've been trying to locate the recalcitrant ghouls.
They aren't the only ones.
Rules
No god-modding
NO MARY SUES!!!
Follow the Gaia TOS
PM me with your profiles for approval. Also, please use the provided coding for your profile. If it is not formatted properly, it will be sent back to you to be fixed before I will even review it.
- Regarding the use of pictures for character appearance: DO NOT USE A PICTURE. You must actually describe what your character looks like. You may, however, supplement this description with a picture if you drew the image or had it drawn for you.
Personality: Be as descriptive as possible.
Strengths and Weaknesses: These are outside of the ones granted by race. You don't need to repeat that your noctis is burned by sunlight and holy water.
Brief Background: I know it says brief, but you need to give as much detail as necessary to explain your character's personality, strengths, weaknesses, and other important information.
Genre: Horror. It takes place in modern times. Although it is horror, stick to the races provided (i.e. no ghosts, werewolves, zombies, etc.).
Post style: Novel style, third person past-tense.
Keep OOC chat to a minimum. If you must use it, keep it set of with double parenthesis ((like this)).
Gameplay will only start after there is at least one of each of the playable races, counting my characters. Ancillae/inattancillae count for the same race for this purpose, as do mortalis/vivorum.
The Hierarchy
NOTE: Races are color-coded by accessibility:
Green races are open to all players.
Blue races are only available after a player of a green race has effectively played his character for a good amount of time (approximately 50 good posts).
Red races are not available for play, but are mentioned because they factor into the game world or will be portrayed in NPCs.
Name [NAYM]
This is the formal name of the vampire/non-vampire. The italics give the pronunciation.
Type
This is what type of race it is: human, cruenti (vampire), or divine. Some races may fall under more than one type.
Special Abilities
Their special abilities (if any) and how they work.
Strengths
Their strengths.
Weaknesses
Their weaknesses.
Other Notes
Other important notes that don't fit into the other categories.
Mortalis [more-TAH-leese]
Human
Special Abilities
None.
Strengths
Human.
Weaknesses
Human.
Other Notes
Mortalis are, simply put, humans. They don't call themselves this, but the term is very popular amongst older vampires.
Vivorum [vee-VOR-um]
Human
Special Abilities
None.
Strengths
None.
Weaknesses
Human.
Other Notes
Singular name vivus [VEE-vus] (male) or viva [VEE-vah] (female). The vivorum age normally, since they're human. They also drink blood, but with no added benefits other than "playing vampire" and "looking cool." Very few mortals earn enough respect in cruenti society to earn this title, so it is safe to assume that any vivorum who is addressed by this name has some vampiric friends. Many vivorum are also ancillae or innatancillae (see below).
Contagio [con-TAG-ee-oh]
Human/Cruenti
Special Abilities
Limited telekinesis: As an innatancilla, except that attempting to carry items like this causes no mental strain.
Strengths
None.
Weaknesses
Human.
Other Notes
Most contagio don't know what they are. They have a tendency to notice things normal humans would not, and seem to be magnets for cruenti, angels, and demons.
Ancillae [ahn-KEY-lie]
Human/Cruenti
Special Abilities
None.
Strengths
Somewhat stronger, faster, and hardier than normal mortals, but not so much as the innatancillae; can live indefinitely as long as they have a supply of vampiric blood (see below).
Weaknesses
Bond of blood (see below); human.
Other Notes
An ancilla [ahn-KEY-la] is often called a half-vampire, but he is merely a mortal who has ingested the blood of a vampire without being completely drained first. The ancillae can maintain a youthful visage and may live forever as long as they continue to ingest vampiric blood. Some vampires deliberately create ancillae to serve as mortal vassals, since the bond of blood makes them particularly loyal. Ancillae are very devoted to the vampire who supplies them blood, and thus twice as easy to affect with that vampire's special abilities. Like vampires, an ancilla needs a fresh supply of blood (a vampire's) in order to have access to his abilities, including the enhanced physical attributes, however he does not need to drink blood in order to survive. Only the blood of a vampire equal or greater in age than the vampire who supplied him with his first taste of blood will sate the ancilla's thirst and re-empower him. Many ancillae do not know what they are, since their vampiric masters slip the blood into their food or drink unnoticed. Some vampires prefer to make a prospective filius an ancilla first before fully embracing him. All true vampires (from solis to caelestis) can create ancillae, though the noctis are most commonly known to do so.
Innatancillae [in-nah-TAHN-key-lie]
Human/Cruenti
Special Abilities
Limited telekinesis: An innatancilla [in-nah-TAHN-key-la] has limited telekinetic powers. He can move any object(s) weighing half what he could normally lift physically. For example, if an innatancilla could lift an item weighing 50lbs by himself, then he could lift any item, or any number of items collectively weighing 25lbs, with his telekinesis. Attempting to carry items like this causes mental strain, just like physically carrying an object causes fatigue.
Strengths
Stronger, faster, and hardier than ancillae, but not as much as the solis; can live indefinitely as long as they have a supply of vampiric blood (see below).
Weaknesses
Bond of blood (see below); blood dependency; human.
Other Notes
An innatancilla is a second (or greater) generation ancilla, in which one or more of the parents was an ancilla or innatancilla. The half-blooded are just like the ancillae, but the full-blooded are consider slightly more powerful. Unlike ancillae, however, these beings actually need vampiric blood, or they become weak and sickly; even the half-blooded are subject to this weakness. An innatancilla must feed at least once a week to avoid this. Like ancillae, only the blood of a vampire equal or greater in age than the vampire who supplied his parent(s) with his/their first taste of blood will sate his thirst and re-empower him.
Sanctae [SAHNK-tie]
Cruenti/Divine
Special Abilities
Limited telekinesis: As an innatancilla, but may attempt to carry up to equal to the weight he could physically. Attempting to carry items like this causes no mental strain.
Charismatic presence: A sanctus [SAHNK-toose]can make himself seem more charming than he really is. The targets regard him in the most favorable way, making them more susceptible to his suggestions. This power is always in effect and can even affect vampires and demons.
Healing: A sanctus may heal any living creature with a touch. Cruenti of any kind cannot be healed in this manner (other sanctae being the obvious exception).
Strengths
Dramatically stronger, faster, and hardier than the typical mortal (approximately on par with a noctis); limited immortality (see below); do not need to eat or drink normal food; automatically heal wounds (same as noctis); minor need for blood
Weaknesses
Blood specificity; blood dependency
Other Notes
Singular name sanctus (male) or sancta [SAHNK-tah](female). Sanctae are mysterious beings that are indistinguishable from normal humans, except for their unnatural grace and purity. They are vampires in the sense that they must consume human blood at least once every three months in order to continue to survive, and only human blood will do. Rather than dying or growing sickly from lack of blood, a sanctus simply vanishes, fading out of existence, although rumors abound of individual sanctae reappearing after having disappeared centuries ago, hence the assumption that the beings are immortal. Many sanctae appear child-like or are children. Sanctae are rare, and are often mistaken for angels when encountered. Some historical sanctae were saints.
Solis [SOUL-eese]
Cruenti
Special Abilities
Limited hypnosis: A solis can influence a target for several hours, but he does not have complete control. Any suggestion that goes against the target's nature is easily resisted, and the target cannot be commanded to do anything suicidal. Once a task is completed, the control is lost until another attempt is made.
Limited telekinesis: As an innatancilla, but may attempt to carry up to equal to the weight he could physically. Attempting to carry items like this still causes mental strain, just like physically carrying an object causes fatigue.
Strengths
Stronger, faster, and hardier than innatancillae, but not as much as the ambae; more charismatic.
Weaknesses
Holy water irritates their skin; only immortal at night; must eat and drink normal food in order to survive; must breathe
Other Notes
Solis cease aging, but they can change their appearance (i.e. hair grows, skin tans, can choose to age, etc.). They drink blood to power their special abilities, though they are only vampires at night and can only use their special powers at night. A solis must feed at least twice a month, more if he uses his powers frequently. A solis cannot become pregnant/impregnate someone while in her/his vampiric form.
Ambae [AM-bye]
Cruenti
Special Abilities
Limited hypnosis: As a solis, except commands can go against a target’s nature with ease, though suicidal commands are still ignored. The vampire has control over the target even after a given task is completed, and he may relinquish his control at any time.
Limited telekinesis: As solis, but may attempt to carry up to twice the weight he could physically. Attempting to carry items like this still causes mental strain, just like physically carrying an object causes fatigue, but it is less severe.
Charismatic presence: An ambae can make himself seem more charming or intimidating than he really is. The targets either regard him in the most favorable way, or as someone to be feared and respected. Unlike hypnosis, this power does not give the vampire the ability to give commands; it just makes people more susceptible to his suggestions. This power can be used in conjunction with the hypnosis, making the vampire's orders even more difficult to resist.
Shadow veil: An ambae can make himself vanish into the surrounding shadows. This only works if there are shadows to work with, and the illusion doesn't hold up under intense scrutiny.
Strengths
Stronger, faster, and hardier than solis, but not as much as the noctis; more charismatic; immortal; do not need to eat or drink normal food; do not need to breathe; automatically heal wounds
Weaknesses
Holy water burns their skin like a corrosive liquid; bright flashes of light (including walking out into the sun from indoors) stun them for a while; can be warded off by holy symbols, but only if the wielder of the symbol truly believes in his faith; uneasy around angelic/pure beings (i.e. angels, sanctae, devout followers of a faith, etc.)
Other Notes
Like a solis, an ambae ceases to age, but he can change his appearance. They are not burned by sunlight, but it still annoys them. Ambae drink blood to power their special abilities and must feed at least once a week, more if they use their powers frequently. A solis becomes an ambae after he has lived for at least one century. Some do not become ambae until they reach their third century. An ambae cannot become pregnant/impregnate someone.
Noctis [NOK-teese]
Cruenti
Special Abilities
Hypnosis: As ambae, but any command may be given, even suicidal ones.
Telekinesis: As ambae, but may attempt to carry up to four times the weight he could physically. Attempting to carry items like this causes no mental strain.
Charismatic presence: As ambae, but more potent.
Shadow veil: As ambae, but the illusion can stand up to more scrutiny and doesn't require shadows to work.
Feral claws: A noctis may turn her hands into deadly, claw-like weapons.
Spider's blessing: A noctis may perform acrobatic feats like a spider, including (but not limited to) long jumps, springing attacks, and climbing up vertical surfaces.
Strengths
Dramatically stronger, faster, and hardier than the typical mortal, and significantly more so than an ambae; more charismatic; immortal; do not need to eat or drink normal food; do not need to breathe; automatically heal wounds, though twice as fast as an ambae
Weaknesses
Holy water burns their skin like a corrosive liquid; bright flashes of light stun them for a while; sunlight burns their skin like fire; can be warded off by holy symbols, but only if the wielder of the symbol truly believes in his faith; can be physically harmed by the touch of angelic/pure beings; loose "human" empathy
Other Notes
The noctis are most like the classic vampires of legend. They do not age at all and cannot change their appearance. They drink blood to power their special abilities, and they must feed at least twice a week, more if they use their powers frequently. An ambae becomes a noctis after no less than a century as an ambae, but the transformation can occur at any time after that. Some vampires do not become noctis at all, though most do. Noctis also seem to loose their connection to humanity, and tend to come off as heartless and cruel. They have difficulty expressing and understanding "human" emotions, such as love and sympathy. A noctis cannot become pregnant/impregnate someone. Only a noctis can create other vampires.
Caelestis [kai-LESS-teese]
Cruenti
Special Abilities
Unknown, but presumably greater than those of the noctis.
Strengths
Unknown.
Weaknesses
Unknown.
Other Notes
The caelestis are the mythical "Perfect Immortals" that exist in the land of Elysium. Elysium is an endless, timeless oasis on which many religious paradises are based (including the Elysium fields, which shares its name). No one is certain if these beings actually exist, but it is rumored that only a vampire of great age who has learned to embrace humanity again (i.e. has fallen in love, becomes a devotee of a church, etc.) can exalt to this level.
Demons [DEE-mons]
Divine
Special Abilities
Varies (see below)
Strengths
Immortal; flight; dramatically stronger, faster, and hardier than the typical mortal, and significantly more so than a noctis; do not need to eat or drink normal food; do not need to breathe; automatically heal wounds, though twice as fast as a noctis.
Weaknesses
Holy water burns their skin like a corrosive liquid; cannot walk on sacred/blessed ground; can be summoned/controlled by lesser beings who use the proper spells; bound by power of their True Names
Other Notes
Demons, though commonly believed to be evil entities, are in actuality angels who have been demoted from their former positions. Most demons don't mind this condition, although some strive to regain their angelic status. Every demon has different powers, depending on the domains he was in charge of while still an angel, and these powers vary as widely as the demons themselves. Unlike angels, demons are not bound by a code of conduct, and some take this to a deadly extreme. Demons have two forms: a human visage, and their true form. Naturally, most demons maintain their human form in public to keep zealous priests from trying to destroy them. A demon's biggest weakness is his True Name: though difficult to discover (and nearly impossible for a non-divine being to pronounce), speaking a demon's True Name forces him to obey any one command made by the speaker. After that one command is made, no new commands by the same person may be made within a twenty-four hour period. Speaking part of a demon's Name is enough to summon him into one's presence, but the full Name is needed to issue a command. There are very strict divine rules governing what may and may not be asked of the demon, and a summoned demon is required to repeat these to the individual who summoned him, except in the case of using only his True Name to call him.
Angels [AYN-jells]
Divine
Special Abilities
Varies (see below)
Strengths
Immortal; flight; dramatically stronger, faster, and hardier than the typical mortal, and significantly more so than a noctis; do not need to eat or drink normal food; do not need to breathe; automatically heal wounds, though twice as fast as a noctis.
Weaknesses
Code of conduct; bound by power of their True Names
Other Notes
Angels hold an important position in the divine hierarchy. Regardless of what individual religions call them, the general duties of angels vary from angel to angel, ranging anywhere from planting and growing flowers to tempting lesser beings into committing crimes. Just because they are "angelic" does not mean they are good. They are, however, required to adhere to a strict code of conduct, which also varies from angel to angel. Generally, all angels must complete certain duties, and not completing them (or avoiding their completion deliberately) is grounds for demotion. Angels answer to a higher power known as God, the Spirit, the Lord, Goddess, and a variety of other names, although they typically use the most generic name possible: the Higher One.
Terminology
Cruenti: [croo-EHN-tee] The formal name for vampires. Single: cruentus [croo-EHN-toose] (male) or cruenta [croo-EHN-tah] (female)
Ghoul: [gool] Slang term for ancillae and innatancillae.
Pater/Mater: [PAHT-air/ MAHT-air] Parent vampire, literally father/mother. A parent vampire has great control over his/her children because of shared blood. Plural: parentis [pair-REN-tees]
Filii: [FEE-lee-ee] A vampire's "children;" the vampires s/he created. Single: filius [FEE-lee-oose] (male) or filia [FEE-lee-ah] (female). Also filiae [FEE-lee-eye] (for a group of female children). Because of the process involved in creating a vampire, filii are closely connected with their mater or pater.
Rosa Nigra: [ROH-sah NEE-grah] Commonly called "The Black Rose." The act of one vampire killing another by drinking all of his blood. So named because of the ancient practice of presenting the victim with a bouquet of withered roses (black roses) before the killing. The vampire who drains all of the blood of another temporarily grows stronger, gaining any abilities the victim had, especially if the victim vampire was more powerful. The practice was outlawed millennia ago. The only exception to this rule is with regards to parentis and filii: a mater or pater may "give a black rose" to his or her children if he or she feels that he or she should not have made them into vampires.
Strix: [STRICKS] A rare and deadly vampiric disease contracted by committing the Black Rose too much. Also the entity created by the disease. Not only does it destroy the vampire it possesses, but it also kills those around him. This condition can only manifest during the solis stage, but once in place it can last for as long as the vampire exists. It is brought on by committing the Black Rose multiple times within one night. The Strix itself is a spiritual vampire, manifesting as a dark cloud around its host during times of extreme emotional tension (i.e. guilt, lust, etc.). It will protect its host as long as others surround it, using their energies to grow stronger. If no other source of souls is available, it will start to eat away at the vampire instead. Once strong enough, it may even detach from the vampire for extend periods of time, taking on a ghost-like deranged visage of its host, but it will always return. During this time, the vampire begins to die again, slowly and painfully. Vampires prone to this condition often complain of "death pains" before each night begins. In other words, they feel as though they are dying a terrible, excruciating death each time they change from mortal to vampire. Vampires who suffer from Strix often die before they become ambae, though if they manage to survive to this stage, the disease is cured.
Usurper: [you-SIR-purr] Someone who has committed the Black Rose.
Elixir: [ee-LICK-zure or ee-LICK-sir] Another name for blood.
Mortal wine: [MORE-til WINE] A slang term for blood.
Blood rage: [BLUD rayj] When a vampire is low on blood, he goes into a feral frenzy until he is sated. Often times, he kills the next person he feeds on, since he is too enraged to control himself.
Blood bond: [BLUD bond] What occurs when someone, particularly another vampire, has ingested a small bit of vampiric blood. The more blood a person drinks from the same vampire, the more devoted he becomes to him. This is why ancillae and filii are so dedicated to their creators.
Appearance
Humans
The appearance of humans is as varied as you would expect it to be.
Contagio
Contagio look just like humans, although they tend to come off as a bit Goth, despite how they may dress.
Sanctae
No matter how old, sanctae always seem to have a child-like youth to their appearance, but otherwise look like normal humans.
Cruenti
Vampires look exactly like normal humans (except for the fangs, of course). Generally speaking, death actually makes them look better: their features will smooth out; their faces become more symmetrical; etc. They are not like Buffy vampires, nor are the Nosferatu (unless they were butt-ugly to begin with). Like humans, looks vary from cruentus to cruentus.
A NOTE ABOUT THE EYES: A vampire's eyes glow when he is angry, and depending on the age and level (see above), they will glow different colors, as follows:
Solis- light green
Ambae- pale yellow
Noctis- red
Caelestis- (rumored to be) gold
Ancillae (both varieties) also bear this trait, though it is very slight and only noticeable in very dark areas (sort of like how a glow stick gets when it's almost dead). Their eyes glow with a whitish light.
Angels & Demons
In their human disguises, angels and demons look like normal humans. In their true forms, however, their appearances can be everything from horned devils to winged cherubim, and everything in between. On a general basis, angels and demons are still humanoid, and often have perfect faces, perfect figures, and unnaturally beautiful voices. Also, angels and demons are all androgynous, though in their human forms they usually opt for one gender over the other.
Drinking Blood
Different types of blood have different effects on vampires, as given below. These effects only apply for ancillae through noctis, not the sanctae.
Human blood: No unusual effects, although drunken humans (who have alcohol in their systems) and druggies can give the vampire the sensation of using the drug himself (i.e. a vampire who feeds on a drunk may feel tipsy later).
Animal blood: Has a cheaper taste than human blood, like the difference between top shelf Vodka and the store brand. It is also less fulfilling. It takes twice as much animal blood to sate a vampire's thirst.
Vampiric blood: Gives the drinker a brief but euphoric high, but otherwise tastes just like human blood. It will, however, cause the drinker to become bound to the vampire he is feeding from. If all of the blood is drained, the donor vampire dies, and the drinking vampire steals his strength, temporarily gaining access to the vampire's powers (if he was older than the Usurper). This power surge lasts for a couple of hours.
Sanctae blood: This blood tastes like a sweeter version of human blood. Otherwise, it is identical to drinking another vampire's blood. In both cases, the drinking vampire can become bound to the sanctus he is drinking from, though the chance is less likely for some.
Contagio blood: This blood tastes just like sanctae blood, albeit a little bitter. Otherwise, it is identical to drinking human blood.
Demonic blood: Instant blood rage, regardless of how much the vampire has had to drink. The rage lasts for exactly five minutes. Also, the vampire's strength doubles, he becomes swifter, and he can take much more damage before falling. This part of the effect lasts for twenty-four hours.
Angelic blood: Nothing happens at first, but after a few hours the blood starts to burn the vampire from the inside out. It will not kill him, but he will suffer excruciating pain for a short amount of time. The more he has drunk, the longer the pain will last. As with demonic blood, the vampire's strength doubles, he becomes swifter, and he can take much more damage before falling. This part of the effect lasts for twenty-four hours.
Ways to Kill the Immortal
Cruenti
Decapitation: Cutting off a vampire's head is one of the best ways to ensure its death, however the head must be buried separately from the body, lest it will reattach in a few hours. Because of vampires' swift healing abilities, other limbs can easily be reattached in a similar fashion, although all but the head will grow back, given time. To ensure permanent death, use one of the other methods below.
Immolation: Burning a vampire guarantees its death, since nothing is left but ashes. Both fire and sunlight can be used to incinerate a vampire.
The Black Rose: Only another vampire or ancilla can kill a vampire in this manner. By draining a vampire of all its blood, it loses its life-force and dies. Please note, however, that a vampire who is out of blood because it hasn't fed does not die, but rather falls unconscious until it is given blood. Most vampires awaken from being unconscious due to blood loss immediately enter a blood rage.
Stake through the heart: This does not work. A stake through the heart only paralyzes a vampire, but it does not kill it. It can be a useful technique for subduing a vampire so that it might be decapitated or set on fire. Lodging a stake in any other area will paralyze only that pert of the body; only a stake through the heart paralyzes the whole vampire. It can still speak and use its mental powers in this condition, however, so be careful.
Sanctae
Starvation: Preventing a sanctus from getting its tri-monthly fill of blood is the only way to banish it, and even still it may reappear at a later date. Thanks to their fast-healing capabilities, no other method will do any significant damage to them.
Angels & Demons
Exorcism: This only temporarily banishes them, since they aren't really possessing human "hosts". The banishment lasts for anywhere between a few minutes (a poorly done exorcism) to several years.
Divine Absorption: The only true way to destroy an angel or demon is for another angel or demon to absorb its spirit, thereupon gaining the absorbed being's powers. The only way this can be done is by the killing being to call forth its victim's True Name, and then the two will battle. If the victim wins, then it escapes, otherwise the killing being absorbs its spirit, permanently destroying it.
Character Creation
Please PM me with your character description for approval. You may play as many characters as you can handle, but try to keep it less than four (4). If you are playing more than two, you must designate at least one as "killable" (see below).
[b]Character Name:[/b]
[b]Race:[/b]
[b]Gender:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Apparent Age:[/b] only fill this in if you are playing something other than human or contagio.
[b]Appearance:[/b]
[b]Personality:[/b]
[b]Strengths:[/b]
[b]Weaknesses:[/b]
[b]Brief Background:[/b]
