Ghouls

Gordoan Ghouls
The Gordoan Ghouls are one of the dominant and most diverse species in Gordoa. The voluntary curse that gives them their power can be applied to just about any race, giving them immense blood sorcery potential and raw physical power for the price of undeath. After the ritual required for transformation is completed, the Neophytes hair and skin turn pale and until they learn to control it, their eyes black, while the irises to a vibrant colour, from violet to yellow. The only exception are halfbloods from the line of duality, while their hair and skin are almost unaffected, the irises don't change their colour but almost start to glow. The Ghouls are devided into seven families, all with their merits and flaws:

"ONLY ONE SELF SHALL DECIDE WHEN THIR PATH IS OVER, FOR IT IS THE GREATEST FREEDOM IN LIFE."

Lupus, Pride
Lupus, the one born to rule. The pride of ours, the prophesied king. He embodies our perfection in his best times and our nightmares in his worst. In his blood we all died and been reborn. He is the wolf leading his pack beyond the vale. We shall wait for your return, eternal.

The Bloodline of pride is considered as the most respected, for its father is Divine Emperor Lupus von Gordoa himself.

In the ancient cast system they occupied the managerial and ruling positions, often however they accepted military service and became part of "The Pack", the most prestigious warriors tasked to protect Emperor Lupus and with him all of Gordoa. Forged in kings blood they command respect even in the Elders themselves.

However as their pride, their arrogance knows no limits. Before the times of strife, public humiliation was a common sight, after attempted rape by those foolish enough to think that status might buy them love.

"THE PATH OF FATE IS SACROSANCT. THOSE WHO PRIDEFULLY CAST OFF DESTINY MUST BE PUNISHED."

The Firstborn, Wisdom
The Firstborn Our eldest, he is the prophet. He showed our alpha the way to kingship. The witness of all. The wisest mortal being known to us. He guides our people for seven blood cycles now, none of his words dishonest. We feel you come friend, lent us your wisdom.

Bloodline of wisdom, the second line. She is not concerned for mortal affairs for she knows what truly is at stake.

In old times they where the prophets and scholars of Gordoa, always on their quest for ultimate knowledge. Many Astronomers charting the Night sky and researching celestial magic where of this line, creating such astonishing star maps that no Gordoan ship would come off course in over three centuries.

The First Once blood numbs all senses, from pain to empathy. Even the eternal hunger has less profound effect on the prophets children. In the entire history of Gordoa only a few accounts of frenzy were recorded, far more often they dropped unconscious from malnutrition right at their work desks.

"THOSE WHO CHANGE THEIR FAIT SHALL BE REVERED AS THE STRONGEST AMONG US."

Tigrara, Strength
Tigrara, the fierce gladiator. The jail and warden of demons within. She is our strength, our will to fight for our survival. First baroness of roses. The one who will protect our king and our family beyond. The scarlet rose, the beautiful thorn. Protect our people eternally.

Line of strength is full of fearless gladiators, adventurers and demon hunters, tasked to protect Gordoa at any cost.

The cast saw acolytes of Tigrara as an necessary evil. Unlike the other lines before the transformation, they had to hunt down and kill a demon, claiming its soul only to seal it within themselves later, as part of their ascension ritual. Most of them lost everything to fowl creatures in their past lifes and vowed to kill them all.

With power comes corruption, the demon within a child of the Rose provides great strength for the price of being ever in danger of succumbing to its twisted nature. They slowly start to change first with their mind then the body, becoming the monsters they once so hated. However, some manage to come back to their senses, most who do can no longer live with the guilt of their deeds, but some join the "Blood Litters" to earn their redemption by serving as mashines of war and destruction until the day they die.

"DEATH IS TOO GOOD A PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE WHO BRING THE DEAD, THAT CHOOSE TO END THEIR LIVES BACK TO THE WAKING WORLD."

Sword, Dedication
Sword, our greatest Smith, he is not the strongest nor most cunning, but your dedication has no end. He stood with us in the most trying times, always in the vanguard. His artisenship saves countless lives every single day. He is the most crucial cog in our family.

Smiths, artisans and artifisers are all subjects to the great Smith. The ability to infuse blood runes into their crafts allowed even the most inexperienced artisans to be on par with their elven colleges.

Children of Sword where and to this day still are the backbone of Gordoa. Hundreds of Weapons, Shields and Maduus where produced each day in the great "City of Smoke". The line of Dedication are renowned travelers, in their sky ships they traveled all around the world to perfect their craft and gather the most exotic of materials.

Unlike the other lines, they do not face severe consequences for their blood, but like their Elder they lack many merits of ascension. For this reason they often acted as diplomats between the Ghouls and mortals.

"UNDEATH IS A CURSE AND A BLESSING, ALL WHO SEEK IT TO CHANGE THEIR FAIT SHALL BE PROTECTED BY MY EGIES."

The Pale One, Duality
The Pale One, Our bright friend, the half blooded Ghoul. He embodies what we are and where. His unique blue eyes are stars in the scarlet skies. His rebirth was flawed, but he made it his strength. He is the duality of our unlife. One of the heroes of the last stand, remind us of our selfs.

Jesters, spies and bards. The bloodline of Duality is the smallest of the seven and spread thin between courts and back allies of the world. Their mortal appearance and total lack of empathy made them the perfect spies.

On the Seven Islands they were the primary source of entertainment, present in every city playing pranks and comedie on streets and bars. Mortals who venture to Gordoa for the first time are normally accompanied by one of Pales children. Before this lines time, violent incidents involving culture shocked foreigners happened almost during every visit, especially by these that involved the human city states Utopia and Handelsstadt. All who stem from this line are flawed in their own way, as their Elders ascension made him the first half blooded Ghoul all of his children are to become such as well. From physical degradation to mental illness, they are are required to adapt and use their new bodies and minds for the centuries to come.

While the degradations vary from Ghoul to Ghoul, the lack of Empathy seems to be shared between the entire bloodline. It is perhaps the worst of all flaws of all Ghouls, as it accelerates the loss of humanity within each Ghoul. But Pales young are regarded as the most carrying to those with similar condition, offering safe environments to learn to live with others and themselves.

"GRIEVE THE FALLEN, BUT DO NOT PITY THEM, UNLESS THEIR LIFE WAS STOLEN BEFORE THEY CHOSE FOR IT TO END."

Vincifal, Guilt
Vincifal The first blood sorcerer, our most beloved brother. He took our gilt and swallowed it whole. The one who was kind to all the living and undead. Betrayed and tortured by the once he swore to protect. But still he forgives and helps them in our city. Our kind brother, don't loose your compassion in this strange world.

The law is to be handled by the cast of Guilt, they are the most compassionate, but also brutally fair. None who wronged Gordoa will escape their edicts.

The blood of Vincifal boils with sorcery, even a single drop is capable to tip the balance of entire battles, however he chose to seal it away for this power requires human sacrifice that he himself proclaimed to be forbidden from consumption outside of special celebrations and rituals. Those of his blood uphold Imperial law above all else, often dying for it. They are the judge, jury and executioner of Gordoa.

Their greatest strength is also their weakness. The sorcerers blood within each of them is so potent that each edict they proclaim will be upheld. Rules they create can often be ignored by others, but Vincifals children have to follow them to the latter or risk to face their consequences.

"DEATH IS BUT A WASTE, AN ILLUSION, MADE BY THOSE WHO SEEK TO CONTROL THE LIVING."

Nova Belis, Greed
Nova, The pup among the seven. Theirs is our greed. Knowledge, power, passion, their is no thing they do not desire. The first of the lost in this different world. Our temporary leader, the most loyal to our alpha. The silver Fox that waits for their beloved king. Guide us in this trying times.

The bloodline of Greed is the youngest among the seven, they never saw the old Empire, born during the Gordoan war for survival in New Avalon. Thieves, gangsters and merchants, still remembering their past mortal lives. The origins of this line come to the Vulpes Cartel, an organisation dealing with illegal trade in both Old and New Avalon. Their leader Nova Belis became close friends with Vincifal and helped in the construction of the underground Ghoul City. Their connections were instrumental in the survival of Gordoans after most of their shops were torn down by the Gruuns, a group radical purists dead set on the eradication of anyone non human. For their help and taking the side of Gordoa, all members of the cartel were granted the right to ascend and Nova became their Elder. Those who share ther blood with Nova Belis possess high levels of intellect and almost uncanny dexterity, being able to move faster and longer then any other humanoid, the ability to dodge Crossbow bolts and if sufficiently trained, even bullets.

The price for this is an unsaturated greed, like crows they collect everything of value to store it in their hoards. Each one however has their favorite items and many become enthralled by the sheer sight of it, unable to move even if they are in the midst of battle.