Post by DanteMGalileo on Jul 10, 2017 20:35:43 GMT -5
Angels
General
Size: Approximately 168 cm (5’6’’) for Plasmises and Prasinoes; 230 cm (7’5’’) for Ferroes and Kovaltio. Very minimal size different between the sexes.
Distinguishing traits: Often have odd skin colours thanks to blood. Lack of true ears, breasts, nipples, or belly buttons. Wings extending from back. Several possess some kind of body markings. More exotic hair/eye colours.
Diet: Typically consists of various bugs, raw meats, and wild fruits. Peppers are widely consumed as a snack, with spicier ones serving as replacements for cakes and other sweets.
General powers: Flight, immunity to non-angel diseases and poisons, shapeshifting, ability to cast magic, super strength and toughness, regeneration. Individual angels may possess abilities unique to their line or themselves.
General weaknesses: Will die if their wings are removed, or broken beyond any hope of repair; wing healing takes precedence over other kinds of healing; low tolerance to electricity- a sufficiently strong shock will instantly put them in a comatose state and force them to regenerate; if killed, soul dies with body, preventing revival.
Gender ratio: 7 males per 1 female. Culture appears patriarchal due to lopsided ratio.
Reproduction: Hatch from eggs; typically 1-5 per laying. Mass production involves throwing together ashes and feathers and casting a spell onto the mixture. Cannot reproduce with other species due to otherworldly “equipment.” (Draw your own conclusions. I’m not elaborating.)
Misc.: Insides are practically a dimension unto themselves. Tend to be overdrawn at the blood bank. Tears are typically white to grey, with black tears regarded as a sign of weak character.
Paradiso
General: Cool, dry climate for most areas. Most Areas have nutrient-poor soil; as a result, crop yields are scarce. Day and night times are impossible to predict due to erratic movements of the sun and moon. Can be divided into eight living zones and one spiritual, unlivable zone.
Area A, Lunaris: A semiarctic region located in the northern hemisphere and includes the north pole. Often considered the slums of the planet. Unusually high percentage of shadow elementals compared to other regions. Due to its near-constant cloud cover and its location, the sun rarely shows. However, the more ridiculous laws of Paradiso are usually not enforced. Considered the domain of the shadow councilangel.
Area B, Aeroaid: A dry region around the equator; as a result, it has the longest sun times and higher crop yields than average. However, it has to import all its water, as what little water is native to the area is not considered safe for consumption. Considered the domain of the earth councilangel.
Area C, Hesperus: A region located in the southern hemisphere, with the rare gifts of mild weather and fertile soil. The largest supply of safe drinking water is also a plus. However, the population is low due to the ridiculous costs of living. As a result, it is more common for an angel in this area to be visiting than a resident. Considered the domain of the water councilangel.
Area D, Solaris: An isolated region in the southern sea, known for its constant lava flows. It takes advantage of the volcanic activity to generate power for the rest of Paradiso. Despite being a volcanic region, the temperature is lower than Area B, although still rather hot. Because of its barren soil, it is reliant on food from the other areas. Considered the domain of the fire councilangel.
Area E, Enyalios: A ruthless frontier region in the northern hemisphere. Despite this, the area has a large population due to having the lowest cost of living. Certain crops, such as beans, grow in abundance despite the poor soil, although the food from this area is noted to be bland and tasteless. Also serves as a training ground for the military. Considered the domain of the wind councilangel.
Area F, Lucetius: A region that stretches from the northern hemisphere to the south. The megacity Ave is located here. Living costs are affordable, and almost a steal for the great conditions; this is balanced by it being used as an award for the most loyal and influential angels. Considered the domain of the heaven councilangel; as a result, this is nobody’s domain as of the present.
Area G, Kronos: A region located in the southern hemisphere and includes half of the south pole. The cold climate belies soil good for growing fruits and undergrowth suitable for raising livestock; as a result, it is a key food supplier. Population is low due to the average temperature sitting at freezing point and the tendency towards longer night periods. Considered the domain of the light councilangel.
Area H, Caslux: A region located in the southern hemisphere; it is the less habitable half of the south pole. Castle Corvus is located here, but this area has the smallest population of all physical ones. A series of currents allow for quick travel between this area and Area A. Was never considered the domain of a specific councilangel.
Area I, Empyrea: A non-physical area considered to be just a myth by the general population. In fact, those unaware of this area will never be able to enter it. Houses the Beast of Empyrea, who grants wishes in exchange for a proportionate amount of pain inflicted on the wisher. It’s said that somewhere in Paradiso, there is a portal that links Empyrea to the rest of the world.
Law and Rights
The basics: Angel law is harsh, and all trials demand some sort of punishment. There is no jury, and all trials are headed by three councilangels. Due to a backlog in the judicial system, as much as 5% of the population is still behind bars and awaiting trial for often minor offences.
Freedom: The only true freedom an angel not convinced of a crime has is their freedom to serve Paradiso. Most marriages are arranged; typically by parents, but those from noble lines may find that they were hatched to marry and seal an allegiance.
Jails and Prisons: Jail cells are made of magic-killing metals, and are specifically designed to dehumanize (de-angelicize?) its inhabitants. The cells also deprive inmates of any sensory simulations, and the food is generally rotten, when present at all.
Other: Prison inmates are often used by the science and magic divisions to serve as living guinea pigs for their experiments. Typically, those condemned to death are used, but have also been known to use those convincted of minor crimes.
Society
Castes: Can be divided into four distinct castes, based on blood.
• Ferro: The lowest caste, assigned to those with red to orange blood. They have strong bodies, but weak magic; this, combined with indoctrination and the stereotype of the caste being dumb muscle, has lead to them effectively being turned into a slave caste. They account for 30% of the hatched population, and 40% of the mass produced population. Their estimated stable lifespan is about 20,000 years, although they can ward off the worst effects of degeneration for longer.
• Plasmis: The middle caste, assigned to those with yellow blood, and some more yellow shades of orange and green. Their abilities are average across the board. Because of their commonness, they are given more respect from the nobility and are taught to believe in their superiority over the Ferro caste. They account for 60% of the hatched population, and 60% of the mass produced population. Their estimated stable lifespan is about 25,000 years.
• Prasino: The nobility caste, assigned to those with green blood, as well as teal. Although their bodies are frailer and weaker than average, their magic abilities are high. From a young age, they are taught to lord over the lower castes, and if a Prasino is hatched to an otherwise red/yellow line, they are treated like royalty by their family, although the parents often exploit them to get a better life. The caste is also known to develop psychic powers, which allow them to keep the lower castes in check. They account for 10% of the hatched population, and less than 1% of the mass produced population. Their estimated stable lifespan is about 30,000 years.
• Kovaltio: A caste treated like royalty, that commands the respect and fear of the lower castes, assigned to those with blue and the rare purple blood. They have both strong bodies and powerful magic, and many also possess unique abilities. Due to their power, it is commonly said that Kovaltio are the descendents of gods. They account for less than 1% of the hatched population, and a mass produced Kovaltio is unheard of. Their estimated stable lifespan is unknown, although estimated to be a least 50,000 years.
Government:
• Six (or seven) council members, that act as the supreme leaders of the race and make key decisions. Each of these members is pulled exclusively from the Kovaltio caste.
• An assembly of 100 angels, pulled from the Plasmis, Prasino, and Kovaltio castes. These angels draft laws for the council to vote on, and have the right to declare war with the blessing of the council.
• The Serapis is the most respected angel on the council. They serve as the king or queen of the race, and their views are typically given extra weight. The current Serapis is Caladrius II Ukko.
• The Keruv or Keruvim refer to the child or children of the Serapis. While only Kovaltio Keruvim are considered to be part of the line of succession, the non-Kovaltio children often hold high ranks in the military. A known Keruv in the present is Liderc, Caladrius’s son.
• The Ofan is a term used to refer to the heir apparent, whether it be a Keruv or another Kovaltio. The current Ofan is said to be Aello Sidhe, the wind councilangel.
Language: Angels have an “auto-translate” feature that makes them sound intelligible to non-angels they speak to. Actual language sounds like little more than continuous shrieking noises. Alphabet has well over 200,000 characters, as every word and name is assigned its own character. Efficient in space, but virtually impossible for an outsider to master.
Culture:
• Dress: Favours dark colours with light accents. The norm calls for complete coverage from neck to ankle, although this has been challenged in the last millennia. Military dress is also popular. Footwear is considered a status symbol, and only the highest-ranking angels are permitted to wear any sort of shoe.
• Cuisine: Bugs, meats, and fruits, served raw, or with a mild dipping sauce. Often served on top of some sort of grain. Chicken and other bird-procured meat is considered taboo. Peppers are a common snack, with larger, spicier peppers often used where a human would eat cake or other sweets. Beverages range from bitter herbal tea to sweet, vaguely chocolate-like brews.
• Arts: Performers do acrobatic stunts and life-risking performances, often reenacting wars. Painting is considered an art of the hunter as well as the artist, as paint must be made from angel blood, and the brushes must be made from other angel’s feathers. (As a result, the majority of angel paintings are reddish) Literature favours short, to the point narrations, or long, confusing walls of text. Film is something a human could recognize… but every time an angel “dies” on camera, they actually did die.
• Holidays: Dove’s Day is analogous to human Christmas, and in a change of pace, is actually not too violent. The hatching days of the Serapis and Keruv(im) are also celebrated. Magpie’s Day, celebrated in the bright season, is a holiday where the law is suspended for a cycle, allowing all crimes to be legal for that day (except for murdering your higher-ups).
Technology
Sending Stone: Essentially a magical cellphone. More advanced versions have extra features, such as object transportation.
Teledeath: Tempered metal used in prison cells. Cancels an angel’s abilities.
Feather Downer: A device designed to deliver an electric shock on contact, instantly sending an angel into a comatose state and forcing them to regenerate. Developed by Aello Sidhe as “a more merciful alternative to pounding the utter living crap out of someone.” In wide use by the angel law enforcement and those sent out on hunting missions.
Beguiling Beak: A device intended to nullify higher brain functions for a short time by administering a freezing shock to the brain. Developed by Hansa Paricia, supposedly to “maybe reduce the number of offenders by administering a one-off, non-lethal, but highly unpleasant punishment.” Pretty much only used by some of the (comparatively) merciful prisons to subdue inmates.
Withdrawing Wing: A device designed to alter the memories of those it touches, ranging from one event to their entire history. Developed by Gagana Fufluns “to help angels get over memories they’d try to suppress.” To his dismay, it is now used as a punishment method.
General
Size: Approximately 168 cm (5’6’’) for Plasmises and Prasinoes; 230 cm (7’5’’) for Ferroes and Kovaltio. Very minimal size different between the sexes.
Distinguishing traits: Often have odd skin colours thanks to blood. Lack of true ears, breasts, nipples, or belly buttons. Wings extending from back. Several possess some kind of body markings. More exotic hair/eye colours.
Diet: Typically consists of various bugs, raw meats, and wild fruits. Peppers are widely consumed as a snack, with spicier ones serving as replacements for cakes and other sweets.
General powers: Flight, immunity to non-angel diseases and poisons, shapeshifting, ability to cast magic, super strength and toughness, regeneration. Individual angels may possess abilities unique to their line or themselves.
General weaknesses: Will die if their wings are removed, or broken beyond any hope of repair; wing healing takes precedence over other kinds of healing; low tolerance to electricity- a sufficiently strong shock will instantly put them in a comatose state and force them to regenerate; if killed, soul dies with body, preventing revival.
Gender ratio: 7 males per 1 female. Culture appears patriarchal due to lopsided ratio.
Reproduction: Hatch from eggs; typically 1-5 per laying. Mass production involves throwing together ashes and feathers and casting a spell onto the mixture. Cannot reproduce with other species due to otherworldly “equipment.” (Draw your own conclusions. I’m not elaborating.)
Misc.: Insides are practically a dimension unto themselves. Tend to be overdrawn at the blood bank. Tears are typically white to grey, with black tears regarded as a sign of weak character.
Paradiso
General: Cool, dry climate for most areas. Most Areas have nutrient-poor soil; as a result, crop yields are scarce. Day and night times are impossible to predict due to erratic movements of the sun and moon. Can be divided into eight living zones and one spiritual, unlivable zone.
Area A, Lunaris: A semiarctic region located in the northern hemisphere and includes the north pole. Often considered the slums of the planet. Unusually high percentage of shadow elementals compared to other regions. Due to its near-constant cloud cover and its location, the sun rarely shows. However, the more ridiculous laws of Paradiso are usually not enforced. Considered the domain of the shadow councilangel.
Area B, Aeroaid: A dry region around the equator; as a result, it has the longest sun times and higher crop yields than average. However, it has to import all its water, as what little water is native to the area is not considered safe for consumption. Considered the domain of the earth councilangel.
Area C, Hesperus: A region located in the southern hemisphere, with the rare gifts of mild weather and fertile soil. The largest supply of safe drinking water is also a plus. However, the population is low due to the ridiculous costs of living. As a result, it is more common for an angel in this area to be visiting than a resident. Considered the domain of the water councilangel.
Area D, Solaris: An isolated region in the southern sea, known for its constant lava flows. It takes advantage of the volcanic activity to generate power for the rest of Paradiso. Despite being a volcanic region, the temperature is lower than Area B, although still rather hot. Because of its barren soil, it is reliant on food from the other areas. Considered the domain of the fire councilangel.
Area E, Enyalios: A ruthless frontier region in the northern hemisphere. Despite this, the area has a large population due to having the lowest cost of living. Certain crops, such as beans, grow in abundance despite the poor soil, although the food from this area is noted to be bland and tasteless. Also serves as a training ground for the military. Considered the domain of the wind councilangel.
Area F, Lucetius: A region that stretches from the northern hemisphere to the south. The megacity Ave is located here. Living costs are affordable, and almost a steal for the great conditions; this is balanced by it being used as an award for the most loyal and influential angels. Considered the domain of the heaven councilangel; as a result, this is nobody’s domain as of the present.
Area G, Kronos: A region located in the southern hemisphere and includes half of the south pole. The cold climate belies soil good for growing fruits and undergrowth suitable for raising livestock; as a result, it is a key food supplier. Population is low due to the average temperature sitting at freezing point and the tendency towards longer night periods. Considered the domain of the light councilangel.
Area H, Caslux: A region located in the southern hemisphere; it is the less habitable half of the south pole. Castle Corvus is located here, but this area has the smallest population of all physical ones. A series of currents allow for quick travel between this area and Area A. Was never considered the domain of a specific councilangel.
Area I, Empyrea: A non-physical area considered to be just a myth by the general population. In fact, those unaware of this area will never be able to enter it. Houses the Beast of Empyrea, who grants wishes in exchange for a proportionate amount of pain inflicted on the wisher. It’s said that somewhere in Paradiso, there is a portal that links Empyrea to the rest of the world.
Law and Rights
The basics: Angel law is harsh, and all trials demand some sort of punishment. There is no jury, and all trials are headed by three councilangels. Due to a backlog in the judicial system, as much as 5% of the population is still behind bars and awaiting trial for often minor offences.
Freedom: The only true freedom an angel not convinced of a crime has is their freedom to serve Paradiso. Most marriages are arranged; typically by parents, but those from noble lines may find that they were hatched to marry and seal an allegiance.
Jails and Prisons: Jail cells are made of magic-killing metals, and are specifically designed to dehumanize (de-angelicize?) its inhabitants. The cells also deprive inmates of any sensory simulations, and the food is generally rotten, when present at all.
Other: Prison inmates are often used by the science and magic divisions to serve as living guinea pigs for their experiments. Typically, those condemned to death are used, but have also been known to use those convincted of minor crimes.
Society
Castes: Can be divided into four distinct castes, based on blood.
• Ferro: The lowest caste, assigned to those with red to orange blood. They have strong bodies, but weak magic; this, combined with indoctrination and the stereotype of the caste being dumb muscle, has lead to them effectively being turned into a slave caste. They account for 30% of the hatched population, and 40% of the mass produced population. Their estimated stable lifespan is about 20,000 years, although they can ward off the worst effects of degeneration for longer.
• Plasmis: The middle caste, assigned to those with yellow blood, and some more yellow shades of orange and green. Their abilities are average across the board. Because of their commonness, they are given more respect from the nobility and are taught to believe in their superiority over the Ferro caste. They account for 60% of the hatched population, and 60% of the mass produced population. Their estimated stable lifespan is about 25,000 years.
• Prasino: The nobility caste, assigned to those with green blood, as well as teal. Although their bodies are frailer and weaker than average, their magic abilities are high. From a young age, they are taught to lord over the lower castes, and if a Prasino is hatched to an otherwise red/yellow line, they are treated like royalty by their family, although the parents often exploit them to get a better life. The caste is also known to develop psychic powers, which allow them to keep the lower castes in check. They account for 10% of the hatched population, and less than 1% of the mass produced population. Their estimated stable lifespan is about 30,000 years.
• Kovaltio: A caste treated like royalty, that commands the respect and fear of the lower castes, assigned to those with blue and the rare purple blood. They have both strong bodies and powerful magic, and many also possess unique abilities. Due to their power, it is commonly said that Kovaltio are the descendents of gods. They account for less than 1% of the hatched population, and a mass produced Kovaltio is unheard of. Their estimated stable lifespan is unknown, although estimated to be a least 50,000 years.
Government:
• Six (or seven) council members, that act as the supreme leaders of the race and make key decisions. Each of these members is pulled exclusively from the Kovaltio caste.
• An assembly of 100 angels, pulled from the Plasmis, Prasino, and Kovaltio castes. These angels draft laws for the council to vote on, and have the right to declare war with the blessing of the council.
• The Serapis is the most respected angel on the council. They serve as the king or queen of the race, and their views are typically given extra weight. The current Serapis is Caladrius II Ukko.
• The Keruv or Keruvim refer to the child or children of the Serapis. While only Kovaltio Keruvim are considered to be part of the line of succession, the non-Kovaltio children often hold high ranks in the military. A known Keruv in the present is Liderc, Caladrius’s son.
• The Ofan is a term used to refer to the heir apparent, whether it be a Keruv or another Kovaltio. The current Ofan is said to be Aello Sidhe, the wind councilangel.
Language: Angels have an “auto-translate” feature that makes them sound intelligible to non-angels they speak to. Actual language sounds like little more than continuous shrieking noises. Alphabet has well over 200,000 characters, as every word and name is assigned its own character. Efficient in space, but virtually impossible for an outsider to master.
Culture:
• Dress: Favours dark colours with light accents. The norm calls for complete coverage from neck to ankle, although this has been challenged in the last millennia. Military dress is also popular. Footwear is considered a status symbol, and only the highest-ranking angels are permitted to wear any sort of shoe.
• Cuisine: Bugs, meats, and fruits, served raw, or with a mild dipping sauce. Often served on top of some sort of grain. Chicken and other bird-procured meat is considered taboo. Peppers are a common snack, with larger, spicier peppers often used where a human would eat cake or other sweets. Beverages range from bitter herbal tea to sweet, vaguely chocolate-like brews.
• Arts: Performers do acrobatic stunts and life-risking performances, often reenacting wars. Painting is considered an art of the hunter as well as the artist, as paint must be made from angel blood, and the brushes must be made from other angel’s feathers. (As a result, the majority of angel paintings are reddish) Literature favours short, to the point narrations, or long, confusing walls of text. Film is something a human could recognize… but every time an angel “dies” on camera, they actually did die.
• Holidays: Dove’s Day is analogous to human Christmas, and in a change of pace, is actually not too violent. The hatching days of the Serapis and Keruv(im) are also celebrated. Magpie’s Day, celebrated in the bright season, is a holiday where the law is suspended for a cycle, allowing all crimes to be legal for that day (except for murdering your higher-ups).
Technology
Sending Stone: Essentially a magical cellphone. More advanced versions have extra features, such as object transportation.
Teledeath: Tempered metal used in prison cells. Cancels an angel’s abilities.
Feather Downer: A device designed to deliver an electric shock on contact, instantly sending an angel into a comatose state and forcing them to regenerate. Developed by Aello Sidhe as “a more merciful alternative to pounding the utter living crap out of someone.” In wide use by the angel law enforcement and those sent out on hunting missions.
Beguiling Beak: A device intended to nullify higher brain functions for a short time by administering a freezing shock to the brain. Developed by Hansa Paricia, supposedly to “maybe reduce the number of offenders by administering a one-off, non-lethal, but highly unpleasant punishment.” Pretty much only used by some of the (comparatively) merciful prisons to subdue inmates.
Withdrawing Wing: A device designed to alter the memories of those it touches, ranging from one event to their entire history. Developed by Gagana Fufluns “to help angels get over memories they’d try to suppress.” To his dismay, it is now used as a punishment method.
