ANCIENT CHILDREN

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Ancient Children, sometimes called just Ancients, are a race as old as time itself. It is believed that they were the first of the humanoid life forms to live in Auvynon, hence the name. Their history is kept a guarded secret, but the antique buildings and artifacts that are found within their mountain homes lend credence to this belief.

Ancient Children share many traits with vampires, but vampires they are not. They are living, breathing, existing beings of a separate race. Unlike vampires, they can have children, and those children inherit the traits of their parents. They are noble and brave people, kind, generous, and powerful. Often their aloof nature comes across as arrogance, but is it arrogance when you really are better than everyone else?

The race's sanctuary is hidden within the Amber Mountains, the compound rumored to be carved on the side of one of the mountains, and kept camouflaged by the forces of nature and magic that the race so easily commands. It is here that the Royal Family lives. The King of the Ancient Children has the sworn allegiance of his people, each member of the prideful and strong race would willingly give their lives to save the king and his Soulmate.

Advantages:

Superior Strength and Senses: Ancient Children have no problem picking up and carrying 300 pounds. In combat, they can strike with the force of a troll's strength. Because they are only out at night, they have natural night vision that lets them see in darkness with the same ability that humans can see during the day. All of their other senses are twice that of a normal human. And not only that, but they claim that they feel with the emotional intensity that humans cannot even begin to understand. Love and hatred can become all consuming passions that can drive them to extreme measures. And their word is as bonding as a promise scribed upon their soul, it cannot and will not ever be broken.

Connection with Nature: Ancients have lived for centuries in harmony with the plane of Zatrikion, and as such have developed a connection with nature. This extends to their day to day activities, most are avid gardeners, learning to grow plants at night that would otherwise flower only during the day. There are those that take it to the next level, communing with animals and commanding plants to do their will. Wolves will come to their call and vines and thorny bushes can be used to snare foe, just with a command from their voice. Many Ancients become druids and take on a protective role of saving nature and life in general from the ravages that undead can commit.

Telepathy: All Ancients can communicate via a mental connection, and this can be used to charm humans so that they can drink from them without fear.

Shape Change: All Ancients have one animal that they share a particular connection with, and it is this animal that they can shape shift into. In this form, they resemble a normal, though exceptional, animal of that species. The only difference might be a difference in coloring but this wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary. For example, one might change into a black wolf or a white owl. These connected animals are always predators, and usually nocturnal. While in this form, the Ancient still has his or her superior senses and strength, however he or she cannot speak or cast spells, and has to rely upon telepathy to communicate.

Immortality: Ancient Children are living creatures, which means they can be killed by trauma or other means of damage to their physical bodies. However, once they gain the age of adult, they no longer age and they will never die from age related illness.

Disadvantages:

Blood Drinking: Ancients exist only on the life blood of others. They must feed from animals, humans or elves, or other Ancient Children. They cannot take nourishment from any other source. Sips of Tea or Wine can be attempted, but more than a few sips and the Ancient could find themselves nauseated and drunk, as the chemicals in the brew instantly turn their pure bodies into a haven of toxicity. Solid food is revolting to the extreme that severe sickness could befall the Ancient just after one bite. Animal blood is usually only taken in times of an emergency or while within their animal form. It is not uncommon to have a band of wolf shifted Ancients take down a stag, only to drink its blood and then release it once their thirst has been seen to. Humans and elves are the accepted means of nourishment. Typically an Ancient will hunt in the streets of a city, charming the prey with his voice and actions, then removing the memories of such an encounter from the prey's mind once the Ancient has taken what he requires. However it is the pure blood of other Ancients that is the most revered. This blood is shared willingly with each other, and as such it strengthens both the recipient and the giver and it reinforces the bonds of family between them.

Daytime Immobility: Legend states that it was Amael, the moon of love, that brought Ancient Children to Auvrynon. That her endless love is what gives them their power to this very day. It is also told that she the reason that Ancient Children are awake only at night. Their nocturnal nature is not seen as a curse, but as a sacrifice of gratitude given to Amael. During the day, Ancient Children fall into a deep sleep that resembles death. This happens regardless of where they are, it doesn't require that sunlight touch them for this to happen. They can be in the deepest dungeon or the highest tower. Once the light of Sol touches the land of Auvrynon, Ancient Children fall into this immobile trance. Unfortunately, this is one of the ways that they can be killed. Exposed Ancient Children cannot defend themselves. This is why it is imperative that Ancient Children keep their homes protected, it is their lives and the lives of their family that are at stake.

Sunlight Vulnerability: Like the vampires that they battle, Ancient Children are harmed by sunlight. They simply have no protection against the rays of the sun and it instantly causes severe burns. Left unprotected, sunlight can lead to death. No amount of magical protection can prevent this.

Vampire War: As far as Ancient Children are concerned, vampires are a scourge to the natural order of Auvrynon, and the battle that they fight against them is fierce. To an Ancient Child, there is no such thing as a useful vampire, and good vampires are just fooling themselves. It doesn't help that vampires and their unholy nature are able to smell the potent blood that rushes through an Ancient and any Blood Bonded individuals. Most vampires realize that while the Ancient Children are powerful foes to face, to really hurt them they should take it to their Soulmates and other Bonded creatures.

Other Qualities:

Oath of Protection: Ancient Children have sworn to uphold the believes that they consider good. Their first oath is to protect their King and Queen. Next, their oaths are to protect their family, and then the land of Auvrynon.

Soulmates:

Blood Bonding: The blood of an Ancient Child is considered sacred. Within it is the power of the entire race. Unlike vampires who's power dilutes through generations, Ancient Children have all the potential for the powers and abilities of any other, including the power of the royal family. Ancient Children that are born from a long lifeline of blood have the same potential as a Soulmate changed just yesterday. This doesn't mean everyone is completely equal, just that the potential is there. Those that are stronger and faster have spent more time honing those skills. New fledgling Soulmates have to have time to learn what their new lives are going to be about.

Ancient Children can freely offer their blood to individuals that they care for, usually it is only reserved for a select few because the process is not without risk. Blood must be willingly given, and willingly taken. Then for the rest of the Bonded creature's life, there will be an open connection shared with the Ancient Child. It also changes the Bonded One, giving them a set of retractable fangs for one. They also will have a longer life span, but it does not make them immortal. They will retain the youthful vigor and ageless beauty of their adult lives as long as they are regularly given blood from the Ancient they have befriended.

This has the additional benefit of offering heightened senses and strength, though not on the same level as with Soulmates. Unfortunately, the strong emotions that such Bonded Ones experience can be overwhelming.

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