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Thread: The Lupines

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    Gamertag: W4BSY Steam ID: ApexLupine

    Race The Lupines

    This is a closed species at this time.



    Name: Lupine
    Designation: Sentient
    Homeworld: Schwartzweld (pr. shorts-veld)
    Language: Bast'yr

    - - -

    Average Height: 6'
    Average Weight: 190 lbs
    Hair Color(s): varied
    Eye Color(s): varied
    Distinction(s): single-stage Metamorphs, intense sensitivity to silver and cortosis
    Average Lifespan: 400 years (500 for Force sensitives)

    * * * * *


    Lupines are classified as metamorphs, though they can only shift forms into that of a vornskr. Those of the Loveloxx Bloodline are unable to control themselves if the Force is used, and are sent into an involuntary 'change', becoming savage beasts intent on killing whatever used the Force. Those of the Losstarot Bloodline do not have this affliction, and some of this Bloodline are even known to have Force potential.




    Society and Culture:

    The Lupine social structure is largely a caste system, being divided into two groups - the Greater Houses and the Lesser Houses - and can be traced back to the two Apex Houses - Loveloxx and Losstarot. Within each is a subset of social levels unique to each group. This formed over time through the nature of each Lupine strain, or Bloodline as the Lupines call it. For the entirety of their existence, House Loveloxx has been a symbol of chaos and uncontrollable rage while House Losstarot has been a symbol of order and controlled anger. Each Bloodline compliments the other in a perverse sense, and one cannot exist without the other.



    The Houses
    Apex House
    Loveloxx

    Greater Houses
    Eidelbrendt | Denkmal | Luthgarde | Von Metzger | Zieg’recht | Ranonachte | Alaric | Geiss

    Lesser Houses
    Judig | Mudejar | Lothair | Ravenwing | Olrecht | Shonnache | Imre | Leissin | Roth | Meier


    Apex House
    Losstarot

    Greater Houses
    Sundergotte | Richter | Steuerung | Van-Derveld | Su’beate | Denkinger | Palenke | Kroenen

    Lesser Houses
    Kursk | Kasch | Seigresche | Aulflendte | Tene’schonne | Wulfgein | Aram | Emerick | Merris | Inrugeil



    The Greater Houses
    The Greater Houses are those whose family members are born Pure. A Pure Lupine is one who was not Changed, or whose parents were not Changed. These Lupines consider themselves the true children of their singular ancestor; whether it is Townsend Loveloxx or Melkhiah Losstarot. This has produced a significant amount of pride and arrogance among those of the Greater Houses, for no matter which Bloodline they are there is a sense of inherent superiority over even those of their own stock. This of course caused much trouble during later generations, as it was with House Van-Derveld that the internal strife within the Losstarot Bloodline began.


    The Lesser Houses
    The Lesser Houses are made up of those who were Changed, whose parents were Changed, or are in some form or another descended from a Changed relative. Every Lesser House is an extension of a Greater, but there is much more humbleness and inner nobility to be found in a Lesser House. These Throwbacks, as they are called by the Greater Houses, retain a sense of individuality not found in Purebloods. Some would argue that they treasure their Lupine nature and treat it as more than just a title or accessory.


    Apex Bloodlines
    Through the ages, the original two Bloodlines have managed to survive, if not in some form or another, alongside both Greater and Lesser Houses. These Lupines are seen as the highest forms, preserving the original blueprints of the Lupine race in their veins. Loklorien s’Ilancy, originally Loklorien Iakyn s’Ilancy Losstarot, is one of these. She has dropped her Losstarot title in order to preserve her anonymity. As well, although it is not yet know, Arya Ravenwing has the Apex blood of Loveloxx in her own veins.





    History:

    Both Apex Houses, Loveloxx and Losstarot, had their beginnings with two simple men. One, Townsend Loveloxx, sought to turn his fear of the Force into a weapon while the other, Melkhiah Losstarot, found himself a victim of Loveloxx’s twisted designs. One might wonder why then, that Loveloxx became synonymous with chaos and Losstarot with order instead of the opposite. Why Losstarot, who was left reeling with pain and hate should rise to wear the mantle of order. The simple truth of it is that Loveloxx lost control of himself. He subjected countless people to his experiments, killing many long before he saw success. His goal? To create a people who could counteract those with the Force, and destroy them. And what better vessel to carry out his irrationality than the very beast that naturally hunted anything connected with the Force – the vornskr? Days turned to nights, then to weeks, then to months, and eventually to years. Failure heaped upon failure. It wasn’t until three years after first starting his evolutionary crusade that Townsend Loveloxx succeeded. Only, the captive subject who had taken to his “Lupine Strain” was the intended of his comrade and colleague, Melkhiah Losstarot. Losstarot would not learn of this until another year had passed. So fearful of the Force was Loveloxx that he let his emotions run free and his fangs roam unchecked. His Bloodline was volatile, it boiled at any inkling of Force presence, and it drove man down into beast just to fulfill its vicious design.

    In the beginning, Losstarot shared Loveloxx’s Bloodline. He was a beast that walked upright. And he was disgusted. Repulsed by his own existence. Every time he sought to control the animal within him, he was overwhelmed. Until the day he discovered the secret to his comrade’s success. To say that Losstarot was righteously empowered would be an understatement. However, instead of lashing out through direct violence, Losstarot began work on his own strain; a strain that would not hold him captive to his beastial cravings and triggers. A strain that would coexist with the Force and make no allowance for any loss of facilities. Studying from Loveloxx’s notes proved instrumental, and Losstarot was able to complete his new creation in far less time than expected. Now a new creature, Losstarot could be both man and animal without either gaining quarter over the other. It was a balance that Loveloxx refused to accept.

    Thus, chaos and order have warred since their inceptions. Their original intentions have not been forgotten; in fact, they have intensified. Both Bloodlines view themselves as being in the right, and betrayed by the other. Over the years however, a second school of thought emerged – one of superiority. Loveloxx Lupines proclaim that they are the first; the true children of perfect accelerated evolution while Losstarot Lupines hold to the belief that they are the ultimate, perfected creations without the chains of involuntary Force reaction. The contention between the two Bloodlines is very nearly tangible.




    Additional Info:


    Lupine Religion
    Nothing was more important to a Lupine than the preservation of their race. From this, a loose theocracy was formed around their original progenitors. However, while there was no actual worshipping of those that came long before, a system of honoring and continuance came about. For both Bloodlines, knowledge was viewed as a sacred thing, and every House, whether they be Greater or Lesser, had handwritten volumes dedicated to their lineage, and that of their entire Bloodline – some had even collections of the ancestries of their foes. As said before, preserving their blood was their ultimate goal, and more often than not one’s heritage dictated his or her social status and how they were viewed among the Houses.

    Each Bloodline had their own Re’idulf, or Council of Elders. This aged group oversaw everything which concerned the documentation of the Houses.

    Held in complete reverence however, were the original vials of the Lupine serums that had been created by Townsend Loveloxx and Melkhiah Losstarot. Each Alpha House of the current ruling era held their respective vials – locked away in vaults that only the Re’idulf could gain access to.

    Once it became apparent that they were dwindling into nothingness, the Lupines buried their history on select worlds, leaving 'protectors' to guard their hidden secrets. Both Bloodlines knew they were becoming extinct, and instead of trying to spread word of their existence in the hopes of being remembered, they attempted to erase their mark on the galaxy. Preservation of the Bloodlines was paramount to everything, and in the face of extinction they believed themselves to be a failure of a species (this particular train of thought gradually formed over many, many years, as they slowly died off).




    House Brands
    House brands can be found on every Lupine; usually between the shoulder blades or upon the left hip. Originally they were received with heated metal, but with the coming of Houses Luthgarde and Steuerung, freeze-burning became the normal method of application. Traditionally, the fewer House Brands one has indicates how ‘pure’ their blood is. For instance, an Apex Lupine will have only one Brand (that of their Bloodline), while an Alpha Lupine will have not only the Apex Brand, but their own House crest burned below as well. These secondary crests are shown smaller than the Apex Brand, to denote their social stature. Likewise, a changed Lupine will have not only the symbol of his changed status, but that of the House he was changed by. Also, if a Lupine had a relative who came from a different House, that House Brand was also included.

    House Brands often dictated the style of dress, as depending on the location of the brand, that area of skin was usually left open for others to see. It was an easy way to see one’s lineage, and what house or houses his/her blood pulled from.



    Sterility
    Over the course of time, procreation with those not of the Lupine species became impossible. Only with other Lupines could children be had, and many belonging to the Greater Houses succumbed to inbred madness. Even Changed Lupines could not breed. Another disturbing fact began with the emergence of House Van-Derveld, in which uncontrolled inbreeding resulted not only in madness, but in the offspring losing the ability to Change at all. At the same time, the Loveloxx Bloodline had found themselves faced with the same situation, House Von-Metzger descending just as quickly as the Van-Derveld family. With the coming of House Denkinger and House Ranonachte, a solution was found and a shaky truce formed – to save their race the two Bloodlines would have to offer new blood into the mix. Arranged marriages became prevalent, as those who were given up were forced to partake of their new family's in a painful ritual that ended with a full transformation into the other strain. Loveloxx were changed to Losstarot, and Losstarot to Loveloxx.

    For a time this solution worked well enough, and the two lines prospered once again. Such a thing was only temporary however, as what had initially caused the infertility once more reared its' head. Lupine women began miscarrying; stillborn births rose fifty percent, and the rate of children born alive plummeted. With the realization that they could not cheat this hand of fate came the Great Lupine Migration.




    The Exodus
    As infertility closed her vice-like grip on the Lupines, it was decided that both Bloodlines would leave Schwartzweld. So great was their shame that they could no longer stand to look upon the planet that had birthed them.

    However, both Loveloxx and Losstarot demanded a neutral party to help oversee their mutual task, and thusly a Jedi Knight of the Old republic was sent to help mediate between the two. It took many long days of angry words and grudging agreements, but planets were chosen and 'given' to each House.




    Loveloxx Greater Houses

    Loveloxx - Acilaris

    The closest planet to the twin suns, Morasil and Termadus. It could be easily mistaken as a large asteroid but is definitely a planet. Acilaris has enough gravity to maintain an atmosphere (comprised mainly of hydrogen with traces of sulfur, carbon and boron). Because of its proximity to the suns, the surface temperature of the planet is extremely high and so ships can't land on the surface and for this reason nobody has ever visited Acilaris. Sensor scans have revealed a variety of rare minerals and even some crystals.

    The presence of these minerals in other planets has meant a lack of interest in Acilaris although it is rumoured that one company has a contracted with the droids of Uffel to produce some special droids that could withstand the surface temperature.

    Eidelbrendt - Nirauan

    Nirauan is a remote planet, in the far end of the known galaxy in Gradilis sector, right on the boundary between Wild Space and the Unknown Regions. It is also located near Chiss Space. It has breathable atmosphere, with a Chiss Outpost on the surface.

    Denkmal - Trigalis

    Trigalis is a wet, green planet much like Kashyyyk. It's located in the outer rim.

    Luthgarde - Palahi

    Palahi was colonized by humans in 4,000 BBY. Forty years later they built large cities to cover the vast grasslands. The wildlife are a type of grassland bantha, thrantas, krahbus and vesps.

    Von Metzger - Aruza

    Aruza, inhabited by the Aruzans, is a peaceful world orbited by five moons. The planet was also the home of COMPNOR General Sinick Kritkeen during the period of its subjugation by the Empire.

    Zieg’recht - Dorin

    Dorin is a dark, dusty world and is the homeworld of the Kel Dor. Jedi Master Plo Koon comes from Dorin. The planet is located near two black holes, so not very many outsiders know much about it. Its atmosphere consists of carbon monoxide and helium.

    Ranonachte - Klatooine

    Klatooine (pronounced KLAT-too-een) is the homeworld of the Klatooinians, a highly religious humanoid species who are completely bound by a sacred treaty to the will of the Hutts. Very little is known about this world other than it has delicious paddy frogs and almost certainly is located in Hutt Space.

    Alaric - Kowak

    Kowak is a rainforest planet, located on the Outer Rim. It is the home to the indigenous Kowakian Monkey-Lizards.

    Geiss - Molavar

    Molavar was a backwater, desert world in the Outer Rim, with a number of seedy spaceports and low-income moisture farms. It was inhabited by beings of various species, but especially by the native Molavaran race.



    Loveloxx Lesser Houses

    Judig - Pzob

    Pzob is an Outer Rim planet in the remote and uncharted K749 System. It is covered in thick heavy forests and swamps. It was colonized by nomadic Gamorreans decades prior to the formation of the Empire.

    Mudejar - Essowyn

    Essowyn is a planet in the Saurton system, which is in the Trax Sector, in the Outer Rim. It is 60% covered by water, and also has plains, low hills and craters. Due to its position between two asteroid belts, the planet is used by mining corporations, lead by the massive Messert Mines Corporation. The planet is the homeworld of the Saurtons, but is also inhabited by humans, Sullustans, and Verpine.

    Lothair - Molavar

    Molavar was a backwater, desert world in the Outer Rim, with a number of seedy spaceports and low-income moisture farms. It was inhabited by beings of various species, but especially by the native Molavaran race.

    Ravenwing - Ryloth

    Ryloth is the home planet of the race of the Twi'leks. Ryloth is a tidally locked planet, which means one side of the planet is constantly facing the sun. This side is called the Brightlands, and the other side is called the Nightlands. This results in the temperature on the day side being burning desert, and the night side the temperature is freezing cold. There is a habitable, twilight band around the planet where the day and night sides of the planet meet (just like Aurelia). The Twi'lek people live in a series of urban cities that are located in the habitable band of the planet. It has four continents and two oceans. The continents are Haxiang, Dengdian, Lienru and Tienhu; the oceans are the North Ocean and the South Ocean.

    The Nightlands have an eerie beauty, strange crystal-like plants have evolved here, glowing from within, having to produce their own light from which to make energy due to the absence of natural light. These plants are a sight to behold, but many predators and criminals dwell in the nightlands and is often the site of podracing spectacles, the huge crystal trees often distract the pilots, causing them to crash and explode, much to the crowd's amusement. The Podracing cannot occur in the brightlands at all, but is found in the dark side of the habitable band of the planet.

    Ryloth features a wide variety of landscapes, including ice caps, urban cities, forests and grasslands. The ice caps are inhabited by taun-tauns, and the forests are populated with ro-roos, moufs, phorples, krevols, billzem bugs, talcaris, scoolbs, tilacs, and froocs.

    Olrecht - Sembla

    Sembla is the watery world in which the Vurks hail from. Sembla is famous for is its rare, beautiful, and sometimes deadly orchids. The Lauza orchid is a key ingredient to many poisons used by assassins. It is located in the remote Slagus system in the outer rim. It is mostly swamps, bogs and warm seas that are heated by volcanic ridges. The Vurks are an amphibious humanoid species. They are a nomadic people and like to separate themselves from the rest of the galaxy's troubles. It is known that at least one Vurk, Coleman Trebor (who was killed by Jango Fett after he tried to attack Count Dooku in the (Battle of Geonosis) rose to the rank of Jedi master during the Jedi's twighlight years. Although the Vurk did their best to stay neutral during The Clone Wars, they eventually were forced to pick a side, which they decided on joining the Rebublic. After the purge Sembla was forgotten and went back to their usual ways in peace.

    Shonnache - Cholganna

    Cholganna is the homeworld of the Nexu and was colonized by Bothans, humans and Gran in 4,000 BBY. It has abundant prairies and vast forests and high mountains filled with ten types of animal life.

    Imre - Omiddelon III

    Omiddelon III is a planet in the Omiddelon system. The planet has four seasons: an intensely hot climate, a brief mild season, an extremely freezing winter, and another mild season. The planet, who's orbital and rotational axes are perpendicular, is home to the adars.

    Leissin - Boz Pity

    Boz Pity is a cemetery world, and was the setting for one of the Outer Rim Sieges near the end of the Clone Wars. The planet has been described as being bleak and grisly. The planet was occupied by the Bozans over 4000 years before the Battle of Yavin. Jedi Master Quinlan Vos moved his clone troops to Boz Pity during the Sieges. Shortly afterwards, the planet was the site of a massive battle between the Jedi and General Grievous. Obi-Wan Kenobi discovered Asajj Ventress barely alive in a bacta tank inside a Separatist medical facility hidden on the planet. Ventress nearly died in the battle, but Kenobi refused to give in to his own dark feelings and allowed her to live—only so she could escape capture and disappear. Jedi Masters Baytes and Adi Gallia met their ends here due to General Grievous' extra arms. Shortly after Adi's defeat, Mace Windu used the force to crash a STAP on top of the General. However Grievous' bodygaurds saved him and got him off planet and repaired. "He cost too much to go to waste." -Count Dooku upon seeing the wounded General.

    Roth - New Cov

    New Cov is the third world in the Churba star system. It has no indigenous intelligent life, but its vast jungles teem with abundant natural resources.

    Meier - Belkadan

    Belkadan is the location of the outpost of ExGal-4. This tropical planet is located in the Dalonbian Sector in the far Outer Rim.





    Losstarot Greater Houses

    Losstarot - Cathar

    Note: Even though it had been decided that House Wulfgein would inhabit Cathar, at the last minute Wulfgein and Losstarot switched worlds in an attempt to hide the Vials. It was a spur of the moment decision that no one but the Elders of House Losstarot and House Wulfgein knew of.

    Cathar is the homeworld of the cat-like species of the same name, the Cathar. Once a planet of rolling savannahs and densely forested uplands, Cathar was reduced to a desolate wasteland during the Great Sith War. Since then, a new culture has developed and now thrives upon the still healing planet.

    Sundergotte - Garqi

    Garqi was a very unusual planet, as it appeared purple from space. This was mainly because the minerals in its soil turned the native plant life purple. It was here that jedi master Mace Windu found his unique purple crystal to form his lightsaber.

    Richter - Nilban

    Nilban is a frigid planet found in the Outer Rim Territories, and inhabited by warrior tribespeople also named the Nilban.

    Steuerung - Munto Codru

    Munto Codru is an Outer Rim planet of the Codru system, largely ignored by the rest of the galaxy, mostly due to its lack of exports. What industry is there is devoted to the survival of the native Codru-Ji and the Wyrwulves.

    Van-Derveld - Rhen Var

    Rhen Var has a frozen surface, somewhat more mountainous to that of Hoth, but is still covered with snow and ice. Ancient Jedi monuments are buried beneath the surface of Rhen Var. Rhen Var was once a fertile paradise filled with vegetation and wild life. Millions of years ago, an atmospheric cataclysm turned it into an icy hibernal surface.

    After The Great Sith War (4,000 BBY), Ulic Qel-Droma sought refuge on Rhen Var, and he is buried there. Along with the tomb of Qel-Droma, there are great chambers of ancient texts, some that pre-date the Old Republic and the Jedi Order. In one or more of these chambers is believed to be a superweapon built by an ancient race. The weapon is rumoured to have the power to wipe out all life in the galaxy and wash it clean.

    Su’beate - Hoth

    Hoth, seen in Episode V, is the sixth planet of a remote system. It is a world covered in snow and ice, with numerous moons, and pelted by meteorites from a nearby asteroid belt. Native creatures include the wampa and the tauntaun.

    Denkinger - Vendaxa

    Vendaxa is the homeworld of the Acklay. The planet Vendaxa has one of the densest ecosystems in the galaxy. After the Mandalorian Wars, the Czerka Corporation made many outposts on the surface, built to capture the abundance of exotic creatures that roam its surface. The outposts sold them to wealthy beast collectors and as arena beasts on more barbaric worlds. The Acklay hunt leathery-shelled lemnia on the plains of Vendaxa, using their sharp claws to pierce the shells to gnaw out the fleshy interior. Vendaxa is home to many other nightmarish predators, and became of interest to organisations wishing to deal with the Confederacy on Geonosis, knowing how prized beasts such as the vicious acklay were in the Geonosian Arena. The sun of Vendaxa bathes the planet in a harsh light, causing most life there to evolve small, dark eyes.

    Palenke - Lorrd

    Lorrd is a planet in the Kanz Sector of the Outer Rim. It is well-known for its 400 year history of slavery by a neighboring planet, the highly-developed body language of its inhabitants, and its universities.

    Kroenen - Sacorria

    Sacorria is a planet in the Sacorrian System, located on the fringe of the Corellian Sector. The planet is a peaceful one, yet is secretive. It is ruled by the Triad, a council of three members: a human, a Selonian, and a Drall. Sacorria has one moon, Sarcophagus, where the dead are buried. Tendra Risant, one of Lando Calrissian's suitors, is a native of Sacorria.



    Losstarot Lesser Houses

    Kursk - Langoria


    Langoria was once home to a thriving alien civilization thought to date back to the glory days of the Jedi, though there is no evidence that this civilization had any contact with Coruscant or the worlds of the Old Republic. What became of this alien civilization is unknown, but all that remains of it are magnificent ruins scattered across the globe, mostly reclaimed by the encroaching wilderness. This alien civilization made use of a strange technology beyond the comprehension of modern science, and though it seems that they did not venture beyond their own planet to explore elsewhere in the galaxy, they were able to accomplish marvelous feats of engineering—carving mountains into the likeness of their leaders or gods, and even somehow altering weather patterns to their liking. It is hypothesized that they abused these abilities, altering their homeworld to such a degree that it was no longer habitable for them.

    Kasch - Rattatak

    A craggy red world, Rattatak was located so far out in the Outer Rim that the Republic had no knowledge of it. As a result, it was a lawless world ruled by brutal warlords who constantly battle for domination.

    Seigresche - Zolan

    Zolan is the homeworld of the Clawdites. This half-land, half-water planet gets thunderstorms approximately eighty-five percent of the time. The Clawdites sell off rare minerals found on their planet.

    Aulflendte - Bal'demnic

    A planet of stark and rugged beauty, Bal'demnic is located in the Auril sector of the Outer Rim, in the Bak'rofsen system. With its sea-covered surface speckled with small tropical beach islands, it could have been the most desired tourist location in the galaxy. However, a tourist trade can hardly co-exist with a native noisome reptilian species known as the Kon'me. The sentient Kon'me lived in simple thatch beachside dwellings, though the upper classes built glistening bubble-like structures within the ocean-side cliffs.

    Tene’schonne - Cadomai

    Cadomai is a frigid world, largely covered by sparse tundra. The planet is home to the Snivvians.

    Wulfgein - Myrkr

    Note: Even though it had been decided that House Losstarot would inhabit Myrkr, at the last minute Wulfgein and Losstarot switched worlds in an attempt to hide the Vials. It was a spur of the moment decision that no one but the Elders of House Losstarot and House Wulfgein knew of.

    Myrkr is a largely forested world, home to the Ysalamiri, creatures which create bubbles which push back the Force. This ability has evolved to protect them from pack animals called Vornskrs, the only known animals that hunt exclusively by sensing the Force.

    Aram - Shola

    Shola is a volcanic planet, located in the Outer Rim, with a topography similar to that of Mustafar. Although largely unexplored, Deep scans of the planet have revealed mining tunnel systems that lead almost to the planet's core and give rise to the theory that alien species that once existed here may have destroyed themselves in a massive cataclysm that left the planet in its current state.

    Emerick - Kohlma

    Kohlma is a small moon orbiting Bogden. After a catastrophic war that happened untold years in the past the moon became a burial site for the victims of the war. Across the moons jagged surface are a large number of shrines and tombs. The moon itself is almost always covered with thick clouds, heavy rain, and dense fog. It is also the the(former) home of the vicious and death obssessed cult known as the Bando Gora. It is (was) an ideal home for such an insidious cult. It is on this moon where Count Dooku (under the name Darth Tyranus) recruited Jango Fett to become the republic armies cloning subject.

    Merris - Yinchorr

    Yinchorr is an ancient and remote world strewn with ruins from the species that used to live there, before they were slain.

    Inrugeil - Gerona

    Gerona is a planet in the Elrood system. It looks like a blue world with rings around it. Its population is mostly human with Twi'leks, Duros, Sullustans and Koboks also representing it. The terrain of the planet is rainforests, urban areas, deserts, grasslands, and seas. Although it was a republic planet, near the end of the Jedi Civil War, the Sith occupation was strong in many of the settlements. Most believe this is because a number of the cities were owned by the Czerka Corporation, and both factions had good relations with the other, especially involving trade.



    *The description of these planets were taken from Wikipedia, with the exception of the Cathar entry which I added to.
    Last edited by Loklorien s'Ilancy; Aug 6th, 2016 at 10:17:12 AM.

  2. #2
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    Excerpt from The Nature of the Bones
    Author suspected to be from House Sundergotte; most likely Imre Sundergotte


    I've heard that the old customs, of saving the bones of ones' ancestors, is still practiced among the Loveloxx of the northern mountain areas. It seems a particularly barbaric custom, but I suppose that when one is unable to possess the Gift, then something else must be found to take its' place. I'm sure that the Loveloxx Rei'dulf have many chants and useless verses that they say over and over. I've not heard of anything that can equal the power of the Gift, but one can certainly try to look. Father tells me of his grandsire, who fought in the Ash Wars, and how the Loveloxx warriors wore scraps of paper with scrawled runes on them. But more than that, they had these bones, carved and set in goldstone frames. They hung from their bodies like trinkets worn by a trader from the Sokari Wastes. We have some, taken as trophies, but they're locked up in the lower vaults and watched over by the House Guard. I saw one once, a long time ago, and father told me that back in the old days, even Losstarot used to make them. Then he took me to the hightower, and opened an old chest. He pulled out a silk-wrapped parcel, and let me peel away the fabric. It was a carved bone, etched with symbols from the Divine Tongue, and he said that they glowed when worn by someone with the Gift. But, there had been no Sundergotte born with the Gift in hundreds of years, which was why he kept it locked away. It was beautiful though, in its' own way. Beautiful and brutal. The bones are taken from the dead in a great ceremony, and consecrated by the Rei'dulf.

    It is said that they grant the wearer certain protections and extra powers, though I do not know how true this is. I have read as many books as I could find on them, but the tellings are all so very nebulous. There is nothing spoken of in detail. But, whatever the Bones grant, whether it is in ones' mind or otherwise, I suppose it does not hurt to continue the old traditions in a way. It is always beneficial to be mindful of those old ways.

    Perhaps when my own son, Marius, is born, he will have the Gift. Then I will be able to pass on the Bone Amulet to him.

  3. #3
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    On how we lost our ability to reproduce

    Excerpt from the Twelfth Journal of Loklorien s'Ilancy




    Month of Low Sun, Day 7

    Mr. Feint arrived yesterday. I told Teagan that he was her Uncle. She was skeptical, but accepting enough. It is still strange, to know that I count a Guardian among my friends.

    It was the information that he gave to me though, that has connected vital loose and dangling threads together.

    Ages ago, during the reigns of House Luthgarde (Loveloxx) and House Steuerung (Losstarot), a small but ultimately pivotal battle took place between a Guardian and one of the Alpha males of House Steuerung. According to Mr. Feint, this Guardian had the ability to phase into and out of the physical realm (the same as Mr. Dust), and had been chosen by his peers to deliver a molecular agent that would enact a chain reaction and eventually decimate the Lupines. It was a simple plan, but cunning and thorough.

    In this fight, this Guardian passed through the Steuerung Lupine, and was able to send his [the Lupine's] reproductive abilities into a delayed dormancy stage. This would allow him to reproduce, but would also pass on the ailment which, through each generation would become more active until it resulted in permanent sterility. It was a silent killer, and took many hundreds of years, but it worked well enough.

    It does answer that nagging question though, of why I was able to have children. First Teagan, and now Markos. When I met Mr. Dust on Cathar all those years ago, he phased his body through mine, undoing the trigger. But, sadly I cannot pass my miraculous fortune to my children; at least not without a sustained administration of the antidote that Mr. Feint has acquired at great cost to his own life and standing with the Guardians. Perhaps in the future we will be great again, but that will not be for a very long while.

    That is the shortened version, as I am tired. Perhaps at a later time I will expound on all of this. Markos is stirring, and if I hope to get any rest this night I must quiet him.

  4. #4
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    The Sestre Khi'ss'tileh
    From 'A History of Pre'jhena Cathedral', penned by Lorekai Kursk



    Many who see the Sisters only see their second form. These women let no one see them otherwise. I know not a single soul that has laid eyes upon their first form, and I certainly have not. Instead, all we ever see are the shaggy, unkempt vornskrs, long black pelts caked with colored mud, and around their eyes. Tattered streams of red cloth are tied into their unruly locks, giving them an otherworldly appearance. I have seen them many times in my life, but the first will always be the one I remember the most.

    My mother took me to Pre'jhena. I was young; maybe 12 cycles. We went to pay respects to her grandsire before he was interred on Weit-Fällt. The Sisters were there, sitting in silence as House Kursk gave last rites to a man that had led them through many hard times.

    I remember staring at the Sister closest to me, unable to keep my eyes from her. She was so strange looking, and frankly, a bit scary. I'd never seen anyone look as though they belonged on another plane of existence, but the Sisters seemed too spectral, too ghastly to have a place in this realm. Their massive paws, their tails that were adorned with the tiniest of metal rings, pierced through the soft portions of hairless skin between each bony link. Even the wide stinger at the tip had not been spared, as thin furrows had been cut into the hard flesh; intricate designs now filled in with a strange paint that gave off a faint, yellow glow.

    Even their eyes looked brighter than normal, and I do believe that were it not for the torches all around, those eyes would illuminate the entirety of the cathedral.

    Now I am far beyond the young man that first set his eyes to the Sisters. It has been almost a century, but I still find them fascinating. They are mystical, said to guide the departed and help their spirits across the Black Waters and on to Nri'atra'kehn. They possess magics that elude me.

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    Basic map of the locations of both Sundergotte and Losstarot estates, as well as a few cities and the Pre'jhena Cathedral.


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    On the Figaro System

    From an early children's textbook, found in the manor of House Seigresche. Additional notations by Loklorien s'Ilancy



    The Figaro System lies deep in Wild Space. It has largely gone beyond detection due to its’ isolated position in the galaxy. The binary suns, Figaro and Favoura, are orbited by five planets: Brennen, Zerstörung, Rückstand, Figaro Favoura IV, and Weit-Fällt.

    T1 according to the galactic grid. I thank the stars that when the treaty lines were drawn, my homeworld did not end up on the Imperial side of the border.
    - Loklorien




    The Five Brothers


    Brennen

    Brennen, the first planet, lies the closest to Figaro and Favoura. It is an uninhabitable rock because of its’ proximity to the two stars. Its' orbit occasionally brings it close enough to spot without the aide of a telescope, and appears as a small red pinprick of light in the night sky.


    Zerstörung and Rückstand

    Zerstörung and Rückstand, the second and third planets, are surrounded by a dense asteroid field that prevents any manner of exploration. The only knowledge of these two planets can be found in the oldest of history books, and over the course of time even those have become increasingly harder to find. Because of this, Zerstörung and Rückstand are often thought of as cursed planets. Astronomers have recently discovered that the two had once been inhabited as they were far enough away from the suns to sustain life. Expeditionary groups have set out to explore past the asteroid field, and they are planning to determine if these two planets are still able to sustain life.

    There was in fact a sixth planet of the Figaro System – Figaro Favoura. These three planets warred constantly with each other in what became known as The Firewars, with the end result being the destruction of Figaro Favoura and the creation of the surrounding asteroid field. The degree of success that the exploratory mission achieved I am not sure. There was at least some measure of success though, as in the few books written that come long afterwards the knowledge of Figaro Favoura seems to be a common thing.
    - Loklorien



    Figaro Favoura VII

    Figaro Favoura VII is the shining jewel of the Figaro system. It was a comparatively lush planet, with seven moons. Three of the moons have been colonized; A'khe'rehn (the second moon), Leh'ben (the third moon), and Schwartzweld (the seventh moon). Sadly, over time, Figaro Favoura VII became consumed by civil war, and those seeking peace fled to the stars. They settled on the three moons, leaving their homeworld behind and vowing to never return.

    This is the world that the survivors of The Firewars fled to.
    - Loklorien



    Weit-Fällt

    Weit-Fällt is the fifth and last planet in the Figaro System. So far out from the twin suns, it is a world shrouded in darkness and is commonly known as the Hallesmutt, or the Mouth of Hell. Many of us call it The Gate of Souls. Days last for only a few hours at a time, and it is ruled by nocturnal predators that roam the craggy, mountainous surface. Early expeditions were never heard from once they had touched down, and so the planet itself was written off as uninhabitable. Only during the rule of House Sundergotte was a renewed interest in Weit-Fällt taken. In the early days of their creation, before their takeover of Schwartzweld, many Lupines were sent there to die as punishment for their wild nature and vicious crimes. After subjugating Schwartzweld, and with the blessing of House Losstarot, House Sundergotte undertook a great task. During the course of twenty years, the Lupines labored in the precious few hours of cool sunlight to build a massive arched gate. Even to this day the gate stands tall, a testament to Lupine architectural engineering and a monument to those who had been sentenced to die there.

    I find it interesting, how ingrained this planet has become when considering our dead. It is fascinating, really, that what the Sundergotte built was originally intended to honor those who had been sent there to die, yet became a common place to send the departed. As though by doing so would honor those who came before.
    - Loklorien
    Last edited by Loklorien s'Ilancy; Oct 21st, 2016 at 11:41:20 AM.

  7. #7
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    Thoughs on the Jäger
    Excerpt from the Second Journal of Loklorien s'Ilancy



    So many things from those old times still fascinate me. None more so than the Jäger. I may take issue with their philosophy, but that does not mean that I cannot appreciate the sheer level of organization and drive they possessed. And I suppose that what they were, and the things that they did were terrible and barbaric, but the writings paint them in such wondrous light. They're depicted as righteous hunters, dedicated to continuing the steady stream of Leh'beni into the Houses. And after the Great Rebellion, they were painted again as saviors. They shifted from glorified slavers to beacons of the Losstarot bloodline, determined to preserve life through death and ruination. The best that I can determine from the writings on them, was that they were Force users that pledged fealty to the Houses, promising to use their powers for the betterment of those they watched over.

    The concept is nothing knew, I don't think. Both Bloodlines were consumed with self-preservation, and for the Losstarot it made sense to make those with Force abilities as protectors. I do not know whether the Loveloxx had a similar group, as they are unable to withstand the Force, but the books I have read from my own library offers rather romanticized depictions of hunters and warriors, pledged to the Losstarot Houses.

    And perhaps it is the sheen of time that makes them alluring, but I do find them fascinating. Their place in history is permanent, and their legacy is terrible to be sure, but still. For all the evil that they did, they honored the Bloodline with their sacrifices.

  8. #8
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    The hGemeh'ra Ano Ata Neh'riadu

    Author unknown



    We are all creatures of honor.

    We are all bound by formality. It is the glue that holds us together and propels us forward into the future. Even after the Great Rebellion, we maintained that honor so long as the call was made.

    A'ta'ek o'ka'seh.

    It is the initiation, and the proclamation of intent to engage in single combat with an opponent. Roughly translated, it means 'The call is made'. The one called may not deny, and should that happen, he or she lose their standing and respect; they lose all of what makes them proud. Lupine and Leh'beni both may claim the ritual, but no one truly knows when or where it began, least of all who exactly started it. But it is a cornerstone of our interactions, and has settled all into an existence that is much more muted.

    When the call is made, the answer must be given.

    hGaneh.

    Simply put, 'I accept'.

    Terms of the duel would be given, agreed to, and as formal requirements dictated, each combatant moved to the place chosen for battle.

    In the Divine Tongue, hGemeh'ra Ano Ata Neh'ria du is the duel itself. The most basic translation is 'the two who come together as one in honor and combat, to decide each of their fates'. Though, one could argue that in Basic, the translation suffers from a lack of equivalent wording. Which is true. The Divine Tongue has a word for everything, including entire sentences meant to convey a deep concept. Why say multiple words when you need only say one or two?

    This duel is usually to the death, though there have been recorded instances when the bested duelist was spared, and allowed to return from where he or she came. This was not a common occurrence, but it is something that has happened.

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