Dewyn
The title used across the realms of Caenar for those who are born with the ability to manifest strange abilities, the Dewyn were once the protectors of the commonfolk and revered as heroes. In the days of the Mesitorian Empire however, most have become minions of the cruel Emperor and are reviled by those they once protected.
HISTORY
The Dewyn came about following the fall of the Great Ones in the Cataclysm, that apocalyptic event which destroyed their civilisation and brought about a millennia of darkness. During this thousand years the veil between worlds was thin and things from the Abyss and Hells were able to plague Caenar and its people. This was also the time when outlaws and the wicked reigned supreme. The earliest known Dewyn arose and used their nascent abilities to drive back the horrors and instill a semblance of order to the world. The first Dewyn took their name from what would become their headquarters; the Temple of Dewyn in the Cwmmarn Mountains, a place of great spiritual power.
A mere handful at first more and more Dewyn began to appear, drawn to the Temple by dreams and visions. They grew into a formidable force and under the leadership of the First, the oldest and most powerful amongst them, the Dewyn led a crusade to drive back the horrors of the Dark Age and punish the wicked. Though it took many years and considerable sacrifice, the Dewyn led the realms into a new age. At first they were expected to take up the role of leaders for this new world but the First refused. Dewyn would serve, advise and protect but not rule. They split their number into Houses and scattered across the realms to ensure they could serve the people as best they could.
So it was for a great many centuries. The Dewyn Houses served to protect the commonfolk from tyrants and to fight the dark forces of the Outside wheresoever it appeared. Then the Mesitorian Emperor arose and corrupted a great many Houses into his service before leading a brutal and relentless pogrom against that refused to bend their knee to him. He turned the people of the realms against their erstwhile guardians and ensured that they would have no support. Now the Dewyn who did not bow to the Emperor are a dying breed and any new Dewyn born invariably find themselves pledged to serve the Mesitori Empire or disposed of. Once adored, now they are despised and feared; the wicked minions of a tyrant.
AWAKENING
Dewyn rarely manifest their abilities early. Often it is during adolescence that the Dewyn will discover their new abilities; this is called the Awakening. If they are fortunate to know of an older Dewyn they will have a tutor who can show them how to harness and control their newfound ability. Otherwise the fledgling Dewyn would have to journey to a nearby Temple and present themselves to the Council therein to be trained. This was how it was in the olden days before the Mesitorian Empire's ascension. Now, the Susurration, the Emperor's secret police, keep a watch out for potential Dewyn among the population.
ORIGINS
Some Dewyn believe their abilities are a gift from the Trinity; the ever changing Gods and Goddesses who watch over the realms. They say that the Trinity granted the first Dewyn their abilities to save their faithful from the wickedness and evil of the Dark Age. Those with a more scholarly and scientific worldview believe they are a random mutation, citing the fact that even if two Dewyn procreate and sire offspring it is not a certainty that their abilities will be passed on.
DEWYN AND OTHER MAGIC USERS
The abilities of the Dewyn are not the same as the magic used by Wizards and Witches. Whilst a rare few of the latter are born with an innate ability to harness magic most must learn to wield it, devoting much time to study and harness toward using it safely and effectively. The abilities of the Dewyn are far more unpredictable and difficult to categorise. Then there are those who discover Great One relics that can trigger latent magical abilities within a person, though such relics are dangerous in the hands of the foolhardy and more often than not lead to madness and death. And of course, there are devotees of various deities who in return for sacrifice and faith receive boons in the form of esoteric abilities or divine servitors and artefacts. However, in the eyes of the general populace there is little difference between a Wizard or a Witch and a Dewyn. All wield powers beyond that of most.
NOTEABLE DEWYN HOUSES
House Leonaris were one of the oldest and most respect Dewyn lineages, counting many great heroes in their number. Alas, they are now seen as cowards who fled rather than face the Mesitorian Empire. Some believe though this is merely propaganda and that one day House Leonaris will return to lead a rebellion against the Empire. It is believed they hide in one of the far flung realms of Caenar. Potentially, even Earth.
House Orian was another old and revered bloodline. Unlike the Leonaris, the Orian Dewyn stood and faced the Mesitori and were wiped out for their bravery. It is believed none of their House remains though perhaps one or two did survive the purge and went into hiding.
House Krellnoch were at one time a minor bloodline eager to attain greater prestige. They sided with the Mesitori, finding favour with the Emperor by having some of their number becoming amongst the first of his Emissaries. House Krellnoch see themselves as a true noble House now, relishing in the power and prestige of serving the Emperor.
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