Nailux Ghoul
A Nailux Ghoul - also referred to as Haunted, Nai', Lux Ghouls, or even just Ghouls - is a humanoid that has been in darkness without a source of light for too long. They are considered a separate race from their original races as the darkness changes their physiology.
While not quite a dark Abomination, they are nonetheless ostracised from most communities thanks to their disfigurement and resulting differences. The treatment ranges from cold indifference to outright fear and hatred.
Basic Information
Anatomy
If a Nai' decides to embrace the darkness, they will soon fall into abomination territory, further enhancing their Nailux Transformation until they could no longer be called a Nailux Ghoul.
When exposed to Sunlight for too long, Nai' can become very fatigued. It is theorised that exposure to sunlight triggers a Nai's body to begin something similar to a de-transformation process, although a very slow and taxing one. It is regarded as wildly uncomfortable, and unsuccessful.
Biological Traits
The average natural life expectancy of a Nai is unknown, as most Nai' who have been studied for this end up being killed or succumb to darkness before they die of old age.
Genetics and Reproduction
Nailux Ghouls are almost sterile, however they are able to produce children with one another and their origin species. The chance of producing a child is very low, and most children that are produced are Nai'.
Gestation for a Nailux Ghoul is significantly shorter than the Gestation of the origin species, often ranging between 4-5 months. This is from the quick regeneration Nai' gain as a part of their physiology. A pregnancy within an origin species with a Nai' "father" follows the biological rules of the origin species, although it does carry a risk of potential Nailux transformation as the pregnancy continues. For origins who are pregnant with a Nai' child are recommended to never be in darkness for longer than necessary, although they do become a source of social stigma from carrying a Nai child, and often don't get the help they need.
A child born to a Nai' "mother" is guaranteed to be a Nai'. Many stories exist of a Nai parent giving birth with a lack of daylight in the area, and the child growing and turning into an Abomination within days, or even hours. In truth, such a process would take closer to weeks, and be more likely for the parent to end up turning into an Abomination themselves. Pregnancies in recently turned abominations are terminated through the transformation process, as an Abominations body is hostile to supporting sentient life.
Growth Rate & Stages
The vast majority of Nailux Ghouls are not born, but rather created from exposure to darkness. However, Nai who are born or transformed at a young age grow quickly. The equivalent of adulthood is reached within 10 years. The initial speed of growth up until adolescence changes according to the origin species, with Dragonborn origin Nai' becoming adolescent equivalent within 6 years, and Elven origin Nai' taking 8 or 9.
Nai' transformed as their origins adults undergo a rapid transformation of their biology, unifying each origin species into something that is far more similar to each other than beforehand. The Nailux Transformation is what happens at a specific point where too much darkness has been experienced, but symptoms show beforehand. A Nai' can only be classified as such after transformation.
Ecology and Habitats
Lives as origin species, as mentally they are the same as they were before transformation. They are not immune to the darkness as some would believe, but rather are on their way to becoming one of the darkness monsters.
Light keeps them healthy and sane, much the same as origin species.
Dietary Needs and Habits
They are able to consume the flesh of darkness monsters without poisoning themselves, but it does almost nothing for nutrition unless they are almost abominations. Otherwise dietary needs are almost the same, except for the fact that they will need to eat much more.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Darkvision for 100ft. Resistance against darkness, but now gains points towards transformation if hit by darkness attacks.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Genetic Descendants
Lifespan
Between 70 and 85 years
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
A ghouls skin turns purple/dark blue, although it can be a very "muddy" sort of colour. This is from the blood containing a congealed darkness that streaks it black, and darkens a Ghoul's veins.
They might have uneven patches of the purple/blue colour on their skin as the infection can spread quickly and evenly, or slowly which causes the patchy, vitiligo-esque patterning.
The skin also thickens (which is where the ashes come from), but it also becomes more delicate at the same time, and if not looked after it can become flaky and akin to dandruff.
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