Cyphrene
Cyphrene are both feared and revered through almost all cultures. Seemingly blind beings who travel the land perpetually, drawn to impending death, great change, and shifts in power. They are considered a terrible omen by common-folk, for even when they tell of a 'balancing of the scales', it is usually the lower classes who will suffer for the rich's power struggles.
Personality
Cyphrenes are not ones to rush or hurry. They think over the past, the present and the future before they make a decision. Because of this many of them enjoy to meditate or perform elaborate ceremonies as they make a decision. Even though they are slow to a choice, they are extremely curious about what the world and mind has to offer. Their natures are to be neutral observers of the world around them, weaving their prophecies and peering into the past and the future to ensure that things 'unfold as they should'. That being said, they are perfectly capable of cold, dispassionate monstrousness when they deem it necessary; it is said in Orlia, for example, that a stillbirth child is a sign that a Cyphrene killed it within the womb to prevent its destiny from coming about. Many young Cyphrene are filled with this dutiful sense of needing to preserve the world, whether by maintaining the structure of the weave, becoming a collector of knowledge, or charting the unknowns. However, it is not uncommon for one born under a shifting constellation to be touched with a more adventurous nature, seeking to test and manipulate the world around them.Basic Information
Anatomy
Cyphrenes have a very aasimar-like visage; they are bipedal, stand between 5 and 6 feet tall, and weigh some 150lbs on average. They tend towards slender, graceful bodies, though the overweight Cyphrene is not completely unheard of. Their skin tones range from sun-kissed to the palest alabaster, with occasional tattoo-like marks depicting various celestial constellations appearing on their skin as they age.
There is, however a certain characteristic that denotes a Cyphrene without fail - a distinct lack of eyes. Where other Soulborn races would have them, the Cyphrene instead possess empty sockets that seem to disappear into the infinite astral plane. Almost always veiled with decorative and ceremonial blindfolds or coverings, the "eyes" of a Cyphrene appear to be filled with swirling galaxies and star clusters if they are uncovered.
Genetics and Reproduction
Every aspect of Cyphrene reproduction is ritualistic and ceremonial in nature. They only attempt to conceive when the 'strands of fate' are right, usually during celestial events of particular interest, and then induce labor towards the end of the pregnancy during a similar event.
Growth Rate & Stages
Cyphrenes mature much slower and live longer than most Soulborn, reaching adulthood in their early 100s and living upwards of a millennia.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Cyphrenes don’t consume meat, as they worry that the strands of their fate might intertwine with those of the animal due to the long-lingering touch of Dranlegoritha. They mostly eat vegetables and fruits, though take great delight in dairy foods, specifically incorporating milks and creams into almost all of their beverages.
Their favorite food is salt crystals. It is also a crucial part of their diet, as the resonance of salt crystal provides them a better “natural” constitution over time. They can live without, but then become more prone to maladies and infections. They will go to great lengths to seek out exotic and rare salt crystals, which they believe can enhance their divinations.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Galaxies hold themselves within the eyes of a Cyphrene; though they do not possess eyes, they are able to see the strands of fate themselves.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Cyphrenes prefer to keep their names simple and in line with ancient Xuthos conventions. The exception is when a Cyphrene of particularly powerful prophetic ability reaches adulthood; in these cases the individual usually surrenders their name to fate and takes on a title such as "The Seer of Thespyra" or "The Oracle of Vexuthoi".
Male Names: Lycophron, Aristogeiton, Matullus, Eurythion, Stachys, Pelicles, Admetos, Tros, Perimedes, Archilochus
Female Names: Persis, Hekabe, Evadne, Astyoche, Alcandre, Marpessa, Amarhyllis, Aganippe, Philea, Ampinomene
Common Dress Code
Every Cyphrene wears a sash, blindfold, veil, or some other type of covering over their "eyes" when appearing in public. They consider it improper to allow others who are not close friends or family to see into their empty orbs, similar to how other Soulborn might regard being naked. Each Cyphrene's veil is unique and crafted to, in some way, display important facets of their personality, dreams, and prophecies.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Their culture dictates that power is not without consequence and that understanding and protecting the balance of the world is of the utmost importance. They see maintaining the 'weave of fate' to be their primary purpose, and in service to that ideal can be both infinitely generous and inhumanly cruel. Cyphrene of notable power and influence, in devotion to the scales of balance, have ensured that entire cities have starved to death due to unyielding famine, while others have given their lives and the lives of their entire families to ensure the health and safety of a single elven child.
The Cyphrene society is one without many leniencies, all action follows fairly strict codes and prescriptions based upon prophecy, omen, and the movement of the stars - the fields must be tilled when the three moons are in alignment, if a grandmother sees three ravens sitting upon a single grave then it is a good day for the village to dig a new well, so on and so forth. Hierarchy is near non-existent, though, as each individual Cyphrene may bring 'sights' to community that could change courses of action. The exception to this decentralized rule is when a titled Cyphrene is a member of the community, in which case all decisions are deferred to that Oracle.
This reliance of prophecy and omen lends Cyphrenes to a fairly nomadic existence, in the sense that their communities are ready to move at a moments notice on the winds of fate. Despite this, Cyphrene do prefer to reside within cities of higher population and development, rather than in the wilds of Edras.
Young Cyphrene are trained and ushered into adulthood, not by their parents, but through a complicated process of apprenticeship. Around their twentieth year, Cyphrene children undergo a series of ceremonies that predict their futures and determine the series of masters they will apprentice under during the next 80 years leading up to adulthood. These mentor-student relationships usually being the most important ones in a Cyphrene's life - at least until they find a spouse or are permanently joined to a regent as a companion advisor.
History
The Cyphrene are the children of Sthyggexa, the Riddle of Things to Come, and have been loyal to it since the time of the War of Souls.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Cyphrenes are highly sought after as councilors and advisors by the leaders of both Progenic Kingdoms and those of the Culled (though most monarchs of the Culled would be wary to admit that their most trusted soothsayer is a Cyphrene). To the general populace of most Soulborn they are regarded as somewhat troublesome fortune tellers and seers, better to be avoided than to risk getting wrapped up in one of their prophecies. That being said, the Devari, Qyr, and even Aasimar find them to be enjoyable companions.
Origin/Ancestry
Sthyggexa, the Riddle of Things to Come
Lifespan
1000 years
Average Height
5'2" - 5'11"
Average Weight
120-175 lbs.
Racial Stats
Cyphrene
Cyphrene
Ability Score Increase +2 Int, +1 Wis
Size Medium
Speed 30ft
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