Sanguis

Seeking a means to extend their lifespan without the taint of undeath, the human kingdom Nephistrad was approached by a beautiful yet mysterious entity known as the Scarlet Walker. Hearing their prayers, the Scarlet Walker offered the Crimson Cup ritual and a chance for immortality. Unfortunately, the Scarlet Walker conveniently left out the pains of insatiable thirst.

Rumors swirl about the enigmatic Sanguis people since their first Crimson Cup ritual of 319 EoIF (Era of Inner Flame). In truth, the history of the Sanguis is a tale of ambitious humans gifted in the art of tethering and unhappy with their mortal lifespan. A growing belief among the group was how other reasoning races enjoyed longevity, allowing them to explore and uncover ancient knowledge from the previous era. Why shouldn't they have the same opportunities?

The Cup Bearer

Sanguis were once human’s hailing from the Kingdom of Nephistrad. Full of passion and ambition, the people of Nephistrad had a natural talent in spellcasting by tethering into the bond, allowing for impressive cultural growth, great explorations, and excessive wealth. Led by the Von Lishken lineage, Nephistrad prospered, but their rise became consumed with jealousy. No other people had spread and conquered like humans after the awakening, and yet other reasoning races enjoyed longer lifespans allowing for, in their eyes, an unfair advantage. The Von Lishkens began searching for alternatives, stumbling upon the powers of Hematurgy magic and how dabbling in the dark art could provide salvation. The Scarlet Walker recognized the opportunity before her. What better way to test the limits of Hematurgy blood magic then a population of willing participants. She conveniently offered a solution, changing the Sanguis people into something “greater” if they would help introduce this taboo magic to Erenel. After much deliberation, they agreed with Harlock Von Lishken becoming the first to drink from the Crimson Cup. After drinking, the newly transformed Sanguis race were granted the freedom of a long life, as long as they fed on blood, the life essence of others.

Blood Thirst

A Sanguis is blood dependent and needs a daily minimum of 500 ml of blood from a living or recently deceased creature. Many Sanguis who fully embrace their heritage enjoy eating small amounts of flesh with their meal, often prepared in extravagant ways. If a Sanguis starves for 3 months without drinking blood, they turn into a ghoul-like creature known as a Thrall and remain so until their death. As a Thrall, their body slowly deteriorates over a 50-year span, eventually leading to their death. A Thrall approaching the 50-year mark will likely have lost multiple limbs and appear as if their skin is melting away, revealing decayed muscle and sinew underneath.

Crimson Fear

Some communities look upon the Sanguis with superstition but tolerate their lifestyle rather than show true acceptance. Others outright refuse to associate with a Sanguis due to their ties with the taboo Hematurgy blood magic. This forces traveling Sanguis to hide their ancestry and cultivate a different lifestyle, never revealing what they truly are underneath the guise. Other Sanguis embrace their heritage, treating the reasoning races as cattle, and see themselves as a new age of vampire blessed by the Scarlet Walker. They quickly become the embodiment of monsters, enjoying the fear of their meal before feasting. Regardless of which path a Sanguis may follow, their lineage is held in the highest regard. Family bloodlines are all they have, and they band together for safety, camaraderie, and understanding. A Sanguis must feed or face the horrors of becoming Thrall. For most Sanguis, death is preferred.

Dark Desires

Sanguis are passionate creatures, equally capable of blissful love and seething rage. Known to hold long-lasting grudges, their passion can often lead to feelings of unrest. Their once human mindset appreciates the advance of years more so than other long-lived species. A Sanguis is more inclined to find interesting ways to spend their time and often live constantly searching for ways to entertain themselves. Some turn to intellectual endeavors such as becoming a renowned artist, poet, or scholar. Others seek gratification by being an adventurer or explorer searching long lost ruins.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Sanguis were once human and appear human-like at first glance. Standing between 4 feet and 6 feet tall, Sanguis are often slender, averaging between 100 - 180 pounds. Their hair varies from shades of grey and white to crimson with dark grey eyes which turn red when angry or excited. Despite their exotic qualities and the fear of uncertainty they exude, Sanguis are naturally seductive and tend to have flawless facial features. All Sanguis have upper canines more pronounced than the human norm to feed, which elongate before biting into flesh.

Lifespan

A Sanguis reaches adulthood in their early twenties, and as long as they feed, suffer no frailty and cannot die of old age. A Sanguis transformed into a Thrall live in a state of deterioration and can live for almost 50 years before falling apart.

Average Height

4ft - 6ft

Average Weight

100 - 180 pounds

by Dean Spencer

Becoming Sanguis

Where vampires spread vampirism by killing and draining the blood of another, a Sanguis can reproduce in two ways. Relations with a human will always result in a Sanguis child needing to be suckled with blood instead of milk. The Sanguis child ages similar to a human and reaches adulthood in their early twenties. Upon reaching adulthood, the Sanguis remains in that age state until death. A human can also drink from the Crimson Cup ritual and become Sanguis. This hematurgy ritual is difficult to perform and expensive to undertake but possible with the aid of a master hematurgist. After drinking from the Crimson Cup and feeling the pains of thirst, the human becomes Sanguis, locked into their current adulthood age state until death.

by Dean Spencer

Evenneth, the Scarlet Walker

Character | Jun 7, 2024

Sanguis Traits

Your Sanguis character has a variety of natural abilities common with your ancestry. You could also choose to become a Thrall instead.

Available only for Gamingbrew Patrons. If you are a Patron the race will appear below. Support Erenel⁣

Becoming Thrall

If a Sanguis starves for 3 months without drinking blood, they turn into a hideous Thrall. As a Thrall, their body slowly deteriorates, eventually leading to their death. Thrall resemble their Sanguis persona but are more monstrous in appearance. Jaws filled with sharp dagger-like teeth and a distorted nasal passage give them a guttural tone when speaking. These bestial features are accompanied by a constant hunched over stance, lengthened fingers and toes ending in clawed nails, and exaggerated bony shoulders. The stench of decay follows the Thrall like a carrion perfume. Instead of a need to drink blood, a hungry Thrall greatly prefers the taste of flesh. When consuming a corpse, the Thrall enters a euphoric high that grants the Thrall vivid visions of the corpse's memories.

If you were a Sanguis character and starved during your campaign, you become a Thrall. You lose all of your previous Sanguis traits and gain the traits below.

Thrall Traits

Your Thrall character has a variety of natural abilities common with your ancestry.