Fájunnborn (FOW.yuhn.born)
First seen late in The Godswar, Fájunnborn are among the foulest beings in all of Gæðí. Though less menacing and deadly than their Fájunn creators, the process by which they are brought to unnatural life is abhorrent and a direct affront to the gods of life and creation, particularly Reynja Lifemother.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Though they appear much more human-like than their Fájunn creators and masters, being born of human (or Dire Raven) 'mothers', Fájunnborn too are a deliberate corruption and twisting of life. Their skin is thick and tough, making it resistant to both bladed weapons and the elements, and they generally have horn- or antler-like protrusions on the head or torso like Fájunn, though smaller. In place of fingernails, the bones of their fingers protrude in a sharp point from their fingertips, giving them superb climbing ability. Like the Fájunn, they lack an observable mouth or means of vocalization, but unlike their creators, they have no ability to emit sound.
Genetics and Reproduction
Fájunnborn do not reproduce by their own means; rather, they are 'created' by Fájunn. Their name is something of a misnomer however, as they are actually born of female human hosts, or Dire Ravens who have been trapped in their human form.
The process by which this is achieved is vile, involving the capture of human captives to be used as 'breeding vessels'. The human host is then placed into a nightmarish sleep and subjected to a horrific and painful ritual by which a Fájunn infuses its corrupt energy into the host's ova, twisting the living potential contained therein into a nascent Fájunnborn, which is then birthed some three months after. Though only one Fájunnborn is gestated at any given time this way, it is possible for the same host to be forced to birth a succession of several of the abominations, often ceasing only with the host's death.
Growth Rate & Stages
Once 'born', Fájunnborn grow at a rate similar to humans, achieving a mature form somewhere between 14 to 16 years of age, at which point they are permitted to join in raids against human and Dire Raven settlements.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Like their Fájunn creators, they derive nourishment by drawing the living energy from beings they touch; a dying or mysteriously unhealthy patch of forest is often an indicator of a nearby Fájunn nest.
Behaviour
The behavior of Fájunnborn has never truly been studied, as they react violently to any living being they encounter. Fighting them is much like fighting a strong, fast, but extremely undisciplined mob of people driven to madness.
Additional Information
Social Structure
It is unknown whether Fájunnborn have any kind of social stucture, save that they will obey Fájunn without hesitation, only giving precedence to their specific 'creator' over others.
Facial characteristics
Though possessed of a much more human-like face than the Fájunn, Fájunnborn nonetheless lack a mouth like their creators and are generally hairless. They do have a nose, however, and an apparent sense of smell.
Average Intelligence
Fájunnborn are highly intelligent and cunning; they can think and act on their own, and have even been known to band together and continue raiding even after their controlling Fájunn was slain, yet they are completely obedient to their masters, serving without question.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Fájunnborn possess above-average hearing and eyesight compared to a human, as well as a keen sense of smell, which Fájunn lack.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
As no known means of communication exists between human and Fájunnborn, it is unknown whether the latter have or use names.
Average Technological Level
Fájunn born have never acquired any form of metallurgy, and so lack typical weapons and armor, using leather and hides to make armor, if they do so at all. For weapons, they are very proficient at shaping and sharpening wood and bone into a variety of implements (thrown darts, daggers, picks/axes, spears, and the like), in whose use they tend to be quite skilled and ferocious, often seeking to wound or maim human foes so they can feast on the victim's life energy.
History
The first time Fájunnborn were seen by mortal eyes was the battle known as 'the Night Terror' during The Godswar, when hordes of the abominations, whose numbers had been secretly increasing for two decades of war against the Fájunn, nearly overran the Armies of Creation.
Near the end of the Godswar, in the twenty-ninth year of that conflict, a deeply penetrating raid by human forces discovered the origins of the Fájunnborn. When Ænna, the living avatar of the Súðár goddess Reynja, was told this information, she was inspired to such rage that she touched the minds of all wild beasts in the north, commanding them to destroy the foul creatures by any means necessary. Though much loss of natural life ensued, to the Lifemother's sorrow, the Fájunn and their Fájunnborn were duly decimated for a time, allowing a broad advance by the forces of Creation under Gáðæn Worldfather.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Fájunnborn hate all natural-born living things and take sadistic pleasure in the mayhem that they, and their Fájunn masters, create.
Variable
These make a disturbing adversary - nicely done. Hopefully there aren't too many left.