Fein

A fiercely territorial race of beings that reside in the forests of the Eristy region possessing exceptional agility combined with dynamic, explosive power. Preferring the company of their own kind means unwelcome visitors face a no-questions-asked initiation that few survive. (Gallery later shows the Fein in their natural forest element)

Illie homeland

Titan Toriel and his loyal followers live in tree houses of Illie that offer beautiful views and keep any encroaching enemies within easy range of their lethal archers.

Arin homeland

Fein Homes in Arin differ from Illie's by spreading out the tree-homes into an almost impossible formation for enemies to easily attack in mass.

Fein's tensions with other races

Before the day of Purification: Fein were a peaceful group of humans that protested against the war, but as the world's situation declined and its destruction inevitable, John Toreil, their leader, gathered his followers together to live out the war in a secret hideaway located deep within a forest far from civilisation. Unfortunately, unknown to them, a military base was located nearby that was attempting to create warrior half-breed creatures using horrifically painful DNA splicing. (To be later known as the Riktus). These dangerous, mindless beasts escaped and found their way into the forest and encountered Toriel's group of survivors. The confused Riktus saw the humans as a threat and attacked them, killing thousands. Luckily, a few of the less "animalistic" Riktus convinced their kind to leave the forest before all the survivors were annihilated. Of Toriel's 20,000 followers, barely a thousand remained. After the White Lord's Purification, this number halved. Toriel and his wife Gwendalor had to shepherd the remaining survivors thousands of kilometres through the treacherous Stexas mountains and all the way to the Southernmost region of Lendor to take up their new home in Eristry forest with their Fein Guaridan. Current day: John Toriel, now evolved into the legendary Titan Toriel and his wife, Queen Gwendalor, are the last two surviving Fein from the Old World, and they have not forgotten the past massacre. They refuse to accept peace with the animal half-breeds. And, as long as their forest Guardian uses its regenerative light powers to keep the two monarchs alive, this situation has no hope of changing. Entry restrictions Into Eristry Forest (From both the Arin and Illie sides)

Riktus can approach the Fein border but no further. Milandro (The Earth King - explained below) has given them entrance into his forest-controlled domain within Illie.

Ofrak seen approaching the border are killed on site, no questions asked.

Imperials are allowed at the border and into special cordoned forest zones, as chosen by Titan Toriel and his Queen. But entrance into the deeper forest regions is forbidden unless they are an emissary of the Imperial Queen.

Royalty:

Both their king, Titan Toryl and their Queen, Gwendalor, live in the confines of Illie forest - one of several tree-top cities that exist in Eristy. General Krair manages the Fein army. Recent rumours have surfaced of a growing movement of Fein Earth dwellers, led by their enigmatic leader Milandor (The self-proclaimed Earth King), that have expanded from out of Arin forest, bringing them into contact with the Imperials. Allegedly, this runs contrary to King Toryl's wishes, who wants all Fein to remain within the confines and safety of their Guardian within the Eristry forest. Toriel has ordered General Krair to end the Rebel King's rebellion. The question, therefore, remains: who is this Milandor, and how did he gain such popularity so quickly? As usual in domestic disputes, the Forest Guardian has refused to pick sides.

Fein Earth dwellers' homes are located directly on the ground, with the most influential members living on raised platforms.

The Rebel King

One of the main conflicts between Toriel and Milandor is their conflicting beliefs. The Rebel King's mantra, when translated, means "Fein, of the Earth". Whilst Titan Toriel's translated mantra means "Fein in the trees". For this reason, Milandro and his followers live in sturdy wood and stone constructions built into the Earth. Although this offers greater security against invaders, it doesn't offer the height advantages Toriel's Fein favour. To counter this, the Rebel King has started placing his key personnel in higher positions on risen platforms located by climbing ladders and steep steps.

Milandro - the Fein Earth Dweller King Milandro has further expanded his influence by befriending the Riktus, engaging in trade deals with the half-breeds fostering alliances that provide his Aura-enhanced warriors with mighty Riktus stone weapons. Meanwhile, his Queen, a rare Imperial-Fein cross-breed, has been using her contacts within the Imperial court to acquire trade routes that pass along the River Tisty and into Imperial-controlled Tenglan.

Fein vs Imperial Physical Differences

Unlike the Riktus and Ofrak, the Fein are the same genetic family as the Imperials but several notable differences exist which have evolved in the eight and half centuries the Fein have lived in the forest. (Explained below)

Roots never die:

Early Fein had to bite through various hard-cased fruits of Eristry forest, which, over the years, has given them sharpened teeth much like the fanged teeth of their cousins - the violent Virax, yet, unlike these northern wasteland blood-feeders, the Fein don't drink on the essence of sentient beings. Well, unless it is a fallen enemy - then they feel entitled to do any number of unspeakable things to the incumbent body.

Pointed ears

It is unclear how the Fein evolved into having pointed ears and what benefits they offer. Allegedly, it allows for improved hearing and is less likely to get snagged on trees, although this is pure speculation.

Souls within eyes:

In normal state, Fein's eyes can appear somewhat squinted, but they have the capacity to open beyond those of an Imperial's, allowing for a vast range of expressions. The broader their eyes, the happier or, conversely, angrier they feel. If you ever meet a wide-eyed Fein and don't know how to react - Note the movement of their hands to see if they are reaching for a hidden pocket. If so, be warned, for they are about to unleash the dagger they all receive from childhood.

Diamonds are not forever:

The Fein blessed with a potential Sorce Aka Soul Force develop a glowing diamond in their forehead from their early teenage years. Once the individual releases the Sorce, the diamond extinguishes itself by releasing the Lord's gift of light into the individual's body. Over this person's lifetime, bright glowing white lines spread throughout their body as the once dormant power of Light grows in potency.
You can spot a Fein Sorce practitioner due to the white tattoo-like marks and bright white hair on their face and body.
Forest limbs: Fein's forearms and calves are abnormally large, allowing them to easily navigate their natural forest habitat of the Eristy region.

Scratch resistant:

Their sun-weathered, hardened skin resists minor cuts but, simultaneously becomes highly reactive to differences in temperature and physical impact.
For instance, hitting a Fein with a dull blade causes no cuts but instead leaves a vibrant-coloured bruise. For this reason, territorial battles involving Fein often leave the close combat fighters with a unique (some say beautiful) marbled effect on their skin - Visible wounds to make any Fein warrior proud.

The gender war:

Gender variations between the Fein vastly differ from that of Imperials, especially concerning age expectancy and physical composition. (Explained below)

Gender differences between the Fein:

The information below relates to auraless Fein. One significant difference for all Fein relates to Age expectancy. The average female lives between 60 and 80 years of age, whereas the average male lives between 110 and 125. This is due to the ongoing Ofrak conflict. Females are close combat warriors, whereas males are range fighters. This creates a phenomenon of the front-line fighting females dying earlier in life than the well-protected rear-fighting males. If not for the war, then the age expectancy would be equal between genders. For this reason, male Feins often have two partners over the duration of their lives. (I hasten to add, not at the same time!). Therefore, Fein females often enjoy several partners during their young adulthood before they commit, whereas males prefer to stay with one partner until death forces them to find a new one. Gender variations in Aura-powered Fein are shown in the table below.

Traits	Female Warrior	Male Warrior
Height	6 feet (*See notes below)	5ft 9"
Body	Slim with tight, sinewy muscles corded like rope, allowing for fast-twitch explosive power.	Chunkier, slow-twitch, less muscular bodies allow for increased stamina at a cost to raw explosiveness.
Auraes	The most common Aura gift for Fein females is Water, which offers enhanced strength. A handful of females also develop a secondary Aurae allowing for improved combat versatility. (Read Oraline below).	The most common Aura for male Fein warriors is the Fire Aurae for improved bow accuracy. Like the females, some also receive a secondary Aurae (normally Air), allowing for close combat stealth attacks from the shadows.
Role	Most female warriors specialise in hand-to-hand combat using short-range weaponry due to their Water Aurae. The deadliest of which weld a Drudger. (Read below)	Most male warriors, due to their fire Aurae, master the art of range attacks using a bow or one of numerous throwing daggers stored within their clothing.

* The Fein Forest Guardian provides Fein women with additional healing light essence during their 280-day gestation period. Over the centuries, this has allowed the Female Fein to evolve into stronger, taller and more muscular versions of themselves, making them more suitable for close combat fighting than their male equivalents.

Notable Fein Warriors

Oraline the Ofraky Obliterator (6ft 3" / 180lbs):

by Rastamust the Vanquisher

One of Titan Toryl's favourite champions, Oraline, on the right, stands ready to attack with her Vibram-core two-handed drudger, each weighing 10kg. A popular dual-weapon for Water-enhanced Fein warriors due to their almighty heft and virtually unbreakable construction. In the hands of a Water Aurae practitioner, it offers concrete-busting blows combined with the ability to join the two halves together to create a single weapon. She wears the traditional Yellow and green camouflage design standard for all warriors that reside in any of the Fein's tree cities. Oraline's skin complexion differs from the blue tint of most Fein close combat warriors because she possesses an Earth Aurae as her primary (hence the green-tinged skin) and Water as her secondary. This deadly rare combination gives her the strength of a regular Fein warrior, yet with the added benefit of projecting protective shields around her body, making her the ultimate warrior and unblemished in countless battles against the Ofraky hoards. Rumour claims Desstrus, the Ofraky king, has even offered a tremendous reward for the first of his soldiers who can mark Oraline's perfect skin. Her broken forehead diamond shows she has already activated her Sorce ability, and soon, white tattoo lines will begin to snake around her body. Her younger and more svelte sister, Perine (5ft 11" 145 pounds), stands next to her, hoping to one day emulate Oraline's outstanding achievements. She holds a crudger, a light weapon made of warlock-reinforced Eristy wood that only weighs 2kg but can last a lifetime of knocking out Ofrak invaders with the flat end and yet sharp enough to cut skin when needed. Her diamond has yet to be broken, so it is unknown what power the Forest Guardian will give her.

Uriest Deathbringer (5ft 8" / 170lbs):

by Rastamust the Vanquisher

The legendary Fein ranger captain created controversy when he began wearing the red and blue colours of the rebellious Fein Earth dwellers. However, unlike many of his outlawed brothers, he has not suffered Queen Gwendalor's wrath, for Uriest shows his loyalty to the king by wearing a bandana with the Fein's green and yellow colours. Like all Elite Fein rangers, he possesses a fire Aurae, granting him Light-enhanced accuracy. He is unique from his lethal bow-welding peers, for his Sorce imparts sub-nova heat into an arrowhead, making it penetrate Ofraky's armour with the ease a blade slices a melon. Uriest regards a shot where he only kills one enemy as a failure. His powers have yet to be tested against the dreaded Ofraky Supreme Marauders with their Essence-coated armour. The Ofraky king seems content to just pepper the Fein borders with raiding parties rather than unleashing the full might of his monstrous undead army. Uriest's precision aim is further enhanced with his custom-made, warlock-designed eye lens (Shown in the picture on the right), allowing him longer sight and yet blocking out any distractions when it's time to fire. His right-hand glove also allows him greater control of his Sorce, thus stopping him from accidentally melting his bow strings—an all-around deadly killer.

Eristy:

by Terine Liston

The land of Fein is littered with various wooden bridges, allowing fast access across the many rivers that flow within their forests. Only expert forest trackers know where the bridges exist, and without this knowledge, you will die a quick death against the flesh-devouring beasts lurking in the watery depths.

Darkness Rising

Whilst most of Eristy is a lush green paradise forest, a section more than a hundred miles squared has become corrupted with blackened trees that are said to pollute the minds of any that enter their domain. Even the Fein Elders don't understand how this dark area continues to spread, but it is rumoured the Ofrak necromancers, recently seen in these areas, are responsible for these nefarious activities.