Dra'vai (drah-vy)
Dra'vai are the product of trickery and misplaced trust, and it wasn't that long ago in the grand scheme of things. The Core War, well known for literally shaping the planet, was a war between the greatest powers in the universe and the smaller beings under them doing their best to survive and make an impact. Desperation rotted the air for those who needed to breathe it. Perfectly primed for Asvkan, now one of the Abyssmals in title, the god of tyranny to draw in helpless humanoids into dark deals for even vaguer promises of power. Of course, by the nature of the devils, the deals were not as they seemed. Luckily for these people, the war came to an end and in spreading himself thin in a weakened state, Asvkan was unable to cash in on their souls at the time. Still, the promise lingered in their blood and was branded in their now twisted appearance.
So now Dra'vai carry the weight of their ancestor's choices, to the suspicion of all others. After all, it's Asvkan's very nature to scheme and he has all the time in the world. Who's to say the Dra'vai are not sleeper agents lying in wait to turn against the world, who's to say they really are severed from their creator?
Thus from the ashes of the war and in the rebuilding of civilisation, Dra'vai were put in a place to be... watched. This was most prominent in the city Draelaren for the Drak already held firm beliefs about how easily humans can twist and turn. This was just another form of that for them to combat. But they allowed the Dra'vai to live, as paid servants and limited citizens (prisoners, really) in their city with the promise that after a number of generations - to see that nothing nefarious was planned, and for the blood to dilute in theory - their people would be given full freedom to leave the city to do as they wish.
It's in very recent history that this promise has come to pass.
They've become hard-working and humble people despite the horror of their creation. Many are determined to kill with kindness, to prove others wrong, others lean into the belief that if no one is to trust them, they will become untrustworthy. Whichever way they lean, they often do so alone and will work to the bone to get there with a drive that is as terrifying as a cornered animal.
Appearance
- Dra'vai are derived from humanoid bloodlines, and in the broadest possible sense, they still look humanoid-ish. However, their peroxic bond has left a clear mark on their appearance.
- Large horns in a variety of shapes, sizes and textures.
- They have thin whip-like tails, four to five feet long, which lash or coil around their legs with emotion.
- Their teeth can be sharp and serrated like a shark's with black gums
- Eyes eerie and horrible with odd-shaped pupils.
- Their skin is often tones of orange to violet, patterning of a slighter or darker shade appearing scorched, mottled and blistered.
Height & Weight: Dra'vai match humans in height and weight
Features
Peroxic
The air of Peroxis is foul and even detrimental to the average person. As such, in order to be 'of' Peroxis, Dra'vai are able to breath foul air and filter it through harmlessly. Similarly, their skin has a higher resistance for chemicals and substances that would burn or blister such as acid, steam or weak fire.
They can cause environmental effects without intention, often linked to their emotions to sway a crowd, much like the charismatic performative dealers that are the devils: shadows darken, the booming thunder echo of their words, windows fly open, whispers from around corners.
Silver Tongues
Devils, like their master, are fierce and horrific fighters but all will prefer to put humanity to the test to corrupt the soul in hopes to win it for their own. To do so, many have a silvered tongue to charm and persuade a person's deepest desires and shames from them.
As such, to a lesser extent, Dra'vai have the ability to actively 'turn up the charm' if you will, to lower a person's defences and inhabitations in a way that is similar to being drunk. And like being drunk, some people have a lower tolerance so be careful. After all, the rest of the world already seems to have enough reason to distrust them.
Annoyingly enough, Asvkan has placed literal silver tongues in the pool of potential physical features a Dra'vai may present.
Naming Traditions
Family names
Dra'vai names are usually derived from the culture they were born in, since for most this is among the Drak in Draelaren, many names have a harsh sound in them.
Examples: Mesabul or Dekala
However, with the race now recently freed, younger Dra'vai and the very new generation are taking on a new spin. Hopeful wishful names, a concept they wish to aspire to known as 'Reclaim names'
Examples: Whimsy, Fury or Enigmatic
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
As per the deal in their blood, Dra'vai can speak and understand Peroxic inherently. Peroxic writing is rooted loosely in Boric lettering but it is mostly spoken, so many words do not have a written equivalent. A lot of Peroxic is an emotion, visceral and violent translated into sounds that are harsh throaty noises, airy hisses and spitting lilts.
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