Paraanito

Paraanitos are mortals who are chosen by the gods as their champions for affairs concerning both mortals and the supernatural world. They are people who also carry the souls of their previous lives, also known as their abyan, who guide and help them develop their abilities and foresight into their roles.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Paraanitos are humans in appearance, but gain supernatural features when tapping into their power, depending on which god has chosen them. They have dormant markings on their bodies resembling traditional tribal tattoos that appear as they use their abilities.

Genetics and Reproduction

Paraanitos produce like normal humans, though their offsprings are not always Paraanitos as well unless the gods also chose them.

Growth Rate & Stages

Paraanitos grow the same way as normal humans do, but are noted to have a better constitution and may even live longer provided they do not fall out of their patron god's graces or are killed in battle.

Dietary Needs and Habits

While Paraanitos survive on normal human food, there is a special fruit that can help them replenish their energies and spiritual constitution faster. However, this fruit has been kept secret for ages after it was abused before, and the babaylans only administer its consumption if a Paraanito is in dire mortal peril.

Biological Cycle

Certain Paraanitos are affected by the times of the day and the changing seasons, depending on the god that they are affiliated with. For example, a Paraanito that was chosen by a moon god is typically stronger at night and weakest at the height of noon. They may also have immunity or enhanced resistance to certain conditions, such as Paraanitos chosen by a sun or fire god who are fire-resistant or fireproof.

Additional Information

Social Structure

While there's formally no societal structure for Paraanitos, there is an unspoken higher respect for Paraanitos that were chosen by higher-tier gods, such as the gods of creation or primordial gods. Leaders also often carry the spirits of former leaders as their abyan, which influences their place in the hierarchy. A more experienced Paraanito (often older ones) are also more likely to be regarded as leaders, but this can also depend on their wisdom and strength.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Many Paraanitos are known to exist, remarkably, away from NCR. The stronger the ties are of a place to its precolonial roots, the higher the chance of the Paraanito existing. This may be due to the fact that they are generally more believing of precolonial religions, as well as their stronger affinity to nature and supernatural roots. There are also Paraanitos that come from the cities, but they are fewer.
Regardless, the city of Paraanitos is Biringan City, located hiddenly between between Gandara, Tarangnan, and Pagsanghan in Samar.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Most Paraanitos are gifted with enhanced senses, with some having superhuman levels in one or more aspects than the others. This mainly depends on which god they are affiliated with, though rigorous training can also greatly improve their perceptions. Some Paraanitos also have extrasensory perception, which can manifest even during their dormant periods.
All Paraanitos, however, can have access to a different dimension in their minds, where they can communicate with their abyan, or past life's soul. They can also channel this soul outside for communication. Mediumship is also a common trait, as they can let the abyan's soul take over.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Paraanitos carry normal Filipino names to help themselves blend in with the rest of society. However, among Paraanitos themselves, they may choose to have "codenames" or may indicate that they are "hinirang ni [god name]" to indicate their status. The most acceptable practice is to have a codename so they can disguise themselves when out on missions.

Major Organizations

• Kataas-Taasang Tipon ng mga Paraanito is the governing body of the Paraanito society, tasked with keeping tabs of Paraanitos and ensuring that their world is safe and hidden from enemies.
• Sanggunian ng Katarungan is the police body of the Paraanitos.
• Hukom ng Paglilitis is the judicial body of the Paraanitos.
• Aklas is the mysterious elite police-like body of the Paraanitos, and it is no secret that they are tasked with doing the dirty work for the governing bodies when all else fails.

Secret organizations, mostly with illegal dealings also exist.

Common Dress Code

No official dress code exists, but it is observeable that most "costumes" that Paraanitos don when out on missions are inspired heavily by traditional outfits and patterns such as batik and laga. There have been controversies before about the use of "colonial traditional outfits", but current generations have long embraced the fact that they are part of the Filipino identity as well. Students wear specified uniforms.

Common Taboos

It is strictly forbidden for Paraanitos, especially students, to reveal themselves to mortals without the explicit permission of the KTP. Giving themselves up to religious zealots or outing their society to these enemies will result in the execution of the Paraanito. It is also explicitly forbidden to practice barang (black magic) unless the Paraanito was chosen by an dark god and only uses barang for good purposes.

History

Paraanitos have their roots back in precolonial Philippines, when tribe members are chosen by the gods to protect their own tribes against foreign enemies. They were regarded as the strongest warriors of their tribes and were open about their status. Babaylans often take them in to teach them how to better communicate with their patron gods. When the Spaniards managed to colonize the land, however, Paraanitos were persecuted and killed, much like the Salem Witch Trials of before. This prompted any surviving babaylan and Paraanito to hide their own, as well as ask the help of the gods to protect them. To this, the gods created Biringan City as their hidden sanctuary.
Still, the Paraanitos existed in society, with many of them joining or even leading revolts against colonizers. Even as the Americans replaced the Spaniards, many of those who opposed their rule took to other means to fight, even when not taking up arms. The presence of the colonizers, starting with the Spaniards, also tipped the balance heavily against the supernatural beings that were, at best, civil with mortals. Because their habitats and lives were threatened and destroyed, many of them became the vengeful monsters that they were erroneously first depicted as. The Paraanitos then had to continuously seek for balance between protecting the mortals and supernaturals.

Origin/Ancestry

Filipino

Lifespan

85

Conservation Status

The Paraanitos are protected heavily by the rest of the Paraanito community in Biringan City, as well as the babaylans that serve as their mentors throughout their education. They can also be protected by members of the Catholic church or other religious people who believe in their importance in keeping the country safe. The younger generations of Paraanitos are often concealed within the hidden school meant to help them develop their abilities, while older generations who have graduated from the school often live inconspicuously and collaborate with known protectors in their neighborhoods for their safety.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Paraanitos have characteristic markings highly resembling tribal tattoos, often matching the tattoos' symbolism as well. They are mostly hidden from view, although some Paraanitos choose to have them tattooed on their body. These markings appear when a Paraanito taps into their power and spread as they become more powered-up. Their color is often random.