A class of creature as defined by the Ordo Genus. So named because the of the dimming aura these creatures have when viewed with auricle sight. Nightkin are united by the following traits:
Sentience
Capacity for learning languages.
A tendency toward sadism.
A tendency toward Kratocratic social structures.
A delight in destruction.
Reproductive capacity only through other creatures.
Among the nightkin are demons, devils, dragonkin, goblins, ogres, orcs and saurians.
Demons
The distinctions between demons and devils are few to the layman. Both seem to be orders of monstrous humanoids that come in a variety of shapes. Both are originally from planes alien to Tellanor's. Both ended up on Tellanor through magical catastrophe. There is an overlap between Demons and Devils, though both races refute this. Demons, compared to devils, are creatures of desire. This is not to say they have no capacity for forethought or planning, but as a race, they have a predisposition to impulsivity and momentary hedonism. Demons originated in the world of Xerkathorosct, a world of scorching heat, and were stranded on the continent of Tellanor during the First Tamardam War when a magical ritual was performed over a leyline. Many demons devour concepts that are considered abstract by natives of Tellanor -- emotions, sensations and thoughts among other things.
Devils
Demons represent impulsive cruelty and chaos, while devils represent the capacity strategy has to reap lasting, whittling evil. Devils are often considered a softer evil than demons, and devish society is certainly more strict and ordered than that of demons. Like demons, they were stranded in Tellanor as the result of a magical catastrophe, but it was in the world of Eltherinne, the homeworld of the devils. A product of Eltherinne society, the devils are cunning, cruel, calculating and ambitious, but recognise that chaos is disadvantageous -- after all, a plan can only succeed with variables reasonably fixed. Devils, as a rule, will exploit others but respect position and authority while ever being prepared to steal it for themselves. Devish society is one of quiet paranoia, dominance and servitude, and absolute power in order, until that power is broken. Devils are omnivorous, but as power is everything in their society, they prefer meat, raw and bloody, carved from live captives, slaves, or enemies.
Dragonkin
Some ancient records tell of a time where dragonkin lived peacefully with the lightkin, using miracles to transform rocks into eggs, which would act as a vessel for the soul when a dragonkin died, and thus they would be reborn. The truth of these records is doubtful when considering more recent circumstances. The Ordo Genus writes that dragonkin possess a savage, cruel intellect comparable with orcs. Their society is undermined by a constant obsession with power, importance, and position. Dragonkin clutches often consist only of ten or so dragonkin and any number of underling saurians. Dragonkin are carnivorous, and prefer the flesh of lightkin. Along with their intellect and tough, scaled hides, they possess sharp claws, piercing fangs and, often, the ability to breathe elemental magic as a weapon. Dragonkin who lack the ability to exhale magic are considered inferior, and often end up lumped together with saurians by their kin. Dragonkin reproduce through impregnating lightkin, often against their will. The victim will usually have a large egg form in their womb, only to be expelled by the body after a number of months. Some victims will have the egg hatch inside them. These unfortunates will have their offspring claw out from their bodies.
Goblins
As saurians are to dragonkin, goblins are to orcs. Goblins are closer to vermin than sentience in the mind of most. They are born in large groups from the corpses of their mothers. They are impulsive, cruel, cunning, small, vile and filthy, but orcs and ogres intimidate them into servitude. Somehow, these nightkin have an intuitive understanding of goblin psychology and the reward and punishment schedules needed to control these green meanies.
Ogres
Some scholars believe ogres and giants to once have been the same race. They diverged long ago, and where giants are large, benevolent recluses, ogres are cruel fearmongers. Thankfully, ogres lack any real capacity for intelligence and forethought, relying on their Id only. Thus, they will often ally themselves with orcs, with whom they feel a bond through cruelty, and with whom they are enamoured for their capacity for cunning cruelty. When they are not part of an orcish tribe, ogres will often live in remote places, sometimes being placated by local settlements and served by goblins. Ogres are omnivorous, though enjoy eating goblins, apparently. Ogres reproduce as they see fit, though are rough with their victims, and thus, mating all too often ends in death for the non-ogre.
Orcs
The scourge of society, orcs like dragonkin were once, long ago, lightkin. It was the orcs who found the flame of magic, according to imperial histories, but what happened for orcs to transform into a race viewed as bestial, cruel and evil is not recorded. At some point, orcs as an entire race ceded from the empire. They went to the wild places of the world and cultivated strength and cruelty, fostering ties with goblins and orcs and the worst of the lightkin. This is not to say that there are no kindly orcs, but those few are often killed by their tribes for being weak, or rejected by more urbane societies for being orcish. Orcs are overwhelmingly male, and prefer to mate with elvish stock. They are opportunistic carnivores, and claim ruins as their own, working with bandits, goblins, ogres and occasionally dragonkin, to control the surrounding area.
Saurians
Though larger and more physically capable than goblins, saurians bear a number of similarities the degenerate race. Saurians are a vicious, cruel, and unintelligent race that act as servants to dragonkin. Saurians have immense libidos and short lifespans, often only living for eight or so years.
Vampires
The Ordo Genus hypothesized that vampires were somehow linked to the extinct aldsange. Like the aldsange, vampires require blood to maintain their lives, and abilities that seem to be linked to their blood intake. Like the aldsange, vampires are nocturnal and hate the light of the sun. Vampires are rare, and they are reviled by lightkin and nightkin alike.
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