Adze and the Glittering Courts

Light is not something typically associated with the blood drinking monsters known as vampires. However, far into the south in the lands of Carall, there exists a type of being that glitters forebodingly in the grass lands of the Mowa Kingdom. There is some debate of if this strain of vampirism is actually a vampiric strain, or perhaps some strange but similar spirit. Regardless, they have established themselves as the dominant vampiric organization in the south of Carall: the dreaded Adze, and the Glittering Courts.
The Adze is one of the more unique strains of vampirism to curse the world of Tertara, and their origins are even stranger. Their origins are, like most vampires, shrouded in mystery, but there are talks of them being the result of strange magic summoning rituals by dark hearted priests and shamans. These rituals resulted in the first Adze, which is actually a vile firefly like creature that would effectively "possess" a host body. There is some debate as to if the Adze physically enters the body and embeds itself in the flesh, or if it is more of a "spiritual" sort of inhabit, but regardless the result is the host body becomes one with the Adze. The Adze have many of the same strengths as other vampiric lines, but have more characteristic with fireflies and other insects rather than bats. They can turn from their normal mortal form to a firefly form, which they use to enter homes through locks and under doorways. They have another form that takes the horrific likeness of a hybrid of an insect and a man, as well as increasing in size and strength that is considerable even for their already enhanced abilities.
The Adze is unique in that they require the help of evil witches and other magic spell casters to help them make more of their number, as these beings are the ones who help spawn the Adze fireflies into existence, and provide host bodies. Many of the Adze families and clans will have a bloodline or two of witches that have served the clan for thousands of years. There is also some talk that the Adze is of a demonic origin, as the insect like characteristics remind one of a certain Beealzebub. This is only further strengthened by the fact that Adze are known to feel immense jealousy and bitterness for others, which fits Beealzebub nearly perfectly. If so, this presents an alarming realization of just how far the curse of vampirism is able to mutate to adjust and work with the parameters it is given.
The Mowan people have long feared the fiery blazes these creatures create, and indeed unlike most undead and vampires, fire does little to damage them. Instead, they are unique in that instead of blood they can be appeased with the milk of local animals, although this milk only has a fraction of the benefits of drinking blood for a vampire. To repel them, the Mowan warriors fashion weapons made of parts of large birds, chimeras, and lizards or drakes to be as effective (if not more) as silvered weapons. While the Adze do not burst into flames upon contact of the sun, it does rob them of the majority of their powers and renders them slow, weak, and feeble if caught in the sun. This makes them incredibly vulnerable to being killed. The preferred method of taking out the Adze is that of exorcism, in a very specialized ritual in where the hate and jealousy of the Adze is directly combated in a spiritual fight to free the host body of the Adze, where it can then be destroyed. For this reason, the Mowa Kingdoms have some of the best exorcists in the world.
The Adze have existed for a long time, and have formed into the Glittering Courts. Their exact birthdate is unknown, but presumably sometime after the vampires spread across the world. While they have made contact with the other vampiric societies of Tertara, they typically prefer to focus on their own continent of Carall, which does put them into conflict with the vampires of Bay't Junillh. While their sphere of influence may be smaller than other vampire bloodlines, none should dare underestimate the sickening droning of their buzzing wings and the plague magics and sanguine arts the Adze bring to bear against their victims.

"To Burn in Eternal Undeath"

Type

Geopolitical, Clan