Defleo

The defleo are the children of the The Seven Lord Sins and their first human followers. Several generations have passed, but these children of the seven sins still embody the same esoteric connections and features as their ancestral protectors. The Lord Sins have done everything they can to protect the defleo from the prosecution they had suffered. Wary but resilient, defleo exist in various corners of the world in small populations, still not well understood and looked on with misconceptions.

Each Defleo inherits the blood and traits of one of the Seven Lord Sins, culminating in a series of traits and features that set them apart from humanity and one another.

The Defleo Ancestries

History

Long ago, long before time itself could remember, humanity attempted to get rid of their “evil deeds” and “unholy desires,” but it’s unknown when this chase after what they considered purity started; the result was not what they expected. Attempting to separate part of a whole race’s essence came with dire consequences and a heavy cost that they couldn't pay, and out of this failed experiment, 7 creatures were born. Ashamed and in refusal of their creation and own reflection, humanity was quick to condemn their own mirror image as their sins embodied and banished the creatures, never to return. The only parting gift they received from their creators was the cursed name “Damno”, meaning “To condemn” that over the centuries, due to linguistic differences and abbreviations, changed to the term “Demon”. Like a rejected child, they had to reorganize and build their own home in Detoya, where they could quickly and easily build housing. Deciding to give themselves their own identity, they changed their names to "Defleo," reflecting on the burden they’re forced to carry for simply existing. Some humans followed the 7 siblings to the new land and were granted “blessings,” changing their appearances to match the siblings they chose to serve. Modern Defleo are actually of mixed blood; the only Defleo of pure blood are the Lords and their firstborn descendants. The Lords decided to run their people as a close-knit family, welcoming any half-bloods into their community as one of their own, no matter what the other parent’s race may have been. This created a sense of loyalty and devotion towards the Lords and each other. The beginnings was harsh, many of their own people were often kidnapped and sold for slavery due to the human belief of them not possessing a soul or that as wicked creatures, that was their punishment. Through many battles and negotiations, Defleos seemed to regain their freedom to return home. This may have happened ages ago, but their society still hurts.

Geography

Defleo can be found in various places throughout the realm, tending towards societies that are amicable to their kind, though others are forced to live on the outskirts of the societal norm to avoid scrutiny. Many long-lived defleo lineages permeate from out of the ancestral homeland of Oka, hidden in the forests of Yorn. The territory of Yorn in which the Defleo lay claim is called Detoya, and is the most common term used to refer to their home by outsiders.

Relations & Society

Defleo are quite used to establishing their livelihoods alongside or adjacent to other kinds of folk. Humans are the most common, their long-standing records irrevocably tethering them together physically and historically, though this history also carries a deep-seated seed of profiling, hate, and malice by the humans for the demon-blooded. Although not well documented, historical musings also tell detail that the Lord Sins, the progenitors of the defleos, had early amicable relations with ancient insectoid tribes within the clay region. Many, including the Lord Sins themselves, posit that this played a key role in helping them establish Detoya in this archaic period. A long history has led to a more robust situation, and whilst Detoya has come under fire from many sources before, including some of the more aggressive insectkin hives, other clutches of locals withhold a positive outlook on the demon-blooded peoples of Detoya and their ancestors. Defleos, to this day, still reside in various places. Their ancestral sanctum of Detoya is still believed to exist, hidden somewhere within the fathoms of Yorn's deep marshlands. It is hidden away from the rest of the world, and nobody truly knows what it's like there. It is said, however, that Detoya is a place not unlike several other cities throughout regions abroad, where the original Lord Sins oversee the populace, acting as both council and arbiters. They are aided by a circle of ancient chosen who gave up their mortality to become ancestral guardians who are believed to be responsible for the well-being of their kind. Defleo tends to settle in areas where their kind can find community and peace, typically of mixed species in small, tight-knit communities either on their own or as minority groups amongst bigger urban centers.

Related Articles

Defleo Ancestries

Defleo Traditions of Jewelry and the Sacrifice

The Seven Lord Sins

Ancestry: Humanoid
Lifespan: 500 years
Adulthood: 18 years
Average Height (m.): Varies by bloodline
Average Weight (kg.): Varies by bloodline
Type: Mammal
Blood: Red or Black
Contributors: Maolang

Passive Ideas

Dark Wings - Leather wings sprout from this defleo's back, granting them the limited ability to fly. Their wings allow them to maneuver from great distances in the air.
Greedy Glow - Parts of this defleo's body, like their tattoos, the tips of their horns, or their eyes can emit a strong glow bright enough to replace the same effect as a torch whilst in dim lit.
Lamb of Darkness - Those defleo who have partaken in "The Sacrifice" as a regular spiritual practice throughout their life may find that their fortitude is greater than that of others. This defleo requires around half the amount of food and water to sustain themselves as a typical human would thanks to their strengthened perseverance and temperance.