[✗] [Feat Lore] Devils - the Cursed Children

[Pallodium 3776]

 

PREFACE

Spoiler

This has been a passion project of mine for a bit, both to improve this piece and to improve my lorewriting/formatting skills, alongside with working with the devil community to bring this forth. In the event that this rewrite passes, all existing Devil/Cursed Children/Blessed Children [FA] applications must have a comment added to it listing out the physical mutations taken on and the Malices they bear, for logging purposes as stated later in this piece.

 

 

 

DEVILS

THE CURSED CHILDREN

 

 

ORIGIN

Ra’Liivengor Rutaka za’ra’Rokar Therak

 

Known by many names; ‘ra’liivengor’ or - ‘the blessed’ - by inferi, which recognise their craven forms as an allusion to their own, ‘cursed children’ and ‘fiends’ by many of descendant-kind, or more recently ‘devils’ as the majority of the modern afflicted have chosen to style themselves. An appropriate yet intentionally distinct term from ‘demon’, as they are often mislabelled. Whilst there is no true correct label for these creatures, devil is what will be used for the remainder of this piece for its simplicity.

 

The first known devils came to be as a product of the Zar’rokul’s final Bane; the Curse of Infernal Mutation (“zevirlat thaznitnak”), a spell gifted to the Naztherak of yore that had pledged a portion of their soul to the greater infernals: Velkuzat, Drazhana, Kiiztria, Kholidav and Zathairn respectively. When marked upon a descendant, the curse malformed their offspring to appear demonic, paying cruel homage to the zar’rokul and other inhabitants of Moz Strimoza. This first generation born of the plight became known to many as ‘cursed children’, shunned by most civilised peoples of Atlas and forced to wander an unforgiving world, typically hunted and mistaken for the very demons which mutated them.

 

Some accepted their position and sank into the dark arts, whilst others attempted to reject it; hoping to someday prove themselves worthy of respectable society. The majority cloistered themselves into obscurity, settling into lives of solitude as hermits, away from the mob. Their existence was not dependent on the practices of warlocks in their plane, and so when naztherak fell into obscurity in the wake of the Voidal Event prerequisite to the invasion of Arcas, the devils remained.

 

The origin of these malformed lines begins and ends there in the minds of most descendants, though beyond the smouldering borders of the High Hells lies a more nefarious truth. Whilst the souls of devils are whole and descendant, inheriting the same curses and blessings as the races of their ancestry, a remnant of the parental mark still stains their soul. 

 

In death the mortal souls of devils are obliterated. Whilst a naztherak may be twisted into an inferis and injected into the infernal climb in their afterlife, devils are guaranteed no such continuity. The whole, maleus-rich souls of devils gathered by the zar’rokul and their agents are offered directly to Ixris, serving as a steady tribute to he who sits atop the infernal climb who consumes the souls upon arrival. Undoing them for eternity. This is a fate which can be gleaned by naztherak or the ponderings of mysticism, as well as a mark which can be uncovered and understood by slotted seers of Vaasek. 

 

This fate can only be prevented by undeath, should the devil be resurrected in transit through the soulstream (a journey which takes one year as understood in passage of Aos and Eos time) or by seeking salvation from another cause before their demise. Should a devil become themselves warped by practicing naztherak or being transformed into a demon prematurely, their continued existence is guaranteed as an inferis. 

 

Alternatively, a devil might have Ixris’ stain cleaned or circumvented from their soul by answering the call of another god: devils which become heralds, druids, two-slot seers or another variant of non-holy deity mage in life, they will be spared their consumption and instead by snatched into their appropriate afterlife by the divines that would otherwise claim them. These guarantees are forfeit should a devil be disconnected from their affiliated deity before their demise, in which case Ixris’ mark would return. This is known to make staunchly loyal servants of devils that understand their fate, often obeying their chosen deity’s words to the letter in favour of the horrible alternative that would await them in death. This is also true of devils who become undead and are later slain, which are condemned to Ebrietaes as with all others that have tried to cheat Aeriel’s constructs.

 

Further information about Ixris, the Red Prince, can be found [here].

 

 

 

 

CREATION

The Lord’s Blessing

 

It once was thought that devils may only be born into the world, incapable of being created. Yet like nigh-all warped and twisted rules befitting the infernal, that too was shackled away. The historically understood origin of these cursed descendants, wrought by a mark inflicted onto the parent-to-be of a devil by a false prince or greater inferis (ST event characters). The skin colour of those borne of said curse will always reflect the malflame colour of the naztherak or inferis that administered it. However, a sickly rite was communed to the Naztherak as the hells shifted, permitting them to warp the living into the Ixris-touched.

 

လ UNORTHODOX CONVERT: If one is put under the Naztherak ritual of ‘Narthruzka (The Lord's Blessing)’, they are warped into a devil, regardless of age, bearing similar hues to the malflame of the Naztherak who led the ritual.

လ CURSED NASCENCY: If one or both of a child's parents bear the Naztherak bane ‘Infernal Mutation (zevirlat thaznitnak)’ the child will be born as a devil, bearing hues similar to the malflame of the Naztherak who placed the brand upon the parent(s).

လ ABERRANT PARENTAGE: If one or both of a child's parents are a Devil or Naztherak, the child too will be born as a Devil, bearing hues similar to that of their Devil-parent’s skintone or the Naztherak-parent’s malflame color.

 

Regardless of creation, all devils inherit the curses and blessings of their closest descendant ancestors with the sole exception of being denied an afterlife in the Seven Skies irrespective of human ancestry. In this regard a devil born to elfish parents will inherit long lives, pointed ears and limited fertility, whilst orcish devils will inherit tusks, bulky frames and short tempers. 

 

REDLINES:

Spoiler

꩜ Devils must bear a valid FA, with properly detailed information on which  (cursed parents, naztherak or ST event characters under ‘teacher’) as well as their underlying race. 

꩜ Devils are subject to the same boons and banes as other members of their underlying descendant race, as well as the boons and banes of mixed couplings, as detailed in racial lore.

꩜ Devils cannot be born to non-descendant ancestors such as Kharajyr, Wonks or Hou-zi, and neither may these races be transformed into them.

꩜ In the magical creation of a devil via the Narthruzka rite, the three participating [T3+] Naztherak responsible must be listed as ‘teachers’ in the devil’s [FA], ratified by a comment from the Naztheraks linking their [MA]s. If one is created via an ET event, a comment must be left by the ST ratifying their consent respectively.

 

 

 

 

PHYSICALITY

A Blemished Body

 

Whilst aesthetically demonic, devils remain functionally identical to their genetic race; those bearing Ixris’ curse are not truly infernal beings, lest for a few alterations of the soul which mirror upon the flesh. They do not possess any of the boons or banes of inferi, rather a differing, unique set of blemishes upon their tarnished form. Their internal physiology remaining unchanged, devils can and should be categorized as normal descendants, differing only in their mutated exteriors and warped souls as a consequence of malefic meddling. 

 

When created through magical tampering, usually naztherak, their skin is forever marked in the colour of their maker’s malflame. Atop this, the cursed lineages of devils are also subject to a variety of unsightly mutations. All devils inherit no less than three of these visible afflictions:

 

     ⛧ forked tongues

     ⛧ slitted, goatlike, small, large, or entirely absent pupils 

     ⛧ coloured or translucent eyeballs

     ⛧ serpentine tails 

     ⛧ scaly, snake-like skin which sheds periodically

     ⛧ translucent, yet still unnaturally-coloured, skin

     ⛧ hair and nails which bleed when cut, alopecia, a lack nails of nails or nails which grow black and pointed

     ⛧ webbed digits

     ⛧ horns of keratin protruding from the head. It is possible for them to connect in the middle, resembling a halo

     ⛧ keratin spikes which jut from the collarbones, shoulders, elbows or knees (or all of the above)

     ⛧ feathers jutting from anywhere on the body

     ⛧ goat, bat, snake, crow, or feline-like facial structures and nasal shapes

     ⛧ cloven hooves of keratin in place of feet

     ⛧ pointed, fang-like canines

 

In the rarest of circumstances, some devils have been known to inherit functional wings of either angelic or bat-like shape. So scarce in number, most will go their whole life without witnessing a flying devil. This mutation is strictly reserved for [ST Event]-inflicted devils.

 

 REDLINES:

Spoiler

꩜ Devils have skin tones reminiscent of the malflame colour which cursed their nearest descendant ancestor, or of the devil or naztherak closest-related to them.

꩜ Devils must list at least [3] of these afflictions upon their FA in a comment’ they cannot be changed. They may pick more than [3] if they so choose.

꩜ Devilish mutations cannot be used to gain combat advantage beyond what could reasonably (and impractically) be achieved by the likes of horns, pointed nails and so on. These are no stronger than mundane keratin.

꩜ Devils may not be beautiful- they are ugly and twisted beings, often crippled and warped in appearance.

꩜ Devils are no more or less resistant to bodily harm, disease or alchemic mutation than other descendants.

꩜ The mutations a devil is born with are a part of their soul blueprint. 

꩜  Devils cannot use alchemy to hide their devilish mutations; Tawkin klones of devils will always regrow the same mutations as the original.

꩜ Devils bearing wings may only do so if they were inflicted via an ST-event, and only with strict permission to do so. The wings may be used to only lightly levitate [1] foot off the ground, functioning as if they naturally held the Naztherak boon of Levitation.

 

 

THE ‘BLESSING’

Of Warped Souls

 

The metaphysical aspects of devils are, for the most part, identical to other descendants- yet the Red Prince’s ‘blessing’ that mars their soul carries with it a twisted set of boons and banes.

 

The sole characteristic that makes devils unique amongst others is the diminutive blemish on their spirit that marks them as claimed by Ixris. Whilst easily suppressed by deific connections in life, or circumvented by undeath, the same fate awaits all devils should this stain on the soul be left unchecked.  This blemish is what prevents them from harnessing the holy, which shackles their soul- and yet too, permits them to learn Ilzakarn, heightens their genus, and harnessing an innate synergy to Rokodra.

 

In death, where a devil has not bonded with a patron to save them, the whole - untarnished - soul of a devil is ferried directly to the High Hells where it is always offered to Ixris himself by whichever zar’rokul was responsible for the pact that caused a devil’s creation. It takes approximately one worldly year - [1] OOC week - for this forced pilgrimage to reach its conclusion, where the soul is devoured by Ixris and its energies added to his titanic reserves of maleus at the top of the infernal climb. 

 

≣ HEIGHTENED GENUS: Devilsblood runs a hueless black, bearing [4] counts of genus by default. Whilst they have ordinary levels of lifeforce and mana, though as a byproduct of their magical origin devils possess marginally altered blood: running black and hue-less, devil-blood bear [4] counts of genus, larger than the average descendant.

≣ INFERNAL FLESH: Devils, bearing flesh and soul warped by Ixris, feel no numbing cold from Rokodra. Similarly to their infernal kindred, devils find their native metal to feel blood-warm and comforting to hold and don, capable of directly touching it with no consequence.

≣ INHERENT KNOWLEDGE: Devils naturally know Ilzakarn- capable of speaking it inherently and fluently as any and all of their estranged infernal kindred. and if they decide to learn Naztherak, their inherent infernal influences permit them to start Naztherak’s progression at [T2] rather than [T1], yet they still require to learn all [T1] and [T2] spells to proceed to the next tier.

 

≣ DIVINELY SHUNNED: Devils are incapable of learning nor teaching most Holy Magics- the arts of Templarism, Clercisim, and Paladinism barred away from their direct clasps, those deities unwilling to grant power upon them. However, they still may partake in the arts of Druidism, Heraldry, Shamanism, and becoming a Seer of Vaasek.

≣ SHACKLED SOULS: Devils, when they PK, are placed upon a [1] OOC week timer, as the soul begins upon its path to be consumed by Ixris. During this time, the only way to be freed from the fate of annihilation is to become a post-mortem [CA], something only capable of within this brief period. If the [1] OOC week passes, they are incapable of seeking any post-death [CA], the soul irrevocably consumed by Ixris. This only applies to ‘PK’ deaths, which devils are beholden to in the same capacity as any other character, also factoring in the death clauses and revival mechanics of pieces like Tawkin

≣ THE IXRIAN MARK: Devils bear a metaphysical ‘mark’ upon their souls. Devils are not inherently aware of Ixris' mark on their soul, and can only be made aware through roleplay with the analysis of the Devil by a Naztherak, a Mystic’s unbound fates, Shamanic spirit walking, or a Seer of Vaasek’s reading. Similarly, the exact nature of Ixris and his machinations cannot be unveiled by the aforementioned magics without [ST Management] approval. Otherwise, said practitioners are only given a vague appreciation that the devil's soul is doomed to be annihilated in the Hells without divine intervention or the assurances of undeath.

≣ UNNATURAL MALICE: Devils each bear [1] malice from Naztherak lore if they are born as one, or [2] if they are transformed later in life. These are irrevocable, eternally altering their mentality throughout their lives. If the devil learns Naztherak, they still receive malices from Naztherak separately from these.

 

 REDLINES:

Spoiler

꩜ Devils bear [4] counts of genus, regardless of their descendant race.

꩜ Devils do not suffer from the numbing cold of Rokodra, similarly to Inferi and Naztherak. They may wear it normally, feeling that similar, unnatural ‘warmth’ to it that their more infernal kindred do.

꩜ Devils inherently know Ilzakarn, similarly to how Inferi and Naztherak do.

꩜ Due to their infernal nature, devils may start off learning Naztherak at the progression of [T2], though they still require the lessons for the [T1] and [T2] spells to proceed.

꩜ Devils may not learn or teach Holy Magics, which includes; [MA] Templarism, [MA] Clericism, [MA] Paladinism. They still may learn other Deific Magics, including; [FA] Heraldry, [MA] Heraldry, [FA] Seers, [MA] Seers, [MA] Shamanism, and [MA] Druidism.

꩜ If [1] OOC week has passed since a Devil has PK’d, they may not become a [CA] Ghoul, [CA] Ghost, [CA] Paleknight, [CA] Darkstalker, or [CA] Draugar; their souls are set upon the path to be consumed by Ixris whence they PK. They still may become a [CA] Klone, following all redlines of this lore piece and Tawkins. They may not become a [CA] Machine Spirit, the Ixrisian souls incompatible with the mortal machinations of steel and gears.

꩜ If a devil dies whilst maintaining a connection with a deity whose followers are given a designated afterlife (the Gardens of Fate, Stargush’Stroh, the Eternal Forest, an Observer for Vaasek, Naztherak-turned-inferi, etc.) then they will be spared annihilation at the hands of Ixris.

꩜ Ixris' mark cannot be permanently removed until the devil in question has died (PK) either with an active deific connection or after being raised in undeath. The likes of mysticism's unbound fates and other spells intended to heal or cleanse the soul may suppress this metaphysical stain for up to a narrative year (one OOC week) but it will always come back. 

꩜ Devils gain [1] Malice from Naztherak lore if they are born as one, or [2] if they are transformed into one later in life. These malices retain upon their mentality and soul- transferring even if they become another [CA].

 

 

 

 

PURPOSE

 

This lore suffices to further flesh out the ‘Cursed Children’ / ‘Blessed Children’ lore- both adding upon new uniquities to it, whilst furthermore modernizing and updating many parts of the lore to ST verdicts/other pieces of lore that have came in through the many years since Mordu’s original rewrite. There are a few further boons and banes implemented within their soul-taint, along with that being better explained and elaborated upon; some methods were furthermore added to ensure Devils are keeping mutations consistent going forth, alongside some more things to flesh out the worldlore about it as a whole. Overall, the community with this feat was kept in touch whilst writing, to ensure that this would be something well-accepted, and further flesh out the piece further.

 

 

CREDITS

 

Writer - Pallodium

Original Lore - Mordu

Feedback - ibleesian, PrimnyaQuorum

Consultation - The Devil Community

 

 

[PrinceJose270 1211]

+ 1 Def a improvement to devils overall restrictive existance. old boi approves

[Hiccup392 734]

Lore guy understands lore +1

[PrimnyaQuorum 4003]

hes done it AGAIN +1

[lemonke 6014]

4 minutes ago, Pallodium said:

Templarism

Big pain... but good lore nonetheless. A lot cleaner, I'd say.

[King_Kunuk 3022]

When do I get the event to gain wings so I can mechanically fly across the map?

[Diogen 3729]

formatting is so frost witch coded

good writing

+1

[PrinceJose270 1211]

2 minutes ago, King_Kunuk said:

When do I get the event to gain wings so I can mechanically fly across the map?

Same. wings when.

[milksoda 2884]

erm yea, the woke term is "blessed" children. 🙄

Spoiler

Spoiler

i pressed the spoiler button by accident twice cant remove it

Spoiler

Hi dyl here I added a third spoiler 

 

 

 

[Crunchiest_Leaf 1242]

one day the musin will rise up with a magic they can learn 🐀
very based FA regardless! +1

Edited August 23, 2024 by Crunchiest_Leaf

[extragamer53 227]

Will this effect my 300lbs Talking Cat, XI CHING WEI?

 

Please inform me.

 

Reference Picture :

[Tav 4337]

OHHHHH MY GODDDDD YOURE A SAINT

[ThatFunkyBunch 2818]

SHACKLED SOULS: Devils, when they PK, are placed upon a [1] OOC week timer, as the soul begins upon its path to be consumed by Ixris. During this time, the only way to be freed from the fate of annihilation is to become a post-mortem [CA], something only capable of within this brief period. If the [1] OOC week passes, they are incapable of seeking any post-death [CA], the soul irrevocably consumed by Ixris.


@Pallodium Add in a Redline stating Naz can fish around for their soul in the Moz during the week to create a Zar'ei CA. Eaten by Ixris or used in the war, what does it matter?

Spoiler

Let the Culling Games Begin. I sense demons in the future.

 

[Karina 1894]

Yeah no this is good and clarifies a lot of what I struggled with when I first got the feat. I like the little changes. Wearing Rokodra is a nice touch. I also love the idea of them inheriting malice, should push more towards the vision of tieflings that most people want to see. 

If this rewrite passes, would existing FA CCs get a chance to change their mutations since they're now being logged? 

[FlemishSupremacy 6115]

me like