hemomancy

Anatomy & Appearance The ‘Jitterbug’ as it’s called, is a small, bumbling creature who runs around, akin to a chicken with its head cut off. They are odd, brightly colored creatures, with scaly black faces and snouts, with similar legs, four stubby arms, and long scaly tails. Their feathers come in various colors, bright pinks and oranges, blues and greens. Long black antennae spring from their heads, twitching depending on their mood. The size of a Jitterbug is 5-7 inches tall from feet to head, and 9-10 inches tall from snout to tail. The Jitterbug lives on a diet of leaves, flowers, and fruit, but is known to enjoy candied flowers and fruits as a sweet treat. Their teeth are small and blunt, only able to rip and munch on the small food they seek. Due to their friendly nature, the Jitterbug can easily be caught as food by a descendent. To be eaten and cooked the Jitterbug should be plucked and skinned; the flesh of a Jitterbug, although little on the bone, tastes similar to chicken. Habitat The Jitterbug is most commonly located in grassy woodlands, swamps, and any bushy locations with rusting foliage. They reside closer to areas with blooming flora and active fauna, being active aspects of the food chain. They’re known to live within the bushes they eat from, creating odd little nests for themselves out of brambles and branches within. Temperament & Behaviors These are friendly, but exorbitantly loud creatures. They’ve habit to coo and chirp at any thing that interests them, whether it be a friendly bug on the ground, or a descendent stumbling upon their little domains. Upon being given food by a descendent, they will follow around their new ‘friend’, chirping for more food to be given to them. The Jitterbug is known to follow at will, and lacks any sort of response to threats. This makes Jitterbug easy prey for animals larger than it. Jitterbug’s are also known to have snouts covered in pollen, where while they sniff out their next meal, they cause flowers to be pollinated, similar to how bees spread pollen. Redlines: - The Jitterbug cannot cause harm, and therefore cannot be used in CRP. Credit: Author - GrowingIvy Art - mossworm on Tumblr

Sister Catherine claps her hands together; she reads, and she waits. Her sword sharpened at her side.

Sister Catherine shook her head, taking up arms and preparing to leave and aid her fellow Sisters.

Anatomy & Appearance The Pygmy Flint Lizard is a small, scaled, winged creature. It looks akin to a crocodile skink, yet also dragon-like in appearance. They have too-large, bulging eyes that stick out of their heads, that always have a black patch beneath them. Down their backs they have raised spines, and their scales are small and spiky. Small horns perk from their heads, completely harmless and unable to break skin. They are tiny creatures that are only about 3-8 inches in length. Their wingspan correlates to their length, being their body’s length with 1 inch added on. Their diet ranges from small bugs to small rodents depending on their size, but are known to attempt to stick gemstones and jewelry into their mouths. Image of an oceanside Pygmy Flint Lizard The Pygmy Flint Lizard comes in a variety of colors, which is based on where they’ve hatched from. How these colors coordinate with locations are listed below. Brown - Woodland Beige - Plains Lime-Green - Jungle Dark Green - Swamp Yellow - Desert Red - Firelands Blue - Oceanside Habitat The Pygmy Flint Lizard is found in most biomes and locations. The one that they cannot naturally survive in though, is icy and snow-filled locations. Their natural colors correlate with the location they have been hatched in, but their location they are hatched in is not always the one they are found in. They adapt easily to their location, and wander quite often. Temperament & Behaviors The Pygmy Flint Lizard is friendly at best, and irritable at worst. They are drawn to shining objects; jewelry, gold and mina.They are known to hoard the little bits of shiny objects they collect, although these are never very large amounts. They are also known to keep a piece of flint in their mouth. With this flint, they scratch it against their teeth, and cause small sparks, hence their name. The Lizard is a solitary creature, rarely found with others of their kind near them. Their homes are small nests dug into the ground, hiding their miniscule hordes from the open world. Yet even if they rarely interact with their kind, they are able to be tamed and kept by descendents. Being brought to other treasures to guard, such as a ladies jewelry box, they will gladly oblige. The Lizard will require something else though, something to keep it warm during colder nights- something like access to a fire, or, a lantern with a plate atop it. Redlines: -The Pygmy Flint Lizard is unable to cause injury or harm to descendants, and therefore cannot be used in CRP. -They cannot live in cold, snowy, or icy areas without access to warmth. -The sparks made by the Pygmy Flint Lizard cannot cause fires. Credit: Author & Art - GrowingIvy Original Inspiration - strangelykatie

This smaller of the two subspecies is able to be taken as a pet, as its harmless. the larger of the two cannot be tamed nor taken as a pet, since it's violent. If it's not stated clear enough I'll edit it

Anatomy & Appearance The creature most-known as the Spideer, due to its spider and deer like appearance, can be split between two subspecies, referred to as Spideer Minimus and Spideer Maximus. All Spideer have the appearance of deer, most akin to the Fallow deer. All Spideer have fur colored one of the following- black, blue, purple, or grey. No matter the color, it is always dark. Along their backs are freckled spots, lighter than that of what their primary fur color is; grey on black, lavender on purple, and so-on. The females of each subspecies are slightly larger than the males, and both bear small, black, straight horns atop their heads. Both subspecies have eight hooved legs, and six sets of eyes (with the forefront two being larger). These eyes may be black or white in color; they bear a faint glow, allowing Spideer to see easier within the dark. All Spideer have the capability to spin webs. The webs of the Spideer Minimus are akin to cobwebs; this is a trait that they have no use for. The webs of the Spideer Maximus are much larger, and stickier. This trait they still use for the capture of prey. Image of a Spideer Minimus male The female Spideer Minimus is larger than the male, with sizes of about 13-14 inches tall at the shoulder, 30-33 inches in length, and 25-39 pounds. Male Minimus’ are 8-12 inches tall at the shoulder, 22-28 inches in length, and 13-20 pounds. The diet of the Spideer Minimus is composed of vegetation, acorns, nuts, berries, and occasionally small rodents. Compared to the Maximus, the Spideer Minimus naturally looks more 'fawn-like' than their kin. Image of a Spideer Maximus female Akin to the Spideer Minimus, Spideer Maximus are the larger of the two subspecies. Female Maximus’ are found 33-37 inches tall at the shoulder, 55-63 inches in length, and 130-220 pounds. Male Maximus’ are 30-33 inches tall at the shoulder, 51-59 inches in length, and range between 66-110 pounds. Their diet is primarily rabbits and mice, although the Spideer Maximus has been found with the remains of larger creatures nearby. The Spideer Maximus, unlike the Minimus, is able to spit an acidic venom from the mouth. This venom will irritate the flesh of the average descendent upon contact with bare-skin; yet, should one be caught as prey, the amount of venom applied is far more and can seriously injure or kill. Able to melt through steel/iron/alloyed armor within 3 emotes, leather in 1. Burning through to the bone in an additional 3 emotes. Tissue left after the fact quickly becomes necrotic. Habitat The Spideer Minimus can be found within woodland forests with nearby caves, and areas with a high population of voidal mages, or voidal magic occurring. The Spideer Maximus can only be found in deep underground caves, and voidally corrupt locations. They are the dominant subspecies within these areas. Temperament & Behaviors The Spideer Minimus’ and Maximus’ are often found in small groups; this is referred to as a brood. The females of each subspecies are the dominant gender, but are still the ones to care for the young. The Spideer Minimus is known to be a friendly, sweet, but incredibly jealous creature. Should one be taken as a pet and put in the same quarters as another pet, it will attempt to compete against the other creature. When taken into a home, the Minimus will spin webs to be found around the house, and will increasingly grow upset when their creations are cleaned up. The Minimus will often attempt to attack smaller creatures than it, but when threatened by a creature larger than it, it will flee to a safe area. The Spideer Maximus is a threatening, territorial beast. They will attack any who enter what they deem as their territory, and will focus all their attention on intruders. Should an intruder be caught in their webs, their attention will very quickly shift on that one individual, ignoring all others that they may have come with. Redlines: - The Spideer Maximus is strictly an Event creature, played by ET, and therefore cannot be tamed. - The Spideer Minimus, if taken as a pet, cannot be used in CRP. - The ‘poison’ of Spideer cannot be harvested, it is a fast decaying compound. - Albinism cannot occur in Spideer. - The glow of a Spideers eye cannot emit enough light for a descendent to see with. Credit: Author & Art - GrowingIvy Ideas/Opinions/Editing - Cats Original Inspiration by feefal_

Coiled & Crushed, Teagen White The Dame, the Rabbit, a teen hardly even twenty stood. Her frame creaked with heavy plate, dark green draped over her then-recently injured shoulder. “Keep going!” The elfess barked out, watching her men practice. Arms crossed, and she waited. Few remembered these times, yet it always was something that echoed in the back of her mind. Now a bartender, the one, simply Athri, stood behind a bar. She’d clean glasses, and wipe down counters. Wipe her brow as she moves along with her duties. Belrose, the name she’d taken on, hung outside of a shop just outside the tavern; a tailor shop. She leaves the tavern, and is sent to the ground. A burly figure covered in plate was on top of her. She was grabbed, pulled along to the Grotto’s oceanside as she fought with the little strength she kept. She’d lost an eye that day. Athri kept on. She explored this new world- Almaris, whilst taking on new duties. Stewardry, and she had begun to dip her toes into politics. Soon enough it felt too much, and she’d left her home. She moved from Talons, to Sutica, when it had still stood. An accident, she burnt her face. Replaced her missing eye. Purple, that one was. It matched the eye of the person she grew to resent. She retook her name. Onfroi; the one she was proud of. She remained the last, then. Only a brother she had, though he was someone she seldom saw. And she took on the last name of her found sister. Maelstorm, the name of the then Monarch of Vortice. She removed the eye she had- she hated it then. Athri had taken in a child around then too. Yeviana, she’d be called, though most often, just Yev. Though never quite her choice entirely, she’d tried. And then her sister was dead. The role of Monarch fell to her, though that role was never one particularly enjoyed. The four years filled with sleepless nights and quiet talks behind closed doors never felt like they’d gone away. Her position she abandoned once more, for she felt had she stayed, she would have ended up as her own sister had. After, many years were spent wandering. First Yong-Ping, then other, various cities. Athri went around the world, idly, as she felt in a fog. And then something happened- tricked, she was turned into a Corcitură. So she continued her wandering, all too afraid to seek help, and all too reluctant to settle. Though she did settle, Velen. Short-lived, though she’d met one she’d liked. Soon, she sought out a home in Celia’nor. She sat, her head hung lowly. A bird left her tower window with a letter affixed to its leg. A child lay napping in a room nearby. She felt woozy- dizzy, absolutely terrible. A headache pounded. She went between sweating and freezing with the blink of each metallic eye. Beneath them were heavy bags; a lack of sleep for days on end, yet sleep was something of a rare occurrence, one that she treasured, but lacked. “So tired.” She thought. Yet she felt heavy. Her limbs ached. It felt as if weights had been put upon her voidally-plagued body. She could hardly move now. The words she’d been writing on each page in front of her bled with black ink, each piece incoherent and merely scribbles at this point. Inkblots rather than lines of text. Sentences that meant nothing. Were nothing. Nothing but things she could not understand any longer. They made her recall an old crow- she’d wonder if he still lived, after all this time. Yet even his name was just a blur in her foggy mind. Athri Onfroi pushed herself from her desk, stumbling over to her bed, where she would slumber. Yet, she would never wake. That young child though, she would wake. Her eyes blurred from the new bright light of this next day, yet something about this felt wrong. Eerie silence overtook her little home, the home she’d always known. How it was just her and her mother, she’d known nothing else. The glass of bottles no longer clinked, nor the flipping of leather-bound parchment and the scribble of charcoal upon it. The slicing of scissors through fabric ceased, and the gentle tings of needles being dropped against wooden floors. Her mother would never leave her- couldn’t. Anywhere the woman went, the child followed blindly. Often, it was to only collect bread, for she knew her mother could never bake. She dressed herself anew in the clothes that had been made for her. Crescence entered her mother’s room. But one letter was sent out, during the days just before; of course, news could begin to spread soon after through the grapevine. @ItsMrCannibal OOC:

Athri gave some slight nods at the missive. "Brave to judge their chapels." She'd laugh to herself, moving on to place the missive into a book, and thereon into a bookshelf within the Velenic library.

A Velenic councilwoman cracks her knuckles. "Oh, how I do like fire." The Onfroi mused, preparing many slender bottles and a large tome.

THE VELENIC ORDER OF SCHOLARS Penned by Athri Emilienne Onfroi ☩ PREFACE Originally, the Order of Scholars was originally a sect within the Velen Company, the mercenary group that originally formed the Velenic people. It has since formed into its own institution with the dissolution of the Velen Company and the move to the Almarisian Heartlands. MISSION The Order of Scholars seek out knowledge, researching and practicing various sciences and magics, teaching such to others within the company and selling the products that come from such. RANKS Initiate Those new to the path are assigned the rank of Initiate; until they are to take an oath to the Order, they shall remain as such. Neophyte Those who have taken their oath to the Order. A Neophyte may begin their path of knowledge and exploration of the lands. A Neophyte shall be assigned to a Scholar-Adeptus so they may be further educated. Neophyte’s will accompany their mentor on assignments as well. Scholar After a Neophyte publishes their first work and has been approved by a Scholar-Adeptus, they can be assigned the rank of Scholar. This rank may have quite a few names, however it is dependent on what field they choose to study further. Scholar Adeptus Those who have served the company for some time and have stocked the library shelves of their findings are known as Scholar-Adeptus, or a title befitting to their field of work. They are veteran members of the company and those who oversee education and the oathing of Initiates. As well, the Scholar-Adeptus organize events within the Order, and are often the ones who produce items to sell. RESEARCH The Order of Scholars seek out to research various objects, including, but not limited to; Animals of the Continent Beasts of the Continent Terrain of the Continent PRACTICES The Order of Scholars practice various subjects and arts, including, but not limited to; Medicine Alchemy Brewing SERVICES AND GOODS The Order sells items and will perform various tasks and services for coin. The Order will not take up contracts that go against that of what Velen stands for, nor will the Order work for those considered enemies of Velen. Exploration The Order of Scholars will research and explore any lands that they are asked to, so long as an equal trade of items or mina is made. Alchemical Products The Order of Scholars will produce and sell various products, namely potions. They may be ordered on request, or sold via a shop. RECRUITMENT Men and women who wish to join the Order may seek out a Scholar-Adeptus from within Velen, or send a letter to Athri Onfroi with information on yourself, so she may reply accordingly. Name: Age: Race: Reason for joining: ((MC Name)): ((Discord Tag)):

Athri Onfroi, Dariya Winter, Ameii, Malruthiia

"Very nice." Commented the Emissary of Velen. "A bigger tavern shall be nice." She'd bob her head at the words.

Pestilence, that one who originally wrote; they grinned. "How quick." Mused this garbed figure, who handed the response to another. "What do vy think, mea friend?" @Itz_Cookie

PENNED BY A HAND 5th of The Amber Cold, Y. 94 S.A. You speak of what you believe is truth. Some may be true, others, false. Yet these truths at least I shall embrace. No longer do I wish to hide under metal chain and lock; but that is the way this world works. The ‘lies’ that have been told are the only truth there is. The truth that you pray on is the only lie there is. Is that why you wish for war? Is the truth too much to bear? For the visions that have been shown are the truth; The truth that your God is dead? Your acts will bring your own end. You wish to die, that will be brought upon those who attempt to harm those of Serheim. You are too weak to bear these truths, and your weakness brings on this urge. This urge to die. The bodies that will remain on our lands will only aid our endeavors. You will threaten the burning of my, our bodies as what will bring our retribution. The only bodies that remain shall be your own, frozen and kept within our vault for our own uses. The deaths of your men and women shall be honored naught. For they shall not receive burial. They shall not receive graves. They shall not receive honor. Your dead God has no honor. Your dead God is the epitome of shame. When has your God protected you? Your people have died of plague, disease, pestilence, yet no intervention. The only reason he wouldn’t protect you is if he were gone. Signed, Pestilence

A missive seems to have been hung out around Almaris; many extra copies hung in the white-blanketed North. Haense, Norland, even within old abandoned Fenn. The paper read pressed and new, with ink black as night, and all penned by the same hand. “I am looking for a man named Eusebi. I will pay five-hundred minae to anyone who can bring him to me alive. It is an urgent affair, and I hope for it to be soon. The man is tall, having black greying hair, a dark beard, and very pale skin. Notably, his eyes are the color of a dark red wine. If he is given to me as a corpse, the minae count will be dropped to one-hundred. I will take birds if more information is required to aid his capture, or if he happens to be found. There are no exceptions to the minae price if he happens to be dead. If you see this, your still-living child expects a letter. Signed, Pestilence"

Athri procured a copy, handing it off to her friend, Leopold. "What do you think about this?" @Optimus420

The Velen Company - Seeking Work Penned 14th of Harren’s Folley, 1888 | 14th of the Amber Cold, 92 S.A. The Velen Company is one created to work for others, and of course; seek their work out gladly. Amongst their ranks are scholars and men-at-arms, all who work on their own endeavors. The contracts the company takes on are listed below. Escorts Escort Contracts encompass VIP protection, Asset protection, Caravan Guards, Pilgrim protection, and so on. These contracts vary in price and time frames - all to be discussed between Campmaster and the Baron. Logistics Logistics Contracts encompass a few fields, mainly along the lines of production of weapons, armor, and supplies. However it is extended to the construction of offensive and defensive buildings and or fortifications. Auxiliaries Auxiliary Contracts is for those who are in need to hire extra swords, peacekeepers, or reservist forces. The company will act within its own bylaws as well as the employers to ensure the utmost effectiveness is in place. These contracts being the most time consuming, it is expected the employer supplies any extra equipment needed and to house the company to some extent. Search & Destroy Search & Destroy contracts are strictly to find and destroy any form of beast or any form of monster that plagues one’s land. The Company does not conduct assassinations or killings against fellow members of the faith unless they are a well-known proven heretic or traitor to mankind and faith. Exploration Exploration contracts are often organized by the Baron and Company itself, however the company does extend its services via the Order of Scholars to aid in any form of exploration, discovery, or sites that require aid for further researching purposes. If anyone wishes to employ the men and women of Velen for their own endeavors, either public or personal, please contact the Emissary of the Company, Athri Emilienne Onfroi for such. This may be either through letter or as a physical meet-up. Signed and penned by Athri Emilienne Onfroi, Emissary of the Velen Company Confirmed by Leopold Ulrich von Reuss, Baron of Velen, Proprietor of the Velen Company, Protector of the Eisenwald

Name: Athri Age: Old Culture: Something Reason for Enlistment: Something to do Experience (if any): Political and historical knowledge, as well as knowledge of the voidal arts. ((MC Name)): You know it ((Discord Tag)): See above

The token elf Athri bobbed her head as she read. "Very nice." Muttered she, rolling around a spare cork in her hands.

@_Leyd

Missing Pieces (hearing vacancy, feeling absence, seeing voids), Teagen White Off the one went on her way; alone. The figure wore dark clothes, leathers and cloth, brown fur draped around her shoulders. Around her belt were small pockets, with small jars inside each. They were filled with various medicines and herbs; those filled with no medicine were only filled with flowers. She was thin and lanky, face pallid and framed by dark hair- nearly black, not yet just a hint of brown. Her eyes were squinted, curious with a glint, and the color of a fine wine. Around her was only ice and snow, swirling round and round. She knew of course, this would not do. To the west she had to be, and so she began her trek. She ended in plains; ones that edged the jungle and swamplands, humid and with an air near thick as soup. She looked around for specific items… the carcass of a deer, and the fresh remains of birds- crows, to be specific. She had items in mind, clothing and a mask. A mask made of the skull of the deer, and a cloak made with the cool tones of the crows feather. Those items were scarce, yet she hunted for such anyways; scavenging, truly, for it was what she was most skilled with. She passed ponds, berries, flowers and other plants alike. How it would have been beautiful, if the rotting carcass of a deer hadn’t been set in front of her. Flies surrounded it, most flesh picked away from overtime from the critters and other creatures around. Perfect. She found it odd, the horns did not branch out like another; rather they curled. She could see why such a creature would die; how it could not protect itself, deformed and set to die from the start. She picked up the skull by the horn, inspecting it. Disgusting. Yet it was her prize. Continuing with the skull within her arms; luckily gloved, for she hated the touch of anything that was not clean. “Hush.” She murmured, as nobody was near her. As she went along, she searched more, more for her next findings. And now she found it; one crow, then two, which increased into the teens. A murder, in both senses. The girl wondered how all had passed; was there a poison in the air? Or perhaps, simply water tainted by the descendants. She went on to collect the crows, gathering them together. All gathered in front of a stone, just for her to sit down upon said stone and get to work. One-by-one each feather was plucked, plucked from each bird unto a pile that slowly grew. She knew not how long she had sat, minutes, hours had passed. She made no noise besides the snapping noise each pluck made, before ceasing. She saw her eyes glazing over, and she paid no mind. Eventually, she felt herself return- upon her lap were a cloak of these feathers, glossy akin to an oil spill. She knew not how she made such… another, it must have been. Perhaps, perhaps not all were terrible. The girl shifted, placing the cloak round her shoulders as she'd finished. Now next was the skull, where in some places a thin layer of rotting, jerky-like flesh clung to the ivory bone. She retrieved a dagger, scraping off the remains. And she began carving into the skull, making it so it may fit her head… It took many hours yet again, night passed and day broke. She missed the stars in the sky, head craned down whilst etching away. Of course she may need help in the future; perhaps her uncle, or aunt, who may aid her in finalizing this; rounding it, adding straps. But this girl was satisfied, and began her way home. She’d grab berries along her way, snacking on them; she could at least tell the differences between those healthy and those poisonous, even grabbing some poisonous ones and placing them into pouches. At a keep she arrived with her prizes, the cloak and near complete mask. At last, all were proud.

One girl rolled her eyes; a daughter of Owyn. "I think I'll choose to stay mad." Esther grumbled, a hand resting on her cheek.