Eldritch: Difference between revisions
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Allies to the Pelted of the Alliance, the Eldritch are an estranged offshoot of humanity, espers and isolationists. | Allies to the Pelted of the Alliance, the Eldritch are an estranged offshoot of humanity, espers and isolationists. | ||
==Appearance== | |||
Light-gravity-worlders, the Eldritch are tall, bipedal humanoids who are usually between six and seven feet in height, with thinner-than-human builds for both men and women. Bred from a very small gene pool (and tweaked by nanotech engineering), they are all pale with white hair; hair is straight or with a very slight wave, and is silky or satiny in texture. Eye colors tend toward pale shades of blue, green, grey or yellow, although darker shades are not unheard of (Lisinthir's eyes are a dark sapphire). | Light-gravity-worlders, the Eldritch are tall, bipedal humanoids who are usually between six and seven feet in height, with thinner-than-human builds for both men and women. Bred from a very small gene pool (and tweaked by nanotech engineering), they are all pale with white hair; hair is straight or with a very slight wave, and is silky or satiny in texture. Eye colors tend toward pale shades of blue, green, grey or yellow, although darker shades are not unheard of (Lisinthir's eyes are a dark sapphire). | ||
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Eldritch age at roughly the same rate as humans up to adulthood, at which point the aging process slows dramatically. Early Eldritch could expect to live to 500 or 600, while the current generation of Eldritch average about 1,200-1,500 years; each generation appears to be living longer. | Eldritch age at roughly the same rate as humans up to adulthood, at which point the aging process slows dramatically. Early Eldritch could expect to live to 500 or 600, while the current generation of Eldritch average about 1,200-1,500 years; each generation appears to be living longer. | ||
==Language== | |||
See [[Eldren]] | See [[Eldren]] | ||
==Social Structure== | |||
The Eldritch began forming their society on the trip to their world, and had codified it by not long after Settlement, despite the fact that the genetic experiments they'd inflicted on themselves to differentiate themselves from humanity had not yet worked out through the population when they did so. Each succeeding generation from landing to the point of Liolesa's reign was longer-lived than the one before it by several centuries, and the confusion and upheaval this created caused the Eldritch to cling to what conventions they'd created all the more powerfully. This tendency toward parochialism was only magnified by the war that broke out not long after Settlement as a result of a wildly powerful mental talent, too greatly increased by the treatments they'd undertaken; in the wake of that war and its dreadful aftermath, such wild talents were hunted and quietly disposed of, and there were many. This removed a great percentage of the population from the genepool, something that became acutely problematic when it was discovered that the genetic experiments that had forged their new identity also made their fertility questionable. Ironically, fertility is strongly linked with powerful talents, so often the people purged were the ones most likely to successfully reproduce. | The Eldritch began forming their society on the trip to their world, and had codified it by not long after Settlement, despite the fact that the genetic experiments they'd inflicted on themselves to differentiate themselves from humanity had not yet worked out through the population when they did so. Each succeeding generation from landing to the point of Liolesa's reign was longer-lived than the one before it by several centuries, and the confusion and upheaval this created caused the Eldritch to cling to what conventions they'd created all the more powerfully. This tendency toward parochialism was only magnified by the war that broke out not long after Settlement as a result of a wildly powerful mental talent, too greatly increased by the treatments they'd undertaken; in the wake of that war and its dreadful aftermath, such wild talents were hunted and quietly disposed of, and there were many. This removed a great percentage of the population from the genepool, something that became acutely problematic when it was discovered that the genetic experiments that had forged their new identity also made their fertility questionable. Ironically, fertility is strongly linked with powerful talents, so often the people purged were the ones most likely to successfully reproduce. | ||
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Never large in number as a society, the Eldritch are now in actual danger of extinction, partially from the wreckage of their economy and partially because of how few their numbers are. In the wake of this growing peril, the Eldritch as a whole have responded by becoming even more rigid in their customs and habits at a time when they desperately need to look elsewhere for help. | Never large in number as a society, the Eldritch are now in actual danger of extinction, partially from the wreckage of their economy and partially because of how few their numbers are. In the wake of this growing peril, the Eldritch as a whole have responded by becoming even more rigid in their customs and habits at a time when they desperately need to look elsewhere for help. | ||
==Society and Social Conventions== | |||
See also: [[Eldritch Government]] | See also: [[Eldritch Government]] | ||
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-- education of children music, dancing, Universal, estate management, fencing | -- education of children music, dancing, Universal, estate management, fencing | ||
==Important Philosophical Concepts== | |||
===Crime and Punishment=== | |||
The Eldritch are rigid conformists and have a habit of public punishment of those who dare to step outside the bounds of convention, with a tradition of things such as whipping and public humiliation in stocks. | The Eldritch are rigid conformists and have a habit of public punishment of those who dare to step outside the bounds of convention, with a tradition of things such as whipping and public humiliation in stocks. | ||
===Holidays=== | |||
See also: [[Eldritch Holidays]] | See also: [[Eldritch Holidays]] | ||
==Naming Conventions== | |||
Eldritch can have three names: | Eldritch can have three names: | ||
* Birth Name | * Birth Name | ||
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They move between names and titles depending on the kind of attention they want their listener to give them, much the way they do with color-shading their language to warn their listeners how their words should be interpreted. Calling someone by a cradle name is a way of saying ‘this is something I would say only to someone I have a long trust with’ and by a song name (if they know/have one), ‘this is something higher than us and dearer’ and by their title a way to remind them of their responsibilities, and by their full name, in the same way they might choose to shade a word neutral gray on purpose. | They move between names and titles depending on the kind of attention they want their listener to give them, much the way they do with color-shading their language to warn their listeners how their words should be interpreted. Calling someone by a cradle name is a way of saying ‘this is something I would say only to someone I have a long trust with’ and by a song name (if they know/have one), ‘this is something higher than us and dearer’ and by their title a way to remind them of their responsibilities, and by their full name, in the same way they might choose to shade a word neutral gray on purpose. | ||
===Exceptions=== | |||
Shorter names were more common in earlier generations, and people who are carrying a name down generations might not have cradle names. Sometimes a parent might choose a cradle name as a birth name, however, like Jeasa who decided to name Jahir with a milk name, because "all the world loves him so well he needs no formal name." | Shorter names were more common in earlier generations, and people who are carrying a name down generations might not have cradle names. Sometimes a parent might choose a cradle name as a birth name, however, like Jeasa who decided to name Jahir with a milk name, because "all the world loves him so well he needs no formal name." | ||
==Genealogies== | |||
[[Saranyl Jesa Galare]], Jerisa's sister, had three children: | [[Saranyl Jesa Galare]], Jerisa's sister, had three children: | ||
* [[Maraesa Jesa Galare|Maraesa Jesa]] (who became Queen) | * [[Maraesa Jesa Galare|Maraesa Jesa]] (who became Queen) | ||
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*** [[Hirianthial Sarel Jisiensire|Hirianthial]] and [[Baniel Sarel Jisiensire|Baniel]]. | *** [[Hirianthial Sarel Jisiensire|Hirianthial]] and [[Baniel Sarel Jisiensire|Baniel]]. | ||
==History== | |||
===Timeline=== | ===Timeline=== | ||
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* Reese's cultivation | * Reese's cultivation | ||
==Notable Characters== | |||
* Delelerenard (the Chancellor) is a Mathanith but I don't know his family name. Girl on Fire claims he has the pale green eyes 'common to' that House. | * Delelerenard (the Chancellor) is a Mathanith but I don't know his family name. Girl on Fire claims he has the pale green eyes 'common to' that House. | ||
<categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Characters by Eldritch House or Territory</categorytree> | <categorytree mode="pages" hideroot="on">Characters by Eldritch House or Territory</categorytree> | ||
Revision as of 21:40, 19 June 2020
Allies to the Pelted of the Alliance, the Eldritch are an estranged offshoot of humanity, espers and isolationists.
Appearance
Light-gravity-worlders, the Eldritch are tall, bipedal humanoids who are usually between six and seven feet in height, with thinner-than-human builds for both men and women. Bred from a very small gene pool (and tweaked by nanotech engineering), they are all pale with white hair; hair is straight or with a very slight wave, and is silky or satiny in texture. Eye colors tend toward pale shades of blue, green, grey or yellow, although darker shades are not unheard of (Lisinthir's eyes are a dark sapphire).
See also: Eldritch Costume
Physiology
The Eldritch are humanoid enough to reproduce with humans, though such children are born Eldritch. The lighter gravity of their world has made them taller and more brittle; their metabolisms are a jumble of too-quick and too-slow, giving them a higher average body temperature and much more finicky guts. They process toxins quickly but are prone to genetic diseases, and have reproduction problems.
As people they are all born with some amount of esper talent, though their abilities have been hobbled by a culture that discourages tactile contact (and the enhancement of the ability that comes with it).
Eldritch age at roughly the same rate as humans up to adulthood, at which point the aging process slows dramatically. Early Eldritch could expect to live to 500 or 600, while the current generation of Eldritch average about 1,200-1,500 years; each generation appears to be living longer.
Language
See Eldren
Social Structure
The Eldritch began forming their society on the trip to their world, and had codified it by not long after Settlement, despite the fact that the genetic experiments they'd inflicted on themselves to differentiate themselves from humanity had not yet worked out through the population when they did so. Each succeeding generation from landing to the point of Liolesa's reign was longer-lived than the one before it by several centuries, and the confusion and upheaval this created caused the Eldritch to cling to what conventions they'd created all the more powerfully. This tendency toward parochialism was only magnified by the war that broke out not long after Settlement as a result of a wildly powerful mental talent, too greatly increased by the treatments they'd undertaken; in the wake of that war and its dreadful aftermath, such wild talents were hunted and quietly disposed of, and there were many. This removed a great percentage of the population from the genepool, something that became acutely problematic when it was discovered that the genetic experiments that had forged their new identity also made their fertility questionable. Ironically, fertility is strongly linked with powerful talents, so often the people purged were the ones most likely to successfully reproduce.
In this way, the Eldritch have been growing longer-lived and shrinking in population since Settlement. The twenty noble Houses that were once a small segment of the population have become the majority of its peoples, hollowing out the working populace and destroying the economy. More and more the ruling elite have nothing to rule as the cities established at Settlement have "died," leaving the people in them to disperse in search of places where roofs don't leak and food can be bought.
Never large in number as a society, the Eldritch are now in actual danger of extinction, partially from the wreckage of their economy and partially because of how few their numbers are. In the wake of this growing peril, the Eldritch as a whole have responded by becoming even more rigid in their customs and habits at a time when they desperately need to look elsewhere for help.
Society and Social Conventions
See also: Eldritch Government
See also: Eldritch Families
See also: Eldritch Heraldry
The Eldritch had twenty noble Houses established just prior to Settlement, of which Jisiensire is now the smallest in number (though among the richest). Twelve of those noble Houses have vanished, with one on its way (the House of Lisinthir's father, Imthereli, of which he is the last surviving scion).
Eldritch nobles begin attending court shortly after they cease "shearing" their hair -- at around age 14. They come of age at an unspecified point after that and are then marriageable. (Note: It was not unusual in the past for children to be married/betrothed at a young age, and while this still occurs, it is usually the result of political considerations.) Eligible maidens' portraits are displayed on "courting boards," small, portable wooden holders that allow a family to see who might be a suitable marriage prospect. Males are expected to court likely prospects, although it is the female's prerogative to make the actual proposal.
The Eldritch attend Summer and Winter Court at Ontine, the capital, each of which lasts several weeks; summer court may linger longer, depending on the weather. Most noble family own a townhouse on Nobles' Row in the capital to house their members during the season. When court is not is session, nobles reside on family estates in manor houses of similar design.
Eldritch male and female children are permitted to play together until adolescence, when serious social strictures formalize their interaction.
-- clothing covering the entire body -- taboos on touching -- formal dance -- education of children music, dancing, Universal, estate management, fencing
Important Philosophical Concepts
Crime and Punishment
The Eldritch are rigid conformists and have a habit of public punishment of those who dare to step outside the bounds of convention, with a tradition of things such as whipping and public humiliation in stocks.
Holidays
See also: Eldritch Holidays
Naming Conventions
Eldritch can have three names:
- Birth Name
- Cradle/Nursery/Milk Name: a diminutive used only by close friends, with an implication that they’ve known one another since before adulthood
- Song Name (optional)
Examples:
- Laiselin, Hirianthial's first wife: Laiselin, Laisa (Milk) and Butterfly (Song).
- Liolesa, Lia (Milk)
- Hirianthial, Hiran (Milk)
- Fasianyl, Fasi (Milk)
They move between names and titles depending on the kind of attention they want their listener to give them, much the way they do with color-shading their language to warn their listeners how their words should be interpreted. Calling someone by a cradle name is a way of saying ‘this is something I would say only to someone I have a long trust with’ and by a song name (if they know/have one), ‘this is something higher than us and dearer’ and by their title a way to remind them of their responsibilities, and by their full name, in the same way they might choose to shade a word neutral gray on purpose.
Exceptions
Shorter names were more common in earlier generations, and people who are carrying a name down generations might not have cradle names. Sometimes a parent might choose a cradle name as a birth name, however, like Jeasa who decided to name Jahir with a milk name, because "all the world loves him so well he needs no formal name."
Genealogies
Saranyl Jesa Galare, Jerisa's sister, had three children:
- Maraesa Jesa (who became Queen)
- Rylaniel Jesa (F)
- Rylaniel married a man who took her name and had:
- Liolesa, who would become Queen after Maraesa.
- Rylaniel married a man who took her name and had:
- Theval Jesa (M)
- Theval, a man, married Sylfani Sarel Jisiensire and took her name, and they had two children:
- Hirianthial and Baniel.
- Theval, a man, married Sylfani Sarel Jisiensire and took her name, and they had two children:
History
Timeline
The Reign of Queen Jerisa:
- Settlement
- Sellelvi presenting a gift to Liolesa.
- The War with Corel
The Reign of Queen Maraesa:
- The events in "Precious Things"
- Liolesa's trip off-world
The Reign of Queen Liolesa:
- Fasianyl and Sellelvi
- Lisinthir's cultivation after his arrival at Ontine
- Reese's cultivation
Notable Characters
- Delelerenard (the Chancellor) is a Mathanith but I don't know his family name. Girl on Fire claims he has the pale green eyes 'common to' that House.