Danaij (Dark Elves)

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Danaij Skin Color

Post by J. M. Vincent » Tue Jul 29, 2008 12:33 pm

I'd like some opinions on how the Danaij (our dark elves). I previously wrote that they have black skin of either a dark green, blue, red, or purple hue. I can't go with pure black skin, as I fear the wrath of Wizards of the Coast coming down upon us if we do. Or, we could go with a brown complexion, like Lodoss elves. I want to keep their skin dark though.
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Re: Danaij Skin Color

Post by Calix » Sun Aug 24, 2008 4:32 pm

I voted brown, I believe~
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Re: Danaij Skin Color

Post by J. M. Vincent » Sun Aug 24, 2008 6:59 pm

Damn, still no other voters! >.< At least one person needs to vote before I get to the Danaij for revisions.
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Re: Danaij Skin Color

Post by Calix » Fri Sep 12, 2008 7:56 pm

My vote can count for two 'cause I'm awesome? 8D?

No?

Ok. XD
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Re: Danaij Skin Color

Post by Silver » Sat Sep 13, 2008 7:47 am

I think black would be more mystical with the hues :P
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Re: Danaij Skin Color

Post by J. M. Vincent » Sat Sep 13, 2008 8:39 am

Thanks for voting Silver. :D
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Re: Danaij Skin Color

Post by Mid-Boss » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:25 pm

It was sooo tempting to tie this up again. :twisted:
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Re: Danaij Skin Color

Post by J. M. Vincent » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:48 pm

eeeeviiil
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Re: Danaij Skin Color

Post by J. M. Vincent » Tue Nov 11, 2008 10:48 am

I'm calling it for dark multi-hued!
World of Aserra

Danaij (Dark Elves)

Post by World of Aserra » Tue Nov 11, 2008 1:37 pm

Danaij
Pronunciation: dah-NAHJ. Grammatically, they should be referred to as Danaij in the singular, plural, and collective. Though an analogue for dark elves and drow, they should never be referred to as “drow”, as this is a term exclusive to the dark elves of Dungeons and Dragons and Forgotten Realms. It does not apply to dark elves of all fantasy worlds.
Created by Ispa, the Goddess of Darkness, the Danaij are a dark and twisted antithesis to her brother Idraen’s creation, the Idayn.
Location and Abodes
As one of the most despised and feared races of Aserra, the Danaij are mostly confined to the Forsaken Lands, the remnant of the continent of Ageond which they conquered in the name of Ispa during the War of the Gods. Most of the continent was sunk in an attempt to wipe out the Danaij and all of Ispa’s mortal armies, but the southern quarter of the continent remained. The survivors inhabiting that fragment were shown mercy by the gods and rebuilt their societies. As the Danaij rebuilt, they carved the Forsaken Land into three nations; Kiran, Mairax, and Nalxad.

There are small populations of Danaij outside the Forsaken Land, but they consistently suffer persecution. Some of these groups run from persecution, crimes, or reject the dark gods and their darker side. They have settled islands surrounding the Forsaken Land, and some have carved out places in more open-minded cities across Kalesten and Thiskel. Other Danaij resort to being perpetual wanderers, sometimes finding work as mercenaries or pirates where their skills are more important than their heritage.

Danaij homes vary depending on the caste of their occupants. Those of the noble caste build elaborate palaces and manors of shadow ore and stone, the architecture sharp and menacing. Homes of the lower castes contain less shadow ore with each consecutive social level downward, until reaching the bottom caste which does not have the resources to work with shadow ore in their own homes. These lower class homes are much simpler, lacking in aesthetic values in exchange for practicality on a low budget.

Appearance and Garb
Image
The Danaij were created quite similar in form to the Idayn as per Ispa’s attempt to spite Idraen for his fair Idayn race. They were quite similar in structure initially, with males standing at an average height of 6’ (1.83m) and females at 5’7” (1.7m). Slim and lithe like the Idayn, though Danaij females had wider hips and larger breasts than female Idayn. In direct contrast to the fair white skin of the Idayn, the Danaij were given black skin (not dark brown, but true black) with subtle undertones of color—commonly blue or violet but sometimes red, or green (these should be stated as blue-black, red-black, and so on). While the white hair of the Danaij is not such a contrast to the pale blondes of the Idayn, Ispa found the contrast of white on black favorable still. The original Danaij were given red eyes like Ispa herself, but later generations became more varied in eye color, including gold, yellow, orange, violet, blue, and green. They have the long, tapered ears of all elemental races. Danaij typically have an attractive facial structure with symmetrical and fine features, much like the Idayn.

Modern Danaij have more variety to their appearance than their forebearers, which can be attributed more to dense Danaij population in the Forsaken Land rather than human interbreeding. The Danaij society is broken into castes based on social status, with many members of this caste sharing similar traits which they find desirable. The highest castes include Danaij whose appearances are more true to their original ancestors. Those of the royal and noble caste are mostly around 6’ (males) and 5’7” (females), with a variation of two or three inches. This homogeneity is not achieved through selective breeding, but through selective parentage. Higher castes may often have bastard children with lower castes, but these offspring are not recognized as legitimate, so their traits are not perpetuated into the higher castes. Lower castes have a wider variety of traits due to their higher population, which over time has allowed for mutations in appearance traits to be propagated, as well as mixed human, Danaij’vai, and other influences. Lower caste Danaij may range from several inches shorter to several inches taller than the noble castes.

Danaij fashion varies between castes, but in general their preference is to flattering cuts of cloth with high collars. Women often show a fair amount of skin, especially the higher caste women, or slaves in noble households. Higher castes of course have access to finer fabrics and more elaborate designs, including clothing woven with shadow ore. Shadow ore is an ethereal element that the Danaij mine and turn into many items that can be manipulated by their darkness elementalism. Clothing woven from shadow ore is wispy black and ephemeral, but only worn by the highest castes due to the difficulty in weaving, the danger of shadow ore mining, and low resources.

Lifespan and Reproduction
The Danaij are long-lived, but not immortal like the Idayn. Their lifespans vary across their castes. Members of the noble castes can live for upwards of a thousand years, while pure-blooded members of the lowest castes can live for only around five hundred years. Like other elemental races, they age slowly after reaching maturity at around the early twenties, maturing at a rate similar to humans until the age of twenty-five when they reach physical and psychological maturity, after which point they cease visible signs of aging until their final century, at which point they gradually age until death.

The Danaij are more fertile than other elemental races; females ovulate about once a season (four times a year) for a week at a time. Women of the higher castes bear up to two to four children throughout their lifetime, often evenly spaced, though women of lower castes often bear up to six or more, sometimes as many as their body can handle. They are often aware of their ovulation cycles and can avoid unwanted pregnancies with a little diligence—though Vauth, members of the slave caste, may not have have such a privilege. As with most races, gestation is nine months. Danaij can reproduce with most other races, and there are many Danaij and human, and Danaij’vai and Danaij hybrids, especially amongst the slave caste.

The Danaij are a highly sexual people, especially in the higher castes, which can be quite debauched. Marriage is practiced, but monogamy rarely is. Amongst the nobles, marriages are often carefully arranged to ensure ideal progeny in keeping with the castes. Most individuals can marry up or down one caste and have the union be legally recognized, and any offspring considered legitimate. Polygamy is not practiced amongst the Danaij, but concubinage is. In most higher class marriages (in the Vana castes, as well as the Shan and Chau), wife and husband are both allowed to keep concubines (male and female) whom are often either slaves, Rothet, or below Vana caste. Spouses have a duty to each other and only the children they bear together have legitimate claims to the family’s holdings. It is not uncommon for female concubines to bear the children of their master, and these children may be allowed certain privileges to get ahead in life. Though, if the mistress of the house becomes pregnant by one of her concubines, she is usually quick to turn to abortifacients to terminate the pregnancy rather than bear it to term. Concubines are usually expected to be loyal to their master and mistress, but they may be given permission, or even ordered to be with other people. Consorts, on the other hand—individuals of the same caste with whom a married individual has an affair—are often against the rules of the marriage (though this is open to preference—some spouses may allow these affairs) and can lead to turmoil and divorce. Though, a child born of such a union will be considered pure of blood and allowed a claim of legitimacy from either parent’s holdings.

The relationships of the Danaij can be a vast and complicated sea of options, depending on local traditions, sexuality, and sexual kinks. Many Danaij are bisexual—though complete homosexuality is rare, and often shunned in high society. Marriage is more of an assurance of ideal offspring rather than a binding contract of monogamy. Each couple may have their own sexual proclivities—one might be a voyeur who enjoys seeing his wife with other men, another might enjoy the thrill of having secret affairs behind her husband’s back. With such things prevalent in Danaij society, it leaves the rules of their relations hard to define.

Diet, Agriculture, and Hunting
The Danaij farm most of their food, and hunt mainly for sport. The Rothet are responsible for farming food for their nation, but the food they grow is quite alien to the people of the rest of the world. The Danaij grow fruits, vegetables, grains, and fungi that grow only under the dark, overcast skies of the Forsaken Land. Many plants also have toxic properties, but the Danaij are either immune to these toxins or can enjoy them in small doses as delicacies. Much of their livestock is similar to the animals used in other parts of the world, but with unique, hardier breeds, and some native species that have been adapted for food or labor.

The Danaij also make many wines and liquors from the exotic fruits and other plants of their homeland, drinks that can be powerfully strong, and even lethal to non-natives of their land. Outside of the Forsaken Land, these wines and liquors are often illegal, but prized by connoisseurs.

Religion
The Danaij are the people of Ispa, Goddess of Darkness, but they also worship her children as seen fit. The worship of the Gods of Darkness is the religion of all of the Forsaken Land, and overseen by the Danaij’s Chau caste. The worship of other gods is forbidden in all of the nations of their land, but on occasion, some Danaij may shun tradition and their gods. These Danaij are heretics to their people, and prime candidates for sacrifice, so most non-dark worshiping Danaij simply leave the Forsaken Land without making their beliefs known.

Danaij outside of the Forsaken Land are rarely dark worshipers. They often either attempt to worship other gods, or give up on worship all together.

Magic and Abilities
Danaij have the power of Dark Elementalism from the shades bound to their souls. It is a more subtle form of elementalism in most cases, manipulating shadows and darkness. The Danaij also use a dark substance called “shadow ore” that is mined from astral crevasses and can be applied to a number of materials that allow Danaij to work with them through their magic. The Chau and Vana castes are the most powerful elementalists.

Aside from magic, the Danaij have better hearing (a trait of the elemental races) and far better night vision than humans. In combat, they are better suited to espionage and subterfuge, and are more agile than physically strong. When wars are fought, heartier Rothet and Vauth castes are recruited as foot soldiers while Shan serve as leaders at the behest of the Vana castes. They can still be formidable warriors, but they rely on speed and agility rather than brute strength.

Personality
Danaij are generally considered to be “evil” to the standards of opposing races. While they often tend to be deceptive, seductive, perverse, manipulative, cunning, and sometimes outright malicious, this doesn’t necessarily make them “evil”. They are arrogant, especially in the higher castes, though Rothet and Vauth are often much more humble. Nobility are often the worst offenders, and the most corrupt and morally bankrupt.

The amount to which an individual uses their dark elementalism is proportional to their negative behavior, as it is the influence of the shade spirit bound to their soul. Danaij who often use dark elementalism tend to tip more towards “amoral”, while those who use it less are the opposite. Danaij who chose to reject dark worship will rarely use their elementalism, if at all, allowing them to better balance their personality.

Relations
The Danaij have few allies, and arrogantly look down on most other races. In the Forsaken Land, humans are subjugated to either Danaij rule, or at least to their church. Some humans may disdain the Danaij and follow only out of fear of their lives, while others aspire to please them. The Danaij have more respect for the Asath and vampires (many of whom are former Danaij themselves).

Outside of the Forsaken Land, Danaij are a persecuted minority. Nearly all races will be reluctant to accept wayward Danaij and consider them to be evil and dangerous, possibly even killing them if discovered. Some Danaij have managed to carve out small colonies in more worldly port cities, especially Gites of Serdenaugh.

Play-ability
The Danaij have few allies, and arrogantly look down on most other races. In the Forsaken Land, humans are subjugated to either Danaij rule, or at least to their church. Some humans may disdain the Danaij and follow only out of fear of their lives, while others aspire to please them. The Danaij have more respect for the Asath and vampires (many of whom are former Danaij themselves).

Outside of the Forsaken Land, Danaij are a persecuted minority. Nearly all races will be reluctant to accept wayward Danaij and consider them to be evil and dangerous, possibly even killing them if discovered. Some Danaij have managed to carve out small colonies in more worldly port cities, especially Gites of Serdenaugh.
Last edited by J. M. Vincent on Mon Feb 13, 2012 10:13 pm, edited 7 times in total.
Reason: Revised from Adun to Aserra
World of Aserra

Danaij'vai (Dark Elf Subrace) (Revised)

Post by World of Aserra » Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:27 pm

Danaij'vai
Pronounced: DAH-nayj VY. Grammatically, they should be referred to as Danaij’vai singular, plural, and plural-possessive.. “The Danaij’vai” also works for pluralizing.

This sub-race of the Danaij did not evolve, but were divinely “adjusted” by Ispa’s son, Craseth, the God of War. He took a select number of Danaij during the first wars of Light and Dark, and made them larger and fiercer.

Location and Abodes
The Danaij’vai are members of the Danaij nations, but they rarely live in the cities. They lead a more barbaric life, living in the accursed forests of the Forsaken Land. They make small villages of wood, clay and thatch homes. Those that do live in the Danaij cities live near their patron noble in exclusive barracks or housing.

Appearance and Garb
Danaij’vai are larger than their parent race, the men can be as tall as six foot, five inches (6’5”) and woman up to six foot (6’) themselves. They are often a bit broader naturally, but can stack on far more muscle than the Danaij. However, they are still lean compared to humans of similar strength to allow them to retain high agility. Like the Danaij, they have black skin of multi-colored hues, but the most common hues are warm; red and brown-black. Their hair falls in the same shades of white to gray as the Danaij, as does their eye color, however, they also have thorny bone protrusions along prominent bone ridges—namely their cheekbones, brow line, jawline, shins, lower arms below the elbow, and collarbone. These thorns appear during puberty and put the young Danaij’vai through immense pain as the thorns slowly grow outwards, until tearing through the skin. The resulting infection can be fatal, but the Danaij’vai view the event as a test of will and strength. Once the process is finished, the Danaij’vai has learned greater pain tolerance and considered an adult.

Armor is a common theme in Danaij’vai wardrobes. Even when there is not threat of battle, some will wear full armor, or just armor accents to their clothing. Full Danaij’vai armor includes strong Danaij steel body plate, chainmail, black leather, and studded leather. Much of their clothing resembles the fashions of the Danaij, but incorporates their bone thorns, for example, a woman may wear a dress that is kept on only by the thorns along her collarbone. They also adorn their thorns with jewelry and delicate chains, but this is mainly practiced by the women. They also often dye the thorns with blood as an intimidation factor, especially before battle. Afterwards, the red will slowly fade and turn to yellow, then back to white.

Lifespan and Reproduction
Danaij’vai rarely live longer than five hundred years of age. They age slowly, and come of age around twenty-five like many other elemental races. Adulthood is established once the youth has grown in all their thorns. The Danaij’vai are not as sexual as the Danaij, though sometimes indulge in the behavior of their parent race. They form monogamous marriages, and expect that their mate remain not only emotionally faithful, but sexually faithful as well. However, the union is entirely dependant on the male’s ability to hold his wife’s interest. If she finds he is dishonorable in combat, or becomes weak, she may divorce him for a stronger mate.

Danaij’vai couples rarely have more than two children throughout their marriage. Women come into estrus once every five years like the Danaij. They can interbreed with most other races, but rarely do so. Half-Danaij’vai have less prominent thorns and may lack thorns in certain places, most commonly on the arms, legs and brow.

Diet, Agriculture, and Hunting
While the Danaij are content to grow their own food and only hunt for sport, the Danaij’vai are mainly hunters. It helps hone their skills as warriors outside of war time. They eat more meat than the Danaij, but do eat fruits and vegetables, either grown in small crops of their own, or in the Danaij farms.

Religion
The Danaij’vai’s patron god is Craseth, the God of War. Ispa is the most highly regarded, as she is Craseth’s mother, but they are much more active in their worship of the War God. They respect Ispa’s other children as well, and care little for other gods.

Magic and Abilities
The Danaij’vai are much less adept at Dark Elementalism, but not because of any punishment from Ispa. Their ability is weaker because they rely more on brute strength and fighting skills rather than magic. They do incorporate their limited Dark Elementalism to give them an advantage in battle, and rarely, less aggressive Danaij’vai women may choose to study with Danaij and become elementalists, sometimes equaling power with Danaij elementalists. Many females also chose to become priestesses of Craseth, earning them special clerical spells.

The Danaij’vai use larger and heavier weapons than the Danaij, including greatswords, battle axes, and pole arms. They are accomplished archers as well, and rarely use any ranged weapons besides bows. Their favorite arrows for war are barbed, meant to cause their enemies even more damage and pain when they try to remove them. They rarely use poison, however, that devious trick is reserved for the Danaij.

Personality
Danaij’vai are fierce warriors, but actually have a code of honor compared to the Danaij. They believe in honorable combat, though their ideals are considerably twisted from more common concepts of honor from other races.

Relations
In Danaij society, the Danaij’vai are respected as soldiers and slightly higher class than most commoners, but definitely underneath the nobles; the Danaij’vai act accordingly. They share many of the same racial views as the Danaij as well.

Play-Ability
The Danaij’vai are mainly restricted to the Forsaken Lands, and that’s where most should begin.

Stats
Danaij'vai stats are measured against human norms.
  • Strength: 13
  • Agility: 11
  • Dexterity: 12
  • Stamina: 15
  • Intelligence: 13
  • Wisdom: 11
  • Willpower: 15
  • Charisma: 14
  • Luck: 10
  • Physical Beauty: 11
World of Aserra

Danaij Castes

Post by World of Aserra » Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:23 pm

Danaij Castes

Danaij live in a regimented society broken up into castes. The first three castes are known as the Vana and are Danaij royalty and nobility. These castes are determined by distinct family lines, and purity of blood. Shan, Shuri, and Chau are middle castes partially determined by blood, or by career. Shan are sub-nobility, filling the role of knights in Danaij society, while Shuri are priests/mages, and Chau are the bourgeoisie. Rothet are mid to low middle class as farmers and laborers, and Vauth is the slave caste.

Marriages and legitimacy of heirs are determined by caste. While it may be common for upper castes to have children with lower castes, the child usually remains in the lower caste. Legitimate marriages are usually between either one caste up or one caste down of an individual, but bloodlines amongst the higher castes are always carefully documented and observed to keep the purity and superiority of the Vana intact.

There are differences in appearances between castes. The Vana are usually the truest to original Danaij, while the lower castes have more variety in their features. Vana and Shuri are the most magically powerful, and the Vana are the longest-lived.

Vana’Maraet
The Vana’Maraet caste is the caste to which the royal families of Kiran, Mairax, and Nalxad. They all bear the name of the respective royal family. Members of the Vana’Maraet caste are allowed to marry one class beneath them and any offspring born of such union can rise to Vana’Maraet. Ideally, most matches are between fellow royals, but at times it becomes necessary to dip into the Vana’Malir for genetic diversity in cases when any available royals are too closely related to the heir in need of a partner. Children born of this union can either remain at the level of Vana’Maraet, or fall to the level of Vana’Malir depending on their birth order or whom they marry. Typically, an heir born between Vana’Maraet and Malir will be expected to marry another Vana’Maraet.

Of course, with the sexual proclivities of the Danaij, it is not uncommon for slaves or lower-class concubines to become pregnant through affairs with members of the Vana’Maraet, but children born of such unions will never be considered legitimate, and will remain at their lower class parent’s station unless they rise to the Shan, Shuri, or Chau of their own effort. Though, financially they may be better off depending on their higher class parent’s affections for them.

All three Vana castes are truer to the original Danaij form; they stand at an almost uniform 6’ for males and 5’7” for females. Skin colors are predominantly blue-black or violet-black. Red eyes are most common, but blue and violet occur as well in this caste. Their hair is exceptionally fair, either white or pale silver, and they are considered the most beautiful of their race. The Vana castes also have the longest lifespans. Vana’Maraet and Malir both can live up to 1,000 years, while some Vana’Malir and Melal live between 900 and 800 years.

Vana’Malir
Second to the Vana’Maraet, the Vana’Malir are high ranking nobility, the equivalent of Dukes, Marquis, Earls, and other noble titles in human societies. They are often intertwined with Vana’Maraet families, and from time to time, Vana’Malir families provide spouses to the royal families, and children born of such unions can ascend the throne of a Danaij nation. Vana’Malir can marry one caste lower and the offspring of such a union will be legitimate heirs to their family’s holdings. The same rules that apply to illegitimate children born to slaves, lower-class concubines and mistresses of the Vana’Maraet apply to the Vana’Malir as well.

Vana’Melal
The third ranked caste, the Vana’Melal are lower ranking nobility that is equivalent to barons, viscounts, and other lower noble classes. Those of the Vana’Melal caste may marry one caste above or below for their offspring to be considered legitimate heirs to their family’s holdings, but marriages to members of the Shan caste, and the resulting children are often subject to scrutiny as some members of the Shan class are self-made rather than born into that station. Depending on bloodline, a child born of such a union may have more or less privileges in the Vana’Melal, and may not have the privilege of marrying up into the Vana’Malir in order to protect the purity of bloodlines.

Shan
The Shan caste is equivalent to the knighthood of human nations. They are supreme warriors amongst the Danaij, allotted some privileges of nobility which are often carried down family lines. While most of the Shan inherit their rank through their family lines, they must still earn it when they come of age. Any child born of a Shan family that lacks the aptitude for combat will be disowned, or at the least, passed off into the Shuri, or clergy. The Shan may also conscript members of the lower castes in place of their own child and train them to join the ranks of the Shan. Most Shan marry within their caste, but marriages to Shuri and Chau are not completely unheard of, and the offspring of such unions (either within marriage or not) are still considered legitimate so long as they prove themselves worthy of being Shan. Shan may also marry up into the Vana’Melal on occasion, as well as bear children outside of marriage with a member of the Vana’Melal and that child may potentially have legitimacy within the higher caste. Any child born to a union of Shan and a member of the lower two castes will not initially have legitimacy unless they earn it.

The Shan have more variety to their appearance than the Vana castes, though they are still predominantly blue-black and violet-black. Some traits from lower castes, or Danaij’vai, may be apparent in members of the Shan. Their lifespans vary between 700-900 years, depending on breeding.

Shuri
The Shuri caste is the most magically talented caste of the lower Danaij castes. They manage the temples of all of the Forsaken Land, even within the human nations. While anyone may join the clergy, it is the Shuri that remain in the highest positions, while non-Shuri and non-Danaij are barred from advancing to such positions. The Shuri hold no privileges of rulership, but they are highly regarded as spiritual leaders and emissaries of Ispa and her children.

Shuri share bloodlines from the original founders of the temple and caste, and they actually rarely marry between each other—or at all. Sometimes two Shuri may marry, or a Shuri may marry a Shan or Chau, but to continue their family lines, most Shuri are content to spread their seed or impregnate themselves with the children of those of higher castes with high magic potential. Many Shuri become the consorts of nobles and royalty in order to bear their children into the Shuri or impregnate their patron with a child they may bring into their caste. Children sired or born to a member of any of the Vana castes have no claims of legitimacy to those castes, but their future is secured amongst the Shuri. The Shuri may also adopt illegitimate children of the Vana castes that show potential for magic. There are also a number of Shuri born between priests, though their parents are rarely married or even committed to each other. Any children born amongst the Shuri that show a disappointing lack of magical prowess may be offered into the Shan if they have martial talent, or cast off into the lower castes.

On rare occasion, individuals from lower castes of high magical prowess may be accepted into the Shuri. When it comes to breeding, the Shuri care more about magical ability than appearance or noble blood. They are only biased toward nobility as they have the purest and most powerful ability for Dark Elementalism.

The Shuri have a wider variety to their appearance, but still often have many traits of the noble castes, due to the fact that their preferred partners are amongst the Vana castes. They also have long lifespans, often ranging between 800-900 years.

Chau
The Chau caste is upper-middle class, members of this caste are defined by ambition or talent more than bloodline. The Chau caste rose from Rothet by their own power and secured their position as an intermediary caste for trade and labor between the Vana and Shan castes, and the Rothet and Vauth castes. Chau are businessmen/women, and have their fingers in all areas of the Danaij markets. Families have built fortunes peddling necessities to the higher castes. At this point, most Chau have established prestigious family lines, but they do not allow their heirs to grow soft and complacent—all potential heirs to the family business must prove their worth or risk being disowned or replaced by a more competent relative—or even a reliable worker that shows more promise than they do. Occasionally, Rothet and even Vauth can rise to the rank of Chau through ambition, hard work, and the right connections. Disowned Chau often find themselves caste down to the rank of Rothet—but some families may be so disappointed that their own child could be demoted to Vauth and sold as a slave.

Chau can marry within their caste, or within castes lower, rising their spouse up to the rank of Chau, and their offspring as well, so long as they prove their worth. Chau may marry up into Shan or rarely Shuri, but their children’s first privilege will be to the higher caste if they prove worthy. The Vana castes will not marry a Chau, and if an affair with a Chau bears children, those children will never be considered legitimate to rise to the rank of the Vana castes.

Chau are predominantly of lower class appearances, including red-black and green-black skin colors, though blue-black and violet-black occur sometimes as well. Eye color has broader ranges, including not only the original red, but also gold/yellow, blue, green, and violet. Hair color can be either fair, or darker shades of gray, sometimes black. Their beauty can range from high to low by Danaij standards. Their lifespans typically range between 700-500 years, but can be higher if they have noble blood.

Rothet
The Rothet are the Danaij peasantry. They include farmers and laborers mainly, who are often either employed by the Chau (laborers) or are partnered in business with them (farmers). The Rothet can be either dirt poor or rather well-off, depending on economies and their skill. Occasionally, ambitious Rothet may rise to the rank of Chau either through marriage, inheritance, or success. Rothet can also be employed servants of the Vana castes, or even concubines or consorts of Vana individuals, which can result in pregnancies. The children born of such a union are dismissed as Rothet and have no claims of legitimacy from their higher caste parent. If their parent is generous, however, they may be able to live comfortably.

Red-black and green-black skin colors are common, but blue-black and violet-black skin can occur due to noble blood. The Rothet have a great variety of features, sometimes attributed to influences of human and Danaij’vai blood. Hair color can range from white to black, eyes from red, gold/yellow, green, blue, and violet. Brown eyes are exceptionally rare and will only occur with a significant amount of human breeding. Their attractive can vary as well; some considered beautiful, while others are ugly, even to human standards. The Rothet have a lifespan of approximately 500 years, but may be more with higher class heritage or less with more human heritage.

Vauth
The Vauth are the slave caste of Danaij society, and this caste is not entirely Danaij. It often includes humans, and sometimes individuals of other races purchased through slave trade, and mixed-race individuals. The Vauth begin as individuals who were weak-willed and easily cowed into servitude, then Rothet children who were sold into slavery by poor parents, eventually humans and other races acquired through slave trade and capture. Most Vauth are now born into this position, though poor families may still sell children into slavery if they can’t afford to feed them. Vauth are commonly owned by the Vana, Shan, Shuri, and Chau castes where their main purpose is to maintain the household or temple. Their secondary purpose is often to serve as sex slaves, especially more attractive individuals. In the custody of Shuri, slaves may also find themselves on the sacrificial altar. Well-off Rothet may hire a slave or two as well. All in all, the Vauth are the most disrespected of all Danaij.

Marriages between Vauth are often arranged by masters, carefully selected for certain traits in the way that one might breed horses or dogs. Vauth women chosen for the bedroom often bear the children of their masters, though men who frequent their mistress’s bedchamber rarely sire heirs as the lady of the house is commonly quick to turn to aborting unwanted pregnancies. Children born to a Vauth parent often remain in the Vauth caste, disregarded by their higher class sire. However, some fathers may look kindly on their illegitimate offspring and free them from servitude into the Rothet caste (or Shan or Shuri if they show appropriate potential). Vauth may be freed into the Rothet at the behest of their master.

Pure-blooded Danaij in the Vauth are similar to the Rothet, but most Vauth have mixed-blood and may display human, Danaij’vai, or traits native to other races. Their lifespan is typically around 300-500 years, but parentage may increase or decrease lifespan.
World of Aserra

Danaij'vai

Post by World of Aserra » Fri Mar 09, 2012 7:37 pm

Danaij’vai
Pronunciation: dah-NAHJ-VY. Grammatically, they should be referred to as Danaij’vai in the plural, singular, and collective.

An off-shoot of the Danaij, the Danaij’vai were altered by Craeseth, the God of War, before the onset of the War of the Gods. Finding his mother’s race to be too fragile for heavy combat, Craeseth was allowed to take a small percentage of the population and adjust them to be his ideal warriors. The resulting Danaij’vai were larger and fiercer than their Danaij forebearers.

Location and Abodes
The Danaij’vai live across the Forsaken Land in small communities, though there are two nations founded by them just to the southwest of Kiran, at the base of the mountains. The Danaij’vai have a fair amount of respect amongst the Danaij, considered equal in status with the Shan caste, but they often prefer to live amongst each other rather than deal with the complicated and sometimes depraved society of the Danaij. Broken up into numerous tribes, the Danaij’vai often make homes in the mountains and wilderness. Their lifestyle may seem primitive to the uninitiated, but as a warrior culture the Danaij’vai simply see more valor and integrity in living in the wilds than living in a city.

Danaij’vai homes are modest, depending on the lifestyle of the tribe, they may either build with stone or wood, or even live in tents if their tribe is mobile. Danaij’vai that live within the borders of Danaij nations, or even in their cities will have their own district or suburb so that they can maintain their culture without the influence of Danaij.

Appearance and Garb
The Danaij’vai are larger than their parent race; males typically stand at 6’5” (1.95m) (give or take a couple inches) and females are average at 6’ (1.82m) tall. They are a bit broader and thicker than their Danaij counterparts, and well-muscled. Females, even non-combatants, are often well-toned with sturdy and shapely figures including wide hips and large busts. Danaij’vai, with their height, are also quite long in the limbs and torso and would appear quite lanky if not for their musculature. Like the Danaij, they have black skin of multicolored hues, though their coloration covers a much warmer spectrum, typically being red-black or brown-black. Their facial features still have the attractive structure of the Danaij, though not quite as delicate, and of course the long, tapered ears. Hair color is typically white and silver, like the Danaij, and eye color is often red, but sometimes other colors that are shared with the Danaij.

However, the most unique trait of the Danaij’vai is the that they are covered in boney spikes (or thorns) that protrude from prominent bone ridges such as the cheekbones, brow, jawline, clavicle, forearms, pelvis, and shins. The thorns began to grow during puberty and break through the skin, causing the young Danaij’vai great pain. Infection is often a risk of this, but the Danaij view the pain and the infection as trials of adulthood. Young Danaij’vai quickly learn to tolerate the pain as it takes up to five years for the thorns to stop growing. Thorns are white or yellow, but sometimes they are dyed blood red. Danaij women also adorn their thorns with chains and rings, sometimes hanging silks from the thorns alone as clothing.

Danaij’vai fashions vary depending on where they live. Closer to Danaij, they will wear versions of Danaij fashions that are modified for their size and thorns. Mountain tribes may wear skins and leathers, while natives of the Danaij’vai nations may have their own fashions. Armor also varies depending on where they live and their alignment with the Danaij. The Danaij’vai do not mine shadow ore on their own, but if they are in service to a Danaij noble or royal, the most respected warriors may be outfitted with shadow ore armor and weapons.

Lifespan and Reproduction
Danaij’vai have a lifespan of approximately five hundred years. Like other elemental races, they mature at the same rate as humans until the age of twenty-five, at which point their aging ceases until the final few decades of their life. Female Danaij’vai have the same four-season ovulation cycle as Danaij, which reduces chances to conceive, but most women are aware enough of this cycle to know their likelihood of conception. Most Danaij’vai women will bear several children in their lifetimes, but not all will survive to adulthood.

Danaij’vai relationships are far more monogamous than Danaij, though on occasion they can be swayed. Young, unmarried Danaij’vai may have flings with Danaij women, but they prefer to marry their women. However, the success of a marriage is entirely dependent on the ability of both spouses to maintain their position. If a husband or wife finds new prospective partner who is somehow better than their spouse, their spouse is expected to meet this potential replacement in combat to determine who is the stronger mate. Spouses may also divorce if their partner has proven to be dishonorable—in fact, it is almost expected.

Occasionally there are interracial offspring between the Danaij and Danaij’vai, or Danaij’vai and humans, though a marriage between a human or Danaij and a Danaij’vai is frowned upon by their society. Children born of this union have less pronounced thorns, and are usually smaller than their Danaij’vai parent.

Diet, Agriculture, and Hunting
Most Danaij’vai, when independent of the Danaij, are hunter-gatherers—not from any lack of agricultural skill, merely from the fact that they prefer it. While Danaij’vai live amongst the Danaij, they may enjoy the fruits of farming, but rarely participate in it themselves, finding plowing and planting and harvesting to be a tedious endeavor, whereas hunting and searching for food entails more adventure and challenge. Even when living amongst the Danaij, the Danaij’vai prefer to hunt for their own meat in the wilds. Danaij’vai tend to prefer more meat than the Danaij, and often have a less cultured palate.

Religion
The Danaij’vai’s patron god is Craeseth, and while they are members of the dark religion, he is honored above the other gods in the dark pantheon. Occasionally, Danaij’vai may serve as clerics if they have proficient spiritual strength. Women are more likely to serve in the clergy, but sometimes men do as well, if they feel the battlefield is not so much for them.

Magic and Abilities
The Danaij’vai have the ability for Dark Elementalism, but are often less proficient than the Danaij as they are more martially oriented. Scouts and hunters may make use of some minor stealth techniques, but these are considered dishonorable for combat. A few individuals often prove to have superior spiritual strength and greater skill for magic, and they are often scouted out by clerics of the Shuri caste and invited to join the clergy where their talent for magic is put to use. At this point, most Danaij’vai adopted by the Shuri abandon many Danaij’vai traditions, and even the culture itself.

Of course, the Danaij’vai are much stronger than the Danaij, being inclined toward heavier and muscle-bound physiques. Their lanky frames also afford them some agility despite the muscles. Like the Danaij, they also have excellent night vision, and the heightened sense of hearing of all the elemental races. Danaij’vai also have a sense of smell that is a good bit stronger than that of Danaij or humans.

Personality
The Danaij’vai are a fierce warrior/hunter race, but they are bound by codes of honor and dignity. A proud people, they stand apart from their Danaij forebearers, sometimes supporting them as fellows, and sometimes keeping their distance from their devious ways. Where they fall in the spectrum of good and evil is more toward the middle.

Relations
Much of the same issues that apply to the Danaij in dealing with other races apply to the Danaij’vai as well—even multiplied due to their imposing and even terrifying appearance. In Danaij society, they are considered at once equal to the Shan (sometimes Shuri) caste and yet outsiders as well.

Play-ability
The Danaij’vai are mainly restricted to the Forsaken Land and have even less means for visiting other lands than a Danaij. In Forsaken Land settings they are a readily available PC race.
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