Supernatural Background

History

The wars of old nearly destroyed us all. Wizards battling vampires over control of the civilized world, tribes of shapeshifters tearing eachother apart over petty disputes in the wilderness, the genocide of the old giants by the elementals. Countless bloody conflicts drove all the supernatural races to either near extinction, or total annihilation. We didn’t realize how close to the brink we were until the days of the inquisition, when humans of all things forced us to either hide or burn. The world we once owned became an eminently hostile place; anything that wasn’t able to hide in the wilderness, retreat to their own realm, or blend into human society was wiped out; Dragons, Thunderbirds, Cyclops, Hydra, and many other races died out in this age. If something wasn’t done most of us wouldn’t be around today.
The elders of the remaining civilized supernatural races on earth; they decided that there would be one governing body, one council for their remaining people and that further infighting would not be tolerated. From their they played the long game; the inevitable mortality of humans allowed the  Council of Unity to slowly remove the evidence of their existence, and gradually plant skepticism into the minds of new generations. Now we are myths and legends, slowly growing in numbers, and keeping our nature secret from the mundane. The Council would tell you that our recovery is inevitable, that one day we will reclaim the world from the humans above, but we are not alone in the shadows. Those beasts that hid in the wilderness have bred adapted over the years; twisted shadows of the creatures they used to be (though no less deadly), some humans still remember us, still hunt us, and to top it all off the gates to realms once sealed off are opening again.


Covenants: When the Council of Unity became the dominant body of supernaturals on earth they quickly instituted the covenant system, a complete rework of the societal structures of the prior societies. Covenants are living groups of up to ten earthborn supernatural, each supernatural under the council's jurisdiction is assigned to one during young adulthood. Covenant are usually made up of several different races, and serve a purpose that is three fold. Firstly covenants foster a sense of camaraderie between the races, a high priority of the council after the wars of old. The second purpose is protection, the world in the shadows is a dangerous place even for supernaturals; there are cryptids out there that can tear a vampire in half, hunters can be deadly too, and the creatures beyond our world like demons can be unfriendly indeed. The third and final purpose of a covenant is their use in furthering the council’s goals; the council assigns duties, and a home to each covenant which has granted them greater control over supernatural society. They would no doubt assure us it is a necessity in such dark times.









Earthborn Council Races (Playable)

Elementals: Unlike the manifestations of Earth, Storm, Water, and Fire of previous ages who were forged purely from their element; modern elementals are tied to a human form. This is because most survivors of the old purges were not true elemental, but partial humans with a connection to elemental energies. Modern Elementals are far more durable than humans, possess the ability to produce and control their element, and with sufficient practice and skill can even briefly take on a form made of their element like the elementals of old.

Shapeshifters: Before the days of the council, shifters used to be known as various types of werecreatures. Though as the packs of old were broken up simply referring to them as “Shifters” became more common; with werewolves and the like becoming used only to refer to those who still live in woodland packs, and refuse the authority of the council. A shifter can take the form of a specific animal, or a hybrid of that animal and human; their strength, speed, durability, and senses are all far more potent than those a mundane human.

Sorcerers: Long ago sorcerers built a great empire in their own demiplane, only for it to be lost in the wars of old. Magic is a strange kind of energy of uncertain origin which sorcerers can manifest and direct in strange ways. In its most basic state all magic is the same dormant force, but through spells can interact with and even influence the universe in a vast number of ways. Spellcasting is a versatile tool, but it does have limits; no elementalist will be able to bend fire like an elemental could, no shape changing spell with ever be as smooth and natural as a shifter, and of course each sorcerer has limited power and knowledge.

Vampires: Unlike most creatures of the supernatural world every single vampire was once a human. Some say vampirism is a curse laid by an ancient witch, others say it was a gift from an ancient god, still others say that the first vampire was a sorcerer striving to obtain immortality. The true origins of this race is shrouded in myth and speculation. Whatever their origins vampires are powerful and sentient undead, who were given particular trouble during the human’s purges thanks to their weaknesses to blessed items, the sun, and fire. Often times if a vampire’s lair was found during the day, the inquisition would merely set it on fire, which proved lethal over 80 percent of the time. Of course along with their weaknesses vampires wield great strength; though their physical attributes do not compare with that of a shifter they are far greater than a human’s. Additionally vampires can radiate inhuman beauty, and can cast magic; while not as powerful as sorcerers in the arcane arts, an elder vampire is not far off.

The Remnants: While the creatures of the old world are either dead, or changed far beyond recognition; there are still some who bear their blood diluted as it may be. Even within lineages that bear the old blood from some kind of ancient bond or crossbreeding, it is ussually dormant; appearing perhaps once or twice every few generations, sometimes in siblings. When discovered Remnants are taken from their old life and family to be integrated into supernatural society. The abilities these beings have vary wildly on their mythical ancestor.