Lex Brierley (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
revenant_trash) wrote2020-11-14 07:41 pm
revenant_trash) wrote2020-11-14 07:41 pm
Wraith Primer
Wraith
First-gen (The original first generation)
Were created/born as adults in Guln (lowest level of hell.) They formed, golem-like, from volcanic rocks out of the way of extreme heat. Danaë was trying to create angels, but the Architect did not give his permission for Danaë to create angels, so they came out... not quite angels, but not entirely removed, either. But to Danaë, they weren't right... so she deemed them 'all wrong' and consigned them to Guln, where lots of awful experiments end up. (Eventually the Arc created angels through Danaë, in effect allowing her to create them because she wanted them so much, but all angels are His. So. It's a compromise.) First-gen wraith were all born as adults, fully capable of grasping adult concepts and physically able to cope with sex. However for their first one or two months, they were emotionally incapable of dealing with sex. Lexis Brierley was only three weeks old when he was captured, not that anyone is emotionally equipped to deal with brutal torture.
First-gen wraith are born with their name known to them. First-gen and sub-gen adult wraith have with the ability to recognise and understand anything said to them in any language. This does not automatically mean they can speak the language. They just understand, and can repeat words. They are also born being able to recognise their gods, even from a picture. They would not be able to recognise Simon, seeing as he's not kayori, but they might confuse him with Vahlmir; a face they feel they recognise. They also have an awareness of species, as long as the species can be found on Keldra. They know what a demon is, on any world, but might not recognise anything that cannot be found on Keldra.
Sub-gen
(Subsequent generations) All other descendant wraith, who were born by normal sexual reproduction.
First-gen and Sub-gen wraith.
Before Maturity (age 20-22):
Wraith are similar in corporeal form, to kelde, including the first-gen who were born as adults. They can become shapeless shadow, but strong light forces them back into corporeal form. They cannot move as shadow, they can only hide. Their skin is pleasantly cool to the touch, but not deathly cold. Wraith have no heartbeat until they mature. They are supernatural creatures, kept living by the grace of Danaë, and her power. They cannot reproduce until they mature.
If a wraith child falls from a great height, it's a natural instinct to shadow-shift at once. They cannot move to safety, but shadow is weightless, so they do not fall. They have to wait, in mid-air, for an adult to come and assist them.
Wraith children may be supernatural and immortal (in the sense of longevity) but they need to eat and sleep, or they fall into a coma-like state. If the coma persists for more than a few weeks, the wraith will not wake up, nad will just fade away into shadow.
On/After Maturity:
Wraith hearts begin to beat and they can reproduce sexually. Their corporeal form flesh is as warm as that of kelde.
Their shadow form is different too, on maturity. An adult wraith has far more control over their shadow form. They look like one imagines wraith to look. Shadow spirit shapes that ebb and flow like black ink dropped into clear water. Their faces can be made out, if they are still for long enough. They can't move through solid matter, but they can seep through tiny cracks, under doors or around windows.
As a race considered angel-adjacent, their shadow forms can be lethal to demonic species. By literally charging at another being and passing through their bodies, they can reduce the target to ash. They are very effective demon slayers, but a single wraith cannot slay the more powerful demons, or the gods. Varying degrees of power in a demon means it takes more wraith - in a group - to destroy. Plenty of wraith serve Drake, becoming Libre warriors. There is a natural amity between wraith and Libre vampires. There is a natural enmity between wraith and demons. (This makes vampire and wraith natural allies, because there is an ages-old hostility between any vampires and demons. Even the 'evil' Nekrin vampires do not get along with demons, and vice versa.)
All wraith everywhere, whatever age, are immune to fire and hellfire, but not dragon-fire, soul fire or the terrible new godfire. They are angel-touched; that is so similar to angels that they are immune to disease, and they cannot act as carriers. They are NOT immune to magic, and quantum devices can undermine or dampen their abilities.
All wraith love the dark nights, moonlight, starlight, and late dusk, or the time just before dawn. They don't really object to sunlight, but find it all a bit stark, and harsh. It does hurt their eyes unless they’re used to it. Most wraith are nocturnal. Those with diurnal packs learn how to compromise. They are not demons or evil spirits. They're creatures of darkness, in the way that rabbits and deer are creatures of the forest.
Adult wraith don't need to eat very much. They usually pick at things they like, and that is sufficient. They do need some element of rest however. If they have expended a lot of energy, they need to sleep, and perhaps a little more food than usual. In the future, the Sidiar wraith will evolve to be able to sustain themselves purely from the realm's shadows and its magical fields. They will become true creatures of Sidiar's Lord.
Pregnancy:
The primary form of the wraith is corporeal, in that they are born that way. The shadow-form is secondary when it comes to mating. Conception can only take place in their corporeal form, and females cannot shadowshift once they are pregnant. Right at the point where a female begins labour, she does shift into shadow, involuntarily.. but the baby and the placenta do not. It's a gift from Danaë, that the wraith don't have to endure the pain of childbirth. The female wraith literally fades into shadow, leaving the baby solid, and can move away, before coming back into corporeal form to cut the umbilical cord and hold her child. So there's no screaming and bleeding whilst trying to expel a six-pound lump of meat through the birth canal.
Shadowshifting (and back again):
Wraith refer to being in shadow form as qi'hira, and being in corporeal form as ne'hira. Use in a sentence would be: “Lex is qi'hira," (Lex is all-shadow) or "Spectra is ne'hira." (Spectra is not-shadow.) One wouldn't say Lex is in qi'hira; that is grammatically incorrect.
(Applies to adults and children) Wraith are supernatural. If injured in their corporeal form, a shadowshift can heal the injuries. If a wraith has an arrow, a bullet - or any foreign item - stuck in their physical body, a shadow-shift can remove it. Anything in the bloodstream, such as drugs, medicine, or venom, cannot be removed this way. Shadow-shifting is also used to clean themselves, in much the same way as Keldran Familiars are known to be able to do.
As shadow, wraith can merge. This is usually non-sexual, but can be utilised by lovers to feel more close, more intimate. Two sexually excited wraith may often melt into shadow during sex; often for only a few seconds, before becoming corporeal again and continuing the activity. When in shadow form, wraith have no eyes to see, ears to hear, or nervous systems, or anything associated with having a physical body. They do still think and feel though, and anyone with the power to access the shadow layer, can affect them. Experienced incubi can even use aphidy to make them change back into corporeal form. Xerxe can emit a shriek in the shadow-layer, which is unbearable for wraith, and this forces them back into ne'hira. When both an adult and child are in shadow form, the adult can merge with them and move them from A to B.
Wraith can call to each other when in shadow form. It is not an audible voice but a vibration in what is know to these beings as 'the shadow layer'; a plane of existence which is pure shadow. This is not dissimilar to, or far removed from, the ghost realm, or ghost plane. Wraith are very like ghosts in their shadow form.
They can sleep and get a goods night's rest in either shadow form or corporeal form. If in a safe place, most wraith will tend to drift between qi'hira and ne'hira throughout the night. If they are not sleeping somewhere safe, wraith much prefer to remain qi'hira.
Adult wraith have the ability to concentrate their shadow-mass and condense it, forming a ball of dark mass. They become not exactly solid, but are supernaturally capable of hurling themselves at even a cliff-face and punching large holes in walls, and the like. This makes them even more useful in battle, as they can pound an enemy stronghold or break through glass windows, even steel bars. This takes a lot of energy though, and the wraith cannot sustain such activity for longer than about a quarter of an hour; after which they are physically exhausted and need to rest. Hence, in war, it is important that they break through any given target as swiftly as possible. A group of wraith doing this are almost unstoppable, unless a stronghold, or whatever, is magically warded against them.
Lifestyles:
Usually pale-skinned, they do not tan. Most wraith have dark hair. Blond/es tend to be dark, and pale blond/e is extremely rare. They vary in height as much as humans, but are generally slight in build. As a species, wraith are quite gentle, playful, curious, and fairly shy.
Wraith tend to be hunter-gatherers and farmers, although they do have the advanced technology typical of Keldra. Their curiosity means they make good scientists.
Musicians, dancers, and poets are common among wraith. Visual arts... not so much, but painters and mixed media artists do tend to be more abstract. This is because wraith have an understanding of language, or something that’s being said to them. It's easy to paint a tree. You're saying 'this is a tree' and everyone can understand it. Abstract art has it's own language and its own rules. Wraith have an understanding of abstract art that nobody else does. They understand the language that's being spoken to them... it doesn't mean they can suddenly paint abstracts themselves, much like not being able to speak a whole language just by understanding a few words. (Visual art (paintings, sculpture, etc) is possibly more the domain of angels and Edion.)
There are no recorded wars among the wraith. They do not make war on each other. They are peaceful, but possibly amoral in the sense that they don't have mortal values. They are aligned to 'good' as opposed to evil though. Whatever that means. They may be dark in some respects, but they are not cruel or malicious. The 'dark' referred to here, is more born of sadness, or the shadows of doubt, pain, mystery, secrets, wildness, and whispers; not anger or hatred.
Wraith favour the dark and have perfect night-vision. They can even read in the dark. They are capable of functioning perfectly well in bright sunlight, but only if their eyes are used to such conditions. It takes a wraith three to four days for their eyes to really adjust to daylight.
Wraith garb:
Most wraith wear hoods and cowls in public. This is because of Lex. He was the first to be created, and has Phoenix's face. Because of this, he'd wear a hood and a scarf over his nose and mouth. Out of love and solidarity, his close friends did the same... and it spread. Eventually, all wraith, recognising Lex as the first, and their leader (a role he never wanted, and one that fucked him up even more) adopted the clothing and all of them wear the cowl in public to this day. It suits their shy nature, and the hoods help to keep the sun out of their eyes when active in daylight. It is not uncommon to see wraith in daylight, wearing futuristic looking dark glasses, or an eye-visor.
Lexis Brierley:
Lexis Brierley (Lex) is the first wraith Danaë created. Wishing to make angels, she used Phoenix Kaelen as a blueprint. Hence Lex has the tiniest fragment of kayori DNA.
Lex has more power than other wraith. He is their leader, their prince, but his daughter has become their president, leaving less pressure on the monarchy. Lex was given extra powers by the Anori, Keshar, being her protector and guardian. He has more control over other ordinary shadows than other wraith. He can make shadow solid to a small degree, and can manipulate regular shadow. In Sidiar, he is the most in tune with the shadow layer, and finds it easier to connect to the song of Sidiar and its creatures than other wraith.
Lex's descendants also have more power than other wraith, but not quite as much as Lex.
Wraith do not call each other mother or father, of grandma, etc. They know who their relatives are, but being to all intents and purposes, immortal, they use each others names instead. It doesn't really work, calling your mother's father 'grandpa' when he looks about 23 years old, and always will.
Lex's family:
Nina, (deceased.) the mother of Spectra, died in the hell war, believing she could destroy Solus. On the battlefield, she had a clear path to him, so attempted it. Lex could only watch as her black mass flew through Solus, and came out the other side of his body as nothing but dried bones, which shattered on the ground. (Solus was bad-ass)
Spectra Brierley: Lex's daughter (PB Natalie Portman) She's almost as old as Lex, who is some 600 years. Spectra was born during what is jokingly called 'the great begetting', when the first-gen wraith found they could have babies, many, many females wanted them and of course the males were happy to oblige. Spectra and Lex are more like brother and sister than father and daughter. They're both so close in age now.
Thérèse (Teri) di Lucca: the daughter of Spectra Brierley and Stefano di Lucca. Lex's granddaughter. She was 12 at the time of Nexus, but I'm keeping her at 12 for whatever RP she comes into with our stuff. I like her age, and she's very cool. Had she been male like her father, she would have been born vampire. http://shadowbaby.dreamwidth.org/profile
Stefano di Lucca, http://the-vampire-general.dreamwidth.org/profile Spectra, and Phoenix's son Sam http://riftgod.dreamwidth.org/profile are all a pack, with Sam and Terri as the Omegas, and Spectra (a Beta) pregnant again with a boy. Children of a pack are usually given the Alpha's surname, and Stefano is the Alpha, so. The Brierley-di Lucca's are beloved of the gods, and live in La'Zralae, the Kayori paradise realm. Stefano di Lucca is a Libre vampire, but from Earth. He was born in the same year as Casanova, and met the man. Long story short, he ended up on Keldra, as he was turned by Keldran vampires, and became Drake's right hand man, and favoured general. He's now retired.
Aben Lexis di Lucca, Stefano and Spectra's youngest child. Aben is three, and a vampire like his father. Had he been female, he would not be a vampire.
Samuel Kaelen, Sam, Phoenix's son, is the adult Omega of the di Lucca pack. As he matures, and his kayori powers grow, he will gradually become Beta, at Spectra's side.
Lex's history:
His name is Lexis Brierley, but he much prefers just Lex.
Lex is almost identical to the angel Phoenix Kaelen, because at the time, Phoenix was the only true Keldran angel, and the mother nebula thought it would be a great idea to duplicate him. Hence Lex - who is the only wraith to look like Phoenix. He is different though. He has dark hair, almost black, darker blue eyes, and is about a half-inch shorter. He is as different to Phoenix as Simon is to Vahl. Different body markings, moles, etc.
Not long after Lex was born he was captured by a pack of lesser demons. He was horribly young and the story is a sad one.
The poor little bastard couldn't stand anyone touching him for almost ten years, after the trauma of his capture. A part of him remained that child-man who first crawled out of a volcanic fissure in Guln. Having to spent 600 years focussing on his role in the hell war didn't help him to not be screwed up either.
Nina was the first person whom Lex allowed to touch him. Once they turned 20, Spectra was born.
Lex had no other children, though Nina did. Spectra adored her father, and understood him better than most. She never had children of her own, instead choosing to devote herself to helping her father through the pressure of having to lead his people into battle, some six centuries in the future. She did settle down directly after the Hell War though, with Stefano di Lucca, Drake's right-hand man. They have two children.
He was born six hundred years before the Hell War.
Present history:
Lex and Deryl Buckthorn (http://buckthorn.dreamwidth.org/profile ) along with a unit of Den'Quari (not mentioned in canon) and Libre soldiers, were the ones to rescue Vahlmir Ravenhead from Solus' dungeons. Having befriended Vahl, Lex received a warm welcome from the god when he travelled to Phoenix's realm, Naidrah.
He received less of a welcome from Phoenix, who was exceptionally kind to Lex when he was young. Phoenix was going through the mill at the time. He had to cope with Vahl in his realm, with Vahl's kid's birthsphere, and the angel was going through a phase of being a total arsehole.
He took a dislike to Lex courting one of his new angels, Caleb, and the pair (Phoenix and Lex) had a fight over it. It took Caleb (who was a first-gen angel himself and a bit older and less silly than some of the other angels) to defy Phoenix, stamp his foot a bit and pout, to finally get grudging permission for Lex to .. date him.
Things between Phoenix and Lex were a bit prickly for a long time. They've since made it up, but Phoenix having treated Lex badly for no reason AT ALL, once... Lex is not entirely sure he won't do it again, so he's a little wary. Phoenix does his best to be friendly though, and still feels fucking awful for being such a wanker to someone who bailed Keldra out, when they were losing the Hell War.
Lex has arrested development, and PTSD, which has always been with him. Preparing for the hell war exacerbated it. Lex even lashed out at Caleb a couple of times in his sleep, having nightmares, and was eventually persuaded to take his problems to Vahl. Vahl of course wanted to help, and did. The nightmares stopped at once, obv. The severe PTSD was worked on, and has much improved. Vahl still gives Lex the occasional treatment.
The relationship between Lex and Caleb has altered. They are no longer lovers, but very close friends. The decision was mutual. They both saw it as inevitable, and no hearts were broken.
However, the arrested development will take longer. Lex has spent his entire life, 600 years, with severe psychological problems, and it's going to take a while. Hence, Lex has been quick to shed the skin of General and soldier. He's forgetting military life as fast as he damn well can, and won't be talking shop with Simon. Lex can be childlike as opposed to childish. Buuut, he can also be very childish, patronising, and scathing when he's nervous, annoyed, or plain scared. He was deeply sarcastic to Vahl when they first met and had to destroy the rift generator... which Vahl adored.
(Teri will talk shop with Simon until the cows come home. She’s from warrior stock, and her parents allow her to handle weapons regularly and responsibly. She's just turned 12, and has the right to carry a blaster... all Libre children are permitted to carry stunners. When they turn twelve, they have an exam based on knowledge, good sense, and skill, then they are permitted to carry a real weapon. They have to earn the privilege. She's a dead shot, and wants to be a sniper when she's an adult. She knows her Keldran weapons, but not many Earth ones. I think Vahl needs to buy her a book.)
Lex is currently the mate of the lilim akharrin, Ahriman. The two are officially mated and very much in love, but have had a few problems in that they don't live in the same realm. Ahriman is in Jesaurek, with his tribe, and Lex has been living in the paradise realm of the kayori, La'Zralae. However, Lex has now moved to Sidiar, with some of his people, and is to be joined very soon by Ahriman, and more of the lilim. Lex bears Ahriman's mark, a beautiful lattice of bright metallic gold, about one and a half inched in diameter, to one side of his throat. It looks as if the gold from Ahri's venom filled the tiny capillaries close to the skin, and just stayed there. When Lex is qi'hira, the mark can be seen as a little puff of gold dust, in his shadow-mass.
More recently, Lex has become a lover of Tzarkahn Simon. It's an intense relationship. Both men care for each other deeply, and love will blossom. The eventual result of this will be Simon claiming Lex and bonding with him as his Omega. The rest of the ruling pack will follow. Phoenix is already having strong feelings towards Lex. Both Vahl and Phoenix are watching out for Lex, when it comes to Ahriman and Simon. The latter, though Lex will grow to love him dearly, has always terrified the wraith It's Phoenix in particular who will get all hissy and will not be afraid to butt heads with Simon, if he thinks their Alpha is giving Lex more than he can handle.
Vahl is inordinately fond of Lex. They don't have a sexual relationship, but rest assured, Vahl will delight in the day when Lex no longer needs him and healer, and will have no reluctance in pouncing. He's occasionally a tutor to Teri, who calls him uncle Vahl, and he considers the Brierley-di Luccas an extended (if minor) part of the Kayori pantheon. Lex will truly become a god, and is on his own path of evolution. Not that anyone quite realises it yet.
Keshar:
When Lex and Vahl were rescued from Guln after the hell war, Lex picked up a few baby ribbon snakes - who did not belong in Guln any more than the wraith, and took them to safety. Most, he gave to friends as pets, but one he kept, adoring her, and couldn't part with her.
Later, the snake was proved to be Keshar, the animal god of this new young generation of gods (Malik, Sam, Erin, Sacha) Lex was recognised as her official guardian. Yet another connection the Brierleys have to the gods.
First-gen (The original first generation)
Were created/born as adults in Guln (lowest level of hell.) They formed, golem-like, from volcanic rocks out of the way of extreme heat. Danaë was trying to create angels, but the Architect did not give his permission for Danaë to create angels, so they came out... not quite angels, but not entirely removed, either. But to Danaë, they weren't right... so she deemed them 'all wrong' and consigned them to Guln, where lots of awful experiments end up. (Eventually the Arc created angels through Danaë, in effect allowing her to create them because she wanted them so much, but all angels are His. So. It's a compromise.) First-gen wraith were all born as adults, fully capable of grasping adult concepts and physically able to cope with sex. However for their first one or two months, they were emotionally incapable of dealing with sex. Lexis Brierley was only three weeks old when he was captured, not that anyone is emotionally equipped to deal with brutal torture.
First-gen wraith are born with their name known to them. First-gen and sub-gen adult wraith have with the ability to recognise and understand anything said to them in any language. This does not automatically mean they can speak the language. They just understand, and can repeat words. They are also born being able to recognise their gods, even from a picture. They would not be able to recognise Simon, seeing as he's not kayori, but they might confuse him with Vahlmir; a face they feel they recognise. They also have an awareness of species, as long as the species can be found on Keldra. They know what a demon is, on any world, but might not recognise anything that cannot be found on Keldra.
Sub-gen
(Subsequent generations) All other descendant wraith, who were born by normal sexual reproduction.
First-gen and Sub-gen wraith.
Before Maturity (age 20-22):
Wraith are similar in corporeal form, to kelde, including the first-gen who were born as adults. They can become shapeless shadow, but strong light forces them back into corporeal form. They cannot move as shadow, they can only hide. Their skin is pleasantly cool to the touch, but not deathly cold. Wraith have no heartbeat until they mature. They are supernatural creatures, kept living by the grace of Danaë, and her power. They cannot reproduce until they mature.
If a wraith child falls from a great height, it's a natural instinct to shadow-shift at once. They cannot move to safety, but shadow is weightless, so they do not fall. They have to wait, in mid-air, for an adult to come and assist them.
Wraith children may be supernatural and immortal (in the sense of longevity) but they need to eat and sleep, or they fall into a coma-like state. If the coma persists for more than a few weeks, the wraith will not wake up, nad will just fade away into shadow.
On/After Maturity:
Wraith hearts begin to beat and they can reproduce sexually. Their corporeal form flesh is as warm as that of kelde.
Their shadow form is different too, on maturity. An adult wraith has far more control over their shadow form. They look like one imagines wraith to look. Shadow spirit shapes that ebb and flow like black ink dropped into clear water. Their faces can be made out, if they are still for long enough. They can't move through solid matter, but they can seep through tiny cracks, under doors or around windows.
As a race considered angel-adjacent, their shadow forms can be lethal to demonic species. By literally charging at another being and passing through their bodies, they can reduce the target to ash. They are very effective demon slayers, but a single wraith cannot slay the more powerful demons, or the gods. Varying degrees of power in a demon means it takes more wraith - in a group - to destroy. Plenty of wraith serve Drake, becoming Libre warriors. There is a natural amity between wraith and Libre vampires. There is a natural enmity between wraith and demons. (This makes vampire and wraith natural allies, because there is an ages-old hostility between any vampires and demons. Even the 'evil' Nekrin vampires do not get along with demons, and vice versa.)
All wraith everywhere, whatever age, are immune to fire and hellfire, but not dragon-fire, soul fire or the terrible new godfire. They are angel-touched; that is so similar to angels that they are immune to disease, and they cannot act as carriers. They are NOT immune to magic, and quantum devices can undermine or dampen their abilities.
All wraith love the dark nights, moonlight, starlight, and late dusk, or the time just before dawn. They don't really object to sunlight, but find it all a bit stark, and harsh. It does hurt their eyes unless they’re used to it. Most wraith are nocturnal. Those with diurnal packs learn how to compromise. They are not demons or evil spirits. They're creatures of darkness, in the way that rabbits and deer are creatures of the forest.
Adult wraith don't need to eat very much. They usually pick at things they like, and that is sufficient. They do need some element of rest however. If they have expended a lot of energy, they need to sleep, and perhaps a little more food than usual. In the future, the Sidiar wraith will evolve to be able to sustain themselves purely from the realm's shadows and its magical fields. They will become true creatures of Sidiar's Lord.
Pregnancy:
The primary form of the wraith is corporeal, in that they are born that way. The shadow-form is secondary when it comes to mating. Conception can only take place in their corporeal form, and females cannot shadowshift once they are pregnant. Right at the point where a female begins labour, she does shift into shadow, involuntarily.. but the baby and the placenta do not. It's a gift from Danaë, that the wraith don't have to endure the pain of childbirth. The female wraith literally fades into shadow, leaving the baby solid, and can move away, before coming back into corporeal form to cut the umbilical cord and hold her child. So there's no screaming and bleeding whilst trying to expel a six-pound lump of meat through the birth canal.
Shadowshifting (and back again):
Wraith refer to being in shadow form as qi'hira, and being in corporeal form as ne'hira. Use in a sentence would be: “Lex is qi'hira," (Lex is all-shadow) or "Spectra is ne'hira." (Spectra is not-shadow.) One wouldn't say Lex is in qi'hira; that is grammatically incorrect.
(Applies to adults and children) Wraith are supernatural. If injured in their corporeal form, a shadowshift can heal the injuries. If a wraith has an arrow, a bullet - or any foreign item - stuck in their physical body, a shadow-shift can remove it. Anything in the bloodstream, such as drugs, medicine, or venom, cannot be removed this way. Shadow-shifting is also used to clean themselves, in much the same way as Keldran Familiars are known to be able to do.
As shadow, wraith can merge. This is usually non-sexual, but can be utilised by lovers to feel more close, more intimate. Two sexually excited wraith may often melt into shadow during sex; often for only a few seconds, before becoming corporeal again and continuing the activity. When in shadow form, wraith have no eyes to see, ears to hear, or nervous systems, or anything associated with having a physical body. They do still think and feel though, and anyone with the power to access the shadow layer, can affect them. Experienced incubi can even use aphidy to make them change back into corporeal form. Xerxe can emit a shriek in the shadow-layer, which is unbearable for wraith, and this forces them back into ne'hira. When both an adult and child are in shadow form, the adult can merge with them and move them from A to B.
Wraith can call to each other when in shadow form. It is not an audible voice but a vibration in what is know to these beings as 'the shadow layer'; a plane of existence which is pure shadow. This is not dissimilar to, or far removed from, the ghost realm, or ghost plane. Wraith are very like ghosts in their shadow form.
They can sleep and get a goods night's rest in either shadow form or corporeal form. If in a safe place, most wraith will tend to drift between qi'hira and ne'hira throughout the night. If they are not sleeping somewhere safe, wraith much prefer to remain qi'hira.
Adult wraith have the ability to concentrate their shadow-mass and condense it, forming a ball of dark mass. They become not exactly solid, but are supernaturally capable of hurling themselves at even a cliff-face and punching large holes in walls, and the like. This makes them even more useful in battle, as they can pound an enemy stronghold or break through glass windows, even steel bars. This takes a lot of energy though, and the wraith cannot sustain such activity for longer than about a quarter of an hour; after which they are physically exhausted and need to rest. Hence, in war, it is important that they break through any given target as swiftly as possible. A group of wraith doing this are almost unstoppable, unless a stronghold, or whatever, is magically warded against them.
Lifestyles:
Usually pale-skinned, they do not tan. Most wraith have dark hair. Blond/es tend to be dark, and pale blond/e is extremely rare. They vary in height as much as humans, but are generally slight in build. As a species, wraith are quite gentle, playful, curious, and fairly shy.
Wraith tend to be hunter-gatherers and farmers, although they do have the advanced technology typical of Keldra. Their curiosity means they make good scientists.
Musicians, dancers, and poets are common among wraith. Visual arts... not so much, but painters and mixed media artists do tend to be more abstract. This is because wraith have an understanding of language, or something that’s being said to them. It's easy to paint a tree. You're saying 'this is a tree' and everyone can understand it. Abstract art has it's own language and its own rules. Wraith have an understanding of abstract art that nobody else does. They understand the language that's being spoken to them... it doesn't mean they can suddenly paint abstracts themselves, much like not being able to speak a whole language just by understanding a few words. (Visual art (paintings, sculpture, etc) is possibly more the domain of angels and Edion.)
There are no recorded wars among the wraith. They do not make war on each other. They are peaceful, but possibly amoral in the sense that they don't have mortal values. They are aligned to 'good' as opposed to evil though. Whatever that means. They may be dark in some respects, but they are not cruel or malicious. The 'dark' referred to here, is more born of sadness, or the shadows of doubt, pain, mystery, secrets, wildness, and whispers; not anger or hatred.
Wraith favour the dark and have perfect night-vision. They can even read in the dark. They are capable of functioning perfectly well in bright sunlight, but only if their eyes are used to such conditions. It takes a wraith three to four days for their eyes to really adjust to daylight.
Wraith garb:
Most wraith wear hoods and cowls in public. This is because of Lex. He was the first to be created, and has Phoenix's face. Because of this, he'd wear a hood and a scarf over his nose and mouth. Out of love and solidarity, his close friends did the same... and it spread. Eventually, all wraith, recognising Lex as the first, and their leader (a role he never wanted, and one that fucked him up even more) adopted the clothing and all of them wear the cowl in public to this day. It suits their shy nature, and the hoods help to keep the sun out of their eyes when active in daylight. It is not uncommon to see wraith in daylight, wearing futuristic looking dark glasses, or an eye-visor.
Lexis Brierley:
Lexis Brierley (Lex) is the first wraith Danaë created. Wishing to make angels, she used Phoenix Kaelen as a blueprint. Hence Lex has the tiniest fragment of kayori DNA.
Lex has more power than other wraith. He is their leader, their prince, but his daughter has become their president, leaving less pressure on the monarchy. Lex was given extra powers by the Anori, Keshar, being her protector and guardian. He has more control over other ordinary shadows than other wraith. He can make shadow solid to a small degree, and can manipulate regular shadow. In Sidiar, he is the most in tune with the shadow layer, and finds it easier to connect to the song of Sidiar and its creatures than other wraith.
Lex's descendants also have more power than other wraith, but not quite as much as Lex.
Wraith do not call each other mother or father, of grandma, etc. They know who their relatives are, but being to all intents and purposes, immortal, they use each others names instead. It doesn't really work, calling your mother's father 'grandpa' when he looks about 23 years old, and always will.
Lex's family:
Nina, (deceased.) the mother of Spectra, died in the hell war, believing she could destroy Solus. On the battlefield, she had a clear path to him, so attempted it. Lex could only watch as her black mass flew through Solus, and came out the other side of his body as nothing but dried bones, which shattered on the ground. (Solus was bad-ass)
Spectra Brierley: Lex's daughter (PB Natalie Portman) She's almost as old as Lex, who is some 600 years. Spectra was born during what is jokingly called 'the great begetting', when the first-gen wraith found they could have babies, many, many females wanted them and of course the males were happy to oblige. Spectra and Lex are more like brother and sister than father and daughter. They're both so close in age now.
Thérèse (Teri) di Lucca: the daughter of Spectra Brierley and Stefano di Lucca. Lex's granddaughter. She was 12 at the time of Nexus, but I'm keeping her at 12 for whatever RP she comes into with our stuff. I like her age, and she's very cool. Had she been male like her father, she would have been born vampire. http://shadowbaby.dreamwidth.org/profile
Stefano di Lucca, http://the-vampire-general.dreamwidth.org/profile Spectra, and Phoenix's son Sam http://riftgod.dreamwidth.org/profile are all a pack, with Sam and Terri as the Omegas, and Spectra (a Beta) pregnant again with a boy. Children of a pack are usually given the Alpha's surname, and Stefano is the Alpha, so. The Brierley-di Lucca's are beloved of the gods, and live in La'Zralae, the Kayori paradise realm. Stefano di Lucca is a Libre vampire, but from Earth. He was born in the same year as Casanova, and met the man. Long story short, he ended up on Keldra, as he was turned by Keldran vampires, and became Drake's right hand man, and favoured general. He's now retired.
Aben Lexis di Lucca, Stefano and Spectra's youngest child. Aben is three, and a vampire like his father. Had he been female, he would not be a vampire.
Samuel Kaelen, Sam, Phoenix's son, is the adult Omega of the di Lucca pack. As he matures, and his kayori powers grow, he will gradually become Beta, at Spectra's side.
Lex's history:
His name is Lexis Brierley, but he much prefers just Lex.
Lex is almost identical to the angel Phoenix Kaelen, because at the time, Phoenix was the only true Keldran angel, and the mother nebula thought it would be a great idea to duplicate him. Hence Lex - who is the only wraith to look like Phoenix. He is different though. He has dark hair, almost black, darker blue eyes, and is about a half-inch shorter. He is as different to Phoenix as Simon is to Vahl. Different body markings, moles, etc.
Not long after Lex was born he was captured by a pack of lesser demons. He was horribly young and the story is a sad one.
The poor little bastard couldn't stand anyone touching him for almost ten years, after the trauma of his capture. A part of him remained that child-man who first crawled out of a volcanic fissure in Guln. Having to spent 600 years focussing on his role in the hell war didn't help him to not be screwed up either.
Nina was the first person whom Lex allowed to touch him. Once they turned 20, Spectra was born.
Lex had no other children, though Nina did. Spectra adored her father, and understood him better than most. She never had children of her own, instead choosing to devote herself to helping her father through the pressure of having to lead his people into battle, some six centuries in the future. She did settle down directly after the Hell War though, with Stefano di Lucca, Drake's right-hand man. They have two children.
He was born six hundred years before the Hell War.
Present history:
Lex and Deryl Buckthorn (http://buckthorn.dreamwidth.org/profile ) along with a unit of Den'Quari (not mentioned in canon) and Libre soldiers, were the ones to rescue Vahlmir Ravenhead from Solus' dungeons. Having befriended Vahl, Lex received a warm welcome from the god when he travelled to Phoenix's realm, Naidrah.
He received less of a welcome from Phoenix, who was exceptionally kind to Lex when he was young. Phoenix was going through the mill at the time. He had to cope with Vahl in his realm, with Vahl's kid's birthsphere, and the angel was going through a phase of being a total arsehole.
He took a dislike to Lex courting one of his new angels, Caleb, and the pair (Phoenix and Lex) had a fight over it. It took Caleb (who was a first-gen angel himself and a bit older and less silly than some of the other angels) to defy Phoenix, stamp his foot a bit and pout, to finally get grudging permission for Lex to .. date him.
Things between Phoenix and Lex were a bit prickly for a long time. They've since made it up, but Phoenix having treated Lex badly for no reason AT ALL, once... Lex is not entirely sure he won't do it again, so he's a little wary. Phoenix does his best to be friendly though, and still feels fucking awful for being such a wanker to someone who bailed Keldra out, when they were losing the Hell War.
Lex has arrested development, and PTSD, which has always been with him. Preparing for the hell war exacerbated it. Lex even lashed out at Caleb a couple of times in his sleep, having nightmares, and was eventually persuaded to take his problems to Vahl. Vahl of course wanted to help, and did. The nightmares stopped at once, obv. The severe PTSD was worked on, and has much improved. Vahl still gives Lex the occasional treatment.
The relationship between Lex and Caleb has altered. They are no longer lovers, but very close friends. The decision was mutual. They both saw it as inevitable, and no hearts were broken.
However, the arrested development will take longer. Lex has spent his entire life, 600 years, with severe psychological problems, and it's going to take a while. Hence, Lex has been quick to shed the skin of General and soldier. He's forgetting military life as fast as he damn well can, and won't be talking shop with Simon. Lex can be childlike as opposed to childish. Buuut, he can also be very childish, patronising, and scathing when he's nervous, annoyed, or plain scared. He was deeply sarcastic to Vahl when they first met and had to destroy the rift generator... which Vahl adored.
(Teri will talk shop with Simon until the cows come home. She’s from warrior stock, and her parents allow her to handle weapons regularly and responsibly. She's just turned 12, and has the right to carry a blaster... all Libre children are permitted to carry stunners. When they turn twelve, they have an exam based on knowledge, good sense, and skill, then they are permitted to carry a real weapon. They have to earn the privilege. She's a dead shot, and wants to be a sniper when she's an adult. She knows her Keldran weapons, but not many Earth ones. I think Vahl needs to buy her a book.)
Lex is currently the mate of the lilim akharrin, Ahriman. The two are officially mated and very much in love, but have had a few problems in that they don't live in the same realm. Ahriman is in Jesaurek, with his tribe, and Lex has been living in the paradise realm of the kayori, La'Zralae. However, Lex has now moved to Sidiar, with some of his people, and is to be joined very soon by Ahriman, and more of the lilim. Lex bears Ahriman's mark, a beautiful lattice of bright metallic gold, about one and a half inched in diameter, to one side of his throat. It looks as if the gold from Ahri's venom filled the tiny capillaries close to the skin, and just stayed there. When Lex is qi'hira, the mark can be seen as a little puff of gold dust, in his shadow-mass.
More recently, Lex has become a lover of Tzarkahn Simon. It's an intense relationship. Both men care for each other deeply, and love will blossom. The eventual result of this will be Simon claiming Lex and bonding with him as his Omega. The rest of the ruling pack will follow. Phoenix is already having strong feelings towards Lex. Both Vahl and Phoenix are watching out for Lex, when it comes to Ahriman and Simon. The latter, though Lex will grow to love him dearly, has always terrified the wraith It's Phoenix in particular who will get all hissy and will not be afraid to butt heads with Simon, if he thinks their Alpha is giving Lex more than he can handle.
Vahl is inordinately fond of Lex. They don't have a sexual relationship, but rest assured, Vahl will delight in the day when Lex no longer needs him and healer, and will have no reluctance in pouncing. He's occasionally a tutor to Teri, who calls him uncle Vahl, and he considers the Brierley-di Luccas an extended (if minor) part of the Kayori pantheon. Lex will truly become a god, and is on his own path of evolution. Not that anyone quite realises it yet.
Keshar:
When Lex and Vahl were rescued from Guln after the hell war, Lex picked up a few baby ribbon snakes - who did not belong in Guln any more than the wraith, and took them to safety. Most, he gave to friends as pets, but one he kept, adoring her, and couldn't part with her.
Later, the snake was proved to be Keshar, the animal god of this new young generation of gods (Malik, Sam, Erin, Sacha) Lex was recognised as her official guardian. Yet another connection the Brierleys have to the gods.