Arkenborn are the offspring of extra-planar entities that are classified somewhere between Gods and Spirits, called Arken, who have manifested from the Void and Exist into the world of Aloria. Arkenborn are thus similar to Godborn, but different in the sense that Godborn are rarer, and far less well-documented than the more publicly chaotic Arkenborn. Arkenborn manifest unique appearances, personalities, and unique trait(s) based on their heritage, but also have unique obstacles in life due to their nature and birth. Arkenborn throughout history have been unpredictable and violent, leading to them being referred to as "Demon-Spawn" (technically inaccurate), a derogatory term to attribute a generalized psychopathy to them that while frequent, is not necessarily true for every Arkenborn. Especially in Regalia, Arkenborn have seen waves of repression and persecution, having to struggle against a reputation of their kind that they never seem to be able to get fully rid of. To play an Arkenborn is to choose the aesthetics of the classic demi-god (or demi-Demon in this case), at the caveat of oppression roleplay and being denied things in Regalian society on the basis of birthright. some Arkenborn try to make do with what they have, others try to live unseen, while others yet seek out their Arken parents, hoping to find some semblance or purpose or value to their life, or even to live their life in the image of their parent for a higher calling.
Rules to playing an Arkenborn
There are some Rules associated with portraying Arkenborn correctly. Note, some Abilities or Mechanics of Arkenborn do allow their Arkenborn eyes to be hidden. This goes under a fair-use policy, meaning that the capacity to hide Arkenborn eyes should be incidental, not the norm. It should be used to aid in plots and plans, not be the main mode of hiding an Arkenborn's identity, since this robs a lot of the public story potential of Arkenborn. If you play an Arkenborn, but spend most of your time hiding Arkenborn status, Staff may ask you to retcon your Character being an Arkenborn. Arkenborn can hide their Arkenborn eyes if they have a Shapeshifting Mechanic or Ability, but this should not be a permanent state and should be used periodically as a disguise. Lore Staff will make characters who never identify as an Arkenborn retcon being an Arkenborn from their backstory if they never present as one, whilst still benefitting from their Mechanics.
Arkenborn can only ever be from one Arken and a mortal pairing. Arkenborn also cannot be Godborn or Broods at the same time.
Arkenborn have a strict set of mandatory traits and optional aesthetics, all of which are overwritten by Afflictions.
Bralona cannot be Arkenborn under any circumstance, as they do not reproduce with any organic peoples of Aloria.
Maraya can be Arkenborn, but only if they were born outside of the Vaults, as the Vaults would not permit Arkenborn in.
Yanar can be Arkenborn, but only for Exist Arken, as the Void Arken avoid Yanar due to their Exist-Aligned associations.
Being an Arkenborn does not make a Character Occult, though the Regalian State may still treat them as such often.
Arkenborn status is not transferrable across generations, meaning that one Arkenborn does not sire more Arkenborn.
Arkenborn status is immediate on birth, cannot be hidden, and for many provides a rough childhood for Arkenborn.
Playing an Arkenborn
Playing an Arkenborn (in contrast to Godborn) is recommended for new players, because there are less nuanced understanding/reading requirements for Arkenborn. Equally, many new players and players open to newcomers tend to play Arkenborn, and as such, playing one has a relatively low entry-level requirement, with a guarantee of some kind of interaction with others. Playing an Arkenborn means opting-in to oppression roleplay. Your Character will be denied job opportunities, public positions of power, and may receive discrimination in the street. This is part of the aesthetic of the "Demi-Demons", and in return, your Character gains Arkenborn aesthetics and some backstory relevancy. When playing an Arkenborn, it is completely up to the player whether to try to learn more about their Arken parent, or ignore that side of the backstory completely.
Void Arken
Pride Arken
caption
Arken Overview:
The Pride Arken is the embodiment of vanity, ego, self-esteem, dignity, accomplishment, and legacy. Pride Arkenborn inherit these traits in their personality. He is also the twin of the Fury Arken.
Known Powers:
Pride is considered first-born among the Void Arken, making him the undisputable superpower among them with the greatest proficiency in Magic. His historical feats of Magic are legendary.
Arkenborn Traits:
Maximum of 50 years old, must be Ailor or Half-Ailor, must have blond hair, must be on the tall side, and have Void Arkenborn eyes (gold irises with a red limbal ring, or red eye-whites.)
Optional Traits:
Pride Arkenborn can be brutish, have magical void-script tattoos covering their body that glow in gold and/or red, can be 1 foot taller than the heritage maximum height dictates (except for Urlan)
Mechanic One:
All Magic used by Arkenborn of Pride, is classified as Void Magic and God Magic at the same time (they cannot have Ordial/Exist/Dragon Magic), as he is both the Arken of Pride, and a Fornoss God.
Mechanic Two:
Pride Arkenborn can hide themselves from the Justice Arken and Justice Arkenborn by reality-warping illusion. If they attack however, they become visible, and others can also still see them.
Mechanic Three:
Pride Arkenborn gain Sinistral Mindvex Pack for free, but cannot use Persuasion Guidance. Additionally, they can make Persuasion Dice derive from Magic Proficiency.
Fury Arken
caption
Arken Overview:
The Fury Arken is the embodiment of war, battle, rage, destruction, combat, and ill-temper. Fury Arkenborn inherit these traits in their personality in life. He is also the twin of the Pride Arken.
Known Powers:
Fury is considered second-born among the Void Arken, making him the undisputable superpower among them with the greatest proficiency in Physical Combat. He remains undefeated in combat.
Arkenborn Traits:
Maximum of 50 years old, must be Ailor or Half-Ailor, must have blond hair, must be on the tall side, and have Void Arkenborn eyes (gold irises with a red limbal ring, or red eye-whites.)
Optional Traits:
Fury Arkenborn can be brutish, have magical void-script tattoos covering their body that glow in gold and/or red, can be 1 foot taller than the heritage maximum height dictates (except for Urlan)
Mechanic One:
Fury Arkenborn cannot use Magic-based Proficiencies, even God Magic. Additionally, any Persuasion Rolls they perform on someone they defeated in Combat in the last 7 days, have +5 added to the final result.
Mechanic Two:
Fury Arkenborn can perform great feats of physical power outside of Combat like bare-hand climbing up sheer cliffs, throwing massive boulders and cracking them with a single punch, and carry huge loads.
Mechanic Three:
Fury Arkenborn can Transform into a War Demon, made of solid golden flames with large horns, a bladed tail, and large claws. This Transformation counts as a Disguise but breaks when defeated.
Avarice Arken
caption
Arken Overview:
The Avarice Arken is the embodiment of greed, opulence, possession, ownership, and chains. Avarice Arkenborn inherit these traits in their personality in life. Avarice is a Shapeshifter.
Known Powers:
Avarice is further down the line of Void Arken born, however commands a great deal of passive influence. Avarice is known as the Artifact Crafter among the Void Arken, with many dark powers invested.
Arkenborn Traits:
Avarice Arkenborn are only required to have the Void Arkenborn eyes (gold irises with a red limbal ring, or red eye-whites.), as the Avarice Arken is a Shapeshifter who changes often.
Optional Traits:
Avarice Arkenborn can have parts of their body appear to be made out of solid Gold, and their skin can sparkle or glow when exposed to any light sources inside or outside.
Mechanic One:
Avarice Arkenborn in their greed, are able to point buy Faith Proficiency packs without worshipping a religion or God. However, all these Abilities count as Void Sinistral Magic if Point Bought.
Mechanic Two:
Avarice Arkenborn, when confronted by Aelrrigan Knights can hide any Artifact they are carrying in a pocket realm that the Knights cannot access. This only works for Artifacts they own long-term.
Mechanic Three:
Avarice Arkenborn can infest an Object or Artifact, temporarily becoming a Vested Spirit by Spirit Page rules. The Weapon can be cleansed by Aelrrigans, causing the Avarice Arkenborn to be ejected.
Body Arken
caption
Arken Overview:
The Body Arken is the embodiment of mutations, evolution, shapeshifting, and experimentation. Body Arkenborn inherit his obsession with body modification, and constant need to shapeshift.
Known Powers:
The Body Arken is known as the perfect shapeshifter who has unlocked the keys to Creation Particle of Dragons, thus capable of creating his own often twisted and horrendous life forms.
Arkenborn Traits:
Body Arkenborn can be any Alorian people or age or appearance, as the Body Arken is a Shapeshifter. Though, they must have Void Arkenborn eyes (gold irises with a red limbal ring, or red eye-whites.)
Optional Traits:
Body Arkenborn have no Optional Traits, as shapeshifting gives freedom. That being said, the most common form that the Body Arken assumes is that of a male Songaskian with red glowing eyes.
Mechanic One:
Body Arkenborn gain the Magic Shift Pack for free. However, it is not Magic and similar to Slizzar, is a natural body function of theirs.
Mechanic Two:
Body Arkenborn can (if the Player has the Premium or Supremium Rank) use the /Disguise Plugin to Shapeshift into a variety of monsters like the Drowda Spider, Wolf, Domestic Cat, Fox, Bear, etc.
Mechanic Three:
Body Arkenborn can apply any sort of natural/unnatural body-mods to others. If applied unwillingly, it is a Void Curse, which must be removed by some kind of Exorcism mechanic or Magic purifying.
Corruption Arken
caption
Arken Overview:
The Corruption Arken is the embodiment of using seduction, manipulation, and subterfuge to seduce the powers that be into evil, to cause them to become corrupt and self serving and ruinous.
Known Powers:
The Corruption Arken is said to have the greatest Charisma known to mortals, able to convince anyone of anything in the blink of an eye without the use of mental domination Magics.
Arkenborn Traits:
Corruption Arkenborn can be any Alorian people or age or appearance, as the Corruption Arken is a Shapeshifter. They must have Void Arkenborn eyes (gold irises with a red limbal ring, or red eye-whites.)
Optional Traits:
The Corruption Arken has no Optional Traits. That being said, the most common form that the Corruption Arken assumes is that of a white-haired Ailor or Teledden with distinctly sharp features.
Mechanic One:
Corruption Arkenborn gain the Disguise Pack for free. Additionally they can summon/unsummon/change any clothing they wear in the blink of an eye.
Mechanic Two:
If investigated by any Knight, Corruption Arkenborn can wipe the memories of a Knight involving them specifically so that any investigation is sure to be stalled forever against them. (Hidden)
Mechanic Three:
If imprisoned, locked up, or chained down, Corruption Arkenborn can simply slip out of these restraints and walk through locked doors. They can still be attacked and hurt if careless though!
Rejection Arken
caption
Arken Overview:
The Rejection Arken is the embodiment of being rejected in love, rejected for jobs, rejected by friends, rejected by family, and by society, and finding dignity (or rage) in this misery.
Known Powers:
Rejection is the master of illusory magic, tricking others into seeing, hearing, and feeling things that aren't there. She is unremarkable in actual combat, which she avoids easily with her illusions.
Arkenborn Traits:
Rejection Arkenborn are only required to have the Void Arkenborn eyes (gold irises with a red limbal ring, or red eye-whites.), as the Rejection Arken is a Shapeshifter who changes often.
Optional Traits:
Rejection Arkenborn can have permanent tattoo-like black and/or red stains around and under their eyes, on their hands and feet, and can manifest red glowing light around them when in darkness.
Mechanic One:
Within reasonable conduct, if a Rejection Arkenborn is rejected (job, love, opportunity etc.), they gain +2 Main Defense Stat (break cap up to 9) against the person who rejected them until they recant.
Mechanic Two:
Rejection Arkenborn can (w/ OOC consent) disable emotions or feelings in themselves or others. This is a Void Curse, which must be removed by some kind of Exorcism mechanic/Magic purifying. (Hidden)
Mechanic Three:
Rejection Arkenborn can subtly Curse a person with a Rejection Curse, which while outside of Combat, prevents them from approaching the Arkenborn within 5 Blocks. This is Disabled in Combat.
Exist Arkenborn
Justice Arken
caption
Arken Overview:
The Justice Arken is the embodiment of righteousness, a cold law that is enforced completely, uniformly, and without pity for circumstances, context, or any form of mercy.
Known Powers:
Justice is considered the first-born Exist Arken, the strongest among them with a mastery of Magic and Combat-Magic, but always meets her match in her nemeses the older Void Arken.
Arkenborn Traits:
Maximum of 50 years old, must be Teledden (Lanlath TBD), must have blond hair, must be on the tall side, and have Exist Arkenborn eyes (silver irises with a blue limbal ring, or blue eye-whites.)
Optional Traits:
Justice Arkenborn may manifest so-called "Justice Flames", which are magical glowing tattoos that expand for each Sinner they have brought to justice, or knocked down from their ego.
Mechanic One:
Justice Arkenborn can designate one "Sinner," gaining +1 Attack Stat (breaks cap up to 11) when attacking that person only, but, if this is used unjustly, the Arkenborn may lose Mechanics.
Mechanic Two:
Justice Arkenborn can see backwards in time (coordinate with other players to tell their past) or see glimpses of possible futures in multi-time thread theory (there are thousands of possibilities).
Mechanic Three:
Justice Arkenborn if in Melee Range of a Gate or Fence or Door blocking off an entryway, are able to Gate Smash their way through, or bend the bars to let themselves and others pass.
Compassion Arken
caption
Arken Overview:
The Compassion Arken is the most peaceful Arken, who stands for the peace of mind, resolution, and absolution to forgive all enemies through the weight of unending altruism.
Known Powers:
Compassion is considered the second-born active Exist Arken and a powerful healing Mage and pacifist, because while there are more senior Arken like Serenity, they are tragically apathetic.
Arkenborn Traits:
Maximum of 50 years old, must be half or full Maquixtl, must have dark skin tone, must be on the short side, and have Exist Arkenborn eyes (silver irises with a blue limbal ring, or blue eye-whites.)
Optional Traits:
Compassion Arkenborn may manifest her holy thorn tattoos across their arms and around their necks and violet-ink stains on their fingers, as well as having an unusual affinity to wild butterflies.
Mechanic One:
Compassion Arkenborn can grant the Martyr Enchant, binding a soul-contract for a person to fulfill a task. If they break this or fail the task, they take massive damage (discuss in Dm's what this means).
Mechanic Two:
Compassion Arkenborn are able to mind-read the preferences of any person by focusing on them, reading their current emotion or emotional state, preferred color, food, drink, clothing style, etc. (Hidden)
Mechanic Three:
Compassion Arkenborn have magical control over their own styling, make-up, clothing, as well as that of others, able to add, remove, change and modify anything within Emote Range.
Happiness Arken
caption
Arken Overview:
The Happiness Arken wants to put a smile on everyone's face, whether a smile of genuine joy or a smile from the pure mental break of all their trolling and clownery inflicted on mortals.
Known Powers:
Happiness, while a later-born Arken, is an excellent puppeteer of immaterial constructs with control over a large fleet of Spirits, haunted mannequins, and the ability to hide in plain sight.
Arkenborn Traits:
Happiness Arkenborn can be any Alorian people or age or appearance, as the Happiness Arken is a Shapeshifter. They must have Exist Arkenborn eyes (silver irises with a blue limbal ring, or blue eye-whites.)
Optional Traits:
Happiness Arkenborn have no Optional Traits. That said, the Happiness Arken usually presents as a woman from the Archipelago or Ithania, preferring Ailor or Teledden or Fin'ullen forms.
Mechanic One:
Happiness Arkenborn when rolling for Persuasion Rolls, roll for 3 + Wisdom + Faith (or replace one of these with Arcane) up to 14. However, they roll at normal rules for Void Arkenborn.
Mechanic Two:
Happiness Arkenborn can hijack the aesthetics of other Religions (even if they are atheist) and use these in forms of illusions either to deceive others, or mock their faith to them.
Mechanic Three:
Happiness Arkenborn can (with OOC consent) erase or modify the memories of those near them over the past hour or so, to correct any bad jokes or schemes that failed to get a laugh. (Hidden)
Beauty Arken
caption
Arken Overview:
The Beauty Arken wants everything to be pretty and beautiful, to suit her definition of perfection and ageless grace, to never rust or gather dust or ever fade away, and to destroy all ugly things.
Known Powers:
Beauty is a powerful Glamor Mage with the ability to subvert the perceived realities of others, making herself or her creations seem more perfect. She is obsessed with flattery, and incredibly vain.
Arkenborn Traits:
Beauty Arkenborn can be any type of Elf (or Half), as the Beauty Arken is an Elven Shapeshifter. They must have Exist Arkenborn eyes (silver irises with a blue limbal ring, or blue eye-whites.)
Optional Traits:
Beauty Arkenborn have no Optional Traits. That said, they are universally considered pretty and bask in it, because Beauty does not produce children who do not match her ideals.
Mechanic One:
Beauty Arkenborn gain the Magic Shift Pack for free. However, it is not Magic and similar to Slizzar, is a natural body function of theirs.
Mechanic Two:
Beauty Arkenborn can (with OOC consent), enchant a person to make them fall in love with them. This only applies where sexuality and gender would confer compatibility with the Target. (Hidden)
Mechanic Three:
Beauty Arkenborn can mend any ruined art, disgusting tasting food, shattered decorations, or otherwise dirty objects to their pristine and beautiful original shape and state, reverting time on them.
Nature Arken
caption
Arken Overview:
The Nature Arken is the paragon of Nature and the desire to be close to it, obsessing over the serenity and protection of nature, sometimes at the expense of beings living in it.
Known Powers:
The Nature Arken has great command over the grass, flowers, plants, trees and roots of nature, bending any flora to his will, and creating enchanted groves where Yanar live.
Arkenborn Traits:
Nature Arkenborn can be any Alorian people or age or appearance, as the Nature Arken is a Shapeshifter. They must have Exist Arkenborn eyes (silver irises with a blue limbal ring, or blue eye-whites.)
Optional Traits:
The Nature Arken usually appears as an Eronidas. Nature Arkenborn can have the glyph of Nature (see the glowing tree chest tattoos, and the plant tattoos on the arms in the art).
Mechanic One:
Nature Arkenborn can use the Floralshift Transformation, which changes them to Yanar, but keeps their old Heritage Traits. This is not a disguise, but the Yanar body can Shapeshift in design.
Mechanic Two:
Nature Arkenborn can summon any number of Solurs (little nature spirits seen in the art), which can be tasked to do simple things in and around their Rental/Estate/Base and for aesthetics.
Mechanic Three:
Nature Arkenborn gain +1 Main Combat Stat (break Cap up to 11) while they are inside Gloomrot Forest, but lose -1 Main Combat Stat if they are in: New Town, Imperial Isle (the main Boulevard).
Loyalty Arken
caption
Arken Overview:
The Loyalty Arken represents the desire to be around friends, family, and allies, and to not be betrayed, with a particular heavy emphasis on creating a large loving family.
Known Powers:
The Loyalty Arken controls one of the largest Marken Packs in the world, that unlike their more Pagan origins, are protectors of abandoned Estelley sites and ruins, and Nature Arken Groves.
Arkenborn Traits:
Loyalty Arkenborn can be any Alorian people or age or appearance, as the Loyalty Arken is a Shapeshifter. They must have Exist Arkenborn eyes (silver irises with a blue limbal ring, or blue eye-whites.)
Optional Traits:
Loyalty Arkenborn can have heavy aesthetic emphasis on the starry night sky and the dark moon, fog, star constellations, either on their body, hair, or in aesthetic usage in Combat.
Mechanic One:
Loyalty Arkenborn can declare a chosen temple to their Faith as their territory, granting them a +1 to Attack Stat (break cap up to 11) while fighting within and around it.
Mechanic Two:
Loyalty Arkenborn can grant the Enduring Ally Enchant, binding a soul-contract for a person to remain loyal. If they betray the Arkenborn, they take massive damage (discuss in Dm's what this means).
Mechanic Three:
Loyalty Arkenborn can grant temporary aesthetics of their choice to any willing allies they fight alongside. For those with the Enduring Ally Enchant, they also gain +1 Defense stat, which does not break cap.
Trivia
There exist many more Arken in lore, hundreds in fact. However, not all of them are as powerful as the main 5 of both the Void and Exist. This group was shortened to be accessible for Arkenborn, because the other Arken aren't that interesting.
Young Arkenborn bond with one another very easily despite their feuding parents, something which often comes back to bite them in adulthood, as they form small social circles that keep up the mystery of their existence, and arguably their oppression.
Arkenborn exist as some kind of blessed or exalted birth-state in societies that worship Magic, like Silontaar and Teledden societies. Other societies like the Ailor Regalian, or north Velheim states consider them a curse however.
Some Arkenborn exceed social expectations, like the Iron Duke of Vultaro Rykhar Lamperro, who is a Pride Arkenborn. Any time this happens however, it is guaranteed only to have taken place because political forces out of their control.
