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 specials 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), or "Silven" (old Elven word), both derogatory terms 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
Arkenborn can only ever be from one Arken and a mortal pairing. Arkenborn also cannot be Godborn at the same time.
Arkenborn have a strict set of mandatory traits and optional aesthetics, all of which are overwritten by Afflictions.
The following Races cannot be Arkenborn: Yanar, Bralona, or Maraya if they were specifically awakened from a vault.
Being an Arkenborn does not make a Character Occult, though the Regalian State may still treat them as such often.
Arkenborn have maximum ages in below listing, because Arken aren't immortal in the literal sense and reincarnate.
Arkenborn never have Abilities, but they can derive Abilities in Custom Kits, as history shows powerful Arkenborn.
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 Arkenborn
The Pride Arken
The Pride Arken is the paragon in ultimate ego. The Pride Arken himself is an immensely powerful Mage, and many of his children are usually some type of mage, battlemage, or gladiator, all with a chip on their shoulder to prove something. The Pride Arken has the following themes: magic, ego, Kathar, gold and red, and toxic masculinity. His children are often caught in an endless loop of trying to prove themselves, not getting satisfaction from victory, and reaching for even higher goals. The Pride Arken is a well documented interference in Regalia that is loathed by the State. It should be noted the Pride Arken is an identical twin to the Fury Arken, meaning their Godborn also look similar.
Required 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, and have magical void-script tattoos covering their body that glow in gold and/or red, and can be 1 foot taller than the racial maximum height dictates (except for Urlan)
Special I: Pride Arkenborn are unaffected by mental changes brought about by Afflictions. This is not Control Power Immunity, it does however prevent Vampirism, Cahalism, or being a Geist from warping their mind.
Special II: Pride Arkenborn can affect the (out of Combat) sense of reality of those that spend a lot of time around them, by subtly changing it how they perceive it to their benefit through illusions and gaslighting.
Special III: Pride Arkenborn are seen as Godborn of Aesir in Velheim/Ceardian Old Gods worshipers, resulting in fearful distrust by Old Gods faithful and Halfvel Godborn, both in Regalia as well as in Progressions.
The Fury Arken
The Fury Arken is the ultimate warrior, an Arken so singularly obsessed with fighting and being the best fighter that he leaves behind a trail of corpses hoping to ever find a worthy opponent, and this obsession with fighting to a degree also affects his children. The Fury Arken has the following themes: weapons, mundane (he hates Magic) combat, power makes right, large over small, blue and black, and victory in tournaments. His children have the same urge for combat, a never-ending hunger for the adrenaline of being one blade swing away from death. The Fury Arken is less well documented than his twin, but well known as having a large kill-count in Drixagh, where Skaggers are his favorite target.
Required 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, and have magical void-script tattoos covering their body that glow in gold and/or red, and can be 1 foot taller than the racial maximum height dictates (except for Urlan)
Special I: Fury Arkenborn gain the Rune Smithing Special from Spell Point Buy without any Points invested in this Proficiency. Additionally, these elements are extended with Void-Fire and Void-Shadows.
Special II: Fury Arkenborn gain the Dueling Brand Special from Spell Point Buy without any Points invested in this Proficiency. While in a duel or arena, Fury Arkenborn can change their Body Shape, Height and Weight.
Special III: Fury Arkenborn are seen as Godborn of Aesir in Velheim/Ceardian Old Gods worshipers, resulting in fearful distrust by Old Gods faithful and Godvel Godborn, both in Regalia as well as in Progressions.
The Avarice Arken
The Avarice Arken is one of the wealthiest people known to mortals, though her appearance always changes so as not to draw too much attention. She is immensively greedy, possessive, obsessive even regarding all things that sparkle, and generally envious of others, as are her children. The Envy Arken has the following themes: money, business, opulence, flaunting, blackmail, and gold and silver, and making Dwarves do all the manual labor. Her children have an unending urge to own more to have more, and are never satisfied with their lot in life. The Avarice Arken is well documented, as are her "Coins of Greed", which she curses to cause violent outbursts of possessive greed in their owners.
Required Traits: Maximum 60 years old, must be Ailor, Teledden, or Half of either, must have ginger or blond hair, and have Void Arkenborn eyes (gold irises with a red limbal ring, or red eye-whites.)
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.
Special I: Avarice Arkenborn are capable of turning the material of any hand-held item to gold or silver for up to an hour (though this cannot be used in Progressions to print out free money).
Special II: Avarice Arkenborn can point at a non-Artifact/Mythic/Weapon/Shield object held by another person in Emote Range, and magically yank it from their hand/pocket to that of the Arkenborn.
Special III: Avarice Arkenborn are likely to make good business agreements, or have better financial insight in Progression Events that a normal person would not be able to pick up on in Orders.
The Body Arken
The Body Arken is obsessed with changes and alterations of the body, the creation of the perfect being, or to keep changing one’s own body to suit the needs of the environment or condition. The body Arken’s children are extremely varied, because the Body Arken’s identity is unconventional. The Body Arken is a shapeshifting Arken, meaning they can parent any Arkenborn as any Race or sex. The Body Arken has the following themes: transformation, mutation, Urlan, red and black, and malicious kindness. His children are often on the cutting edge of body modification and customization, whether it be tattoos, piercings, mutations, engineering, or outright race-change.
Required Traits: Body Arkenborn can be any Race 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: The Body Arken has no Optional Traits. That being said, the most common form that the Body Arken assumes is that of a male Songaskian with red glowing eyes.
Special I: Body Arkenborn gain the Self Control Special from Spell Point Buy without any Points invested in this Proficiency. Additionally, they may add extra non-Combat usable limbs or body appendages.
Special II: Body Arkenborn gain the Altered Voice Special from Spell Point Buy without any Points invested in this Proficiency. Additionally, they can perfectly mimic any Voice they have heard somewhere.
Special III: Body Arkenborn gain the Flesh Crafting Special from Spell Point Buy without any Points invested in this Proficiency. Additionally they can store such "templates" as Transformations for later use.
The Corruption Arken
The Corruption Arken has little to do with planar corruption, and more with the act of corrupting politicians, leaders, officers, and officials away from their natural duties and obligations and into self-satisfaction. The Corruption Arken seeks to spread a self-serving attitude and corrupt those who have any amount of power. The Corruption Arken’s themes are: Government, Abuse, Knights, Yellow and Red, Guards, and Crowns. Corruption’s children always have an innate desire to provoke those in power to abuse their privilege, either by seductive means, or by goading and provocation, but also to corrupt the good will and nature of others to become self serving and self interested.
Required Traits: Corruption Arkenborn can be any Race or age or appearance, as the Corruption Arken is a Shapeshifter. Though, 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 Body Arken assumes is that of a non-binary Slizzar or albino gaunt Teledden with red glowing eyes.
Special I: Corruption Arkenborn have a subtle reality warp that allows them to enter areas they don't have permission to, and don't seem out of place or not allowed, except for Clandestine Bases or the Palace.
Special II: Corruption Arkenborn can hijack the mouth of someone in Emote Range, forcing them to say a line of their design, up to three times per day. This is not telegraphed, and limited to one Minecraft Chat Line.
Special III: Corruption Arkenborn can anonymously force a Lord Commissioner to issue an arrest warrant on a person for any imagined crime, once per week, but realize there was no crime or evidence when they are in jail.
Exist Arkenborn
The Justice Arken
The Justice Arken is the living embodiment of righteousness, the concept that there is justice in the world that must be enforced uniformly, completely, and without pity. The Justice Arken themselves is an immensely powerful Mage and sword fighter, and many of their children are usually similar in nature. The Justice Arken is intrinsically linked with Allorn history, as well as events within both Estelsoor and Estellon religious communities. The Justice Arken has the following themes: flying swords, blue fire, Elleyon, thunder, rainstorms, and wind. Their children are often caught up in the chase to destroy all evildoers, the hunt that never ends, without mercy.
Required Traits: No maximum age, must be Teledden or Half-Teledden, must have blond hair, must be well-built, and have Exist Arkenborn eyes (silver irises with a light 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 a peg from their ego.
Special I: Justice Arkenborn can mark one single Target in Emote range as a Sinner, which is only visible to the Justice Arken or other Justice Arkenborn, and allows them to see through this person's Disguises.
Special II: Justice Arkenborn gain the Airwalking Special from Spell Point Buy without any Points invested in this Proficiency. Additionally, they no longer take damage from falling out of Combat.
Special III: Body Arkenborn gain the Mage Weapon Special from Spell Point Buy without any Points invested in this Proficiency. Additionally the weapon may levitate in their hand, but not increase range.
The Compassion Arken
The Compassion Arken is sometimes also called the Peace Arken, because she is the only non-gray morality Arken who is genuinely seen as benevolent. The Compassion Arken stands for peace of mind, resolution, and absolution, solving the problems of others around the world, and finding satisfaction in altruistic actions. Some would accuse Compassion Arkenborn as having a victim complex because they leap to self-harm to help others, though this is often because they simply cannot compete with the tools their mother has available to aid those in need around the world. Her themes are: closeness, pink and purple, tears, rebirth, renewal, peace, and mental fortitude.
Required Traits: Maximum of 60 years old, must be Maquixtl or Half-Maquixtl , must be on the short side, and have Exist Arkenborn eyes (silver irises with a light blue limbal ring, or blue eye-whites.)
Optional Traits: Compassion Arken may have flowers grafted into their hair and shoulders/neck that function similar to Yanar body flora, and may also have a host of magical butterfly familiars that follow them.
Special I: Compassion Arkenborn can cure non-combat related physical ailments (like cancer) or mental anguish, by taking it in themselves, and then expelling it in the form of a swarm of pestilent flies.
Special II: Compassion Arkenborn can while out of combat, transport two people to an imagined pocket dimension which they control to resolve their issues. If combat is initiated by anyone, the effect breaks.
Special III: Compassion Arkenborn gain the Evil tongues Special from Spell Point Buy without any Points invested in this Proficiency. Additionally, they also understand it if the foul language is targeting someone else.
The Happiness Arken
The Happiness Arken will find a way to put a smile on everyone’s face, regardless if it is a genuine smile of happiness, or a smile brought about by a mental break from miserable trolling and misery. The Happiness Arken does not care how, but they will get people to smile, no matter how fake it is. The Happiness Arken has the following themes: Dolls, Puppets, Burgundy and Yellow, Joyous Mask and Theatre Plays. Happiness Arkenborn have a habit of trying to make fun of even the most heavy hearted situations, making inappropriate jokes, and forcing comedy on others even if they are deeply unfunny. The Happiness Arken also frequently hides in plain looking objects to taunt others.
Required Traits: Happiness Arkenborn can be any Race or look or age, the Happiness Arken is a Shapeshifter. Though, they must have Exist Arkenborn eyes (silver irises with a light blue limbal ring, or blue eye-whites.)
Optional Traits: The Happiness Arken has no Optional Traits. That being said, the most common form that the Happiness Arken assumes is that of a male Ailor with a freakish clown appearance.
Special I: Happiness Arkenborn can Target up to three people per day, and force-shut their mouth for 1 hour so they can no longer talk, or shorter if they so desire. This is telegraphed, so they know who did it.
Special II: Happiness Arkenborn can summon any number of dice, coins to flip, deck of cards, or any game material, and can choose to let the game be fair, or completely rig every aspect of it to their design.
Special III: Happiness Arkenborn can cause a minor joke-based and local timeloop. If their joke did not land, they can shortly revert time to re-make the joke, up to three times before they get zapped with a shock.
The Beauty Arken
The Beauty Arken is consumed by the desire to be the most beautiful thing or excellent thing in existence, and to raise herself above others both in looks, and performance. She is unique among Arken because she is most famous for her current mortal incarnation rather than her eternal ideal, a female Ithanian Fin'ullen who goes by Madame Vernier and stages country-wide beauty pageants in a variety of disguises. The Beauty Arken has the following themes: Fashion, Competition, Silks, Threading, Gold and Silver. Her children enjoy improving on their own appearances, while also improving their skills to become the most excellent, and are usually incredibly material people.
Required Traits: Maximum of 50 years old, must be Fin'ullen or Half-Fin'ullen , must be on the short side, and have Exist Arkenborn eyes (silver irises with a light blue limbal ring, or blue eye-whites.)
Optional Traits: Beauty Arkenborn do not have any Optional Traits, because beauty and excellence is subjective to the eye of the beholder, and most people in Aloria find mundane to be more excellent.
Special I: Beauty Arkenborn can change their clothing and accessories at will by imagining them, changing texture, shape, color, etc, instantaneously. This never functions as a disguise nor can it hide faces.
Special II: Beauty Arkenborn gain the Self Control Special from Spell Point Buy without any Points invested in this Proficiency. Additionally, they may apply this to any Familiars or Pets they have.
Special III: Beauty Arkenborn gain the Emote Infuse Special from Spell Point Buy without any Points invested in this Proficiency. Additionally, they may apply this to non-jewelry items like weapons as well.
The Purity Arken
The Purity Arken believes that the world has become corrupted over time, and that grace can be achieved by restoring things to their original intentions. He is interested in breaking down combinations of ideas, corruptions of ideas, divergent versions of ideologies or Races, and generally restoring things to as they were made, or as they were born. The Purity Arken has the following themes: marble statues, blank slates, blindfolds, tomes, and hammers. His children usually work to suppress new ideas before they can take root, and turn back the clock on offending concepts, while also seeking to cleanse those with mutations of their rot.
Required Traits: Maximum of 100 years old, must be Sihai or Half-Sihai, must have bone-white hair, and have Exist Arkenborn eyes (silver irises with a light blue limbal ring, or blue eye-whites.)
Optional Traits: Purity Arkenborn have no Optional Traits, as the Purity Arken represents an un-mutated world, and would abhor the idea of his children having mutations and aesthetics defined by him.
Special I: Purity Arkenborn gain the Time Cleanse Special from Spell Point Buy without any Points invested in this Proficiency. Additionally it can fix damage not applied in Combat by others.
Special II: Purity Arkenborn gain the Body Cleanse Special from Spell Point Buy without any Points invested in this Proficiency. Additionally, this Special can be used on areas/ streets/ buildings.
Special III: Purity Arkenborn have a general greater understanding of sociological/pathological factors in society, meaning in Progressions, they may receive additional private information gleamed from societies in Order.
Trivia
There exist many more Arken in lore, hundreds in fact. However, not all of them are as powerful as the main 8 of both the Void and Exist. This group was shortened to 5 accessible for Arkenborn, because the other Arken aren't that interesting, or simply don't provide a good playstyle.
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 moved heaven and earth to make it so.
