Hybrids
From Lithmeria
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| Race Art by Aja | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Origin Continent | Neutral | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lore
The Ebon Tower is not renowned for its consideration of morality or social stigma in their work. They seek out progressively more radical experiments like moths to a flame, bending the laws of the world to their will with as much magical power as they can bring to bear. The Hybrids are a result of one of their pursuits to create the perfect footsoldier: magically induced crossbreeds of both animal and human. The early results were failures that can at best be defined as 'catastrophic' - the Panther of the Rhaene, a sapient great cat with astonishing physical ability, is the most oft-used example; as despite its apparent power it is also utterly insane, murderous, and most alarming: on the loose. Never ones to be averted by failure, however, the Arcanists continued to refine the process, ultimately striking success and creating the first generation. Though the majority were bred for strength and stamina, a smaller number of more agile strains were also created, both to enhance diversity and augment their footsoldiers with capable scouts, archers, and assassins. The initial generation was considered a resounding success - meeting their expectations and vastly exceeding them.They were brilliant, but they were weak. They took their finest and fused it with nature's strength. While our genesis was by humanity's hand, we are no mere amalgamation. We are the pinnacle.
- -- Arbiter Johca Angoldes
This initial generation was controlled through a dependence on a magical irradiation procedure known only to the Arcanists. Without a regular dose of this irradiation the Hybrids would quickly sicken and die, their bodies rejecting the fusion of animal and man. The Sovereignty thus had their race of ultimate footsoldiers, little more than slaves in their war machine. The second generation of Hybrids however were, unbeknownst to the Aspalarians born without this dependence, stable in and of themselves. At a critical moment they led a revolt within the Aspalarian military, earning them freedom, equal rights within the Sovereignty and the eternal distrust of the Ebon Tower.
Though they are often mistrusted by the common folk of Aspalaria both due to the mishaps that led to their creation and their innate nature, the Hybrids typically share a mutual respect among the Sovereign military, and though few enter Tower service - Hybrids possessing extreme intellect are rare by nature, but not unheard of - they are considered as much a member of the fold as any other. As a result, the vast majority serve: it is much steadier work than what they can normally hold down amongst the common populace, and though it is a more hostile environment, it tends to be superior to the next best option: foundry work.
In the east, it is rather different: as the Accord is by nature a group of mixed origins, the Hybrids were welcomed openly by the Paragon Circle despite their origins. Though the move has been frequently criticized by the old guard of the Champions, their complaints fall on deaf ears, as they have rapidly merged into the Accord and begun to forge their own culture of spiritual reverence mixed with their own primal nature.
The animal aspect of each Hybrid originates from one of three distinct stocks: ursine, canid, and felid. Brown and black bears are the most common amongst the ursine, though a small number of grizzly and polar strains have been observed. Pandas were explicitly avoided due to inferior evolutionary traits. Among the canids, wolves are far and away the predominant strain, with a small number of coyotes, jackals, and foxes represented. The felids are the most diverse stock, featuring a roughly equal number of tiger, lion, jaguar, and leopard strains, the latter of which has rarely displayed the melanistic trait, resulting in black panthers.
Amongst Hybrids of all stocks, there are several constants to their outward appearance: the head retains a humanoid appearance, though the facial features are often slightly elongated, and the natural hair color is derivative of the stock's typical coat color. The upper body and upper legs are typically furred as their stock, with a sparser covering on the arms and lower legs. Hands and feet stay humanoid, though the palms and soles tend to be rougher and more resilient. Tails are common, though it is not unknown for a Hybrid to lack one.
