The Estranged
Once in a great while, for reasons that are unclear, an immortal is born to mortal parents. Probably mythical, the Estranged are a loose collection of these immortals.
Probably mythical, the Estranged are said to be a loose collection of immortals. While there are many long-lived beings in the world (dragons, treants, elves, etc), everything dies eventually. Legends say, however, that once in a great while and for reasons that are unclear, an immortal is born to mortal parents.
These immortals are not geshtai. That is, they are not gods of any kind. Nor are they said to be like the taminasa, the nine immortal guardians of Ancathra set in place by the Old Gods at the dawn of time.
Instead, stories say that the Estranged can be killed, they just can't die. Some believe this to mean that as long as they can avoid a violent death, they will live forever. Others say that this means that the Estranged can't be harmed, or that they regenerate or recover from any injuries.
Few of the stories agree on why the Estranged are born immortal, though more than a few think it has something to do with the native magic of Ancathra itself. Whether that magic is druidic, arcane, or something else is a popular topic of debate among students, conspiracy theorists and/or bardic composers.
Many of the stories about the Estranged revolve around the strain of seeing everyone they know and love grow old and die endlessly. In songs this grief inevitably drives them mad or hollows out their hearts, turning them cold and evil. In stories they are isolated, aloof loners who rarely gather unless some crisis brings them together. Then it is said they work behind the scenes, using lifetimes' worth of connections and influence to save the world.
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