Shadow Touched
The Shadow Touched are a mysterious offshoot of the elven race that ventured into the realm of shadow as refugees, seeking refuge from a bloody war they wanted no part in. They were originally part of the Kui Yuk, an elven empire known for its conquests and enslavement of other races. The refugees were welcomed into the Vale of Shadow by Nyx, the goddess of night, who offered them a deal. In exchange for sharing the secrets of their once mighty empire, Nyx would protect and nurture them, whatever realm they called home. They accepted the deal and have lived in the Vale of Shadow ever since.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Physically, the Shadow Touched resemble elves that have been forever touched by the realm of shadow. They are slender and possess a graceful build, their movements suited for stealth and agility. Their skin is a dusky gray, and their complexion is colorless, varying from alabaster to dark gray. They have black hair, with some having pale hair that ranges within human hair colors. Their eyes are dark, lacking any sclera or clear pupils in most instances. Shadows on their bodies or clothing always seem to be deeper and darker than shadows elsewhere, and shadow seems to follow them and reach out, especially when they are angered, making them easily lost from view. Many Shadow Touched display use art on their body as an expression of individuality, often adorning many tattoos, scar markings and paint.
Their constant exposure to the realm of shadow has also made them susceptible to its corrupting influences. Some may fall to darkness and become corrupted by the realm of shadow, becoming visibly aged and withered with swollen joints that give them an overall corpse-like aspect. Some of them wear masks to conceal their decrepit state while in the realm of shadow. Shadow touched are natural not virile, hence very low birth rates.
Biological Traits
They possess an elongated lifespan, with the average life expectancy being around 200 years. This is due to their connection to the Realm of Shadows, which grants them a certain degree of immortality. They are not a virile species, and have a very low birth rate. This is due to the harsh conditions of their homeland, which makes it difficult for their offspring to survive.
In terms of physical characteristics, the Shadow Touched are a tall and slender race, standing on average around 6 feet tall. They possess a lean and wiry build, with sharp features and dark, almost translucent skin. Their eyes are large and almond-shaped, and are able to see in complete darkness, thanks to their connection to the Realm of Shadows.
Their sense of smell and taste are highly developed, allowing them to detect even the faintest scents and flavors. They also possess an enhanced sense of hearing, which allows them to pick up even the faintest sounds. This makes them highly skilled hunters and trackers, as they are able to detect even the faintest trace of their prey.
The Shadow Touched reproduce through a process of meiosis, which is a specialized form of cell division. This allows them to produce offspring with unique genetic variations, which allows them to adapt to their changing environment. Due to their low birth rate, the Shadow Touched consider each new life a precious gift, and they raise their children with the utmost care and protection.
In terms of gender, the Shadow Touched possess both male and female sexes, but their gender roles are not as distinct as in other races. The Shadow Touched society is matriarchal in nature, and both males and females are equally respected and valued for their contributions to the community.
Genetics and Reproduction
They are not a particularly virile species, with very low birth rates. This is due to the harsh conditions of the Realm of Shadows, which has caused their reproductive systems to adapt to conserve energy and resources.
Their genetics are also unique, with a high degree of genetic diversity within their population. This allows them to adapt to different environments and survive in the harsh conditions of the Realm of Shadows. They have also developed heightened senses, particularly their vision, which allows them to see in perfect darkness.
Due to the low birth rates and genetic diversity, reproduction among the Shadow Touched is highly valued and seen as a sacred act. It is not uncommon for individuals to spend years searching for a suitable partner, as the chances of successful reproduction are slim. When a child is born, they are often raised communally and are viewed as a precious gift to the community.
In terms of reproduction, they reproduce in the traditional way as other species, but the rate of conception is much lower, and the success rate of carrying the pregnancy to term is also low. This make the new births a rare and celebrated event, often viewed as a blessing and a sign of good luck.
Ecology and Habitats
The habitat of the Shadow Touched is a reflection of their dark and bitter nature. They reside in the depths of the Realm of Shadows, a realm of eternal darkness and cold. The land is barren and inhospitable, with twisted trees and twisted landscapes. The sky is always overcast, with clouds that seem to be made of shadows. The shadows here are not just the absence of light, but a living and breathing thing that can be felt, seen, and heard. It whispers secrets to the Shadow Touched, and they can hear its voice in the rustling of leaves and the howling of the wind.
The Shadow Touched's homes are built into the side of cliffs, caves, and hidden valleys, always in the shadows to avoid the cruel sunlight that burns their sensitive skin. They decorate their homes with twisted and gnarled branches, and skulls of their enemies as trophies. They often use traps and illusions to protect their homes from intruders. They also use shadows as weapons, and they can manipulate them to their will.
The Shadow Touched's cities are built in the same twisted, eerie style, with twisted spires and dark stone buildings. The streets are narrow and winding, and the shadows are always present, even in the middle of the day. The cities are full of traps, illusions and shadow magic. The Shadow Touched use this magic to protect their cities from invaders, and to control and manipulate the shadows in their cities.
The Realm of Shadows is a harsh and unforgiving place, but it is also a place of great power and magic. The Shadow Touched are deeply connected to this realm, and they draw upon its power to fuel their dark and bitter nature. They are creatures of the shadows, and the shadows are their home.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Shadow Touched are not picky eaters and can survive on a variety of foods, but they have a preference for meat, especially that of other fey creatures. They are able to subsist on small amounts of food for long periods of time, as they are able to extract energy from the shadows around them. They also have a preference for strong-tasting, bitter foods, as it is said to enhance their connection to the Realm of Shadows. They are also known to consume shadows, as it nourishes them and grants them temporary boost in power. They also consume a special type of plant that only grows in the Realm of Shadows, this plant grants them a temporary boost of power and also helps them to survive in the Realm of Shadows. They are not a species that requires a lot of food to survive, so their dietary needs are minimal. They can go for days without food and water and be fine, if they are in the Realm of Shadows. They are also known to only eat once a day.
Behaviour
The Shadow Touched were a race hailing from the Realm of Shadows, forever marked by the darkness that enveloped them. They were known for their bitter and grim demeanor, troubled souls forever tainted by the shadows. To outsiders, they appeared cold and pitiless, valuing personal glory above all else.
Their culture was deeply rooted in the Realm of Shadows, embracing a lifestyle of excess and the pursuit of greatness in service to family, themselves or their sponsor. They had little regard for comfort, morality or safety, viewing them as mere trifles in their quest for immortality through tales of their great deeds.
The Shadow Touched were a subtle and elusive people, preferring to strike from the shadows and steal without detection. They found pleasure in watching others succumb to despair, for their very presence brought about feelings of sadness and the realization of one's own mortality. They were skilled in the arts of deception and trickery.
They were known to hold a deep-seated hatred for other fey creatures, hunting them down and destroying them without hesitation. However, they were not above forming alliances with wicked fey beings in order to infiltrate and deceive good humanoid societies.
The Shadow Touched were a feared and respected race, for they were the true children of the Realm of Shadows. They would stop at nothing to achieve greatness and immortality, even if it meant sacrificing everything they held dear. The darkness that marked them was both their curse and their strength. They were a people to be feared and respected, for they were the true offspring of the Realm of Shadows.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The Shadow Touched have a unique perception and sensory capabilities that sets them apart from other races. They are able to see perfectly in complete darkness, thanks to their deep connection to the Realm of Shadows. This allows them to navigate through their dark and gloomy habitats with ease, and gives them a distinct advantage in the shadows and subterranean environments. They also possess heightened senses, such as an acute sense of smell and hearing, which enables them to detect even the slightest movements or sounds in the darkness. Their sense of touch is also highly developed, allowing them to detect subtle changes in temperature and vibrations. This heightened perception and sensory capabilities also makes them incredibly stealthy, able to move and act undetected in the shadows. Additionally, the Shadow Touched have the ability to sense the presence of other creatures and their emotions, this allows them to anticipate their actions and strike when their opponents are most vulnerable.
Civilization and Culture
History
The Shadow Touched, once a proud and noble people, were forced to flee their homeland due to an endless war between their people "The Kui-Yuk" and Scalekind, that had ravaged the lands of Seerth. They wandered for years, searching for a new home and a new hope. It was during their darkest hour, when all seemed lost, that they were taken in by Nyx, the goddess of night. She saw the potential in these troubled souls and offered them a new home in the Realm of Shadows.
The Shadow Touched prospered in their new home, and as they settled in, they began to rebuild their society. However, after a few generations, civil war broke out once more. The Shadow Touched had been divided into different houses, each with their own stances on the previous wars and exploration. These houses fought for power and control, each wanting to lead the Shadow Touched in their own vision.
The war lasted for years, with no clear victor. Both sides suffered heavy losses, and the Shadow Touched were left weakened and divided. It was then that Nyx intervened once more. She saw the devastation that the war had wrought and knew that something needed to change. She gathered the leaders of each house and forced them to come to a compromise.
The Shadow Touched were to be ruled by a council, made up of representatives from each house. This council would make decisions for the good of the Shadow Touched as a whole and not just for the benefit of a single house. The council was also tasked with maintaining peace among the houses and ensuring that the Shadow Touched would never again be plagued by civil war.
The Shadow Touched adapted to this new way of life, and slowly but surely, they began to rebuild their society. They focused on exploration and trade, eager to expand their influence and make a name for themselves in the Realm of Shadows. They became known as a powerful and feared race, feared by many, but respected by all.
Over time, the Shadow Touched continued to rule over their society, and their culture continued to evolve. They became known for their subtlety and deception, but also for their fierce loyalty and determination. They were a proud people, forever marked by the darkness that surrounded them, but they had found a new hope, a new home, and a new purpose in the Realm of Shadows.
They are a secretive and reclusive people, rarely venturing outside of their cities. They continue to use their Shadow Magic to protect their cities and hide them from outsiders, but their numbers are dwindling.
As their population continues to decline, the Shadow Touched have become increasingly desperate to find a way to increase their birth rates. They have turned to extreme measures, such as capturing other races and using them for breeding, to try and save their civilization. However, this has led to a new subspecies of Shadow Touched known as the Shadow Born, who are seen as inferior by the pureblood Shadow Touched.
Despite their struggles, the Shadow Touched continue to cling to their power and their ancient civilization. They are a proud and determined people, refusing to give up on their legacy. But as their numbers continue to decline, it seems that the fate of the Shadow Touched is sealed. Only time will tell if they will be able to find a way to survive, or if they will be forever lost to the shadows.
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