Heritages
Not only do player races have mechanical abilities, they have a rich history, holidays, and societal norms. The race packets have information generally only known by those playing, so be sure to check it out if you’re playing a character from Ascension!
The Librahm
Keepers of the lore and history of the world before the Fall, the Librahm are dedicated to educating and retaining the memories of the people of the Protectorate. Formed of three stratums, the Librahm are experts and storehouses of knowledge. Be it exploring to recover ancient knowledge with the “Delvers”, protecting the Sylvanborn as sources of knowledge as the “Guardians”, or educating and instructing as a “Maester”; the Librahm have sacrificed more than most know and these heroes work tirelessly to restore the world to the Protectorate.
Masters of the ancient skyships, boisterous and tactically minded, the Star-Touched stand out amongst the races of the Protectorate. Their quick wit and constant intensity bolster others. Their skin marks the time of day when they were born and often is a clue to their attitudes. Its well known that none truly get the better of a Star-Touched, even with the Fall and their beloved sun now causing them discomfort. These swashbucklers, who earned the name “Dark Elves” because their image was always silhouetted by the sun, still laugh even in the Cairn. Even with all that has happened, none can take the sky from them.
The Star-touched
The Winnowers
The Winnowers have changed more than almost any others. They have gone to being the judges of creation and the right hand of the dragons to this new world where their connection to nature itself has been severed. They may be bowed but are unbroken. They know they went through a chrysalis phase and have been born again for a new purpose. One would almost feel bad for those that would dare stand in their way as they discover it.
Preparation and readiness are the hallmark of the Marad’Unn. Formerly 14 foot tall giants who could glimpse the future, the race now called the Dwarves (by some) were those that prepared the great Cairns and knew the fall would come. Though much was lost, the dwarves still prepare for what they cannot see. They are adorned in pouches and often hiding little trinkets or tools in their beards. What remains of their Sight prods them to collect these things for use later, though not all visions are accurate. Much is owed to these good people; their hospitality and humor are boundless and their sturdy shoulders are what our survival has been built on.
The Marad'Unn
Called “The Fallen” by some, these elves from an alien world are the truest of outsiders. They are warriors and mystics of great power who traveled the planes to imprison and protect others from the Vreech. Calling themselves the Harbingers, those that reside with the people of the Protectorate are descendants of those who came to warn of the original Vreech threat. Once unwilling allies to the Vreech on the condition the Vreech would not venture to other worlds, the Harbingers stood with the races of the Protectorate against the invaders. Some are still unsure if they brought the enemy themselves. It is well known of the Harbingers’ hatred for the Vreech and their sacrifices they have made to aid others. Their body glows with veins of the Ley lines they once guided. Know that when you stand next to a Harbinger and death is on the line, you had better be prepared to give everything because they will.
The Harbingers
The Jade Pact
The only group of elves that was separate before the Fall, the Jade Pact hold themselves to a strict code of ethics and seek to reclaim the world along the Primal Fae. During the Fall, the Primal Fae and Forest Elves struck a bargain, one that guaranteed the survival of the fae. The Jade Pact had no idea what shape that fulfillment would take, but remain honorable and have an attunement to nature that comes just shy of a Winnower. The Jade Pact are the silent strong hand of the Protectorate.
Formed from shards of shattered spirits that were fed on by the Vreech, these creatures born of the earth circle are a patchwork of others and have been stitched spiritually together to form someone new. They can still speak with and see their former selves at times. Using who they had been as guides, they now aid others in regaining what was lost and building so much more. No one better exemplifies rebuilding and regrowth from the Fall better than the Circleborn.
The Circle-born
The Protectorate does not abide by Null or Circleborn. These outcasts were rescued by the remaining ancient Elementals in this realm, and raised as their children. Finding the name Circleborn unsavory, they coined their own racial name. Thus the Sefondre were born. All of the Elementals are a parent to a portion of the population, however there are still children being born within Haven as relationships are forged. After the devastating blow from The Protectorate on the Third Haven, the Forge Father’s children have been taken in by Bastion and the other two Havens.
The Sefondre
Dutiful and calm, these good people were once the tenders of creation itself. Since the Fall, they have adapted and turned their plowshares and farming tools to weapons of war. They keep food supplied to those in the Cairn while tending to the Dryads within their care. Be afraid when one of these these good spirited people chooses to go to war.
The Kutari
Industrious and hard working, the Hoblings who call themselves “The Union” are at their best when things are at their worst. These ever-eager and curious group used to maintain the great machines of the past world. Easily figuring out and maintaining the old technology, they now ply their astute problem solving to a myriad of needs be it culinary or martial. Seen often with the Selunari, the Union always welcome things that may seem insurmountable, somehow seeming much less so when they set their minds to it.
The Union
The Null confound those around them. They are born with none of the advantages or wisdom of the other races and yet not only survive but they THRIVE. Due to their being raised almost primarily in the orphanarium, they could be related to anyone. As such they are treated like cousins by pretty much anyone. The Null are unique in that they approach things from a genuine and separate place than the rest of the races of the Protectorate. When something poses a challenge, you get a Null to overcome it.
Ascension Packet No National Info
The Null
The Protectorate does not abide by Null or Circleborn. These outcasts were rescued by the remaining ancient Elementals in this realm, and raised as their children. Finding the name Null unsavory, they coined their own racial name. Thus the Pastiche were born. All of the Elementals are a parent to a portion of the population, however there are still children being born within Haven as relationships are forged. After the devastating blow from The Protectorate on the Third Haven, the Forge Father’s children have been taken in by Bastion and the other two Havens.
Ascension Packet No National Info
The Pastiche
Honorbound warriors whose oaths protect this plane from encroachment from others, these heroes are always at the forefront of battle and have uncanny knowledge of their chosen enemies. When a Warden swears upon their blood and the circle of conflict, the very heavens quake.
The Wardens
Known as scientists and heroes, merchants and vagabonds, the Selunari were the masters of the old world. Their great families harnessed the powers of the crystals, and used them to build the ancient arcane machinery that ran the world. Their confidence in such arcane machinery may have been what brought the end so much quicker. They stood with the others at the site of the great ritual each family minding and assisting with the gigantic crystal pillars that now grow within them. The Selunari are seen in every facet of Cairn life, from the leaders of the collegium to hosting the many salons they run with the Union. No gathering or adventuring group is truly complete without one who resonates.
The Selunari
The partial gold tint is all that remains of the once glorious and bright elves of the Celestial Chorus. Now relying on a mixture of what they knew and the newfound talent for controlling the emotions they now lack, these stalwart and serious elves help maintain the order while trying to understand the emotional and poignant world around them. The song and passion they had is not lost completely. The Sonorant are cool and impartial judges and negotiators. Their passions and harmonious spirit still inspires many.
The Sonorant
Old when the world was new, the master craftsman and explorers of the Incarnate have always done their best to make for a better world. Sometimes this was not even in their home world . Free from the manipulations of the fae, these former wielders of the Mists themselves strive through this life and any other they may live to build a better home, explore, experience and celebrate freedom. Believing their body is merely a shell for their spirit, the Incarnate remake their exterior and even take on new appearances.
The Incarnate
Born to the forest elf tribes who had formed a pact with the Primal Fae, these people are a mixture of elf and animal, fierce but connected. An integral part of the Jade Pact as well as a constant reminder of the forest elves’ bargain, they seek to restore the races claim on the land aboveground. They bear the marks of the patron Fae who’s small sliver of power resides in them. The world they strive for promises to be a wyld one.
The Wylderkin
The Scarax Hidoru
Born of a world not our own, these Cephalopod-kin are known masters of arcane and forbidden lore, applying it as hunters of dangerous creatures. Now crashed onto our world they hunt their ancient enemies, The Vreech, while trying to adjust in this new world.