The Praenomen of Aetolia

Roleplaying a Praenomen

Born in the covetous clasp of night, Praenomen are ruthless vampires who crave two things: Blood and Domination. Donning the armaments of savage nobility, these individuals bring to bear their immense physical strength, their unparalleled will, and their mastery over the blood to take what they desire without mercy or compassion.

What is vampirism?

Centuries ago a new race arose from the ambition of an Ankyrean conclavist by the name of Yrtez. With the aid of Chakrasul and Severn, Yrtez enacted a ritual of incredible ambition: to harness the Immortality of the Gods Themselves. A long time goal of the Conclave of Magic, through trial and error, and with many failures and setbacks, Yrtez eventually attained some measure of success. In blood and shadow she was reborn, rechristening herself as Queen Belladona. In the modern era, we have come to understand that an imbalance - an excess - of elemental shadow is what allows for undeath and, consequently, vampirism, the dark element stifling - but not erasing - the spark of life essence derived from spirit.

In the years after, the Queen embraced her first Childer, a man from Shallam named Abhorash Nehekhara. Abhorash alone possessed the qualities that Belladona deemed vital for the transformation. Above all he was a ruthless predator, an uncompromising hunter who refused to negotiate with the cattle on which he slaked his hunger. The first Primus Abhorash, founder of Bloodloch, took four Childer of his own, forming the original noble Houses of the Consanguine.

Through him, the Bloodline flourished, and the Consanguine Legacy was secured. In the 446th year of the Midnight Age, a new era of Consanguine domination began. With the Progenitor of the Blood ceding all control over the Imperial Dominion, the Consanguine of Sapience found themselves unified under one banner, to be governed in their own way. They continue to strip their path from the hide of Sapience, casting off all mortal ties once embraced and sacrificing these weaknesses upon the altar of ambition.

How are the powers of the class accessed?

With the raw potential of Sanguis, they gain mastery over their own blood, wielding it as an unholy weapon to split the artery of the world wide open. Through the honing of Mentis they prevail over the weak mortal wills, breaking them in twain with ruthless efficiency. Finally, with the depraved skills of Corpus at their command, they imbue their bodies with preternatural speed, strength, and agility.

Visual style of the class

As creatures of shadow and blood, a Praenomen is oft a dramatic, intimidating sight both on and off the field of battle. Their physical prowess is unmatched, having shed the imperfections and fragilities of mortal life, and this is represented through the brutality and savage discipline that is Corpus. Fangs and forked tongues distinguish them from lesser beings, most notable when feeding or invoking the whispers of Mentis.

Lesser undead are easily brought under their thrall and typically accompany them as shambling, mindless beings, their will subsumed by the Praenomen's greater mind. Sanguis manifests in similarly decisive, conspicuous ways, a crimson haze tinging the air when the vampire works their feats of terrible blood magic. Yet, for all that a Praenomen is a force to behold, there is a distinct regality in their ways, a subtlety too-often overlooked by the terror they are wont to inspire.

Side effects of use

All who enjoy the gift of Yrtez come to know two defining characteristics of vampirism: the tyranny of the sun, and the compulsive thirst. The former, though it may be abated by satiety, remains a source of hate and loathing for a vampire. Habitually dwelling underground and stalking the land largely at night leads to a pallid and pale appearance. Hunger, likewise, conspires to produce the same; a well-fed vampire may mimic the warmth and vitality of the living, but theirs is a mockery of life, a facsimile maintained only through slaking the sanguine thirst.

In particular, while vampires can imitate most bodily functions either via conscious or subconscious control of their blood, the ability to procreate - to birth new life - lies beyond them, their legacies instead expanded via the embrace of progeny.

Roleplaying the class

While one Praenomen might revel in slaughter and carnage to claim what is theirs, the next might manipulate and coerce those beneath them into doing what they wish. There are many ways to be a formidable vampire, so long as the path chosen leads to success or greatness in some form. So long as it brings power to the Blood.

The Consanguine are incredibly particular of those they allow to become part of their Bloodline, and rightly so, for a foolish Childer reflects poorly on an established Sire. While there are many who stalk the Night without a Sire or connection to the Primus' ancient Bloodline, those who are accepted into its ranks are considered superior to those who chose to walk alone. This superiority tends to be reflected in a Praenomen's demeanour and attitude, considering outsiders - even amongst allies - beneath them.

As the once mortal, now God of Tyranny, Abhorash, strove ever for greatness and power, seizing it with His Own fangs, so too do the Praenomen left by His Blood legacy seek it, through blood rituals, slaughter and domination. In short, a vampire is a force to be reckoned with, a creature of the night brooking neither timidity nor weakness - especially amongst their own.