Ignean

Igneans are the dominant race in Pyraheim, a volatile volcanic country. While they don't often venture outside of their homeland, players can create Ignean characters by gaining approval from the support team and making the appropriate purchase from the Marketplace.

Country of Origin: Pyraheim

Physical Traits:

• Ignean are humanoid with thick, tough skin that glows softly with an inner heat.
  • Their skin, hair, and eyes are typically shades of red, orange, purple, or black.
  • Piebald/patterned skin is common, but eye and hair color always matches.
  • Ignean are tall, averaging 6 feet tall for both men and women; they appear slim and lanky, but are actually quite strong.
• Their size is further emphasized by their horns; all Ignean have at least one, but some have as many as six.
  • Ram-like horns are the most common for women and oxen-like horns are common for men, but there are many variations.
  • Horns are hard to break but once damaged, they regrow very slowly,
    • While bearing horns damaged in combat is considered a sign of greatness, deliberately removing or hiding your horns is heavily frowned upon.
    • The horns of criminals, debtors, slaves, and other "problem" individuals are ground down and branded; this is considered extremely shameful.
    • One or more horns may also be stolen by opponents if you are defeated in combat; the only way to reclaim your honor is to steal or earn your horn(s) back.

Abilities and Traits:

• Natural Abilities:
  • Extended lifespan - Ignean can live up to 180 years.
  • Firepower - Igneans draw strength from volcanoes, lava flows, and geothermal vents.
  • Fire Eating - Igneans can eat fire, as well as redhot metals and stones, without discomfort and even gain nutrients/sustenance from them.
  • Bonding - Ignean typically bond with Pyropteras.
    • If you are joining your Ignean already bonded, you may join them with a Pyroptera; otherwise, they will usually need to bond with a standard Astrofel. Contact Signe if you have any questions!
• Strengths:
  • Most Ignean excel at crafting weapons, armor, and tools from obsidian, metals, and lava.
  • Ignean can typically handle lava and other red hot substances barehanded.
• Igneans experience extreme discomfort in, and have an deep fear of, cold, especially snow/blizzards.
  • The cold forces Ignean to slow down; they can even fall into a deep hibernation if they become too cold and will only wake when sufficiently warmed up.
• Ignean are weak to Cryostones. These stones have a sapping effect on Ignean, quickly leeching away their inner heat. Prolonged contact can lead to temporary paralysis and extreme discomfort.

Society and Lifestyle:

• Build settlements carved into volcanic rock and reinforced with metal.
• They are organized into clans aligned with specific volcanoes that they maintain a deep connection with.
• Ignean architecture is both functional and aesthetically stunning, with intricate patterns and designs etched into the volcanic walls.
• Value honesty, justice, and strength. Personal disputes are often settled through sparring or contests of strength.
  • More serious disputes can be legally settled through combat with the match ending either at first blood or when one participant either dead or too damaged to continue.
• Believe each individual possesses an eternal flame within their soul; this flame feeds their internal warmth and is a symbol of their willpower, their identity, and their connection to their homeland.
  • When an Ignean's physical body can no longer contain the intensity of their internal flame, they are consumed by it and turn to ash.
    • Their flame enters the heart of their clan's home volcano, becoming one with the Sacred Flame.
    • Their skull & horns, the only pieces of their physical body that remains after death, are often hung in their clan's Great Hall.

Relationship with Other Races:

• Alliances: Zefari
• Conflicts: Aurel
• Neutral: Volari, Rockfolk

Pyropteras

Pyropteras are unique magical creatures native to Pyraheim; they are similar to, but different from, the Astrofel found on New Ognos and have an innate ability to bond with Igneans.

• Pyropteras are avian creatures with magnificent wingspans and a regal presence.
  • Their feathers and eyes are aflame with fiery hues of red, orange, and gold; the rarest colors are blue and white.
  • Pyropteras feathers are fire-resistant and their eyes are able to see clearly in even the smokiest of environments.
  • They possess striking crest feathers on their heads, which flare up when they display strong emotions.
  • Pyropteras express emotion by changing the color and intensity of their flaming crest, as well as typical songbird sounds; their bonded can understand the meaning behind their songs as clearly as if they were having a direct conversation.
• Sentinels can produce melodic hums, chimes, and vibrations that amplify and enhance Rockfolk abilities.
  • The strength and effect of their amplification varies depending on the type of song, how strong the bond between Sentinel and Rockfolk is, and how well the two manage to harmonize.
• Bonding is initiated when a Rockfell breaks off a small piece of the Sentinel's horn and swallow it; if the bond is accepted, the Sentinel will headbutt the Rockfolk in return (usually gently).
  • Consent and friendship are extremely important in the bond, which can be dissolved by either party at any time with minor magical backlash to both.
  • Despite how easily it can be done, bonds are rarely broken as Sentinels will only bond if they sense a strong compatibility.
• Sentinels can be quite challenging, but also incredibly rewarding and affectionate companions once their trust and respect has been earned.
  • They have all the naughty craftiness and stubbornness of a goat paired with the calculating nature of a large predator, not to mention their muscular form is perfect for scaling steep mountainsides!
• Sentinels are formed in The Nursery, a specific cavern system that starts at the Prime Mountain and snakes its way across the country.
  • Sentinels are born from magma at the heart of the Prime Mountain, where they live for a few months before venturing out.
  • They are still red hot and incomplete when they first leave the magma pit.
    • What they eat during this time determines their final form; ex: a Sentinel that eats iron will become an Iron Sentinel while one that eats primarily emeralds would become an Emerald Sentinel.
  • Once their form solidifies and cools, the Sentinel ventures into one of the many Cradles, special caverns where they continue to eat and grow.
    • Young Rockfolk typically venture into the Cradles around the age of ten to find their Sentinel.
      • It is rare for adults of either species to form a bond after leaving the Cradle, but not entirely unheard of.