Aurien

Aurien

Male / female Aurien.
Details
Faction	Neutral
Lifespan	Normal (~100 yrs.)
Population	Low - Medium
Average Height	6'0" / 5'8"

Enamored with power, born to embrace magic.

Aurien are derived from Faerla having mixed with humanity to a point of dilution. They're well-known as some of the more magically inclined members of society, and very few Aurien, if any, completely lack the ability to use magic. Given their rarer origins, though, Aurien are certainly the least populous of the three neutral races, and tend to take up positions of nobility as a direct result. For many, they're viewed as a more "acceptable" form of the Faerla, who are often shunned for their deep ties to the Faewild.

Appearance

Infamously, the Aurien retain their youth longer into life than many of the other races, bearing eyes that glow with brimming energy and ears that extend past the back of their head. It's relatively common knowledge that the process of using and being around magic is what keeps Aurien so visually "young", providing their body with the resources it requires to maintain that unusually fresh appearance. That being said, the opposite is also true: without a prominent source of mana of some kind, Aurien gradually wither away. They are intrinsically bound to magic in every way.

While their eyes do glow, they can control the intensity- to some degree- and even dim them down to near-dullness for brief periods of time. The color varies based on the type of magic they use rather than whatever eye color they were born with, and said eye color is known to change to fit their magic use over their lifespan. Their hair isn't much different from human hair, though the common myth is that it's usually longer and softer. In truth, it's just a byproduct of their youth.

They are on average slightly taller than humans, at a standard of 6'0" for males and 5'8" for females.

Culture

Given how important magic is to the Aurien, they've shaped their culture around it entirely. While the Faerla, their ancestors, have ties to the Faewild, the Aurien have no such thing. They are completely detached from the other planes, and thus have reoriented to find their energy sources here on Rhyst instead. The most common source is simply themselves! A well-trained mage can easily supply themselves with enough mana to retain their youth and live as a proper Aurien should for the entirety of their lifespan.

However, other practices exist among Aurien that're looked upon... poorly, even by other members of their own race. Some turn to more aggressive methods of attaining mana, such as taking it from others. Only rarely is this a matter of theft, though. Even among those who would take the mana of another, it's usually only through willing participants. Throughout history, Aurien that have offensively stolen the mana of an unwilling party have been viciously prosecuted by other Aurien in the interests of keeping their race's public image secure.

Naturally, they've succeeded. One bad egg in a bunch doesn't spoil the rest, and Aurien are unnaturally fantastic for seats of power. They're taught about magic from birth, so on top of being inclined, most of their educated members are adept in multiple schools by the time they graduate. They frequently take up teaching positions, though occasionally they've been known to serve on the front-lines of expeditionary parties and similarly front-facing groups.

Abilities

Voidsent

Voidsent: You are drawn to orderly energy and Sorcery. You gain +20 Capacity.

Manathirst: For 6 seconds, dealing damage to enemies will sap 1% of their max mana. [18s CD Off GCD / 80 Mana]

Ashwalker

Ashwalker: You feel a tie to Ash and its properties of death. You gain +1 Armor and Resilience Pierce.

Emberborn: Radiate clouds of ash for 6 seconds, dealing 75+1%[Max HP] magical damage to those they touch. [22s CD / 80 Mana]

Rhystbound

Rhystbound: You are drawn to balance and Elementalism. You gain +10 Control and +10 Capacity.

Stability: You gain 25 Health and Mana Regen passively.

Faewalker

Faewalker: You're drawn to chaotic energy and Sorcery. You receive +15 Control.

Manafont: For 6s, gain 5 Mana Regen and 2% Damage Bonus when casting a spell. [18s CD / 80 Mana]

Notable Aurien

• This could be you!

Trivia

• Aurien are technically not derived from any of the original Verdict races.
• Aurien were once supposedly just as connected to the Faewild as the Faerla, but something severed their link and made them distinct.
• The flavor-text for Aurien on the Race-Selection menu during Character Creation reads, "Aurien are derived from the mysterious Faerla. Though they've retained the long ears and glowing eyes, they've lost the Faerla's connection to the Faewild. Instead, each Aurien may choose to walk the path of the Void, the Faewild, or opt to remain Rhystbound, practicing their brand of sorcery with impunity. In each case, Aurien are well-known for being fragile but absurdly talented magic-users. They suffer from low population in most eras."
• The flavor-text for Voidsent Aurien on the Character-Customization menu during Character Creation reads, "You're a Voidsent Aurien of potentially neutral background. You have given into your race's prpensity for manathirst, training your ability to drain magic from others to a great extent. In doing so, you have become utterly frail, reducing your ability to tank blows and deal them. Your vitals have paid the price of your path to 'ascension'."
• The flavor-text for Rhystbound Aurien reads, "You're a Rhystbound Aurien of potentially neutral background. Despite your race's propensity for manathirst, you have found balance, able to sate yourself without resorting to extremes. In doing so, you have become sturdier and more stable than your kin. You bear the strength and resilience of the Human race with the magical prowess of your people."
• The flavor-text for Faewalker Aurien reads, "You're a Faewalker Aurien of potentially neutral background. You have ignored your race's propensity for manathirst, surging with enough magic that you couldn't possibly wish for more. In doing so, you have walked the path of your ancestors, the Faerla. You are frailer than most, but bear a remarkable ability to sacrifice your own life for energy."