VENIAS

Venias are spiritual creatures that resemble the sun, moon, and the stars; they guide the deceased souls. They are very similar to shinigami and it is their duty to protect souls during their journey to the underworld. Venias have these spiritual fire rings that go around parts of their body and these can burn Devoras. The intensity of these fire rings determines that Venia’s strength/power level. Venias live a long time, but are not immortal. They were originally animals who died. Because animals do not go to heaven or hell, their souls pass on to become Venias/Hanakomis until they die again and reincarnate.

Depending on their type, they are active during a specific time of day. A Sun type Venia is an adult (with powers) during the day and a child (no powers) at night. A Moon type Venia is an adult (with powers) at night and a child (no powers) during the day. During sunset, sunrise, or eclipses, both types can be adults at the same time. Rare Venias have brighter and/or more spiritual fire rings and are able to be adults (and have powers) all 24 hours of the day. All Venias have one magical accessory which allows their clothes to adjust when they change forms.

The Venias are led by the rare types in general. Though all types have somewhat similar power limits, rares have powers that are almost explosive. However, when their powers are drained they are forced into child form until they regain the energy that was lost.

Abnormal Venias have the opposite skin tone of what they’re supposed to have. For example, an abnormal Moon type will have pale skin. Abnormal Venias stop aging once they hit around 14-17 and they do not change between child and adult forms. In that sense, they seem to be more powerful than regular Venias because they don’t have automatic limits on their power. However, this is a double-edged sword. Like hemophiliacs, they don’t always realize when they’re overusing their power because their body doesn’t automatically let them know (by shifting them into their child form once their power runs low). It has happened that abnormal Venias have died during battle after using up all of their power without realizing.

SUN VENIAS

• Oriental style clothing
• Light skin
• One spiritual fire ring around their ear
• They stay in their child form during the night time and return to their adult form during the day; their powers are very limited at night
• During the day of lunar eclipse, they are able to remain in their adult forms freely

Very recently, Sun Venias have overthrown their ruling clan: the dragons. They seemingly successfully launched a community where everyone is equal under a mysterious Aretes named Yeon. Many are grateful that she stepped in to stop the turmoil after the rebellion, but some cannot help but wonder what exactly her motives are.

Jobs are divided equally among the Sun Venias: warriors, healers, monks and priestesses, and workers.

• Warriors go out on expeditions to gather information as well as resources and eradicate nearby Devoras that are threatening to the village. They often work together with the Moon Venia military. Highly respected by the villagers.
• Healers usually stay behind to look after wounded or sick warriors and villagers. They are specially blessed by the sun to have the ability to use their spirit fire for regeneration. Those who are capable sometimes accompany warriors for emergency situations.
• Monks and Priestesses serve the aretes Yeon; they worship the sun and often hold rituals and ceremonies.
• Workers are the regular villagers who tend to everyday duties around the village.

Dragons are exiled to the middle ground/neutral territory between the Moon and Sun Venian borders. Many of them have adapted to their new life and wish to live quietly. However, a few ambitious dragons are looking for a chance to strike back—to regain their power and honor.

Abnormal Sun Venias tend to not interfere with Devora or Moon Venias, but there are tall tales of taboo romances; many Moon Venias are fascinated by the abnormal Sun Venias. In SunVenian society, it's not the normals who cast out the abnormals, but the abnormals separate themselves. They think of themselves as "divine" or even "sacred". They've developed their own unique culture with tribal/Aztec/Arabian influences, which is separated from the more Asian-like lifestyle that most Sun Venias live. Abnormal Sun Venias deeply value nature and life itself. They are known to be very passive, but also stubborn. Of course, there are abnormal Sun Venias who blend in with the normals; they are treated fairly and well. If they are not within their closed community they are no different from the rest of normals. However, they are often advised to stay behind and protect the village because the elders worry about them dying in battle.

Abnormal Sun Venias have mystical tattoos inscribed on their body. Their eyes are usually very light colored; hair color doesn't deviate far from black and white. Many are Warriors capable of skillfully controlling their energy/power. They spend the majority of their lives trying to understand and learn to control that power.

MOON VENIAS

• European / fantasy-like clothing
• Dark skin
• Two spiritual fire ring around their ears
• They stay in their child form during the day and return to their adult form during the night time; their powers are very limited during the day.
• During the day of solar eclipse, they are able to maintain their adult forms freely.

There are two very different factions of Moon Venias.

Aristocrats enjoy luxury—social parties and good drinks are their favorites. Their wealth and status are conferred at birth. They are not interested in unnecessary conflicts. If anything, they want things to remain calm and peaceful. They’re not interested in petty disputes between Venias and Devoras. They seek knowledge and usually have deep respect for beauty. They are often huge sponsors of art and science. They tend to look down on the Sun types and think they are barbaric and inhumane. Though it is their duty to tend after the deceased and guide them, aristocratic moon types leave the matter to the military members. There is always a feud among the nobles about which family will rule. Ultimately, decisions are made depending on the votes casted by the high nobles, but they are constantly after each other to gain control.

Different from the nobles, members of the military/militia are the working class of Moon types. The military consists of poorer and/or abnormal Moon Venias. Military service is voluntary, but all trainees must go through a harsh training process and pass the final test in order to become an officer. Once they are officially soldiers, Moon Venias give up their freedom and vow to serve and protect the safety and peace of Moon society civilians. Militia rank is very strictly rank-based, but promotions are possible based on merit. This is known as the only way to move up the Moon Venia social ladder for those not born noble. Military members are extremely well-trained and fit to protect the Moon type societies. There is an elite group called Lunar Force, a special task force made up of only the most skilled and talented military members. Being in the military is not an easy task. It is their job to tend spirits and fight Devoras if necessary. Even though Sun types and Moon types rarely get along, Lunar Force members get vast respect from the Sun type society. They actually keep a mutual relationship so they can help each other through troubled times and during Devora raids. Soldiers have to withstand harsh training and missions. Lunar Force members interact with Sun Venias during expeditions into Devora territory from time to time, but the majority of the soldiers stay behind to protect the Moon cities.

Most normal Moon Venias discriminate against abnormal Moon Venias. They are often looked down upon. They are born into the lowest caste, living in poverty from birth, and it's nearly impossible for them to move up from there. Rather than seeking wealth, they often turn to joining the military because their "unlimited" power is very attractive to the militia. However, it's also believed that they are widely accepted in the military because their lives are not as valued and they make for great glass cannons.

Many abnormal Moon Venias are very talented; they are truly no different from the regular Venias other than the fact that they do not change forms. Because this stereotype has been around for so long, no one questions it. There are also rumors that some abnormals are taken to an secret experiment facility to research the mysteries of Venian bodies.

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DEVORAS

Immortal demons who prey on souls and have no soul of their own. They simply come into existence one day and nobody, not even Nyx, knows the reason. There is a theory that Devoras are fallen Aretes, as their marks are in the same place as Aretes’ orbs, but this does not apply to all of them. Devoras are generally of two types: hunters or deal-makers. (though most Devoras will do both, they tend towards one or the other) The hunters merely take souls, while deal-makers create pacts with humans. When the Devora has held up their end of the bargain, they often get that human’s soul as their reward. It's rare for a Devora to consume a Venia soul but it can happen. There's a legend among Devoras that consuming a Venia makes you become a god.

Devoras can live without feeding on souls for an extended period of time. Depending on how steeped the soul is in sin, it can sustain them for a short or long time. Devoras can also feed on the sins of non-Devoras. If someone commits a crime related to that Devora's sin, they can gain power and energy if they're in the vicinity. Some Devoras choose not to eat souls and simply go around tempting people into sin so that they can feed on it. 

All Devoras have a mark on their body that signifies their status as a Devora. They vary in design, but are generally triangular/diamond-shaped. The mark is always on the base of their neck, between the collarbones. Their “mouth” comes out from this mark to devour the soul. Devoras' sclera turns black when they're eating.

A Devora can live in either the Lower World or Elysium Fields depending on their preference. Each Devora embodies one of the seven deadly sins: Lust (Fornicatio), Gluttony (Gula), Greed (Avaritia), Sloth (Acedia), Wrath (Ira), Envy (Tristitia), or Pride (Superbia). This is set when they come into existence. Devoras get weakened/eventually die when their personality approaches their opposing virtue too much. ie: a Wrath Devora will become weaker if they become too patient and merciful. (sin of Wrath vs virtue of Patience) Their powers start to go out of control, they become hungrier, and they will eventually die if left in this state. On the other hand, the more sinful a Devora is, the stronger they are.

Nyx is the leader of all Devoras. Multiple times a year, he makes them get together and report on what they’ve been doing, but this is mostly just an excuse so he can see them. He thinks of all Devoras as his children. There is a long-time peace treaty between Venias and Devoras in order to have checks and balances, but Devoras still mainly do whatever they want. When they get too out of control, even Nyx cannot protect them and the Lunar Force is sent after them.

One single Venia is generally no match for a Devora, so they have to flee when coming into contact with one. Venias have to group up to defeat a Devora in most circumstances.

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ARETES

coming soon

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HELLHOUNDS

coming soon

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HANAKOMIS

Guides of human souls. Unlike Venias they have no spiritual powers, but their bodily fluids are fatally poisonous to Devoras. Originally they were animals who died. Because animals do not go to heaven or hell, their souls pass on to become Venias/Hanakomis until they die again and reincarnate. Because of the strength of their bodily fluids, there was a time when they were killed to be used as weapons against Devoras, but Venias have since passed regulations to stop that from happening. Nowadays, Hanakomis often serve as assistants to Venias.

They have flower markings on their ears and tails to signify that they are Hanakomis.

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OTHER NOTES

None of these species can reproduce. They can have sex (except Hanakomis with Devoras, of course) but are all infertile and cannot actually have any children.

The truth behind the legend of a Devora consuming a Venia is that if this happens, the Devora will die. This keeps the world in balance. Venias ascend to become Aretes. Sinful Aretes are exiled and turned into Devoras. Devoras are killed by Venias. Over time, Venias didn't want to sacrifice themselves to defeat Devoras, so their collective prayers and the intervention of the Aretes brought Hanakomis into being. Hanakomis were weaponized in the past and treated as subclass citizens for a long time.

In current times, young Devoras and Venias largely believe the legend and simply view it as a fact. Venias are told to protect themselves and Devoras pursue them in search of god-like power. The oldest members of both societies know the truth, but may or may not act on it. This selfishness and desire for self-preservation is at the heart of Venian society. Because of that, there will always be sin and Devoras will never disappear because they have sin to feed off of.