Though seemingly mundane, Humans are as varied as the world itself, from those who conform to societal expectations to the few who burn brightly against the mundane before fading. While many ignore the supernatural, those near The Wall embrace mysticism, clinging to their spiritual beliefs even as the Government ensures that no one strays too far from the norm.
Once a proud and independent people, the War Born were forcibly assimilated into a single nation by the Government. Despite their warrior heritage and resilience, their culture is slowly eroding with each passing generation. Some fight to preserve it, while others integrate into modern society, working as laborers, mercenaries, and traders.
Brilliant yet infamous, the Grey family is both revered and reviled. Innovators and architects of the modern world, they are also the ones who unleashed The Breach - leading to the downfall of the grand, pre-history world. Their obsessive pursuit of knowledge has made them indispensable, but they struggle to atone for past sins as history becomes open for scrutiny once more.
Aristocratic and calculating, the Ellsons have amassed their fortune through banking, mining, and industry. Cold and disciplined, they value logic over empathy, ensuring they remain among Acheron’s elite. However, with old secrets threatening to resurface, the family plays a dangerous game against the other major factions of the world to maintain their power.
Born into the Church of the Twin Gods, Gripes are raised to serve its will, rarely questioning their place. Those born outside the faith - the Grievances - are either indoctrinated into the Church elite or transformed into instruments of the Church. As prehistory is uncovered, the Church seeks to control the narrative, sending its followers far and wide to spread its influence.
Once outcasts left to rot in the shadow of The Wall, the Exalted have been reshaped by its strange influence. Mutated and feared, they carve out a living in the margins of society. Often as undertakers, executioners, or hired muscle. Though their movements in "normal society" were once heavily restricted, new laws allow them to walk freely among their former oppressors - for better or worse.
Colorful and lively, Fae Darkleechers are the most vibrant of their kin, both in appearance and spirit. With a natural affinity for Fate, they revel in games of chance, communal celebrations, and life’s many uncertainties. Their whimsical nature belies a keen sense of intuition that shapes their every decision. Fae Darkleechers often find themselves operating within systems which allow exploration and freedom such as academia and entreprenuership or those with a strong sense of community such as local government and large corporations.
Spirit Darkleechers embody the untamed wild, their forms reflecting the flora and fauna of nature itself. As diverse in appearance as they are in temperament, some live as solitary wanderers, while others forge deep, unbreakable bonds among kin. Their connection to nature grants them great empathy for all living things, yet this same bond can make them indifferent, if not cold, to humankind and even their own kin. Whether as hunters, healers, or something in between, they remain ever attuned to the pulse of the natural world.
Physically imposing and fiercely loyal, Demonic Darkleechers act as the foundation of Darkleecher society. Despite their fearsome appearance, they integrate well into human civilization, serving as the bridge between the two worlds. Strong in body and will, they uphold the balance in an ever-changing society by bringing people together, sorting out differences, and focusing on the bonds between people to build up society.
The most alien of all Darkleechers, Eldritch kin exist on the fringes - whether within Darkleecher society or at the edges of human civilization - though often not by choice. Marked by their unsettling features and intimate connection to the unknown depths of the sea, they are both sly and suspicious. Their ties to the Eldritch grant them an eerie wisdom others find off-putting. With insight into people, places, and truths unseen by mortal eyes, they navigate the world as enigmatic seers, ever aware of the mysteries lurking beneath reality’s surface. wholly unafraid of using this edge to get ahead in the world.
Rare and often unwanted, Half-Leechers struggle to find a place in either world. Their mixed heritage leaves them torn between Human and Darkleecher society, facing mistrust from both. Despite the odds, those who survive their early years must work hard to navigate a world that was never meant to accept them.
Soulmenders are remnants of past lives, trapped within Soulmetal bodies after death, stripped of their former identities. Once a luxury for the wealthy seeking to preserve loved ones, they eventually fell out of favor as society realized these revived beings were never quite the same as their previous selves. Some were embraced as family, while others were discarded, left to forge new paths alone. Now, Soulmenders have undergone a resurgence and often serve as historians, craftsmen, and even living machines - modified for labor, protection, or exploration. Though they no longer recall their past lives, echoes of their former selves linger, granting them unique insights and abilities. However, this existence comes at a cost, with many struggling against the weight of their lost humanity and the ever-present fragility of their artificial form.
