Highborn

The Highborn are an endangered race of winged beings with an “angelic” appearance. They are a relatively passive species, desiring no conflict and merely wishing to be left alone. Highborn culture and society primarily revolves around music (especially played by well-crafted instruments) and singing. All highborn are created with an innate talent for both of these things, as their survival largely depends on it. 
==Description==
Highborn are humanoid in shape, but beyond this superficial similarity, they are anything but human. 
Highborn have wings on their back, which may be found on the sides of the hips, lower back, or upper back near the shoulder blades. All highborn commonly have one pair of wings on their back, a smaller pair on their head which follows the same placement rules, and small wings attached to their ankles. 
Their head-wings have razor-sharp senses, important for detecting surroundings/sounds as well as alerting them to danger and environmental changes, much like a cat’s whiskers. Equally critical are their back-wings, which keep them balanced and allow dexterous flight. 
Average highborn can only sport a maximum of three pairs of wings. Their feathers can be any size, much like their wings, as long as they are big enough to carry the weight of the highborn’s bodyWith the exception of mutated and hybrid highborn..
==Biology==
The biology of a highborn is the leading factor behind their historical oppression. They have rapid regenerative abilities and are practically immortalThey are seemingly unaffected by ailments due to their blood promoting rapid cell regeneration and naturally strong immunity. so long as their head and vocal cords remain intact. This is because highborn blood, whether ingested or topically applied, can cure any mortal illness or mend any mortal wound. Its color resembles marbled, swirled paint – with the same three hues comprising the color of highborn’s eyes. These colors are of a pastel palette, ranging from a top-down gradient of darkest to lightest. These unique colors are referred to as ‘iridescence’, and are an important part of a highborn’s identity.
In light of the special properties inherent within highborn, organ harvesting and blood transfusion are among the many ways in which they are exploited. To protect themselves from decapitation (one of their sole weaknesses), almost all highborn wear protective neck bracesMade out of various materials and precious metals, like copper, silver, and gold and are often decorated with gemstones and intricate carvings on the brace. which reduce the risk of injury in said area, though this custom seems to have only developed recently. 
Highborn have demonstrated the ability to interbreed with other humanoid races, resulting in hybrid offspring descending from two or more races. However, this is generally considered a taboo in their culture, especially in light of their status as an endangered species. Only two “pure-blooded” highborn can give birth to another pure one, mainly due to possessing inherently recessive genetics that are often overpowered by those of another species. Hybrid Highborn do not have the same resilience as pure Highborn, such as their regenerative blood. They may still have their own iridescence, though this is rarely the case. This tends to make hybrid Highborn weaker than pure Highborn. 
For these reasons, it is quite difficult for highborn to fight against threats of extinction, lacking any notable form of leverage to fight back.
==Culture==
===Status===
Highborn uphold standards applicable to the traits which they possess, indicating their role in the society. This hierarchy does not impose discrimination or disadvantage, but merely categorizes highborn by the responsibilities they are best suited to undertake. It distinguishes highborn in terms of strength and capacity, but this does not mean that weaker Highborn are considered useless – rather, they are better-suited towards other duties. Those with more sets of wings or larger feathers may fly longer, higher distances with more stamina to spare, making them suitable for studious labor or serving as fighters and guards. Conversely, highborn with fewer pairs of wings or smaller feathers are more nimble and speedy, making fine messengers and workers in fields that require greater precision. Highborn with ornate halos and more than three wings are often signified to be royal or highly pious, frequently performing religious practices and tending to the needs of the people.
===Music===
Blessed with deeply attuned melodic senses, highborn may evoke desired emotions from others with merely music alone. This is a prominent aspect of highborn culture, and the foundation of their power. Some highborn have developed self-defense techniques which involve the use of melodies to project harmful frequencies onto a target. These frequencies are used as a protective mechanism to drive enemies away and mildly immobilize them as the sounds penetrate the body. With complex, finely tuned instruments, highborn can play sounds ranging from under 20 Hz to over 150 decibels, potentially causing long-term damage to the human body with prolonged exposure. In spite of this mechanism, highborn are still vulnerable during battle; their offenses can be bypassed with little to no harm if the opponent is prepared. Otherwise, when not facing danger, highborn will passively play music at comfortable, pleasant frequencies which pacify the listener.
===Instruments/Weaponry===
Highborn almost never engage in physical battle unless absolutely necessary, and only those specifically appointed as warriors and guards shall do so. In times of dire need for survival, instruments previously developed for the use of song and music have been modified and enhanced to aid in battle. Each highborn sports their own instrument of distinct quality and style, with various aesthetic elements varying between individuals. Instruments may include sentimental additions from the holder, such as feathers, hair strands, jewelry, gems, and other treasures important to the highborn. Often, these design elements are also incorporated in a way that improves the sound of the instrument and allows for layered compositions of melodies to take place. Instruments are crafted delicately, made to last and to withstand long-term use. 
==History==
===Religion===
The highborn resided amongst the Seven Heavens, particularly in the Heaven of Xandros. Though they were subject of the Royal Court’s kingdom and obeyed its laws, they did not regard any of the court as deities. The highborn believed themselves to have descended from the Sun of the Seven Heavens, which served as the primary object of their worship and idolatry. This changed when The Eclipser usurped and blackened the sun, forcing everyone to worship him instead.
===Enslavement/Genocide===
As previously mentioned, the highborn were subjugated beneath the tyrannical reign of The Eclipser after he had essentially replaced their deity, a position which he abused with utmost enthusiasm. He corrupted Xandros along with the rest of the Heavens, warping it into his own twisted vision of a kingdom.
Under The Eclipser’s rule, the conditions became unethical for the species, forcing them to The Eclipser’s will. Highborn would then be gathered to attend a ritualIt is unknown the exact time and location of said ritual, but is inferred to have occurred every 1-2 weeks given the threshold of highborn deaths throughout their documentation. where one is chosen and slaughtered so that the blood may fully be consumed. The Royal Court eventually intervened and imprisoned The Eclipser in Level 82, rescuing whoever remained of his enslaved subjects. Notable among them is the highborn Celeste, who served the Priestess and eventually went on to take a place among the court as its Lady in Waiting. A few were fortunate enough to have escaped to re-establish themselves elsewhere.
==Relations==
*Humans: The relationship between humans and highborn is the most divided one. Evidence indicates interactions between the two races dating back as long ago as ancient times. Initially, they seemed to respect one another and work together. However, relations would turn sour as humans did little to help the highborn who were enslaved and murdered by The Eclipser. In the modern day, highborn seem to have difficulty with trusting humans.
*Facelings: Most facelings, lacking complete sentience/awareness, don't really have opinions of the highborn. Highborn, on the other hand, will generally treat them with kindness and respect.
*Paragons: Highborn appear to have the most positive relationship with paragons, who aided them in recovering from The Eclipser's rule by providing their resources and technology
*Glowfolk: Glowfolk regard highborn rather neutrally— though with their curious nature, some may observe the highborn as they do with other humanoids.
*Penumbras: Although relations between Penumbras and Highborn are not hostile, they were never necessarily positive either. Penumbras, being historically distrustful of other races, never entirely welcomed or embraced the highborn. Despite this, there are recorded instances of hybrid penumbra-highborn offspring.
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Written by Soleste, with love.
Art by Soleste (WIP at the moment, will finish eventually!).
Category:Anthropoid
Category:Celeste