Ignitia

## General

### Lifespan

★★★★★ [~1,000 years]Ignitia age slower in appearance throughout the years, 1 human year to around 10 Ignitian years give or take. As for how fast their mental state develops and how the passage of time feels longer or shorter is up to the individual. In any case, the passage of time from childhood to adolescence may feel shorter; past in a blink of an eye, while adulthood and beyond feels much longer- especially once one is aware of the different lifespans across Evacrest.

### Ultima Types

* Type O: 45%
* Type E-: 5%
* Type IN: 50%
* Type N: N/A

Twin fires from the Goddess’ soul breathed fire into the earth. Her eyes sparked life into streams of magma and ash. From deep volcanic cores beings of flame and rock began to emerge - one from fires forged into scales, fortified as strong as mountains, another from pools of lava moulded from its stir, the embodiment of a flame’s light. Steeled and hardened from the first wind of the cold, the Ignitia claimed the mountains as their own.
The Ignitia claim to be one of the first to emerge, perhaps even before the Ailluin. Ancient beings from a long time past, referring to themselves as ‘Ignitian’ when outsiders would often distinguish dragon-born and vulkan-born as two separate races. It is technically correct to refer to them as two separate races, but culturally wrong to do so as it ruins the sense of unity for the two who have been co-existing since the beginning of their creation.

The dragonborn were scaled beings, towering high above beings of Evacrest. While few in number, their power and size demanded respect. Dragon-kind of ancient blood were born of the volcano’s everlasting flame thousands of years past. All dragon-kind born during and after the war, are descendants of the ancients- conceived much like Evas. And alike Valthos, the dragonborn had evolved to grow closer to the appearance of Goddess Evacrest herself, abandoning one’s complete beastly form to walk as bipedal beings.

The vulkanborn are beings born of magma. Alike the Ailluin born from the Banyan tree, the Vulkans are born from their Volcano’s core. They emerged from pools of lava and passively feed on the environmental essence, ultima, crystelei, and regular food, to continually grow. They have always taken the shape closer to the Goddess, with their shades of deep flame, gray, or obsidian skin, the glowing cracks of ember travelling across their bodies, and their almost flame-to-magma-like textured tresses giving them away.

The Ignitia were initially a closed off race to begin with, specializing in their own unique languages and traditions. They are most prominently known to practice archaic yet potent magic. And although debated to be impossible to continue secluded, they have managed to sustain on their own for thousands of years thanks to the aid of Gobogobo resources from Topotota. Their population is much smaller compared to Evas, Ailluin, and Valthos-kind.

## History & Evolution

An eruption lead to the beginnings of the Ignitia, lava flowed from a mountain top where an excess of Crystelei began to break and detach. Chunks of lands and ruins in the sky flowed upwards, as lava below boiled and rumbled. Its force had been mysteriously contained, absorbing into the earth where kindled creatures of pure flame began to emerge.

The Ignitia grew together, connecting with one another more than anything else. Curious were many to explore the lands below, after thousands of years building their kingdom had passed. Yet they were approached instead, by races unlike them. Peculiar, as some had a lack of fire in their souls. Peculiar, as they had all passed away so easily and so soon. Unlike the Ignitia whose flames were bound to burn thin and thinner until their last light flickers dim within about a thousand years. Many chose to preserve a part of themselves (their fire)  within stones, within everburning flames, and within what they could leave behind.

The only God they know of, is Evacrest, supposedly the Goddess of all flames and everything else. They were and always have been devout in their belief, yet not at all concerning themself with the paths of Fate or Freedom. The strings of fate had been severed, yet they continue to turn away and reject the rest of the world and its petty battles. Solely leaving Drakrom’s backdoor open for harmless Gobogobos to trade, imprint, and bond with.

Only when the war had begun to infringe upon their territory and the base of their mountain did their land suffer. People took and took from their resource-abundant mountain bases. The harm caused to the environment left an imbalance in the Volcano’s Crystelei and Core. Earthquakes began to shake the land, calamity, eruption, so on and so forth, the people suffered and so did all paths to access their mainland, Drakrom. Three ruling divisions formed among the Ignitia. One division migrated from Valkaia to the Continent of Armadai, building their life elsewhere from the main conflict. The remaining two parties refused to fight, compromising to shift the blame onto everyone else but themselves.

Until recently.

The division of **{Meiyun}**, innovative with various clans and family-run associations, looked to better Drakrom, wishing to unlock its country for trade routes, for connections, for exploration. They sought for a modern take to approach a new age with an open mind.

The division of **{Aezei}**, traditional and structured, looked to keep Drakrom tightly shut as means to keep a hold of their power over the Volcano and the people.

The head of families and clans were part of Meiyun and Aezei’s grand councils respectively. Clan heads of Meiyun were persistent, but those of Aezei firmly opposed. Change was not what they sought. And unfortunately, it was one side or the other.

Tension between the two divisions began to rise enough for many to succumb into foul play. Many sabotaged, killed, taken, lost. And yet. Ethereal beings with unimaginable power graced their lands one day. They looked to be Evacrestian, but their powers were far from what the Ignitia knew. Eyes akin to the night sky, magic beyond comprehension, they offered aid to resolve this conflict once and for all. The two divisions agreed even as their only ally, the harmless Gobos, heavily opposed this shady agreement.

And so the occult of these ethereal beings took over. Preaching destruction, preaching the rest of Evacrest unnecessary. Preaching what many wanted to hear; misinformation and false prophecies.

The people of Meiyun began to oppose these outrageous demands and beliefs once the intent of these supposedly enlightened beings became clear to them. But it had been too late, and the people of Aezei had already began to violently conform to dangerous and extreme ideals; they drove those of Meiyun out of Drakrom by any means necessary, forcing them to live at the base of the mountain as refugees.

## Race Exclusive Traits

* You may look to ATLA as a fictional inspiration of a fantasy based on real life cultures and how it’s done for some ideas on Ignitian culture (reflecting that of Amancia which is somewhat west-asian & southeast-asian inspired). But we will remind you that Ignitian culture is diverse within its own society. Different families, associations, and clans have different ways of life. This is merely here as a guideline. You may have freedom in coming up with your own unique lore and culture, all that is asked is for any real life inspirations and parallels to be kept respectful.
* **How does one align with a division/faction?**
Through one’s family or clan- both of which tend to be aligned with one or the other. Those who are neutral have been pushed to take sides whether they like it or not. Clan and family heads have council meetings regarding trade, expenses, clan-to-clan politics, and so on, quite often. These divisions/factions (Meiyun and Aezei) are Ignitian and Drakrom-centric. They are not guilds and are not well known throughout Evacrest.
* **Can I make an Ignitian from the Aezei faction?**
They would have to be a defector/traitor to their faction at this point in the story unless an [**Occultist**] path is available. Read and keep an eye out on the How To Join journal! But remember, not all from the Aezei faction are extremists, alongside how not all from the Aezei faction may agree with what is happening. But most have aligned themselves with violence and the extremes.

## Race Exclusive Culture

The Ignitia are known for special craftsmanship. Armour and accessories enchanted with core lava are tipped with  ember coloured, and glowing sparkstone substances. These are used primarily for flare. Sharp ends of these accessories and armour types graze against any rough surface to cause sparks akin to flint and steel. The sparks come in different hues. As dancers, actors, and performers back in the day had taken a liking to the flashiness.

Many often adorn themselves with these [**Lavawork Pieces**]. The most common of these pieces of jewelry, accessories, and armour, take on a bronze/gold or obsidian sheens to its metalwork. A more recent ‘Platinum/Silver’ variation has since been popular for the last few centuries due to its rarity. There is a difficult complexity to attaining  such a colour within the craft. Not to mention it contrasts very nicely with the darker and obsidian/grey skin tones of the Ignitia.

### Lavawork Pieces

* These are often gifted to people with intent behind them. Think of bouquets and flower language. Many often make accessories to symbolize a deeper meaning. A locket for a worried lover, a compass for an adventurous soul to find their way around. Sparking heels for a dancer, a circlet for a scholar. Weapons are crafted the same way. It is up to you to decide!

## Appearance

* Alike the people around you, except they take on more exaggerated builds (incredibly lean/muscular/stout) builds regardless of gender.
* [Average Height: 5'0-8’0”] The height range for Ignitian people vary. Both Dragonborn and Vulkan-born may be much shorter and imp-like, while others inherit large and bulky forms. Some are sleek to slither and flow, while others remain rounded and stout.
* Colourful hair and eyes are allowed so long as it fits their themes. Do the carpets match the drapes?
* Be reasonable if there's anything 'special' about your character! Do they have different eyes because they have heterochromia or is it from some magical means? Do they have a skill that relates to a magically modified part of their body? Going into detail about it would be lovely.

### Dragonborn-specific

* {{1 || 2}} You are allowed freedom to design how dragon-like they may appear. Their arms and legs may be scaled or even of different anatomy. In general, you must abide by the ‘full-humanoid’ figure rule of having them be bi-pedal with OVERALL anatomy closer to humans/Evas than that of dragons. ((Same rules for Valthos, but with more leeway for dragon-like features.))
* Tails are optional and so are wings. Horns are allowed.
	+ Only ONE PAIR of wings (Two wings only, no multiple pairs!). The traditional wing shape is bat-like as with googling Dragon Wings will yield these results. However, variations in wingspan and anatomy and style can happen. Unfortunately, any wings which stray too far from traditional European dragon wings will not be accepted. (For example, giving your Ignitia bug wings or flowing feathery wings akin to angel/bird wings. It trespasses too heavily into the defining traits for Avian Valthos & Other Races regardless of how it is executed.
	+ Horns are generally allowed for more creative freedom behind them due to the fact that the Ignitia are allowed more than one pair of horns. (They can have multiple pairs up to you!) This is a good chart for horn type [Examples]. So long as the Ignitia is identifiable as an Ignitia Dragon-Lava/Fire-People and does not cross too deeply into Valthos territory, we allow more wriggle room with horns, especially noting how eastern dragons are often depicted with sleek deer-like horns. If you are unsure about this, you may draft up a few designs and Note the Group before finalizing your concept!! We will only be able to provide feedback this way before checking over your app- only if you communicate with us!
* Their ears may be pointed or rounded.
* Those with Vulkan blood in their ancestry may have ember cracks across their skin/scales/so on.
* Dragonborn and Vulkankind are resistant to regular fire and heat. But that does not render them immune to stronger flames or magical flames. The only exception being their Volcano/Core of origin. Pools of Lava and flames do not hurt them there.

### Vulkan-specific

* {{1 || 2}} These are other references that you may follow as the sub-race had been inspired by these.
* Vulkan-kind skintones range from tanned, to grays, to obsidian. Vulkans may have a colour tint to their skin off their grey/obsidian base (Warm or Cold tints, reds,blues,etc)  but it will be very dark, and it will not be very saturated [Saturation/Shade Example] An Ignitian with Vulkan ancestry may gain skin tones like these.
* Their hair is not normal hair, it will tend to take on either magma or flame-like properties which is passively kept under control to prevent from burning others and setting fire haphazardly. When touched, it may merely be lukewarm  or akin to a boiling kettle.
* Most Vulkan-kind have black scleras. The whites of their eyes tend to be black, but not always.
* Ember cracks tend to mark across their bodies and skin.
* Their ears may be pointed or rounded.
* Those with Dragonborn blood in their ancestry may have ember cracks in scale-like patterns, actual scales, horns, dragon eyes, and sharp claws.
* Dragonborn and Vulkankind are resistant to regular fire and heat. But that does not render them immune to stronger flames. The only exception being their Volcano/Core of origin. Pools of Lava and flames do not hurt them there.

### Dos and Don'ts

* **As a race, the two are considered Ignitia. However, you may put in and distinguish their features dragon/vulkan-leaning within the trivia if you must.**
* **Ignitia are people of fire and magma. Most of which may have mixed bloodlines among themselves. All Ignitians must have either FIRE, EARTH, LAVA, OR BEASTIAL TRANSFIGURATION as one of their affinities.** Your other Affinities can be anything else! **At least ONE of these four affinities is required.**
* You ARE allowed other elemental affinities. All affinities are allowed. However, Ice dragons and Ice Vulkans for example or any element/affinities other than fire for this race to physically be based on ‘does not exist’.
* There are no Type N Ignitia!

### Ignitian Hybrids

* **Ignitian hybrids be it Dragon/Vulkan with any other race in Evacrest are just about nonexistent** due to how closed off the Ignitia have been. As in, if you wish to make a mixed race character who is part Ignitian, you have a high chance of having that character rejected from the group due to the lore of the Ignitia being shut off so tightly. As of right now, the chance of an Ignitian conceiving a child with Evas/Valthos/Ailluins is exceptionally low in terms of fertility and social reluctance. If we do accept such a character, we will not accept others following the same concept. Note that we might not accept such a character at all at the moment, we are not looking nor are we keen on doing so.
* **Dragon/Vulkan** Hybrids do not consider themselves hybrids. The two are distinctly different, yet alike at the same time due to bloodlines mixing over time.