Blackblood

* Leaders
* Remnants

**Blackbloods** are a sub-species of humans and descendants of The Seven. They possess enhanced abilities and supernatural properties. They are considered an endangered species following a village's slaughter at the hands of The Bones, and later, a massacre by the Blackfist. They were eventually freed from their otherwordly imprisonment by High Priestess Wren who was joined by the warriors Talon and Zed.

## History

### Creation

A being from another world named Aster arrived in the Green World with his six siblings, seeking a sustainable world they could drain to further their immortality. The Seven creatures brought the Kahvi with them through the portal to serve as their slaves. However, Aster learned the precious nature of its human inhabitants and was fascinated. He learned of their ways, their intelligence, their vulnerability. They had a strength of spirit he had never seen before. He fell in love with one of the humans, Tallya, who showed him the beauty of the first like-minded and intelligent species he had encountered. Aster was convinced that the humans were somehow related to his kind in some even more distant past, partially due to their shared intellectual capacities, and partially because that was the only way in which he could have fathered a child with Tallya.

Aster's siblings didn't take kindly to his newfound family, nor did they share the same fascination with humans. The Seven, now Six, sought to kill Tallya and her newborn child as a form of punishment for Aster's betrayal. However, Aster was able to stop his brother, Golu from finishing the task. This attempt pushed Aster to find a way to put his siblings to sleep using the ahl-kora blades, as they were made from a substance not from the Green World. Only the ahl-kora blades could be used to separate the souls of The Seven into Kinj form. He allied with the humans by gifting seven humans a single blade to use against each of Aster's siblings. They succeeded in their use of the blades, which allowed Aster to place the kinjes in a podium in Vor-Anden. The ahl-kora blades were meant to be passed from generation to generation just as his Kinj was, however all but one was lost throughout the centuries.

### Early Histories

After Aster's first death, the first settlement of his offspring was built and became a Blackblood stronghold.

Hundreds of years ago, a great Blackblood warrior named Bellator lived. He is noted for being the greatest warrior of all Blackbloods. After his death, he was frozen in the stars so that others would remember his strength. His constellation is located in Vor-Anden.

Aster's kinj was kept in a clan of ancestral women that renounced violence and rid their settlement of weapons. Furthermore, the name of his first love Tallya was passed through the generations in women's first names. The name Tallya in Yindrian is the same as Talon in the language that would become used hundreds of years later. A single ahl-kora blade was passed to the mother of Talon alongside the Asterkinj, both of which ended up in Talon's possession.

### War and Imprisonment

Over three-hundred years ago, the Blackblood race was well populated across the realm but was at war with the humans. The Blackfist made a plan that their entire war party - Blackbloods and Lu-Qiri alike, would go through the portal and wait in the Plane of Ashes. A member of a Blackblood tribe would sneak behind enemy lines and reopen the portal, so the tribes could attack the humans behind their walls. The Blackblood tribe entrusted with opening the portal made a second pact with the humans to leave the Blackbloods, Blackfist, and Lu-Qiri in the plane of ashes as a prison. In exchange, the humans would allow the remaining Blackblood tribes to live in peace.

### First Genocide

Hundreds of years after the peace treaty, a group of mercenaries known as The Bones attacked a Blackblood village under orders to ensure that every Blackblood died. They set the camp alight, then slaughtered everyone. A young girl named Talon awakened her brother Eremus, then met with their mother. Her mother picked her up and tried to carry her out of the village. Under the insistence of a villager, the woman began to open a portal using her kinj but was shot with an arrow. She passed a creature, later known as Asterkinj, onto Talon as she was dying. One of the men went to attack Talon with an ax, but Talon’s mother sliced his leg, which angered him, and he killed her while Talon ran away.

She hid in a cave but was spotted by one of the men, known as The Wolf. He fired an arrow at her but the Kinj her mother passed onto her glowed and a portal appeared. A Lu-Qiri passed his arm through the portal and intercepted the arrow, thus, saving Talon's life. The Wolf shot again, this time missing on purpose. He lied and told Toru Magmoor that the girl was dead. Toru signaled to their leader, Everit Dred, that they won. When Talon returned in the morning, she found her village decimated and the bodies of her mother and brother. She picked up her mother's blade as a keepsake, and found refuge with a human family until their death.

### Opening the Portal

Talon, now an adult, reopened the portal in a desperate attempt to save her home and friends. She summoned hundreds of Blackbloods and dozens of Lu-Qiri into the Earthly plane, as she was unaware of their ulterior motives. The Blackbloods and Blackfist, once rivals, banded together to imprison the residents of Gallwood Outpost. The leader of the Blackbloods, Talon's on-and-off-again friend Zed, pressured Talon into opening the portal again to summon their high priestess Yavalla. This was a catastrophic decision as Yavalla came into possession of the Vortakinj and enslaved the entire realm in a Hive mind that she dubbed The United. Many Blackbloods and Blackfist were killed in the pandemic. Once Yavalla was killed by a valiant Queen, Talon swore not to reopen the portal until she thought the realm was safe for the Blackbloods.

### Rescuing the Blackbloods

***This section is a stub. You can help expand this section by adding some information.***

## The Prophecy

> "*When the moon is aflame a Blackblood will summon the slayers of men to conquer and purge the oppressors of old.*"
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The prophecy is one of the Blackbloods highest regards. The prophecy is what prompted Toru Magmoor and several others to want the Blackbloods killed. They wanted to ensure that the prophecy was never fulfilled. Part of the prophecy is an enchanted piece of paper that Smith gave to Talon. When a Blackblood reads the words from the paper, a portal to another world opens, and a Lu-Qiri appears. Smith spent years studying the prophecy and studying with Loremasters to understand the true meaning of the prophecy. After learning everything he could, Smith waited for someone who could complete the prophecy. Upon meeting Talon, he proclaimed that the person he was waiting for was her.

> "*When the Blackblood rises death and pestilence will fly over the land like ashes in the wind.*"
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When Everit Dred recited the prophecy, his version was notably different from that of what The Smith said. His prophecy forewarned of death and destruction coming to the land if the Blackblood were to rise. This could be due to the Prime Order eliminating everyone who spoke Yindrian so they could interpret the prophecies to what best fits their needs.

## Notable Locations

### The Plane of Ashes

*Main article: Plane of Ashes*
The Plane of Ashes is a secondary plane of existence in which the Lu-Qiri and hundreds of Blackbloods was banished through unknown measures. It is a place of pain and anguish. The Lu-Qiri that is summoned to the Earthly plane won’t return unless it is commanded to do so forcibly by a Blackblood without fear, hesitation, or self-doubt.

According to Smith, the Blackblood ancestors lived in fear that the power to open the portal would be used for destruction, so they took great pains to hide any information about it. All Blackbloods have the power to control demons, but only one at any time can open the passageway to the Lu-Qiri's world. That power is handed down from father to son, and mother to daughter. Talon realized that the power to open the portal is what her mother passed onto her moments before her death.

The portal to the Plane of Ashes has been opened several times, each time by a Blackblood who possessed the power. The first was by Talon's mother during the slaughter of their village. She was unable to finish summoning the portal and collapsed, however, she passed the power to do so onto her daughter, Talon. When Talon was shot at by the Wolf, Baphnoro was able to manifest his arm and stop the arrow. Years later, Talon accidentally set Baphnoro free into the Earthly plane. She was able to send him back a few days later after he slaughtered several people. The only time she didn't open the portal herself was when an unknown person or demon opened the portal and warned her that the Dragman was coming.

When Talon summoned the Lu-Qiri Ekkundi, it came forth but brought a Blackblood named Rebb with it. Ekkundi was loyal to only Rebb, who's goal is to obtain the Asterkinj from Talon and free her people and all the Lu-Qiri from the Plane of Ashes. Rebb tried to free another Lu-Qiri but Talon managed to close the portal before it could escape. She later summoned another Blackblood named Zed when she tried to call his Lu-Quiri, and he agreed to help her though she was reluctant to trust him after what happened with Rebb. He wasn't a Blackfist like Rebb. He eventually won her trust, though she was forced to ask him to return his Lu-Qiri to the Plane of Ashes to keep the peace with Gwynn. He obliged and sent his creature back.

Talon was injured during a fight and the Asterkinj opened the portal to the Plane of Ashes and she jumped through to save herself. She was trapped there for what felt like a few minutes, but was really hours, but managed to summon the portal and escape once again. When Zed betrayed Talon by stealing a mind-controlling Kinj that he planned to use to force her to summon the rest of their people, she banished him back through the portal.

A few weeks later, Gallwood Outpost was overwhelmed by Prime Order soldiers and Talon was faced with the death of her friends and the destruction of her home. To save them all, she opened the portal and called Zed forth again, and he brought through an army of both Blackbloods and Blackfists. They also brought dozens of Lu-Qiri who fought against the Prime Order. When the portal closed there were still many Blackbloods left on the other side, and Talon later summoned the high priestess Yavalla to please Yobhan and Zed who had taken control of the Outpost.

Months later, Talon opened the portal so she, Wren, and Zed could pass through. They hoped to find her father Sai-vek Redwan, who was in possession of the Terakinj. They were successful in rescuing him and were reunited with Zed's long-lost brother Corven, who refused to pass through the portal to the Green World. Zed swore he would return for his brother and upheld his promise months later. However, when the trio returned to the Plane of Ashes they discovered the Blackbloods and Lu-Qiri had been massacred by the Blackfist during a war. They eventually discovered that Corven was alive and harboring Yavalla's ancient texts on their people. Alongside Corven were a small group of adult survivors who had protected seven children from the Blackfists massacre. As they attempted to leave, a Blackfist killed Corven while the others passed through the portal. With all the Blackbloods either dead or freed from the plane, the Plane of Ashes is officially empty.

### Vor-Anden

Vor-Anden is an ancient Blackblood shrine that was created thousands of years ago. Aster brought the six separated kinjes to Vor-Anden and placed them in the podium where they were meant to stay sealed away forever. He then entombed himself in a coffin, where the Blackbloods formed a secret memorial for their fallen father. They had to keep his presence a secret, so they hid him beneath the surface level of Vor-Anden's cave. Furthermore, some Blackblood histories are depicted on the walls of the cave, including the constellation that includes the warrior Bellator. A list of ever Blackblood woman to guard the Asterkinj is written on one wall, though it is outdated by two generations.

### Gallwood Outpost

Gallwood Outpost is a military outpost established by the Prime Order in the recent history. It has since become a pivotal location for the Blackbloods. Talon was the first Blackblood to inhabit the outpost, as she was the only remaining Blackblood in the Green World. She eventually created a home for herself in the outpost and served as a consult to Queen Rosmund. Gallwood is the location of the significant portal openings to the Plane of Ashes, and the settlement of the first wave of Blackbloods and Blackfist arrived after the Prime Order's ambush on the outpost. They temporarily sieged the outpost for themselves, appointing themselves the dictators of the human citizens. When Talon and her friends regained control over Gallwood, they struggled to find a balance in power with the Blackbloods and Blackfist. Despite many battles and inconveniences, Gallwood endured the many battles its residents partook in and under the rule of Queen Talon, has become a safe haven for all living species, Blackbloods included.

## Physiology

Blackbloods appear identical to humans in their features and shapes. However, there are subtle differences between the species that can be prominent when one knows what to look for. Blackbloods, as insinuated by their name, bleed black blood which can be confused for oil. Their blood also regenerates faster than the usual human's. Their wounds heal quickly which allows them to remain undetected by those usually hunting them. Blackbloods also tend to have a leaner build and faster instincts, undoubtedly a product of their warrior ancestry.

Another physical difference between humans and Blackbloods is their ears. Blackbloods have two black tips on the tops of their ears. To blend in with humans, Talon cut the tips off but was left with scars. When Zed arrived in the green world he initially used his hair to cover his ears. Their ears are how most Blackbloods identify one another as it is the only visible difference between them and humans. Blackbloods that consider themselves "pure blood" bear a mark on their temple that sets them apart from the rest of their kind. Janzo and Wren deduced that humans and Blackbloods have the same internal organs, sex organs, and nearly identical genetics. In fact, humans and Blackbloods can have children together, though the first known hybrid is the unborn child of Janzo and Wren.

When a female Blackblood is with child, the tips of her ears will change from black to white. As the pregnancy continues the tips become even more clear until they become milky white. According to Wren, unlike human women, Blackblood women don't have morning sickness. Wren does drink a concoction of her making that has added nutrients to support her fetuses growth.

## Kinjes

*Main article: Kinj*
The Blackbloods once had access to seven kinjes that originated from the Warriors of Old. They would grant Blackblood warriors access to the kinjes to aid them in battle. These ancient kinjes, a species all in their own, were kept in a shrine called Vor-Anden. Overtime, different beings came to collect the kinjes and stole them. Due to the hosts ability to transfer kinjes to other willing hosts, the kinjes were left scattered across the realm. When the Blackbloods were slaughtered much of the history regarding kinjes was seemingly lost. Though, the ancient Blackbloods imprisoned in the Plane of Ashes garner some knowledge on these creatures.

One of the more notable kinjes is the Asterkinj, which grants its host the ability to open a portal to and from the Plane of Ashes. The kinj is selectively passed from parent to child. The One that the prophecy foretells is believed to be able to release the Lu-Qiri and Blackbloods from the plane of ashes to defeat the oppressors of old. Because of this, some Blackbloods believe that they should be the true wielder of the kinj and not Talon.

## Honoring the Dead

To honor the dead and appease any guilt that the survivors might feel, the high priestess conducts a ceremony in the woods, near a river. The ashes in a small bowl represent the dead and the guilt. The survivors take a handful of ashes and sprinkled them over a ledge to release their guilt and shame as the river carries the ashes. As each Blackblood comes forward, the high priestess sings a song in the native Blackblood language. Wren lead the ceremony following the discovery of the Blackbloods that were slaughtered in the Plane of Ashes.

**Song in Blackblood**

Shah, su lei ha-vas maer, sole

Nae, ma-li kehr-ka vein, ku-sole

Ta-li che va pohl

keh a va nas Sa va kesh e-li vol.

**Translated:**

Gone, to that other shore, sunset

Rest, with the glorious ones, sunrise

Ashes in the wind, rise to the stars

Of the night before dawn.

## Powers and Abilities

> "*It's not that I heal fast, you heal slow.*"
> ― Talon about her healing ability
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Blackbloods are the bridge between the mortal world and the world of Lu-Qiri, also called Demons. They possess a few supernatural traits and abilities, however, Talon is the only person to exhibit such powers. Talon has many advances because of her race. She is faster than others, stronger than she appears, and can somehow anticipate her opponent’s next move.

* **Enhanced Healing:** Blackbloods heal extremely quickly, but still feel the pain of a wound before it heals. They can fully recover from stab wounds and torso impalement within a few days of rest.
* **Enhanced Agility:** Blackbloods possess superhuman agility. They have shown that they can move, climb, and fight-off many partners without difficulty or exhaustion. They can do flips and parkour off things with minimal effort.
* **Enhanced Strength:** Blackbloods are noticeably stronger than other humans, including trained soldiers. Talon was able to break a man's arm and leg using minimal effort.
* **High Resistance:** The ability to be highly resistant to physical harm. They can survive otherwise harmful or lethal attacks. Talon was thrown through a wall and suffered no physical harm. They also have a high resistance to hostile environments, which is how many of them can live in the Plane of Ashes.

## Weaknesses

* **Mortality:** Despite their enhanced healing abilities, Blackbloods are still half-human and share many of the same weaknesses as humans. They are prone to aging, torso impalement, and fatal blows. If they lose too much blood they can die, which is why they rest after being injured.
* **Aquaphobia:** All Blackbloods have a fear of drowning. Even Talon, who has lived most of her live among humans, says she has a fear of drowning. When justice among the Blackbloods requires execution, the Blackbloods are drowned hanging upside down in a tub of water. These laws of justice and execution also apply to the human residents of the Outpost, who are drowned in the same manner.

## Known Blackbloods

### Living Blackbloods

* Talon
* Wren
	+ Wren's Unborn Child (Blackblood-Human Hybrid)
* Zed
* Vorsevus
* Chemek
* Eight children

### Deceased Blackbloods

* Bellator
* Eremus
* Kezzun
* Rebb (Pureblood; commanded Ekkundi)
* Sai-vek Redwan
* Several other villagers
* Talon's Mother
* Varlek (Pureblood)
* Yobhan (Blackfist)
* Yavalla (High Priestess)
* Corven
* Nedra

## Notes and Trivia

* When talking about sex, Zed claimed that Blackbloods share a bond that Talon will never share with a human man. This presumably works the other way as well, with Zed never sharing the same bond with a human woman as a Blackblood woman.
* There are three major known Blackblood clans: the violent Blackfist, Talon's peaceful clan, and the "Pureblood" clan.
* In "*The Colipsum Conundrum*", Janzo believes the Lu-Qiri overlord mated with a human woman, which resulted in the creation of Blackbloods. Talon dismisses the theory due to the inhuman figures of Lu-Qiri and that no woman would ever survive mating with a Lu-Qiri.

## Gallery

Talons motherBlackblood ElderEramusA Lu-Qiri saves Young TalonVarlek, a purebloodRebb, a purebloodZedTalon and RebbTalon in the Plane of AshesWren's tips turn white
## References

1. ↑ As mentioned by Wren in *The Hardest Part of Being Queen*
2. ↑ As seen in *Someone Has to Rule*
3. ↑ As seen in *Going to Meet the Gods*