Ephialtes

# Ephialtes/Martröð

## General

The Martröð is the name given by those outside of Ephialtes. It is pronounced "Mastrooth".

## Species

##### Rakshasa

The Rakshasa are a humanoid species that have evolved to take the appearance of demons. In the whole of Ephialtes, the Rakshasa are at the bottom of the food chain, mostly due to the Shadow Creatures, that are the main predator for the Rakshasa and have made it a threat for them to leave their segreagated part of the island.

The Rakshasa have several abilities that a human cannot obtain, such as the ability to detach and regenerate limbs (though this can takes weeks or sometimes even months of watching the arm slowly build itself back together). They can also unhinge their jaws and they have wings, though these wings are primarily used to scare off the predators that exist around the island or intimidate humans, they cannot be used for actual flight. They also have adopted the features to that of a stereotypical demon, however most do not have any magic.

The Raksasha will also partake in a celebration known as a "Seeing Ceremony". This ceremony happens at their fifth birthday, during which, their left eye is recoloured to that of an unnatural eye colour. Warm colours are more common. Cool colours however, are rare and often associated with power.

Additionally, they are a Monarchy. However, the Monarch is chosen by a fight to the death in a Roman-esque cathedral every four years. This fight is called Munus (Taken from the name for gladiator fights.)

##### Dēor

Beasts of unimaginable terror, at least to the Rakshasa. The Dēor resemble that of a tiger, covered in fur with two piercing eyes and faux wings that lay across their backs. Among their body and "wings" are patterns that vaguely resemble that of an eye. Like the Rakshasa, these creatures are carnivorous. They stay within the woods of Ephialtes, usually more towards the South. They have quite tough skin and hard to kill, however, once killed, their meat will sell for a pretty penny.

##### Shadow Creatures

These carnivorous eldritch horrors stalk the forests and colder regions of Ephialtes and are at the top of the food chain in Ephialtes. Their main target? The Rakshasa.

Due to their hunting of the Rakshasa and other animals, the Rakshasa are left without a stable food source and many are starving as a result of this.

Often the Shadow Creatures vary in appearance and can either be bipedal, quadrupedal or otherwise but they all take the appearance of a 3D shadow. They are known for often breaching the wall surrounding Ephialtes and entering the poorer district, where they will tear up homes and eat the residents inside. Around their mouths are tendrils which they use to hold the victim still while they devour them.

###### Parasitic Shapeshifters

These parasitic shapeshifters often will shapeshift to lure in prey, which they will then latch onto and feed off of their nutrients.

## History

One day, they were created, from Gods impossible for them to begin to fathom. Being given the words and blessing of the Gods, they wrote scriptures and made holy contributions to them. However soon, an Outsider was sent into the land of Ephialtes. Against the words of the Gods, the people ate them. The Ephialtans minds turned to insanity as they were abandoned by the Gods that once cherished them.

## Beliefs

- The Outsiders are gifts given by the Gods to allow them to feast

- The "Gifts" cannot think like they think

- They believe Gods never abandoned them, in fact they believe the Gods support them.

## Social Hierarchy (Most to least important)

1. - The Monarch
2. - Chefs and Hunters
3. - The rich
4. - People who will fight for ownership of the country
5. - The middle class
6. - The poor
7. - Criminals
8. - Gifts/Outsiders

The paler clothes a person has, the less important they are societally.

## Technology

1. The technology they have is very reminiscent of 1980s technology.

## Other

- Chefs/butchers often wear white clothes and will keep the blood stains on their clothes to show how good of a chef/butcher they are.

- Eye colours are not genetic.

- They don't have schools, they have hireable tutors instead.

- Magic is rare and, therefore, not something many tutors know or teach about.

- Euthanasia is common among poor families who cannot afford meat.

- They speak Ephialitan.

- "Outsiders" is used by people who don't agree with eating humans, while "Gift" is used by people who do, as they usually believe they are gifts from the Gods.

- Many Ephialitan criminals are protesters against the monarchy, or humans being held captive. They are later executed via guillotine and eaten.

- A huge wooden fence surrounds the city in Ephialtes, this is mostly to keep the Dēor and Shadow Creatures out. The wall is still breached fairly often though.

- The majority of the population are poor, and live in slum-like conditions.

- Every family has a family symbol.

- Showing your wings is offensive as showing your wings to someone tells them you're more powerful. so many people hide their wings under a cape.

- There is a Shadow Creature in the Nebula Family named Cupcake.

Fun fact: All of the names for things would actually be names Axel chose to best represent the means of all the words as Ephialtan doesn't have any direct English translations.