Tenebrians

Tenebrians are nocturnal, bloodsucking creatures that once were human but underwent a sinister transformation. Recognizable by their haunting physical appearance, including glowing crimson eyes and sharp, monstrous teeth, Tenebrians represent a dark and dangerous facet of Tormentia. They are not only feared for their thirst for human blood but also for their capability to convert unwilling humans into one of their own. This conversion process is executed through a swift and excruciating ritual, forever binding the affected individual to the eerie and shadowy existence of a tenebrian. The genesis of the first tenebrian is traced back to a human named Lucius Darkwell, who, in his quest for immortality, was inadvertently turned into this dreaded being.

## Appearance

Tenebrians boast a haunting visage that serves as an eerie reminder of their supernatural and sinister origins. Their skin, once human, now holds an unearthly pale hue, stretched taut over their emaciated frames. The stark contrast between their pallor and the intense, glowing crimson of their eyes often sends shivers down the spines of those unfortunate enough to cross their path. These eyes, filled with an otherworldly glow, speak of an eternal hunger and an abyss of darkness.

Perhaps the most disturbing feature of a tenebrian is its mouth. Grossly deformed, it houses an array of long, sharp, and menacing fangs, designed perfectly for their insatiable thirst for blood. The elongation and grotesqueness of these fangs make their smiles (if one can call them that) nightmarish. Complementing this fearsome dental arsenal, tenebrians also possess claws that are equally long, sharp, and malevolent. These claws not only aid them in their hunts but also serve as a formidable weapon, capable of rending flesh with ease.

## Powers and abilities

### Nocturnal vision

Tenebrians are not hampered by the limitations of human sight. Darkness, which might conceal threats or prey from other creatures, offers no challenge to them. Their eyes have evolved to perceive the slightest of movements, even in the most pitch-black conditions, granting them a predatory advantage during the night.

### Feeling the blood

Tenebrians are capable of feeling the blood coursing through mortal veins from a hundred meters

### Deadly anatomy

Mephiston has equipped tenebrians with the ideal tools for hunting and killing. Their elongated fangs and claws are not just for show. They are razor-sharp and incredibly strong, capable of tearing through flesh and bone as if they were paper. These natural weapons, combined with their innate physical strength, make tenebrians nearly unstoppable when they set their sights on prey.

## Weaknesses and vulnerabilities

Despite their fearsome powers and predatory prowess, tenebrians are not without vulnerabilities. These inherent weaknesses serve as a double-edged sword, for while they make these creatures even more nocturnal and elusive, they also provide a means for those brave or desperate enough to confront and potentially overcome them.

### Sunlight

The sun is anathema to tenebrians. Exposure to direct sunlight causes their skin to ignite into flames, leading to their swift and painful death. This fatal vulnerability to sunlight confines their activities largely to the night, forcing them into a nocturnal existence. During the day, tenebrians must seek shelter from the sun's deadly rays, usually hiding in dark, enclosed places.

### Destruction of the head

While tenebrians boast enhanced resilience, there is one surefire way to ensure their death: the destruction or severing of their head. Whether it's a clean cut from a blade or the crushing impact of a blunt instrument, once the head is separated from the body or thoroughly destroyed, the tenebrian's existance is extinguished.

### Garlic

Just because of Devil-King's twister sense of humour tenebrian experience immense pain when touching garlic - the favourite spice of the first tenebrian.

## Hunting mortals

At optimal conditions, a tenebrian needs to kill and consume at least one mortal every night to maintain peak health and strength. This frequent feeding not only sustains them but also empowers them, making them even more formidable adversaries.

If circumstances make nightly feedings difficult, a tenebrian can survive by killing and feeding on a mortal at least once a week. While this is not ideal, it allows them to exist in a state that is at least bearable, albeit with diminished strength and vitality compared to their fully fed counterparts.

Going without killing and consuming a mortal for more than a week has severe consequences for a tenebrian. They begin to experience excruciating pain throughout their entire body, a torment that only intensifies with each passing day. This pain can make them even more aggressive and desperate, as their primary instinct to feed clashes with the agony of deprivation.

## History and origins

The sinister lineage of the tenebrians traces back to a single individual, Lucius Darkwell. Born in the sprawling city of Brassburg, Lucius was a brilliant but narcissistic inventor. His achievements in his mortal life were overshadowed by his thirst for eternal recognition. This desire led him to the Ritual of Malicious Desires in pursuit of immortality to witness the continuation of his legacy.

Upon completing the ritual and expressing his wish, Lucius was transformed into the very first tenebrian by Mephiston. Unlike the revered and adored inventor he once was, Lucius became a nightmarish figure, lurking in the shadows of Brassburg. His new existence was marked by a burning need to feed on mortals, leading to a reign of terror in the city.

The citizens of Brassburg, upon discovering the monstrous identity of their once-celebrated inventor, rose against him. However, Lucius managed to escape and roam across Tormentia, spreading his curse by converting unwilling humans into tenebrians, thereby expanding their malevolent kind.

Over time, as more tenebrians were created and the tales of their terrifying nature spread, they became an embedded part of Tormentia's dark folklore, a chilling reminder of the consequences of unchecked desires and ambitions.

## Conversion

The process of converting a mortal into a tenebrian is a harrowing ordeal that involves both a symbolic and literal exchange of life essence. Here's how the transformation typically unfolds:

### Initial Attack

The Tenebrian targets a vital artery of the victim, often the neck or wrist, delivering a bite that is both violent and precise. This is not a mere scratch or puncture; the intent is to draw a significant amount of blood from the victim. As the blood is drained, the victim is weakened, pushed to the brink of life, but intentionally kept alive for the next crucial step.

### Tenebrian's Blood Exchange

Once the victim is severely weakened, the tenebrian performs the next pivotal step. Making a deep cut into its own arm, the tenebrian forces the victim to drink its dark and tainted blood. This act isn't just about the physical consumption of the blood; it symbolizes the victim's final tether to mortality being severed and replaced by the dark essence of the tenebrian.

### Final Transformation

The mingling of the tenebrian's blood with the weakened state of the victim triggers the conversion process. Over a short span, often hours, the victim undergoes a rapid metamorphosis. Their skin turns pallid, eyes take on a crimson glow, and their physique becomes gaunt. Their mouth undergoes the most grotesque transformation, forming the signature monstrous and fanged appearance of a Tenebrian.

By the end of the process, the new Tenebrian awakens with an insatiable thirst for mortal blood, having lost all remnants of their former self, now bound to a life of darkness and predation.

## Notable tenebrians

* Lucius Darkwell - first ever tenebrian;
* Mortimer Mackwell - leader of Scarlett Fangs;