Luminari

Luminari are a race of magically augmented humans created in the tenth millennium BCE. They are all infused with magical energy known as Eos, which gifts them with immortality and fuels their superhuman abilities.

## Physiology

### Appearance

Most Luminari physically resemble humans. However, older ones are notable in that they differ in the fact that their features are unnaturally perfect, ethereal and beautiful. However, as a Luminari ages, they might experience certain physiological changes, such as eyes made from fire, white skin, or solid gold hair. Luminari are also able to manifest wings made out of pure Eos, and may have light emanate from their eyes when using their powers.

### Eos

Eos is the magical energy which fuels the Luminari. With it coursing through their bodies, they are protected from the ravages of time, and are gifted with numerous enhancements and magical powers known as Gifts. Based on the personality of the Luminari in question, different Gifts will manifest as they age, with the Eos within them suffusing more and more of their bodies and causing their powers to become more potent. However, this also causes a dulling of their human sensations, weakening the potency of their emotions.

#### Ascension

Ascension refers to the process that all Luminari go through as they age. As their bodies become more and more suffused with Eos, their powers become more potent, just as their human emotions are continuously dulled, and earthly concerns lose meaning to them. At certain time intervals, Luminari experience surges of Eos energy which bolsters their abilities and grants them a new Gift. They go thusly:

* Vivication: The time when a Luminari's powers are first awakened, which usually occurs around puberty, during a period of extreme emotion. Their abilities become catapulted to a level beyond those of a human, and they receive their first Gift. However, they do not undergo any physical changes, and cannot yet manifest their Eos into wings, or use it in any way other than to fuel their Gift and physical abilities. Luminari in this stage of life are known as Ishim.
* Prelation: After surviving for a decade as an Ishim, a Luminari will undergo a secondary surge of power known as the Prelation, where their abilities will magnify once again, and they will gain a second gift. At this stage, they find their features beginning to refine, yet still, they appear mostly human. Additionally, they are still unable to manifest their Eos into wings. However, they do gain the ability to expel Eos from their bodies as an offensive technique. Once the Prelation is complete, they will become known as Elohim.
* Transubstantiation: Once a Luminari has reached a century in age, they will experience yet another power increase, gaining their third Gift, and for the first time, they are able to manifest their Eos to form a Luminari's signature wings. Additionally, Luminari who complete their Transubstantiation also begin to take on an ethereal quality to their features, appearing unnaturally perfect in their forms, though still mostly human. Depending on the individual, it is possible that they may begin experiencing emotional dulling in this stage. Luminari in this stage are known as Malakim.
* Exaltation: Exaltation is something very few Luminari ever get to experience. After centuries of existence, they will undergo Exaltation when they are around a millennium in age, experiencing a power increase that gives them enough power to take on an entire army. They gain yet another Gift, and even greater control over their Eos. Additionally, they also begin to have the physical alterations which take place when using their powers become more permanently visible, such as their glowing eyes. Additionally, this is the stage when the dulling of their emotions becomes extremely prominent. At this stage of life, the Luminari is known as a Cherubim.
* Apotheosis: Upon reaching approximately three millennia in age, a Luminari will undergo a final transformation, known as Apotheosis, becoming beings known as Seraphim. They gain an additional gift, experience an enormous boost in power, and find their bodies gaining strange, ethereal physical qualities, such as flames for eyes, skin with composition similar to marble, or lightning in place of hair. As a Seraphim ages, their emotions will continue to dull, and their power will continue to increase, and as centuries and millennia pass, they will spontaneously gain more and more Gifts.