Iwa Woch

in: Races

## Introduction

Legends tells of the might of the great sentinels of ancient time capable of shaping islands and continents. A creature strong enough to stand against the Fey when they ran the world over and willing to sacrifice everything to see the world saved and still stand to push away the nightmares of the world. At least, that is all that is remembered by mothers as they speak of the nearly forgotten legend of the Iwa Wóch.

## The Basics

* **Other Names:** Sentinels, Spirit Stones
* **Appearance:** The stone spirits vary in height according to age: the older an Iwa Wóch is, the taller they tend to be. Black, gray, orange, or brown skins with crystals of various colors sprouting from their rough stone-like skin. Strange angular feet that cannot fit into shoes. Eyes always lack a pupil and glow.
* **Lifespan:** 2000~ Years; Once lived indefinetely
* **Height:** 170 cm - 220 cm
* **Regions Found:** The isles of the Va’a Obeye, specifically originating from the Obeah and the Uhane. Iwa Wóch do not originate anywhere else.
* **Culture:** The Iwa Wóch tend to have a small population that focuses on family and ritual. They have a heavy emphasis on preserving the world and guiding humans toward a gentler way of living within the world.
* **Common Character Roles:** Guardians, Familiars, Workers
* **Common Allies:** The Va’a Obeye, followers of The Cycle, Elementals
* **Common Enemies:** Fey (except perhaps the Nienne), Demons, Sirens
* **Architecture:** These stone sentinels usually inhabit natural caves.
* **Religion:** Santémana, The Cycle
* **Views on Magic:** They believe magic is a natural part of being.
* **Abilities:** Mineral Growth, Seeping Mana, Eyes of Light, Fey & Curse Transformation Immunity, Spirit Stone, Stone Skin
* **Weaknesses:** Sphere Confinement, Gentle Sentinel, Not Stealthy, Familiar, Honest
* **Quirks:** Angular feet, lacking pupils, and honest to a fault.

## Appearance

The Spirit Stones always have rock-like skin that can either be rough or smooth-faceted, but always has an odd cracked appearance that is colored either black, gray, orange, or brown. Various crystals and minerals of bright color seem to sprout and protrude from their body, as well as sharp stalagmites often along their arms and always along their legs. They had strange angular feet that cannot fit into shoes, so shoes are never worn by the creatures. All of their eyes lack a pupil and hold a deep glow to them. It is not uncommon for the eyes to be colored in such a way that is reflective of a supernova in ringed color.

The Iwa Wóch continue to grow the entire time they are alive. Ancient Iwa Wóch were said to make many trees look like nothing more than dwarven in size, but current Iwa Wóch tend to be only as tall as some giants in their old age.

The sentinels often wear clothes that are flowy and unobtrusive or no clothing at all. Clothing is often worn by those who find themselves familiar to a Marked sorcerer. Armour is never worn for the Iwa Wóch, as their heavy size already is enough of a challenge to move about without adding more heaviness to it.

**(( All Iwa Wóch must use the Lizard or Dryad skin to create a stone textured surface on their skin, use the dragonskin feet at ALL times, and have some sort of gem or crystals protruding from their body, as well as glowing pupil-free eyes. ))**

## **History & Culture**

In the beginning, there was the earth and the sea and the stars. From the highest mount of molten rock would crawl one of the first sentient creatures, the first of the Iwa Wóch. The creature climbed forth and moved down the mountain, shaping the land as he would walk upon it. For many years, it was simply the Iwa Wóch, the earth, and the sea. Centuries would pass in this peace and these long walks upon the land until another was encountered by the solitary rocky figure: The Nephilim.

These great creatures would take only mild interest in the walking stone creature that would bend the earth to its will and continue to walk along the earth, teaching others such magic each time it would meet races that might take a moment to listen. It is here that the Iwa Wóch would walk while the minotaur and satyr ran about. It was further still as the Aviehn take the sky and then finally upon returning home that the stone behemoth would at least meet the siren. The sirens spoke of Nostrum and the isles as the domain of the ocean, but the war was short lived between the watery creatures and the stone sentinel when the isles would rise up higher from the water. The siren dare not take on the stone behemoth that remained unaffected by its ability and did not speak, but the bridge that connected the isle and the mass of land was severed by Nostrum in a great show of strength. This sparks a war that spans many years between stone and sea until at last it settles when word passes of the last of the Nephilim falling to some plague.

The Iwa Wóch would be left in solitude and would call down into the great mountain before another stone creature would climb from the depths. This would be the second and another would follow after. Seasons would pass in plenty as those of stone began to roam along the island and spread to the next as they mimic the movements of those the First had learned from on their great journey. In the peace of their solitude, the Iwa Wóch began to formulate their first sense of belonging. It is during these formative years that the sense of family and kinship is built amongst the stone figures. It is also during these years that the elements become of particular import to the creatures. They begin to cultivate the flora and fauna of the isle, creating a primarily untouched paradise for thousands of years. Until one day, several vessels would arrive and in the vessels were strange creatures that were smaller than all before them: humans.

At first, the humans are terrified at seeing these great stone giants that have grown so tall. They live for many years in a cave along the northern isles, emerging only when the giants are nowhere to be seen. The stone creatures would study the habits of the small fragile beings, watching them share in what they had amongst one another. They watched their grief, their struggle, their joy, the way they cared for their children… many things. As they observed, some Iwa Wóch would begin to assist the fragile man. Years would pass further as what had once been a singular curiosity because mutual curiosity and interest in the large creatures would soon grow into a greater bond of community.

These humans would become known as the Va’a Obeye, a race of wayfarers that were steeped deep within the riches of sorcery with the assistance of the Iwa Wóch to grow their power and understanding of magic. This would take a long time to build such prowess up and with it came a gift given to the sentinels as well: the gift of sailing. If there was something that had initially boggled the ancient creatures about humans, it was their ability to float upon the water. As the island civilization advanced, so did their ships and it was not long before there was finally a return of the Iwa Wóch to the mass of civilization when they dared sail with the wayfarers of their new blended tribe.

It is very clear that the Va’a Obeye are far beyond their other counterparts in the lands and the stone creatures feel grateful for such, but profess the need to share such wisdom. The islanders begin to branch out and teach others, continue their sailing and the strange navigation of the sea that was only rivaled by the sirens of the deep. The stone creatures begin to feel strange rifts in the world and it is only shortly after that Ananyaote would come to the isles of the Va’a Obeye and begin to spread his wisdom and mischief. The islanders begin working on ships that are woven with the magic of gems… that are rumored to fly. With this process of blending stone and mineral and magic… comes those who seek such power.

It is only shortly after the god’s arrival that the True Fey and their creatures seem to follow. It is along the shores of their neighbors that a great deal of the battle takes place and the Iwa Wóch begin to understand how fragile humans truly are. There is a great deal of bloodshed during this time and it is the first time that the Va’a Obeye experience one of the stone creatures torn apart and utterly destroyed. This is the first death of the sentinels and only a few more would follow in the carnage and rage that came from such creatures.

The gentle giants gave no mercy or quarter to any Fey creature they would get their hands on. During the long wars with the fey, there were few as apt at dispatching the creatures as the Iwa Wóch. It is because of this that Ananyaote remains on the isle to assist in protecting the humans there. The older of the sentinels would gather with the god, offering anything to drive the fey back. With such power and such old creatures… There is a focus on resealing the Veil. There is a way, but it comes at a cost and in their grief for their loss and their worry for what will become of the Va’a Obeye, the sentinels agree. The eldest of the Iwa Wóch would perish in this endeavor and without the magic of the older ones, tall as redwood trees and just as wise, the other sentinels could feel their infiniteness fade. The immortal life was taken from the sentinels, their power greatly diminished, and their extinction imminent. Such sacrifice did not go unnoticed, becoming a core tenet of worship as Ananyaote creates a ripple in the veil to save these creatures. The years after would have the Iwa Wóch all but forgotten to the rest of Ashborn, except perhaps in the old wives’ tales and the creation of golems from the memory of what had once walked the lands.

Many long years of solitude would follow after, only some of the Iwa Wóch able to leave Obeah to visit with the Va’a Obeye. Many remain stationed upon the isle or that of Uhane. They continued to feed power into the veil for many years… until the last of the old Iwa Wóch would perish and only those born into solitude remained. It is now that the appearance of elementals begin and are honored by the humans who fight amongst one another. The humans continue this fight for many years until the sentinels are forced to step in. They make way for peace, the grief of their ancestors and their tribe being too much for the stone behemoths. The Iwa Wóch began to visit more often, afraid that their absence in the lives of the humans could be the source of unrest.

Slowly, things begin to settle back into normal routine for the people and slowly, the Iwa Wóch notice that there are fey creatures slipping back through the Veil. It is not often the Fey step through when the Iwa Wóch are near, but there are times when the Va’a Obeye leave the young men and women on the shores of Uhane, much to the dismay of the stone giants. The stone sentinels come to the shore in the night, assisting those humans left upon it as strange creatures tear through the night. The Iwa Wóch are not always successful in their protection of the youths. Some perish in particularly large groups or when Ananyaote is involved. Something about the mass of power seems to draw the occasional Fey through such a close point in the Veil.

It is during this time and the time when demons appear on the isles that the Iwa Wóch finally learn to speak. Language had always been a barrier, but in warning… the first word was spoken and the first demon enslaved under the powerful Marked that rules the isles amongst the people. Language is slowly developed over this time and the Iwa Wóch become even more integrated into the lives of the Va’a Obeye. What once had been a rarity to live amongst them became more common. There are even some that join in mana exchange with the leaders of some of the isles.

Years are spent growing and rebuilding a society lost to time before the Veil would fall again, releasing the Iwa Wóch from their island prisons… much weakened in power, but far stronger in community. It would also open the world to the sentinels once more.

## Society

Much of the Iwa Wóch society is mixed with the Va’a Obeye, though there are some stark differences as well. The sentinels have a heavy focus on the well-being of others and the importance of life for most creatures. There is a reverence to those things which thrive in the world amongst the living and so the sentinels offer respect in that manner: they are always honest and they rarely engage in  fatal violence except against Fey creatures and demons. Even the sirens, in their rivalry with the stone giants, are granted clemency from the sentinels. The gentle giants seem to have a particular respect for nature, delicate as they can be in their steps amongst flowerbeds and other places.

There is also a very deep bond between each of the stone creatures, given the small number of them that exist at any given time. The Iwa Wóch are a limited population so as not to overrun their isles and keep their carry capacity at a low.  The kinship between the sentinels is very close knit. Communication is often had in silence and a sense of empathy or small gestures and habits that are very keenly observed and remembered. The Iwa Wóch are highly intuitive creatures and this is shown well in their interactions with each other.

Given that the gentle giants emerge from the earth and not from the womb, there is no traditional mother or father figure, but most of the stone creatures will all pitch in as they teach the newest of their kind all that they know. The Iwa Wóch are not fertile creatures, despite having both female and male versions of each. Gender does not seem to play much role in courtship. These have been a slow evolution to mimic the humans of Va'a Obeye and to integrate better with them. In more recent times, the Iwa Wóch have even been known to take on romantic partnerships with humans.

Romance is something entirely new to the newest generation of the sentinels. Some have found themselves partnered with the humans of the Va'a Obeye and have discovered desire along with it. Much of their courtship and romance with humans is reflective of the Va'a Obeye's focus on such; however, the Iwa Wóch tend to keep one partner for a very long while. This is true amongst their own kind as well. Courtships amongst the Iwa Wóch often involve some exchange of food or minerals and a great deal of time spent alone. Quality time is very important to the stone creatures, as is who they spend it amongst.

When the Iwa Wóch are taken as familiars, it is a mutual agreement between the stone creature and the Marked which has asked them before the ritual is performed. This is a very important and sacred bond in the culture amongst the isles. These Iwa Wóch are more inclined to follow the societal norms of the Va’a Obeye than their norms amongst the other stone creatures. It is also how the Iwa Wóch discovered their love for food. Those familiars often will eat a great deal of food if presented and seem to be thoroughly pleased with the flavor, though they have no need to eat. These familiars also tend to dress how their Marked prefers and live in dwellings with them as well.

## Architecture

The stone creatures are not architects by any means. On rare occasions that shelter is taken, it is in naturally occurring dwellings, such as caves or particularly shady trees. Those Iwa Wóch that do live within dwellings are often familiars and prefer larger open spaces, but are content with whatever their Marked provides, as emerging from the mountain on Obeah is a very cramped process.

## Religion

Some Iwa Wóch understand the tenets of The Cycle and follow such religion, though the majority have shifted to the other religion upon the isles. The practice of Santémana has become more common for the Iwa Wóch, although their tapu differs quite a bit in interpretation than that of the Va’a Obeye, with only some similarities.

1. **Uhane and Obeah:** No one but the Iwa Wóch shall walk upon the isles of Uhane or Obeah, for fear of the fey reaching fragile humans.
2. **Coming of Age:** The Iwa Wóch shall protect the Va’a Obeye in their test against the Fey creatures, at all costs.
3. **Sky Mauri:** Iwa Wóch shall let the mana spill down from their person to all the small creatures.
4. **Sacred Shoals:** Only the Marked are strong enough to fish so close to the Veil with the Iwa Wóch, all others will be turned away.
5. **Touch the Earth:** From the earth, so shall the Iwa Wóch never forsake the connection and wear shoes.
6. **Spirits:** Regular communication is needed with the spirits and the stars connect easier to the Realm of the Dead.
7. **Sacrifice:** All mana beyond the current capability requires sacrifice of some sort.

The Iwa Wóch contact their spiritual ancestors often through use of themselves as a spirit stone. Amethysts are highly valued for their religious means of contacting the dead elders that guard the realm of nightmares to prevent the horrifying creatures there from moving into the living world. Often it is for advice on complex problems or for prophetic interpretation.  For the stone creatures, the dead are there to guard the living from things that are far far worse. Those dead which have been corrupted often are in transition to becoming something of nightmares and are unwelcome during these spiritual sessions. The Iwa Wóch are known to read bones that had been carved from the dead or read the insides of dead creatures that are found to see if the realm of nightmares is far away enough for spiritual communion to occur. They will not kill to obtain either of these omens though.

The Iwa Wóch also believe in the practice of guiding the dead of other creatures to the sea, so they do not need to travel through the Realm of Nightmares in order to reach the Realm of the Dead. Often the stone creatures will leave lights and flowers that lead to a water source, as all water is thought to lead to the sea. The Iwa Wóch believe there are spots beneath the sea that lead directly to the Realm of the Dead, where eternal peace awaits. Many of the stone sentinels believe that the Realm of the Dead is actually a full circle into the stars above.

## Racial Relations

There is no one that the Iwa Wóch hates more than the Fey. The stone behemoths had found their first taste of grief, despair, anger, and loss from the Fey creatures, particularly Will o’ Wisps, True Fey, and Changelings. Years of war ravaged between them and even in solitude, the Fey were particularly problematic. It is because of the Fey that the last of the Ancient Sentinels were drained of their magic and perished. The loss of such monumental history and those elders that had taught the younger and protected the entire isles has left the Fey as a lifelong enemy and one of the few creatures the Iwa Wóch will kill. The others are that of Demons due to their attempted lies and trickery amongst the Va’a Obeye. The stone creatures do not consider demons to be a particularly strong foe, but they also recognize how quickly their corruption can spread and aim to destroy or enslave them to the Marked in a swift manner. An old feud with Nostrum has left Sirens as an enemy of the Iwa Wóch as well. While they find them more of a nuisance than a threat (thus why the stone creatures will not kill the flesh-eating creatures of the deep), the sentinels would never knowingly befriend a siren, nor would there be any trust between the two.

Elementals are often seen as kin toward the Iwa Wóch when they appear and are welcomed by the stone creatures. This is likely due to their reverence of The Cycle and the natural world. These beliefs often place them as allies to Followers of the Cycle, often working toward the same goal as those who follow the religion and seeking balance and the natural order of things. Above all other allies would be the Va’a Obeye. There is no bond stronger than that of the Iwa Wóch and the Va’a Obeye with their integration of both cultures to satisfy and work in harmony with the other. Many of their current beliefs with both races stem from a mix of ancient beliefs that both cultures have blended into a healthy relationship between the two.

## Perception of Magic

The Iwa Wóch see magic as something common within the world, being perhaps the first to spread the geomancy to the world when their Eldest had walked the world for the first time (this is speculated through memory with the loss of all Elder Iwa Wóch with the Veil siphoning). Magic is the same as breathing to these gentle giants. There is abhorrence in how the Fey and Demon use their magic to push their own agenda (and likely that of the Returned upon meeting them). There is a very strong belief in balance and using magic for the greater good of everyone.

## Racial Abilities & Weaknesses

> **RPR Racial Bonuses:** Coming soon.
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### Weaknesses

> **Not Stealthy**
> The stone giants are quite heavy for their size and have the constant sound of earth grinding as they walk, making them extremely noticeable in approach and making it near impossible for them to sneak around.
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> > **RPR Effects:** -10 Stealth
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> **Honest**
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> The Iwa Wóch do not lie. They may refuse to speak or remain silent, but they will never knowingly lie.
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> **Gentle Sentinel**
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> The gentle stone creatures believe in the good nature of nearly every creature and will never start a fight or slay another unless their own are at risk of direct harm, with the exception of Demons, Returned, and any Fey creature (including Fey-Touched, Will o' Whisps, Changelings, and possibly Nienne). They will not step in if someone else might kill another though, as they are not the direct cause of death. *An Iwa Wóch cannot initiate a PVP Intent except with other intent on permanently killing Demons, Returned, or Fey creatures.*
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> **Familiar**
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> The Iwa Wóch can be taken as a familiar by any Marked, regardless of coven and are particularly susceptible to ritual success, though it is healthy for the sorcerer to make an agreement with the stone figure first.
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> **Sphere Confinement**
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> The Iwa Wóch are a simple creature in their great power and limited to the Geomancy sphere. No other magic can be learned, taught or given.
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### **Abilities**

> **Eyes of Light**
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> Given the depths of the earth from which the Iwa Wóch emerge and their eyes made of light, they have the ability to see in darkness. *Gain Racial Nightvision (Togglable) in-game.*
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> **Fey & Transformation Immunity**
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> The stone sentinels are immune to becoming a fey creature due to their ancient formation and the sacrifice made of the original Iwa Wóch in the creation of the Veil. Iwa Wóch are unable to be transformed into any other race as well due to their ancient origins. *The Iwa Wóch cannot become a Fey or any other race via any cursed transformation rituals.*
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> **Stone Skin**
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> Iwa Wóch have hardened stone for skin, therefore when they hit… they hit hard! This mimics extra strength with the weight put behind each swing.
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> > **RPR Effects:** +5 Strength
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> **Seeping Mana**
> The stone figures have an overly abundant pool of mana at any given time, more so than other creatures that can cast magic due to their ancient existence and the earth from which they rise.
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> > **RPR Effects:** +12 Mana Pool
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> **Mineral Growth**
> Once a day, an Iwa Wóch will groom themself and pull at least one gem free from their body to make room for more that might please them to grow somewhere more comfortable.
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> > **RPR Effects:** Every 24 hours, an Iwa Wóch has access to acquiring one gem pouch via their racial RPR ability.
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> **Spirit Stone**
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> A ritual used to summon the dead to the Iwa Wóch’s body for a moment to ask a favor of it. The favor must be something small, perhaps a question or to fetch a small object. This is completed by pouring a bowl of blood from the same creature as the dead one seeks to summon while the Iwa Wóch remains seated in a circle of six (6) amethysts. *You must be very specific as to who and what you are asking about during this ritual. The dead will provide vague and puzzling hints that lead to an answer if asked a question.*
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> * **Ingredients:** Scroll of Necromancy, Ghoul Saliva, and blood from the same kind of creature as the targeted dead
> * **Gem Requirments:** 6 Chunks of Amethyst
> * **Effects:** Summon the dead to your Iwa Wóch’s body for a moment to ask a favor of it (i.e. a question or to fetch a small object).
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## Attachment & Kit Items

The items listed in the kits below are made with the Season 6 modlist. They have been updated as of **14th December 2023**.

*Expand for Iwa Wóch Racial Kit*

## Lore Contribution

> **Credit for Lore Contribution:** Solacious
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