Tainted

The **Tainted** are seen as the antagonists in the **Darklight Chronicles** universe. They are a race of demonic creatures that are created from the pain and sorrow of the human race.

## Section Header

### Primary Abilities

Aanso
Jhilli
Bijalee

## Overview

**Tainted** were once **humans** who were overtaken by their own emotions and devoured by their aura going out of control. Their soul turns into a bottomless pit of pain, suffering and rage.

As a race, the **Tainted** have existed since the **Time of Legend**, when the first of their kind, the **Weeping Man** (**Nasar Samael**) lost his humanity. While any **human** has the potential to turn into a **Tainted**, the will power of the person will determine how easy it is for them to transform. Those with strong enough will can stave off a transformation or endure extreme turmoil without ever succumbing.

Once transformed, a **Tainted** will retain few memories from its time as a **human**, with some being able to perfectly recall their life and others becoming animalistic, and will have their aura and abilities amplified by the darkness that now festers in their very souls.

## Appearance

**Tainted** are a more varied race than their human counterparts with physical characteristics that can range from being warped and animal-like to fully resembling **humans**. One of the most striking differences with other creatures are their black sclera which are indicative of their inner darkness.

In general the more powerful the **Tainted**, the more they are able to retain a human form but can shift into another more demonic form at will, it is seen as a mark of power to be able to retain a humanoid outward appearance.

Hair, skin and eye color can be any shade as there is no standard for their body types, the same goes for musculature and height they can vary far more than any **human**.

## Beliefs

While the **Tainted** do not have an established belief system, they tend to venerate **Nasar Samael** as the progenitor of their race, some have a cult-like admiration of him whereas some act more independently.

During the **Time of Legend**, **Tainted** were seen as demons and in some places were worshipped as bringers of disaster or great fortune. People would perform ritual sacrifices to them in the belief that they would either appease or gain the favor of the creatures.

In the modern era, these sects still exist in more rural areas of the world but are few and far between.

## Classification

The **Tainted** are a species that has been classified by their power level by the **Slayers**, there are currently four classes that a **Tainted** can fit into, as the classification was created during the **Time of Legend**, the **Tainted** have also adopted its verbiage. The classes are as follows:

#### Fiend

The most common type, most **humans** who have just transformed can be classed as **Fiend**, in most cases these beings have lost all sense of self and become quasi-bestial. Beings in this class tend to have little to no control over their aura and abilities. **Fiend** class **Tainted** can pose a threat to the average **human** and **slayers** in training but experienced combatants can deal with them easily.

#### Wraith

Once a **Fiend** class has regained a sense of self and identity, in most cases they will evolve into a **Wraith** class. They are stronger, faster and more intelligent than their previous form yet they still lack some humanity. Wraiths are characterized by a constant hunger and desire to devour the aura of humans, they can easily be sent into a frenzy from hunger. In this class, they begin to exhibit unique abilities. Average **Slayers** will have a hard time fighting a **Wraith**, however higher ranking members will be able to hold their own against them.

#### Reaper

A **Reaper** is born when a **Wraith** class **Tainted** devours enough aura to satiate its endless hunger, many **Tainted** will never reach this form and be stuck in the previous two classes. They become far more humanoid in appearance, being nigh-indiscernible from humans apart from jagged teeth and their black sclera. They have regained full control over their being and show extreme destructive power. Once a **Tainted** has become a **Reaper**, they manifest **Slayer**-like abilities and further hone their unique powers. They become fierce combatants and masters at controlling their aura. **Reaper** class **Tainted** are said to be on par or stronger than **Slayer** doyens making them a threat to human life.

#### Asura

The final form of a **Tainted**, an **Asura** is created when a **Reaper** has gained complete mastery over all their abilities and absorbed an unfathomable amount of aura. The **Asura** are extremely rare as this class can only be achieved if the progenitor wills it and transforms the **Tainted** personally. While little is known of the extent of their power, it was once believed that **Nasar Samael** was the only **Asura** in existence. These beings are said to be far beyond the capabilities of even doyens, their very existence is a grave danger to all creation.

## Techniques & Abilities

Like the **Slayers**, the **Tainted** have an array of techniques and abilities that they gain in exchange for their humanity, they differ slightly from **Slayer Techniques** due to the nature of their aura and how it manifests being vastly different from that of **humans**.

#### Offensive Abilities

* **Aansoo** (Tears): The **Aansoo** ability of the **Tainted** is a form of energy projection that allows the user to fire a blast of aura at a target.
	+ **Aansoo Familia**: A technique unique to **Ripper**, this allows him to create multiple Aansoo that use the souls of his fallen allies. He creates multiple orbs behind him that then fire and track the target. Each one on its own has the power of a normal **Aansoo** but they can combine to deal enormous damage.
	+ **Aansoo Null:** A technique unique to **Enoch**, this **Aansoo** is vastly different than other as it doesn't cause any physical damage. It is a white beam that seals off the flow of aura from a spirit weapon or slayer art technique.
	+ **Aansoo Mahaan**: An upgraded version of **Aansoo**, stronger, faster and more deadly than its previous form, this is the basic technique of **Asura** class **Tainted**.
* **Enhanced Physical Prowess**: The Tainted are far stronger than normal humans, their aura reinforces their physical strength. The stronger the aura, the stronger the physical power of the Tainted. A run of the mill Fiend class Tainted is string enough to punch a hole through a normal human in one blow.

#### Defensive Abilities

* **Jhilli** (Membrane): A form of membrane that covers every **Tainted**, this husk is stuck to their skin and acts as a shield. This technique is always active and under normal circumstances can only be cut by **Spirit Weapons** or **Slayer Arts**. While not many variants of the base technique exist the resistance of the **Jhilli** varies from one **Tainted** to another.
	+ **Blazing Avatar** : A technique unique to **Joshua Bennett**, he infuses his **Jhilli** with this own power and aura, due to using fire based attacks, his membrane is incredibly hot and can melt steel just by touching it. It can also flare up to try to push back **Slayers**.\*
* **Enhanced Durability**: Due to their physiology, Tainted are able to withstand strong forces without batting an eyelid. While this is inherent to all, their durability can vary enormously.

#### Movement Abilities

* **Bijalee** (Lightning): Much like **Jhilli** this technique is inherit to all **Tainted** but can vary depending on class, power and ability. **Bijalee** allows a user to move at superhuman speeds. There are very few variations know as a lot of **Tainted** tend to focus on power rather than speed.
	+ **Holy Armament of the Lightning God**: A variant of **Bijalee** used by **Cain Memoria**, it causes his aura to spark around him and reverberate. He gains immense speed far beyond that of normal **Bijalee**, every step he takes seems to cause lightning bolts to erupt from his body. This puts immense strain on his muscles and cannot be maintained for extended periods of time.
	+ **Voidwalker**: The unique **Bijalee** variant used by **Nasar Samael**, in essence, he appears to teleport from one place to another via shadows. In reality he manipulates his aura to conceal himself in darkness and then move at extreme speeds that eyes cannot track.

#### Other Abilities

* **Aura Absorption**: Once they have killed their prey, a Tainted is able to absorb their fallen foe's aura and add it to their own, increasing their power. This power is an essential part of their evolution.
* **Increase Life Span**: Tainted are able to live far beyond normal humans, as long as they are able to absorb aura, they are almost immortal with the oldest among them being over 1000 years old.