Abyran

The abyran is a demon archetype which originates from the Lorae'tyr valence. It has three sub-types, abyran'a, abyran'sa, and abryan'ra. The abyran'a and abyran'sa are classified as minor demons, and as such, can be summoned through the use of Minor Summoning (725). The abyran'ra is a lesser demon, and cannot be summoned, but has been used by powerful beings to attack various cities in Elanthia.

Physical Description

The abyran are a species made up of half snake humanoids. They possess a humanoid torso, that slowly turns into a snake like lowerhalf at the waist. Their lowerhalves extend into long tails which can be coiled around to be used as a seat. The skin of the upper portion of their body is smooth, but the lower half is covered in scales. The skin is found in a range of colors, often some variation of purple. Like snakes, the abyran occasionally shed their skin. The scaled portion of their body possesses the ability to change colors to match its surroundings when in danger or under stress. Their faces are very humanoid, but there are a few differences. They have unblinking, pupiless eyes. They lack ears, and the abyran'a and abyran'sa have short protrusions on their heads, which seem to move of their own volition. Their thin lipped mouths are host to a pair of long snake like fangs. They have long, thin tongues, though the abyran'sa and abyran'ra have forked tongues. This forked nature is the only thing that differentiates the abyran'sa and the abyran'a. The forked tongues give the abyran'sa and abyran'ra a more snakelike voice as well.

The abyran'ra has several marked differences from the other two subtypes within the abyran archetype. The most obvious is that the protrusions on the abyran'ra's head are no longer present, instead replaced by a number of seemingly living serpants, each capable of acting on its own. In addition, the skin of the abyran'ra is more often a darker hue, usually black. Finally, on the ends of its fingers, the abyran'ra possesses viscious scythe like talons.

Society and Behavior

The abyran society seems to rather advanced, and certainly the most advanced within Lorae'tyr. They have a caste system, comprised of the abyran'a as a sort of normal civilian class, and the abyran'sa as a priestly class. It is not known what caste the abyran'ra belongs to, but given its propensity for combat, it is possibly a warrior caste. At least within the abyran'a and abyran'sa, placement seems to be based on the shape of the tongue, with those with a forked tongue joining the abyran'sa.

The abyran have been known to construct temples of stone as their primary places of worship. These stone temples are designed to survive the time shifting of Lorae'tyr, having various wings. If one wing is destroyed due to timeshifting, the temple remains, and can be reconstructed from there. The religion of the abyran seems to be based around snakes, and in Elanthia, abyran have been known to kneel in respect of even the smallest serpents, sometimes even statues of serpants.

The abyran'ra have only been witness in the context of battle, but certain important things have been noticed. First off, the abyran'ra are advanced enough to use powerful magic. As well as bestowing themselves with powerful defensive spells, they have been observed to take part in rituals which seemingly do nothing but display their power. In addition, the abyran'ra have a particular interest in violently removing the spinal columns of their slain enemies. They then take part in a short ritual which sharpens the spinal column until it is a bladed whip, at which point it is set aflame. The abyran'ra will then continue on to use the whip as a weapon in battle.

Mechanical Benefits and Flaws

The abyran are fairly average in most of their uses, having a slightly above average coin holding capacity, an average mana holding capacity, and being able to hold two objects. When guarding from pickpockets, they are capable of inflicting a painful bite which poisons the victim. The most unique ability of the abyran is only usable by the abyran'sa. The abyran'sa is able to interrupt and stop sanctuaries which are already in place. The abyran is only capable of preventing their creation, like other demons.