Oscuri

The Oscuri were

a varied group of humans that were touched and changed directly by Azrael, after he became a Fallen Angel. They were renowned for their skill in battle during the Divine War. Oscuri were created from the followers of Azrael, that wished to serve their master's desire to turn all of humanity into eternal beings. Currently, only around 80 remain alive today, following the purge and enslavement enacted by Uriel Melym, twice over, scattered within the southeast or within Alteros.

Physiology

The most obvious trait of Oscuri are the network of green, ordinarily faded, circuits trailing across their skin. Oscuri's mana circuits are altered to process mana differently than other races in Eternia, causing it to be visible by the naked human eye- In a form known as rieka. A powerful, concentrated form of mana, Oscuri are able to sense other rieka users around themselves instinctively; This sense was intended to bid even the most frenzied Oscuri to direct their assaults towards the enemy in the midst of a bloodied battlefield. Powers wielded by Oscuri are not subtle- Any form of casting causes their mana to circulate in vivid, bright patterns along their leylines. Oscuri were often more inclined to advanced mana sense in general, for differentiating and assessing targets easily.

Their altered mana, while it has benefits, does come with side-effects which are considered beneficial among Oscuri. Oscuri naturally crave violence from a young age, far more than humans do. They become frustrated if they are unable to battle, and will often lose themselves to these emotions. Oscuri can reach almost untold adrenaline highs, with combat and conflict acting like drugs- Many are berserkers. It is unheard of for an Oscuri to not enjoy violence. Oscuri have an inherent bent towards depravity, and an innate resistance to the ill effects.

Oscuri are born with a natural affinity for darkness or light magic. Oscuri do not feel uneasy around magi of the opposing alignment of mana, having been crafted to work together with ease. The majority of Oscuri tend to develop the former. In addition to this, they are able to wield their rieka with great ease in comparison to how humans struggle to learn magic (only 2% of humans are Magi, whereas 20% of Oscuri are Magi). Their rieka also tends to give them visions of Azrael and the Divine War that occurred, consistently showing them the massive battles of the past, and further encouraging their lust for blood.

Oscuri powers are a symbolic variant of energy magic associated with worship and devotion to Azrael- Ceasing to venerate him therefore inhibits the casting of these powers. While not widely known, oscuri that recant their faith also find that due to their weakened rieka, children they might bear tend to be stillborn or non-oscuri, a failsafe by Azrael to prevent splinter sects.

Children of Oscuri inherit these traits. There is no such thing as a 'half-Oscuri'; Even if Oscuri mate with non-Oscuri, the child will be born as one as well. Rieka overpowers mana, resulting in Oscuri regardless of blood purity. This removes the blessings of the spirits, such as Drakanites - Rieka always overpowers these and is completely incompatible, regardless of how slight the ancestry is.

As far as weight, height, hair color, and eye color goes, they are the same as humans, with great variation from the first generation's recruited origins. Their upbringing, which often involves heavy physical training, tends to result in a more muscular physique however.

Culture

The Oscuri did possess some unique cultural traits- Holdovers from all committing to the same faith and serving together under Azrael, despite the extreme variety of the humans enlisted.

Marriage

Weddings between Oscuri would only be conducted with human sacrifice to be considered official in the eyes of Azrael. High ranking Oscuri were known to sacrifice dozens of humans throughout their wedding, paying tribute to Azrael. The two getting married will exchange items, such as rings, to present their partnership from that day after.

Nonetheless, wedding ordinary humans was considered different. For the most part, while there was no stigma to doing to, wedding a human required a rite of bloodletting, and was much simpler. Oscuri would often 'wed' several humans in the long past as temporary captives and slaves during the war to avert ideas of bastardy, in order to sire more children or sate lusts. Generally, to ideally wed a human as an equal, an Oscuri would do the same honour they would for another Oscuri.

Heirarchy

The Heirarchy of Oscuri is decided by power alone. An Oscuri is able to challenge higher ranking members of their order, and if they defeat them, the Oscuri then ascends to the defeated person's rank. Law disputes are also handled through trial by combat. It is also not illegal to murder in Oscuri culture, as long as the Vindicators approve of the battle. The Vindicators are the Oscuri's top warriors, second only to the Oscuri High Priest.

As a formerly religious sect rather than a race, even if power is the only factor, respect was considered tantamount to one's betters- Under the understanding that if words displeased, tongues could be lost. Their organization was always very militarial in nature, with their purpose of war.

Religion

The religion Oscuri follow is known as 'Mortem Azrael'. It was founded shortly before their creation, and is mostly focused around humanity's ascension past what Azrael considers to be a highly flawed world. A summary of the contents:

Preface

In the preface, Azrael details how he and the other Angels were betrayed by Kraus. That they were enticed by the promise of a much better world, only to discover it was as flawed as Atmos. Azrael explains how he feels the world will suffer a similar fate to Atmos if humans do not take control of their destiny and strive towards preventing what he considers to be doomsday. He writes how evil is created by a fear of death, and that humans only kill to survive, due to a lack of resources for a growing population.

Mastering Yourself

This includes information on how to further magical prowess through conquering the mind and taking advantage of carnal desires, such as violence. Azrael explains how humans will always stray towards violence from what he's seen, and that it is without a doubt the most powerful weapon they possess. However, he does write that he detests this aspect of humanity, regardless of its strength -- but that it's needed to create a better Eternia.

Our Role

He writes how all Oscuri must follow him if they wish to become immortal. That only he has the power to provide physical immortality for all of humanity, and that the gateway is death. After a human loses their body, Azrael is able to craft a new one, placing them in a much better shell than the temporary bodies he considers lesser. An Oscuri's role is to become strong and to then kill, so that Azrael can revive all and put an end to mortality.

Contingency

In the event that Azrael is destroyed, he has a contingency section written out that instructs Oscuri to never give up. He is an Angel and his soul is immortal, able to regenerate its body -- and as long as he exists, he can return. Azrael writes that regardless of his fate, there is an eternity to ensure this plan ends with success. He believes that the future generations will seek the flaws with Kraus's design and seek out his revival in case of death.

Role in the Divine War

The Oscuri acted as Azrael's personal army during the war, and killed tens of thousands of humans during their years of combat. Their entire purpose was to kill as many humans as possible, and they were engineered for just that task.

One particular Oscuri legion was defeated by a group of Angels in Valmasia, who cast a powerful spell that locked them in time for several centuries. After re-emerging, the Oscuri played havoc on the country of Valmasia, until eventually being beaten and almost wiped out by Uriel Melym.

Modern History

Alteros was quickly established as one of the primary grounds of Oscuri power.

Served Eline loyally to her death. Instrumental in raising the Empress to power, Vindicators enacting the capture of Byson with Consort Hakim Najeer aiding, and assisting Umbra with the taking of Nostvale.

Entered into conflict with Nostvale. Wholly successful, killed King Biorr. Infighting thereafter weakened Alteros for retaliation by Uriel Melym threatened to wipe out the Oscuri, killed those capable of fighting back and enslaved the rest.

Notable Oscuri

Several Oscuri are notorious for their role in Valmasian history, particularly the first generation.

Vindicator Qaelthan

The original foremost leader of the Oscuri by trial by combat, Qaelthan was the original lord of Alteros under the title of Vindicator. An affable but ruthless man, he practiced torture as a hobby, having an afficionado's taste for poisons and similar concoctions, he was one of the prime occultists in Valmasia following the Empress' death. He ruled Alteros with an iron fist before his abdication before Danarium's wrath fell, a heavy proponent of slavery, which ended up in the irony of the Oscuri's utter thralldom post the fall of Alteros.

He was notable for his connections for the former kings of the east, Xezbeth Eutrice of Tilandre and Eurus Avharain of Byson. During his later years after the fall of Alteros, he served in the Aegis Historia, a fact not openly advertised ordinarily.

His death was never recorded, although he disappeared from Byson in the year AC.

Vindicator Armadyl Sareen

An occultist and illusionist known for manic, erratic, and chaotic behavior, Armadyl was best recorded for his actions in the service of the Empress. Having taken part in the siege on Nostvale, and taken captive the fleeing princess, Lailah Melym by defeating a whole troop of Duratus. Aided in the retrieval of the notable oscuri artifact, the Ear of Azrael, along with Sai'zeal Ashting. He rarely appeared without some form of trick in play, such as duplicating images of himself.

The first of the Vindicators to fall, he was found assassinated outside of Nostvale.

Vindicator Sai'zeal Ashting

One of the original Vindicators, and the last of the Vindicators to have perished. He was the lead general of the siege on Byson, and orchestrated it's fall. Having been the holder of the Ear of Azrael, he was in charge of one of the most sacred holy relics of Azrael after assisting in it's recovery. He forged his own sword from the bones of the Elder Dragon, Pythagore the Everlasting, to create The Dragonsbane.

He perished during the Plague War at Alteros, having left Valmasia's mainland prior to it's initial fall, in the year 777 AC.

Vindicator Dyon Aschen

The eldest of the original Vindicators, Dyon Aschen was originally unwilling to follow the commands of Eline Sakete, although this stance was recanted following ostensible instructions from the Ear. He took part in the assault on Byson, losing his eye in the final stages of the battle. He wielded the oscuri artifact, the dual twohanded axe, Caladbolg in combat with fluidity and power.

Serving Alteros and Azrael to the very end, he was killed in a fight with future Danarite king, Seraphiel Melym II, falling in combat; collapsing a whole tower with his demise.

Vindicator Ser'xian Ashting

The youngest descendant of the Ashtings, brother to Sai'zeal Ashting, Ser'xian was the first Vindicator elected after the fall of Armadyl Sareen. Ser'xian was Qaelthan's first apprentice, and excelled in Lightning and forms of Occultist magic. One of the youngest, or perhaps actually the only one to receive the title of a Vindicator at such a young age. Ser'xian was involved, as most oscuri, in the Umbra War, and the one who finished Zakariah Ninio-Izenko. Ser'xian's days of fame arrived a year after the Umbra War, with a prison break that brought Xezbeth Eutrice out of his chains, previous to the famous figure's days as a king. The Vindicator yearned for fame; and got it through a villainous status. It was only when he killed Karin Moltiev, the regent of Byson, and many loyal knights in her service, that a four million bounty was put on his head.

Ser'xian, the first appointed Vindicator of the modern era, unfortunately died at the age of sixteen. The conditions of his death were unknown. Nonetheless, his corpse was recovered and brought to Umbra officials for interrment by the yokai Nex.

Vindicator Christina Yokowich

First daughter of Vindicator Qaelthan, not so known for her prowess, perhaps, but for her madness, recklessness, and bold stubbornness. She had been trained by Qaelthan himself, growing adept at manipulating raw Rieka into various forms. She held a huge crush for a Duratus Knight and King of Byson later on, Eurus Avharain, and almost married him. She went missing for a good number of years before returning to Alteros in disguise, under the name of 'Yaridovich', and entering the second Vindicator selections after the death of Ser'xian. Sporting as much purple as the extinct Duratus Knights, 'Yaridovich' came out victorious after a long and exciting fight with Kirinai Selena, and dropped her disguise right after the match as her true identity was revealed. She partecipated in the first attack on Nostvale disguised as a Glacium Knight like every other Oscuri, contributing to King Biorr's demise.

Her death took place in Tilandre. Guards were brutally slain, and the Vindicator challenged Xezbeth in the city's Marketplace. Two males among the crowd who had gathered to watch jumped in to back up the King, and the Vindicator Christina was defeated in a blink of an eye, choosing to suicide right after her defeat by launching her own weapon up in the air, aimed at her heart. She spent her last moments to reveal of her relationship with a certain vampire mistress.

Vindicator Kirinai Selena

Originally an Oscuri that separated herself from the rest of her kind, Kirinai Selena rose to the rank of Vindicator shortly before the final downfall of her race. She was known for her attempts at diplomacy with humans, preaching that Oscuri were created by Azrael to prevent the deaths of humans, despite the opposite being the truth; She even fought alongside the Empyreal Watch against the invading forces of the Umbra Mortem. It was shortly after the fall of Danarium that she discovered the Godslayer, and became it's first wielder in centuries.

Surviving the initial siege of Alteros, Kirinai became a wanderer and drunkard, eventually meeting her end at the hands of the King of Byson, Eurus Avharain.

Vindicator Namarre Sakete

While notable for many acts, as an Oscuri, Namarre claimed the title of Vindicator as Qaelthan's apprentice in the time period folllowing Alteros' fall and the dissolvement of the title of Vindicator with the enslavement of the majority of the Oscuri. Having had taken the title first during her reign in Nostvale following the defeat of Sariel Melym and Gene Caitiff, and once more following the defeat of Hayliel and Ouriel Melym, she was relatively well known for her actions in taking Alteros for the Oscuri for as long as it lasted; For more information, see Namarre Sakete.

She was exiled in the year 788 AC, after a verdict in 785. She is presumed dead.