Cambion

Cambion

The very existence of cambions is controversial and heavily argued for and against. These flames are further stoked by strong belief systems. To the moderately religious or more, the birth of a cambion is a symbol from a much higher power, offering a message to the mortal realm. Cambions are uncommon, a rare mutation of two human parents, that of which is already scarce. This lack of sample size makes these debates often baseless. Social pressure is common for these creatures on Pia due to a more dense religious population, though many skeptics live on Pia and many more on Uto. Cambions share a unique set of skills, given the ability to affect rolls in any way is hard to come by, especially to the extent cambions can. Your social pressures may be used to your advantage if done cunningly. In the worst case, you can find use in armless combat, using just your natural body as a basic weapon. To top that, you also boast a well-developed natural defense.

Location

Cambions can be found sparsely amongst Pia and even less on Uto. Their appearances are beheld by many of the common Pian beliefs, pushing them towards isolation or dense populations based on their physical attributes.

Lifespan and Genetics

Cambions are born of two human parents; the reason for their birth is widely discussed and debated. The common Pian belief states that the birth of a cambion is a message from a greater power. These beliefs entail the idea that the steps of a cambion create extreme world events, whether those be for better or for worse. Common Utian beliefs speculate that some humans exist with stifled modified genetics from experiences of their distant past. Said genetics are extremely recessive and uncommon, making the chance of a cambion's birth rare by nature. Cambions do not show any signs of aging and there are no recorded deaths due to age. However, the age of the oldest cambion is also unknown. They are completely sterile, unable to reproduce without modification.

Background

Cambions are a sight to behold amongst most people, as the beliefs and controversy that follows them create odd reputations. The first cambion was recorded after the independence of humans, though there's no proof that they weren't alive before then. Each cambion shares physical traits with one of three celestial creatures: angels, demons, and eldritch beings. Some speculate that this is coincidence, some say that it was by intelligent design during human captivity, others say that this is made by the touch of the celestials themselves and serve as a message.

Playing a Cambion

Cambions are very unique as playable creatures, given their superior weaponless attacks and ability to fly. Though it costs stamina, this allows prevention of fall damage and an additional vertical axis when traveling. Angelic cambions have some of the most prolific healing and buff abilities in their talent trees, while demonic cambions hold strong melee weaponless attacks and debuff abilities. Eldritch cambions, in contrast, gain a ranged weaponless attack and telepathic communication. With a fair number of combat talents at their disposal, cambions may find interest in the Warfare core talents for offensive abilities and the Tactics core talents for defensive and evasive abilities. For healing, the Alteration Artistry in the Magecraft core tree offers healing magic while the center branch of the Innovation tree allows one to craft healing items. Given their ability to fly, cambions can take advantage of items such as the Aerial Sash, which only increases the Air travel of creatures that would have one innately. With this ability to fly, talents that offer mind points will help increase stamina while ranged weapons and abilities will give cambions a stark advantage on melee creatures. Overall, cambions are versatile creatures with a few strong edges. Each cambion is followed by a strong social connotation due to their heritage and their placement in faith, sometimes good and bad other times. When playing a cambion, consider how your character may cope with the way that they are perceived, as some shopkeepers may refuse to sell, though others may beg for consistent favor.

Angelic Cambion

Reminiscent of their names, angelic cambions have feathery white wings, always a clear complexion, and they keep a youthful figure the majority of their very long lives. You are humble and modest, but in many regions you will be showered with love and affection, regardless of your previous deeds. You are a symbol to many, a symbol of peace and serenity. The pressure to appease is strong when you stay stagnant, expectations are always nothing but high. As it has been explained so many times, you are simply perfect. When you use your limited "angelic" blessings, your eyes more than likely will glow a stark, beaming white. This enforces a symbolic nature that you can't shake, and also makes it very difficult for you to disguise yourself, regardless of your wishes.

Demonic Cambion

Many demonic cambions are ousted at birth, expected to live on their own the moment their demonic features become prominent. Or, in some cases, some may hope you never made it to the stage of walking. Unfortunately for all of them, you are very resilient and capable. Even worse for you, you have an extremely distinct scent and look, something soft and sweet, almost alluring. This scent is tightly held in the minds of the mob, making you a natural enemy to anybody who's visited those disgusting temples. Those who don't recognize it may find themselves deeply attracted to you if you were to push the mentality. Life is easy, really; disguising yourself is often impossible, making intimidation your strongest quality. Many demonic cambions like yourself have been pushed into criminal syndicates, either by societal standard and prejudiced law, or just because they were good at it. Your best friends are strong friends, and your worst enemy is your own image and the masses.

Eldritch Cambion

If you are sure of anything, it is that society was not built for creatures like you. Eldritch cambions are only things of ancient lore, no more than radical bedtime stories of the apocalypse yet to come. Little do any of those storytellers know, you walk, breathe, and eat just like they all do. Your very existence is objectified; you are a sign of the end. It's hard to make acquaintances when you have been deemed a prophet of the world-enders. Even to those that do not believe in the eldritch, your dark tendrils, odd growths, and lopsided features are things of nightmares, per all the children you've met in your life. Uto is a common escape for cambions like yourself, as the turmoil surrounding your heritage is left with the religious on Pia. The forward minds of Uto do not believe in such eldritch beings; regardless of their beliefs, you're recognized as a living, breathing, sentient being rather than a monster from the depths on the moon. Periodically, you may hear unquenchable voices that say nothing and everything at once, speaking in ear-piercing tones; nothing decipherable. It's hard to tell what these voices mean, your species was born on the brink of extinction, perhaps rather fortunately for all those never born.