SummaryHivemind/Religious CultArkhivomGeographyGoeol GatholAeraesarOut-of-character information
I Morëliyúmë - The Dark Army. This is the name given to Arkhivom and his host of monsters.
It is within the hidden, dark fortress of Goeol Gathol where Arkhivom and his lieutenants dwell. The location of this place has long been a mystery, and it is unknown whether or not it is a former Aerai city, or fortress.
Overview
Gwathui
Gwathui
Basic InformationPhysical descriptionCulturalOut-of-character information Gwathui (shadowy) - the Gwathui are known to the Aerai as the most plentiful and most frequently encountered of Arkhivom’s fiends. They are quadruped, though some have displayed the ability to operate bipedally. Though there seem to be subtle differences between what have been described as packs or strains, features such as their lithe limbs, black and hardened skin, and feline like movements characterize these creatures. They also appear in a varying stature, but whether this is due to maturity, or some other factor, is unknown. These creatures are typically moderately telepathic, have exceptionally sharp sight but equally poor hearing.
Nanhat
Nanhat
Basic InformationPhysical descriptionCulturalOut-of-character information Nanhat (reflect, to cast back) - the Nanhat are creatures that were not encountered until very recently. They are described as tall, pale, bipedal creatures. Where a head and neck should be there is instead an orb fixed in place by some unseen force, and a light that shines from within which seems to indicate the direction of its attention. Its upper limbs seem to have the ability to take on a variety of shapes such as swords and even shields. A more concerning observation is the creature’s apparent ability to emulate a single foe, so much to anticipate movements and formulate successful counterattacks with uncanny and often deadly accuracy.
These creatures are incredibly dangerous and not to be engaged alone.
It is also surmised that these creatures also serve to aid in Arkhivom’s control over the multitude of his servants, as the crystal sphere they are constructed with is forged of the Shorai crystal. The influences on telepathic abilities this crystal possesses could have been tampered with by Arkhivom’s magic.
Aica
Aica Aerai
Basic InformationPhysical descriptionCulturalOut-of-character information Aica (Fallen) - the Aica are beings that were unfortunate enough the encounter Arkhivom’s evil and survive. These are made up elves, orcs and men. Though it is not known what twisted and evil rituals take place, there have been many things observed, and most prominent of them is this: once they have been afflicted, they are no longer what they once were. Any sense of individuality seems to be lost, and only very particular objectives seem to motivate them.
(The corruption of an individual into an Aica is a gruelling experience both physically and mentally, and results in the complete subordination of the individual to Arkhivom. The corruption has varrying effects depending on an individual's vitality, largely reflected in their species. Humans undergo significant physical changes, making their bodies more robust and formidable. Beings such as orcs tend to undergo fewer changes due to their already impressive physiology. Elves, depending on the subspecies, also exhibit a varying degree of this corruption.
Aica Aerai are the most common of the Aica, rarely seen as they are. They seem to exhibit very little physical change apart from the noticeable lack of colour to any of their features. They are utterly silent, almost as though they are not even breathing. And unlike any other of their Aica counterparts, upon each one of their faces is a lifeless, fearful expression, which remains perpetually without wavering, even in times of struggle.)
Faikar
Faikar
Basic InformationPhysical descriptionCulturalOut-of-character information Faikar (destroyer, slayer, bane) - the existence of the Faiker is only a speculation, but there is a rumour that they are those few initial Aerai who were corrupted by Arkhivom in Sharyrdaes at the beginning of the war. It is unknown what really happened to these individuals after they fled with the demon.
(There were 46 of these Once-Aerai in total. For a time spanning even long after the initial conflict of the war, they were subjected to merciless and torturous magic, twisted and remade into Arkhivom’s perfect lieutenants, reshaped in the likeness of his own image. Having once been of the Order's most esteemed Aerai, many of them members of the Conclave, these are the most autonomous, most powerful, and most dangerous of Arkhivom's servants. )
Hierarchy
The hierarchy of I Morëliyúmë appears to be, for the most part, relatively simple.
At its head is Arkhivom, paired with his mate Lina, who demonstrate an absolute authority over those beneath them.
The Faikar are next in line as the only creatures who all retain the gift of their free will and autonomy, though this too is ultimately, inevitably overridden - if one could say it was ever needed. For all intents and purposes, they are free to do whatsoever they wish to do, but they are ultimately bound to Arkhivom's influence. But, they not only willingly seek to enact the evil will of their master, they enjoy it. The Faikar, or Destroyers, are the leading minds of the dark host of minions under Arkhivom's control.
Beneath them, to varying degrees, free will and individual thought is extinguished through dark, terrible arts and twisted, once benevolent magic. Those known as the Aica were once individuals of various sorts, magically inclined or not, telepathic or not, all now victims of an invasive and overriding influence. Self consideration and interest is all but removed and the interest of what they now perceive as a whole is made paramount. There are some Aica, however, who retain a great deal of their free will - to a degree. Some are even seen visibly wrestling against themselves in the throws of combat.
The most plentiful of the dark host's creatures are the diverse and deadly Gwathui. Like all things that come under Arkhivom's influence, these too were once creatures native to Arethil. Through twisted magics their earliest incarnations were reshaped from natural things into something profane and abhorrent. Over time, these creatures have been bred and honed into what the Aerai call the Gwathui - shadowy creatures, harbingers of death and dread. They take on a variety of forms, from beast like creatures both large and small to some bearing the shapes of men and elves, though often much taller with lankier, longer limbs. Bearers of sharp claws and talons, teeth and many eyes, these creatures meet few other descriptions better than that of a monster.
Structuring
The dark host presents itself in a variety of arrangements. During the coolest years of the Eventide, packs of Gwathui were known to linger in great density throughout all of Aeraesar, often feral and vicious toward other packs.
This behaviour has persisted into the current days of the war, but through some collective change in behaviour the Gwathui no longer seek to prey on one another.
The war has presented a great deal more observation of how this dark covenant of fiends operates. The presence of Aica has been observed to lessen a Gwathui's more instinctual behavior and force it into a more organized mindset, though whether one or several Aica are present does not seem to have any further bearing.
The presence of Nanhat, however, seems quite different. These entities usually only appear in the presence of a great number of Gwathui in need of instruction, seemingly taking on the role of some kind of overseer, or perhaps more accurately a conduit. These creatures themselves exhibit very little in the way of free thought - or so it would appear - but they have proven to be incredibly formidable.
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