Chasm Demons
The Chasm Demons of Stehreel are a bronze colored race. One of five races of Hkahnihn, the Chasm Demons were the third born in the beginning. They trend towards an average height of 196cm (6'5") and have light and lean builds for Hkahnihn. Their coloration ranges from very light and pale coppers to dark browns and bronzes in skin tone, they have jewel-tone colored eyes, and their hair ranges from browns to blacks. They possess twin ram horns, growing backwards from their temples, and medium-sized tails for Hkahnihn. Though truly short for Hkahnihn, they still often stand head and shoulders above the Eldar.
Able to lie with the conviction of one who believes what they are saying is the truth, the Chasm Demons also keep secrets very close to their chests, giving very little away even through their auras.
Shown here are Syrizan Saivacyn, a powerful Etiomancer in service of the Hessiorth Monsignor, and Cynkyla Krovascian, his talented and mysterious assistant. Syri has kept his arcane training a secret in his Cartel, known to very few so that his power over poisons and pollutants is not out in the open. Cyn appears on the exterior to be a simple and slightly naive secretary, but that facade hides beneath its surface a dark and sordid past complete with powerful skills and training.
Bolenvinnia, denoted by the Cup and Gems Crest, is a collection of four Cartels and one central, ruling Principality. The Four Cartels are the gemstones on the crest, with the cup representing the Principality and the Kingdom as a whole. The location of the gemstones on the cup reflect the location of the Cartels geographically around the Principality of Bolenvinnia.
A King and Queen must rule Bolenvinnia together, and if one falls than the remaining ruler automatically forfeits his or her rule. In this way, the lawmakers of early Bolenvinnia hoped to insure that the plotting that riddles Bolenvinnia would not extend to the royal couple. A Monsignor runs each of the four cartels and the Monsignors have undisputed power within their Cartel that is subject only to the King and Queen. Politics are a nervous business in Bolenvinnia, where coup is completely legal if it is done in a way that leaves no way to point the finger at the victor. Very few Monsignors pass of natural causes, and those that do are legally allowed to choose whomever they like as their successor.
The social strata of Bolenvinnia is a constantly shifting mire of alliances and bargains. A cunning mind and a quick hand can change fortunes within the Cartels at a moment's notice, and allegiance is only considered wise if it is to one's self. It is commonly understood as wisdom to err on the side of assassination in Bolenvinnia. It is also commonly understood that two may keep a secret if one of them is dead.
The Chasm Demons of Stehreel love to hunt. They practice a ritual hunt on a regular basis referred to as the Great Hunt. A Great Hunt can have any number of creatures or persons as its target, from disgraced politicians to escaped slaves, mythical or powerful beasts, or even politicians or rulers of other nations. A great bounty is awarded for success in the Great Hunt, and many Chasm Demons participate with the zeal of religion. The King and Queen or a Monsignor are allowed to call a Great Hunt, but none other has that authority.
The Chasm Demons of Stehreel prize their horns. A proper Chasm Demon takes exceptional care with their horns; polishing and cleaning them, buffing out nicks and scratches, and even adorning them with jewelry. Due to that focus, the Chasm Demons have a practice of carving their horns ritualistically in recognition of ranks earned and things accomplished. The style of these carvings changes based on the Cartel that issues them, but universally they start at the tip and work their way back towards the base. Necromancers are commissioned to make these carvings, since a knife would result in work that was far too crude for a Chasm Demon's vanity.
The Chasm Demons have four separate state religions, with churches flooding each of the four Cartels. The religions tend to be Cartel specific, and it is rare to find worshipers in a Cartel of another Cartel's church. The four churches worship Zeaboam, Lotekai, Wazanest, and Kanatek respectively, and two of them can be linked back to parent churches in other cultures.
Those who wield the power of Death energy, Necromancer Warlocks, are the most universally favored Spark Wielders of Stehreel among the Chasm Demons, due to their ability to work with bone. However, those that wield Destruction, Decay, and Void energy, Destromancers, Etiomancers, and Nethermancers respectively, are also favored and sought after. Each of the Cartels favors the clerics of their home religion while mistrusting those of opposing Cartels' faiths.
Chasm Demons are lords of the Hunt. Because the Great Hunt is a natural pastime, those classes that are best at hunting and avoiding being found are favored in the Cartels. Archers, Ninjas, and Thieves compose the bulk of the Chasm Demon armies and almost universally their weapons can be found to be coated with poison. No one sane wants to become the victim of the Great Hunt.
The battle strategies of Bolenvinnia function in much the way a hunt would. They tend to infiltrate their enemies, take out important targets and leaders with precise strikes, and then slip back out again. Beyond the precision of Chasm Demon surgical strikes, Chasm Demons prefer to fight at range and keep their forces moving.
Here is a developer diary recorded by the creator of Stehreel. For more information on the Chasm Demons, check out our facebook page!