Info
Credit to all contributors + author notes here.
HABITAT(S): Cosmopolitan
The Highborn are an endangered race of winged beings with an “angelic” appearance. They are a relatively passive species, desiring no conflict and merely wishing to be left alone. Highborn culture and society primarily revolves around music (especially played by well-crafted instruments) and singing. All highborn are created with an innate talent for both of these things, as their survival largely depends on it.
Description
Diagram depicting the common features of a highborn.
Highborn are humanoid in shape, but beyond this superficial similarity, they are anything but human.
Highborn have wings on their back, which may be found on the sides of the hips, lower back, or upper back near the shoulder blades. All highborn commonly have one pair of wings on their back, a smaller pair on their head which follows the same placement rules, and small wings attached to their ankles.
Their head-wings have razor-sharp senses, important for detecting surroundings/sounds as well as alerting them to danger and environmental changes, much like a cat’s whiskers. Equally critical are their back-wings, which keep them balanced and allow dexterous flight.
Average highborn can only sport a maximum of three pairs of wings. Their feathers can be any size, much like their wings, as long as they are big enough to carry the weight of the highborn’s body1.
Biology
The biology of a highborn is the leading factor behind their historical oppression. They have rapid regenerative abilities and are practically immortal2 so long as their head and vocal cords remain intact. This is because highborn blood, whether ingested or topically applied, can cure any mortal illness or mend any mortal wound. Its color resembles marbled, swirled paint – with the same three hues comprising the color of highborn’s eyes. These colors are of a pastel palette, ranging from a top-down gradient of darkest to lightest. These unique colors are referred to as ‘iridescence’, and are an important part of a highborn’s identity.
In light of the special properties inherent within highborn, organ harvesting and blood transfusion are among the many ways in which they are exploited. To protect themselves from decapitation (one of their sole weaknesses), almost all highborn wear protective neck braces3 which reduce the risk of injury in said area, though this custom seems to have only developed recently.
Highborn have demonstrated the ability to cross-breed with other humanoid races, resulting in hybrid offspring descending from two or more races. However, this is generally considered a taboo in their culture, especially in light of their status as an endangered species. Only two “pure-blooded” highborn can give birth to another pure one, mainly due to possessing inherently recessive genetics that are often overpowered by those of another species. Hybrid Highborn do not have the same resilience as pure Highborn, such as their regenerative blood. They may still have their own iridescence, though this is rarely the case. This tends to make hybrid Highborn weaker than pure Highborn.
For these reasons, it is quite difficult for highborn to fight against threats of extinction, lacking any notable form of leverage to fight back.
Culture
Status
Highborn uphold standards applicable to the traits which they possess, indicating their role in the society. This hierarchy does not impose discrimination or disadvantage, but merely categorizes highborn by the responsibilities they are best suited to undertake. It distinguishes highborn in terms of strength and capacity, but this does not mean that weaker Highborn are considered useless – rather, they are better-suited towards other duties. Those with more sets of wings or larger feathers may fly longer, higher distances with more stamina to spare, making them suitable for studious labor or serving as fighters and guards. Conversely, highborn with fewer pairs of wings or smaller feathers are more nimble and speedy, making fine messengers and workers in fields that require greater precision. Highborn with ornate halos and more than three wings are often signified to be royal or highly pious, frequently performing religious practices and tending to the needs of the people.
Music
Blessed with deeply attuned melodic senses, highborn may evoke desired emotions from others with merely music alone. This is a prominent aspect of highborn culture, and the foundation of their power. Some highborn have developed self-defense techniques which involve the use of melodies to project harmful frequencies onto a target. These frequencies are used as a protective mechanism to drive enemies away and mildly immobilize them as the sounds penetrate the body. With complex, finely tuned instruments, highborn can play sounds ranging from under 20 Hz to over 150 decibels, potentially causing long-term damage to the human body with prolonged exposure. In spite of this mechanism, highborn are still vulnerable during battle; their offenses can be bypassed with little to no harm if the opponent is prepared. Otherwise, when not facing danger, highborn will passively play music at comfortable, pleasant frequencies which pacify the listener.
Instruments/Weaponry
Highborn almost never engage in physical battle unless absolutely necessary, and only those specifically appointed as warriors and guards shall do so. In times of dire need for survival, instruments previously developed for the use of song and music have been modified and enhanced to aid in battle. Each highborn sports their own instrument of distinct quality and style, with various aesthetic elements varying between individuals. Instruments may include sentimental additions from the holder, such as feathers, hair strands, jewelry, gems, and other treasures important to the highborn. Often, these design elements are also incorporated in a way that improves the sound of the instrument and allows for layered compositions of melodies to take place. Instruments are crafted delicately, made to last and to withstand long-term use.
History
Religion
The highborn are seen to have connections with Augustus, the angelic God of Creation. Murals detailing the creation of the highborn themselves appeared to stem from the God, representing him as the being that brought them to consciousness. As such, the highborn revere and deeply respect him, vowing to co-exist with his creations and to nurture the world around them.
Another crucial figure in the highborn faith is a being known as “Archem” — alternatively referred to as “Aurum” in older texts. They are held to such a degree of significance that they rank above even highborn royalty in power and authority. According to myths, Aurum was the first ever highborn, created by Augustus as a guardian to oversee and guide their people. Sightings and other evidence indicate that Aurum is in fact a real being, known to possess two primary forms: an “eldritch” one and a “humanoid” one. Below are illustrations depicting Aurum in these two forms.
Enslavement/Genocide
According to ancient records, The Iron Fist enslaved the highborn and harvested their blood to empower themselves, so that they could battle the gods of The Lost. Although documentation attesting the mistreatment of the species is scarce, highborn that resided among the Iron Fist appeared emaciated, bruised, and lacked the sufficient feathers required to fly; though in extreme cases, the wings were completely severed from the body to prevent attempts at escape.
Relations
- Humans: The relationship between humans and highborn is the most divided one. Evidence indicates interactions between the two races dating back as long ago as the time of The Lost. Initially, they seemed to respect one another and work together. However, during the ancient wars, relations would turn sour as The Lost did little to help the highborn who were enslaved and murdered by The Iron Fist. In the modern day, highborn seem to have difficulty with trusting humans.
- Chimerae: Although Chimerae were a largely isolated race, it is believed that they maintained positive relations with the highborn in their few interactions.
- Facelings: Most facelings, lacking complete sentience/awareness, don't really have opinions of the highborn. Highborn, on the other hand, will generally treat them with kindness and respect.
- Glowfolk: Glowfolk regard highborn rather neutrally— though with their curious nature, some may observe the highborn as they do with other humanoids.
- Penumbras: Although relations between Penumbras and Highborn are not hostile, they were never necessarily positive either. Penumbras, being historically distrustful of other races, never entirely welcomed or embraced the highborn. Despite this, there are recorded instances of hybrid penumbra-highborn offspring.