Post by Forsaken on Jan 21, 2009 0:38:13 GMT -5
The Forsaken
Here are the most important points, set apart for everyone's easy reference.
1.)The Forsaken are what they are because they have been cursed by the Guardian's that control them. They are not their own separate race. They are born either human, werewolf, or a mix of both.
2.) They look like monsters because the curse twists their body and mind, turning them more and more bestial in appearance and robbing them of free will, desire, memory, and finally, all knowledge of who they were as time goes on.
3.) Psychologically, the Forsaken were very strong, intelligent and insightful individuals. Anyone who is any less will not survive the curse, which is a terrible burden on the mind. As a result, the Guardian's most dangerous enemies are the greatest candidates for the curse. This is the reason that many were either rebels(of entirely human or partially werewolf blood) or sentinel werewolves before they were changed. As can also be expected, the ones who are changed are generally older, from their mid-twenties to late thirties when they were cursed. The young seldom last longer than a few weeks. The perfect candidate, however, can last anywhere between two years to ten before they become a twisted version of the creature that they were modeled after and lose all memory of being human. At this point, they are nothing more than mad, savage beasts and are immediately put down by their former masters.
4.)The Forsaken are based off of a creature of some sort, usually one that best suits their personality type though there are a few exceptions every now and then. No one knows why this is. It is the curse that chooses the creature, not the Guardians. The creatures chosen are the creatures that we know in our world, not mythical or evolved ones. (evolved meaning the handful of new species that have managed to survive and adapt to a new, harsh world.) No unicorns or dragons. The most common are mammals, since humans, and especially werewolves who don't try to pretend they are something more than animal, relate to them most easily. Birds, being warm-blooded, are second on the list, then reptiles and then, most rarely, an arachnid or insect. Because almost all of these species are extinct one thousand years into this future, due to the arctic conditions and lack of sunlight, the Forsaken seem particularly monstrous and terrifying to all who have not been exposed to them.
5.)Each Forsaken character is tied directly to one Guardian, so when creating a Forsaken make sure he/she has a Guardian to answer to. Also, no matter how strong and willing to fight a Forsaken may be, they can not defy an order. However, there is some wiggle room, because a Forsaken only has to follow the order to the letter. For example, if one of the Forsaken is asked to seize someone, they can grab them and abruptly let go. Of course, this little act of defiance will only bring the wrath of the Guardian's down upon them. The Forsaken are also hard-wired to protect the Guardian they are tied to, no matter how much they dislike him or her. And, finally, every Guardian has some power over the Forsaken, even if they are not his/her master. Though the stronger, more-spirited Forsaken can defy the order of a Guardian who isn't his/her master, doing so requires a great struggle that drains the body and mind. And such efforts almost always accomplish nothing, because the disobedient Forsaken's master immediately interferes and not only forces the desired response, but punishes the Forsaken for the small rebellion.
6.) A Guardian has a direct link to the mind of his/her Forsaken, so that they can track their servants without even leaving home, call him/her back should the Guardian be in any trouble, and "correct" their actions from afar should the Forsaken behave in a way that is deemed inappropriate or incorrect. Basically, a Forsaken's master is a constant presence at the back of his/or her mind, but a presence that isn't always paying attention. As the Forsaken grow more attuned to their master, they know when he/she is watching them and when he/she is not. They can also learn to suppress certain thoughts to keep conflicting interests that they possess from being discovered by their master. But this technique is a bit like having multiple personalities. And tends to bring madness upon the Forsaken who has mastered the technique sooner. Finally, no Forsaken has ever been able to deny their master entry to their mind. Only madness, as in complete loss of a sentient mind, brings this freedom, and at that point it is too late.
7.) The Forsaken patrol the city night and day, Manticore's dark and twisted version of a police force. However, they are referred to as the Nightwatch, because that is the time that their presence is most often noted. During the day, the newly cursed Forsaken are given the chore of patrolling the streets since they still look more human and therefor blend in. Also, most of the trouble with werewolves and rebels takes place at night, when the streets are mostly empty and it's easier to travel undetected, so the newer, more difficult to control Forsaken can't get into much trouble. But at night, the real bad boys and girls come out to play. These are the ones that have lived with the curse for a couple years or more and can no longer be mistaken for human. Which makes night time a good time to set them loose on the street, because most of the brain-washed innocents who would be shocked by their appearance have retired to their homes. Also, the more physically malformed Forsaken possess a mind that is as twisted to the demands of their master as their body is to that of their creature. They are both more powerful and less likely to rebel, and therefor are also the best warriors to pit against rebels and werewolves.
8.) The Forsaken have a second form, that of their creature. Usually they are as large in their creature form as they are in their humanoid form, so if your Forsaken has the form of a hawk, he will be a hundred and eighty pound bird. Which would make very large hawk. If your Forsaken had Guardian blood somewhere in his/her heritage, however, he/she would be a bit more unstable and could defy the laws of physics by becoming larger or smaller. They could even alter the features of their creature slightly, changing fur color, fang length, or making other small changes. They can not, however, become a completely different creature. The hawk-based Forsaken, to use this example again, could not shift into a serpent.
And that is all. For now.