Difference between revisions of "Horkval"

{{RacePage

|race_name = Horkval

|pop = Approx. 500

|distribution = All across Sapience.

|strengths = Cooperative and disciplined, chitinous bodies with natural protection.

|weaknesses = They find themselves less prepared to master the magical arts.

|desc = A race of insectoid people who have grown powerful in the realm of Aetolia.

Cooperative and disciplined, the Horkval are a race of insectoid people who have grown powerful in the realm of Aetolia. Their race is known for its determination and teamwork, though most outside of the hives are posessed of a strong individualism and self-awareness. Their powerful legs allow them to reach areas others cannot, and their chitinous bodies lend them a natural protection unmatched by any other mortal race. These blessings of the body have taken their toll on the Horkvali, however, and they find themselves less prepared to master the magical arts.

A mighty people, the insectoid Horkval are perhaps the most unique of Aetolia's races, with bodies sheathed in a chitinous exoskeleton as strong as armor. Hailing from tight-knit hives scattered throughout the land, the most prominent of which can be found on the island of Ulangi, the race is known for their fierce loyalty and stalwart determination, trained from birth to serve their hive, although independent warriors are known to leave their ranks to seek training in the outside world. Physically, the Horkval come in a range of suited, most ideal for physical combat, be that small and agile or bulky and strong, with their bodies reminiscent of oversized, humanoid insects, complete with hard shells, antennae and sometimes claws or feelers.

==Culture of Horkvals==

Hive-minded to a degree, they are rumored to share some part of their consciousness and through that even memories or direct information. Great sense of duty and community is the most important in their homeland, the Hives on the island of [[Ulangi]], but out of the Hives they can develop strong individualism and self-awareness.

==The Origins of the Horkval==

It was the time of the great unknowing, when men and women had no

purpose, but strode across the land, relying only on momentary instinct

before the appearance of Varian as the Celestine, and a time nearly lost

in history. It was the time of the great unknowing.

Her lover slept, dozed off after a jerking, nearly violent act of love.

And she glanced upon him, with neither love, nor hate, for neither

existed in the world yet. But she stared at the nape of his neck, and

wondered why the flesh was soft of that like a beast, and why such a

vulnerable part was left so bare, with little bone or sinew to stop a

crippling blow. Was it not here that we end the beast's existence so

and thirsty for drink. She looked at his limbs, strong with the days'

activities, and looked down upon her own limbs, stronger yet with her

own activities. He rested, yet she was awake, alive, invigourated after

their passion.

And, not truly understanding what she did, she took a sharp stone from

aside the pool near which they rested, and with one glancing blow struck

him in the head near the fore part of the crown. His eyes opened in an

instant, not comprehending what was happening. With a second blow, his

eyes glazed from the impact, leaving him helpless, and without sense.

She looked down again at his peaceful and weak frame. His chest rose

rhythmically and quietly, mimicing the movements of the ripples on the

pond. His vulnerable form no more powerful that a weak suckling babe.

She was stronger, and if she were to carry on her seed, he would only be

an inconvenience and a strain on her resources for her children. Let him

rest, in eternal slumber, for he would be a strain no longer.

And with the sharp edge of the stone she began to sever his throat. A

low wailing scream leap out from his throat, with blood like a geyser

darkening his unclothed form. Within a few moments, she was down to the

bone of his neck, her hands covered in warm, life-giving blood. The rock

not sharp enough, she tossed it aside, licking the blood from her hands.

Realizing the nutrients coursing through his last blood, she began to

drink from the wound itself, feeding herself, and her growing child.

Satisfied for the moment, she raised her head, and looked around at the

silent woods surrounding her. The air was too warm and humid tonight,

and the woods too quiet. She would find no game this evening.

Standing above the unmoving corpse before her, she began to move slowly

she picked up the bloody rock, and began to cut skin and meat away from

the bone; once having gutted the body, she prepared a fire to dry the

meat so that it may keep to provide for her and her offspring. Pleased

with the results of her hunt, she sat down by the pool, wearied from the

activity.

Varian, the Satus, viewing His creation with some interest, spoke to

her, intoning, "Like the Mantis, who eats her mate, so shall you and

your offspring be."

Immediately a wail of pain exploded from her mouth, as her skin became

more rigid, and her limbs more thin and plate like. Her head became more

rounded, and her eyes wider and bejewelled as the sea's surface.

Covering her face with her bloodied hands, she attempted to hide herself

from the world, but only succeeded in smearing her eyes in the crimson

blood of her mate.

And thus it is that our people came to inhabit Aetolia, with their

strong bodies, and their eyes of red. In the spring, when the woods are

quiet, and the air humid, one can hear the cries of the men giving up

their lives so their mates may feed the young.