 |
| Everything You Need to Know About Characters |
| Character Types and Corresponding Dresdenverse Lore |
 |
| Humans (Non-Magical): Your everyday Tom, Dick, and Jane. A lot of people in this category don't believe in the paranormal. They rationalize everything they see that they don't want to believe in. There are some, a smaller percentage of course, who have seen impossible things, and who have managed to stay sane afterawrds. Humans (Magical): Practitioners of the Art. Note: For every type of magic user, MAGIC and TECHNOLOGY do not mix. At all. Ever. -(SR)Wizards: Generally a wizard is someone born with a talent for magic. They have a lot of power, though they require a lot of training and sometimes tools to focus it. White magic users who believe that magic is a fundamental force of creation. Things you need to know about Wizards include: -The words a wizard uses to cast a particular spell aren't always the same as others', though they are often in languages that the wizard doesn't use frequently (some even make them up). It is a matter of word association, example: Fuego is assosciated with Fire for Dresden. -It's fairly standard for a wizard to be a member of the White Council, almost without exception. -Wizards use a lot of ritual, tools, and focii to focus their power. -Looking directly into a Wizard's eyes will initiate a 'Soul Gaze', in which the looker is able to see into the Wizard's soul, and the Wizard into theirs. -The 'Third Eye', or 'Wizard's Sight' is an ability that all Wizards possess. They are able to gaze upon the world as it 'truly' is, seeing magical forces at play, or possible paths or futures for certain things. It can be like a sensory overload, and many Wizards don't use this ability for very long as it can drive a person mad. Anything they see with their Sight will stay with them for life, as fresh as if they'd just seen it. -Wardens: Wizards, law enforcers of the Seven Laws, and protectors of the White Council. Very powerful casters, who wield swords that are said to be able to slice through any enchantment. Their signature clothing item is a grey cloak which cannot be stained. -Captain: Commands the entire Warden force. -Commander: Leads significant forces of the Wardens, by regions, usually the forces are divided by continents or partial continents. They answer to the Captain. -Warlocks: A standard name for any magic caster who has broken one of the Seven laws of magic. Black magic users, either with natural or learned talents for the arts. -Apprentices: Young wizards in training, usually young people with an affinity for magic. -Sorcerer/Sorceress: People with only a little talent, who need a lot of ritual, focus and practice to perform their magic. Black magic users. -Witches: People with only a minimal amount of skill with magic, they form covens to increase their power for spells. |
| White Court Vampires The most human-like of the Vampire Courts, the White Court Vampires feed off the emotions and life-force of their prey. They are not turned, but born to their vampiric state, and are for all intents and purposes human up until the time their "Hunger" Manifests, typically around the age of puberty. The "Hunger" is a demonic essence, which if they refrain from feeding it for too long will drive them into a frenzy.Their first feeding (with its subsequent and inevitable kill) usually marks their full transformation. However, White Court vampires with significant force of will may curtail their transformation into fully-fledged vampires for a time. The White Court does not posess the physical strength as the Black and Red Courts are. In fact, under normal circumstances their performance levels are only slightly better than those of an ordinary human. However, they can channel unused emotional energy into performance boosts of limited duration. They can enhance their speed, strength, and healing ability far beyond normal by tapping into unused energy reserves, and while doing this they radiate waves of cold, their skin whitens, and their eyes turn an unnatural silver color. They do have far fewer vulnerabilities however. Sunlight and symbols of faith do not harm them at all, and their largest weakness (aside from physical weaknesses) is true love. People who are, or have recently been in, real, affectionate and sacrificial love are highly resistant to White Court control, and can even burn White Court skin. If the offspring of a White Court vampire experiences true love before their first feeding, it can destroy the demonic essence within them, allowing the vampire to live a normal life. There are 3 different Houses in the White Court of Vampires, each comprising of a close-knit family unit. Each house is distinguished by their preference of emotions to feed from, but it is a choice rather than a restriction. There is a lot of in-fighting between the Houses of the White Court, all vying for power at any given time. However, White Court Vampires prefer less direct confrontation, often delivering harsh blows to their enemies in the form of carefully plotted schemes, and detailed plans. -House Raith, presently the most powerful among the Court, are sexual predators. Using their supernatural good looks and pyschich aura to attract men and women. During sexual intercourse, or any contact where emotions of lust are heightened, House Raith feed off their victims. These victims grow to enjoy the experience, and even become addicted and bonded with their predator. -Members of House Malvora feed off fear. Most prefer very strong fear, like the kind produced from potentially deadly situations, but some satisfy themselves on the smaller fears from things like horror films. -The vampires of House Skavis feed from despair and sorrow, and often drive their victims to the very depths of depression, and sometimes even suicide, to feed. |
| Lycanthropes A Lycanthrope is a person who is a natural channel or medium for a bestial spirit of rage. They are born with this ability, however it does not allow them to change into the shape of a wolf. It grants them a beast like strength, and speed, and when the spirit takes over they become more aggressive, and resistant to pain and injury. Their wounds heal rapidly, and tend to form packs, with an Alpha leader. Although harder to kill than the average person, they may be taken down with ordinary weapons. (O)Loup-Garou The monsters of legend, those that have been cursed into their status of werewolf, and shapeshift once every month at the night of the full moon. These beasts are half man, half wolf, are extremely large and powerful and dangerous, they will kill without care or thought for their victims, no matter who they are. Their speed, strength, and ferocity is enhanced, as well as their ability to withstand almost any injury. They are immune to poisons, and any sorcery that attacks the mind itself. The Curse of the Loup-Garou can be hereditary, if the one who placed the curse so wills it. The only way to stop a loup-garou is to contain it, or kill it with inherited silver (that is silver that has been passed through the family, not simply bought). Most Loup-Garou are well aware of their condition, and have sense to isolate themselves from society at the times of the full moon, as such, sightings and deaths are rare. Werewolves Someone who uses magic to transform themselves from human to wolf form. Not necessarily a wizard or a well trained practitioner, this transformation spell can be learned by almost anyone who learns it. Their physical body is transformed, but their mind remains human. This can be a disadvantage to new 'werewolves', as they must learn to use all of the senses of the wolves that they have gained, and do not have the lifetime of experience using them. The werewolf must learn, quickly, to use their sense of hearing and smell to guide them, instead of just sight, and learn to react to their environment as a four-legged creature. The wolf has all the natural capabilities of a wolf, silver is not needed to kill them, and they do not heal from wounds any more quickly than normal wolves. The transformation from human to wolf and back again may take place whenever the werewolf wishes. Hexenwulf A Hexenwulf uses a talisman imbued with powerful black magic to transform itself into a huge, non-natural wolf. Their form is much larger, and more powerful than that of a natural wolf's, posessing enhanced speed, strength, agility, and ferocity. The only part unaffected by the trasnformation are the eyes, which remain the same color as the person's natural eye color. The talisman itself may come in many forms including rings, amulets, or bracelets, but most often is a wolf-pelt belt, and requires touch to be activated. The talisman provides an anchor for a bestial spirit of rage, which protects the human personality while it is in beast form. However, the human loses all inhibitions, and runs on primal desires rather than reason and logic. A hexenwulf can reassume human form at will, however the power the talisman provides them is addictive, often affecting the human's mind and personality while in their natural form. The most seriously addicted lose impulse control, becoming violent and sociopathic. A hexenwulf can be wounded or killed by normal weapons, and can be forced to reassume human shape if their talisman is removed. Demons - Nevernever Demons: Demons of the Nevernever are as strange as other creatures from the Realm of the Faerie, in that we know little of their workings. The lower, weakest demons are at the bottom of the chain, with the more powerful, older demons at the top, often referred to as 'Gods'. These demons must be summoned by a wizard or a sorcerer, by their True name. They appear as monsters of all shapes, forms, and variety, some having magical abilities, and all being extremely strong. They must create a body of ectoplasm when summoned into this world, and when that body is destroyed they simply return to the Nevernever. When summoned they have two obligations to fulfill; the first is to escape confinement from whatever holds them; the second is to kill whoever summoned them. Despite their strengths and the intentions of the wizards summoning them, Demons of the Nevernever have little to no personal interest in affecting the lives of humans. - Scions: It is assumed that Scions are creatures of half-human and half-demon descent. They tend to look unnatural, often disfigured or insane, and even those few who do appear normal have a demonic form that is visible within a Wizard's sight. - (O)The Fallen: The angels that have been cast into exile, presumably during the fall of Lucifer. These demons, unlike their distant Nevernever 'cousins', are intimately interested in the affairs of man, though may only act through a set of strict limitations. They are only capable of possessing or temping a human being. - (O)Order of the Blackened Denarius: The Denarians are among the most powerful demons of the Fallen, unions of a human host and one of the Fallen themselves. There are 30 among the Order of the Blackened Denarius, each bound to a tarnished silver Roman Denarius, which bears it's respective Fallen's Sigil (the thirty denarii represent the thirty pieces of silver paid to the apostle Judas, and may possibly be those very coins). When a human touches one of the coins, the Fallen is free to communicate with it's new host. They are then able to bestow knowledge, magical power, and physical prowess upon their host, for as long as the host maintains possession of the coin. Even if the human does not play Host to the Fallen, and tries by some means to bind the coin, the Fallen is still capable of leaving an imprint upon their host's mind. Even this copy has vast power, and keeps a constant connection with the Host. The amount of influence a Fallen has over it's host seems to vary from person to person. In all cases, however, the free consent of the bearer is necessary to permit Fallen influence. If the Fallen has not completely overtaken it's host, it appears that the Host is able to consciously free themself of the influence of the Fallen, by abdicating the power it provides, and surrendering the Denarius. If the host of a Fallen is a Wizard or other magic user, one way to rid themself of the Fallen's influence is to denounce magic all together and give up the coin. The Knights of the Cross were founded specifically to save people from the Fallen, and will almost always become involved in any situation (seemingly by coincidence) that requires confronting one or more of the Fallen. Several of the Coins are currently in possession of the Knights of the Cross and the Venatori Umbrorum, kept in heavily warded boxes in secure locations. (O)Outsiders (O)Dragons Ghosts |
 |
| The Faerie and Creatures of the Nevernever - The Faerie, the realm of the Nevernever, and it's creatures are strange beings, often of great magical power. These are the beings that you likely think of when you imagine fairy tales. Pixies, Trolls, Ogres, etc. They all live in the Realm of the Faerie, and are quite capable of crossing over into our world. Not all Faerie creatures are sweet and kind, in fact, many are cruel and spiteful, tricksters of the highest calibre. They are divided into the Summer Court, the Winter Court, and the Wyldfae. And information about them is here, as it becomes available. -Changelings: Creatures that are half human and half fae, who must decide eventually whether to stay human or become wholly fae. Their alignment among the Faerie lies with the court of their Fae parent. -The Sidhe: The most beautiful and powerful creatures of the Faerie, among them are the six Faerie Queens of each court. They are white of hair, with feline (vertically slitted) eyes, and often able to change their appearance at will. They cannot resist a bargain, often ensnaring poor mortals into their grips in exchange for any number of 'gifts'. -(R)The Faerie Queens: There are 3 Queens for each Court in the Faerie. The Queen Who was, or Mother. The Queen who is, or simply Queen. And the Queen Who will be, or Lady. They are the ultimate forces in the Faerie, and quite often within reality as well, since the Faerie exists alongside our world. -(SR)Faerie Lords: Sidhe Faerie that are the subjects of the Queens' courts. Powerful magic casters. -(O)Court Knights: The Mortal Champions of the Courts of the Faerie, one human is chosen for this position, and another is chosen when the Knight dies. They are given a mantle of power, coming directly from the Queens themselves, which binds them to their Court. -(O)Emissaries: People chosen to handle matters of the Faerie that the Queens prefer not to get their hands dirty with. The Summer Court: The Seelie Court -Summer Lady Aurora: -Summer Queen Titania: -Summer Mother: The Winter Court: The Unseelie Court -Winter Lady Maeve: -Winter Queen Mab: -Winter Mother: |
| (R) = Restricted, Withheld by Op for various reasons (SR) = Semi Restricted, Only X amount are allowed (O) = By Op Request Only |
| -(R) Knights of the Cross: Also known as Knights of the Sword, the Knights are three people who are chosen to wield swords of power, believed to be sent to earth by God. The swords serve the righteous for a just cause. In the hilt of each sword is a nail from Christ's Crucifixtion. The swords cannot be touched by "unclean" things, though this protection can be broken if the wielder attempts to use the sword in an evil or dishonorable way. The only proven way to unmake one of these swords is to kill an innocent with it.The Knights are endowed with the power of their Faith, and their swords act as a focii for this power. They are the beneficiaries of seemingly coincidental events which aid them in their 'crusade' against Evil. The Order of the Knights of the Cross was originally founded to battle the Order of the Blackened Denarius, and redeem those humans corrupted into serving the Fallen. Little else is known about the Knights themselves, how they are chosen, or why they are chosen. Though they are typically righteous, and of strong morals. Though not necessarily Christian, they merely have to have Faith in their missions, and always do the right thing, whether or not it means their lives. The Swords have been given Latin names that represent Christian Values: Amoracchius (Love): A broadsword, speculated to be Excalibur. Fidelacchius (Faith): A katana with a water-patterened steel blade and a wooden cane scabbard. Esperacchius (Hope): A heavy sabre. |
| Red Court Vampires The vampires of the Red-Court are master's of deception, in a sense. Beneath their masks of sensous, and often gorgeous flesh, they are slimy, bat-like creatures with paunched stomachs, bulging eyes, and taloned hands and feet. They are incredibly strong and fast, and can shake off almost any injury quickly. Their saliva contains a narcotic which is both powerful, and addictive. This drug gives their victims a euphoric feeling, while dulling their pain receptors, making them easy to control, it also lowers their inhibitions a great deal. Humans addicted to Red Court venom have been known to go to great lengths to serve and protect their vampire masters. The Red Court of vampires is organized in a fuedalistic system, with a King at the highest rank. Some Red Court vampires have shown an ability to use magic. Red Court vampires are vulnerable to sunlight, and to having their bellies cut open, which will spill the blood they have drank and eventually kill them. Red court vampires are made, rather than born, in a simple process. The human is infected with the Vampiric thirst, after being fed from and fed vampiric blood; they gain supernatural strength, speed, and endurance in the process. Their full transformation comes only after their first kill. Infected humans with sufficient strength of will have been known to refrain from feeding for the first time and completing their transformation for an indefinite amount of time. Magical bonds, regular exposure to sunlight, and avoiding physical intimacy all help, though no cure has been found for the 'half-vampire'. Their hunger for blood makes controlling emotions extremely difficult, and in situations where emotions run high, it is easier to lose what control they have. (R)Black Court Vampires The Black Court Vampires are the most 'well-known' vampires, the reanimated bloodthirsty corpses popularized by Bram Stoker's Dracula. The book itself was written at the behest of the White Council, and believed to be the primary cause of the fall of the Black Court. Black Court vampires still inhabit the bodies that they lived in before they were turned, the only difference being that their bodies continue to decay even after becoming undead. They are supernaturally strong, fast, and are impervious to a degree of physical harm. Some Ancient Black Court vampires have demonstrated the ability to use magic in the same way that wizards do. They are presently the smallest and politically weakest among the courts, though the surviving Black Court vampires are among the oldest and strongest. Black Court Vampires posess all the weaknesses of the 'fictional' Dracula: They must sleep in their native soil, they fear garlic, objects of faith, and sunlight. (O)Jade Court Vampires Very little is known about the Jade Court vampires, aside from the fact that they are highly secretive, and their real of influence covers an unknown portion of Asia. |
