Zernus

The Zernus are a formidable and mysterious species born from anthrals who were transformed by an ancient curse from the Gaufbeyn. Known for their resilience, immortality, and deep connection to their home planet Anheiriia, the Zernus embody a fusion of anthral traits with the dark, powerful energies of their cursed world. They are both feared and respected across the galaxy, often referred to as devils or demons due to their fearsome appearance and immense strength.

Physiology & Biology

General Appearance:

• Horned Crowns: All Zernus possess horns, a physical manifestation of their connection to Anheiriia. These horns vary in shape, size, and pattern, and they grow during puberty for the Birthed. The horns are also believed to act as conduits for the planet's energy, further strengthening the Zernus' bond with their world.
• Black Blood: The Zernus have black blood, a trait that links them to the living beings of Anheiriia. This blood is rich in a unique compound that accelerates healing and grants them resistance to most forms of physical and magical damage.
• Rough Skin: Their skin is coarse and textured, resembling sandpaper. It is usually tinged with a red hue, although other shades like deep purples or blacks are also possible. The skin provides additional protection and is known to be nearly impervious to cuts and abrasions.
• Extra Organs: The Zernus possess several additional organs, such as a second heart and two pairs of lungs. These enhancements allow them to survive in extreme conditions, endure longer periods without air, and pump more blood through their bodies when needed, granting them incredible stamina.
• Horns as Power Conduits: The horns of the Zernus are more than just physical features; they serve as conduits for the energy of Anheiriia. These horns can channel and focus the planet's energies, allowing the Zernus to perform feats of strength, resilience, and even manipulate their surroundings. Some Zernus can use their horns to emit energy blasts or create force fields, further enhancing their combat abilities.
• Living Armor: The coarse, sandpaper-like skin of the Zernus is not merely for protection. It serves as a form of living armor, capable of hardening or softening in response to environmental threats. This adaptive skin can repel various forms of damage, including extreme heat, cold, and even some forms of energy-based attacks.
• Blood of Anheiriia: The black blood of the Zernus is a vital link to Anheiriia. It contains microscopic organisms that act as both a healing agent and a defense mechanism. These organisms can rapidly close wounds, neutralize toxins, and even attack foreign entities within the Zernus' body. The blood can also be used as a weapon, hardening upon exposure to air and forming sharp, crystalline structures that can be launched at enemies.

Subspecies:

1. The Breathing:
   • Immortal Guardians: The Breathing are the original fifty anthral who were transformed by Anheiriia. They are immortal, healing almost instantly from any wound, and are inseparable from the planet. They can shift through various forms, but their horns and black blood remain constant. The Breathing can procreate with themselves, though whether they can do so with anthrals or other species is unknown.
   • Planetary Bond: The Breathing are deeply connected to Anheiriia, unable to leave its soil or water. Their existence is tied to the planet's will, making them living embodiments of its power and purpose.
   • Symbiosis with Anheiriia: The Breathing are in a symbiotic relationship with Anheiriia, drawing sustenance and power directly from the planet. Their connection allows them to manipulate the environment around them, controlling plant life, altering weather patterns, and even shifting the landscape. The Breathing can commune with Anheiriia, hearing its voice and acting on its will.
   • Shape-shifting Abilities: The Breathing can shift their form at will, taking on different shapes and sizes depending on their needs. This ability allows them to blend into their surroundings, intimidate enemies, or adapt to different combat situations. Their shape-shifting is not limited to physical form; they can also alter their density, becoming as hard as stone or as fluid as water.
2. The Birthed:
   • Evolved Descendants: The Birthed are the offspring of the Breathing or their descendants. They exhibit many of the same traits, such as horns and black blood, but with additional physiological differences. The Birthed have a more anthralanoid appearance, but with rough skin, multiple organs, and enhanced physical capabilities.
   • Psychological Traits: Most Birthed display sadomasochistic tendencies and obsessive personalities. They are highly confident, often believing in their superiority over other species, though they usually view anthral and their own kind with respect. Their culture emphasizes competition and martial prowess, with scars and tattoos serving as symbols of status.
   • Enhanced Physiology: The Birthed possess an enhanced physiology that makes them superior warriors. Their extra organs allow them to survive in harsh environments, endure extreme physical exertion, and recover from injuries that would be fatal to most other species. They can enter a state of hyper-adrenalization, where their strength, speed, and reflexes are exponentially increased.
   • Psychic Abilities: Some Birthed have developed latent psychic abilities due to their connection with Anheiriia. These abilities include telepathy, precognition, and mind control. The most powerful Birthed can influence the thoughts and actions of others, bending them to their will or driving them into madness.
   • Ritual Scarring: The Birthed undergo ritual scarring as part of their cultural rites of passage. These scars are not only symbols of status but are also infused with Anheiriia’s energy, granting the Birthed additional powers, such as enhanced strength, resistance to pain, or the ability to channel energy through the scars.
3. The Decayed:
   • Post-Mortem Transformation: Upon death, a Zernus undergoes a transformation into the Decayed. This form is shrouded in mystery, but it is believed that the Decayed retain some connection to Anheiriia, possibly serving as guardians or agents of the planet’s will even in death. The nature of this transformation is a closely guarded secret, known only to the highest echelons of Zernus society.
   • Post-Mortem Guardians: The Decayed are not merely corpses; they are reanimated by Anheiriia’s will, serving as guardians of the planet and its secrets. The Decayed retain some of their memories and abilities from life but are driven by a singular purpose: to protect Anheiriia. They are capable of draining life force from living beings to sustain themselves and can regenerate from almost any injury.
   • Soul Anchors: The Decayed are bound to Anheiriia through soul anchors—artifacts that contain fragments of their souls. These anchors are hidden across the planet, and as long as they remain intact, the Decayed cannot be truly destroyed. The anchors are fiercely guarded, and only the most powerful beings can destroy them.

Culture

Jenoya Entente:

• Dark and Chaotic Reputation: The Zernus are known as creatures of darkness and chaos, feared and respected by other species. The Jenoya Entente, their political and military alliance, is one of the most powerful forces in the galaxy, though it is approached with caution by others.
• Martial Arts and Competition: Zernus culture revolves around martial arts and competition. Young Zernus are trained in combat from an early age, and success in battle is one of the highest honors. Entertainment, as understood by other species, is foreign to them; their joy comes from personal and collective achievements.
• Scars and Tattoos: Scars are worn with pride among the Zernus, and the larger or more numerous the scars, the higher the individual's status. Tattoos also hold significant cultural importance, often representing personal achievements, lineage, or connections to Anheiriia.

Naming Conventions:

• Generational Names: Zernus names follow a unique convention where their family name is the generation they come from, tracing back to the original fifty Breathing. Their given names are earned after their first kill, which is a significant rite of passage. Until then, they are referred to by observable traits or characteristics.
• Posthumous Honorifics: Upon death, Zernus are given honorifics based on what or who killed them. These titles are held in high regard and often become part of the individual’s legacy within Zernus society.

Societal Structure:

• The Triumvirate: Zernus society is governed by a Triumvirate composed of the most powerful representatives of The Breathing, The Birthed, and The Decayed. This council makes all major decisions, balancing the needs of the species with the will of Anheiriia. The Triumvirate is revered by all Zernus, and their word is considered law.
• Clan System: The Birthed are organized into clans, each with its own territory, traditions, and leaders. Clans often compete with each other in ritualized combat, with the victorious clan gaining honor and resources. Alliances between clans are common, but so are betrayals, as the Zernus value strength and cunning above all else.

Rituals and Beliefs:

• The Rite of Ascension: One of the most important rituals in Zernus culture is the Rite of Ascension, where a Birthed proves their worth by completing a series of trials designed by their clan. These trials test physical, mental, and spiritual strength, and only those who succeed are allowed to take on leadership roles.
• Anheiriia’s Will: The Zernus believe that Anheiriia has a divine will that guides their actions. They practice rituals to commune with the planet, seeking guidance, blessings, and power. These rituals often involve blood sacrifices, meditation, and the use of ancient relics passed down through generations.
• The Eternal Hunt: The Zernus view life as an eternal hunt, where the strong survive and the weak are culled. This philosophy extends to all aspects of their lives, from their martial training to their political maneuverings. The Zernus believe that through struggle and competition, they honor Anheiriia and ensure the survival of their species.

Tattoos and Scars:

• Cultural Significance: Tattoos and scars are deeply significant in Zernus culture. Tattoos often depict the individual's lineage, achievements, and connection to Anheiriia. Scars, on the other hand, are symbols of resilience and strength. The more scars a Zernus has, the higher their status within society.
• Living Tattoos: Some Zernus tattoos are infused with Anheiriia’s energy, allowing them to move and change over time. These living tattoos can grant the wearer additional abilities, such as enhanced senses, protection from harm, or the ability to channel energy in combat.

History

Origins on Anheiriia:

• The Arrival: The Zernus originated from fifty anthrals who were part of a crew sent to scout a habitable planet in the Theanratecin system. After landing on Anheiriia, they encountered a malevolent force that slowly transformed them, fusing their bodies and minds with the planet.
• The Curse: The Gaufbeyn curse that afflicted the original fifty was actually a side effect of Anheiriia’s own will, which had been twisted by an ancient entity brought to the planet by the Gaufbeyn. This entity merged with the planet, and in turn, with the fifty anthrals, creating the immortal Breathing and their descendants.

Rise of the Birthed:

• Expansion and Conflict: As the Birthed population grew, they established their own societies on Anheiriia, eventually rediscovering space travel. They launched raids against the Ellietic and Heaothep, using their formidable powers to carve out a place for themselves in the galaxy.
• Discovery of Anheiriia’s Origins: The Birthed learned that Anheiriia’s spirit was an experiment gone wrong, a being from another place that had been brought to the planet by the Gaufbeyn. This knowledge fueled their desire to fulfill Anheiriia’s purpose and return it to its original home.

The Great Unification:

• The Formation of the Jenoya Entente: After repelling multiple attempts by the Adrophontic League to destroy them, the Zernus formed the Jenoya Entente. This powerful alliance is composed of Zernus clans and their allies, united by a common purpose: to protect Anheiriia and expand their influence across the galaxy. The Entente is known for its military might and its pursuit of ancient knowledge.
• The War of Retribution: The Zernus waged a brutal war against the Heaothep after discovering the truth about Anheiriia’s origins. The war was fought across multiple star systems, with the Zernus unleashing their full power to avenge the wrongs done to their planet. The Heaothep were nearly driven to extinction, and the Zernus solidified their reputation as one of the most dangerous species in the galaxy.

The Cosmic Awakening:

• Rediscovery of Aaryn: The Zernus have recently rediscovered the lost art of Aaryn, the cosmic energy that was used by the Gaufbeyn to create Anheiriia’s curse. The Zernus have begun experimenting with Aaryn, using it to enhance their abilities and create new forms of technology. This rediscovery has sparked a new era of expansion and conquest for the Zernus.
• The Aithereal Tears: The Zernus’ attempts to manipulate Aaryn have led to the creation of Aithereal tears—rifts in space-time that connect to other dimensions. These tears are both a source of power and a great danger, as they can unleash unknown horrors into the galaxy. The Zernus are working to control these tears, but their efforts have attracted the attention of other powerful beings.

Influence in the Galaxy

Allies and Enemies:

• Antrhal Alliance: Despite their fearsome reputation, the Zernus have maintained a strong alliance with anthrality. This alliance is based on mutual respect and the shared goal of advancing their respective species. The Zernus have provided anthrality with advanced technology and military support, while anthrality has offered the Zernus a place in the galactic community.
• Feared Adversaries: The Zernus are feared by many other species, including the Ellietic and the Heaothep. These species view the Zernus as a grave threat, not only because of their physical power but also because of their knowledge of ancient and forbidden magics. Many have attempted to undermine or destroy the Zernus, but all have failed.

Technology and Magic:

• Aaryn-Based Technology: The Zernus have begun integrating Aaryn into their technology, creating devices that can manipulate space-time, harness cosmic energies, and even alter reality itself. These devices are highly advanced and are considered some of the most powerful artifacts in the galaxy.
• Arcane Relics: The Zernus possess a vast collection of ancient relics and artifacts, many of which are believed to be connected to the Gaufbeyn and other long-lost civilizations. These relics are used in rituals, studied for their secrets, or employed as powerful weapons in battle.

Trivia

1. Anheiriia’s Guardians: The Decayed are not the only guardians of Anheiriia. The planet itself has created other creatures—behemoths, elementals, and spectral beings—that protect its secrets and enforce its will.
2. Soul Binding: The Zernus practice a ritual known as Soul Binding, where they bind their souls to Anheiriia or to a specific object, such as a weapon or artifact. This binding grants them additional power and ensures that their essence remains connected to their home even after death.
3. Forbidden Knowledge: The Zernus have access to knowledge that is considered forbidden by most other species. This knowledge includes dark rituals, ancient spells, and the secrets of the universe. The Zernus guard this knowledge jealously, and only the most trusted members of their society are allowed to study it.
4. The Eternal Night: Anheiriia experiences a phenomenon known as the Eternal Night, where the planet is shrouded in darkness for extended periods. During this time, the Zernus believe that the veil between worlds is thinnest, and they conduct powerful rituals to commune with spirits, ancestors, and otherworldly entities.
5. Interplanetary Influence: The Zernus have established outposts and colonies on other planets, spreading their influence and ensuring their presence across the galaxy. These colonies are heavily fortified and serve as bases for military operations, research, and exploration.
6. Anheiriia’s Soul: The entity that merged with Anheiriia is believed to be an ancient, god-like being from another dimension. Its influence has made the planet nearly indestructible and granted the Zernus their extraordinary abilities.
7. Immortality with a Price: While the Breathing are immortal, their existence is tied to Anheiriia. They cannot leave the planet, and any attempt to do so results in a rapid deterioration of their bodies.
8. Planetary Influence: Anheiriia’s will extends beyond its surface. The planet has been known to manipulate nearby celestial bodies, altering their orbits or absorbing their energy to sustain itself.
9. Forbidden Knowledge: The Zernus possess ancient texts and knowledge from the Gaufbeyn and other ancient civilizations. This knowledge is highly sought after but is closely guarded, with only a few ever permitted to study it.
10. The Starkiller Incident: The failed attempt to use Starkiller against Anheiriia is one of the most infamous events in galactic history. The planet’s ability to replace its star with itself is considered one of the greatest mysteries and feats of power in the galaxy.