Creatures and history of Kastanika

Thought I'd throw all my character and lore information here~

CAST (basic info) 

Annelise - An Ex-Daywalker who was captured and experimented on by the Dhampirs in an attempt to bolster their numbers. After its failure, she decided to use her new-found freedom to roam outside Kastanika and improve interspecies relations. The consequences of the experimentation are that she has taken the appearance of a dhampir with paper-like skin, startling grey eyes and nimble figure. She has also gained the affinity to control and communicate with animals and other creatures through a talisman one of the Dhampir nobles gave her. Acts as a missionary for Kastanika.

Fierre - A half-breed Daywalker whose Kastanikan blood mutated him into a full shapeshifter. Possesses many feline features, such as a tail, cat's eyes and ears, and unruly long hair which acts as a mane. Acts as the leader of the shapeshifter faction, and the first permitted to leave Kastanika. Unusually strong and fiercely loyal to his people. Holds a large degree of hatred towards Dhampirs, and people resembling them. Serves as the protector and monitor of the threats outside Kastanika.

The Kastanikans are a set of humans who have rapidly evolved to possess the features/senses of animals, and more rarely their ability to morph into a particular creature. They consider themselves humanoid, rather than human. 




Heartchillers -  Shifters who can change into larger, tankier creatures or who possess these qualities. This encompasses rhinos, elephants, apes, bears, moose, pandas and other tougher animals. Although most can't keep their forms for long, even in their normal forms they can demonstrate extraordinary acts of strength. The leader of this clan claims the title of  "Dreadnaught", as many in this clan heal much faster than other shapeshifters.

Vanguard - Shifters who can morph or possess features of animals with sharp instincts. They are usually animals who can utilise the underground to locate enemies, warning the other clans of their arrival. This group includes snakes, moles, rabbits, dogs, spiders and other underground creatures. Although covering a broad range of shifters, some in this clan develop the ability to discover enemies beyond their usual 5 senses, using the energy of the Kastanikan geyser to guide them. The leader of this clan has the title of "The Harbringer." 

- The leader of the Kastanikans is chosen through a series of fights, the test of the shifter's will and strength of mind rigorously vetted until all other opponents have succumbed to the mental strain. 

Although all shapeshifter clans are viewed as equal, Kastanikans who are born and do not show shapeshifter tendencies as a child  or who can pass as a Daywalker are more frowned upon in the community, even when their abilities manifest later in life. The Shapeshifter's entrenched suspicion of any kind that isn't their own has never diminished since the creation of their city.

Resides in: Kastanika
Race: Dhampir, converted by mutation
Faction: Council member
Strengths: Illusion magic, compulsion, 
Weakness: iron, shapeshifter blood

Ramos is the fabled traitor of the shapeshifter race, infamous for his infiltration of shapeshifter ranks as "Robert" and becoming a trusted member. Once accepted, he compulsed hundreds of daywalkers working for the shapeshifters to walk to their deaths into the Dhampir half of the city, where they were feasted on or captured. Ramos perceived this as an attempt to slow down the extinction of his kind, deeming it necessary to sustain them. 

As one of the younger Dhampirs, Ramos grew up as a daywalker before the mutating influence of the Kastanikan geyser converted him. Once a friend of Annelise, the pair were orphans in Kastanika's suburbs, both displaying unusual traits for daywalkers. Even as a human he possessed the ability to deceive people with his appearance. Now awakened, he was responsible for Annelise's torture and horrific experiments on daywalkers for scientific purposes.

He serves as the mouthpiece of the Dhampir Council, who can control his body to speak and act on their behalf. When his body becomes overexerted by this, he bleeds from his eyes and mouth. 

Ramos is especially gifted at illusion magic, manifesting forms that can trick even the most seasoned shapeshifter. However, as a Dhampir he can no longer cross the lines of the city into shapeshifter territory, his espionage coming to a swift end. Although averagely strong for a Dhampir, his control over magic is second to none. His innate fixation with death and intent to break the human mind has led him to stop fearing death, feeding his magical strength by experimenting with fatal magicks. 

As with all Dhampirs, shapeshifter blood is toxic to his system, and he is severely weakened by iron. His compulsions are ineffective against people who have Dhampir blood in their system, and many Kastanikans have tried to develop Dhampir blood into capsules to protect their people.