Bloodlit

Colloquially known as the Godflora.

There are many populated worlds of the Shining Realm, colloquially called Beta Orionis, which is actually another dimension far from our space and time. These are the worlds of the Bloodlit - immortal beings of transcendent import. Those born to these Godflora are without the ability to truly die except via old age or dark arts.

The Bloodlit are not a singular race, but actually a joint culture made of 12 races from another 'Realm', a dimension far and away from that of Earth or the Tau Spring Galaxy. Those that do come 'down to our realm' are often mistaken for Gods by the largely unwashed and uneducated masses of most worlds to their mysterious and godlike natures. Those that know of their true origins still regard them in great esteem as their grasp of technology is so complete that to the 'lower races' they perform magic & many more still control vast spiritual energies granting them supernatural might & control.

There is little information to be had of the other races of Beta Orionis as it is the custom of the Godflora to only speak of races present so that they might serve as representative of their people. Those not present are only ever referenced in their historical epics & legends. Even then- the few Bloodlit that have walked the Earth generally only speak of those that apply to the current circumstance and rarely divulge more information than is required.

Though they seem relatively barbaric- their societies are great and varied & their technological sophistication is 'a million cycles' ahead of current Earth Technology. In addition, the Godflora benefit from the technological paradise that sprouted 'beneath their feet' among the worlds of Tau Spring that were under the protection of the Commonwealth. They are living gods, warrior-poets who roam the stars bringing civilization & protecting the innocent chasing Hod's Light.

Known Species of the 12 Races
Ashildr - Warriors, Strategists, Philosophers, and Craftsman. Fueled by battle and trained in weaponry. Their oaths are their bond, and Ashildr cannot lie, though they can always choose silence or a change of topic.

Doj'on - Sages, ambassadors, and traders of knowledge. Gifted with psionic abilities & a penchant for moving invisibly among Mortal races.

Origen - Arbiters, Judges, Historians. Gifted with the power of Soulfire.

"The Godflora are great and varied- spread across the worlds of the Great Orrery, a realm beyond the Mortal worlds. But binding a society, even among the Bloodlit Divine is no small task. In the wisdom of Hesed, empathy has taken root so deeply between our people that we bind ourselves together in times of great hardships & strife, crossing spatial, special (as in species) & societal lines. Creating the clans, houses & pairings that suit us best and in so doing, choosing our families so we might find allies worthy of absolute trust & true rivalry that might outlive the stars. For those blessed as we, the Fates conspire to maintain our bond- making great distances paltry things." - Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx

Powers & Abilities
Being a warrior race of quasi-immortal & often divine beings all Bloodlit possess some degree of superhuman strength, speed, agility, stamina, reflexes, and durability in comparison to almost all of the mortal races. The amount varies between races but more so among individuals. In addition, each of the 12 races that make up this conglomerate pantheon of demi-gods have a nature unto themselves bequeathing different types of abilities to each. Some are gifted with the gift of creation, others vastly psionic, and others still possess physical qualities beyond the others. As there are so few representatives on Earth there is not a lot of data to go on or compare between races.

Because of the astral energies that radiate throughout the entire pocket dimension, beings such as the Bloodlit were able to rise to supremacy. Despite having celestial energies within them, not all Godflora are able to utilize them consciously. Some races even shun such practices altogether in favor of technological pursuits. In addition, all Godflora carry the inherent ability to 'ascend', becoming True Immortals- a state not entirely dissimilar to actual godhood as opposed to their birthright which is more akin to being a demigod. A select few manage to acquire actual divinity. This is done through valorous deed & conquering one's self for the good of all beings- though other beings have found less than noble paths to ascension. These hushed volumes are guarded carefully by the Astral City Godhead. The Path of Ascension is lauded as the Grand Noble Path. The Godflora espouse and try to guide the Tauborn (and now Earthborn) races to begin so they too might know Glory and spiritual growth.

Due to coming from a singular pocket dimension at the heart of the Arc of Creation- a place separate from all conventional expanses of time & space the Godflora have Singular Reality Existence, that is existing in only one reality, dimension, parallel universe or parallel timeline, without having any alternate self or similar being in any other reality or universe. They are all perfectly unique across the multiverse. Despite this cosmic uniqueness, the highest of Ascendant Bloodlit (or the most Divine Godflora) are capable of existing simultaneously on various planes of existence via avatars but are all just slivers of the 'Alpha Entity'. Attaining such levels often accompanies Conceptual Transcendence & such avatars are often Nigh Formed Primordial Force Beings- that is made up, at least in part of a primordial force so imprinted as an inherent part of that reality.

The Godflora of Beta Orionis all possess certain superhuman physical attributes, such as:
 * Superhuman Strength: All Bloodlit are superhumanly strong with the average being able to lift about 3-5 tons though there are natural outliers across a much larger range.
 * Superhuman Speed: All Bloodlit have the potential of being able to run and move at speeds much greater than the finest human athlete. For example, Zaphre the Swift possesses superhuman speed, allowing him to run 211-215 mph at peak range.
 * Superhuman Stamina: The musculature of all Bloodlit produces considerably less fatigue toxins during physical activity than the muscles of human beings. The average Godflora can exert themselves at peak capacity for about 12-24 hours before fatigue impairs them.
 * Superhumanly Dense Tissue: The skin, muscle, and bone tissues of all Bloodlit are about 3 times denser than similar human tissue, contributing to their superhuman strength and weight.
 * Superhuman Durability: The bodies of all Bloodlit are known to be more resistant to physical injury than the bodies of humans. Many Bloodlit have been known to be capable of withstanding great impact forces, exposure to temperature and pressure extremes, falls from great heights, etc. without sustaining physical injury. On average they are about as physically durable as the average metahuman, according to some witnesses. Though some Bloodlit can withstand the equivalent of high caliber bullets. For example, Turiel the Mountain, Breaker of Worlds was able to withstand high caliber bullets as it will only caused him to "laugh it all off, roaring like an avalance" as stated in one of Nohrbor's stories.
 * Regenerative Healing Factor: Despite their natural durability, it is possible for any of the Bloodlit to sustain injury. However, if a Godflora is injured, his or her godly life force enables him or her to recover with superhuman levels of speed and efficiency. As with most of their other powers, the speed and extent of these powers varies from one Godflora to another. For instance, most Bloodlit are unable to naturally regenerate missing limbs or organs while a small minority can, unless if they use spiritual assistance to do so.
 * Alleged True Immortality: The Bloodlit birthright is semi-immortality. They cease to age upon reaching adulthood for centuries with little effort and cannot die by conventional means. In fact, thanks to the Sacrifice of the First the races of the Godflora were granted the Stygian Gift & will 'resurrect' if killed. Their bodies are also immune to all known Earthly terrestrial diseases and resistant to conventional injury. Despite their alleged true immortality, it was revealed that they consume Godflora immortal food, Maana, but it is not required to remain virile and deathless. Sharing this Maana with a mortal does induce a similarly deathless state but is only reserved for the highest, most noble of the Tauborn.
 * Energy Manipulation: In addition, many Godflora possess additional superhuman powers which may be occult/paranormal, spiritual or elemental in nature. They may have some potential to manipulate magical or cosmic energies for their own purposes. Those with notable capability can harness universal core energies to manipulate their bodies, minds & environments, granting them a wide variety of powers depending on their chosen discipline. A small minority of the Bloodlit are capable of manipulating vast amounts of these energies for a variety of purposes including teleportation, shapeshifting, matter manipulation, augmentation of their physical capabilities, erecting powerful force fields, firing powerful blasts of energy for destructive purposes, granting superhuman powers to objects and beings, etc. For example, the Great Seakeeper, Rahab the Deepwalker can create powerful tidal waves, whirlpools, seaquakes, and other water-related phenomena.

Godly Abilities & Specializations
All Godflora possess specific skills associated with their area of expertise. For example, as a Bloodlit Immortal Messenger of War, Gadreel is a formidable combatant with extensive knowledge of both armed and unarmed combat where as Arephusa, Keeper of Love, is a highly motivated Guardian of Life, a skilled healer, mystic & scientist. Their skills and abilities are equally wide & varied as the races they've sworn to raise up, so there are Godflora who are associated with all manner of things- luck, speed, grace, healing, architecture, etc. As a collective of (mostly) warrior races most all Bloodlit have had some degree of armed and unarmed combat training.

It is possible that after many centuries of honing their skills they may come to fully represent the forces of nature and some might even come to represent moral values. Each Immortal symbolizing the epitome of a specialized knowledge, creative energy, exalted and magical powers- at least in the eyes of many mortal beings.

History of the Bloodlit
The Bloodlit races evolved on worlds along the Grand Central Arc of Creation- quite literally a nexus of realities bursting with divine, celestial energies. In time they would explore beyond their vast dimensional pocket that existed outside of time & the multiverse. When they stepped into this reality they found themselves in the Tau Spring galaxy. These demigods were welcomed with open arms by many of the 'lower races'. They found the most spiritually elevated of the Tau Spring races prophesied at the dawn of their histories that beings of great power will step through the veil to usher all life in the universe into the next stage of cosmic evolution.

These races were quite naturally the first to distinguish themselves & in a few generations The Great Pact was joined between the Twelve Highborn & 12 Tauborn Races leading to the founding of the Tau Spring Commonwealth. On the Path they say, "There can be no nobility above until it takes root below."

So it was with that thought that it was decided when a Champion distinguishes themselves by performing feats so great that even the High Council of the Astral City hear about them, an invitation is sent by messenger. If accepted, they are then allowed to train with the Astral City Guard, and a rare few are raised to Immortal through valorous effort. Sometimes the transfer of knowledge and culture goes the opposite way, as was the case with Althea and Nohrbor- Earth's Bloodlit. They were sent down to the Realm of Men to join the Guide Light Academy, a school training future great powers to be the guardians of the Tau Spring galaxy should need arise. They were to stay in this training program until achieving the rank of Praetor (Commander of a war regiment or off-world delegation).

The Guide Light Academy
Where students survival is not guaranteed, but upon graduation, they are immediately promoted to Tau Spring Praetor. The Academy is known for taking beings of different races from their local cluster and training them to use their abilities in hopes of having people ready to help in big cases of emergency. When not facing reality-ending disaster they are permitted to return to their home-worlds to live their lives as they see fit.

A Praetor is the highest standing a Guardian of any Tau Spring species may achieve. Beyond that is only Immortality. It is a Glorious journey and a worthy aspiration for any newly anointed Guardian. The Praetors were begun by the Ashildr. Their motto is "Honour and Justice on the wings of Democracy".

The Godflora Pantheon (The Sephirot Court)
A chorus of many, a song of multitude, a dream with many dreamers.

Hod - Messenger of Light. Radiant angelic being. Female. Hod's Light is often called upon for guidance or understanding.

Kushiel, the Rigid One - Messenger of Truth and Justice. Almost a true Immortal, but still walks among the Godflora- First among equals.

Phanuel - Messenger of Truth

Samshiel - Messenger of the Eclipse

Malkuth - Messenger of challenge/war

Netzah the Fortunate - Messenger of Fortune/Luck

Ymeyar - Godling of Misfortune. Brother of Netzah.

Keter, the Speedy/Swift one - Messenger of Safe Travels

Hestia - Messenger of Wisdom

Hesod - the Eternal One

Zadkiel- Messenger of Mercy

Bezad - God of Mischief. As in "Bezad's mischief, what is going on?"

Sahaqiel - Messenger of the Sky

Raziel - Angel of Mysteries

The Pharin
The opposite of the Godflora, the Pharin are Dark Gods. They champion darker aspects of mortal nature. Among them are the Lords of Fear, who bear a horrific appearance and exude supernatural fear that may cause even strong persons to break rank and flee.

The Godflora and the Pharin are eternal enemies. There are cautionary tales of Godflora who lose their grace and are seduced into the ranks of the Pharin.

The Pharin Pantheon
Sathariel - The Great Deceiver

Simikiel - Messenger of Vengeance

Hamsel - Messenger of Annihilation

Dangers of Beta Orionis
The Great Dafneaun: The Mind-flayers of the Dark Era, psychic predators from the Doj'on homeworld

Mankolion and Thirgra Hordes - Near-giants, and even stronger and more resilient than their enormous frame suggests. These creatures are bathed in the power of the Pharin. The Mankolion Horde is known for building implements of war while the Thirgra are known for bolstering their combat techniques with necromantic arts empowered by their pact with the Pharin.

Ghimuzge: A mighty creature with flame attacks that turn sand into glass

Everdoom Fortress

The Beast of Targaniso 7: Defeated by NetherMane the Stranger.

Borgon the Blasphemous: Dismembered by Althea of the Ashildr.

Hod's Darkness: Someone found a rock, a geode that contained Hod's Darkness. He is literally the shadow of Hod given life due to Hod's great power. He's not necessarily evil, but he is powerful mischievous and unrestrained. He caused so much trouble Hod forced him into a rock and cast him away.

Locations of Note
Hod's Hallowed Halls: One of the heavens of the Godlora ascendant, oft visited by the essences of Godflora while their corporeal vessels are recuperating.

Kur: The Origenian word for the Godflora equivalent of Hell.