Frequently asked questions

What Is a waywick?

Waywicks are a race of norse fae capable of mischief and magic. They are sly, tricky and playful creatures originally created by Loki as a way to cause trouble for the hunters of Asgard. From the time of their creation, they have propagated themselves and evolved into their own race with their own society. Waywicks can and do coexist with other communities of fae, as well as other races entirely, but they are their own stand-alone sect of fair folk.

When was this species created?

Waywicks were initially created under the name Fossilhounds,
and came into existence in December 2015. At the start, they were very
anatomically different than what waywicks are now. They were
re-released as a species in June 2016 under the name 'Waywicks.'
They have undergone construction since then,
but the species itself has been around since 2015-2016.

Who created this species?

The waywicks are one of several species created by Ander Holmberg, aka XxSelkiemoonxx.
(previously FeralComplex, Tropicanis)

Am i allowed to make one?

you are absolutely welcome to make your own waywick. we have a
growing community surrounding this species and sharing the characters people comes up with. We even have a DnD Beyond page to allow you to play a waywick in a ttrpg setting.

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The Legend of the waywick

A Peculier Haunting

Legend tells of many things. Heroes. Villains. Goblins and Ghouls.But i’m going to tell you of one in particular, the waywick.This ancient spirit of folklore came to be associated with forested regions, having been misidentified as pixies, gnomes, and even poltergeists by some. A mischievous spirit, waywicks have been known to interact with those travelling through their forests, sometimes behaving inconspicuously, stalking the confused wanderer; sometimes as blatant as blocking a path and refusing to allow passage until something is offered to the beast as appeasement. On several occasions, a wanderer or a stray child has gone missing only to return, days later, with stories of waking up in a strange forest clearing they are subsequently unable to locate again. Each of these stories are eerily similar, often describing a large, circular clearing where the grassy ground was soft and the air around was peaceful, with the gentle roar of a waterfall ringing though the area. The tellers of these accounts always found their way home, and the validity of their claims is debated to this day among skeptics.It has been said that waywicks would often wander into nearby villages during the night, by the light of the moon and cause their trouble. Some reports claim that noises could be heard within or around houses, and many have said that upon waking the following morning, they would discover things such as open doors, overturned chairs (still neatly around the table, mind you. Simply turned upside down), dishes lined up from the kitchen to the front door, and missing objects.As time progressed and the ages changed, waywicks adapted to the ever-changing environments and societies. Stories sounding nearly identical to the deer-like spirits of the forest were emerging in societies that had never once come into contact with the birthland of the tales, leading many to believe that some waywicks are moving beyond their forest homes to explore other terrains and territories.These experiences and tales have become less common as the years progress, leading many to believe that the waywick spirits are simply an old wives' tale. Yet despite this, offerings and respect are still left in local villages for their fair folk neighbors.

In The Beginning

Asgard is known as the realm of the Norse Gods, sitting near the top of the World Tree, known as Yggdrasil. It was in this realm that the god Loki, bringer of mischief and trouble, conceived the idea of the very first waywick. After being refused to join three hunters -- Odin, Skaði, and Ullr -- on a hunt, he began plotting a way to get back at them, to make them feel the same frustration he felt at his denial. Before long, he concocted the idea of the most beautiful prey anyone had ever laid eyes upon; one with a stunning coat, great size, and an over-all astounding air of beauty about it. The perfect target for a hunter, indeed, but with one con: It would be impossible to catch. The thought of leading the great hunters on such a wild goose chase amused Loki so much that he created such a being and sent it to the grounds used for such hunts -- a small realm known as Hringr.It wasn't long before the "faux deer" was spotted and, as planned, targeted. The creature led the hunters on several long, tiring pursuits, before the hunt was eventually called off in favor of other prey. Before long, the creature was accepted as a being of the immense forest and was respected as such, left to wander the forest with the other wildlife and beings that inhabited it. In time, the faux deer discovered doorways -- a sort of portal -- and in it's wisdom discovered that it, too, could pass through them as it had seen the gods do many times prior. It discovered that if it were to pass through these doorways, it could traverse to the other 9 realms that Yggdrasil bore, and it spent a great amount of time simply travelling.In it's journeys, the creature found itself enjoying the secluded forest on an island inhabited solely by the wildlife that graced it's surface and its oceans. Deciding that this place was to it's liking, the being declared the island it's home and took up residence in the peaceful forest.

The birth of a race

Greenleaf Island, home to only the flora and fauna that claimed it, was untouched by man. That is, until wayward travelers discovered the virgin land and - wanting a peaceful life away from the chaos of the world - settled there. It began with a single village, brought to life on the outskirts of a massive forest that covered the land. Over time the settlement grew, but it did so in harmony with the life that existed there previously. It was good. It was happy.However, man is nothing without a good story; tales to pass down to their kin based in either misconstrued fact or manipulative fiction. As tales spread, it was said that a beast lived in the forest, one of beauty and terror, with horns that grew like the trees but an ominous energy about it. The first settlers said it was a beast brought fourth by Loki, and although there had been no experiences with this creature aside from supposed sightings the villagers pushed for caution as it's purpose and threat could not be known. Through word-of-mouth and superstition, this came to be an acceptable explanation for the villagers of Greenleaf.For most, the tale of the beast was enough to keep them from entering the forest. But for one man with a heavy harvest, the journey to the local market and back was much easier traveled through the forest. An uneven, yet significantly shorter path cut through the center of the forest, and every day during the harvest season would find this man traversing it. Superstition could not quell the urge to work towards a better life, and it wasn't until he caught a glimpse of the fabled creature that he even believed the tales.

Before he could return to himself, the man turned his ankle on a raised tree root and shouted, falling to the dirt of the forest floor. Gasping in pain he laid there, letting his wits return to him before trying to stand. Despite his efforts, the pain in his ankle was too great and each attempt resulted in him slumping to the ground once again. Panic set in as the man began to realize how far away from home he was, and was only intensified when he heard the familiar growl of a forest predator eyeing him from a hidden vantage point.He started to shout, pleading for help as he pulled himself across the ground. He felt his heart drop when he heard the catch of the creature's growl, signalling that it had pounced. He closed his eyes, anticipating the sharp claws and hungry maw, but it never came. With tearful, frightened eyes the man looked back and his breath caught in his throat when he saw that breathtaking creature standing behind him and the predatory cat slinking away.

For months the man entered the forest after his work was through, and this continued even after the harvest season ended. Nightly visits to the creature had sparked an unexplainable friendship between the two. On occasion, the man would bring the beast an edible treat, only to be given a freshly picked flower or a nice stone the following night.This continued, until the man thought to tell someone who frequented his stall at the market. He spoke of his new friend, of his nightly visits. The patron, who wasn't native to Greenleaf but visited the market frequently, doubted the man and demanded proof before he would believe the man's radical tale.The following night, the man brought his patron into the forest, searching for the deer-like creature. Several moments pass before the beast appears, anticipating it's human friend. The moment the patron's eyes fell on the beautiful being, he let out a shriek and shouted in fear."THAT IS THE MONSTER!"Frightened, the creature turned and ran deeper into the forest, leaving it's human friend to try and calm the patron, who had run back towards the village, proclaiming "MONSTER! DEVIL! I HAVE SEEN IT!"The man was ashamed. He spent several nights venturing into the forest with armfuls of food and gifts as an apology, but the daily hunting parties conducted by many of the villagers of Greenleaf only seemed to add to the shattered trust of the beast. Dejected, the man headed towards the forest in a final attempt to offer an apology. If this once again fails, he thought, Then i will accept my mistake and accept that I have lost my friend.On his way to the path, however, he was captured by townsfolk who declared him a servant of the 'monster.' He would not get to offer his final apology that night, but the sounds of distress reached the creature's ears and, reminded of the night it rescued it's friend, once again came to help.But this time it would be too late.The beast barely emerged from the forest to see it's friend before his screams were drowned by the roar of fire. The attention of the townsfolk was only disrupted by the loud, heartbroken shriek that the creature bellowed. Frightened townspeople screamed, ran, froze, stared in awe at the large being before it ran back into the woods, belting out it's sorrowful song.

Tears continued to fall and crystallize until there was simply no more energy to draw from, and the beast vanished. It was as if it no longer existed.For years the island was shrouded in an almost melancholy funk, the familiar feeling of the forest was gone, replaced with the eerie haunted feeling whenever one would enter it's expanse. It wasn't until one of the crystalline tears, the energy inside growing strong, opened and released it's treasure.A new young creature, curious of the world and eager to explore it, manifested and took its first steps. It was so similar to the beast, but so inexplicably different. It looked so world-worn, yet so new. Gathering up the first few crystalline tears it could find, this young spirit followed a path to a strangely familiar clearing and laid itself and the tears down to rest.It nuzzled the tears and muttered soft, comforting noises.'wik... wik... wik...'The spirit couldn't explain how, but it knew this was the start of a beautiful experience.

The Aether is a plane of existence that exists between the physical world and the spiritual world. It is a dark and eerie landscape devoid of life, heat, and landmarks, making it very easy to get stranded in if you are unaware of how to traverse it.Accessing the Aether involves creating small rifts in the fabric of the current world, thereby creating doorways through which the waywick can enter. Called Moon Gates, these doorways will typically be circular, and are typically created out of natural flora or stones. These doorways can often be confused for things like faerie rings and work in comparable waysThere are two moon gates located in the vanli court city, Silverglade Borough, and one located in the Ovanli Court's Evernight Terrace. These are considered official and protected means of entering the Aether, whereas homemade and unregulated moon gates can be hazardous to the untrained.Once in The Aether, one would need to rely on locating other rifts or doorways to find their way out of the in-between and into the realm of their choice. Getting lost within the aether could spell disaster, due to the sheer emptiness of the expansive demi-universe.

Atera, casually known as Hringr or The Circle, is a minor realm that sits just below Asgard on Yggdrasil. This realm is a very biodiverse world filled with a variety of Biomes, including forests, meadows, mountain ranges, oceans and more. Extreme differences such as arctic or desert conditions are minimal, but present in a few zones. But what stands out the most is what gives the realm it's namesake - a ring of small mountains surrounding a clearing. The central ring of Atera is a large clearing at the base of a mountain called Heaven's Peak. This is considered a safe location to the flora and fauna that live in Hringr, and it is the birthplace of Móðir. All waywicks, as well as a variety of other species, have access to Atera.Heaven's Peak is named such because of a waterfall starting at the peak of the mountain. The pool at the top of the mountain is fed directly from Aether and it is believed to be a gift from Asgard. Because of this, that top pool is considered a sacred place. The Sacred Pool waterfalls into a larger lake at the base of the mountain, called The Mirror of Asgard which feeds two rivers flowing throughout the realm. These rivers provide sustenance for both the plant and animal life within the area.

Atera was not always the inhabited world it is today. Once an exclusive hunting ground for asgardians, this realm was once a contained area for various prey animals to thrive and provide sport and entertainment for those seeking a hunt for meals or for sport. Móðir was born here as a part of Loki's mischief and spent a large portion of her life leading Odin and others on a futile chase beneath the canopies of the forest.The central ring was universally regarded as a place of peace for the inhabitants of Atera, and as such, hunting within the ring of mountains is forbidden. Anyone bringing back a trophy from the central ring would be subject to swift and sever punishment at the hands of Odin himself. Because of this sense of safety and security, waywicks often retreat here as an escape from any troubles or stress they may be feeling.While it has come to be known that Móðir was a product of Loki's mischief and that she had brought forth an entire species, waywicks are no longer regarded as prey animals and are respected as native inhabitants of Atera among Asgard's inhabitants. Some waywicks may even form attachments to Asgardians that pay visits to the smaller, more peaceful realm. As the associations with hunting faded from Atera's purpose, more and more species began to take up residence within the lush landscape.

Waywicks have a range of eye variations available to them, but one thing is always true: Their source energy is always visible somewhere in the eye. The energy color can be the sclera (the white part of a human eye), the iris (the color of a human eye) or the pupil (the black part of a human eye).There is no limitation to additional colors or pupil shapes for waywick eyes as long as the source energy rule is followed.

Waywicks are capable of taking on a bipedal, or human-like body type, and spend most of their social time in this form.Waywicks are very intelligent and sociable beings as is, but this is definitely accented in these forms. They are capable of behaving very similarly to their human (or otherwise humanoid) counterparts, even going so far as to don articles of clothing if desired, or participating in communal activities.Waywicks by default are sexless beings, but they are capable of choosing a gender preference based on the levels of masculine or feminine (or lack thereof) energy within their signature. Anthro waywicks are capable of manifesting with the physical features of their chosen gender if they choose, and can manifest male, female, intersex or no genitalia based on their individual energy signatures.Phantom, Geist and Wraith traits continue to be evident in anthro waywicks, however their height seems to be more sporadic than their feral manifestations. While phantoms are typically shorter then geists, and geists are typically shorter than wraiths, there are plenty of outstanding cases where this does not hold true. It is assumed that this may be associated with energy signatures.

A waywick's first ring manifests the moment they emerge from their crystalline tear. This ring represents innocence. Because of the early age that this ring is bestowed, it is often believed to also be connected to ones curiosity and child-like wonder; however this is just conjecture.The second ring that can be manifested as a waywick matures and grows in their spirituality represents wisdom. This ring is symbolic of the acquisition of knowledge and understanding. As they mature and gain experience, they develop wisdom through their interactions with the world and their experience with representing móðir's ideology. This wisdom can help them navigate challenges and make informed decisions based on their own spirituality.The third ring represents harmony. Waywicks who have earned their third ring have reached a significant degree of spiritual alignment and inner peace. It becomes a symbol of their ability to harmonize their thoughts, emotions, and actions in accordance with móðir's values. Those with three rings are believed to have reached spiritual maturity.The fourth and final ring a waywick can achieve represent guidance. It suggests that the Waywick has attained a comprehensive understanding of their spiritual teachings, traditions, and the underlying reasons behind why móðir chose the values she did. Gaining a fourth ring is viewed in the Vanli Court as reaching enlightenment, and as such they may be entrusted with sharing their wisdom and spiritual insights, guiding others on their own paths towards enlightenment.

There are many situations in which a waywick may lose a ring. While this may be viewed as a tragedy or spiritual failing by some within Vanli society, for a majority of others it is simply a part of life and a representation of their spiritual experience.Instances that could lead to such losses might include:Traumatic Events: Experiencing or witnessing acts of violence, betrayal, or experiencing loss in a manner that shatters their worldview and innocence.Personal Failings: Making unethical choices, succumbing to hubris, or neglecting their spiritual duties.External Influences: Being deceived or manipulated by malevolent forces, causing them to stray from their spiritual path and question or lose their values.Internal Struggles: Battling with inner demons, doubts, or guilt that erode their spiritual purity and harmony.depending on the waywick's personal relationship with their spirituality, losing rings could be a minor event or could deeply affect them - potentially leading to a journey of redemption, renewal, or descent into darkness, depending on how they decide to confront and adapt to these challenges.Waywicks who have lost all of their rings are cast out from the Vanli Court, as they have are viewed as having lost their connection to móðir. Those put in this vulnerable position can chose to remain unaffiliated from either court, or they may seek community within the Ovanli court.

regaining lost rings for a Waywick is a trying process that involves deep personal reflection, spiritual renewal, and a commitment to living in harmony with their beliefs. It's a significant journey towards healing and ultimately reclaiming their spiritual integrity and connection with móðir.Due to the intensity and vulnerability of reclaiming their rings, casually known as Shadow Work, most ringless waywicks choose to simply accept their situation and move forward with their lives. However, should a Ringless Waywick wish to rectify their spirituality, they may reach out to the enlightened Vanli waywicks for guidance through the process. The reason behind the disappearance of their rings dictates their shadow work - This process could involve acts of good faith, making amends, and demonstrating genuine remorse. It might require the Waywick to resolve conflicts within themselves and with others, or practice forgiveness and compassion much like their instructed values. For others it may involve a journey of self-discovery or self-acceptance.The path a waywick must take to recover their rings can be instructed by the enlightened waywick or waywicks that choose to sponsor their case.A waywick can regain their wisdom and harmony rings once lost, but they will never be able to regain their innocence ring. This is due to the fact that the loss of innocence irreversibly changes their worldview and forever affects their trust and outlook on life. If the ring was lost due to a traumatic event, the waywick may face indelible scars that will never truly go away. This shifts their perspective from a simplistic view of the world to a more nuanced one that takes into account their personal experiences. innocence, once lost, can never truly be returned.

A waywick's rings can be pretty leniently placed, they just need to be around a part of their body. (ex. a wrist, their tail, their horns). If a waywick has more than one ring, they do not need to all be in the same location on their body. For example, a waywick with 3 rings could have 2 on their left wrist and one on their tail.Please note that ring-like markings are still allowed without being 'rings,' so it is encouraged to make any marking-style rings distinct and easily recognizable as such

This is a small handful of examples of allowed ring placement within the species. There are many more placements and combination placements allowed beyond this.

Below are examples of rings that are not allowed within the species. These are all acceptable as normal markings, but they cannot be rings.

Waywicks do not have organs, internal structures, or standard bones, and are instead spirits capable of manifesting themselves into physical forms. Their internal structure is made up of energy and although some may share similarities with one another, every individual has a very specific spiritual identity within their energy that makes them who they are. This is what's known as an energy signature.

yes! A waywick's source energy will always be see in two distinct places - their eyes and their dorsal fur. The eyes of a waywick will always match with the color of their dorsal fur (the fur along the top of their tail) because the color comes from the same place.Other common locations you might see source energy include the inner ear or in the mouth, but there is no limit to where else a waywick's source energy can be visible.A waywick's source energy is most visible when they are dematerialized, such as when they are in The Aether. But a dematerialized waywick is not visible to the naked eye. Some rare glimpses can be seen in the odd photograph or ghostly encounter while they are in this state, but they cannot outright be seen unless someone has a pre-existing paranormal sensitivity.While waywicks do not have any internal organs due to the nature of their existence, They do form concentrated structures of energy that resemble bones. This is thought to be an evolutionary trait to help support their interaction with the material world when manifested by providing support to the body.While they do not have any digestive organs, waywicks often keep their energy's strength up by partaking in food and drink. what they choose to eat or drink seems largely up to personal preference, as there does not seem to be any impact on strength based on what they do or do not eat. Their manifested teeth seem to suggest an omnivorous diet, but waywicks eating a strictly carnivorous or herbivorous diet have been observed.

Waywicks, being spirits, are sexless by default and therefore do not need to follow standard mating procedures to bear offspring. In fact, it is not necessary at all for a waywick to have a partner for an egg to be produced and raised. If a waywick decides it wants an offspring, it can choose one of two options - asexual reproduction or energy hybridization.Asexual reproduction only requires that the parent waywick rest and build up excess energy within itself, after which it will shed a tear containing a shard of it's own source energy. The tear will promptly crystallize to form a protective chrysalis around the shard.For mated pairs or groups, energy hybridization is an option for bringing forth offspring that is born from the parents' energies. This process requires that all participating parties have an exchange of a piece of their source energy. This can be as simple of an act as linking hands, touching noses or intertwining tails, or it can be more intimate.For some waywicks, manifesting gender-specific anatomy can allow mated pairs or groups to preform more typical mating rituals as a means of energy exchange.Once the exchange is made, one parent will shed a tear containing the shard of combined energy.In terms of lifespan, waywicks are very similar to elves in the sense that they age much slower than humans, and it is unknown if there is a total life expectancy as there have not been recorded accounts of any waywicks dying of age-related issues. Typically, the rate at which waywicks mature is seven times slower than humans, so it will take seven years for a waywick to mature the equivalent of one year of human growth. Once a waywick reaches full maturity, age related changes to the body become much more subtle, and some mature waywicks have been found to be several centuries old.Because of the manner of their reproduction, waywicks are incapable of reproducing with other species, making waywick hybrids an impossibility.

Tears are not the most fragile shells in existence, but they are still capable of being crushed or broken. If an egg is shattered or otherwise destroyed before the waywick inside is able to hatch, the energy contained within the egg will not be strong enough to survive and will quickly dissipate and extinguish. Damage caused to a tear's crystalline shell, depending on the severity, can weaken a growing waywick and cause issues with later development.Because of the energy required to produce a crystalline tear, a single waywick is only able to produce one offspring every few months.

Infant waywicks are very clumsy, due in part to their newly-found independence. The minor strength of their energy makes it hard for them to fully open their eyes, causing them to trip, stumble, and bump into obstacles quite frequently. Because of this, they tend to stick to the plot of land surrounding their nest. They are fully capable of opening their eyes around 8 months of age. it is around this time of opening their eyes that they will be strong enough to begin taking a bipedal form.The primary instinct of infant waywicks is foraging and curiosity. Foraging is the act of hunting for food sources and scouting is the act of exploring to learn of their surroundings.
Waywicks are born with a single ring intact, and an infant will retain this ring until they are old enough to earn more or if they experience something that would cause them tl lose it. (see Rings)

Adolescent waywicks may also begin to develop their independence, and may begin experimenting with it. This can lead to some potential mischief and minor mishaps, particularly if the waywick is discovering an affinity for their elemental magic.At this point in development, waywicks begin to show features of which body type they will have - phantom, geist or wraith. this can be seen in the shape of the face, the areas of hair growth, and length of their dorsal fur range.At age 84, a waywick manifests it's ceremonial mask (typically part of a coming-of-age ceremony held within their court) and typically begins study in the vocation of their choice.

Waywicks reach adulthood at roughly 126 years of age. By this point in development, they have finished growing entirely, and have developed all of the traits of their body type. They have a fully developed mane, and their dorsal fur has reached the final length. The waywick has fully grown into it's ears and legs.Adult waywicks have typically chosen a vocation within their faction, and have typically established themselves within their community. They are fully capable of accessing the aether at this point via the creation of moon gates - or the space element if accessible - and generally have a strong sense of identity, usually spending most of their time in their bipedal manifestation. they are officially strong enough at this point in their maturity to reproduce via energy hybridization, but will not be able to reproduce asexually until roughly age 140 at which point their energy will be strong enough to do so.

Waywicks are immortal in the same way as elves - They can live for centuries and therefore do not have a definitive lifespan, however they are still capable of being hurt and killed in other ways. Many waywicks hold a belief that they will live on or be reborn if they can reproduce prior to their passing, much like how they believe Modir lives on in each of them - If they find themselves too weak to continue living, they can shed their remaining energy in a crystalline tear. This tear is subject to the same rate of success as with a healthy waywick trying to reproduce. While this offspring becomes it's own waywick, many believe that it's predecessors will continue to live on through the continuation of their shared energy.

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Once a waywick reaches maturity at 126 years old, their energy has finished developing. From this time on, they can begin to take on physical features of their chosen gender, including genitalia, and are capable of reproducing asexually or via energy hybridization.One method waywicks may chose to exchange energy is via traditional sexual activity. For this exchange, the waywicks do not need to be a heterosexual pair. In fact, gender plays no role whatsoever in this process.It is possible for a waywick to have both types of genitalia, or no genitalia at all, depending on their presentation of choice.

A waywick's seminal fluid doesn't contain semen, as that is not how they reproduce. Instead, it is a sort of lubricating fluid that, if mating with a vagina-bearing waywick, will also serve as a gentle muscle relaxant.
If offspring are what's wanted, a small collection of tiny shards of the waywick's energy will be carried into the partner waywick along with this fluid.
If a waywick continues to receive stimulation but does not receive the proper pressure to achieve climax, their knot will continue to swell and will eventually become severely painful. The longer without climax, the greater the amount of seminal fluid, but the more painful it will become for the male waywick.
Once climax is reached, the phallus will unflare and rest for a moment before slowly returning to a sheathed position.

A waywick vagina is entirely closed off until aroused, which works similarly to a lock and key; the vagina is the lock and the clitoris is the key.When mildly aroused, the muscles around the genitals will loosen slightly and expose the clitoris, which will be slightly swollen by this point. If the arousal is minor or if the clitoris remains unstimulated, the genitals will return to a sheathed state. If the waywick intends to mate or breed with a partner, or otherwise continue with their arousal, the clitoris must be gently stimulated (by self or by the partner) for the rest of the muscles in the area to be triggered into relaxing.
Once the muscles have relaxed, the vagina will be in an open position. In this position, the clitoris is almost completely swelled and the mouth of the vagina is visible and lightly accessible. The glands within the vagina will begin to self-lubricate.If the waywick is ready to receive the partner waywick's penis or other body part, the vagina will swell into the flared state. In this position, the clitoris is entirely swelled and the vagina is relaxed. By this final state, the vagina has properly self-lubricated, similarly to human genitalia.Female waywick genitalia has 5 notable parts to its anatomy, each plays a role in both the function and pleasure experienced by the waywick.

A waywick with a vagina can reach climax 2 separate ways: by stimulating the clitoris or by stimulating the rough bumps within the vaginal cavity. For waywicks with this anatomy, reaching climax causes the muscles within and around the vagina to strongly contract and lock into a tight, closed-like state temporarily.When partnered with a waywick with a penis, this contraction perfectly applies pressure to the vascular knot and allows the partner waywick to climax as well, releasing their seminal fluid and energy shards, assuming reproduction is the goal. Similarly, the vaginal papillae is stimulated by the partner waywick's penis while it also stimulates the shaft, allowing both waywicks to reach climax.
When paired with a vagina, the fluid that is released during ejaculation serves to soothe the muscles within the vaginal cavity. It may take a minute or two, leaving the partners locked together for a moment, but as the vaginal muscles relax, the partner will be able to remove themself. This period usually lasts anywhere between 1 to 2 minutes, but it is not unheard of for it to take longer, especially if all involved waywicks are feeling particularly pleasured.

Waywicks, being of the Fae, are capable of using elemental magic. Every waywick is born with the innate ability to use up to 3 elements, and over time they have evolved the alchemical process of combining the essence of these base elements to create new ones and expand their abilities. Each waywick is capable of this, however some choose to pursue other vocations such as hunting or crafting in place of furthering their elemental talents.What magic and elements are used is not restricted by or court. every element can be used in a way that helps or a way that causes harm. Those found to be repeatedly using their magic to harm others are not welcome within the Vanli Court, However there are other factions, such as the Revenants or the Forsaken, that welcome harmful magic.Magic usage also consumes energy, so waywicks must rest and regain their strength after prolonged use of their magic.

Supplemental elements are capabilities that a waywick is either born with or without. You will notice on the alchemical chart that the doubles of both supplemental elements do not have the option for mastery - in fact they don't have any element whatsoever. This is because they assist in the alchemical process, but do not have any elemental abilities outside of being a catalyst for secondary elements.

Secondary Elements are elements that can only be accessed alchemically. A waywick is not innately born with the abilities granted by a secondary element, but instead learns how to use them through practice and training with their magic. Each secondary element has it's own set of uses, but unlike primary elements, these cannot be mastered due to their unique process of creation. it is entirely possible that a waywick could decide not to pursue further knowledge if their magic and retain the basic abilities granted to them by their primary elements as well. each waywick's magic path is personal to them.

Waywicks are very intelligent and social beings, and as such have formed a society comparable to various tribes within humanity. This society is called a court. They have celebrations, societal expectations, belief systems, taboos and similar quirks found in many societies. Because of this, waywicks also have a wide range of individually unique personality traits that let each waywick fall into their own place within the culture. For example, due to how communal the species is, introverted waywicks or socially awkward waywicks may feel slightly socially outcast whereas a more outgoing waywick may be more popular among it's peers.In the Vanli Court, much of the culture revolves around Modir and her choice to expel the dark thoughts of vengeance and aggression from herself instead of giving into them. Because of this, vanli waywicks have a quasi-religious structure to their society. Individual waywicks within this court can vary in their piety, however, and need not strictly follow this model. A waywick's rings (1 - 3) represent how strong their connection to Móðir is, and waywicks wishing to devote themselves to living as close to her ways as possible can reach enlightenment and gain a 4th ring.Vanli waywicks have a loose hierarchy in place among their community consisting of social and religious leaders known as Clerics. The Clerics are a closed group of elected leaders responsible for enforcing móðir's morals and passing necessary judgement based on them when situations call for it.

While waywicks coexist alongside the gods of Asgard, they have a belief system entirely separate from Norse religion. They hold Loki in high regard, being that he brought móðir into existance, but ultimately móðir is who they hold as their deity. Móðir was the very first waywick, and she was so heartbroken that she tore her source energy into pieces and gave her life to escape the pain. From those pieces sprang the waywicks that brought forth the society they've come to know.All waywicks are born connected to her, and the occupants of the Vanli Court have some level of devotion to her. Whether it's outright worship or as little as recognizing that she is their spiritual mother and agreeing with her decision not to seek revenge. Waywick rings are directly tied to the individual's level of devotion to móðir, with the most (3) representing a strong, unwavered connection and the least (1) representing a weaker, perhaps casual connection.The Vanli Court is very lenient about how devoted or religious an individual is, but are very strict about banishing those that outright reject móðir's ideals or entirely lose their connection to her (and therefore their rings).

Clerics have a very strong connection to móðir, so much so that they are often able to connect with the piece of her within themselves through meditation and spiritual regression. Through doing this, they can often see very short glimpses of her history, and can feel what it was like to be whole, as she was. They are very highly regarded because of this, and were elected to their positions by their community.Because of their strong connection to their deity, each of the three clerics has five rings, however the fifth is an ornamental band used to represent their status as opposed to their four naturally-occurring rings. They are the only waywicks to bear this number of rings.

Waywicks are very intelligent and social beings, and as such have formed a society comparable to various tribes within humanity. This society is called a court. They have celebrations, societal expectations, belief systems, taboos and similar quirks found in many societies. Because of this, waywicks also have a wide range of individually unique personality traits that let each waywick fall into their own place within the culture. For example, due to how communal the species is, introverted waywicks or socially awkward waywicks may feel slightly socially outcast whereas a more outgoing waywick may be more popular among it's peers.The Ovanli Court is made up of those who reject the morals of Móðir, either in favor of the morals of Aedra or for alternate, personal reasons. Despite their darker associations, this court prides itself on taking in those who stray from their original community, providing a home and social circle comparable to their sister court.The Ovanli Court centers its belief system around the idea that Móðir was wrong to forgive her aggressors so eagerly, and as such they tend to hold a great level of disdain for humanity and other comparable races. Ovanli waywicks tend to be exclusive - with the rampant mentality that one can only genuinely trust those within their court. While one may be able to form connections with those outside their race or their society there is typically a common level of distrust present, often causing a feeling of disconnect between the waywick and the other.The Ovanli Court's hierarchy differs dramatically from that of it's counterpart. Instead of being run by a group of appointed officials, it is run as a monarchy with Queen Aedra on the throne. Aedra has several guards, called Shields that help enforce her rule within the court. Despite this, the Ovanli Court has significantly less of an enforced structure than it's counterpart. waywicks residing in this society are often left to live as they please so long as it does not bring harm to the court as a whole and respect is shown to their queen.

A waywick lacking rings experiences minor changes to their energy in several ways. The most notable is an insidious black smog that seems to infect their energy, called corrosion. This substance causes their source energy to appear partially black, resulting in changes to their source energy color. Gradient and/or variegation (stripes, patches, etc) of black is a commonality among all Ovanli waywicks. This color change is noticeable in their dorsal fur specifically, with their eyes appearing typical as compared to their Vanli counterparts.Color rules regarding monochromatic source energy still apply otherwise, with solid black being a specific trait related to forsaken waywicks (see Factions).

The corrosion not only affects the appearance of their energy, but it can also affect the strength of it. Ovanli waywicks have a slightly higher risk of failure in producing offspring, compared to their sister court. This is due to the strength required to keep a piece of their energy alive within a crystal tear long enough for it to develop. tainted energy has a harder time making it to full development. Similarly, Ovanli waywicks may need to take more rests when it comes to using their elemental magic as well for the same reason.

Waywicks, like any race, have their own language that they use to communicate with each other. This language, called Wikker, consists of very subtle sounds and changes in inflection, most of which cannot be heard by an untrained ear. One of the most noticeable traits of the language is the predominant "-ik" sound that stands out quite often.While this language sounds a bit more animal-like than many languages, it is absolutely possible for someone outside of the race to learn the language and communicate with the waywicks.Waywicks primarily speak among themselves in Wikker, but it is not uncommon for waywicks to speak to each other in foreign languages if the participating parties are capable of it.The Wikker alphabet resembles runes, as it had evolved in a way from Norse writing. Messages written in Wikker can be found throughout places of frequent or new travel within waywick society, mainly written on rocks or scratched into trees to provide direction or warning, or the occasional gaff.The Wikker numeric system is an intricate system of tallying, using groupings of dots and lines to portray amounts. These can also often be seen on passages of travel as a means of communicating distance.

Just like human cultures, waywicks have a series of holidays and celebrations that they partake in culturally. While individual waywicks may or may not choose to participate, these events span waywick society and are not exclusive to alignment - Both the Vanli and Ovanli courts recognize these holidays, though their methods of celebration may vary.

Every waywick has the ability to manifest a mask once they get old enough to manipulate their energy properly. Very similarly to masquerade masks, these decorative accessories can be as simple or as showy as the waywick that creates it.Masks are a very symbolic item to the waywicks. They are worn for ceremonial purposes during the holidays directly connected with móðir: The Day of Dawn and The Day of DuskWaywicks may use their masks for other purposes as well, including official business. For example, Overseer Warren wears his mask when dealing with the Ovanli court, as a symbol of status, and Overseer Leshi uses his mask when sharing official announcements with the courts.Some waywicks may even commit to wearing their mask whenever they are not within Atera as a statement of distrust towards those outside of the species. Reasons for wearing them, and the frequency of which they are worn outside of holidays is as individual as the masks themselves.

similar to many religions, waywicks also recognize many of the holidays on the wheel of the year, celebrating holidays relative to the state of the earth and the seasonal changes it goes through. the level of recognition that these holidays are given is unique to each waywick; they may be devoutly celebrated or they may not be celebrated at all. Some may choose to celebrate other holidays in their place, as well. Although masks are not typically associated with these holidays, many waywicks may still don them as a form of ceremony.The holidays are as follows:Winter Solstice (Midwinter / Yule)
Imbolc (Candlemas)
Spring Equinox (Ostara)
Beltane (May Eve)
Summer Solstice (Midsummer / Litha)
Lughnasadh (Lammas)
Autumn Equinox (Mabon)
Samhain (All Hallows)

Larenymphs are an intelligent race of nymphs that coexist alongside the waywicks. Whereas a waywick's energy is stored within a crystalline tear until their birth, a larenymph manifests from the energy of a smooth stone egg, known as their soulstone, and relies on that stone through it's entire existence. A larenymph egg will always be made of some form of crystal or mineral, such as amethyst, malachite, agate, etc. They can manifest and interact with the world much like their waywick counterparts, but have significant differences in how they live and maintain their manifestations.Larenymphs are capable of forming a deep bond and connection to another being, known as imprinting; but unlike other animals their imprinting is based on a bond that will be mutually felt between the larenymph and it's herder. Because of this, they are often viewed as pets, mounts or familiars.Larenymphs who have bonded to a waywick or other being are happy to work with, protect or otherwise serve them. The loyalty of a larenymph is incredibly strong and it would take a significant betrayal or loss to cause a larenymph to abandon their bond.Waywicks have been known to craft items for their companions, including things such as saddles, bridles, harnesses, or even necklaces or other accessories. They may even make jewelry for themselves to carry around their larenymph's soulstone more easily.Larenymphs do not need to be bonded to a waywick, nor do they need a bond at all, but it is a very common occurrence to see them coexisting together.All waywicks are capable of bonding with a larenymph, regardless of affiliation.

Each larenymph has a soulstone, which is the specific stone egg that the creature is born from. When a clutch of larenymph pups is conceived, the mother nymph develops up to three eggs in her womb which are entirely made up of gems or minerals. once laid, the energy within these stones grows and strengthens over time until the larenymphs are strong enough to manifest. Mother nymphs will protect their nests, but do not need to incubate the eggs - typically the nests will be hidden to avoid the eggs being stolen or damaged. once they are strong enough to manifest, the larenymphs will manifest at full maturity - bearing their soulstone on their forehead.A larenymph’s soulstone is their life source. As such, it is very protected by it’s inhabitant. If it is bonded (to a waywick or otherwise) the imprinted being may carry the soulstone on their person as well, letting the larenymph return to it's crystal when it is not needed and being able to call upon it when it is needed.It is not uncommon for a larenymph to have traits associated with the crystal they are born from, but it is not a universal occurrence. Just as black tourmaline is a grounding stone, a black-tourmaline-born larenymph can be very stoic and down-to-earth. However this is not always the case, as larenymphs are capable of sharing no traits whatsoever with their soulstone.A soulstone also serves as a personal homescape for each individual larenymph, like a personal pocket dimension. They can return to the inside of their crystal, wherein they have their own customized area to live. It typically is only a set size, and can be however the inhabitant desires it to be; a small wooded area, a brook, a desert, etc. it can even be set up like a legitimate room or stall. Only the inhabitant of the soulstone is able to enter this pocket dimension. They have been known to give glimpses of the area to those they are bonded with, but even the bonded person is unable to enter a soulstone.Power is important. Crystals need to be recharged when working with them, and a larenymph’s soulstone is no exception. Different crystals recharge different ways, and larenymphs are quite familiar with this. Some recharge from within their soulstone and some recharge from outside of it. It is not uncommon to find larenymphs basking in the light of a full moon, exposing the stone on it's forehead to the gentle light rays, or holding it's head under the gentle flow of a waterfall.

Larenymphs are frugivores, often eating a variety of local fruits to help maintain their energy. large claws and strength have been developed to help them break through the shells of some wild fruits of Atera.
unlike waywicks, larenymphs are sexually dimorphic. this means that while they share the same basic anatomy, male and female larenymphs have traits that make them distinguishable.

Female larenymphs stand approximately 5 feet (152 cm) at the shoulders. They are capable of laying the soulstone eggs from which pups will spawn when strong enough to manifest. a healthy female larenymph will lay anywhere between 1 to 3 eggs per clutch, and the gems or minerals with which the eggs are formed seems to be random. for example, a larenymph with an amethyst soulstone could have a clutch made up of a tourmaline egg, a sunstone egg, and a pyrite egg - however, the chances of an egg being laid that matches either of the parents' soul stone has a high chance of being born.

Male larenymphs share most of the same anatomical traits as females, with a few exceptions. One particular difference is height, with males standing about 6 feet (183 cm) tall at the shoulders.

There is a common system of showing dominance, defensiveness or submission via an act called Posturing.
Larenymphs engaging in a show of dominance will take up a stance called bristling. In this stance, they will face each other and stand as tall as they can, puff out their chest and lock eyes with each other. They will extend their wings and vibrate the fins on them very slightly, which creates a sort of rustling, hiss-like sound. Growls and bared teeth are not uncommon during this behavior and does not necessarily mean aggression.The submitting larenymph will take on a posture called Curling, in which the larenymph will cease it’s posturing display and take a more hunched pose, lowering it’s eyes and looking down.If it is a display between two mates, the submitting larenymph will often lay its head on the dominant larenymph's chest and emit a soft purring sound.

- Aedra /EYE-druh/ - The waywick queen of the corrupt waywick court and the being created by the negativity expelled from móðir's body at the time of her death. she/her, pansexual- Aether, the /EE-thur/ - An in-between dimension that links all 10 realms located in the world tree. Waywicks are one of the few beings that can- and choose to access this dimension.- Affinity /uh-FIN-itty/ - A waywick's connection and talent regarding a chosen element- Alchemical Process /all-KEM-ick-uhl praw-sess/ - The process of a waywick manipulating their primary elements to create additional secondary elements, for use in magic. can have up to 6 total elemental abilities due to this process.- Asexual /ay-SEC-shoe-ul/ - (of reproduction) Producing an offspring solely from one's energy, without the energy of a partner waywick.- Atera /uh-TAIR-uh/ - one of the realms on yggdrasil; the homeworld of waywicks as well as other species

- Bipedal /bi-PEE-dull/ - (of anatomy) The upright, humanoid form of waywicks. This is the standard form they take.

- Central Ring /SEN-truhl REEng/ - The ring of mountains at the center of Hringr and the namesake of the realm.- Circle, the /SUR-kuhl/ - nickname for Atera, due to the ring of mountains that it's inhabitants take refuge in. less commonly used now, as the world is no longer used for hunting.- Cleric /KLAIR-ik/ - A spiritual leader within the Vanli court.- Corrosion /ko-Roe-zhun/ - A misty black substance that begins to appear in a waywick's source energy if all of it's rings are lost. Corrosion is most significantly noticeable in forsaken waywicks- Court /Kort/ - A society of waywicks. ie: the Vanli Court or the Ovanli court- Crystalline Tear /KRISS-tul-een TEER/ - A tear shed by a parent waywick containing a shard of their energy or a combination of two or more energies. This tear crystallizes and acts as an egg-like object to nurture the energy inside of it and eventually produce an infant waywick. This same process is used for an waywick going through regeneration/reincarnation.- Curling /kurr-leeng/ - (Of Larenymphs) The act of submitting to a dominant larenymph after a posturing display (see Posturing). Curling is characterized by an arched neck and lowered eyes.

- Day of Dawn /dAYE uhv DAWN/ - (holiday) A joyous celebration of the day móðir was created by Loki- Day of Dusk /dAYE uhv DUHsk/ - (holiday) A mournful memorial of the day móðir shed her last tear and disappeared.- Dematerialize /dee-muh-TEER-ee-uhl-eyes/ - The act of reverting to a state of energy, similar to how ghosts exist, that is invisible to most kinds of sight.- Dimorphic, Sexually /die-MORE-fic/ - distinct difference in size or appearance between the sexes of an animal in addition to difference between the sexual organs themselves.- Dorsal Fur /dor-suhl fuhr/ - The long patch of fur that grows along the top of a waywick's tail and displays their energy color. A waywick's body type affects how far down the tail their dorsal fur grows. Can be any style

- Elemental Magic /ell-eh-MEN-tuhl MAH-jik/ - Supernatural abilities connected to one or many of 21 different elements.- Elemental Mastery /ell-eh-MEN-tuhl MAH-stir-ee/ - The strongest a connection to an element can get, limited to primary elements (water, earth, fire, air)- Energy Hybridization /EN-err-jee HI-brid-iz-AYE-shun/ - (of reproduction) The act of merging a piece of energy from one parent with that of a partner waywick. An action specific to reproduction.- Energy Signature /EN-err-jee SIG-na-chur/ - The specific make-up of an individual's energy. A waywick's energy signature is as unique to them as someone's DNA coding.- Enlightenment /en-LIE-ten-ment/ - (1) The act of devoting one's life to studying and living the ideals of móðir. (2) Having a fourth ring.

- Foraging /FORE-uh-jing/ - The act of hunting for food sources preformed by infant waywicks, in order to strengthen their energy.- Forsaken, the /for-SAY-ken/ - (Faction) a community of waywicks who have outright rejected móðir and their connection to her. They have become overtaken by their corrosion and have experienced significant physical changes to their anatomy. They tend to be very hateful towards humans and other similar races and are considered very dangerous and extreme.

- Geist /gEYEst/ - The standard and most common body type of waywicks.

- Hatching /HAT-cheeng/ - A term used for when an infant waywick leaves it's crystalline tear. Called such due to the shattering of the crystal once the waywick exits.- Heaven's Peak /HEV-enz PEEK/ - The largest mountain in Atera's central ring.- Homescape /HOHM scAYP/ - The living space within a larenymph's soulstone that they can retreat to. Only accessible to the larenymph that holds that soulstone.- Hringr /REEN-guh/ - nickname for Atera, due to the ring of mountains that it's inhabitants take refuge in. Less commonly used now, as the world is no longer used for hunting.

- Larenymph /LAIR-uh-nimf/ - A race of nymphs born from the energy of crystal eggs. They are often companions to the waywicks.

- Mask /mASSk/ - A meaningful object generated from a waywick's source energy. Typically used during the Day of Dawn and Day of Dusk ceremonies, but can be worn for other purposes.- Mirror of asgard /mee-rer uhv az-guard/ - (landmark) A large lake resting at the base of the mountain in The Circle, fed via waterfall by the sacred pool.- Móðir /MAW-thur/ - (alt. Modir) The very first waywick created by Loki to deceive the hunters of Asgard. She created the subsequent waywicks by tearing apart her energy and shedding the pieces through crystal tears, which ultimately led to her destruction. She is viewed as a sort of Mother Deity by the vanli court, as she more or less exists within each waywick because of the method of their birth. Her ideals of rejecting revenge and hatred serve as a foundation to the main Vanli belief system. Those that disagree with this ideology typically leave the vanli court for other factions (or lack thereof).- Moon Gates /Moo-n Gayts/ - an upright, circular doorway which parts the material plane and allows one to enter the aether. Made by waywicks, but can be accessed by anything once activated. There are 2 main moon gates in Silverglade Burough and 1 main moon gate in Evernight Terrace.

- Ovanli Court /OH-vahn-lee Kort/ - Shorthand for Ovanligt, meaning Unkindly. A society of waywicks who disagree with Modir's choice to expel the feelings of anger and hurt, believing that allowing oneself to experience and indulge those feelings (within reason) is more important and genuine than forgiving them. This court typically is less trusting of outsiders and may appear standoffish, but rarely will they be outright harmful. The Ovanli court is led by Aedra as a monarchy. (Mischief and trickery is still rampant in this court. Comparable to the Unseelie Court)- Overseer /OH-vuhr-see-uhr/ - (1) A group of waywicks who have come together despite their affiliations with the sole purpose of overseeing the morale and safety of waywick society as a whole. There are currently 3 acting overseers. (2) The Atera admin team

- Piety /pEYE-it-tee/ - The connection one has with móðir that directly ties into the number of rings a waywick has. Clerics and the Enlightened have more rings due to their higher levels of piety, whereas a waywick with one ring may not be very pious.- Phantom /FAN-tum/ - A body-type mutation characterized by a smaller, leaner stature and significantly less mane growth.- Posturing /POSS-chyur-eeng/ - (Of Larenymphs) A show of dominance between two larenymphs wherein they take identical stances and assert themselves by growling and making various noises of aggression.- Pressing /prESS-eeng/ - A behavior found in adolescent waywicks who are beginning to grown their horns. This action is characterized by the individual pressing the top of their head (or wherever else horns may be growing) against a hard surface to apply counter-pressure to the sore location.

- Quadrupedal /qwah-droo-pee-dull/ - alternate form of a waywick wherein they stand on 4 legs instead of 2, much like an animal.

- Revenants /rev-uh-nents/ - (Faction) an infamous society of mercenary-like waywicks. These waywicks may poach their own kind, as well as other ateran species to feed the inter-species black market, among other deeds they may be hired for.- Rings /rEEngs/ - a symbolic object, marking or halo in the shape of a ring that is worn- or bore- somewhere on their body. rings always surround a part of their body, be it a horn, a finger, their tail, etc. Rings are always distinct from ring-like markings, and represent how pious a waywick is. All members of the Vanli court have anywhere between 1 and 3 rings, with some exceptions (Clerics and Enlightened waywicks being granted more due to their lifestyle.) Unaffiliated waywicks may retain rings if they still have feel connected to Modir.

- Sacred Pool /SAY-cred POOL/ - (landmark) The pool at the top of Heaven's Peak. The pool is fed by a waterfall that is said to come from Asgard itself. The Sacred Pool waterfalls into a larger pool at the base of Heaven's Peak and feeds two rivers that flow throughout the realm. As the name suggests, the Sacred Pool is considered a spiritual location.- Scouting /scOWt-eeng/ - (of behavior) A behavior found in infant waywicks that involves exploring their immediate surroundings and learning to read and track energy signatures. Infant waywicks are unable to open their eyes fully at first, and therefore they rely of tracking energy signatures to move around easier. This hones and strengthens their ability to do so in the future and is a very instinctual behavior.- Shields /shee-uhlds/ - The group of waywicks who have devoted themselves to serving as Aedra's guards, who may also take up tasks in her stead.- Soulstone /sole-stohn/ - (of larenymphs) The crystal from which an individual larenymph is born. Each larenymph has a soulstone.- Source Energy /sORss enn-err-jee/ - The soul of a waywick. The source energy makes up the entire being of a waywick and has an energy signature unique to each waywick. While two individuals may share similarities in their energy, such as color or gender, ultimately each waywick's source energy is as unique to them as a human's fingerprints.

- Unaffiliated /un-uh-Fill-ee-ated/ - Unaffiliated waywicks are those who choose not to classify themselves with any faction within atera. Unaffiliated waywicks can still retain rings, as they can still retain their beliefs depite not participating in the Vanli court. Unaffiliated waywicks may also have no rings while refusing to associate with the Ovanli court.

- Vanli Court /VAWN-lee kort/ - Vanli is shorthand for Vanligt, meaning kindly. The Vanli Court is characterized by their quasi-religious structure and their following of modir's ideology -forgiveness and kindling generally lighthearted relationships with other races. (mischief and trickery are still rampant in this court. Comparable to the Seelie court)- Vartha /VARR-thuh/ - a term for a waywick that takes on a parental role to a waywick that is not their own child. [IE, a waywick with an absent parent, such as a tear directly from modir, would call their acting parent their vartha].

- Waywick /wAYE-wik/ - A deer-like sub-race of Fae. They are mischievous and tricky by nature, as most Fae are, and exist within a society of their own.- Wikker /WIK-kuhr/ - The native language spoken by waywicks- Wraith /rayth/ - A body-type mutation found in waywicks which causes a larger, sturdier build and more pronounced hair growth.

Despite the sister court communities within their culture, there are some waywicks who would prefer to live on their own and not participate in either of the societies. This could manifest as declining to celebrate holidays, refusing to side with either community, rejecting the governing bodies' oversight or decrees, or just deciding that they want to experience life their own way. there is no animosity between the courts and the unaffiliated, but typically these individuals live fairly solitary lives or choose to try and integrate with life among other races.Waywicks often relocate anywhere they feel comfortable living, and taking up residence away from Atera does not automatically make a waywick unaffiliated; Due to their ability to traverse the aether, they can access their respective communities pretty easily. Unaffiliation is a result of declining to be classified by either court, or being outcast from them. Because of this, unaffiliated waywicks commonly tend to lack rings - however, it is possible that an unaffiliated waywick may leave the vanli court and retain their Spiritual milestones, which could result in them keeping rings. waywicks with 3 or 4 rings are significantly less common but are not unheard of.unaffiliated waywicks are still kept in consideration by the overseers, as they do not represent either faction, as a way to ensure their safety and comfort.

Forsaken waywicks have not only lost their rings but have succumbed to corruption and malevolence. This corruption could stem from prolonged exposure to dark influences, traumatic experiences that twisted their perception, or choices that led them down a path of hatred and bitterness. These waywicks come together over shared resentment towards Modir or their courts, or feeling betrayed or abandoned, which may fuel their descent into darkness. The forsaken have views that are considered by both courts to be extreme - typically surrounding a deep-seated hatred and desire to cause harm - and are incredibly dangerous.Forsaken waywicks have significant changes in anatomy, specifically to the locations in which their source energy is visible. It is currently unknown whether a forsaken waywick is capable of regaining any of their rings due to the damage their corrosion causes to their energy and the lack of waywicks who wish to try.These waywicks are capable of harnessing the effects of the smog that corrodes their energy; the darkness can be manipulated to become highly formidible and painfully acidic substance when touched by a target. This ability is exclusive to forsaken waywicks as their energy is completely overtaken by the corrosion. It is not considered an elemental ability however, as it aligns more with weaponizing an affliction.

The Revenants are a notorious faction within Atera, set apart by their despicable practices and morally ambiguous livelihoods.
often found in seedy taverns or shadowy corners where deals are struck in whispers, they earn their living through mercenary contracts and bounty hunting, taking on jobs that range from retrieval to elimination. They prioritize profit and personal gain over ethics and morality, often crossing lines that others would not dare to consider.Their connections extend into the criminal underworld, where they trade information, favors, and black market goods; including harvested crystaline tears, waywick taxidermy, skipper drake pelts, dragon teeth and other oddities that may be collected and sold to the highest bidder.The revenants occupy Sorrow's Keep, a misleadingly named ramshackle haven that reflects the lawless and uninhibited lifestyle they live. There is no leadership in this pit of chaos, as most revenant waywicks work alone or in select small groups; However, there are few Revenants that have earned significant respect among their society.Because most waywicks have no use for money or alternative currency, many accept payment for their services by other means. This can be something as simple as contributing to a hoard, trading valuable information, offering black market weapons, or providing substances from a plant known as Lumenshade.

Lumenshade is a relatively uncommon plant that serves many medicinal purposes to a variety of races, but because waywicks process food and drink differently from other races they do not experience the effects of the plant like others do. When consumed by a waywick, lumenshade will act as a psychoactive stimulant, making the waywick experience a potent high. due to the intensity of this experience, a very small amount is typically consumed to avoid any severe reactions. overconsumption in some cases may be fatal.The lumenshade plant has 3 distinct parts:
-broad, heart-shaped leaves with distinct reflective spots that reflect soft light, such as moonlight
- 1 to 2 curled stalks that grow from the rosette of the leaves
- 3 delicate, bell-shaped flowers that grow from the tips of each stalkLumenshade needs very gentle light to grow, and has evolved its spots as a way to regulate its photosynthesis. the cells within these spots open up at night to allow the sunlight reflected from the moon to be absorbed, causing the spots to give the illusion of glowing at night and leading to their namesake. During the daylight hours, the plant constricts its cells to block the intake of light and making the spots appear less visible. Because of their lighting needs, Lumenshade can be found in forest clearings with partial canopy coverage.Every part of the lumenshade plant can be consumed for slightly different effects.
The leaves, typically brewed as a tea, cause a state of mental stimulation resulting in enhanced sensory awareness, feelings of euphoria, and significant restlessness. Some equate the feeling to a spiritual experience, however the user will show significant impairment in their cognition, communication, and coordination.The sap, an oily substance extracted from the stalks of the plant, is typically consumed by placing a drop underneath the tongue. Bitter and slightly spicy, this sap is known for it's invigorating and stimulating effects, and typically results in a significant surge in energy. The feeling of euphoria are significantly stronger, but it may also cause impaired judgement, heightened emotions, jitteriness or nervousness, and overstimulation.The flowers, typically dried and burned like incense, are breathed in as a sweet-smelling smoke. similar to the leaves of the plant, the smoke from the flowers can cause heightened sensory awareness particularly around physical touch, and the familiar feeling of euphoria. because of this combination, lumenshade flowers are often treated like an aphrodisiac. inhalation of the flower's smoke can lead to severe headaches, vivid dreams or nightmares, significant respiratory irritation, restlessness and overstimulation.Each part of the lumenshade plant is severely addictive, and abrupt cessation of taking any of the substances can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. Because of the addictive qualities, many revenants accept these substances as payment due to their desire for more. Not every revenant partakes in lumenshade, nor is the plant exclusive to revenants.

There are many faces that you might run into within waywick society, and it can be overwhelming to remember them all! Here is a list of the notable waywicks that may stand out from the crowd.