***EDITING IN PROCESS***

BY: WRITTEN (A.M.G)

THE LORRAES

"Emotion Begets Life."

The Lorraes are one of Jorah's oldest inhabitants. Due to their volatile nature, and the fact they feed off emotion, the race was banished from the surface by one of Jorah's Seers after an "unknown incident" and reside underground.

Home: Ereth -- a vast underground kingdom. No one really knows how deep or far-reaching the kingdom truly is except the High Priest or Priestess.

Current Ruler: High Priestess Brighid

Lifespan: Lorraes stop aging in their late twenties to early thirties and an average Lorrae can live up to 600 years.

First & Last Names: There are no conventions when it comes to a Lorrae's name. Most of the names I have chosen I either made up or they have a Celtic/Welsh origin. Please chose what you think fits your OC best. Whether it's a more traditional name, like my Muse, Adam, or something completely made up, like the Keeper's name, Daslo.

Last names are really only relevant to the Royals. Most Lorraes do not have last names and are referred to with their title in society and first name. Examples: High Priestess Brighid, Muse Lise etc. If a Lorrae does not have a title then only their first name is used.

Currency: Lorraes "purchase" the items they want through trade and bartering. Either with other items or favors. Each level of Ereth has its own market. The markets are very large with a variety of shops, entertainment and food stalls.

Bartering/Trade Example: A Lorrae may barter three bottles of a certain emotion for a new outfit, use their Tareh form to complete a certain task in exchange for an item, emotion, or quick passage to another level etc.

Personality: Personalities are all over the board for Lorraes and it is not uncommon for someone's character to constantly change. Since they feed off emotion, it is not unusual for a Lorrae to portray the characteristics of the emotion they feed off the most. Due to their intuitive nature and ability to sense emotions, it is rare for a Lorrae to lie or be dishonest about their own personal feelings. As a race, they tend to be brutally honest.

Diet: All Lorraes feed off emotion. They are capable of eating and drinking regular food but it is not necessary to live.

Lorrae Life Timeline

Pregnancy Term: 12 months

Infancy: birth to 5 years

Childhood: 6 to 24 years. Lorraes will spend most of their childhood with their family or caretaker. Around 10 years of age their Tareh will manifest for the first time. Though they are too young to really control it or create any Tareh form. But most children get a kick out of their Tareh color and watching it swirl about them. In the later years of childhood, 15 years and up, Lorraes can begin apprenticeships in the Temple they wish to study at during their Teen years.

Teens: 25 to 99 years. Teens experience a rather drastic growth spurt in their late twenties and early thirties then they stop aging. They are also able to join a temple and start their chosen career path. It is during the teen years Lorraes will learn to control and manifest their first Tareh form(s).

Adulthood: 100 years and up. When a Lorrae becomes an adult they are permitted to engage in intimate relationships and Join. Joining or having intimate relationships prior to adulthood is strictly forbidden.

Pregnancy

A common factor for all pregnancies is emotional exhaustion since the child is feeding off the mother’s emotions. To compensate, the mother will need to feed more often. The exhaustion combined with the constant emotional cravings can make the expecting mother irritable. How the Lorrae handles their being pregnant is really up to their personality.

Consuming negative emotions is frowned upon during pregnancy. The Lorrae believe that the new, reincarnated Soul growing inside the mother should be nourished with positive emotions.

Miscarriages and Stillborn Births: Miscarriages and stillborn births are extremely rare among the Lorrae due to them being naturally healthy and long-lived.  On the rare occasion it does occur, it does not reflect negatively on the parents or child. Despite how sad and heartbreaking it can be, it is seen as something positive. The Lorrae believe that the child had a Soul so pure it was Enlightened and incapable of living in such a broken world.

For more information on Souls reference the section on Religion.

Appearance:

Skin: Pale white with light pink or purple undertones

Height: The average height of Lorraes correspond to the average human height: Females 5 feet 4 inches and Males 5 feet 9 inches. Just like us they can be taller or shorter. Heights range from 4 feet 5 inches, at the shortest, to 7 feet at the tallest.

Eyes: Colors range within the full purple spectrum. On rare occasions, a Lorrae may be born with black, gray or white eyes. Other than being a recessive gene, those eye colors have no other significance.

Hair: Stark white with no color deviations. Being the decorative race they are, it is not uncommon for a Lorrae to streak their hair with a favorite color. But no Lorrae would ever fully dye their hair since it is a proud trademark of their race.

Body Art: Lorraes truly view the body as a canvas and will spend hours decorating their skin with ink, paint, beads, jewels or anything else they can possibly think of. Most designs are worn for several days till they start to fade, wash off or the Lorrae gets bored and wants a change. It is not uncommon for a Lorrae to permanently tattoo themselves with a design or symbol of personal significance. Body piercings are also a common decorative practice.

Fashion: Lorraes view their clothes as an extension of their body art and the two usually complement each other. The Lorraes will dress "decently" while maximizing the amount of skin shown to display their decorative body. Shoes may or may not be worn depending on whether or not a Lorrae decorates their feet.

Abilities All Lorrae Have:

Empaths: They are highly sensitive to the emotions and energies around them and are naturally intuitive and trust their instincts.

Shielding: The ability to shield emotions from others. At a young age Lorraes are taught to shield their emotions so those around them can't sense what they are feeling. The shielding Lorrae will still feel and express emotions normally. 

Feeding: The ability to absorb emotions through physical touch or close proximity to an individual, group or city etc. It is forbidden to feed off other Lorraes, Oracles or Seers. Lorraes view feeding off their own kind as cannibalistic. Seers view it as an unpardonable invasion of privacy and stealing. Lorraes, Seers, and Oracles can feel if they are being feed off of and greatly dislike the sensation.

How feeding works: Lorraes can actually sense the emotions radiating off of those around them. The stronger, deeper felt an emotion is, the further it will "travel" and the more satisfying it will be for a Lorrae to absorb. Just like we prefer certain foods, Lorraes have their own personal taste of emotions. With all the emotions about them, they can pin point the one they are looking for and absorb it or follow the emotions trail to the source if they prefer personal contact. A quick touch on any exposed skin or hair and the Lorrae can take the emotion in. 

Side effects: There are no real negative side effects on those the Lorraes feed off of other then exhaustion. The non-Lorrae residents of Ereth sleep up to twelve hours a day.

Wielding: The ability to convert emotion in to physical energy. The energy, or Tareh, is deeply connected to a Lorraes soul, heart and total being. No two Tarehs are alike and besides manifesting in colorful swirls of energy, a Lorraes Tareh can take a physical shape like an animal or object. While a Lorrae is wielding their Tareh, the energy is physical and can affect the environment around it. If a Lorrae's Tareh takes the form of a pen, it can write. If it's a sword, they can fight and kill with it. A horse, they can ride it etc. Most Lorraes will master up to five Tareh forms.

Wielding Multiple Forms: With practice and patience, Lorraes can wield more than one Tareh form at a time. The more forms a Lorrae wields at once, the more emotionally and mentally taxing it is on them. The stronger a Lorrae is physically, mentally and emotionally, the easier it is for them to wield multiple Tareh forms for an extended period of time.

Tareh Form Durability and Mutations: Since a Lorrae’s Tareh is an extension of their soul, it is unbreakable. If two Lorraes use their Tarehs against each other, the Lorrae who is stronger, mentally and emotionally, and is more in tuned with their Tareh, will win.

The brutal defeat of a Tareh from can result in deep, emotional scarring for a Lorrae. The Lorrae will have to learn to wield that Tareh form all over again. However, most of the time the form is never the same. It may digress or mutate into something dark and harder to control.

Example: A wolf Tareh goes up against a dragon Tareh. The dragon ends up ripping out the heart of the wolf. The wolf Tareh does not “die” or break. It will, painfully, be absorb back into the Lorrae who wielded it.

When the Lorrae learns to wield it again, it may change. Instead of a wolf, the form may digress to wolf pup. Or, due to how bad the defeat was, deep rooted anger and hurt pride may cause the form to mutate into [insert nightmare creature of imagination here].

Souling: The ability to transfer or receive thoughts, emotions and memories to or from another being. This is something normally done between lovers or individuals with deep personal connections. Souling is considered a sacred act and is not done lightly.

Religion:

Lorraes don’t believe in or worship a deity. They believe in the sanctity of the soul and being completely in tune with one’s true self. That means, accepting all your flaws and brokenness and truly loving yourself as you are. Lorraes truly believe the greatest enemy you will have to face is yourself. If you don’t learn to control and master your own demons, someone stronger will.

The Enlightened: Lorrae lore details a special sect of Lorrae know was “The Enlightened.” It is believed these incredible Lorrae mastered the greatest thing a Lorrae can—their soul and true self. These Lorrae transcended the mental, emotional, and physical barriers hindering their souls and become one, not only with themselves, but the world around them. Using their Tarehs, they were able to accomplish incredible feats and miracles.

It is rumored that the last of The Enlightened lived 1200 years ago. Some Lorraes believe their sudden disappearance is related to the emergence of the Muses which occurred around the same time.

Reincarnation

Lorraes believe once they die their soul is reincarnated—giving life to a new Lorrae. How the previous Lorrae lived, determines the life, and soul, of the new Lorrae.

Types of Souls:

Pure: Being described as a “Pure Soul” is a great honor among the Lorraes. A Pure Soul truly lives a selfless, honorable, love giving life. Not only is the Lorrae considered Pure, but it is believed that all the reincarnations of the Soul have been Pure too.

Strong: Almost all Lorraes would fall in the Strong Soul category. These are Lorraes that have lived a good life overall. It is not uncommon to hear a Lorrae tell another to not worry because they were born with a Strong Soul.

Broken: Lorraes with physical, mental and emotional disabilities and issues, Muses included, are said to have been born with Broken Souls. These Lorrae are well looked after and cared for in hopes the Soul can be healed. So the Soul can be reborn as a Strong Soul in the next life.

Note: Muses are rather difficult to deal with and rarely will allow anyone to try and “heal” their Soul.

Tainted: Lorraes born with Tainted Souls are the lowest of the low and have committed heinous crimes and unspeakable acts. Like Broken Souls, the Lorraes believe Tainted Souls can be rehabilitated. These Lorraes are housed on Alderwith under constant, military supervision and receive care from highly skilled Healers.

Lost: Lost Souls are Lorraes that have become Trayvers and been cast out from Lorrae society. (More details on this will come later.)

Morals, Crimes and Punishments

Lorraes tend to live their life by the Lorrae Motto, "Emotion Begets Life." They value emotions as much as they value Souls. In order to adhere to the Lorrae Motto, they follow a simple moral code.

--Strive to Discover Your True Self

--Communicate Your Emotions Truthfully

--Respect the Sanctity, Power and Trials of Love

--Never Hinder a Lorrae’s Right to Live Their Best Life

 (This area is currently under construction)

Love:

Lorraes feel deeply and do not take love lightly. A broken heart or unrequited love for a Lorrae can cause extreme mental or emotional damage and/or be fatal. Most Lorraes chose to protect their hearts and just take lovers while others may take a partner for a lifetime.

Love can also affect a Lorrae's Tareh. If the love between two Lorrae is deeply felt and true, their Tareh may take forms that complement each other. However, if a Lorrae suffers a loss or heartbreak, their Tareh may take a form related to the pain they are feeling.

Note: Lorraes do not discriminate when it comes to love in regards to gender or race. However, Lorraes are only able to procreate with other Lorraes.

Joining: On rare occasions a Lorrae may choose to Join (marry) with another. During a Joining ceremony the lover's souls are forever connected together. Death is the only way to sever the connection.

Besides having Tareh forms that complement one another, joined Lorraes can fuse their Tarehs together to create a new form.

Example: If one Lorrae has a fire Tareh form and another a bird Tareh form, they could fuse them together to make a phoenix. The fusion possibilities are endless.

(Family members that have a very deep emotional bond may be able to fuse their Tarehs as well. Though it is very rare.)

The Joining Ceremony

The Joining Ceremony is overseen and performed by the current Savant. The Savant is the only Lorrae possessed with the knowledge and skill to connect the souls of the two Lorraes. This knowledge is highly guarded and only passed from Savant to Savant.

The Joining Ceremony is considered sacred and highly spiritual. The couple will stand before each other as they truly are. No makeup, tattoos or embellishments are worn on the face and body. Their hair is worn down and in its natural state (wavy, straight, curly etc.) with minimal hair accessories. Depending on whether the couple has been together intimately, this may be the first time they will see their life partner without makeup, tattoos, highly styled and elaborately adorned.

Attire: The couple’s clothes, and limited accessories, will complement the color of their personal Tareh. The actual outfit design may be elaborate or simple depending on the Lorrae’s personality.

Guests and Location: Depending on the couple, the ceremony may be a large affair with guests or more intimate with only them and the presiding Savant. Where the ceremony takes place is also up to the couple. The may chose the place they first meet, where they fell in love or a place of great personal significance for both of them.

Preparation: Twenty fours hour before the ceremony the couple will separate to prepare. They will gather their personal belongings and get ready to move in together (if they don’t already). They will do last minute fittings and make sure their outfits are ready. Before the ceremony they will bathe in water supplied to them by the Savant. The water is infused with herbs and emotions to help the couple relax and open their heart to the ceremony. As well as, wash away all makeup and tattoos.

Ceremony: Seeing each other for the first time in twenty four hours, the couple will walk towards each other and stop before the Savant, who will be holding a ceremonial chalice. The chalice is filled with a special elixir made by the Savant called, Lotus Rues. After speaking a blessing over the chalice, the Savant will give it to the couple so they can both drink out of it. Then clasping hands they will recite their own personal vows, allowing their Tarehs to intermingle and weave about their hands and bodies.

For the first time, the couple will fuse their Tarehs together to create a new form. After the fusion is complete, the Savant’s Tareh will swirl around the couple, and their newly created Tareh form, binding them and their souls together forever.

Muses

"Great Pain Births Great Power."

Muses are rare Lorrae that have the ability to control, manipulate and drain someone of all emotions. But, most importantly, they have the ability to turn off their emotions completely called "Veiling." 

A Lorrae is not born or taught to be a Muse. They are the result of a great tragedy or heartbreak. The emotions become too much to bear and suddenly they feel nothing at all. Since Muses cannot feel, or choose not to, the High Priest/Priestess uses them for the darker tasks needed to ensure Lorrae survival and prosperity. They are also part of the High Priest/Priestess's inner circle and personal guard.

Most Lorraes view Muses as dangerous and unpredictable since they choose to veil their emotions instead of deal with them. They are not welcome in any Temple and are personally taught by members of the High Council or the High Priest/Priestess.

It is not uncommon for a parent to warn their child to behave or the Muses might come get them.

The Domains of Ereth

Each underground level of Ereth is part of a domain. Each domain is really its own city with a unique culture and is governed by members of the High Council. The deeper underground a domain is, the higher the rank of the Lorraes living on it. Ereth is vast! Just traveling across one whole domain can take weeks and traveling between domains will take at least two days per domain.

Example: If a Lorrae is traveling from the 1st domain to the 15th, it can take up to 30 days. 

This is not a small community where everyone knows each other. Many Lorraes will live out their whole life never leaving the domain they were born in.

Levels 1-2: Arazethem

-- An unsolvable maze takes up the first two levels. The maze keeps unwanted races out and prisoners in.

Level 3: Arched Gate

-- Due to treaties with Jorah and other countries, the Lorraes are supplied with a constant food source: convicts. Instead of being put to death, the convicts are given to the Lorraes so they don't seek "food" elsewhere. But the Lorraes are not without mercy. They do not mistreat those in their care (most of the time). Before a convict is sentenced, they will have their memories searched. If they are guilty and truly incapable of remorse and rehabilitation, they will be sentenced to life on Arched Gate.

Level 4-5: Hereafter

-- If the convicts are innocent, or guilty but truly desire redemption, they will live out their days on Hereafter. The Lorrae Royals have dubbed the residents of Hereafter as "Breeders" because they create a constant supply of new life. It is not uncommon for a Lorrae to take a lover or partner from this domain.

Breeders live throughout Ereth. They are often employed in taverns, stores, Temples or royal households as assistants or servants.

Providing for the Breeders: There are items that only Lorraes can create, so they will trade with other inhabitants of Jorah, or other countries, for seeds, grain and livestock for the Breeders. Ereth has an intricate water duct and irrigation system that brings water to each level for small gardens and drinking water. Select Breeders are allowed above ground to tend crops and livestock that thrive better on the surface.

Level 6-8: Braethorn

-- Home to "common" born Lorrae. Lorraes have the opportunity to improve their station in life. At a young age many Lorraes are sent to Temples (schools) on other domains in hopes that they will move up through the ranks.

Level 9-10: Alderwith

-- Home to the legion and Alderwith Temple: a school for those who wish to join the legion.

Ranks (low-high):

- Private

- Sergeant

- Captain

- Colonel

- General

- High Commander

Current High Commander: Eldora (F)

Level 11-12: Great Hold

-- Home to the healers and Great Hold Temple: a school for those who wish to become healers.

Ranks (low-high):

- Apprentice

- Mentor

- Professor

- Specialist

- Healer

- Grand Healer

Current Grand Healer: Mordechai (M)

Emotional, Mental and Physical Illness

Lorraes suffering from emotional, mental and physical illness are housed on Great Hold. They will have a Specialist, Healer and Tareyan assigned to them.

Level 13-15: Athereon

-- Home to the creators and Athereon Temple: a school for those who wish to pursue a creator's path (artist, designer, builder, tattooist, storyteller, musician, writer i.e. any profession where you create something). Athereon Temple is the largest in Ereth and completely takes up the 14th level.

Ranks (low-high):

- Novice

- Councilor

- Principal

- Master

- Creator

- Architect

Current Architect: Soarlin Vercova (M)

Level 16-17: Chaste Brier

-- Home to the historians, Chaste Brier Library and Chaste Brier Temple: a school for those who wish to be historians.

Ranks (low-high):

- Scribe

- Researcher

- Librarian

- Linguist

- Historian

- Keeper

Current Keeper: Daslo Rashear (F)

Level 18: Gladthroe

-- Home to Lorraes of royal bloodlines and Gladthroe Temple: the Royal Mecca. It functions as a finishing school, meeting place, grand hall, gallery etc. Gladthroe is the most elaborate and decorated level. Royals miss living on the surface and have designed the whole level to look like outside. Since it is almost impossible to keep plants alive underground, they carved them out of rock and stone and painted them to look real. To make it feel more like outside, they use their Tarehs to mimic the sun, moon, breezes etc.

Ranks (low-high):

- Lord/Lady

- Sire/Siress

- Don/Donna

- Illon/Illona

- Arc/Arress

- Heir/Heiress

Current Heir and Heiress: Heir Coy Evindal and Heiress Mylahn Vercova

How to address a Royal: Royals will address each other, and expect to be addressed, by Title then last name. Example: Heiress Vercova.

Moving up in rank: Lorraes are born in to their rank and can only move up through Joining. Forced joining (arranged marriage) is rare and seriously looked down on.

Though rare, royals may join out of the royal bloodline. The Lorrae they join with will automatically take their title and last name whether male or female. If two royals join, the couple will decide which last name to take. Usually they will choose the last name that has no, or the least amount of heirs, to carry the name on.

Renouncing Titles: A Lorrae may choose to renounce their title and royal heritage. Upon renouncing, they would be stripped of their royal title and last name and no longer be considered part of the royal bloodline. 

Level 19: Eramyth

-- Home to Tareyans and Eramyth Temple: a school for those that wish to be Tareyans--masters of wielding, manipulating and forming their Tarehs. A Tareyan is capable of infinite Tareh forms as well as extracting and using the essence of emotions, Tarehs, memories and other ingredients to create elixirs.

Ninety percent of the Lorraes who enter Eramyth Temple will fail and have to choose another Temple. Only after a Lorrae has become a Tareyan can they move on to Rune Laright Temple to pursue a path in politics.

Ranks (low-high):

- Wielder

- Illusionist

- Soulye

- Reginn

- Tareyan

- Savant

Current Savant: Haera (F)

Level 20: Rune Laright

Home to Priest and Priestesses and Rune Laright Temple: a school for those that wish to have a political career.

Ranks (low-high):

- Brother/Sister

- Cleric

- Abson

- Patriarch/Matriarch

- Priest/Priestess

- High Priest/Priestess

Current High Priestess: Brighid

The High Priest/Priestess is elected by the High Council—a council made up of the highest ranking Lorrae in each domain. They are chosen to oversee all of Ereth and will reign till they choose to step down or they die.

Current High Council: Savant Haera, Heir Coy Evindal and Heiress Mylahn Vercova, Keeper Daslo Rashear, Architect Soarlin Vercova, Grand Healer Mordechai, and High Commander Eldora.

The Auctoritium (Sub Council): The Auctoritium is made up of all the Priests and Priestess residing on Rune Laright. They oversea Ereth and make sure it and all Lorraes flourish. They also make sure all rules, laws and treaties are adhered to and regularly correspond with Jorah and other countries in regards to treaties and their “food” shipments. It a country allows a Lorrae to visit as an emissary, it would be a Priest or Priestess.

The Auctoritium works very closely with the High Council and High Priest/Priestess. But the relationship is very strained. Most of the members of the High Council are not interested in the everyday running of Ereth and prefer to stay and preside over their own levels.

The primary goal for the Auctoritium is to redeem their own kind so they can once again be allowed to live above ground.

Level 21: Etched Arras

Home to the Muses and secondary home to the High Priest/Priestess.

Note: Only the Muses and High Priest/Priestess are permitted on levels deeper than 21.

Temple Ranks

Lorraes can raise their Temple rank by passing a trial (test). The trail is done one on one with the current Temple leader. As long as the Lorrae passes, they can move up to the new rank.

Traveling between Domains

Lorraes will either walk or have their Tareh take a form they can ride: Horse, wolf, dragon, [insert fantastical creature here].

Travel Corridors: If the Lorrae walks or rides, they will travel through cavernous travel corridors

Airways: If their Tareh takes a form that can fly, they will travel through the airways. A series of cavernous shifts connecting levels 3-21.

Note: The corridors and airways are complete with places to get supplies, rest and feed.

Navi Stones: The High Priest/Priestess, members of the High Council and select Lorrae use Navi Stones to travel as well as their Tarehs. Navi Stones are white, iridescent stones created by the Savant and can only bestowed by the High Priest/Priestess.

The Lorrae, or individual, only has to think of where they want to go and they are there in seconds. The stone has to be worn or kept on their person to be used. Navi Stones can be bestowed on and used by anybody. Hence, why they are so rarely given and made. 

Communication between Domains and with other Countries

(Under Construction)

Time, Celebrations, Ceremonies, and Funerals

Lorrae Calendar: The Lorrae follow a four month calendar. Each month has three full moons and twelve full moons equal one year.

Months:

Solrise = 90 days; almost every 4 years there will be 91 days.

Solnew = 91 days

Solson = 92 days

Solset = 92 days

When stating what day it is, they first state the number then the month. Example: Brighid was born on the 7^th of Solson and Adam was born on the 86^th of Solset.

Years: (Under Construction)

Keeping Track of Time Underground: Historians keep track of time with the help of select Breeders that are allowed above ground. To keep Ereth apprised of the time of day, a succession of large gongs are struck throughout the levels at sunrise, noontide (midday), sunset, and dead night (midnight).

To alert Ereth of the full moons, the gongs are stuck three times once a month at sunset.

Birthdays: Since Lorraes live so long, they normally celebrate every 100^th birthday. It is unusual to celebrate every single one unless the Lorrae has family or a loved ones that choose to celebrate with them every year.

(Under Construction)