Temarten

Temarten are a cyclical race, born only with the approach of Hell. As the original Vat-Ceron, Sepiter, approaches a planet its hellish influence makes its presence known in the population through the mutation of children in the womb. These children are born changed in both physical and astral ways. The higher the birth rate of temarten, the closer Sepiter looms.   While such an occurrence could believably cause a panic, in most cases concerned Guardians step in quickly to mentor young temarten. As a result, to bear a temarten child is often a mixed blessing. While the family is guaranteed a difficult experience of raising a hell-touched child, they also usually find themselves beneficiaries of a Guardian's special attention. Guardians have a strong interest in steering temarten away from dark influences, as they know that Sepiter's effects rarely last more than a single lifetime. If the temarten dies righteous, they escape any long term damage from their transformation.   As a result of Guardian interference, many temarten become, ironically enough, clerics or paladins of their patron Guardian, swelling the ranks of their respective churches or orders against the imminent threat of Sepiter. While temarten clergy are certainly unorthodox in their methodology and devotions, being of wild temper and unpredictable attitude, they are nevertheless effective and dedicated servants with a natural knack for mischievous magics.   Temarten bloodlines are temporal things, lasting no more than a generation at most. All temarten traits are extremely recessive, giving way even to recessive traits from their origin race. This means that even the child of two temarten will appear more like their original race than either parent, and further offspring will lack temarten characteristics altogether. There is no documented case of any temarten persisting through the reincarnation cycle.