Albs

"Humanity, in its boundless penchant for rivalry, often regards the albs as adversaries—an elder sibling against whom we must measure ourselves. And yet, they are our brethren, bound to us by the same threads of fate, for they too were shaped by the Divine Parents, Firstborn to the creators. Like us, they wander amidst the chaos of existence, abandoned by those who gave them form, seeking a place to anchor themselves in this tumultuous world.   It grieves me deeply, the schism that divides our peoples. And yet, amidst the sorrow, there is a kernel of solace: the albs, despite the trials of division, have carved out spaces for themselves in every nation, forging identities far removed from the dictates of the High Divine. There is a peculiar comfort in this—an unyielding testament to the resilience of the soul. No master, no leader, no doctrine can truly claim dominion over us. Neither alb, nor human."

— From: "The Compendium of Netherdyn: Volume III - A Study of Netherdyn’s Peoples" by Arvandus Quillborne

  Albs are a sentient Firstborn kin native to the continent of Vespero, most commonly found in the Divine Dominion of Galdorsmynd and the Free Realm of Bittermarsh. Alongside humans, they are considered one of the oldest sentient kin on Netherdyn.   Albian cultural identity has been profoundly shaped by the Galdoric Empire’s expansionist history and religious doctrines. This legacy has left many albian communities scattered across regions like Morvathia and Demenore, even after the empire’s collapse, and continues to fuel interspecies tensions to this day.  

Biology of the Albs

Albs possess elongated, equine-like faces with pointed, deer-like ears and a prominent singular horn crowning their heads. Their long, slender legs end in sizeable hooves, supporting their upright, bipedal gait. Instead of fingernails or claws, their fingers end in keratin tips, referred to as "hooved fingers," a trait shared with the common kobuck. However, unlike kobucks, albs have five fingers, mirroring humans. Complementing their frame is a long, thin tail that tapers into a tuft of hair.   Their bodies are covered in a layer of soft, fine fur, with a prominent mane running from the crown of their head down the back of their neck. Fur coloration varies widely across subspecies, typically ranging from pale beige to deep brown or black, often accompanied by patterns such as stripes or spots. Albian facial features have feline quality due to their nose shape and overall structure.   Albs are broadly categorized into two primary subspecies: high albs and wild albs. Though physically similar, they exhibit distinct biological traits and dietary adaptations:

  Albs, with their long, slender limbs and upright posture, typically stand slightly taller than humans, averaging between 6 and 7 feet in height. High albs tend to reach heights closer to the lower end of this range, while wild albs are often slightly taller on average.  

The Horn as a Symbol of Identity and Culture

  The albian horn holds profound cultural and spiritual significance, serving as a symbol of identity, lineage, and mysticism. The shape of a horns vary greatly between individuals, yet their forms are hereditary, blending the characteristics of both parents. Siblings typically have similar horns, with only minor variations.   This hereditary trait has given rise to the concept of Cornumorphia, a philosophical and spiritual discipline that seeks to interpret personality traits, fate, and even future events based on horn shape and details. Though most scholars dismiss these claims as baseless, Cornumorphica remains highly popular in regions with significant alb populations, fueling a thriving market for books and lectures on the subject.   In Galdorsmynd, the societal hierarchy of albs is deeply influenced by this idea. Horn shapes are seen as reflections of the inner self, with spiral horns symbolizing wisdom and patience, while jagged, thorn-like horns suggest ambition and cunning. Temples in Galdorsmynd collect and venerate broken or shed horns from holy figures, treating these remnants as sacred artifacts imbued with the spiritual essence of their former owners.   Cornumorphia takes a different shape in Bittermarsh, where wild albs modify their horns by carving symbols and patterns into them to commemorate significant accomplishments and deeds. In this interpretation, the natural horn shape is less a symbol of the inherent self and more a foundation upon which the alb builds their legacy. Each carving is deeply personal and reflects milestones, such as victories in battle, great hunts, spiritual awakenings, or acts of unity and service to the tribe. The more intricate and adorned a wild alb’s horns, the more respect and prestige they command within their community.

The Burden of Sin and the Doctrine of Eminence

  Galdoric creation myths portray albs as the "heirs of creation," fashioned by the Divine Parents in their own image to embody balance and harmony. Albs were believed to have been gifted with the ability to command and manipulate the Arcane Plexus, granting them a direct connection to the divine forces shaping the world.   Within the Divine Dominion of Galdorsmynd, this origin myth fostered a belief in alb superiority, rooted in the idea that they were not only the first creation of the Divine Parents but were also divinely anointed to guide and protect other kin after the Divine Parents departed Netherdyn. This ideology, known as the Doctrine of Eminence, proclaimed the albs as the rightful stewards of the world, entrusted with leadership over all other beings.   A pivotal element of Galdoric theology is the concept of the Burden of Sin, which they attribute to humanity. According to Galdoric belief, an unknown heretical act by humans caused the Divine Parents to abandon their creation, marking the beginning of the Age of Silence. The albs, seeing themselves as the Divine Parents' favored children, claim the responsibility of guiding the other kin back into divine favor. This belief holds that Divine Repentance—the unification of all Firstborn kin under alb stewardship and adherence to divine teachings—is the key to bringing the Divine Parents back to Netherdyn and ushering in a new Age of Paradise.   The Doctrine of Eminence and the theory of Burden of Sin became a cornerstone of the Galdoric Empire’s expansionist ambitions after the Age of Silence. Under this doctrine, the High Divine imposed brutal dominion over most of North Vespero, asserting alb authority in realms such as Morvathia, Demenore, and Valleterna . For centuries, the Galdoric Empire maintained its grip until these territories rose up and liberated themselves from imperial rule, dismantling the empire's once-unassailable hegemony.     While the Galdoric interpretation emphasizes alb superiority, other regions and cultures challenge these views. Many believe that all Firstborn kin were created simultaneously, each intended as equals in the Divine Parents' design. This egalitarian view rejects the notion of a hierarchy among the kin and is particularly prevalent outside Galdorsmynd.   In Bittermarsh, the wild albs hold an entirely different view of the Burden of Sin. These albs believe that the Burden of Sin falls not on humanity but on the albs themselves. They suggest that the albs' hubris and failure to live in harmony with other kin led to the Divine Parents’ departure. This interpretation has gained traction in regions critical of Galdoric teachings, offering a counterpoint to the Doctrine of Eminence and fostering a more introspective view of alb history and responsibility.

Albs Across Netherdyn

  Albs are one of the most prevalent kin across Vespero, second only to humans in their reach. Though not as universally widespread, the legacy of the Galdoric Empire ensured that nearly every major region came into contact with this kin. Even after the empire's collapse, albian communities persisted, either integrating into local societies or establishing their own distinct enclaves.   The rigid and often oppressive rule of the High Divine in Galdorsmynd continues to push many Galdoric albs beyond its borders. Some leave as outcasts, unable to conform to the strict religious doctrines, while others seek freedom and self-fulfillment in lands where they can escape the empire’s shadow and embrace lives of greater autonomy.