Nachtgiger

"Of all the kin I have committed to these pages, none present such a poignant and troubling paradox as the nachtgiger. They are a people born not of divine will, but of cosmic accident; human souls excised from our reality and re-sculpted by the Netherhells' cruel artistry. Is it not profoundly unsettling, then, that in their shadowed forms, I perceive a terrible beauty? They are a reflection of what we might become when stripped of all but our will to endure. Perhaps the old fear of them was never about what they are, but a dread of recognizing the dormant shadow that resides, unacknowledged, within us all: Darkness in humanity itself."

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

  The nachtgiger are a Secondborn kin found throughout Vespero, with origins that trace back to the Age of Silence. They are the descendants of humans lost during the era when the Netherhells merged with the Material Reality. Though the Arrival of the New Gods halted this cataclysm, fragments of the physical world were irrevocably dragged into the Otherworld, and with them, an unknown number of human inhabitants. It is believed that the nachtgiger are the descendants of these lost humans, trapped within the Netherhells’ domain of Keres, the Eternal Night. There, they were subsequently warped and remade by the corrupting influence of the Tether.   Upon their eventual escape from the Netherhells, the nachtgiger were not welcomed as long-lost cousins of humanity. Their altered appearance led them to be perceived as demonic servants and heralds of the very corruption that had birthed them. For centuries, they were systematically hunted by powers like the Galdoric Empire and the old Kingdom of Demenore, feared, misunderstood, and often killed on sight.   In the modern era, the stigma surrounding them has begun to fade, particularly since the end of the Galdoric Empire and the fall of the old Kingdom of Demenore. Larger nachtgiger populations have now found refuge in the Witchrealm of Morvathia and the Golden Marquisate of Dorcroix, the first nations that granted them the Rights of Kin. Despite this progress, they remain outcasts in many regions, like the Divine Dominion of Galdorsmynd, where the archaic beliefs of the old empire persist, and suspicion still shadows them as it did in the olden days.  

Biology of the Nachtgiger

The nachtgiger’s biology is a direct result of their long adaptation to the Eternal Night, a realm of absolute darkness within Algol, the Lightless Star. While they retain a fundamentally humanoid form, their physiology was reshaped by the Tether. Their skin tones reflect this otherworldly origin, commonly appearing in shades of blue, purple, and sometimes green or turquoise. This is complemented by hair that is typically black, dark blue, purple, or various shades of grey, with rare instances of silver or white.   Their most striking feature is their eyes. The sclera can be a variety of vibrant colours—pink, orange, yellow, red, or purple—framing an iridescent iris and an enlarged pupil. This unique appearance is often poetically described as containing "the most beautiful shades of sunrise and sunset." These eyes grant them remarkable night vision, allowing a nachtgiger to discern shapes and outlines even in absolute darkness. This heightened visual sense is paired with elongated, bat-like ears that provide hearing far sharper than that of most other kin.   The most significant divergence from their human ancestry is the set of large, bat-like wings that sprout from their backs, granting them the capability of flight. A long, slender tail aids in balance and stability.   Another unique aspect of nachtgiger biology lies within their skeletal structure. Their bones are composed of a hard, organic substance known as nyx. Nyx has a metallic, almost polished sheen, which makes their sharp teeth and claws particularly noticeable. These bones are hollow and extremely lightweight, a necessary trait for flight, yet they are also remarkably strong and resilient.    

The Nyx Steel Trade

  In the past, nachtgiger bone was harvested to produce nyx steel, a material highly sought after for its durability and the everlasting sharpness it imparted to weapons and tools. Following the widespread granting of the Rights of Kin, the production of nyx steel has been outlawed in most nations, and in some regions, even the possession of older nyx steel items is considered a serious crime. Despite this, an extremely lucrative black market for the material persists, stretching from the shadowy back alleys of major cities to the unregulated hinterlands.   The most notorious criminal organization behind this trade is the Midnight Cull, a ruthless syndicate that specializes in harvesting and trafficking body parts and resources from all sentient kin. While their gruesome inventory is vast, the nyx steel trade remains one of their most profitable enterprises. The nature of their business is so abhorrent that even other criminal organizations find their methods controversial. Groups like the Golden Trade, or the Network of Fools largely refuse to associate with the Midnight Cull, marking them as a pariah group fit only for smugglers and cut-throats with truly no conscience.   When a Nachtgiger citizen disappears during the night, the grim suspicion immediately arises that they have fallen victim to this cruel trade and that their body has been gutted for profit. This reality fuels a deep-seated mistrust towards other kin and serves as a constant, bloody reminder that, for some, the life of a nachtgiger is worth less than the money that can be made from it.  

Mythology and Folklore

The history of the nachtgiger is more difficult to trace than that of most other kin. Rather than a clear historical record, their past is preserved in a collection of myths, some forming a grand, cohesive narrative, while others remain contradictory and scattered.   The most widely accepted version of events states that during the Age of Silence, fragments of the Material Reality were dragged into Keres, the Eternal Night. The humans trapped within this region faced a grim fate: they either became prey for the demonic inhabitants of the darkness, the Keresites, or were forced into servitude under the realm's ruler, the Night Queen Nyxra. Over generations, the surviving humans adapted to their horrifying new home, their bodies and minds warped until they became the first nachtgiger.

Nachtgiger Across Netherdyn

After their escape from the Netherhells, the first nachtgiger lived in small, nomadic communities. They rarely stayed in one place for long, living in constant fear of being hunted by agents of the Galdoric Empire. Unable to find acceptance in a hostile world, most survived on the fringes of society, often forced into criminal enterprises to survive. With the decline of the Galdoric Empire's dominion and the eventual collapse of the old Kingdom of Demenore, the greatest institutional threats to their existence ceased, beginning their long journey toward equal rights.    

Nachtgiger in Dorcroix

  The Golden Marquisate of Dorcroix seceded from the old Kingdom of Demenore during a brutal succession war. Its founder, Gassot Demener, sought to build a nation on foundations of forbidden knowledge, including necromancy. Many persecuted nachtgiger saw an opportunity in his vision, openly allying with him to tear down Demenore's old traditions. After securing the Marquisate's independence, Gassot, now an immortal, undead monarch, granted the nachtgiger the Rights of Kin, a first in the history of Vespero. This act made Dorcroix a sanctuary, and they flocked to the new nation seeking safety and freedom. To this day, the Golden Marquisate has the largest nachtgiger population, with several families even having ascended to the noble class.  

Nachtgiger in Morvathia

  The Witchrealm of Morvathia was among the later realms to achieve independence from the Galdoric Empire. Its rebellion received early support from Dorcroix, who sought to foster a like-minded ally that embraced forbidden magic. It was no surprise, then, that Morvathia became the second nation to grant nachtgiger the Rights of Kin, strengthening its ties with the Marquisate. Morvathia has the second-largest population of nachtgiger, many of whom have found a natural affinity for witchcraft and have integrated into all levels of society, from the Morvathian Coven to the nobility.