Vanea

The secrets we must keep!

The Vanea are arachnoid creatures that live primarily in the underground city of Astana. They pride themselves with their logic and reason as this is what seperates them from insects. Vanea is made up of spider clans with different physicality and abilities - some with strong physic, others with exceptional webbings.

Vanea Species

There are various arachnoid species among the Vanea. Some demand to be called by their Clan name like the Threadcallers, but for most it is absolutely agreeable to just call them Vanean.

Threadcallers

The Threadcallers are the Vanean Clan held in the highest regard in Astana - for some they are even considered divine. They are the descendants of Lord Arachnael and possess psychic and divination Bloodline Magic that they channel through their special threads.

Virex

Also known as Fangborn - a term that used to be a slur. Thanks to their mixed blood they possess great martial strenght and agility. The Virex were once shunned in Astana, but after Arachnael saw their worth he took them under his wing by creating the FANGS - a protection force for Astana. Gradually they became accepted and even popular enough that other species joined the ranks of the FANGS.

Lycosa

The Lycosa are excellent scouts with their fast and strong bodies and exceptional eyesight. They are also said to be the friendliest of all the spider species. They indulge in everything they deem cute. Most Lycosa own frog pets.

History

The Vanea have a long and dark history that is rarely shared with others. Due to the rarity of spoken history, it is difficult for the Vanea to recount their past once they actually try to. It is not uncommon for them to give up the endeavor of telling a historical event midway. Thus, deep insights into their culture don't come easily and must be earned.

However, one famous story is about the betrayer Anansi and the origins of the Virex - or 'Fangborn', a slur. Long ago, shortly after The Fracture, the Ailia God Anansi came to Astana disguised as a great old spider from a different tribe. He courted the Matronweaver Aranex with his charm, but after she laid eggs, he was never seen again. The scope of the betrayal was only understood once Velkith, the first Virex hatched. Being abominations in the many eyes of their broodmother, the Virex were cast away from the Tower, living their shunned life in the Homebound Astana. This only changed after Arachnael was tasked with managing the Homebound Astana. Still, even he initially had reservations against the Virex due to their human blood - something that was resented by all the Vanea for many centuries.

"A grudge is budding in her heart" – that was my first thought when I first laid eyes on Aranex, the Weaver Matriarch. My broodmother had long since perished when I entered this world. It was her loss that caused Aranex's sorrow to ripen into wrath over the span of decades. Wrath against those who slew Aranex's firstborn Kelyss, my broodmother – the humans.

This grudge permeated her entire being: it flowed from her fangs into her twenty-four tarsi, soaked her flesh, seeped into the very air she exhaled, and spilled over her surroundings. We, who lived near het, could not escape it. It crept into us - soundless, unseen - through our pores, through our spinnerets, into our marrow. And before we knew it, her hatred had taken root in us as well.

But for three centuries now, she has remained in her tower – and with her, the grudge. Our minds have had time to heal. No one in the homeward-facing Astana harbors hatred toward humankind any longer.

Yet this peace comes at a price: The Queen must remain in the tower.

— Lord Arachnael

Famous Vanea