Nephirs (nef-ers)

• Looks like an average human
• A rare few have the ability to transform into an animal

• Accelerated healing
• Enhanced strength and speed

• Infant: 0 - 50 years
• Child: 50 - 500 years
• Adolescence: 500 - 1,200 years
• Adulthood: 1,200 - 3,500 years
• Aging Adult: 3,500 - 4,000
• Elder: 4,000+ years

Most prefer urban life within the city-state of Ihitha, though some dwell in the mountains or forests.

Nephirs, like any other maiaak, can eat fruits, vegetation, and game meat from the Eqexus, however, their diet must consist of Erse or blood. Nephirs tend to avoid erse as that shortens the lifespan of their victim. That, and nothing replaces the taste of human blood. While they can feed on other maiaaks, majority of the race finds the taste of maiaak's blood to be disgusting and prefers that of human blood.

Nephirs can go no longer than 3 weeks without feeding on erse or blood. If a nephir doesn't feed properly within 3 weeks, they begin to lose their sense of self. On average, a nephir has 3 days after starvation begins before total loss of control, though rare cases have endured up to 7 days.

Nephirs view themselves as the aristocrats of all maiaaks; refined predators who show respect to their prey while maintaining an unshakable belief in their superiority.

Social Standing

• Kavash - Protected Dependent
• Teryn - Working Class
• Serak - Prestige Gained
• Valec - Established House
• Erythar - Elite Nobility
• Vasaryn - Ruling Crown(s)

Power Hierarchy

• Bitten - These are rare since the pure bloods see them as a burden. They are also considered to be the weakest, even against dusk bloods.
• Dusk Bloods - If raised properly within nephir society, they are seen as redeemable, though still beneath pure bloods.
• Pure Bloods - The purebloods believe themselves to be the most prestigious of all the nephirs. While they don't turn away dusk bloods or those that have been turned, they still see them beneath them.

While a nephir can climb the ranks of their social standing, many will still see them held back if they are a dusk blood or worse, a bitten.

The Darling System

Nephirs refer to humans, especially those that are owned, as "darlings". The humans in the Eqexus send their younger generation to a school where they are groomed for nephir society as well as learning to wield their potential strength. Upon entering the school, within the first week the humans are evaluated to see if they're basic, Livine user, or a Symseon. Basic humans gain little to no interest with nephirs, usually used strictly for feeding. Livine users come as 1 of 3: power users - who use their livine to attack and overpower others, sheilders - those who protect the society and/or their owner, and healers - those who can heal, especially the gravely injured. Any combination of these would up their value. Then there are the symseons who are the most treasured. The more rare the symseons and/or the stronger their ability the more sought after they are. Upon graduation the Valec, Erythar, and of course the Vasaryn are all invited to come to the graduation ceremony. Although, Vasaryns hardly ever appear personally, usually sending a representative. The nobility are allowed to bid on a darling. If only the one nephir is after the darling, then they immediately win the darling paying a flat fee. However if 2 or more nephirs are interested, an auction begins for the darling. If a human isn't picked during graduation they are sent Havens for a second chance of being selected - now open to the general public. However, if a human goes so long without being selected they will be drained.

Human Equality in Ihitha

As time passes some humans begin to think they don't need to be possessions of nephirs as they are willing to work for the nephirs regardless and start asking for a little more freedom. The nephirs responded by creating a school in Ihitha where both the younger nephirs and younger humans may attend together, following the rule that the human must agree to be the nephirs darling - the nephir cannot assume custody over a darling without their permission. Freedom is also an option that exists as a theoretical goal, but few ever achieve it.

Since most humans are Sanguinists, they still see it as a high honor to be requested to be a nephir's darling.

• Fangs: longer and sharper than the average canines
• Eye colors range to unnatural colors: purple, yellow, red, etc

Many of the nephirs can be located within Ethlon. However, their homeland, Ihitha, is in the Eqexus. Ihitha has farm lands, forests, and a mountain range - all of which is inhabited by the nephirs. Even the farmlands inhabited by humans are under nephir presence and control.

• Night vision
• Sensitive hearing to the sound of a blood pulse
• Hormone detection

Nephirs use technology selectively, relying primarily on Levix for daily life. Human inventions are considered inferior unless they serve prestige or practicality.

Nephiric Script

Humans

Humans who live with their nephir are called "darlings". These humans are usually picked to show status and wealth among other nephirs. Nephirs select humans based on power and preferred taste, as blood flavor varies between individuals. Depending on the nephir some humans are kept in separate housing while others live within certain quarters.

• Rezolon: the first of his kind to gain enhanced levix and shared it amongst his kind.
• The 5 Clans: After Rezolon's disappearance, the nephirs became divided on how to handle politics. Thus creating the Elder Council and the 4 kings and 1 queen.
• Red Moon: Civil war among nephirs to decide whether to conquer Ethlon or preserve separation.
• Vlasta: Ended the Red Moon and is the current, stable, queen of the nephirs
• Heloria Academy: Vlasta helped fund the multi-species school

• King Soryth: Sparked civil war and major societal divide
• Vlasta: Restructured government
• Rezolon: Foundational King and origin of levix evolution for the nephirs

Rezolon - No one knows how Rezolon first awakened levix, nor the true extent of his power. His disappearance remains the greatest mystery of nephir history. Some believe he was slain by a human, others claim he left after the death of a brother whose existence is unproven. With his body never found, many now believe he simply vanished. Some nephirs insist he will one day return and reclaim his throne.

In the Eqexus, almost all of the humans are sanguinists. The reason most humans follow nephirs besides their unmatched beauty, is because nephirs promise safety and security with no visible sacrifice required. Nephirs see humans as their primary source of nutrition, and as pets to keep and show off their status level. To the sanguinists, it is an honor to be picked by a nephir.