The Ferai

“... despite this ending of the Wars of the Gods, the soldiers of Othero, the Ferai, remain the eternal foes of Kalani’s Wraiths…”  

- Celestials, Aberrations and the Corrupted, by Leopold Der Vitner

Overview

The Ferai originated from the wars in the time before Meridon and were a direct contrast to Kalani’s Wraiths . Ferai fought on the side of Othero, enacting his will by fighting on the front lines in his war against Kalani. Even after the passing of millennia, they are seen as the counterside of radiant light to the deep shadows of the Wraiths. The Ferai are of the current Age are tasked with guarding sacred spaces, monuments, and ancient secrets. 

Anatomy and Morphology

A stark contrast between the Wraiths and the Ferai is their appearance and due to the Ferai's continual contact with the Material Plane they have a wider variety of features. While it is common that their appearance will take on environmental factors, there are some features common between the all different Ferai. These include the presence of horns, tails, and digitigrade feet. Even with these similarities the varieties and colouration of the Ferai can differ greatly depending on their environment. For example one that dwells in the forest will have colourings of deep greens and browns, whereas one that lives in the snow capped mountains may be paler and adapted to be more accustomed to the cold. 

While Wraiths have the benefit of not needing to eat or drink to gain sustenance, Ferai do need to gain nutrients and energy from food, and have an omnivorous diet.

Perception and Extrasensory Capabilities

The diversity of Ferai is not limited to their looks, but also their biological capabilities also. A Ferai that is used to being in the dark will have keener eyesight and hearing capabilities than those that spend their time in the sun. This adaptability is essential in carrying out their guardianship role in their assigned location. 

All Ferai have is the capability to use Wraith Sight at will, can see and detect being hidden with invisibility and detect magic, all furthering their guarding prowess. Their ability to use Wraith Sight was once a key part of fighting against Wraiths, and whilst the two sides are no longer at war, Ferai still possess this skill, alongside the ability to enter and travel within the Plane of Dusk.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

The Ferai are not born, but are spawned from the Pools of Radiance in Otheros’ realm. The pools contain not only the collective knowledge but also the various environmental adaptations that have proved effective so far. They arrive within the Material Plane already fully grown with a portion of this knowledge and the understanding of their sacred role of guardianship instilled within them. 

The many similarities between the common features of the Ferai and the anatomy of Tieflings has led to the belief that they are descended from the unions between the Ferai and mortals. 

If a Ferai is mortally wounded or when they are reaching the final stages of their life cycle, they will enter the Plane of Dusk. From here they will be returned to Otheros realm and be re-absorbed into the Pool of Radiance, adding to the collections of memories and experiences for the next Ferai to learn from.

Due to Ferai being a type of Celestial being, prolonged exposure to the Material Plane puts them at risk of becoming Corrupted. Unlike Wraiths, the Ferai are more resistant to these effects, allowing them to remain in the Material for longer, but never indefinitely.