Dark Skye

EXCERPTED FROM THE LIVING BOOK OF LORE . . .

The Lore

“. . . and those sentient creatures that are not human will be united in one stratum, coexisting with, yet secret from, man’s.”

• Most are immortal and can regenerate from injuries, killed only by mystical fire or beheading.

• Their eyes change with intense emotion, often to a breed-specific color.

The Sept of Sorceri

“The Sept forever seek and covet others’ powers, challenging and dueling to seize more—or, more darkly, stealing another’s sorcery. . . .”

• A breed-line broken from the enchantment caste of the House of Witches.

• One of the physically weaker species in the Lore, they used elaborate armors to protect their bodies. Eventually they held metals—and especially gold—sacred.

The Vrekeners

“Death descends on swift wings. The righteous reckoning of the Lore, they strike like a plague from the heavens, their wings blocking out the light of the sun, casting the land in shadow.”

• Mortal enemies of the Sept of Sorceri, most of whom they consider wicked and unclean.

• They live in the Air Territories, a realm consisting of floating islands, hidden above the clouds. Their royal seat is Skye Hall. They refer to their home as the Territories or simply the Skye.

The Demonarchies

“The demon dynasties are as varied as the bands of man. . . .”

• Most breeds can trace, or teleport, like vampires.

• The rage demonarchy is located in the plane of Rothkalina, ruled by King Rydstrom the Good.

The Order

“The immortal takers. Once captured by the Order, immortals do not return. . . .”

• A multinational mortal operation created to study—and exterminate—nonhumans.

• Possesses several secret holding facilities, where Loreans are imprisoned, examined, and executed.

The Accession

“And a time shall come to pass when all immortal beings in the Lore, from the Valkyrie, vampire, Lykae, and demon factions to the witches, shifters, fey, and sirens . . . must fight and destroy each other.”

• A kind of mystical checks-and-balances system for an ever-growing population of immortals.

• Two major alliances: the Pravus Rule and the Vertas League.

• Occurs every five hundred years. Or right now . . .