Dream Wraiths




Shape-shifters with very powerful magics, the Dream Wraiths are a Matriarchal society which sets up in Nests across the world. They are very few in numbers as they are relatively long-lived despite being mortal. An aggressive bit of inner-community fighting also sheers down their population more often than most would be willing to admit. When they are grouped together, they will act as a family unit while in-fighting is not present. They keep very close tabs on one another, and are the only creatures which can sense past their illusions. Even when they are not in the Nest, they will adhere to their community codes; respect their Matriarch, protect one another, keep their secret as a secret, and 'deal with' any 'mistakes' which may arise for those who do not wish to deal with them themselves.

Dream Wraiths prefer to live hidden among other races, masquerading as something they are not. They typically hide among humans with close community ties of some type to Elves, though a few brave souls have taken to hiding among the Elves directly. While their illusions are not broken by these high powered creatures, it is known to be harder to mimic the magic structure found within the Elvish community. Therefore, their chance at being noticed for a foreign body increases exponentially from the much lower chance among the humans.

Dream Wraiths feed on magical energy through sexual interactions with other species. In order to do this, they typically use their illusions and glamour to give another being a 'dream' of someone they long for in some way; this is a sedation method - with the actual sexual activity being the avenue in which they imbibe the power from the other being. They also release magic which will 'knock out' any within the immediate area with them and their victim, so not to be disturbed by an unexpected guest. This does no harm to those whom come across it.

While a Dream Wraith can feed on any species within the world that harbors magic in their blood, they do typically have a fondness for the Elves. This is due not only to their wealth in magical energy, but also due to their immortality and healing capabilities. It is easier to feed on Elves a number of times, without noticeable changes to the Elf in question, than it is for any other magical species. Other types tend to show signs of the feedings swiftly, with some - mainly humans - expiring in as little as one highly satisfying 'meal'. Dwarves, lacking magic, are never fed from - as their energy reminds the Dream Wraiths of what it would be like to eat dirt. Younger Dream Wraiths can have a tendency to overfeed on more vulnerable victims, though there is always the possibility for consequences to follow from their Matriarch if she's been attentive and is particularly vicious in teaching their young 'the code of the Nest'.

Where breeding is concerned, Dream Wraiths have genes which seem to dominate those of other magical species. Hybrids born of any coupling with a Dream Wraith and another species will, technically, be Dream Wraiths - with no true sign of their other parental side showing in magical structure.

In order to help keep their masquerade healthy: Males who impregnate a female outside of their own species are encouraged to capture the female upon discovery of her condition. That is, if they care for her and the fate of their child. If not, others within their Nest will take care of the situation for him... quite typically in the removal of the female and her unborn from life. Disappearances of females from other magical societies have been spoken of in more than several legends involving the Dream Wraiths.

In their true form, Dream Wraiths are rather monstrous. They have grayish, thin skin over frames which are a meld of bat and humanoid. Though they have wings, these appendages are stunted and do not allow them to fly. All within this species are equipped with hooked claws and very sharp fangs which can only be used in their true forms. Females tend to be physically larger and more powerful than the males. All Dream Wraiths are agile, swift and tend to be vicious in nature when it comes down to the wire. They have a very bestial society when left to their own devices, and are highly jealous of the beauty and seeming unity of the other species on which they feed.

While Dream Wraiths do sleep when they must, they are often careful to do so truly while in the Nest habitat. Most Dream Wraiths will feel tired over the course of three days, and will need to sleep for at least fifteen hours before they are at their height again.

Dream Wraith life spans can reach up to 800-900 years, if they can manage to survive the in-fighting which arises in the Nests they belong to for so long and feed when they need to, as deeply as they must.

Dream Wraiths & Magic

For these shape shifters, magic is more eternal than they are. However, instead of pulling their energy from Nature itself, they pull from other creatures. Their typical favorite victims are the Elves, though other species are also vulnerable to being targeted. They are mortal creatures, and can short themselves out if they do not take care to 'feed'. In this process, they are able to infiltrate a home with invisibility or illusions and move undetected until their victim is sleeping. From the point on, they will induce an illusion pulled from their victim's mind - a want, a longing, someone missed or desired and weave together a 'dream' for them to couple with said Dream Wraith. During the coupling, they then extract energy from their victim to fuel themselves with. They can feed from creatures like Elves on many occasions without their efforts being detected - though other species aren't so lucky in that. They can also draw magic from blood willingly given - though it is often seen as a lesser form of fuel in their eyes. Dream Wraiths are highly talented in the common magic of cosmetic glamour, with their illusions almost never being breached - even by the oldest and most powerful of the Elves.

Dream Wraiths & Religion

It is sufficient to say that members of this species do not view matters of religion and the afterlife on the same levels as many other peoples within the world. However, it would be remiss to suspect that they have no form of beliefs outside of the barbaric. There is a great deal of faith in the eternity of magic with the Dream Wraiths, as well as reverence towards their genetics. Strength, intelligence, stealth and energy are the key focus of the Dream Wraith society, with survival being understood as a must for community over individual in some senses. Therefore, this species has taken it upon themselves to re-assimilate the energy and flesh of the dead back in to the fold once the spirit of an individual passes. Be it due to in-fighting or the natural progression of aging, all Dream Wraiths of either gender will be consumed by their Nest-mates when they die.

There are emotional ties in to this action as well; while members of the species do not often understand many of the social impulses of those they masquerade as - they do have some level of feeling which might be seen as all their own. Not only is it an act of retaining the energy of their dead Nest members, it is also an act which allows them to carry the soul of their most beloved within their own blood until they too pass. In this respect, it is safe to say that Dream Wraiths value the concept of their ancestors and predecessors very deeply.

Their religious cannibalism stems from the fact that they've been in hiding for countless centuries with any other forms of burial being somewhat tricky to perform. When a Dream Wraith dies, they only stay in the form of their Masquerade for a small window of time before their remaining energy dissipates and reveals the truth of their identity. Disappearances of society's members in different cultures has been remarked upon from time to time, though Dream Wraiths have gotten adept at being able to smooth away questions when one of their Nest has become deceased and the loss of a local is noticed among their feeders. Timing is everything in such matters; but when one is genetically a consummate liar? There's very little to worry over.