SOMNIUMS
The Somniums are one of the nine Tribes of Mortals created by the nine Clans of lesser Immortals in the final years of the Dawn War. The Lilins, the first of the Somnium Clans, were created by the Imps in Archeron, the Celestial Echo of Dreams and Desires, also known as the Dream World or Dream Heart. The Dawn War came to an abrupt end with an event that came to be known as the Sundering, when the first mortal was killed on the soil of the Natural World.
The Primal Spirits of the Ethereal Sea, the plane that connects all of the Worlds of the Celestial Opposition and is sometimes referred to as the Spirit World, tore through the Celestial Echos wailing a furious dirge, and unleashing their wrath. Everything changed in that moment including the Lilins, some became the first Lamias, beings much more powerful than the Lilins they had been before. Others simply changed into something different than before, these were the first Ogres, Maras, and Beldams. Eventually some of the Lamias became so powerful they began demanding tributes and worship, and they changed yet again, becoming the first Abyzous, God like beings who now rule over the Dream World. In there thirst for more secrets they sent their minions out to spy on and infiltrate neighboring Echoes.
Ogres, Maras, and Beldams sent to Hades, the Celestial Echo of Death and Destruction, also known as the Under World or Shadow Blight, became the creatures now known as Graeaes, Sirins, and Gorgos. Those who were sent to Limbo, the Celestial Echo of Chaos and Madness, also known as the Else World or Outer Verse, became the creatures now known as Huldas, Rusalkas, and Vilas.
Religion: Some Somniums still worship the Divinities, the Creators of the beings who would eventually create their own creators. Ancestor worship is also common among Somnium Clans, leading to some of the more legendary ancestors ascending to godhood, becoming new Abyzous. Some choose to worship other beings such as the Old Ones or Primal Spirits.
Language: The Somnium language is descended from Supernal, which itself descended from Divine, and all share the same scripted alphabet. Lilins and Lamias often speak Somnium, while Ogres, Maras, and Beldams will typically speak Ogrik, a less ancient version of Somnium. The other Clans of Somnium tend to speak either.
Names: Somnium sounds like a mix of Slavonic, Semitic, Greek, and Celtic Languages, so names taken from those language groups are all appropriate. Surnames can come from any number of sources, sometimes it could be your profession, or where you were born, or even parentage.
Adventurers: Somnium adventurers tend to be younger and of various diets, but usually one that differs from their community, their diets often leading to certain personality types and desires, even then there could be surprises. Most are looking for something they currently lack, like excitement, or perhaps they have a dream they want to fulfill. Some may be altruistic and just want to help others, while others might have more selfish goals in mind. Somniums are known for being guarded about revealing their true nature but typically known as being very useful companions.
Relations: Somniums are naturally long lived, and somewhat guarded. Somniums of differing diets tend to build their settlements apart from one another, though all prefer isolated kingdoms in the wilder lands others might avoid. Maids tend to make peaceful neighbors who wish to be left alone, Crones will fiercely protect their hunting grounds, while Hags make for aggressive and dangerous neighbors often raiding outside their territory.
Lilin: They are a reclusive people, often hiding their true nature and rarely create their own kingdoms, doing so in often remote locations, otherwise they prefer to live in loosely connected groups hidden among the other Clans.
Ogre: They can vary drastically depending on diet, most preferring to live among the wild, ranging from peaceful isolationists to aggressive raiders.
Mara: They can vary drastically depending on diet, most preferring to live near or hidden amongst the kingdoms of other Clans. ranging from helpful and kind to malignant and cruel.
Beldam: They can vary drastically depending on diet, most preferring to live near small communities of other Clans, ranging from quirky and curious to manipulative and possessive.
Graeae: They can vary drastically depending on diet, most preferring to live in isolate locations, ranging from cautious and protective to paranoid and threatening.
Sirin: They can vary drastically depending on diet, most preferring to live secluded in the wild, ranging from playful and inquisitive to treacherous and jealous.
Gorgo: They can vary drastically depending on diet, most preferring to build their kingdoms in reclusive locales, ranging from proud and tenacious to vain and remorseless.
Hulda: They can vary drastically depending on diet, most preferring to live in hidden kingdoms in the wilderness, ranging from shy and joyful to suspicious and hateful.
Rusalka: They can vary drastically depending on diet, most preferring to live in isolation near water, ranging from serene and welcoming to turbulent and dominating.
Vila: They can vary drastically depending on diet, most preferring to live in secluded kingdoms, ranging from diligent and brave to unrelenting and vengeful.
