RACES - GENERAL INFORMATION

In the Unnatural Universe, the origins of all races, including Humans, are unknown. Every culture or region has its own stories passed down through generations, but none are confirmed or debunked. Your character can believe any origin story they choose, but there's no definitive answer. 

Players may choose whatever background they wish, however a character's background, like being rich or royal, or their lineages, such as being a descendant of an alpha or king, and in many cases, even their age, doesn't directly affect or enhance their abilities or skills, nor does it give them any advantage over others. Leadership roles, like being an Alpha, are earned through role-playing and leadership skills. Abilities, such as using magic or glamour/compelling, improve with practice, not age.

There are no hybrids in the Unnatural world. Characters don't show traits from more than one race. Except for vampires, all races can mix, mate, and have offspring, but the children will be one race or the other. The more mixed a family tree is, the less likely it is to have offspring of a specific race. Mating with humans usually results in supernatural offspring. 

In the Unnatural Universe, individuals can identify others from different races, though there are also ways to avoid detection. Certain attributes, like heightened senses and experience ,play a role in this ability. For instance, a Vampire with years of experience might detect a different heart rate, while a Werewolf might notice a unique scent. Over time and through careful observation, they could potentially determine not just that someone is different but also identify their specific race. However, it's crucial to emphasize consent in these interactions. Always consider these factors when allowing or denying detection.

In the Unnatural Universe, the Full Moon affects all Supernatural Races. It causes transformations, increases hunger, or boosts magical powers for everyone, things might even happen to the Humans if they're not careful. The Full Moon lasts for three in-game days, always happening on a weekend for roleplay convenience. But your character doesn't have to be affected the whole time. Keep an eye on Discord events to know when the next Full Moon is coming.

While in most common lore these groups are exclusive to a race, there are no restrictions to these groups in Unnatural.  Players are encouraged to create their own groups and will set their own restrictions on who they allow in their group and Unnatural Admins have no say on this.  The type of group is decided by who is leading it.  If a Werewolf starts a group it’s a Pack, if an Incarnate starts a group it's a Cadre, etc.   

The only exception to this is the Phral Sabbat, which requires all members to be Phral and have a blood bond.

If a player decides they no longer want to play a particular race they may be turned into a different race if the lore allows it (please check individual race lore pages for more information). The character will lose all abilities and traits from the original race, as hybrids are not permitted—no Vampires that shift into Werewolves, Werewolves with Phral abilities, etc. If there is no means to turn into the desired new race, then the player must "reroll," which means killing off their existing character and creating a new one. 

If a player is undecided, we recommend starting as a Human. Aside from Waterborn, a character may awaken or be turned into another race during roleplay.

Supernaturals remain hidden in the Unnatural Universe to avoid plunging the world into chaos. They remember vividly how those who are "different" have been treated in the past, such as during the Witch Trials and Inquisition. They believe revealing their existence could lead to widespread panic, persecution, and armed conflicts as humans react to perceived threats and Supernaturals fight to survive.

The "Veil" is a figurative curtain that keeps Supernaturals hidden from the rest of the world. "Breaking the Veil" means exposing another Supernatural or group of Supernaturals, regardless of to whom. This act can have severe in-character consequences for both the revealer and the revealed, including banishment from the region or permanent character death. While the player is not banned from the sim, of course, if the character is exiled from Ashmore, the player will need to create a new character.

Supernatural beings are an "open secret" in the Unnatural Universe. We will not strictly control who knows about Supernaturals, but "Breaking the Veil" is still a serious offense. Supernaturals should not openly display their true nature or put themselves in situations where they could be discovered. They should act sensibly, such as wearing appropriate clothing in winter even if not affected by the cold. 

The Veiled Council

The Veiled Council is a group of regional race leaders responsible for protecting The Veil in the Ashmore region. Individual race leaders usually handle veil breaks and misconduct endangering The Veil and its residents (both super and human). However, some situations require escalation to higher authorities. Other regions, cities, and countries may have their own councils or orders to enforce discipline and protect The Veil.

The Ashmore Lodge was a “lodge” / resort that catered to those seeking a little more comfort during their mountain holiday in Ashmore.  Abandoned for quite some time, the Veiled Council has purchased it and renovated it. To the average Human, it is a venue for events and banquets, such as weddings and fancy birthday parties, with a spa complete with a sauna, and docks for boating aficionados.  

For the Supernatural community, it is a Welcome Center where Supernaturals new to the area can come gather information or introduce themselves.  It is also a place for Council meetings and trials, and the spa room doubles as a healing room for supernaturals who wish to avoid the hospital.

Horizon, a well-known health insurer, operates mainly in the Eastern United States as an HMO. Publicly, they engage in various community-oriented activities, such as supporting small towns, donating to local governments, and backing First Responders with funds, equipment, and training.

In Ashmore, Horizon's presence became evident through the renovation of Ashmore Health and its recent funding of the Ashmore Police Department's new headquarters.

Beyond their public face, Horizon runs covert divisions dedicated to supernatural affairs. These include cleaning up supernatural crime scenes, monitoring supernatural activity, and managing rumors to uphold the veil separating the supernatural world from the public. This often involves controlling the narrative through social media and news outlets.

While most Ashmore residents may only see Horizon as a healthcare provider or community supporter, those with knowledge of the supernatural suspect their involvement in handling supernatural incidents. However, the true extent of Horizon's activities remains shrouded in mystery, leading to speculation and conspiracy theories among supernaturals, including rumors of experiments and darker undertakings.

There are no playable roles in Horizon,