World Building: Aqrabs
A warrior race renowned for physical prowess and built in weaponry.
Unlike Elementalists and Immortalized, their abilities are hereditary thus allowing families in which nearly every member exhibits the trait. This gene is understood to be recessive with individuals exhibiting the trait despite their parents not.
Elements of athleticism are enhanced in Aqrabs to varying levels:
- Accuracy: Lead White
- Agility: Ultramarine
- Balance: Carbon Black
- Coordination: Umber
- Endurance: Green Earth
- Flexibility: Kermes Red
- Power: Ochre
- Speed: Tyrian Purple
- Stamina: Indigo
- Strength: Malachite Green
An Aqrab is not confirmed until they reach sexual maturity at which time a mark appears on their inner wrist. The color denotes their strongest athletic characteristic.
If they gain mastery of a handheld weapon, they undergo the Uamelu ritual earning a life-size tattoo of said weapon. Once healed they can ‘draw’ this weapon from their skin. It can then be ‘recalled’ at will. Ammunition such as arrows are included in a finite amount, but can also be recalled. An individual can don up to seven weapons in this manner (weapons that come in pairs count as one)– space permitting.
Common Types of Weapons:
- Blade/Sickle
- Bow w/ Arrows
- Chain (e.g. a chain with blades/spikes/weights on either end)
- Crossbow w/ Arrows
- Melee
- Polearm (e.g. javelin, spear)
- Staff
- Sword
- Throwing Balls (e.g. a cord with weights on either end)
- Whip (e.g. single, multi tailed, blades)
Also setting them apart from Elementalists and Immortalized, Aqrabs experience a lifespan in line with the average population. When maturity is reached between their 18th and 26th year, they become locked in their ‘physical prime’ for the following three-fifths of their lifespan. Once the final stage begins they resume the aging process to completion.
With knowledge of this limited lifespan, some elect to avoid mastering weapons altogether and instead apply their heightened abilities towards other ventures.
Whether in times of conflict or peace, they are highly sought after. In times of peace they are often recruited for sport with many training grounds (military & athletic) run by Aqrabs in some capacity.