Novians, Children of War

“They were not born of land, nor of legacy. They were shaped by war, bled into purpose, and carved a throne from the ruins they were told to die in.”

— Marshal Caedric Vorn, Imperial Historian, Year 3 A.N.

📎 Quick Reference

🧠 Overview

🎨 Physical Traits

• Height: 5'0" – 6'2" (152 – 188 cm)
• Build: varies by lifestyle; typically lean or athletic
• Complexion: full range of all human skin tones
• Eyes: Commonly blue, green, hazel, brown and grey; dilated pupils and faint glow during high Erstatz activation
• Hair: All natural hair colors; black, brown, blond, red; silver and white is extremely rare and often symbolic of the Malvigo Eternum.

🌍 Region of Origin

The Novians have no ancestral territory. They were the last of the Etharim to be created, made out of desperation and divine innovation during the Malvigo D’arim as Ethestes’ final act to combat the overwhelming power of the Hladari. They were designed to be a living resource — to serve and sustain, to aid the Etharim rather than fight among them. The Novians were made to produce Erstatz, and lack the ability to naturally wield Sahan. At their origin, they were not seen as equals, but tools —servants, healers or simply vessels to empower others. In the earliest moons of their existence, many were treated as cattle, valued only for the miracle that was their blood.

🎭 Cultural Identity

The Novians were eventually defined by what they became. They were born without land, power or even magic to wield, they build themselves on a pedestal of resilience. Their culture was shaped deeply by the awareness of their origins. They were created to serve, and yet, they now govern the greatest empire in Sahana. This breeds a society that is disciplined and ambitious, fiercely protective of order, justice and progress.

Nova Mir is an imperial monarchy. The Empire is ruled by a single sovereign—the Emperor or Empress— and their power is rooted in both legacy and military authority. The government is aristocratic, the Noble families carrying significant weight in governance, law and diplomacy. These families are determined by bloodline, legacy or service. The Empire is also militaristic at its core, and many political leaders are also military figures or war-hero families. Military service often grants prestige and political opportunity.

Commoners can technically rise through merit and service, but most power is hereditary and most of the ruling elite are families that have proven themselves during or shortly after the Malvigo D’arim.

📖 History

The Novians were never meant to be a race. They were a solution; a desperate act by Ethestes to gain the upper hand in the Malvigo D’arim against the devastating power of the Hladari. They were created to sere, heal and sustain the Etharim against Hladamor’s forces. The Novians weren’t born of sacred lands like the other Etharim, but instead they were born of the blood-soaked battlegrounds. The Novians came into Sahan as living vessels of Erstatz, and lack the natural ability to use Sahan like other races, viewed by many as expendable.

In the beginning of the war, Novians were treated as tools. They were stationed in camps and templates where their blood could be used to heal or empower the Etharim. They were seen by some as sacred cattle, and as servants by others. But they endured.

Over time, through sheer will or wit or loyalty to their purpose, the Novians began to rise. In short time, the Etharim realized that Novians were excellent soldiers. Their healing factor made them resilient, hardy fighters and they were natural in-field healers. Through fighting alongside the other races, the Novians quickly gained respect as brothers-in-arms. Soon, they began organizing, developing tactics and became the spine of the Etharim’s resistance, with a natural knack for combat strategy, and outwitting the Hladari. Their strategies turned battles and they were courageous, natural leaders. Soon their resilience earned the respect of even the Hladari.

By the end of the war, it was a Novian General, Lucien Benedict, who unified the remaining Etharim and delivered the final victory against the Hladari. In the ashes of the Malvigo D’arim, Lucien declared the birth of Nova Mir, an empire founded through perseverance and courage. The Novians, once seen as lesser, became rulers. The race of Justice. The Benedict bloodline, the descendants of the Malvigo Eternum, ascended as sovereigns

🧬 Racial Affinity / Unique Trait

The Novians cannot wield magic naturally. Instead, their affinity is within their blood, through a unique cell known as Erstatz. It was created by Ethestes himself during the Malvigo D’arim. Designed to aid the Etharim, Erstatiz is a biological miracle. It is a regenerative, stimulatory and euphoric substance that enhances the users natural resilience and performance.

While Novians cannot channel Sahan, they still have Sahanis, which allows them to interact with enchantments, artifacts and divine rituals. This is difficult, dangerous and rare, however when it does happen, it allows them to be adept users of external magical tools. They also have Aspects.

⚔️ Racial Strengths

(Optional — for roleplay flavor only, not stats)

• Whether through commanding presence or moral clarity, many Novians rise quickly in ranks of leadership. They are usually charming, kind, and have strong morals and values.
• Natural aptitude for battlefield strategy and combat coordination
• Highly effective healers!
• Conditioned through a history of servitude and struggle, Novians have strong willpower and stand firm in their beliefs, difficult to influence and sway.

🎲 Trivia

• Full blooded Novians cannot get high off of Erstatz, but hybrids can
• The Blackbane traffic and sell Novians and Erstatz as an illegal trade called the Blood Trade. Some alchemists have tried to create artificial Erstatz, but the results are unstable and oftentimes lethal. Blood harvest is now a high crime in Nova Mir, punishable by death.
• Lucien Benedict’s sword, Vox Sangua, is rumored to be blessed by Ethestes to feed on the blood of fallen Nvoians in his command