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Due to the way they reproduce, Wraeththu do not need breasts for the production of milk, nor wide pelvises to accommodate a growing child. Therefore, a physically mature har, when clothed, closely resembles a young, human male. Whilst obviously masculine, they are uncannily feminine at the same time. Humans have described them as appearing to be "a girl and a boy superimposed over each other", although to some human eyes they appear more like males - strange males, but males all the same. Despite this, the differences between Wraeththu and humankind are not vast in number, and not even apparent (in most cases) to the naked eye. Biologically their functions are similar, although in the case of Wraeththu many basic design faults present in the old race have been removed.
DIGESTION:Wraeththu digestion is not wildly disparate from that of humankind, although it is unknown for hara to become overweight whatever amount of food is ingested. Their bodies are so well-regulated that excess of all kinds are merely eliminated as waste. Perfect bodyweight is never exceeded. This thorough system cleansing also extends to most intoxicants or stimulants. Narcotic effects can be experienced without side-effects. Because of this, few poisons are lethal to Wraeththu.THE SENSES:Wraeththu senses of touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste are marginally more acute than those of mankind. But the sixth sense is far more well developed. This may only be due to the fact that Wraeththu are brought up (or instructed after inception) with the knowledge to glean full use of their perception. This is a quality which has become dulled in man. Some hara can even catch glimpses of future events or atmospheres; either by tranquil contemplation or in dreams.Again, it must be stressed that this ability is not a fundamental difference from humanity, as all humans possess within themselves the potential to develop their psychic capabilities. Most humans, however, are not aware of this. OCCULT POWERS:This is merely an extension of becoming acquainted, through proper progression, with one's psychic senses.Magic is will-power; will-power is magic. Self-knowledge is the key to the perfect control of will. Obviously, this particular talent may be used either for the benefit or detriment of other beings. As all Wraeththu are firm believers in reincarnation and the progression of the soul, most are sensible enough to realise the dangers of taking "the left hand path." Others, however, still motivated by the greed and baser emotions of human ancestors, are prone to seek self-advancement through evil means. LIFE SPAN:In comparison to mankind, Wraeththu appear ageless, but this is not strictly the case. Har bodies are not subject to cellular deterioration in the same way as human bodies, but on reaching the age of 150 years or thereabouts, they begin to "fade", vitality diminishes and the dignified end is welcomed as a release for the soul and the gateway to the next reincarnation.
REPRODUCTION:Wraeththu are hermaphrodite beings, any of whom have the capacity to reproduce on reaching the caste of Ulani. This is mainly because hara of lower caste have insufficient control of their mind, which is required to attain the elevated state of consciousness needed for conception. Experienced hara can guarantee conception whenever it is desired.Conception can only occur during the act of aruna (Wraeththu intercourse), hara are unable to fertilize themselves. The inseminating har is known as ouana (ooow-na), and the host for the seed, soume (soow-me). This corresponds roughly to human male and female, although in Wraeththu the roles are interchangeable. When conditions are propitious (i.e. when desired state of consciousness is achieved through the ecstasy of aruna), ouana has the chance to "break through the seal", which is the act of coaxing the chamber of generation within the body of the soume to relax its banks of muscle that closes the entrance, and permit the inner tendril of the ouana phallus to intrude. Once the seed (aren) has been successfully released, the chamber of generation reseals itself and emits a fertilising secretion (yaloe) which forms a coating around the aren. Only the strongest can survive this process, weaker seed are literally burned up or else devoured by their fellows. During the next twelve hours or so, the aren fight for supremacy, until only one of them survives; this is then enveloped by the nourishing yaloe which begins to harden around the aren to form a kind of shell. By interaction of the positive aren elements and the negative yaloe elements, a Wraeththu foetus begins to develop within the shell. At the end of two months, the shell is emitted from the body of its host, resembling a black, opalescent pearl some six inches in diameter. Incubation is then required, either by the host or any other har committed to spending the time. After "birth", the pearl begins to soften into an elastic, leathery coating about the developing harchild. Progress and growth are rapid; within a week, the pearl "hatches" and the young har enters the world. Wraeththu children, on hatching, already possess some body hair and have moderately acute eyesight. Familiar hara can be recognised after only a few days. Though smaller in size, the harling at this time is comparable in intelligence and mobility to a human child that has just been weaned. Wraeththu children need no milk and can eat the same food as adults within a few hours of hatching. Development is astonishingly rapid within the first year of life. Harlings are able to crawl around immediately after hatching, and can walk upright within a few days. They learn to speak simple words after about four weeks. Sexual maturity is reached between the ages of seven and ten years, when the harling is physically able to partake in aruna without ill effect. At this time, caste training is undertaken and the young har is also educated in the etiquette of aruna. Sexual maturity is recognised by a marked restlessness and erratic behaviour, even a craving for moonlight. Aruna education is usually imparted by an older har chosen by the child's hostling or sire. This is to prevent any unpleasant experiences which the young har could suffer at the hands of someone who is not committed to its welfare. Those hara who are not natural born, but incepted, are instructed in aruna immediately after the effects of althaia (the changing) wears off. This is essential to "fix" the change within the new har. ARUNA:The act of sexual intercourse between hara has two legitimate types. Aruna is indulged in either for pleasure; the intimate communication of minds and bodies that all hara need for spiritual contentment, or else for the express purpose of conceiving. Although it is a necessity for Wraeththu, the amount of physical communion preferred varies from har to har. Some may seek out a companion only once a year, others may yearn for aruna several times a week. It is not important whether a har most enjoys performing ouana or soume; again this varies among hara. Most swap and change their roles according to mood or circumstance.The phallus of the har resembles a petaled rod, sometimes of deep and varied colours. It has an inner tendril which may only emerge once embraced by the body of the soume and prior to orgasm. The soume organ of generation, located in the lower region of the body in a position not dissimilar to that of a human female womb, is reached by a fleshy, convoluted passage found behind the masculine organs of generation. Self-cleansing, it leads to the lower intestine, where more banks of muscle form an effective seal. GRISSECON:Grissecon is sexual communion for occult purposes; simply - sex magic. As enormous forces are aroused during aruna, these forces may be harnessed to act externally. Explanation other than this is prohibited by the Great Oath.PELKI:There are two legitimate modes of physical intercourse among Wraeththu. Pelki is for the most part denied to exist, although amongst brutalized tribes it undoubtedly does. It is the name for forced rape of either hara or humans. The latter is essentially murder, as humankind cannot tolerate the bodily secretions of Wraeththu, which act as a caustic poison; pelki to humans is always fatal. Because aruna is such a respected and important aspect of Wraeththu life, the concept of pelki is both abhorrent and appalling to the average har. Unfortunately, certain dark powers can be accrued by indulging in these practices and this only serves as a dreadful temptation to hara of evil or morally decadent inclinations. | ||
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| NOTE: Currently the Wraeththu Companion is current only as of the original
three Wraeththu books (Enchantments, Bewitchments, and Fulfilments).
The Companion does not encompass anything is the new Wraeththu History series
(Wraiths and two additional books), nor does it include changes made to
the original books by Storm as she re-edited them for reprint by Immanion
Press, with new content and appendices, and nor does it include material being
developed for a Wraeththu RPG game. It is hoped that the Companion will expand
over time to include these. All original artwork remains the property of the artist, Ruby. No image may be taken or reproduced without permission. The names and likenesses of the Wraeththu characters are used with permission of Storm Constantine, the recognized creator and author of the Wraeththu Chronicles (The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit, The Bewitchments of Love and Hate and The Fulfilments of Fate and Desire) and the Wraeththu Histories (The Wraiths of Will and Pleasure, The Shades of Time and Memory, and The Ghosts of Blood and Innocence.) |
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