Overview
- Physical shape may vary. Wings, horns, and tails, etc., are not a given and vary by bloodline.
- They do not, as human legends dictate, turn to stone by day. They do prefer the sun, but since nightfall is when other predators (i.e., food) are about, the Gargoyles are more active then, which may have given rise to the legends.
- The stronger – or "more pure" – the bloodline, the more potent (deadly) the Gargoyle’s magic. The strength of the magic varies by both bloodline and the individual’s willingness to practice. Lazy Gargoyles are weak gargoyles.
- Gargoyles live in clans, with each clan headed by a clan leader and his advisers. Clan warriors live separately from the clans in tribes and operate under a general or tribe leader, but defer always to the clan leader who acts as commander-in-chief. The families and followers of the clans are to follow the guidelines set by the clan leader.
On Names
Gargoyle names are broken into two parts. The first name (the combination of letters prior to the ' ) denotes to which clan the Gargoyle belongs to. The second name (the combination of letters after the ' ) is the true name of the Gargoyle. Like the human Romaniis, the Gargoyles have different names for outsiders and family. Mated Gargoyles often come up with their own pet names for each other, obviously spoken only in private.
Gargoyle Society
The Gargoyles are a patriarchal society - men dominate all affairs. Clans are divided (like Raspans, ironically) between "purer bloods" and "weaker bloods", and mating between the Pure is for life as opposed to mating in the Weak, which can change with each cycle. Female Gargoyles are known for their skill in herbs and are often teachers and guides to Gargoyles desiring to hone their magic. It is expected of females to have adept magical skill and intricate knowledge of healing, but it is not commonplace. Female Warriors are rare, but not uncommon. These women often do not mate. Male Gargoyles are considered the Provider and the Giver in Gargoyle society. The most eligible of male children are raised by Warriors, Craftsmen, or if they are fortunate, in the home of the Clan Leader to hone in on specific skills. Not all males are Warriors. Not all males are magic users. It is expected of males to understand this and seek out their own paths.
Rules are followed strictly, and without complaint. Punishments for rule breaking varies by severity and clan.
Gargoyles have one Golden Rule: to aid all those of weaker form to one's absolute capability.
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