A Guide to Supernaturals

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Supernatural Government and Culture

"Supernaturals", as they are called, can be found all over the world, from all regions and from all walks of life. Historically, they've been noticed by the populace and stories of them have become myths and legends. Supernaturals in both the United States and Canada have come together under a single government- the North American Supernatural Governing Organization, more commonly known as "NASGO". NASGO is governed by a Chancellor, elected every six years by all supernaturals that are at least 22 years old. Below the Chancellor is a group known as the "High Council", a council made up of six individuals, one representative from each species. Every supernatural over the age of 20 is able to vote for their species' representative every two years. NASGO manages a wide range of programs, ranging from the management of NASCHA Chee Academy to monitoring the appropriateness of content on the supernatural TV channels. NASGO works closely with the governments of both the United States and Canada, but governs its own affairs for the most part.

Supernaturals have a subculture parallel to that of humans, hidden within their cities. Supernaturals tend to congregate in certain areas: there are particularly large supernatural populations in New Mexico (near NASGO headquarters), around the San Francisco Bay Area in California, and in Washington D.C. Supernaturals tend to meet each other in areas kept secret from humans. Many of these areas resemble speakeasies; most businesses that cater to supernaturals are located in seemingly-abandoned alleys, and require passwords to enter. These businesses, more often than not, are nightclubs, bars, or restaurants, or a mixture of all three. Supernatural culture tends to focus around these areas, and are one of the few places where supernaturals can freely discuss their species and supernatural issues. In addition to these areas where supernaturals meet in person, supernaturals also have a number of virtual resources available to them. The North American Supernatural Internet Network (more often known as "the Underweb"), similar to the dark web, is a section of the internet accessible only by supernaturals. Supernaturals can apply to NASGO and receive a special addon that allows their computer to access it. In addition, supernaturals have their own television network, quite originally called "Supernatural TV". This has news and TV shows that focus on NASGO and the supernatural community, although there are significantly fewer channels than on normal television. Most supernaturals watch both normal television and Supernatural TV.

Supernatural Demographics

There are six different species of supernaturals that have joined NASGO: shapeshifters, silvans, unicorns, dragons, naiads, and vampires. It is believed by some supernatural researchers that more species may exist, but this possibility is dismissed by most of the supernatural community. Of all supernaturals, shapeshifters and silvans are the most common, followed by vampires. Dragons and unicorns are the rarest, but are still not difficult to find, together making up 15% of the population. (Note that this is just in-character information, and the characters created on the site do not have to fit with these percentages at all.)

The difference for the difference in population is unknown. Supernaturals, more often than not, are born to human parents, and discover that they are supernatural once they hit puberty. It is possible for a supernatural to be born to supernatural parents, but unlikely; both genders of supernaturals are less fertile than humans. With a human, a supernatural is around half as likely to conceive as a human; with another supernatural, they're 10% as likely to conceive. When a supernatural breeds with a human, the child is never going to be supernatural. However, with another supernatural, the child is always going to be supernatural. If the parents of the child are of different supernatural species, the child can be either of the parent's species; if they're the same species, the child will always be the same species as the parent.

Only around 5% of all supernaturals are born to supernatural parents. The vast majority are born to human parents. (Note that this doesn't mean that you can't create a character with supernatural parents.) Even if they are born to two supernaturals, the abilities and physical changes that come with being a supernatural only appear at around puberty. All supernaturals who are at located in the United States or Canada 15 years old must go to Nascha Chee Academy, regardless of who their parents are. However, because it is impossible to tell whether somebody is a supernatural until puberty, it takes longer for "late bloomers" to discover that they are a supernatural. For this reason, it is possible for someone to come to the school for their first year as a sophmore or junior rather than a freshman, if they hit puberty late and are 16 or 17 when they discover their supernatural nature. Supernaturals do tend to hit puberty later than most humans, and it is unusual for a supernatural to begin to develop supernatural traits before the age of thirteen.

Secrecy

Supernaturals have a natural fear of exposing their identity to humans. Nobody knows quite way this is; and indeed, many supernatural researchers use old legends to support their claim that supernaturals did not always have this innate fear. However, young supernaturals will instinctively avoid exposing their nature to humans. Young shapeshifters, unicorns, and dragons will never shapeshift in front of a human, vampires will only feed when they know they cannot be caught, and naiads will instinctively know to avoid fresh or salt water in front of humans. (Note that although silvans generally do not learn of their abilities until they go to Nascha Chee, this generally does not apply to them; however, they too have an instinctive fear of exposing themselves to humans.) As they grow and learn to control their powers, this fades from an absolute inability to a strong mental urge against it. If an adult attempts to knowingly expose their abilities, their mind will fight against it, but it is technically possible. Exposing one's abilities, is illegal, and the wide public opinion of the supernatural community is that it is a horrible idea. Both the US/Canadian government and NASGO will work together to cover up any exposure of humans to the supernatural world.

Note that the US and Canadian governments are both aware of the existence of the supernatural community, and assist NASGO in their affairs. Generally, only a select group of people know about the existence of supernaturals, and any documents regarding them are considered classified. The United States and Canada generally only provide funding to NASGO, and manpower, if they need it, while NASGO mostly runs its own affairs independent from either government.

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Shapeshifters

Other Names: Therions (formal term), Weres (archaic, mildly offensive), Skinwalkers (archaic, obsolete, derogatory, extremely offensive)

Physical Appearances: Shapeshifters generally do not experience any physical changes after discovering their supernatural abilities. Some experience a slight pointing of the nails, but it's very rare for full-blown claws to develop, like is common in many other species of supernatural. In any case, when these claws develop, they are not visible to normal humans. Slight yellow or greenish tints to a shapeshifter's eyes are somewhat uncommon, but certainly not unheard of. Shapeshifters, in their alternate animal form, look just like a normal animal of their species. They may have any natural coloring of their animal's species, excluding colors that are rare mutations in their species, such as albinism or leucism.

Abilities: Shapeshifters, as the name suggests, have the ability to shapeshift into exactly one animal. This animal must not be extinct, and can be native to any habitat on Earth. While insect shapeshifters are possible, as are shapeshifters that can transform into similarly smaller and shorter-lived creatures, most shapeshifters tend to have forms that are either mammals, reptiles, or birds. Aquatic shapeshifters are extremely rare, but not unheard of. Apart from their ability to shapeshift, some shapeshifters also have minor healing abilities. Their skill in healing doesn't compare at all to that of a unicorn or even a silvan, but it could serve as a form of first aid when nothing else is available.

Other: Historically, shapeshifters have been associated with many different legends around the world. In Europe, many of them tended to be associated with werewolves, and the alternate name "were" eventually became associated with them. In the modern day, it is little used, and considered so inaccurate that it's vaguely offensive. The word "skinwalker", similarly, was applied to shapeshifters based on a misunderstanding of the traditions of particular Native American cultures. Ultimately, neither the shapeshifters or these cultures were happy with this, and the term fell out of use. It is still used occasionally in common speech as an extremely offensive term, on par with some racial slurs, and is extremely frowned upon. The term "therion", based on the Greek term, was intended was a more formal term without the connotations of any one culture's legends. Although uncommon in casual speech, "therion" is the term often found in textbooks and official documents, and used in formal settings more often than "shapeshifter".

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Silvans

Other Names: Sylvans (alternate spelling), Fair Folk (uncommon, more of a poetic term), Wildfolk (archaic), Changelings (archaic), Faefolk (archaic), Fairies (deragatory)

Physical Appearances: Silvans, like vampires and naiads, experience minor changes to their physical appearance after reaching puberty. These changes range wildly from individual to individual, but are quite subtle for the most part. Changes in hair color are very common, with around 75% of silvans developing silver or white hair. Included in this statistic are silvans with hair color that simply looks bleached from its original color, which is not uncommon either. The development of claws also occurs in around half of silvans, ranging from a slight pointing of their nails to fully-developed long, black claws that can be sheathed and unsheathed. Many silvans will find that small markings appear across their skin, often in the form of rune-like patterns that range from glowing to simply being slightly off-color from the skin tone. Sometimes eye color will be affected, ranging from slight hints of silver or purple to eyes that are entirely fantastical colors. In more uncommon cases, unusual mutations may form, with animal ears, tails, or small patches of animal fur. Of these animal mutations, deer antlers are the most common, and are often paired with extreme changes to eye color.

Abilities: Much like in appearance, silvans vary greatly when it comes to their abilities. However, as a common theme, their powers all tie in to nature. Some silvans may have the ability to grow small plants, and it is not uncommon for them to have the ability to command animals. Healing magic is also very common, although when it comes to effectiveness, a silvan's healing ability cannot compare to that of a unicorn. Besides these powers, all silvans have a number of more subtle abilities. They have an uncanny knack for identifying lies, although they can still be fooled like anybody else, albeit with some difficulty. They can detect changes in emotions, and when somebody is experiencing emotions of a particular strength, they are able to tell even when physical indicators are not present.

Other: Traditionally, silvans have been associated with changelings or fairies when they're ethnically European, but with the introduction of more diverse demographics to the supernatural community, these associations are mostly considered archaic. A notable exception is the term "Fair Folk", which is uncommon in common speech but still widely used and accepted by the supernatural community as a more formal or poetic term. Most of the physical features of silvans are invisible to normal humans. The notable exception is when a silvan uses their magic, in which case any physical changes, such as unnatural hair or animal features, are visible. As a result, silvans do not typically use their magic outside of private settings or spaces reserved for supernaturals.

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Unicorns

Other Names: None of note

Physical Appearances: Like with silvans, a number of unicorns may develop white, silver, or bleached hair in their human form. Certainly not all unicorns do, but it's common enough to be noted. This hair color can be seen by normal humans, but many unicorns can get away with it by either dying their hair or claiming that the unusual color is the result of dye. Apart from this, there are no physical changes to a unicorn's human form. In their unicorn form, a unicorn appears as a typical horse. They can come in any natural color that a horse can, meaning that palomino, chestnut, or even dappled gray unicorns are possible. In addition to these natural colors, a unicorn can also be either pure white or silver. Black unicorns, for some strange reason, are more common than black horses. A unicorn's horn, regardless of coat color, can be either white, silver, gold, or bronze. In addition, it's common for a unicorn horn to be either the color of the unicorn's mane/tail or coat. the horn itself is usually straight, and wider at the base and thinner at the top. It points forward from the unicorn's forehand, in the middle and a bit in front of the ears. The horn is, at max, usually a foot and a half long. It can be curved slightly forward instead of straight, but this is rare and considered somewhat unusual. In their unicorn form, a unicorn is on average around five to six feet tall. They may have a variety of body types, ranging from sleeker and more agile breeds like Arabians or Thoroughbreds to strong and muscular draft horses.

Abilities: In addition to their ability to shapeshift between a human and unicorn form, unicorns are well-known for their magical healing abilities. In their human form, they can clean serious cuts or scrapes and accelerate its healing, but not heal a wound outright. In their unicorn form, their healing abilities are much more powerful. Typically, they touch their horn to a wound, and the wound will begin to heal immediately. These healing abilities do have limits, however; generally, they cannot heal wounds to vital parts of the body that would otherwise be fatal. Unicorns can, however, heal people that are on the brink of death due to blood loss, but cannot close up such a wound completely. (For example, a unicorn could not heal somebody that was shot in the head or heart, while they would be able to heal a large gash that somebody was bleeding out of to the point where they won't die.) Their healing abilities do not extend to diseases. In addition, in their unicorn form, a unicorn is typically faster, more agile, and more resistant to injury than a normal horse.

Other: Unicorns, historically, were known for being very aloof and reserved, preferring not to participate in supernatural society. These attitudes, for the most part, are no longer seen. The unicorns were the last to put a representative on the High Council of NASGO, having only done so fifty years prior to the present. This aloof attitude is almost extinct among young unicorns, but is still occasionally found amongst the elders. They also make up the smallest percentage of the supernatural population, making up only 5% of all supernaturals. (This is just a fun fact, it does not mean that there has to be less unicorn characters than any other characters.)

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Dragons

Other Names: Drakons (archaic alternate spelling), Wyrms (somewhat archaic, generally used to refer to superiors as a sign of respect)

Physical Appearances: Dragons generally experience no changes to their human form, although a small number may develop a slight yellowish tinting to their eyes and a change in the pupil that makes them look just slightly catlike. Some dragons also experience a change in their nails that makes them more clawlike, ranging from just a slight pointing of the nails to fully-grown claws that can be sheathed or retracted at will. Both of these things are visible to normal humans, but the changes to the eyes are often subtle enough to go unnoticed, while the claws can be covered with gloves. In their dragon form, the typical dragon is between six and eight feet tall and twelve to eighteen feet from nose to tailtip, with a wingspan of around sixteen to twenty feet. They're the typical "western" dragon, with four legs and two wings attached below their shoulders just where they back slopes and becomes flat. Their scales come in every color of the rainbow, as well as several metallic tones and brown, black, and white. They have long, sharp teeth that grow back after they're lost (much like a crocodile's). Dragons have long black or white claws that can be retracted as necessary, that can either serve as weapons or climbing tools. At the end of their tail, dragons may have some sort of growth, including but not limited to spikes, a spade shape, or a blade shape. In their dragon form, dragons are capable of both flight and firebreathing, although not for extended periods of time.

Abilities: Apart from their ability to shapeshift into a dragon and breathe fire, dragons also have powerful control over the mind. Dragons are capable of telepathy. When doing telepathy, a dragon simply sends a thought to another person, which can be in the form of either words, an image, or a series of feelings. Regardless of whether the person receiving this thought is a dragon or not, they can respond in kind. In telepathy, both parties choose which thoughts that the other will receive; they cannot freely read each others' minds. Dragons who are particularly skilled with their abilities may even be able to create a telepathic conversation with up to five people at once, where each person is able to hear every thought that somebody sends through the telepathic link. In addition to these consensual abilities, dragons are capable of reading thoughts and controlling the minds of others after making eye contact with somebody else for more than five seconds. However, under normal circumstances, they can only use these powers freely on normal humans and on animals. In order to use these abilities on a fellow supernatural, the other supernatural must be in a particular emotional state, which the dragon will be able to detect. (Read as: you need permission from whoever roleplays the character that is getting their mind read or controlled.) While reading a person's mind, a dragon will only be able to tell what thought the person is currently thinking, not access their memories. While controlling somebody's mind, a dragon will be able to see through their eyes, and will give the person commands. The person will be aware of their actions and believe that they are in control of them, and will be completely unaware that the dragon is controlling them, even in hindsight, unless they are told. Dragons cannot read minds or use mind control accidentally.

Other: Dragons were once of the last species to put a representative on the High Council of NASGO, being the fifth after naiads and before unicorns.

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Naiads

Other Names: Nereids (less common, equivalent term)

Physical Appearances: The most stunning feature of naiads are their claws and fangs. All naiads have sharp, fully-developed claws that may be extended or retracted. They are usually black in color, although are occasionally a light or dark gray color, or are just slightly off-color from the skin. Much like with vampires, naiads experience a dramatic lengthening and sharpening of their canine teeth. However, naiads tend to have teeth that remain flatter, rather than rounding like those of vampires. In addition, all of a naiad's teeth become slightly pointed, albeit less dramatically than with the canine teeth. Many naiads also see their skin take on a grayish tint, although this isn't a rule. Oftentimes, when a naiad's skin turns gray, their eyes also become either gray or silver. However, skin sometimes becomes grayer without a change in eye color, while the change in eye color sometimes occurs without a change in skin color. Sometimes, other aquatic features may present themselves, such as slight webbing between the feet and/or the toes or padding on the fingers and palms of their hands. Sullen eyes do not occur in all naiads, but are common. Regardless, naiads don't look very human.

Abilities: Naiads are aquatic creatures, and they are strongest in the water. While swimming, a naiad is capable of moving silently through the water, which naiads have historically done to drown humans. Naiads also blend in with the water; they are not completely invisible, but while in water, it takes a while to pick out a naiad from their surroundings (similar to how it may be difficult to see a camouflaged animal). This is a form of magic, and not literal camouflage. While in the water, naiads are swifter and stronger than other supernaturals or normal humans, and make exceptional swimmers. However, this only applies to freshwater. While in chlorinated water, naiads are just as strong as any human, and are not silent or hard to see. It is worth noting that many naiads are slightly more skilled that humans even in swimming pools simply because of the amount of time that most naiads spend in the water; it's simply that naiads aren't supernaturally powerful in chlorinated water like in fresh or salt water. In addition, naiads are capable of breathing underwater regardless of whether the water is freshwater, saltwater, or chlorinated water. They can also see perfectly underwater regardless of depth, time of day, water clarity, or whether the water is chlorinated.

Other: Humans see naiads just as normal humans, and the claws, fangs, and other features of naiads are completely invisible to them. However, when a naiad is at least waist-deep in freshwater or saltwater, a human will be able to see a naiad's supernatural features. This does not apply to chlorinated water- a naiad can be in a swimming pool in front of humans without fear, but naiads are also unable to use their abilities in this water. Whenever a naiad is out in the rain, a human is also able to see their inhuman features. This can be countered by umbrellas or raincoats that cover the naiad completely, although most prefer to simply remain indoors rather than risk a raindrop hitting them.

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Vampires

Physical Appearances: Vampires tend to look just like normal humans, apart from the long, curved fangs that they develop. A select few do develop unusually pale skin, but this is not the rule and indeed not the norm. A handful of vampires also experience a change in eye color, with their eyes becoming yellow, amber, or red, or taking on a slight tint of those colors, but this is not common either. A small fraction of vampires may develop claws, like many other supernatural species. Humans can see vampires' fangs or any unusual skin/eye colors, which vampires may have difficulty hiding. Most vampire fangs can be passed off as "bad teeth", but vampires unlucky enough to experience a full shift in eye color may be forced to wear sunglasses or colored contacts to hide them.

Abilities: Vampires do not have any "true" powers, but are definitely supernatural in more than just appearance. Vampires are capable of moving so that it is difficult to hear them, and often blend in with the shadows. Vampires are faster and stronger than most normal humans (the average vampire can outrun or beat up an average human without difficulty, but without extensive training, would definitely lose to an Olympic runner or professional wrestler, for example). Vampires also have excellent hearing and vision, able to hear and see small details from almost twice as far away as a human could. Vampires, much like cats, are able to see well even in the dark.

Other: Much like naiads, vampires are well-suited to be natural predators of humans. However, unlike naiads, vampires actually need some form of sustenance from humans: blood. Around once every four days, vampires must drink at least a pint of blood; otherwise, they will slowly lose the ability to concentrate and think about anything except blood. At Nascha Chee, blood is regularly imported to the school, and blood drives are frequently held where fellow students can donate blood to vampires. Blood is often kept in bags, and stored in the office for a vampire to get whenever they need it. Historically, it was believed that humans could be turned into vampires when bitten by one. This, however, has been debunked many times by supernatural researchers; vampires are born, not made, like all other supernaturals, and it is perfectly safe for vampires to feed directly from people (although it is considered wrong without permission). Many young vampires, before arriving at Nascha Chee, do indeed feed off of sleeping human prey, having no other options and being unaware of their resources. Unlike in many old legends, vampires do not have any issues with the sun. This myth is believed to have originated from vampires that develop pale skin or unusual eye colors; many vampires with pale skin may opt to limit their time in the sun to avoid sunburns, while vampires with unusual eye colors may have difficulty hiding them, and may chose to stay inside to avoid humans.