RACE: Castanic

The Castanics are a demonic race in TERA, who suffer from prejudices and oppression for being an ally with an enemy demon, Roak, who would eventually destroy their world. As a result of this, they don't trust anybody, and prefer to do things by themselves. When they managed to break free from the demon, the humans and Amani helped them get into the Valkyon Federation.

Castanics inspire more conflicting emotions than any other race in the federation. Clever and skilled, castanics are also opportunistic and hot-tempered. A castanic never forgets a friend and never abandons an ally. They're also notoriously quick-tempered and have a tendency to decapitate first and accept apologies second.

The castanic race is famous for the skill of its artisans and crafters. They are also adept merchants—cunning negotiators who love the interplay of bargaining, and strive to come out on top in every deal.

History
The devas were children of Zuras. After she was sealed away by Titus in the war against the giants, Balder offered them to Lok, a fellow craftsman. He changed their name, and they served him until his fall. Since that time, the castanics have forged their own destiny, lived by their own dark code of honor, and carved out a place in history.

Betrayed into creating an artifact that caused the death of the beloved god Balder, most castanics have spurned the gods entirely, believing them not to be worth the trouble they cause, and that those who depend upon the gods are too cowardly to seize their own destiny. Some, however, seduced by Lakan's promises of power, have followed the evil god into Northern Arun, intent on reviving the ancient and bloody name: devas.

Castanic Appearance
The Castanics are a demon-like race that feature exotic looks. Both females and males have various shaped horns composed of a solid material atop their heads. Their horns often have patterns on them, which usually include some shade of red coloring. Combined with pointed, elongated ears this gives them their exotic and demon-like appearance. To go with their demon-like horns, the Castanics also choose elaborate hairstyles, adding to their exotic appearance. Castanics also feature armored patterns on their bodies, and usually have fair, tanned skin. The Castanics are relatively short in height, though they possess strong physical shapes. This anatomy allows them to be agile and swift allies or enemies. The Castanics are also often seen as a very seductive and sexy race.

Castanics Today
Already known as a fiery-tempered race, castanics have found an uneasy niche in the Valkyon Federation. Council decisions against their wishes frequently find castanic factions acting on their own. They take what they can, though they never steal, and they look out for each other.

Castanics in the Federation are willing to work together for the common good, but only so far as the common good doesn't take too long or come at too high a price. They’re perfectly willing and able to go their own way if necessary.

Capital City: Castanica
Castanica lies in a vale on the east coast of the continent of Arun. The dark heart of Clan Castanic crackles with energy. Their merchants can find anything—for the right price. Much like its thorny, dark architecture and its oft-misunderstood inhabitants, a harsh beauty lurks beneath the surface. Between the darkness and the light, the Shrouded Rose continues to glow, and the proud people of the city take their place on the world stage.

Well-known as highly skilled artisans and crafters. Originally a deva clan, the Castanics went their own way. Betrayed/tricked into creating an artifact that killed a god (Baldur?). Their capitol is Castanica.

"Runes" on their flesh are actually arcane scars seered into their flesh upon Balder's death. Baby Castanics are born without horns or scars. Puberty is the onset of the growth of their horns and scars, and reportedly a painful experience.

Castanics in general do not follow a deity.

Few members of the populous follow Kaia as their chosen deity.

Balder
The God of the Castanics. They once followed this god.

Child of Elinu and Karas. Lok had forged the Crown of Phanes to cure Balder, but instead it killed him.

Even as a child, Balder was held in high regard by all the other gods, who saw a lot of his mother, Elinu, when they looked at him. After Tithus’s death, Balder stepped into the peacekeeper role among the gods. Despite deep divisions and bitter rivalries among the gods, almost everyone respected Balder, who was entrusted with the keys to the heavenly abode where the gods were at their strongest.

Karas’s curse of darkness came to an end when Balder sacrificed his sight so that others in the world could see. Balder tore out his own eyes and hurled them into the sky, where they became the twin suns that give the world light to this day.

Yet even the wisdom of Balder could not keep the gods at peace forever. Balder’s twin sister, Ishara, sought Balder’s power and convinced their older brother Lok that Balder was descending into madness. Lok unintentionally killed Balder upon placing the Crown of Phanes upon him, and stole the keys to the gods’ heavenly abode.

After Balder was killed, his friend and bodyguard, Shakan, killed Lok before Lok revealed where he had hid the gods' power.

Some images of NPCs in Castanica if you wish to tie some of your story to them.