TID/TMI notes
Setting: London England, 1870s during reign of Queen Victoria
The London Institute:
- located on Fleet Street in London; sits on the site of a church that burned in 1666 and has a glamour that disguises it to look like an abandoned church.
- Inside looks like a castle
- so large it seems like a maze to newcomers.
- Images of angel Raziel depicted all over.
- Rooms are warm and dimly lit, containing a bed, fireplace, windows, etc.
- Huge dining room with a mirror running the length of the room.
- Contains a study, basement and training room in the attic.
The Covenant
Sed lex dura lex. "The law is hard, but it is the law.
- The Covenant is the law upheld by the Clave and provides rules of conduct for nephilim and the rights of the Downworlders.
- nephilim are sworn to never reveal the truth of the Shadow World to the mundane (humans) unless absolutely necessary.
The Accords - ammendments that have been made to the Covenant every 15 years by nephilim and downworlder deligates.
- nephilim and downworlders can live in peace so long as the Accords are honored.
- mundane are not held accountable to the Accords as they are unaware of the Shadow World's existence.
- arguments and debates from both sides to come to an agreement every time the Accords are amended due to conflicting agendas between the various races.
- Great Hall of Alicante is used as location for the first signing of the Accords
- nephilim are recognized as official law keeping force and acknowledged as ultimate authority of the world.
- Downworlders recognized as beings with souls and are thus subject to the same protections as humans. They cannot be accused without first undergoing a trial for their crimes.
- all downworlders must join their own respective organizations or they are considered rogue and not subject to the protections of the Accords.
- Downworlders are still meant to police themselves though; the nephilim only step in when cases become severe.
- Must never reveal nature of Shadow World to the mundanes
- vampires are subject to the same mundane laws where murder is concerned, and thus are forced to abandon their nature of being hunters and predators.
- Warlock persecution is made illegal; Warlocks are aloud to practice demonic magic.
- The Fey sign the accords but say it represents their Covenant in the nephilim world, but not in their own.
Shadow Hunters
- shadowhunters are nephilim who devote themselves to hunting demons. Not all nephilim become shadow hunters.
- must drink from a chalice to ingest the blood of Razriel
- generally come from a long line of shadowhunters and are selected by their families to join the organization.
- begin training in combat often at a young age (10 or so)
- special abilities are provided by runes, most of which are temporary.
* Some exceptions being the Voyance rune first given to young shadowhunters which provide them with the Sight (clairivoyance, the ability to recognize downworlders, etc.)
- Idris is the homeland of shadowhunters; protected by various spells and wards to keep out demons and the mundane.
- Goal of shadowhunters: to end or fight the plague of demons on Earth.
- Battle:
* most use seraph blades, which call upon the angel's name to use their power.
* each shadowhunter gives the blade a name.
* some also have additional weapon proficiencies such as swords, daggers, bows, etc.
Parabatai: pair of nephilim warriors who fight together, bound by oath, regardless of gender. Sworn in front of The Council
- not all shadowhunters are required to have one.
- must be bonded from childhood (before 18)
- forbidden from being together romantically.
Children of the Night AKA Vampires
- considered "undead"
- look pale and thin
- don't have a heartbeat or need to breathe
- the dirt a vampire is buried in holds special significance to them.
- can't be tracked by normal magic, nephilim or otherwise.
- immortal and sterile: can only continue their blood lines through the act of turning humans.
Abilities:
- superhuman strength, grace and speed and accelerated healing properties.
- abilities increase over age
- "encanto" meaning fascination: the power to mesmorize and control mundanes. Using eye contact, can persuade mundanes and even some shadowhunters into prforming almost any act.
- sharper hearing and eye site than humans
- can shapeshift into bats, rats and dust.
Turning:
- have to consume enough vamp blood (fledglings)
- must die a mortal death
- must be buried, reanimate underground and then dig their way out of their grave.
- they are not affected by mundane drugs unless they feed on already intoxicated humans.
- weaknesses include fire, holy water and other blessed materials
Children of Lillith or Warlocks
- offspring of demons and mundanes, born usually through rape or deceit in shape-shifting Eidolan demons, disguised as humans.
- universal trait: Warlock or demon marks, or a part of their body which is strange and unique to identify them as not being human (tails, eyes of different color, skin of different color, etc.)
- sometimes insultingly referred to as half-breeds because of blood mix.
- only species along with faeries who can cast magic.
- will cast magic for mundanes, sometimes for a price, and for nephilim as well.
- independent and mostly keep to themselves.
- some warlocks are inherent with more magic aptitude than others.
- prefer to use simple, one syllable last names
- "High Warlocks" appointed in every city.
Faeries
- blood of angels and demons
- the first faeries were the product of angel/demon union but through the years, they are simply products of other faeries.
- have the beauty of angels and the viciousness of demons and are known to be very cunning.
- have human souls
- known for their unearthly beauty and fair skin. Generally incorporate flora and vegetation into their ensemble and have various pastel hues for their skin.
- will follow any promise they make to the letter, but with crafty word play to find loopholes in the delivery of a promise.
- frequently seek to bargain with humans, promising their heart's desire but failing to mention the terrible cost involved.
- very long lived and become artful and powerful as they age.
Abilities
- swift and graceful
- some have wings the color of a kaladeiscope
- said to be the oldest among the downworlders
- can perform magic
Courts:
organized and classified into courts with Sovereigns presiding over specific territories in the human world as well as their own.
- there are many who are unaffiliated with any court though.
- Seelie Court aka the so-called "good" faeries:
* considered to be less evil and possessing a more light hearted attitude.
* expect courtesy and favors to be fulfilled, otherwise they demand retribution for perceived insults to their contracts.
* considered the spring/summer court.
* more likely to work with outsiders
- Unseelie Court: the so-called "bad" faeries
* do not involve themselves with outside affairs such as the shadow hunters, etc.
* considered the winter/autumn court.
* choose malevolence over benevolence when given a choice in dealing with others.
- Fey can have offspring with humans. Offspring does not become fey however, but may retain some faerie like aspects.
- Iron is toxic to faeries.
The London Institute:
- located on Fleet Street in London; sits on the site of a church that burned in 1666 and has a glamour that disguises it to look like an abandoned church.
- Inside looks like a castle
- so large it seems like a maze to newcomers.
- Images of angel Raziel depicted all over.
- Rooms are warm and dimly lit, containing a bed, fireplace, windows, etc.
- Huge dining room with a mirror running the length of the room.
- Contains a study, basement and training room in the attic.
The Covenant
Sed lex dura lex. "The law is hard, but it is the law.
- The Covenant is the law upheld by the Clave and provides rules of conduct for nephilim and the rights of the Downworlders.
- nephilim are sworn to never reveal the truth of the Shadow World to the mundane (humans) unless absolutely necessary.
The Accords - ammendments that have been made to the Covenant every 15 years by nephilim and downworlder deligates.
- nephilim and downworlders can live in peace so long as the Accords are honored.
- mundane are not held accountable to the Accords as they are unaware of the Shadow World's existence.
- arguments and debates from both sides to come to an agreement every time the Accords are amended due to conflicting agendas between the various races.
- Great Hall of Alicante is used as location for the first signing of the Accords
- nephilim are recognized as official law keeping force and acknowledged as ultimate authority of the world.
- Downworlders recognized as beings with souls and are thus subject to the same protections as humans. They cannot be accused without first undergoing a trial for their crimes.
- all downworlders must join their own respective organizations or they are considered rogue and not subject to the protections of the Accords.
- Downworlders are still meant to police themselves though; the nephilim only step in when cases become severe.
- Must never reveal nature of Shadow World to the mundanes
- vampires are subject to the same mundane laws where murder is concerned, and thus are forced to abandon their nature of being hunters and predators.
- Warlock persecution is made illegal; Warlocks are aloud to practice demonic magic.
- The Fey sign the accords but say it represents their Covenant in the nephilim world, but not in their own.
Shadow Hunters
- shadowhunters are nephilim who devote themselves to hunting demons. Not all nephilim become shadow hunters.
- must drink from a chalice to ingest the blood of Razriel
- generally come from a long line of shadowhunters and are selected by their families to join the organization.
- begin training in combat often at a young age (10 or so)
- special abilities are provided by runes, most of which are temporary.
* Some exceptions being the Voyance rune first given to young shadowhunters which provide them with the Sight (clairivoyance, the ability to recognize downworlders, etc.)
- Idris is the homeland of shadowhunters; protected by various spells and wards to keep out demons and the mundane.
- Goal of shadowhunters: to end or fight the plague of demons on Earth.
- Battle:
* most use seraph blades, which call upon the angel's name to use their power.
* each shadowhunter gives the blade a name.
* some also have additional weapon proficiencies such as swords, daggers, bows, etc.
Parabatai: pair of nephilim warriors who fight together, bound by oath, regardless of gender. Sworn in front of The Council
- not all shadowhunters are required to have one.
- must be bonded from childhood (before 18)
- forbidden from being together romantically.
Children of the Night AKA Vampires
- considered "undead"
- look pale and thin
- don't have a heartbeat or need to breathe
- the dirt a vampire is buried in holds special significance to them.
- can't be tracked by normal magic, nephilim or otherwise.
- immortal and sterile: can only continue their blood lines through the act of turning humans.
Abilities:
- superhuman strength, grace and speed and accelerated healing properties.
- abilities increase over age
- "encanto" meaning fascination: the power to mesmorize and control mundanes. Using eye contact, can persuade mundanes and even some shadowhunters into prforming almost any act.
- sharper hearing and eye site than humans
- can shapeshift into bats, rats and dust.
Turning:
- have to consume enough vamp blood (fledglings)
- must die a mortal death
- must be buried, reanimate underground and then dig their way out of their grave.
- they are not affected by mundane drugs unless they feed on already intoxicated humans.
- weaknesses include fire, holy water and other blessed materials
Children of Lillith or Warlocks
- offspring of demons and mundanes, born usually through rape or deceit in shape-shifting Eidolan demons, disguised as humans.
- universal trait: Warlock or demon marks, or a part of their body which is strange and unique to identify them as not being human (tails, eyes of different color, skin of different color, etc.)
- sometimes insultingly referred to as half-breeds because of blood mix.
- only species along with faeries who can cast magic.
- will cast magic for mundanes, sometimes for a price, and for nephilim as well.
- independent and mostly keep to themselves.
- some warlocks are inherent with more magic aptitude than others.
- prefer to use simple, one syllable last names
- "High Warlocks" appointed in every city.
Faeries
- blood of angels and demons
- the first faeries were the product of angel/demon union but through the years, they are simply products of other faeries.
- have the beauty of angels and the viciousness of demons and are known to be very cunning.
- have human souls
- known for their unearthly beauty and fair skin. Generally incorporate flora and vegetation into their ensemble and have various pastel hues for their skin.
- will follow any promise they make to the letter, but with crafty word play to find loopholes in the delivery of a promise.
- frequently seek to bargain with humans, promising their heart's desire but failing to mention the terrible cost involved.
- very long lived and become artful and powerful as they age.
Abilities
- swift and graceful
- some have wings the color of a kaladeiscope
- said to be the oldest among the downworlders
- can perform magic
Courts:
organized and classified into courts with Sovereigns presiding over specific territories in the human world as well as their own.
- there are many who are unaffiliated with any court though.
- Seelie Court aka the so-called "good" faeries:
* considered to be less evil and possessing a more light hearted attitude.
* expect courtesy and favors to be fulfilled, otherwise they demand retribution for perceived insults to their contracts.
* considered the spring/summer court.
* more likely to work with outsiders
- Unseelie Court: the so-called "bad" faeries
* do not involve themselves with outside affairs such as the shadow hunters, etc.
* considered the winter/autumn court.
* choose malevolence over benevolence when given a choice in dealing with others.
- Fey can have offspring with humans. Offspring does not become fey however, but may retain some faerie like aspects.
- Iron is toxic to faeries.