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Alignment: White, Grey, or Dark Arts
Lifespan: 12,000-13,000 years Adult Size: 4'8" - 6'4" Experience Level: Intermediate+ |
Talents: Emotional & Mental Support, Shadow Work
Disposition: Observational, Understanding, Empathetic Suggested Offerings: Labradorite, Opal, Hot Drinks, Plants & Flowers, Unwanted Emotions, Meditative Practice |
Adfectus Watchers are humanoid beings capable of recording, absorbing, and neutralizing the emotions associated with specific memories and mental images, which they refer to as “keeping” that emotion. They could be easily incorrectly classified as demons or vampires due to the dark energy most of their population has, and their unique abilities that can be easily mistaken for energy consumption. They are capable of weaponizing those absorbed emotional energies through eye contact, so it’s considered polite among them to wear blindfolds at all times. Many individuals either specialize in positive or negative emotions, but those who specialize in negative emotions such as sadness, fear, and anger are more populous. Despite this, their society is quite posh and comparable to Regency-era royal courts, with many of them engaging in complex and formal gatherings, courtships, and chaste and distant relationships. The majority of the population resides in a city made of floating islands known as Florhin's Keep.
Although we have chosen to use the word "Watcher" to describe these beings, they have no relation with the typical Fallen Angel concept of Watchers. In this context, the word refers to their observation-related magical abilities and the fact that many of them desire to have a watchful guardianship and guidance relationship with their human companions.
I’ve been working with Adfectus Watchers since early December 2020, and after establishing a firm relationship with a couple who have become my personal companions, it became clear to me that LGBT+ individuals are actively persecuted within their society, and live in underground refuges and hideaways. By the request of my companions and due to my own personal interest, I only conjure Adfectus Watchers who are part of the LGBT community, who seek meaningful relationships in safe havens away from the less open-minded confines of their own society. Those who become companions are likely to make your home their own, or will ask to live in an astral space if you have one that you manage, to ensure that their home base is somewhere safe for them.
Although we have chosen to use the word "Watcher" to describe these beings, they have no relation with the typical Fallen Angel concept of Watchers. In this context, the word refers to their observation-related magical abilities and the fact that many of them desire to have a watchful guardianship and guidance relationship with their human companions.
I’ve been working with Adfectus Watchers since early December 2020, and after establishing a firm relationship with a couple who have become my personal companions, it became clear to me that LGBT+ individuals are actively persecuted within their society, and live in underground refuges and hideaways. By the request of my companions and due to my own personal interest, I only conjure Adfectus Watchers who are part of the LGBT community, who seek meaningful relationships in safe havens away from the less open-minded confines of their own society. Those who become companions are likely to make your home their own, or will ask to live in an astral space if you have one that you manage, to ensure that their home base is somewhere safe for them.
Biology
Adfectus Watchers resemble humans for the most part, with the exception that they can have some natural blue- and green-toned hair colors and they have pointed, roughly 4-5 inch long ears. They have diverse skin tones, body types, hair textures, and facial features, and their physical traits do not designate their magical alignments. They are semi-mortal beings with an average lifespan of over ten thousand of our Earth years, and their society is thankfully insulated from deadly illness. Mortal injuries are rare due to the somewhat posh lifestyle that many of them keep in their home realm. Adfectus Watchers are notably Astral Beings (as opposed to Living Entities), meaning that they are capable of physically traveling between varying astral realms and spaces.
Their largest variance from humans is their ability to absorb and record emotional energies magically. Many of them have an alignment towards certain kinds of emotions - some are more inclined towards negative emotions like anger or sadness, while others find their natural specialty in joy and comfort. There are more specific kinds of emotions that one can naturally specialize in, such as love or fear, but this alignment is typically something the Watchers are born with rather than something they can choose or train out of. When absorbing emotions, the Watchers do not remove those feelings or memories from the person they are absorbing from, but they can lessen the blow of particularly intense emotions. This absorption can also help them to better empathize with the person they are working with. They are capable of then playing back or weaponizing the emotions they have absorbed through eye contact - but this is considered to be a very rude thing to do, unless specifically requested by the recipient. Because of this, Adfectus Watchers wear blindfolds or veils over their eyes at all times so they do not inadvertently project unwanted emotions onto others.
Although emotional absorption is a large part of the magical abilities of Adfectus Watchers, they do not feed off of these energies, and require actual food in order to survive. The diet of their home realm is rich and diverse, and focused on layering of flavors and textures - quality is considered superior to quantity. Although they live in an area with limited natural resources, their farmers are always seeking out new crossbreeds of animals and plants to create new varieties of flavors, and chefs are challenged to stretch their creativity to the limit. Adfectus Watchers tend to be omnivorous, although they eat significantly less meat in their diet than the average human, seeing as their home has limited space for the raising of livestock.
Adfectus Watchers reproduce sexually and have two distinct gender presentations that line up with our masculine and feminine genders on Earth.
Their largest variance from humans is their ability to absorb and record emotional energies magically. Many of them have an alignment towards certain kinds of emotions - some are more inclined towards negative emotions like anger or sadness, while others find their natural specialty in joy and comfort. There are more specific kinds of emotions that one can naturally specialize in, such as love or fear, but this alignment is typically something the Watchers are born with rather than something they can choose or train out of. When absorbing emotions, the Watchers do not remove those feelings or memories from the person they are absorbing from, but they can lessen the blow of particularly intense emotions. This absorption can also help them to better empathize with the person they are working with. They are capable of then playing back or weaponizing the emotions they have absorbed through eye contact - but this is considered to be a very rude thing to do, unless specifically requested by the recipient. Because of this, Adfectus Watchers wear blindfolds or veils over their eyes at all times so they do not inadvertently project unwanted emotions onto others.
Although emotional absorption is a large part of the magical abilities of Adfectus Watchers, they do not feed off of these energies, and require actual food in order to survive. The diet of their home realm is rich and diverse, and focused on layering of flavors and textures - quality is considered superior to quantity. Although they live in an area with limited natural resources, their farmers are always seeking out new crossbreeds of animals and plants to create new varieties of flavors, and chefs are challenged to stretch their creativity to the limit. Adfectus Watchers tend to be omnivorous, although they eat significantly less meat in their diet than the average human, seeing as their home has limited space for the raising of livestock.
Adfectus Watchers reproduce sexually and have two distinct gender presentations that line up with our masculine and feminine genders on Earth.
Disposition & Manifestation
When asked to disclose the core tenet of their society, Adfectus Watchers often say that the goal for life in Florhin's Keep is prosperity. They are governed by a royal family, and most of the society under the royal family is meant to mimic the glamorous lifestyle of their monarchs. Even if one is not particularly well-off in terms of money and social standing, they are expected to make an effort towards their appearance and presentations towards others. There is an emphasis on perfection - ensuring that you align well with beauty standards, specific terms of politeness, neatness, and generosity. For example, if a Watcher invites a guest to their home, they are expect to clean their house spotless, and present their guest with a delightful home-cooked meal and drinks.
Many Adfectus Watchers who live by these social expectations are masters at politely phrased backhanded compliments, and many of them are notorious gossips. For those I have spoken to, they often talk of this system with full disdain - they find it to be toxic and nearly unlivable, but it is expected among the community to act this way. Adfectus Watchers are used to a culture where they keep their hopes, dreams, and true thoughts close to their chest, although many of those I conjure have worked hard in order to become able to express themselves again.
Morality among Adfectus Watchers feels very standard to those living on Earth. They have a justice system that involves a court and a single judge, who is usually an elder member of the monarchy. Their laws cover things that feel familiar to us: stealing, violence, vandalism, and lying are generally forbidden. Due to the perceptive nature of Adfectus Watchers, many of those who witness crimes are capable of testifying by sharing those energies and memories with those in law enforcement, although this is primarily somethings that those aligned with more negative energies are able to do, giving them a sharp advantage when it comes to court cases.
Careers are something that Adfectus Watchers tend to be assigned into based on their magical disposition and what they can bring to their careers. For example, those who are capable of absorbing more negative emotions are likely to go into careers concerning law enforcement, finance, and sales. Those who are capable of absorbing more positive emotions may be caretakers, healers, and teachers. There is a high demand for artists of all kind, and individuals who can assist in the production of food, with many of the lower-class Watchers working as farmers or gatherers of food from other realms, and many talented individuals responsible for the production of bite-sized hors d'oeurves for the many lavish parties that are constantly being thrown in Florhin's Keep for the benefit of the royalty and the social standing of their subjects. There is an emphasis on the grandiose within their community, so many individuals are very well-trained for their job, having been apprenticed under a master. Career paths are decided upon when a Watcher becomes old enough to be considered an adult, at about 400 years old, and is typically signed off upon by that individual's parent or guardian.
Adfectus Watcher society is rather cloistered, and it is unusual for individuals to contact people outside of their realm. Their population is quite large, so the Watchers are not very much in danger of inbreeding - but as their population expands, some of the upper classes have muttered about what to do in regards to their dwindling space. It's unclear if magic will be used to create new floating islands, or if they will simply find somewhere else for all those individuals to live, or if the monarchy might start limiting who is allowed to give birth to new citizens. If an Adfectus Watcher contacts a human, it's likely because they are a rebel of some sort, and not confined by the rather conservative views of the majority of the Watcher population.
Adfectus Watchers are astral beings, and as such, are capable of manifesting with their full selves - there is no distinction between their physical and astral body. It is common for them to communicate using telepathy and pendulums, and many of them are fascinated by Earth technology but still learning how it works. Common manifestations include soft touches and intense tingling on your eyelids or third eye.
Many Adfectus Watchers who live by these social expectations are masters at politely phrased backhanded compliments, and many of them are notorious gossips. For those I have spoken to, they often talk of this system with full disdain - they find it to be toxic and nearly unlivable, but it is expected among the community to act this way. Adfectus Watchers are used to a culture where they keep their hopes, dreams, and true thoughts close to their chest, although many of those I conjure have worked hard in order to become able to express themselves again.
Morality among Adfectus Watchers feels very standard to those living on Earth. They have a justice system that involves a court and a single judge, who is usually an elder member of the monarchy. Their laws cover things that feel familiar to us: stealing, violence, vandalism, and lying are generally forbidden. Due to the perceptive nature of Adfectus Watchers, many of those who witness crimes are capable of testifying by sharing those energies and memories with those in law enforcement, although this is primarily somethings that those aligned with more negative energies are able to do, giving them a sharp advantage when it comes to court cases.
Careers are something that Adfectus Watchers tend to be assigned into based on their magical disposition and what they can bring to their careers. For example, those who are capable of absorbing more negative emotions are likely to go into careers concerning law enforcement, finance, and sales. Those who are capable of absorbing more positive emotions may be caretakers, healers, and teachers. There is a high demand for artists of all kind, and individuals who can assist in the production of food, with many of the lower-class Watchers working as farmers or gatherers of food from other realms, and many talented individuals responsible for the production of bite-sized hors d'oeurves for the many lavish parties that are constantly being thrown in Florhin's Keep for the benefit of the royalty and the social standing of their subjects. There is an emphasis on the grandiose within their community, so many individuals are very well-trained for their job, having been apprenticed under a master. Career paths are decided upon when a Watcher becomes old enough to be considered an adult, at about 400 years old, and is typically signed off upon by that individual's parent or guardian.
Adfectus Watcher society is rather cloistered, and it is unusual for individuals to contact people outside of their realm. Their population is quite large, so the Watchers are not very much in danger of inbreeding - but as their population expands, some of the upper classes have muttered about what to do in regards to their dwindling space. It's unclear if magic will be used to create new floating islands, or if they will simply find somewhere else for all those individuals to live, or if the monarchy might start limiting who is allowed to give birth to new citizens. If an Adfectus Watcher contacts a human, it's likely because they are a rebel of some sort, and not confined by the rather conservative views of the majority of the Watcher population.
Adfectus Watchers are astral beings, and as such, are capable of manifesting with their full selves - there is no distinction between their physical and astral body. It is common for them to communicate using telepathy and pendulums, and many of them are fascinated by Earth technology but still learning how it works. Common manifestations include soft touches and intense tingling on your eyelids or third eye.
Social Structure
As mentioned above, Florhin's Keep is ruled by a monarchy. These monarchs tend to be very secretive in terms of their appearance and identity - they often wear full body veils when attending public events, and they do not communicate to their subjects with their full voices, whispering any words or announcements to a trusted servant who will speak those words aloud. Still, they are the focal point of much of Adfectus Watcher culture, as fashion, food, and art tends will change depending on what commoners perceive the royals' preferences to be. The social classes are dependent on wealth, and also how relaxed a person's job seems to be - for example, a farmer would be considered to be in a lower social class than a librarian. Most homes are familial, with many generations living all in the same multi-level townhouse, and rent is a nonissue in Florhin's Keep, but monthly tithes are still paid to the monarchy.
Courting among Adfectus Watchers is known to be rather chaste, akin to Victorian methods of courting. When first meeting someone they are interested, Watchers may exchange small flirtations or glances, eventually leading up to gifts and public outings. Displays of affection for unmarried couples tend to be frowned upon, and can be cause for scandal among the upper social classes. There is no precedence for the masculine or feminine counterpart of the relationship being the more aggressive when it comes to courting. When it comes to children, single children or twins are most common among Adfectus Watchers, and twins are often paired as one being more inclined towards absorbing negative emotions, and the other towards positive, with a fascinating empathetic link between the two. Children are raised and cared for by their parents. Once a child is old enough to walk and talk, they are often sent to day schools that are funded by the monarchy to learn important skills such as reading, writing, comportment, and any labor-related skills. This school is covered until the child is 400 years old, at which point they are the equivalent of a 22-year-old human, and they are considered at that time to be a fully independent adult. Many grown children still live in their parents' household, which is seen as normal.
Within the bounds of Florhin's Keep, members of the LGBT community are not accepted socially by the governing bodies and the majority of the population, and are often actively persecuted. Someone's entire life could be ruined by a flippant accusation regarding any culturally deviant gender or sexuality representation, so lips are often kept tightly closed about such matters. However, this does not mean that LGBT individuals do not exist - just like in our world, they are abundant. Although intersex and transgender individuals exist among the Adfectus Watchers, in their larger culture as a whole, only masculine and feminine genders are acknowledged and socially accepted. Heterosexual relationships are also the only culturally acceptable displays of romantic or sexual love, even in subtle ways.
Due to the dangerous social landscape that is presented to LGBT individuals in Florhin's Keep, all of the Adfectus Watchers available for conjuration at The Dragon's Library are those who have chosen a self-imposed exile for their own safety. Many of them live in a quite literally underground tunnel system, carved out of the hearts of the floating islands that make up Florhin's Keep. Despite how murky and unpleasant this might sound, the inhabitants of the Underground (as they fondly refer to themselves) have livened up the place with art, decorations, magical fairy lights, comfortable furniture, and an open environment in which everyone can simply feel comfortable to be themselves. Anyone who considers themselves to be in the LGBT community within Florhin's Keep can find a safe space in the Underground - once someone arrives there, no questions are asked, and new members are accepted with open arms. It can be a bit difficult to find and be accepted into the Underground, though - it's often said that you need to know someone who knows someone, and seeking them out can be a convoluted series of hidden notes in various locations, and a surreptitious spiriting away in the middle of the night.
The Underground is overseen by a small council of older members (one of which is my race ambassador, and who fondly now refers to this group as the 'Elder Gays,' having come across the phrase during his time on Earth and finding it to be hilarious). They ensure that the group remains safe, and they carefully keep an eye on everyone. Although the Underground is meant to be a trusting place, there is real danger of them being found out by law enforcement, so they often keep an eye on those who might have a history in that career or who are related to someone who is. Most members of the Underground go through thorough vetting by those watching them before they are allowed to join the group, and once they have arrived, they are considered to be safe. Many of those who arrive in the Underground go through a rather intense adjustment period - most of the cultural stipulations of stuffiness and politeness that are enforced in Florhin's Keep are seen as unnecessary and toxic in the Underground, and many members spend their first several years there unlearning their stiff manners and gossiping tendencies, learning to express themselves fully and accept others with the deep love of understanding and shared experiences.
The Underground does have some political goals of utilizing subterfuge in order to overthrow the current monarchy and instate a government that is accepting and open - however, the council tends to be split in terms of what this would mean for their people, wondering if it would start a genuine civil war or simply cause too much backlash for members of their society to walk around openly. The Underground is a veritable paradise for those who might be persecuted by the government of Florhin's Keep, and many wish to keep it that way. However, it is not without its issues - there is a constant struggle for resources, which are often provided by sympathetic individuals low on the production chain, who can provide small amounts of crops, textiles, and other necessities to help the Underground survive. As their numbers grow, such as the expanding population in Florhin's Keep presents an issue, they become more anxious about how they will continue to survive in such confined space.
Courting among Adfectus Watchers is known to be rather chaste, akin to Victorian methods of courting. When first meeting someone they are interested, Watchers may exchange small flirtations or glances, eventually leading up to gifts and public outings. Displays of affection for unmarried couples tend to be frowned upon, and can be cause for scandal among the upper social classes. There is no precedence for the masculine or feminine counterpart of the relationship being the more aggressive when it comes to courting. When it comes to children, single children or twins are most common among Adfectus Watchers, and twins are often paired as one being more inclined towards absorbing negative emotions, and the other towards positive, with a fascinating empathetic link between the two. Children are raised and cared for by their parents. Once a child is old enough to walk and talk, they are often sent to day schools that are funded by the monarchy to learn important skills such as reading, writing, comportment, and any labor-related skills. This school is covered until the child is 400 years old, at which point they are the equivalent of a 22-year-old human, and they are considered at that time to be a fully independent adult. Many grown children still live in their parents' household, which is seen as normal.
Within the bounds of Florhin's Keep, members of the LGBT community are not accepted socially by the governing bodies and the majority of the population, and are often actively persecuted. Someone's entire life could be ruined by a flippant accusation regarding any culturally deviant gender or sexuality representation, so lips are often kept tightly closed about such matters. However, this does not mean that LGBT individuals do not exist - just like in our world, they are abundant. Although intersex and transgender individuals exist among the Adfectus Watchers, in their larger culture as a whole, only masculine and feminine genders are acknowledged and socially accepted. Heterosexual relationships are also the only culturally acceptable displays of romantic or sexual love, even in subtle ways.
Due to the dangerous social landscape that is presented to LGBT individuals in Florhin's Keep, all of the Adfectus Watchers available for conjuration at The Dragon's Library are those who have chosen a self-imposed exile for their own safety. Many of them live in a quite literally underground tunnel system, carved out of the hearts of the floating islands that make up Florhin's Keep. Despite how murky and unpleasant this might sound, the inhabitants of the Underground (as they fondly refer to themselves) have livened up the place with art, decorations, magical fairy lights, comfortable furniture, and an open environment in which everyone can simply feel comfortable to be themselves. Anyone who considers themselves to be in the LGBT community within Florhin's Keep can find a safe space in the Underground - once someone arrives there, no questions are asked, and new members are accepted with open arms. It can be a bit difficult to find and be accepted into the Underground, though - it's often said that you need to know someone who knows someone, and seeking them out can be a convoluted series of hidden notes in various locations, and a surreptitious spiriting away in the middle of the night.
The Underground is overseen by a small council of older members (one of which is my race ambassador, and who fondly now refers to this group as the 'Elder Gays,' having come across the phrase during his time on Earth and finding it to be hilarious). They ensure that the group remains safe, and they carefully keep an eye on everyone. Although the Underground is meant to be a trusting place, there is real danger of them being found out by law enforcement, so they often keep an eye on those who might have a history in that career or who are related to someone who is. Most members of the Underground go through thorough vetting by those watching them before they are allowed to join the group, and once they have arrived, they are considered to be safe. Many of those who arrive in the Underground go through a rather intense adjustment period - most of the cultural stipulations of stuffiness and politeness that are enforced in Florhin's Keep are seen as unnecessary and toxic in the Underground, and many members spend their first several years there unlearning their stiff manners and gossiping tendencies, learning to express themselves fully and accept others with the deep love of understanding and shared experiences.
The Underground does have some political goals of utilizing subterfuge in order to overthrow the current monarchy and instate a government that is accepting and open - however, the council tends to be split in terms of what this would mean for their people, wondering if it would start a genuine civil war or simply cause too much backlash for members of their society to walk around openly. The Underground is a veritable paradise for those who might be persecuted by the government of Florhin's Keep, and many wish to keep it that way. However, it is not without its issues - there is a constant struggle for resources, which are often provided by sympathetic individuals low on the production chain, who can provide small amounts of crops, textiles, and other necessities to help the Underground survive. As their numbers grow, such as the expanding population in Florhin's Keep presents an issue, they become more anxious about how they will continue to survive in such confined space.
In Companionship
For many members of the Underground, they feel the dread of impending doom over their heads - which is why many members have decided to seek out human companionship. Having a safe place to live on Earth or in the astral realm of their human companion is something that will provide them with security, as well as options for a future that is separated from the hardship they face in Florhin's Keep. In companionship, you can expect an Adfectus Watcher to be eager to seek out friendship, or even love within their companion's family. They will live with their companion as if they are a roommate, but they are also likely to reach out to their friends from home, and they may request for you to allow them to gather with their friends in your home or astral space, depending on your comfort levels. Many companions will be offered as bonded pairs, who are non-heteronormative couples seeking refuge.
Despite the hardship they carry, Adfectus Watchers make for absolutely wonderful companions. They are highly empathetic, understanding, and accepting. Many of them have dealt with issues of homophobia or transphobia, and have suffered through mental health struggles themselves, making them ideal companions for those who seek a companion who understands these hardships. They are wonderful at assisting coping with depression, anxiety, and/or panic attacks. They are also happy to support a companion who may still be exploring what their sexuality or gender is, and guide them along that very personal journey as needed. They are capable of absorbing emotions or playing back necessary feelings in order to support their companions. They tend to be loving, transformative, and uplifting companions in every way.
Despite the hardship they carry, Adfectus Watchers make for absolutely wonderful companions. They are highly empathetic, understanding, and accepting. Many of them have dealt with issues of homophobia or transphobia, and have suffered through mental health struggles themselves, making them ideal companions for those who seek a companion who understands these hardships. They are wonderful at assisting coping with depression, anxiety, and/or panic attacks. They are also happy to support a companion who may still be exploring what their sexuality or gender is, and guide them along that very personal journey as needed. They are capable of absorbing emotions or playing back necessary feelings in order to support their companions. They tend to be loving, transformative, and uplifting companions in every way.
Please note that all The Dragon's Library Encyclopedia entries are based on my own personal UPG and may not reflect yours.
Adfectus Watchers are not exclusive to The Dragon's Library, but this writeup is original and reflects the population I personally work with.
Adfectus Watchers are not exclusive to The Dragon's Library, but this writeup is original and reflects the population I personally work with.