Strzyga

🍄 Overview

The Strzyga are a race of gargoyle/vampire-like people who live in The Darkwood. Once the ruling race of the Darkwood, the Strzyga have retreated into the shadows to make way for the current Unseelie Court rulers. They are prideful and vindictive and won't hesitate to remind other unseelie folk who the original Old Money is in town.

The Strzyga are power-hungry predators who are used to a lavish, self indulgent lifestyle. They feed on blood and raw meat, wear expensive clothing and reside in large gothic mansions. They are excellent at black magic and are in tune with the dark magical forces of The Darkwood.

🍄 Appearance

Strzyga are regal, sophisticated folk who carefully curate their appearance (hair, makeup and clothing). They have sharp, pointed bat ears, gargoyle wings and forked tails. Their torsos are normal skin texture, but their limbs are leathery in texture.

Design Guidelines

• Strzyga are vain and put a lot of effort into their appearances. They like striking makeup (red lips are common) and beauty spots. They are always dressed to the nines and prefer style over practicality.

• They like to style their hair with wax or potions.

• They have fangs.

• Their eyes are always the colour of blood. When they haven't eaten in a while, heavy dark bags may appear under their eyes.

• Hair is almost always dark in tone.

• Skin colour can be any human skintone.

• Their leathery limbs can be any dark, desaturated colour - brown, black, green, grey or purple.

Clothing

• Strzyga clothing should embody a dark, Gothic elegance, combining intricate details with an air of somber sophistication. Think of high collars, rich fabrics, and elaborate embellishments. 

• You can integrate 1920s silhouettes, such as flapper-style dresses, high-waisted trousers, and tailored suits, but with a darker, more Gothic twist. This can include asymmetrical hemlines, dramatic draping, and sleek, streamlined shapes. 

• Use luxurious fabrics like velvet and silk for their softness and sheen. Spidersilk is also commonly used.

• Male strzyga love a tailored suit. There is no amount of money that is too much to spend on a good suit.

• Statement jewellery is common, with huge gemstones from the Mistharrow Mines set into intricate silver bands.

• Hats and headpieces are common as long as they are fashionable and match the outfit. Gloves and capes are another common accompaniment. 

• Clothing is usually dark in colour - black, deep red, midnight blue, wine, dark green etc.

🍄 Birth, Life and Death

Birth

• It is said that Strzyga were once beautiful Elves who turned against Morrigan by drinking blood and eating the flesh of other Fae. She cursed them with eternal hunger and bound their souls to corrupted, infernal bodies.

• Stuck in their 'cursed' forms, Strzyga became infertile and had to find other ways to sire their next generation.

• A Fae becomes a Strzyga through extreme acts of cannibalism. If they consume the flesh of another living creature, they eventually lose their minds and undergo a transformating into a Strzyga. They retain none of their previous memories, abilities or physical attributes - having completely transformed into a Strzyga.

Life

• Strzyga are immortal due to their curse.

Death

• Strzyga are incredibly hard to kill. They must be beheaded by a weapon coated in Hawthorn ash or staked through the heart with Aspen root.

• They are especially susceptible to radiant damage. 

• If a Strzyga goes too far and enters a blood frenzy, they are at risk of turning completely into a monstrous Were-Bat form. They cannot come back from this form and will lose their minds and memories of their past lives.

🍄 Strzyga Customs & Culture

Personality Traits

• Strzyga are manipulative, flirtateous and conniving.

• They are hedonistic and self indulgent.

• They are elegant, poised and sophisticated.

• They can be morose, dark, and grumpy due to their vampiric nature and constant hunger.

• They are passionate, sensitive and curious.

• They are secretive and slow to trust.

Your Strzyga character should have a few of these traits but certainly doesn’t have to have all of them. Please feel free to put a unique spin on it.

Romance, Marriage and Offspring

Romance

• Strzyga can appear to be only hedonistic and flirtateous - only interested in getting what they want and nothing more. The truth is, their cursed existence is difficult and lonely, and many Strzyga are seeking companionship to get them through their immortal suffering.

• Same sex relationships are acceptable.

• Interracial relationships are difficult, as Strzyga families are insular and secretive. Old families of Strzyga may try to disuade interracial relationships or 'test' them, as once they let an outsider into their circle, they will not let them leave without a fuss.

Marriage

• Strzyga are certainly open to marrying, particularly other immortal beings.

• For two Strzyga, they engage in a morbid marriage ceremony where they make a blood pact and then bury themselves alive in their partners grave and then have to fight their way to the surface, symbolising them overcoming death and starting a new life with their partner.

Offspring

• Strzyga may try to manipulate another Fae into becoming one of them, but this is strictly forbidden.

• More often that not, Strzyga families will find wandering Strzyga pups in The Darkwood and take them into their cabals. Literally a 'found family'.

Miscellaneous

• Strzyga sleep in stone coffins.

• They are technically limited to consuming animal flesh and blood, but many Strzyga eat Redcaps and leshies and other pestilent unseelie creatures.

• Strzyga have two hearts.

If you have questions about the Strzyga, please ask them in the helpdesk channel on Discord!