Draco Necrosis Vamperi, Common name Hemolich, are a strange mix of Undead Zombified bodies and a thirst for blood. Their origins are cloaked in layers of ancient forbidden magics. Research shows that the first Hemolich was created when a powerful mage tried to cheat death by imprinting their soul into a hatchling that had passed away in their egg. What happened next is less clear, while some texts say that the process was a perfect success others say that the mage was then cursed to a kind of half existence where they could only survive by consuming the blood and magical aura of other dragons, one thing is for sure is that the Hemolich became a known shadow lurking within the world. |
Hemoliches are a strange breed of undead vamperous dragon that prey on other dragons. They tend to live alone in secluded lairs away from other dragons and only come out of them to hunt or to replace their weakening body. Punished by the Plaguebringer, Hemoliches are cursed to have their undead body rot away despite whatever strong magics are used to hold it together, to get around this Hemoliches create a Phylactery, a vessel that contains a piece of their essence that can be used to animate their next cursed body. Phylacteries can take on many forms from Jeweled rings and other trinkets, to the bones or skull of their original body, but most often it is a vial filled with a small amount of blood worn around the neck.
A Hemolich's Phylactery is it's most closely kept secret, and one that is defended to the end of of it's cursed body. The destruction of a Hemolich's Phylactery means permanent death when their cursed body gives out next. While it is possible for a hemolich to create a new Phylactery it will never be as powerful or reliable as their original was, with a chance that it may fail at any time. This is enough for a newly revived Hemolich to hide their phylactery where it may lay dormant until needed or until some poor dragon finds it. If an unknowing dragon finds the phylactery of a hemolich whose body has degraded or otherwise been destroyed will hear the hemolich's voice while they hold it. This may result in the living dragon becoming bonded to the hemolich to the point where they must keep the phylactery on their person or else suffer from a strange case of withdraw. |
If a dragon becomes bonded to a hemolich there are few things that can be done as the curse will begin to spread and corrupt the now host dragon. At that point two things can happen the host dragon could over power the phylactery and become a Hemolich themselves or fall prey to the Hemolich and become it's next body. Because of this Hatchlings across Sornieth are warned aganst playing with trinkets that they weren't given to them, and to tell another if one of them begins speaking to them.
Hemoliches also provide an additional danger, Thralls. Thralls are created when a Hemolich completely drains the life froce a dragon while hunting. It is advised to keep note of any sightings of Thralls as their presence may indicate the territory of an active Hemolich. Many clans will uproot their homes and leave if there is even a whisper of Thralls nearby in fear of the Hemolich that created them. It is very much debated if the Thralls retain any of their original personalities or if they even have free will. What is know is that Thralls are the unfortunate victims of a very hungry Hemolich.