Fledgling Handbook 101

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Marked - the act of spontaneous placement of an outlined crescent moon tattoo on the forehead of a human teenager signifying the beginning of a physiological and sociological metamorphosis which culminates in either vampyrism or death.

Becoming a vampyre is a complex event. A teenager is Marked some time after puberty (Age 15 usually). The symptoms of becoming Marked are feeling as if you had a cold with chills and coughing. Those just Marked have not yet enrolled into House of Night:

There's an invisible essence from the glands called Alarm Pheromone that's only present at the very beginning. The Goddness, Nyx, has given some vampyres the ability to track these pheromones to find the soon to be fledglings. Which is a good thing, considering, without them around the teenager would die within a few days. The Trackers have a Preservation Pheromone that act to slow down degeneration of the pulmonary capillary system. This is on temporary, however, which is why it is crucial the the teenager makes their way to a House of Night immediately. All adult vampyres secrete the Shield Pheromone. This pheromone helps minimize the damage that takes place as the body undergoes the change. Without being around the pheromone, fledglings die.

Trackers give a formal speech telling the teenager that they have been Chosen by Nyx. After the short speech they give them the sapphire outline of a crescent moon tattoo on the middle of their forehead. The tattoo appears after the speech.

Through out the changing the hair becomes thicker and stronger, the skin becomes smooth and clear, and the fingernails will strengthen and lengthen. The strength will increase as well as stamina. Males and females will both become sterile.

The fangs are a myth. The teeth become stronger and straighter but no fangs. The sunlight burning is also another myth just as the coffin sleeping. The change causes the body to become hypersensitive which makes sunlight uncomfortable to the skin and eyes. This why the days and nights are opposite of the humans. Vampyres prefer the night.

About every one of ten fledglings will reject the change. If their body rejects, they will start coughing like they did when first marked. The coughing progresses to coughing blood and leaking blood from the eye, nose, mouth and ears. The rejection comes quick as well as the death. There is nothing to stop the rejection once it's started. To help prevent rejection the school provides healthy food. It's near impossible to find junk food in the boarding school. They also keep the students healthy by having a gym class and a Fencing class. The rejection usually happens in the sixth former year but can happen at anytime.

Bloodlust starts in a fledglings fifth or sixth former year. For younger fledglings blood doesn't yet appeal to them and tastes horrible. It is forbidden for any fledgling to bite a human. Fledglings can have blood, however, as long as it another fledgling.

Wine is allowed at school. The change causes a high tolerance so it's mostly impossible for them to get wasted. Wine is often served at dinner and in school rituals.

Vampyres don't kill humans. They are more civilized, however, they don't have much to do with the human world. This is because the human world is male dominated and vampyres are female dominate. This is why there are female priests and not male priests. Their goddess is female, therefore, they are female dominated.

The school has school uniforms with symbols to let others know which grade the are in.



Third Former (9th grade)

The third formers’ symbol is embroidered in silver in the shape of a spiral that glitters in a delicate circle.
The symbol – the silver labyrinth of the Goddess Nyx – stands for a new beginning for the third formers as they walk the Path of Night and learn the ways of the Goddess.



Fourth Former (10th grade)

The golden wings of Eros. Eros – the love god – is the child
of Nyx’s seed. The symbol reminds the fourth formers of Nyx’s capacity to love and also represents the students’ continuous movement forward.



Fifth Former (11th grade)

The fifth former emblem represents Nyx’s golden chariot pulling a trail of stars. The chariot illustrates the fifth formers’ continuation of Nyx’s journey. The stars represent the magic of a fledgling’s first two years at the House of Night.



Sixth Former (12th grade)

The sixth formers’ symbol is an embroidered silver silhouette of the three Fates, the children of Nyx. The sixth formers all wear the emblem of the Fates, the goddesses of destiny. The scissors signify the end or break of the formers’ time at the House of Night.

The influence of elements play a big part of the Vampyre world. Depending on when the fledgling Changes depends on what element they may influence. Most fledglings find their affinity in their fifth and sixth former year and some don't until after they have completed the Change. It is rare for a newly Marked fledgling to find their affinity. Elements are usually given to females.

AIR:
Change between December 1st and February 28th.
Those influenced by air tend to be freedom-loving, idealistic, unfettered by small-thinking, charming, unselfish and noble.

FIRE:
Change between June 1st and August 31st.
Those influenced by fire tend to find it easy to express her inner nature. They are enthusiastic and vibrant, and require acknowledgment and approve to experience contentment.

WATER:
Change between September 1st and November 30th.
Those influenced by water tend to adapt easily to changes, they get things done through the power of emotional commitment. They have the ability to re-channel negative emotions into constructive activities.

EARTH:
Change between March 1st and May 31st.
Those influenced by earth tend to be sensual, pleasure seeking, well-grounded and emotionally secure, nurturing and creative.

SPIRIT:
Change on the days of; February 1, 2, 3. March 20, 21, 22. April 30. May 1 2. June 20, 21, 22. July 31. August 1 2. September 20 21 22. October 30 31. November 1.
They will also be affected by the element it overlaps.
Those influenced by spirit tend to be a charismatic speaker, self-assured, highly intuitive, multi-talented, passionate, and intense.

Other abilities:

POET LAUREATE:
PROPHET: Prophets can have visions or prophecy by poetry.

They may also receive other gifts from the Goddess such as the affinity to never miss a target, the ability to understand animals, or visions.. (If you would like your character to have a certain. gift/affinity please state so in your application)

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When a fledgling completes the change during their sixth former year they become an adult vampre. The outline of the crescent moon fills in and Nyx gives everyone a unique tattoo on both side of the moon and down the cheeks. They start aging a lot slower (A vampire can be 400 and look in their 30's). They always know what time it is. They need small quantities of blood to live. They are extremely intelligent and feel stronger emotionally and physically than a fledgling.