We’ve reached the end of the fourth volume. Man, I thought I’d never get to Kaas! For a while, he only existed in my head and concept art. But he’s another one of my favorite characters to write about, as I like to think of him as a dad in denial. Because that’s exactly what he is. He loves those kids, even if he doesn’t like to show it, which makes it all the more heartbreaking to know that one of them turned their back on him.
We also got to learn a lot more about the Ahngreel as a whole. They’re based on the idea of vampires, as their abilities center around blood. They also share some physical characteristics of a typical vampire: grey skin, fangs, and a distaste for the sun (though it won’t kill them). We’ll learn a lot more going forward, but I’d like to share ten facts about Ahngreel that may or may not be mentioned in the story:
- Ahngreel evolved from human sorcerers who settled in Sohaud to learn its secrets (mostly of Arabic, African, Slavic, and Germanic origins)
- Ahngreel fingertips are a strange combination of keratin, skin, and bone that blend to create a pointed end with no discernable nail. Same with their toe tips.
- Ahngreel eyes are all iris; there is no white. Standard eye colors are red, blue, brown, grey, and orange. All Ahngreel eyes are also bioluminescent, which helps them see in the dark.
- Ahngreel do not need to eat or drink to survive as they draw energy from Eingh and radiation from the air.
- Ahngreel bodies are highly adaptable and are capable of absorbing all sorts of energy one would think fatal, such as nuclear fallout.
- Ahngreel also cannot die of natural heat, cold, or disease as they will adapt to the climate within minutes.
- Ahngreel can change their physiology at will. However, this is extremely painful, even for Ahngreel. They will only do this if it will strengthen their abilities.
- Ahngreel women adapted to compete with men on the battlefield. While it is more challenging to distinguish Ahngreel females, there are still discernable differences, such as breasts (though they are much smaller than the average human woman).
- Ahngreel hair comes in four natural colors, black, silver, brown, and dark red. Sometimes, Ahngreel can be born with two tones: black hair with silver tips or two shades of brown.
- The Ahngreel leader is called the Hidaar. They can be identified due to the blue or purple tinge to their skin due to the color of their blood being uniquely blue. Typical Ahngreel blood is reddish brown. Why the Hidaar’s blood is blue is unknown. What is known is that the blood contains the essence of all previous Hidaar and that if the person who houses it within their veins is killed, it will forcibly enter into the killer and push out all of their original blood, thus replacing it. It is a violent, gruesome, and very Ahngreel succession.
So, there you have it! Some fun facts about the Ahngreel. And you’ll learn a lot more about them as Noel battles her way up the ranks. Hope to see you as we begin volume 5!
