Codex Adorata

An encyclopedic databank of the Adorationist universe found within the Excellenzi novels.

Highborn

Highborn are the ancient, superhuman race that embody the Fire Undying. Often called “gods of destruction,” they are instinctively driven to dominate or destroy. When they first appear to battle the Cold Darkness of Chaos, they are referred as the Host of Fire. In later ages, they are titled “god-kings” and specifically by the saurian races, “dragonlords.”

Though there have been many Highborn throughout the eons, much of the literature concentrates on the actions of Sharl-Esdrienne, the last Highborn and Emperor of the last Imperium. His entrance to a diplomatic conference is described in shades of gold: “A fanfare of trumpets, then the All-Highest himself, a radiant image of golden hair, golden eyes, and trailing golden cloak that roiled around him like a living creature.” (“Greatcloak”, Warrior Wisewomen 4, 2012)

Throughout Sharl’s reign, there exits the dichotomy of the power of the Presence as distinct from that of the Imperium: “But the All-Highest, more than being Emperor, was an immortal god, the last of a race of gods of immense power” (“Greatcloak”, Warrior Wisewomen 4, 2012). It is this personal, divine power that is feared more than the fleets of the Empire. “This culture was right on the cusp of giving official insult to the Empire, a most dangerous state of affairs. Imperial fleets might be stymied by the Umbra, but the personage of the All-Highest would not be. If he took offense, there could well be a ‘golden visit’ that would put all laments . . . to shame.” (“Perfect Memory”, Trust and Treachery, 2012)

But even thousands of years before Sharl, the same fear of Highborn exists: “As his eyes cleared, Melchior saw that another being had joined them, seemingly one of flame and crystal. Not tall, but surrounded by a pale nimbus of fire than made his presence profound. His whole being radiated a fiery red-gold that seemed to well up from within the body itself, and smell of burning cinnamon filled the air. The robe he wore was perhaps colorless, perhaps fiery gold–it shifted constantly and could not be defined. But it was the eyes that stopped Melchior’s heart. They were crystalline, transparent windows into a soul of flame. Gods of destruction, Melchior remembered. Then, What have I done? (“We Three Kindreds”, Christmas Angels, 2011)

Highborn are more than destroyers, however. Their drive to dominate makes them also great empire builders and vast populations have flourished under their rule. But all the great empires eventually crash, not from external pressure or internal decay, but from star-rending civil wars that pit Highborn against Highborn.

While not creators of life, Highborn are great manipulators of life, customizing races to fit their needs and sometimes casting them aside when they are no longer useful. The Child-Prophet of “Song of the Child-Prophet” was the lonely remainder of one such race.

Artificially Created Races