His defining biological characteristic is known as the Wildblood. Created by alchemical means supported by druidic magic, it is a trait he passes on to his descendants. The Wildblood responds to:
- Climate.
- Terrain.
- Food.
- Local toxins.
- Predators.
- Flora and fauna.
- Magical environments.
- Elemental exposure.
- Planar influences.
- Repeated dangers.
- Serious injuries survived.
Due to Wildblood's nature, he often never looks the same twice to strangers. His skin remains recognizably drow, but faint undertones and patterns shift after prolonged exposure to different environments. Examples include:
Underdark
- Silvery-violet undertones.
- Mineral-like mottling.
- Patterns resembling cave stone.
Forest
- Faint green-black undertones.
- Vein-like patterns.
- Subtle organic branching.
Desert
- Warm bronze or umber undertones.
- Dry, flowing patterns resembling dunes.
Arctic
- Blue-gray undertones.
- Pale frost-like markings.
Volcanic Regions
- Faint reddish patterns.
- Markings resembling tiny fissures in obsidian.
Coastal or Ocean Environments
- Blue-green undertones.
- Patterns resembling currents or waves.
Swamps
- Olive-black marbling.
- Fungal or circular patterns.
The changes occur gradually rather than instantly.
Adaptive Eyes
His irises contain concentric rings that can reflect environmental adaptation. A possible natural appearance is:
- Deep crimson or violet irises.
- A faint silver ring.
Additional rings may emerge after prolonged environmental exposure. Examples:
- Forest: Green ring.
- Cavern: Silver or crystalline ring.
- Desert: Amber ring.
- Volcanic region: Orange-red ring.
- Ocean: Blue-green ring.
Adaptive Hair
His naturally pale or white drow hair can subtly change in physical properties rather than necessarily changing color. Examples include:
- More fibrous after prolonged forest exposure.
- More heat-resistant near volcanic environments.
- More insulating in extreme cold.
- More water-resistant near oceans.
- Faintly luminescent after prolonged life underground.
- More responsive to static or magical storms.
Adaptive Markings
Velkyn possesses extremely fine biological markings. These markings are actually environmental memory structures. Their patterns change according to the environment. They may initially resemble:
- Tattoos.
- Natural drow patterns.
They can appear across:
- The spine.
- Ribs.
- Shoulders.
- Arms.
- Thighs.
- Neck.
- Pectorals
- Balls
Forest
They branch like leaf veins.
Mountains
They become angular, resembling crystal fractures.
Desert
They form flowing, dune-like lines.
Swamp
They form circular or fungal patterns.
Volcanic Regions
They resemble fine cracks across obsidian.
Arctic
They form delicate frost-like geometry.
Ocean
They resemble currents and waves.
Wildblood Descendants
Velkyn'ss greatest advantage as a breeding partner is the inheritance of adaptive potential.
Children Born in the Underdark
Potential traits include:
- Superior darkvision.
- Tremorsense.
- Enhanced poison resistance.
- Improved climbing.
- Exceptional navigation in darkness.
Children Born in Forests
Potential traits include:
- Camouflage.
- Improved climbing.
- Plant affinity.
- Greater stealth.
- Enhanced senses suited to dense terrain.
Children Born in Deserts
Potential traits include:
- Heat resistance.
- Improved water retention.
- Greater endurance.
- Protection from harsh sunlight and sand.
Children Born in Arctic Environments
Potential traits include:
- Cold resistance.
- Enhanced insulation.
- Improved movement over snow and ice.
Children Born Near Oceans
Potential traits include:
- Powerful swimming.
- Webbing or other aquatic adaptations.
- Improved breath-holding or water breathing.
- Water-resistant skin or hair.
Children Born in Volcanic Regions
Potential traits include:
- Heat resistance.
- Ash-resistant lungs.
- Fire affinity or resistance.
- Tolerance for extreme temperatures.
Children Born in Hostile Magical Environments
Potential traits may include:
- Increased magical sensitivity.
- Resistance to locally common magical effects.
- Adaptation to unusual planar or environmental energies.
The defining concept is:
The child does not inherit the environment.
The child inherits the ability to answer it.
Wildblood — Hereditary Expression
A child born with the Wildblood possesses one primary environmental adaptation determined by prolonged exposure during development. Once established, this adaptation is normally permanent. However, the child retains latent capacity for further adaptation. After prolonged exposure to a substantially different environment, the Wildblood may develop a secondary adaptation appropriate to that environment. Eventually, exceptionally developed individuals may learn to consciously manipulate their adaptations. All children of the ranger have the potential to inherit Wildblood.
- At birth: They possess latent adaptive potential rather than a predetermined suite of powers. Faint or nearly colorless markings.
- During development: Their environment progressively shapes their physiology. The markings begin developing environmental patterns.
- First major environmental imprint: Usually establishes one primary, relatively permanent adaptation. Physical adaptations become increasingly apparent.
- Later environments: Can cause additional adaptations to develop. The individual's Wildblood adaptations become clearly established. This allows observers to literally watch the environment shape the child.
- Individual variation: Siblings can develop different expressions even under similar circumstances.
- Inherited lineage memory: Adaptations repeatedly demonstrated by previous generations become easier for descendants to develop.
- Mature individuals: Can retain multiple adaptations.
- Exceptional individuals: Can consciously influence which adaptations their bodies express.
- Velkyn: Is an extreme, perfected example capable of deliberately maintaining three active adaptations and changing them after environmental exposure.
