#tenecordae

Tenecordae

[Tene]brae + [Cor]nix + [Dae]mon

A subspecies of demon intrinsically tied to darkness, formed from it, embodying it, or manipulating it as an extension of its will. Tracing their lineage back to the Demon Earl Raum, Tencordae possess both corvid and traditional demonic traits, with manifestations including feathers, talons, talon like horns, wings, elongated claws, and amber colored eyes, though no two are exactly alike.

Important note.

None of these terms, definitions or species are intended as headcanon or universe-building terminology for roleplay or personal writing purposes. However, if anything written here inspires your creative work, you're welcome to incorporate it into your writing. I only request that the species name Tenecordae remain untouched, this is my original non-human species term and I wish to keep it as such.

Tenecordae

[tene]brae + [cor]nix + [dae]mon

A demon intrinsically tied to darkness, formed from it, embodying it, or manipulating it as an extension of its will. Tracing their lineage back to the Demon Earl Raum, they possess both corvid and traditional demonic traits, with manifestations including feathers, talons, horns, wings, elongated claws, and amber colored eyes, though no two are exactly alike.

Count(s)

Progenitors of their legions (but not always, not all legion members are made up of family), rulers and absolute heads of their bloodlines within District 40. They are the foundation upon which their species are built.

Dehorning

The filing or removal of a demon's horns, the gravest punishment for severe crimes. Horns are vital to social standing and daily life; their loss means becoming an outcast, struggling to form pacts or find acceptance. The severity ranges from filing down, halving, or full removal of the horns dependent on the crime it is meant to reflect.

Denning

A complementary instinct opposite to nesting with a desire to secure an entire area, fortifying it against outsiders with scent and presence. While nesting draws in, denning keeps others out. Unlike nesting's singular focus, denning claims a territory. One can exist without the other, but never comfortably. There's an inherent preference: Omegas typically lean toward nesting, Alphas toward denning, while other dynamics such as Betas often mimic whichever behavior(s) that mirrors the dynamic(s) they grew up around.

District

A sprawling territory ruled by the most powerful demon of each classification, regardless of primary sex or dynamic. Power and status can earn a demon rule over multiple districts, a testament to their strength.

Enthrall/Enthralling

The effect of one demon's pheromones on another. It describes that heady, almost dizzying pull where attraction becomes physical, often romantic or sexual, but sometimes just a magnetic need for proximity.

Fledgling

A Tenecordae no longer a hatchling but not yet mature (201 years, their equivalent of 21 human years), caught in the awkward space between childhood and full terrifying potential.

Hatchling

A newborn/newhatch Tenecordae demon.

Hysteria

A state of overwhelming distress following a broken pact or the significant loss of a legion or family member. It's a raw, fractured response to a severed connection that if not addressed accordingly can cause a demon to be inconsolable and incredibly violent to themselves and their legion.

Imp/Impling

A term of affectionate exasperation for any young demon being particularly rambunctious or mischievous.

Inferniarchy

The structured hierarchy of the demonic world, often maddeningly bureaucratic, based on power, jurisdiction, and relationship to the district's ruling count.

Invocall/Invocalling

A unique sound emitted only by Counts, a resonant call that cuts through noise and distance. It summons their legion, used when unity is paramount or their authority needs to be unquestionably felt.

Legion

A group of demons sharing a classification,species, alliance under the same Count or bound by blood. Tenecordae legions are often called murder-legions.

Libus

A Common, non-sexual play behavior prevalent in demons of all ages, though it subsides during the awkward fledgling years before returning in full force. It involves energetic, whimsical activity such as but not limited flight chases, wrestling, barreling and head butting as a unique form of scenting.

Nesting

An instinct (often experienced by Omegas and their subsets) to create a safe, comfortable space, a focal point saturated with familiar scents to draw in the flock and one’s pact(s).

Pact/Pacts

A demon's equivalent of a mating bond. The connection itself is the Pact; the physical bite or mark that seals it is a Pact Bite/Pact Sigil.

Scenting

The act of a demon marking territory by rubbing scent glands on an object or another demon. The social weight depends entirely on which glands are used, from platonic, an intimate gesture or a blatant claim.

Scuffing

The of a demon rubbing their horns against a hard surface. It serves as practical act of maintenance, a method of scenting, and a bonding ritual. While some scuff alone, assisted or group scuffing is common among mates and families.

Seance

The sexual counterpart to libus. Strictly for bonded pacts or venerating pairs and groups, it involves rutting, grinding, scuffing, sensual dances, preening, biting around the scent glands, intense licking, scuffing and headbutting.

Subjugation

The act of placing a hand on the back of another’s (typically omegas but subjugation is not exclusive to any particular dynamic.) neck, over the scent glands while applying pressure. An act within an power exchange, being subjugated is a profound display of submission that allows the submissive party to relax and release control. While any dynamic can initiate or receive it, the connection is deeply personal and regulating for those involved. Kneeling while subjugated is the ultimate sign of surrender.

Veneration/Venerating

The ritualistic period between initial interest and forming a Pact, akin to courting. It's a deliberate dance where demons prove their worth as potential partners. While traditionally an Alpha's role to initiate, any dynamic can begin the Veneration, presenting kills, gifts, subtle scent-markings, and displays of loyalty, fertility, denning or nesting skills and acts of strength.

The Wild Hunt