ShadeZ
Maester
I have a species that come from mutated humanoids. Part of a result of the mutation is a severe lack of empathy and very high apathy. They can carry on happy conversation with someone, share ale with them, save someone's life, or kill them without caring one way or another in nearly all cases. How do I make a character like this relatable. They feel limited empathy and can feel some emotions, the older they become the less emotional and empathetic they are. They view this as a strength and often refer to young ones as "too much like a human" or as having "childish outbursts of emotion". They never fully loose their emotions and empathy but they do become very selective with it over time. They are still capable of all the fundamental "animal" emotions, they love their family, friends, and lovers. They are protective of those they love(often overly so). They feel hate not toward individuals but toward the actions and choices of an individual such as raiders or people who cause mass harm for personal gain. They have fantastic reflexive response and operate largely off slightly modified impulses and instincts (they hate cities for this reason and often live in the woods or with their own kind). They are primarily a combat race and this serves them well as warriors and hunters, however that doesn't exactly make their pattern of thought relatable
I've attached a scene that maybe helpful for giving perspective.
Vanya spoke her voice blank almost angry,"You think nothing of killing a taking life do you?" Robin busted out laughing,"How very human of you. Of course I think nothing about killing men and women who want to kill me and my family. I'm surprised you even need to ask. I wonder, are you going to question if I feel sad over killing my food next? Both are necessary for my survival. The cult want me and my family dead, so I kill them if I meet them. I am carnivorous so I need meat to survive, so I stalk and kill prey. Now tell me Vanya... how would it benefit me to be emotional under those circumstances? The way I see it feeling guilty or sad for enemies or prey would be a hindrance. To become a demiduur is to shirk off both your mortality and humanity to become something inhuman. I knew and accepted what I was losing when I became what I am Vanya. I question why you haven't. "
I've attached a scene that maybe helpful for giving perspective.
Vanya spoke her voice blank almost angry,"You think nothing of killing a taking life do you?" Robin busted out laughing,"How very human of you. Of course I think nothing about killing men and women who want to kill me and my family. I'm surprised you even need to ask. I wonder, are you going to question if I feel sad over killing my food next? Both are necessary for my survival. The cult want me and my family dead, so I kill them if I meet them. I am carnivorous so I need meat to survive, so I stalk and kill prey. Now tell me Vanya... how would it benefit me to be emotional under those circumstances? The way I see it feeling guilty or sad for enemies or prey would be a hindrance. To become a demiduur is to shirk off both your mortality and humanity to become something inhuman. I knew and accepted what I was losing when I became what I am Vanya. I question why you haven't. "
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