Race:Darknut

Darknut is a playable race on Hyrule Castle. As one of the seven elite races, a player must acquire a Race License specifically for this race to create a Darknut character. As one of the "monster" races, beings of this race are traditionally abhorred by Hylians, may be attacked on sight, and are generally not allowed anywhere near the settlements in Northern Hyrule, nor in Ruto.

Canonically, Darknuts debuted in the original Legend of Zelda, and have recurred in numerous games in the Zelda series. In particular, their unarmored appearance is based on how they appear in The Wind Waker.

Character Creation Brief

Darknuts are the embodiment of battle. Since they are solely created from powerful magic, it is appropriate to say they are literally born into platemail, wielding weapons larger than most Hylians can lift. They are among Ganon's favored soldiers, and for good reason, but are among the most difficult races to manifest. Darknuts used as player-characters were created by magic via other sources, whether intentional or accidental, but were never subjected to the mind control of Ganon.

Though a Darknut rarely even sleeps outside of armor, those who remove it bear an appearance similar to a brown-furred anthroporphic canine. They routinely stand at an immense height around 8 feet (or 250cm), and usually have extremely muscular upper bodies.

A Darknut begins with a PWC of 3/1/1, having a 3 in Power. This starting PWC can be defied by using the Exception racial perk during character creation, but even with it, a Darknut can never be created with a Power below 2.

A Darknut has an innate racial perk called Darknut's Destiny, representing the race's natural affinity for techniques and WeaponBase treasures, but makes it more difficult for them to learn spells. In addition to this, a Darknut character can have up to three additional racial perks of choice. In addition to the universal perks available to every race, a Darknut can also choose from:

• Brace: a powerful defensive trait enabling the Darknut to withstand a devastatingly powerful blow
• Dark Blade: a useful spell enabling the Darknut to manifest a unique personal melee weapon, considerably stronger than most
• Pulverize: a trait which enables the Darknut to cleave through sturdy inanimate objects, like pillars, with ease
• Smith: a trait which increases the Darknut's blacksmithing prowess
• Warrior's Training: a useful trait which enables the Darknut to begin with more Power-based treasures

Physiology

While not vital information, the following includes further detail on the race's appearance and biology.

As Darknuts are created magically, they have no state of being other than adulthood, and do not age in the traditional sense, but still rarely live beyond 80 years. When they're created, they exist in a state comparable to amnesia, as they possess adult intelligence and can even speak fluent Hyrulean, but don't have any personal memories. They are not known to reproduce on their own, and apparently only have one "gender," which is generally referred to as male.

A Darknut tends to be unusually tall compared to other races, usually standing between 7 feet (210cm) and 9 feet (275cm), and tend to weigh somewhere in the vicinity of 400 lbs (or 180kg). Compared to other races, he has a particularly pronounces upper body, broad shoulders, and powerful arms. His body is covered head to toe in naturally occuring, short fur which is usually brown, and a lighter shade over the front of the neck, chest, and abdomen. His head resembles that of a doberman, or similar dogs with pointed noses and erect ears. His eyes are likely beady, and will usually be red.

Darknuts are literally created in heavy armor, and most feel more comfortable wearing it than not. They have an innate familiarity with all forms of traditional martial weaponry, and know from the first minute of their existence the minute differences between nearly any time of common arms, and even how to wield them effectively as if they've had months of training.

Culture & History

While not vital information, the following includes further detail on the race's origins, development, and society.

Like most races created through magic, the true origins of Darknuts are unknown, and they have little collective society or history. Since Ganon has created a large amount of them to be used in his army, many revere him as their master or creator, while others see him only as a madman using Darknuts as tools. Regardless, Darknuts have an innate sense of duty and strong sense of honor, and thus will usually serve those who give them life for as long as they are needed. Darknuts are often seen as cruel, but in truth, they simply have a much lower sense of compassion compared to most races. Because Darknuts considered so unique to Ganon, most Hylians and other beings who have been victimized by his forces fear or abhor the race as a whole.

The Darknut which wasn't created by Ganon is relatively rare, usually summoned by a particularly expert sorcerer to guard, protect, or attack something in his stead. Such Darknuts often outlive their purpose, and routinely live longer than the one(s) who created them. This is the main source of Darknuts not under service of Ganon himself.

Although Darknuts rarely have a collective society, they have an innate respect for others of their kind. Often, only these beings routinely uphold the values a typical Darknut values most: duty, honor, stength, commitment, and dedication.

As rare as Darknuts are, it's even rarer for them to live in any form of organized society for long. The few who do usually work as soldiers in nomadic groups of mixed races, or guards of small camps. The only major settlement which routinely has Darknuts is Monster Village, where they live alongside other races shunned by Hylians.