Editing Ars Nova (section)

===Immortal===

Immortals are the magical creatures who live in the shadows of mortal history. Behind the scheming and conquests of mortal men and women, elves, trolls and other creatures insert their own agenda. Some work to protect their own kind from mortal expansion, others want to influence the development of the emerging renaissance culture and some seek to subvert mortal civilization and rule over humanity as gods.

In spite of the name, most immortals grow old and die. They can be killed by ordinary weapons, although iron weapons are particularly effective for slaying immortals - just like everyone else. Some immortals do live a very long time, perhaps a thousand years or even more. They are called immortals because most mortals and immortals believe that the long-lived immortals have no soul or spirit and therefore no afterlife. Most immortals rejoice in the certainty that they will not be boiled or given a harp to play for eternity but instead rest in dreamless sleep. On the other hand, there are rumors that an immortal could acquire a soul through christening or other religious rituals. As this would be a fate much worse than death, religion can be a very effective weapon against immortals.

Although the immortals are more individualistic than mortals, they are roughly divided into three factions by ancient traditions and history: the Children of Light, the Children of Darkness, and the Children of the Serpent that Swallows the Sun.

;The Ar: The Ar or "Children of Light" include the light elves and other faerie folk who prize beauty and aesthetics. They are often represented by a golden eagle. The Ar love to exercise power and many encourage mortals to worship them as gods or angels. The Ar specialize in magical powers such as coercion and illusion.

;The Drow: The Drow or "Children of Darkness" include the dark elves, trolls, werewolves and other monsters who stalk the night. They are often represented by a black wolf. The Drow live by taking and hunting rather than manipulation. The Drow are generally content to provide mortals with nightmares in exchange for a portion of their livestock taken in the night.

;The Mer: The Mer or "Children of the Serpent that Swallows the Sun" include merfolk, swamp dwellers and other aquatic creatures. They are often represented by a red serpent. The Mer are collectors of treasure and memories. They are sometimes infamous collectors of people too, kidnapping travelers for their stories, labor or breeding.