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Other Kin Among Us
I would like to shed a little light on another community that is very similar to our own Vampire community. That would be the Other-kin. So what exactly is an Other-kin you ask? Basically, Other-kin are a community of people that believe that even though they inhabit a human body, they do not possess a human essence or soul. Kin usually identify with a creature of mythic legend. The most common kin types are elves, fae, dragons, angels, demons, satyrs, and theriantropes (shifters, lycans, were-creatures, etc). The list goes on. If you can think of a creature of legend, there is probably an other-kin out there of that type. There are also kin that do not believe that they are that creature per say, but take on its characteristics to learn from it, similar to Totemic belief or Jungian Archetypes.
Some of the more uncommon types are multiples, and walk-ins, and star seeds. Multiples are kin that believe that they have more than one soul or kin type within them or a hybridization of kin types and usually exhibit traits of several kin. Walk-ins believe that they are sharing their body with another soul. Either they have been chosen as a host by a creature, or that it is an accident or a punishment for the guest, the host, or both parties involved. Star seeds believe that they are of an alien race (as in from another planet) and have either been abandoned, lost, or sent here for one reason or another.
There is much debate on how kin came to be trapped in this realm as it were. The truth is that no one really knows for sure. Other-kin generally attribute their otherness to reincarnation or a "misplaced soul". Most kin share a few traits that are common through out there community. The first would be the general feeling that they do not belong here and the overwhelming desire to return "home" were ever that may be. This feeling to return home and displacement can at times lead to really bad depression in some kin. Another popular trait is that of phantom limbs. Most feel the presence of wings, tails, and claws that may not be there physically but are very real to them nonetheless. In rare instances, kin have been known to end up with physical symptoms such as lower back muscle pain from supporting "wings". Some kin even feel uncomfortable in their human body’s altogether as if they are wearing clothes that just do not feel right.
So what are the similarities between vampires and other-kin? The first similarity is energy need. Some kin that do not consider themselves vampires do have a need to feed due to energy deficiency. Seeing as they are displaced their human body is not equipped to handle their energy needs. Most tend to be psi, or elemental feeders. I have witnessed this first hand as my fiancé is a therian of the feline variety and needs to feed as well.
Another major similarity is awakening. Other-kin experience an awakening process that is pretty much just like that of vampires. It’s usually triggered by a specific event in their lives, or can happen from being in close proximity of another awakened being. This being does not have to be of their species either. A vampire could awaken a dragon latent in another person. There have been online and offline resources and groups set up to help newly awakened kin during what could be a very confusing and at times scary point in their lives.
The last and most important similarity that I would like to point out is that of being misunderstood. If you have ever had to try and explain to a loved one, or a skeptic that you are a vampire, then you know the type of reactions that may follow. The same holds true for kin. It’s hard to try and explain how you’ve come to the realization that you are indeed a satyr. People would think you were delusional. Most intelligent other-kin have considered the fact that it could be all in their heads and did some real and soul searching, for lack of a better term, before committing whole-heartedly to calling themselves kin. This is the same thing that any intelligent aware vampire should do as well. That is why it surprises me when I hear vampires dismiss other-kin completely. The vampire is also a creature of legend that turned out to have a very real world explanation and counterpart. So it seems a bit hypocritical for a vampire to dismiss the idea of kin. There are in fact quite a few vampires that consider themselves other-kin and vice versa.
I hope that in reading this you gained a better understanding of whom and what other-kin are. Our communities are very similar. It seems that we should be able to co-exist and compliment each other in a way. I’m sure that there is information and techniques that could be shared that would benefit both groups. Hopefully the next time someone tells you that they are a lycan you won’t look at them side ways and just say, " yeah, write".
Ashmodai Nephil
Founder of the Order of the Triple Flame
" Burn bright. Light your own path"
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