While magical ability, as well as type, can vary between different members or sub-sects of the Clan, there are various undeniable commonalities, some which are largely unique to the Clan members themselves, or in some cases, to certain bloodlines.
Gloam / Shadow Magic
Gloam magic overall is quite common, and all in the Clan who are able to perform magic at all are capable of using the shadows and magic tied to it to some degree. The Clan are able to use Gloam magic most strongly in the Evergloam itself or places closely connected to it, though there are some measures of individual ability, ceremonies, or enchanted trinkets that can aid in or boost these abilities.
The most common use of shadow/Gloam magic the Clan utilizes is Cloaking, the ability seemingly to wrap the darkness itself around themselves and vanish. Even most children within the Clan are able to make use of this to hide. This ability is far easier to perform in places where darkness is pervasive, though the most powerful and talented of Clan mages can vanish even in broad daylight, such as whichever Clan member possesses the spirit of Vergen.
Another, more complicated magic is the use of shadow-portals. While not uncommon among the Clan, not everyone is able to perform portals, and certainly the ability is almost exclusively among the older, higher ranked members. Most portals are tied to specific locations, and crafting or opening new portals rather than using existing portal-points is much more exhaustive. Where these portals are created also matters. In places holding a direct or close connection to the Evergloam itself, it becomes a great deal easier. The overarching plane of Nirn however is another story for most. All Clansmen can make use of Gloam portals, but only the best are able to conjure new portals out of thin air, especially without certain preparations ahead of time.
Clansmen can also use the shadows themselves as a weapon, though not in the manner of a sword. Those of the Clan well-attuned to Gloam magic can manipulate the darkness, which can be twisted and formed as one might manipulate vines or liquid, but flicker, burn, and hunger like flame. Whether the shadows are hot, or so cold they feel hot, is a matter up for debate. It seems more likely, given prior knowledge of Nocturnal and the darkness of the Gloam, that the shadows are so frigid that they feel hot to the flesh.
The most common use of shadow/Gloam magic the Clan utilizes is Cloaking, the ability seemingly to wrap the darkness itself around themselves and vanish. Even most children within the Clan are able to make use of this to hide. This ability is far easier to perform in places where darkness is pervasive, though the most powerful and talented of Clan mages can vanish even in broad daylight, such as whichever Clan member possesses the spirit of Vergen.
Another, more complicated magic is the use of shadow-portals. While not uncommon among the Clan, not everyone is able to perform portals, and certainly the ability is almost exclusively among the older, higher ranked members. Most portals are tied to specific locations, and crafting or opening new portals rather than using existing portal-points is much more exhaustive. Where these portals are created also matters. In places holding a direct or close connection to the Evergloam itself, it becomes a great deal easier. The overarching plane of Nirn however is another story for most. All Clansmen can make use of Gloam portals, but only the best are able to conjure new portals out of thin air, especially without certain preparations ahead of time.
Clansmen can also use the shadows themselves as a weapon, though not in the manner of a sword. Those of the Clan well-attuned to Gloam magic can manipulate the darkness, which can be twisted and formed as one might manipulate vines or liquid, but flicker, burn, and hunger like flame. Whether the shadows are hot, or so cold they feel hot, is a matter up for debate. It seems more likely, given prior knowledge of Nocturnal and the darkness of the Gloam, that the shadows are so frigid that they feel hot to the flesh.
Internal Flame (self-healing and cold protection)
The Clan possesses a unique magic that serves two main purposes. They refer to this crudely as an "internal fire"--whether it has anything to do with real fire is up to debate.
The same magic is responsible for keeping themselves warm in frigid climates, as well as accelerated healing. Temperatures that would even turn the hardiest Nords indoors are not enough to stop them. They can even survive the coldest areas of the Pale in deep winter longer than one would think.
While one wouldn't think heightened body temperature and healing have anything to do with the other, it might be well-explained by the harsh conditions of exposure to extreme cold, which can physically damage the body. It makes sense then that the Clansmen are able to rapidly repair flesh damaged by exposure to extreme cold and snow, while their raised core temperature keeps their vitals up and running with less complication.
Though their self-healing has a significantly more noticeable advantage in healing soft tissue and flesh injuries, major flesh tears disappearing within days often times, it also appears to help bone recovery as well with shortened long-term recovery.
However, as their raised body temperature is mostly a passive matter, they can suffer great discomfort in hot climates. Luckily, very few Clansmen have ever left the cold safety of the north to actually experience it.
The same magic is responsible for keeping themselves warm in frigid climates, as well as accelerated healing. Temperatures that would even turn the hardiest Nords indoors are not enough to stop them. They can even survive the coldest areas of the Pale in deep winter longer than one would think.
While one wouldn't think heightened body temperature and healing have anything to do with the other, it might be well-explained by the harsh conditions of exposure to extreme cold, which can physically damage the body. It makes sense then that the Clansmen are able to rapidly repair flesh damaged by exposure to extreme cold and snow, while their raised core temperature keeps their vitals up and running with less complication.
Though their self-healing has a significantly more noticeable advantage in healing soft tissue and flesh injuries, major flesh tears disappearing within days often times, it also appears to help bone recovery as well with shortened long-term recovery.
However, as their raised body temperature is mostly a passive matter, they can suffer great discomfort in hot climates. Luckily, very few Clansmen have ever left the cold safety of the north to actually experience it.
Night-Eye
Living in the deep dark of Blackreach, in parts even deeper than the light of fungi and crystals can illuminate, as well as parts of the Evergloam, its no surprise that Clansmen have excellent vision in the dark compared to most other men or mer.
Some members of the Clan have eyes better adapted for the dark than others, especially those who live as something closer to daedra than human. For those in the Clan less adapted to seeing in the dark, or places where no eyes can properly adjust, its not uncommon for Clansmen to craft jewelry enchanted with the ability to see better, worn as small rings or medallions.
Some members of the Clan have eyes better adapted for the dark than others, especially those who live as something closer to daedra than human. For those in the Clan less adapted to seeing in the dark, or places where no eyes can properly adjust, its not uncommon for Clansmen to craft jewelry enchanted with the ability to see better, worn as small rings or medallions.
Animal Scrying (skinwalking) & Zoolingualism
Another common ability among the Clan is the ability to scry through animals, in a similar manner to skinwalking. The Clan's brand of scrying is very specific however--most often using crows, ravens, or wolves raised by the Clan itself. Many of the Clan's crows are Gloam crows, while their wolf packs consist of both Reach wolves and Gloam wolves.
The Clan are able to make use of both, magically tapping into the consciousness of their animals to see and sense as their Beasts do, not unlike Hagravens. Most of the Clan have specific crows or ravens each individual makes use of, bonded smaller flocks raised since hatching by those who will make use of them later. These beasts are not slaves nor is the scrying forced upon the animals to control them against their will; these are partnerships of trust and cooperation between two sentient beings.
Altogether, the Clan cares for and lives alongside thousands of birds. How they raise and breed their wolves isn't much different.
With their birds in particular, the Clan are also able to converse with the crows and ravens they raise in fluent conversation, regardless of whether they are more intelligent Gloam crows or standard ones, though Gloam crows are preferred. The first language and mother-tongue of the Clan is Kvekke-Skravling, roughly translated as "Croak Chatter". To outsiders of the Clan, their language sounds like a mix of clicks, croaks, and any combination of heavily bastardized snippets of Cyrod, Nordic, Reach, and Falmer, and subtle cues of body language also play a large role in communication.
The Clan are able to make use of both, magically tapping into the consciousness of their animals to see and sense as their Beasts do, not unlike Hagravens. Most of the Clan have specific crows or ravens each individual makes use of, bonded smaller flocks raised since hatching by those who will make use of them later. These beasts are not slaves nor is the scrying forced upon the animals to control them against their will; these are partnerships of trust and cooperation between two sentient beings.
Altogether, the Clan cares for and lives alongside thousands of birds. How they raise and breed their wolves isn't much different.
With their birds in particular, the Clan are also able to converse with the crows and ravens they raise in fluent conversation, regardless of whether they are more intelligent Gloam crows or standard ones, though Gloam crows are preferred. The first language and mother-tongue of the Clan is Kvekke-Skravling, roughly translated as "Croak Chatter". To outsiders of the Clan, their language sounds like a mix of clicks, croaks, and any combination of heavily bastardized snippets of Cyrod, Nordic, Reach, and Falmer, and subtle cues of body language also play a large role in communication.
Pyromancy (fire magic)
If any elemental magic could be attributed to the Clan, it would be that of fire.
Not surprising, as their Clan's own personal guardian is likened after a fire bird--a phoenix--even if it is a shadow version of one.
Not surprising, as their Clan's own personal guardian is likened after a fire bird--a phoenix--even if it is a shadow version of one.
Shapeshifting
One would think that shapeshifting might be a difficult art, but as a Clan that venerates Nocturnal and is said to have procreated with daedra at some point in their lineage, as well as calls upon Hircine, the father of Manbeasts, it is not an unusual ability.
The most common form among the Clan is that of a crow or raven, as the Clan regard themselves as Children of Nocturnal and venerate the birds to a religious degree. Secondary are those who might choose other forms of different beasts, such as wolves.
For a special few who dedicate themselves in body and spirit to protecting the Clan and serving Nocturnal for all time, even beyond death, some choose to take on the form of a Crow Wraith. Some of these Crow Wraiths remain with the Clan as guardians lesser to the Vergen, while others inhabit the Evergloam answering to the whims of Nocturnal herself. Many in the Clan heavily revere the Crow Wraiths, and consider becoming one the highest honor a Clansmen can give their soul to.
The most common form among the Clan is that of a crow or raven, as the Clan regard themselves as Children of Nocturnal and venerate the birds to a religious degree. Secondary are those who might choose other forms of different beasts, such as wolves.
For a special few who dedicate themselves in body and spirit to protecting the Clan and serving Nocturnal for all time, even beyond death, some choose to take on the form of a Crow Wraith. Some of these Crow Wraiths remain with the Clan as guardians lesser to the Vergen, while others inhabit the Evergloam answering to the whims of Nocturnal herself. Many in the Clan heavily revere the Crow Wraiths, and consider becoming one the highest honor a Clansmen can give their soul to.
Wards / Barriers
Difficult magics that only the best in the Clan are able to perform, but those who are able to create wards are highly revered as part of the Clans' defense. Most of those who can create barriers around the home of the Clan are leadership.
It is largely through them that the Clan remains safe and their home undisturbed by unwelcome outsiders.
It is largely through them that the Clan remains safe and their home undisturbed by unwelcome outsiders.
Climbing / Agility
Not all Clansmen are expert climbers, but it is common, as they make their homes in deep caves and along steep cliffs. Most of the youth are physically strong and expertly agile, despite often being small in size, and they usually have excellent stamina and great balance.