Information regarding the world of the Hellbender setting.

NOTE: Each individual of a species is their own being. What is described here may not apply to all individuals of a species.

Magi

Magi are beings containing magic within their bodies. Dormant / unusable magic is described as passive magic, while magic that is usable by the possessor is active magic. Very few magi species are capable of manipulating magic.

Magi Creatures

Various non-human animals possessing magic.

Harpies

Avians with ears of a llama and a human-like face stretched outward into a muzzle with jaws possessing razor-sharp teeth. The magic they hold is passive. There are many varieties of harpies, ranging from chicken-sized to taller than a standing bear.

Female harpies are larger than the males, and wield an intimidating set of spurs growing outward from the back of their feet. Male harpies display colorful plumage which play a key role in their dancing rituals to impress females (and sometimes other males.) A male harpy trying to impress a female with his dance must be light on his feet, if the female doesn’t appreciate his moves, she will kill him. If the dance is a success, afterwards the couple will construct a nest together. The female will then lay a single egg and leave the male to look after it on his own. When the egg hatches, the male will feed partially digested food to the chick until they have grown enough to hunt small prey on their own. Once the chick is capable of feeding themself, the male will seek out a group of other male harpies. Being in a group increases the chance of survival for the chick, and allows them to socialize with other harpy chicks. Harpies reach an independent age at about 6-10 years depending on species, and their lifespan can be up to 80 years.

Female harpies prefer a more secluded life, though they are known to occasionally pair up with other females, cleaning each other’s feathers and providing companionship for a short while.

The image of a harpy and manticore having a quarrel is a common image throughout various cultures. Harpies and manticores are known to prey on each other’s young for an easy meal.

Manticores

Mammals with a feline body and human face. They wield a pair of wings, which allows them to glide a short distance. Two horns grow from their skull, and their long tail ends in a venomous barb or spiked club. They possess passive magic, and have cognitive abilities similar to humans, but rarely show it. Manticores are mischievous and find amusement in messing with humans and other beings.

Manticores dwelling in the wilderness are large, about the size of a bear. Those dwelling among humans are smaller, the size of a dog or cat.

Manticores live in groups of 5-20 individuals. Domestic manticores generally form the largest groups, as there is less competition for food among humans who find amusement in sharing food with the strange human-faced creatures.

Magi Humans

Human species possessing magic within their bodies.

Fae

The only magi humans that naturally possess active magic. Their bodies can possess almost any form, though generally appear human-like. They have the longest lifespan of all humans (up to 1000 years,) but have very low fertility. Fae have the lowest population of all magi humans.

They are very sensitive to other living beings, capable of sensing emotions and intent. Highly populated areas can easily overstimulate fae. Medical resources that can block out these stimulations are available, but at the cost of reducing the capabilities of active magic.

The active magic capabilities of fae are shape-shifting, and utilizing their own blood to change objects and other living beings. Fae blood does not dry and is highly sought after for use in rituals and as alternative medicine.

Fae have a close relationship with non-magi human witch covens. They share their blood with the coven, in return the coven protects the fae and anything dear to them. Non-magi coven members often bare tattoos created with ink containing the blood of their fae elders, creating a spiritual link to them.

Gargoyles

Large magi humans that average a height of 8 feet. The magic within their body is passive. They have a very tough musculature, feeling almost like stone. Their stomach is kiln-like, and can generate an immense amount of heat. Intense physical activity generates very high body temperatures, hot enough to ignite anything flammable with prolong contact. Tough scales grow along their neck, back, forearms, and legs.

Gargoyle bodies are mostly hairless, but an individual with high enough testosterone levels may exhibit a beard. Hair growing from the top of the head is very rare. The coloration of their bodies range from a pale bluish-gray to a very deep dark blue. Many have geometric markings on their skin that somewhat resemble tattoos. Gargoyles possess small, round, soul-piercing eyes. Possible eye colors are gold, amber, blood, and silver.

Their diet consists mostly of charcoal, dry grass, and water. A gargoyle with decent hydration will exhibit steam gently flowing through their mouth and nostrils. Alcohol consumption can be a bit more dangerous for them compared to other humans, but that's part of the fun.

Little sexual dimorphism can be seen among gargoyles, they look almost physically identical. None of the various gargoyle cultures exhibit any concept of gender or assigned sexual role at birth. Gargoyles who are born estrogen-dominant, and decide to remain that way, are generally taller and possess a pseudo-penis. Testosterone-dominant gargoyles generally exhibit beards and two tusks growing downward from the top jaw. Any gargoyle regardless of their hormone levels and reproductive abilities can potentially have any combination of these features.

Tusks can cause discomfort while speaking, sign language plays a very important role in communication for gargoyles as a result, and is of equal importance to spoken and written language. Most adult gargoyles use sign language rather than spoken language to communicate among each other.

Monogamy is not generally practiced among gargoyles. Heterosexuality is not common either. There are no marriage ceremonies in any of the gargoyle cultures. Magi humans have lower fertility compared to non-magi humans, so gargoyles see pregnancies as a good excuse for a big party. If a gargoyle decides to not go ahead with a pregnancy, it is not seen as an issue. Gargoyles give birth to 2-3 babies, a single baby is rare. Baby gargoyles have longer arms and fingers compared to other infant humans, this is so they can cling on tightly to their parents for safety. Gargoyles are capable of having offspring with other human species, however due to their high body temperature, a gargoyle caring a pregnancy they've started with a non-gargoyle human has a higher risk of miscarriage.

Taking apart a newly acquired tool or device and reassembling it is common among gargoyles. They find comfort in understanding how things are constructed and how they function. When something isn't working for them, they will tear it down and build something better in its place. Many gargoyle cultures take great pride in their architecture and efficient construction techniques. In the modern world, the gargoyles have excelled in building accessible technology, causing much frustration for non-magi human elites in the tech industry.

Valkyries

Magi humans with a bird-like appearance that possess passive magic. They are most known for having collected bodies from battlegrounds, believed by non-magi humans to be sent by deities to collect fallen warriors. The collected bodies would then be cremated and the ashes used for rituals and fertilizer.

Valkyries are often very spiritual. Their beliefs focus on death giving birth to life.

Throughout history they have mostly kept themselves isolated from others, rarely interacting with outside cultures. Modern valkyries believe their ancestors were too busy partying and getting drunk to be concerned about the drama of their neighbors. Only when non-magi human missionaries tried inserting themselves into the valkyries' business did they begin interacting with the outside world, by telling everyone if they're not here to party, they can fuck off and die. Valkyries' relationship with their neighbors would eventually improve once their neighbors learned to mind their business. This improved relationship would eventually result in the valkyrie homelands becoming accessible via train, which remains the only accessible way to travel to and from the valkyrie homelands.

Vampires

Magi humans with wrinkled faces, sharp teeth, large pointed ears, and clawed hands. Their own magic is passive, but they can manipulate magic extracted from other magi species by consuming their blood, a practice called blood magic. Vampires often used blood magic as a sort of alternative medicine, but could also use it to create illusions or to manipulate the magic directly inside another magi's body. Blood magic is mostly forbidden in the modern age, due to rampant abuse and exploitation of other magi caused by the practice. It is still allowed in medical situations under strict guidelines. Medical blood magic is not exclusively beneficial to vampires, but also to other magi species. When treating a non-vampire magi, it is best to use the patient's blood or the blood of one of the patient's relatives.

Vampires have a long history of prioritizing status, wealth, and power. They are closer related to non-magi humans compared to other magi humans.

The Foci protocol was developed by a vampire using the pseudonym Silv3in. Foci is an internet protocol that uses magic to encrypt and decrypt data utilizing the blood of the user, as a result it is inaccessible to non-magi. Silv3in was inspired by their blood glucose monitor to create Foci, which was originally created as a joke.