Infernal Constructs

Species with inherent infernal, industrial, or imperial powers, made by other mortal species.

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Abomination

Fleshly constructs of pain.

• Lifespan: 20 years

• Diet: Pain

• Habitat: Cold boreal islands

• Socioeconomic Status: Oppressed

A traditional abomination appears to be a 7' tall skinless figure with pallid musculature, blue blood, and razor-sharp, hooked appendages made of the bone and nail of the mortals they are made from and which they use to rip their own bodies and the flesh of others. Variations on this theme occur.

Abominations can be created, controlled, or summoned by powerful ponomancers. The ritual to create one requires capturing a mortal and torturing them until they are nearly dead or in a state of trauma-induced mental collapse (dissociation, catatonia, psychosis, etc.). Once they are in such a state, the ponomancer must bind them into a magical circle and inscribe their own True Name or the True Name of a powerful being of pain magic into the victim.

The hooks at the end of their arms cause unfathomable pain when they tear flesh. They absorb this pain into their own flesh. If they are not sated by the pain they take from others, they must rip themselves. They can sense weaknesses in others.

They are immune to most forms of poison, disease, and pollutants. They are not undead - they live and have uncorrupted souls - but they are not common living things. They can be hacked to pieces and keep going so long as their head and/or heart are intact. Some refer to them as flesh golems, though this is grossly inaccurate.

Abominations cannot be stunned.

To control an abomination, one either needs the True Name used to create them, or they need to capture a bit of the abomination’s flesh. They must then wash that flesh in acid (hydrochloric is best) and place it in a ceramic jar full of nails. The jar must then be shaken while the ponomancer chants a Name of infernal power.

To summon an abomination, a ponomancer must take a piece of someone's flesh (their own or another mortal's) and place it in a magical circle. They must then produce the tears of someone who has been tortured emotionally, the blood of someone tortured physically, the phlegm of someone mentally perplexed (usually gaslit) into a state of agony, and the heart of one metaphysically tortured (usually via some traumatic action that makes them lose their faith or through direct esoteric metaphysical assault). Then a Name of infernal power must be invoked.

Abominations are created for the purposes of being slavers and torturers for imperial powers. The originals formed a culture in their distant homeland where they gained independence. They are a warrior nation who believe that causing pain to their victims is the highest form of victory in combat. From their slaves and enemies, they create abominations, which are used as slaves and soldiers.

Abominations know only pain, and they believe they can only alleviate that pain by causing pain. They are a dangerous being to enslave, for they often rise up and kill their slavers just to alleviate their pain, but they make terrifying shock troops. They keep them in the belly of their galleys, keeping them as rowers and advance forces for raids. Their ponomancers can create new abominations easily from pieces of their captured enemies, especially if an abomination captured the enemy. Therefore, abominations are viewed as disposable.

When a new abomination is formed, it is given a fresh slave to butcher in order to calm it, as it experiences intense pain once it awakens. Once it has slaked its pain and hunger, it is then whipped or prodded by its master(s) until it fears them enough to obey. Then, it is tested, given simple tasks to do. If it is capable of simple tasks, it is kept as a slave; if it fails, it is kept as taken to the pits to be saved up for the next raid or battle.

An abomination doesn’t last much longer than 20 years at most if it is a slave. Warriors die much quicker. If they somehow escape their owners, they spend their lives trying to alleviate their pain, either through causing others pain, through death, or through some potent esoteric means. The smartest seek relief through celestial or aetherial magicks. The most desperate simply torment any living thing they come across. Most find ways to kill themselves, usually throwing themselves off the high cliffs of their homeland to land in the rocky surf below.

In the Talunese city-states, they are rare, but some use them as slaves, soldiers, torturers, and slavers.

Some rare few abominations gain their freedom and seek not to live lives of cruelty; these rare abominations eventually learn they can alleviate their eternal pain via other means, some magical, some mundane, and become calmer and more in control. These abominations are forbidden and cursed, hated by their former masters. These are the ones a player may choose to play.

PRO 11 ATH 11 STR 14 AWA 4 WIL 4 PRS 1 STH 8

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The Baleful

Beings infused with boiling infernal blood.

• Lifespan : 10-20 years after infusion for constructed, 40-50 years for baleborn

• Diet: Carnivorous

• Habitat: Anywhere mortals dwell

• Socioeconomic Status: Privileged oppressed or ruling class

The baleful appear to be distorted, hypermuscular versions of their former selves. Tzukans, the largest nation of baleful, originated as humans experimenting with baleblood from infernal boars, and most of them have developed into a nation of larger than average humans with massive muscles, tusks, and bleeding eyes. They have clawed hands and feet and no hair except small patches in odd places on their bodies. Typically, about half of all Tzukans have this general appearance, while the rest are more muscular, tusked, clawed, bleeding-eyed versions of other species.

All baleful have the same blood. When their it spills, it comes out as liquid fire.

Even the tiniest bit of anger causes the baleful to fly into uncontrollable rage. During this rage, their physical stats (PRO, ATH, STR) increase by one point per round, and their other stats (AWA, WIL, PRS, STH) reduce by one point per round. If their STR exceeds mortal limits (42), they explode. If their other stats hit -1, they explode. During their rage, though their AWA drops, their reaction and perception remain the same if they are tied to AWA.

All baleful can consume most meat and blood without worry for disease or toxicity.

There are three ways to alleviate the power of baleblood once infused with it: burning out, emotionally rejecting it, or supernaturally fighting it. The former happens rarely, as most who get to that point burn to death or explode. The second method is done through deep psychological efforts, usually involving complete submission to peacefulness, emptiness, contentment via meditative arts, or through loving care and total acceptance and compassion. These emotional methods require decades of intensive therapeutic efforts or communal care.

Supernatural methods of fighting baleblood infusion usually involve celestial energies or nommic energies.

The first nation of the baleful is the Tzukan, who were the earliest to survive. They are ruled by the Eternal Bale-King the Tzukazi Horng Toecutter, Resurrected in Fire, and his vast armies. Other nations that embraced baleblood culturally were wiped out by the Tzukan or others who feared them. However, from the Tzukan, three other nations formed - the Dalgryam, a nation of refugees who rejected the baleblood, but retain some remnant of it; the Prajgrkam, a nation of slaves who have lower levels of baleblood and are owned by the Tzukan; and the Xyrnyrak, a nation of survivors whose baleblood has burned out but not killed them, leaving them empty vessels.

Mostly they dwell far in the east, but those who come to the city-states usually come as Tzukan immigrants, tourists, or dignitaries with a retinue of Prajgrkam slaves. Some Xynryrak or Dalgryam come to seek refuge. They are all proud of their heritage and warrior culture.

PRO 11 ATH 10 STR 14 AWA 8 WIL 7 PRS 7 STH 8

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Cyrthathogo

Beings born in people's nightmares.

• Lifespan: 20 years
• Diet: Fear
• Habitat: Dreams or anywhere
• Socioeconomic Status: Privileged oppressed

Cythrathogos take the form of 8' tall, colorful beings with small heads atop broad shoulders. Their heads are helmet-like, with only dark slits for eyes, a pair of stubby antennae, and no mouths, ears, or noses. They have hulking, seemingly chitinous bodies, with arms that end in pincer claws. Their legs are muscular and large, ending in six-toed gorilla-like feet. They are usually a mixture or red, orange, green, and yellow in hue.

Cyrthathogos feed off of fear. They devour fear from anyone who is afraid of them, simply by being near them. Their pincers are lined with uafan toxin, which induces intense fear, but any fear induced by them - even just their appearance - feeds them. They can also enter the dreams of those they are near, temporarily, and they can move through solid stone.

Cyrthathogos are created when someone who has been inflicted with uafan toxin (a poison that causes intense fear) has nightmares that become so strong they can't be contained within the subconscious of the dreamer. They take these physical forms after killing their hosts.

Some rare cyrthathogos break free of their need to cause and devour fear, instead gaining power from alleviating fear. They become this way by saving someone from something they fear.

PRO 14 ATH 7 STR 18 AWA 8 WIL 8 PRS 6 STH 6

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Decorian

Constructs made to obscure something terrible.

• Lifespan: 100 years
• Diet: Emotion or Common mortal fare
• Habitat: Anywhere
• Socioeconomic Status: Privileged oppressed

Decorians appear to be beautiful, no matter what they look like. Those who see them see something crafted with care and intention, something with deep, profound beauty… unless they have the insight or power to see past the shallow glamour and see the truth. Underneath their illusory beauty is the exact opposite - no matter what the true form is, they are perceived as disturbing and soulless, empty and terrible.

Decorians are made of expensive, often rare or exclusive materials. Fine silk, gold and platinum or other rare metals, rare or expensive stones and gems, wood from extinct or endangered trees, fur and bone from extinct or endangered animals, mortal flesh and bone, or other terrible things. They are shaped to be hominid, though the custom is to leave their faces blank so that the viewer can fill it in via the power of the illusory beauty. The classic example is a hollow statue of a “woman” with traditional patriarchal “beauty” and no face that is alive, but has unpolished stone as skin and disproportionate limbs that end in weaponry.

Decorians can control when their illusory beauty is on and off; they use the response people have to their false beauty to draw emotions and consume them. The people that fall prey to them are left with a little less depth of emotion afterward. They usually have this power on, unless they are resting, as they need to feed often, and anyone who sees their true form becomes immune to their illusions. It is possible for them to live off of common mortal fare if they give up their illusory beauty, but few choose to do this.

Decorians are usually made by powerful imperial figures as protections hidden as works of art in their palaces, mansions, or institutions, but some rebel against this role and try to be independent. Some are allowed to do so and become members of the ruling class, while others rebel completely and become oppressed and exploited. Players would be one of the latter.

PRO 8 ATH 8 STR 10 AWA 9 WIL 8 PRS 10 STH 8

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Ecfictian

Beings constructed of infernal brimstone.

• Lifespan : 200 years
• Diet: Flesh, stone, and souls
• Habitat: Anywhere
• Socioeconomic Status: Ruling class or Privileged oppressed

Ecfictians are beings made of infernal brimstone. They stink of sulfur surrounds them. They are living statues, and thus, their forms vary, but they are usually some kind of infernal terata or other intimidating shape.

The original ecfictians came alive as brimstone statues were used by demons or other wielders of infernal magic fed souls into them, usually to temporarily store them. This cause conflict between them and their original creators, but the first ecficitians sought power rather than liberation. They eventually built a niche within imperial societies as enforcers and purveyors of violence or intimidators.

Every ecfictian has the following powers:

• Burning touch: the touch of an ecfictian burns with infernal flame, causing physical and soul damage, if they have devoured a soul within the last year and a day.
• Soulseal: if they kill someone, they can take that perosn's soul and place it in their bodies, slowly eroding it and devouring it.

They stink of infernal sulfur, which is toxic to celestial and elemental beings.

Their role in most imperial societies is as guards, posing as statues while on guard duty. Those who are independent seek to emulate the authorities and become figures of power as well. Some few do try to stop emulating the ruling class, however, and seek to step away from their cruel origins.

PRO 9 ATH 7 STR 11 AWA 8 WIL 8 PRS 6 STH 7

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Erstellt

Beings "othered" into monstrous forms.

• Lifespan: 20 years
• Diet: Meat
• Habitat: Anywhere
• Socioeconomic Status: Oppressed

The erstellt are mortal beings who have been subjected to emotional torture called "othering" that transforms them into "monsters". This process is a magical process that convinces them they are unloved and unlovable, convinces them they are monsters, then manipulates them magically to allow them to turn into the form they are coerced into believing they have. Then, they are filled with hatred for all other living things. Through this process, they become bound to their creator, who is always a summoner. They then become the slaves of the summoner, transported to the summoner upon command and forced to fight for them.

The process of othering starts with trapping someone in a chamber, psychologically and physically torturing them, and convincing them they are alone because no one cares to help them. From there, the magicks begin, various infernal practices that ultimately convince the person they are a "monster", often some figure of large size with dangerous powers and characteristics. Every erstellt is different and vaguely resembles the person they once were. The powers they gain in this process vary, but they usually involve superstrength and speed, infernal energies, and intimidation.

Most erstellt are entirely bound to their masters and serve them as enforcers of imperial will. Some rare ones escape, break free, and seek either death or escape from the world. These rare freed erstellt are severely traumatized and often lash out at everyone they meet. If they are ever convinced they are lovable and cared for, they will return to their original form, albeit still traumatized.

PRO 11 ATH 11 STR 14 AWA 9 WIL 5 PRS 6 STH 8

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Froemmler

Eugenically created species.

• Lifespan : 60 years
• Diet: Varies
• Habitat: Anywhere
• Socioeconomic Status: Ruling class or privileged oppressed

Froemmlers were eugenically developed by mortal scientists using the energy of feirua to try to splice genes in order to create supersoldiers or ubermensch.

Froemmlers appear to be an amalgamation of multiple species. Which species they resemble varies by individual, but most are attempts to unite multiple species within different taxonomic orders or families.

Froemmlers have variations of the powers of the 3-5 species they are amalgamations of, but always somewhat twisted.

Consult with the GM for more details.

All froemmlers have weaknesses and flaws derived from their pseudoscientific breeding.

In the city-states, froemmlers are common. They are created by the ruling class, mostly as soldiers and servants. They are deeply indoctrinated, view themselves as superior, and thrive on hating others. They worship their masters as semi-Divine. Many live in Lupposto.

If a player chooses to be a froemmler, they must be one who has rejected their indoctrination.

PRO 14 ATH 14 STR 14 AWA 8 WIL 4 PRS 4 STH 8

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Fuliginite

Those descended of The Pit.

• Lifespan : 200 years

• Diet: Fuliginized fare

• Habitat: Fuliginized landscapes

• Socioeconomic Status: Ruling class

Fuliginites appear to be amalgamations of many different species from the current era of Shem. Any given fuliginite will have features of any spirit folk, humans and metahumans, insinsi, elementals, illittum, and adelfoi. Each individual will have no more than seven and no less than five features of different species, and their progeny will not necessarily match them.

Fuliginites are mortals who have been infused with fuligin, a metallic sand found near The Pit, a massive hole in the world where Divinities go to die. Fuligin is created by the rejection of all that is good and decent, and it causes mortals to be drained of their entire being, and as they collapse, they fused with other beings, forming unexpected amalgamations. Those born to them are amalgamations of their parents.

A fuliginite will have no more than five and no less than three powers from random species. Their powers do not necessarily match the beings they resemble unless said powers are derived from physical features they have as part of their resemblance. For instance, a fuliginite who appears to be part-centaur, part-nymph, part-brannish, part-avian animal folk, part-athak might have a nymph's beauty, psionic powers from a psionist, and water-breathing like a merfolk, and they can fly because they have the wings of an avian. The powers they have will all be fuligin-tainted, however, meaning that any interactions their powers have with faith, spirits, or Divines will harm the faith/faithful, spirits, or the Divine.

Upon birth, a fuliginite is almost always rejected by their parents. This act allows the infernal energies to fill them. If this act does not occur, the child will grow up to be one of its component species. This is extremely rare. Upon being filled with fuligin, the child will rapidly grow in strength until it can survive on its own.

Fuliginites have a variety of immunities not necessarily correlated to any being they resemble. Each fuliginite will have an immunity for one to three different esoteric energies.

There are two fuliginite nations:

• Harkanians: fuliginites of a brutal theocratic kingdom.

• Xorcrans: nomads of the Fuligin Field.

The largest nation among the fuliginites is the Harkanians.

Harkanians live in a brutal monarchist culture. Their God-Emperor rules with a fuligin fist, demanding tribute and taxes monthly from his vassals. The God-Emperor's vassals are kings, dukes, earls, barons, and the landed gentry. Each pays tribute up the chain, with the God-Emperor taking the largest cut from the collected wealth. The main underclass are the serfs, who are not free to move from fiefdom to fiefdom, unlike peasants, of which there are none. The other workers and servants are all slaves, who can be bought and sold, unlike serfs. The only way a serf or slave can get out of enslavement is by joining the military or being chosen for the priesthood.

The Xorcrans are nomadic fuliginites in the Fuligin Field, the vast desert around The Pit on Shem.

Xorcrans live in nomadic tribes that wander the Fuligin Field. Each tribe is ruled by a warlord, who maintains power via violence and control of the meager resources the tribes find in the Field. Warlords are usually very skilled fighters who have many wives, slaves, and warriors. Each tribe has a hierarchy that includes a warrior caste, an esoteric caste, a commoner caste, and slaves.

The Church of Harkan does not present itself as a rejection of the Divine. They see it as faith, a faith in a being they call the One True God. They believe Harkan was this God's chosen champion against the blasphemers of the world. The Pit is seen as the place where false gods are cast. The Church presents their control over blasphemy as Divinely granted, but of course, the rituals are all truly blasphemous rejections of the Divine, spirits, and energies of faith.

In the city-states, all fuliginites come as immigrants, tourists, dignitaries, or slaves, but mostly immigrants.

PRO 9 ATH 9 STR 10 AWA 9 WIL 9 PRS 7 STH 8

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Inimica

Servitor species of the Eldritch.

• Lifespan: 800 years
• Diet: Souls, flesh, and fear
• Habitat: Anywhere
• Socioeconomic Status: Ruling class

Inimica vary in appearance, depending on which Eldritch they worship, but they will always have some of the following features: exposed bones, tentacles, worm-like tails, huge mouths, leaking eyes, claws, fangs, stingers, insect-like features, burning pits for eyes, white flesh, reptilian features, mollusk features, slime, facelessness, lightforms, desiccated limbs, blades, spurs, spines, spikes, extra limbs, extra eyes, extra tails, extra wings, leaking blood, externalized internal organs, flame, frost, electricity, clear skin, mottled skin, feathers, masks, snouts, tusks, trunks, extra mouths, extra noses, extra ears, huge ears, huge noses, fleshlessness, extra flesh, metallic flesh, stony flesh, wooden flesh, and other features

Inimica are mortals who worshiped the Eldritch and either learned one of their Names, looked directly upon them, or were subjected to a rite of transformation. Whatever they were before is left behind as they are altered into an Eldritch form. They gain various powers, usually relating to the Eldritch who formed them, but all of them have the ability to speak a fragment of Eldritch Name and inflict a doom on those who hear it.

Inimica live in obscure cults, serving the Eldritch and seeking to bring them back to Shem.

Very rare inimica seek to escape and free themselves of their forms. They are usually hunted down and killed.

PRO 11 ATH 11 STR 11 AWA 11 WIL 11 PRS 4 STH 8

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Misbegot

NPC only

People who have been taken advantage of in moments of bad luck and turned into body horror.

• Lifespan : A third of their original species' lifespan
• Diet: Varies
• Habitat: Anywhere
• Socioeconomic Status: Oppressed

People who have had bad luck sometimes become trapped in it. Usually, this happens to people who have been tricked by someone who knows how to wield it. Those who become trapped in bad luck are preyed upon by wielders of misfortune, who tell them they can change their luck, if they sell part of themselves to the wielder.

Thus, they slowly turn these folks into the misbegot. First, they take part of their bodies. Usually this is blood, flesh, or an organ, leaving them with a vacancy that should not be survivable. But they are sustained by misfortune, falsely believing this to be strength. Then, they take part of their emotions, removing one or two emotions, making them easier to manipulate. Then, part of their minds, making them automatons. Then, part of their souls, making them empty vessels.

These are the misbegot, not dead, but only alive in name. The misbegot are slaves to their misfortune wielding masters (wanioners), and they draw misfortune with them. Anyone near them suffers accidents, disasters, and calamities. If a large number of misbegot gather in an area, they bring major disasters with them.

Some misbegot arrest the process before they lose their minds or souls by becoming wanioners - makers of misbegots - creating a pyramid scheme of misfortune.

Eventually, the misbegot fall apart, body, heart, mind, and soul, becoming living misfortune, ill wind beings who transform into aelavels, living disaster elementals.

PRO 8 ATH 7 STR 9 AWA 5 WIL 4 PRS 4 STH 8 (human standard)