Species Guide

This chart gives a brief overview of every species on Shem.

Subguides: Below is the main guide.

Main Species Guide

SpeciesSorted ascending Family Category Energy Description Notes
           
Abominations Constructs Infernal Arnum Beings constructed out of mortals who have been tortured to become monstrous figures that know nothing but the need to cause others pain.  
Aeonians Inmortals Ambrosial All Ambrosia Unique inmortal beings empowered by their association with the Divines or who ascended due to some paradox. Not usually playable.
Aerligians Metahumans Celestrial Waarheid Humans whose True Names are written on their tongues.  
Akka Akhoata Celestial Banaru Women with the power to protect and empower children and their clans. Based on Finnish mythology.
Al'Ukhua Akhoata Poioumenonic Fate Eyeless women who sense what is to be. Name is Arabic.
Ambages Constructs Shebvic Cu'ucuch'ik Sentient buildings.  
Ancestors Insubstantiates Nommic Ancestral Memory The living memories of one's ancestors made manifest. Not usually playable.
Angels Illittum Celestial Celeste Water Messengers from celestial Divines. Based on various religions. Not usually playable. One of the few universally good species.
Animal Folk Animal Folk Aetherial Nzwara Murazvo Animal folk are animals that gained consciousness and intelligence and became more anthropomorphized. They are as varied as the number of animal species in the world. Pick your favorite animal and talk to the GM. See Animal Folk Guide for the most prominent species and nations.
Asterians Alien Nations Aetherial Qeernariji Aliens from the emptiness of space between planets and satellites within the Angeldawn system who are empowered by starlight.  
Athaks Insubstantiates Infernal Void Beings of void energy that can manifest into partially physical forms that are perceived as black, inky, featureless figures, but who are bright and colorful on the negative spectrum. Their highest form is utterly insubstantial.  
Babaláwo Akhoata Poioumenonic Ayase Women who can give birth to beings of any other species. Name is Chichewa.
Bikiak Metahumans Celestial Ujjval Aatma Humans who are all twinned and have a supernatural connection to their twin. Created by Nathan.
Brannishes Metahumans Shebvic Kakraoky Four-armed humans that stand a foot or so taller than average; they learn new skills faster than average.  
Buhlanka Insubstantiates Celestial Botshepehi Beings that are hazy beings of pure will; vaguely perceptible figures that appear to be swirling, colored vapors. Not usually playable.
Cephalans Insinsi Paradoxical Possibility Mystic beings who have a human-like form but with elongated features; they have mild psionic powers and a cultural affinity for science. Name is based on Greek.
Chthonians Elementals Aetherial Kazaddarean Elemental earth beings that are a bit like Tolkienian dwarves.  
Cocidians Akhoata Shebvic B'qar Women with antlers who derive power from hunting for survival. Name is Hungarian.
Coeligians Illittum Celestial Radiance Colorful human-like beings with antennae who glow slightly. They dwell on islands.  
Crystal Folk Elementals Aetherial The Bright Tall beings made of solid crystal who can control light.  
Cythreuliaid (sing. Cythreulig) Illittum Infernal Razdavit' Hairy, three-eyed beings with orange, yellow, or red skin and hair. They gain power from stealing souls. Name is Welsh.
Deer Women Akhoata Celestial Yahas Women with deer-like features, usually hooves, who protect their communities. Based on indigenous American mythologies.
Demons Illittum Infernal Infernum Infernal beings that draw power from devouring souls. Based on demons from mythologies around the world. Not usually playable. One of the few universally evil species.
Destroyers Alien Nations Infernal Slitna Hexars and morags, powerful beings of destruction that dwell in Abaddon and obliterate reality with their powers. Morags are massive monsters made of dark grey stone and blue crystals filled with acid; hexars are orange figures that are inconceivable to see. Not usually playable.
Divinities Inmortals Paradoxical All Paradoxical Energies Unique inmortal beings who gain power from being worshiped, derived from paradoxes. Not usually playable.
Dongxue Metahumans Shebvic Menab'e Subterranean humans with stony skin and metallic bones. Name is Chinese.
Doppelgangers Metahumans Infernal Thorn Energy Featureless beings who can take on the appearance of other beings via magical means, usually touch. Based on European folklore and Kaylie's imagination.
Dragons Dragons Shebvic Draconic Power Usually reptilian beings with the power to absorb esoteric energies and breath different forms of flame or other powers. Based on dragons from mythologies and legends around the world. Not usually playable. See Dragon Guide for more.
Dreams Insubstantiates Poioumenonic Dream Energy Living dreams, flickering images in the waking world and solid and powerful within the Dream Realm. Not usually playable.
Dreordomne Akhoata Infernal Quaestus Women who draw power from bathing in blood. Name is Old English. Based on Countess Bathory.
Dryades Akhoata / Elementals Aetherial Prasinofos Women who are bonded to trees and have nature powers. Based on Greek mythology.
Echoes Insubstantiates Infernal Bedrog False reincarnations of those who came before; slightly wrong beings made from False Names. Not usually playable.
Ejderhalar Inmortals Shebvic All Shebvic Energies Unique inmortal beings who embody the 12 shebvic energies. They apepar to be dragons. Name is Turkish. Not usually playable.
Emeti Insinsi Nommic Nommos Mystic beings who have a human-like form but with elongated features; they can sense True Names and have a cultural affinity for introspection. Name is Hebrew, I think???
Empaths Metahumans Nommic Emotional Resonance Humans who can sense the emotions of others supernaturally. Some of them can affect the bodies of other humans via touch, usually healing.  
Enders Metahumans Infernal Tandh Humans who can sense the emotions of others supernaturally. Some can wound others through simple touch. They are all male-assigned at birth.  
Eximi Illittum Celestial Euphotonia Sky-dwelling beings who live off of light. They are colorful figures who can see beyond the edge of the horizon.  
Fluers Elementals Aetherial Hasken Fure Flower people. See Fluer Guide for more specific flowers.
Froemmlers Constructs Infernal Feirua Eugenically constructed supermortals.  
Fuliginites Illittum Infernal Blasphemy Beings that have the features of other species and powers from species that do not necessarily match their forms. They are filled with blasphemous energy from the fuligin in their bodies.  
Gargoyles Constructs Shebvic Gebvel Stone or metal figures carved into buildings to protect them. Based on French legend.
Gens Bas Metahumans Infernal Stravomenos Humans with psionic powers that allow them to erase the knowledge of others. Name is French.
Golems Constructs Ambrosial The Law Stone figures empowered by ancient Divine Law. Based on Jewish mythology.
Gondals Insinsi Shebvic Mashoaab Mystic beings who have a human-like form but with elongated features; they can move through stone and absorb precious metals. Name is Hindi.
Greater Elementals Inmortals Aetherial All Aether Unique inmortal beings who embody elements, nature, or landforms. Not usually playable.
Green Folk Elementals Aetherial Prasinofos Plant people, as varied as the plants of the world. See Green Folk Guide for more.
Griles Illittum Infernal Arnum Subterranean beings that eat pain and have many mouths.  
Gwichian Akhoata Infernal Cacophony Women whose voices have great powers. Name is Welsh.
Harpies Akhoata Infernal Sterisi Winged women who engage in cannibalism. Based on Greek mythology.
Hollow Children Constructs Infernal Hollow Energy Beings formed by the hollowing out of a mortal's skin, filled with vermin.  
Homunculi Constructs Nommic Mijjit Tiny mortals formed by other mortals out of flesh and blood. Based on European mythology.
Humans Humans Celestial Elysian Essence You know what a human is. You are one. I apologize for that.  
Illathathae Akhoata Aetherial Hvittdogg Women who weep ice and snow.  
Inimica Illittum Infernal Eldritch Energy Tentacled beings that inflict dooms upon others with their touch. Inspired loosely by Lovecraftian mythos and mindflayers.
Insulari Insinsi Poioumenonic Stagma Mystic beings who have a human-like form but with elongated features; they dwell on islands and have an affinity for creating inebriants.  
Jark’aqirinaka Illittum Celestial Juaih Subterranean beings who have the power to protect others. They appear to be made of plants and animals at the same time. Name is Aymara.
Jasadis Akhoata Celestial Holy Virtue Women with bluish skin and metallic hair who are empowered by their behavior. Name is Arabic.
Ka'ar Elementals Aetherial Lahab al'Qalb Elemental fire beings that take a hairless, human-like form with salamander-like features in their faces.  
Kokebi Metahumans Aetherial Ma'Dhahabi Humans whose hair is filled with stars and eyes glow. They have dark skin and dwell near the sun.  
Lemniscates Insinsi Paradoxical Complexity Mystic beings who have a human-like form but with elongated features; they have mild psionic powers and a cultural affinity for mathematics.  
Lilithians Akhoata Celestial Aemoa Women with a connection to their ancestors. Based on mythological women with an unjustly bad reputation, including Lilith. See Lilithian Guide.
Living Metals Elementals Aetherial Bailaohu Jinghua Sentient and intelligent veins of metal that can be forged into living things.  
Lutipariant Alien Nations Infernal Brown Aether Aliens from a nebula that bring foul energies to Shem that pollute it and make it unlivable. Name is Latin. Not usually playable.
Mafi Girma Inmortals Celestial All Celestial Essences Unique inmortal beings who embody different celestial powers. They emenate goodness. Also, their servitor species. Name is Hausa. Not usually playable. Universally good.
Mahpiyatuwawa Elementals Aetherial Bijalee Living, sentient, intelligent storms that take on human-like faces. Name is Lakota.
Mammonites Metahumans Infernal Drenante Humans who are cursed such that if they are filled with white sludge instead of internal organs. They can break this by working, but they never do.  
Manifestations Insubstantiates Paradoxical Paradox Impossible figures that are the consequence of paradoxes. They cannot be perceived even by inmortal minds. They defy understanding. Not usually playable.
Mechanicals Constructs Ambrosial Mortal Will Cyborgs, robots, and other mechanical beings given sentience by other mortals.  
Mesecinae Akhoata Celestial Iremia Women with diaphanous wings, three eyes, and greenish skin who embody the serenity of the moons on which they live. Name is Slovenian.
Muses Akhoata Celestial Euphotonia Women whose touch fills others with inspiration for the arts. Based on Greek mythology.
Mutumwa Metahumans Paradoxical Momentum Humans whose physical form changes as they move. Name is Shona.
Myconians Elementals Aetherial Parfum de Marais Fungus people.  
Naiads Akhoata Aetherial Conflueverant Nymphs attuned to bodies of water. Based on Greek mythology.
Nanmai Illittum Celestial Lhair Warrior species who fight for others. They can fly without wings. Name is Tamil.
Nightgaunts Elementals Aetherial True Shadow Faceless beings that fly in the darkest caverns. Based on the Lovecraftian creatures.
Nymphs Akhoata Celestial Dumaqu Women who shine with natural inner beauty and have power over their habitats. Based on Greek mythology.
Other Alien Nations Alien Nations Various Various Consult the GM if you want to play an alien from another planet or star system. See Alien Guide.
Pesperians Metahumans Poioumenonic Fortune Humans who have abnormally and supernaturally good luck.  
Psionists Metahumans Nommic Psionic Energy Humans with psionic powers.  
Pusarans Insubstantiates Nommic Soul Energy Energy beings that warp reality around them, taking on forms that are silhouettes within bright auras. Not usually playable. Most based on mythological figures from various cultures.
Radandes Elementals / TheFolk Aetherial Tykva Vlast Based on plant-like beings from folklore and legend. Based on mythological figures from around the world.
Rainbow Women Akhoata Celestial Radiance Women who are empowered by colored light.  
River Maidens Akhoata Celestial Euphony Women who dwell in rivers and have beautiful voices. Based on Germanic mythology.
Serpentines Akhoata Celestial Euskepsia Women with serpentine features (snakes for hair, serpentine tails, etc.) who have supernatural wisdom. Based on various mythological women associated with snakes, including gorgons. See Serpentine Guide for more.
Shapeshifters Metahumans Paradoxical Flux Humans who can alter their physical form at will, within limitations.  
Shemir Insinsi Aetherial Genesis Mystic beings who have a human-like form but with elongated features; they are the first beings on Shem. They can shape the fabric of existence.  
Speculari Metahumans Infernal Imperium Humans with aluminum bones who can walk on clouds.  
Succubi Akhoata Infernal Peccatum Women who steal souls and have seducitve powers. Based on European mythology. See Succubi Guide for more
Surori Akhoata Aetherial Lunar Aether Women with reflective skin who dwell on the moons. Name is Romanian.
Swan Maidens Akhoata Celestial Lhair Women who can take the form of swans. Based on European mythologies.
Sylphs Elementals Aetherial Kiiric Yihi Elemental wind legends from around the world. Based on mythological figures from around the world.
Taala Metahumans Celestial Curacion Humans whose bodies are like malleable clay. They can heal with their flesh. Name is Hindi.
Tantum Illittum Infernal Ibbissu Monstrous beings borne from the violence of chaos. Inspired by Tiamat's children. Name is Sumerian.
Thaumari Insinsi Poioumenonic Symbolism Mystic beings who have a human-like form but with elongated features; they can invoke the power of symbols and have an affinity for philosophy.  
The Ancients Inmortals Poioumenonic AllPoioumenon Unique inmortal beings based on different legends and mythological figures. Inspired by unique mythological figures and archetypes. Not usually playable.
The Baleful Constructs Infernal Baleblood Beings that are imbued with unstoppable violent rage by infusions of baleblood.  
The Contagion Alien Nations Infernal Vile Energy An alien virus that controls mortals on Shem. Players would be the vessels, not the contagion itself, usually.
The Eldritch Inmortals Infernal All Infernal Essences Unique inmortal beings who embody different infernal powers. Unknowable, ancient evil beings. Also, their servitor species. Inspired by Lovecraft. Not usually playable. Universally evil.
TheFolk TheFolk Various Various Based on legendary creatures, there are hundreds of them, each a separate, individual species. See Spirit Folk Guide.
Transcendants Insubstantiates Celestial Euphoria Conscious images of celestial energies, colorful clouds of living light. Not usually playable.
Undead Undead Infernal Msawhat Many and varied, most based on actual myths and legends. See Undead Guide.
Undines Elementals Aetherial Conflueverant Elemental water legends from around the world. Based on mythological figures from around the world.
Uruvakankal Inmortals Nommic All Nommos Unique inmortal beings who embody different aspects of True Names: mind, body, soul, and heart. Name is Hindi. Not usually playable.
Validuses Alien Nations Infernal Corrogatio Tall, strong aliens with extra eyes, antennae, and colorful bodies with features they assimilate from the species they conquer on Shem. Name is Latin.
Valkyries Akhoata Shebvic D'qiarsea Women who guide fallen warriors into the afterlife and are great warriors themselves. Based on Norse mythology.
Vasheekarichu Akhoata Celestial Serendipity Women who have no eyes but can sense the winds of fortune. Name is Malayan.
Viridianites Elementals Aetherial Viridian Aether Embodiments of certain elements, landforms, or aetherial powers.  
Vox Insubstantiates Aetherial Sonic Aether Living, disembodied voices. Not usually playable.
Watchers Insinsi Aetherial Temporal Aether Mystic beings who have a human-like form but with elongated features; they observe all mortality from outside the river of time. Not usually playable.
Wathites Metahumans Shebvic Oalkhaylaoataa Larger than average humans whose bodies alter as they achieve different feats.  
Wayward Sisters Akhoata Poioumenonic Mana Women attuned to magical energies.  
Wild Talents Metahumans Poioumenonic Mana Humans who have random magical powers that they cannot control.  
Yadovityy Akhoata Infernal Razdavit' Women who have venomous bites, sharp fangs, and no hair. Name is Russian.
Ysians Metahumans Aetherial Conflueverant Humans that live underwater.  
Topic revision: r6 - 07 Aug 2025, SallyJaneBlack
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