Foreword
From the first time I saw one of the great beasts of the world, a youth of barely ten watching with awe as a simple Babline crawled into a forest clearing, I knew this was what my life was to be dedicated to. Outwardly simple, it was the complexity just under the surface that capitvated me—every movement in defiance of how a 'normal' creature would move, every noise sublime, and even when my childish movements spooked it into a frenzy, it threw around mana with the ease that you and I draw breath. It- and all those beasts like it- embody the spirit of mystery, of a something fantastical and wonderful. Today, as I write this foreword to my attempts at solving such mysteries, I share words that I always hoped—and in many ways knew—I would have the chance to write.
On 'Magimals'
While long have we categorized creatures in our world through their loose relations- Daemons are Daemons, Animals are Animals, Demons are Demons, and... well, I suppose we have no name for the creatures that fall between. That is where the term "magimals" comes in. A fusion of two words Magi Animals, Magimals, is a word I beleive is most useful for the aspiring naturalist to fuse into their lexicon- an overarching word through which we can describe all manner of creatures, those that are adept with mana in some fashion. Whether it be the Daemons and their innate spellcasting abilities, or other stranger creatures, animals with the ability to utilize the mana around them.
Few are likely to have seen such creatures, particularly those that rarely venture from the city, but I assure you dear reader they are some of the rarer quarry hunted by those with the will and power to do so. Glub-worms, one of the more common examples, will be catalogued later in this very work. I would always advise caution observing such creatures, for they are likely the most dangerous beasts that wander this world of ours.
Preamble
As many readers will know, Daemons are a perpetual part of Esshar's ecosystem. Magical in nature, they are creatures of mischeif and mystery with few truly attempting to study their intricacies. You have, of course, already heard my bias towards such creatures and their innate mastery of elemental magic so I will keep this preamble light.
Daemons are fascinating creatures- they dwell in only a few places within this world of ours, and carry themselves with a fascinating dignity where they do so. While temperment varies by species, as does magical aptitude and specific abilities, there are a few general rules they adhere to on the whole, which I have compiled below .
1: They are not innately aggressive creatures.
They will allow your approach should you wander close to them and they see you coming, but you must always be sure to do so slowly and with the utmost care. Should they detect you as a threat, or become spooked by your quick movement, they will immediately move on you to defend themselves.
2: They are born potent magi, but cannot develop their skills further
To the best of my knowledge, a Daemon is born knowing all the spells it will ever know, and all those of the same species will share the same spells. Their access to these abilities, then, must be innate quirks of their nature, rather than concious understanding of mana and how to shape it.
3: They live in small packs.
While this may come as a suprise to those who have seen lone Babline wandering the forests, these creatures are actually an extreme rarity amonst their kind. Generally, Daemons will live in small groups of three to five individuals, rarely leaving their chosen territory. If you see a lone Daemon it is likely either the survivor of it's pack, cleared by an intrepid group of hunters that have recently passed through, or (more likely) there are others in the area you simply cannot see from your position. It is this latter situation in which Daemons are their most dangerous, so you must always ensure you cannot be percieved as a threat to avoid being ambushed.
From the first time I saw one of the great beasts of the world, a youth of barely ten watching with awe as a simple Babline crawled into a forest clearing, I knew this was what my life was to be dedicated to. Outwardly simple, it was the complexity just under the surface that capitvated me—every movement in defiance of how a 'normal' creature would move, every noise sublime, and even when my childish movements spooked it into a frenzy, it threw around mana with the ease that you and I draw breath. It- and all those beasts like it- embody the spirit of mystery, of a something fantastical and wonderful. Today, as I write this foreword to my attempts at solving such mysteries, I share words that I always hoped—and in many ways knew—I would have the chance to write.
On 'Magimals'
While long have we categorized creatures in our world through their loose relations- Daemons are Daemons, Animals are Animals, Demons are Demons, and... well, I suppose we have no name for the creatures that fall between. That is where the term "magimals" comes in. A fusion of two words Magi Animals, Magimals, is a word I beleive is most useful for the aspiring naturalist to fuse into their lexicon- an overarching word through which we can describe all manner of creatures, those that are adept with mana in some fashion. Whether it be the Daemons and their innate spellcasting abilities, or other stranger creatures, animals with the ability to utilize the mana around them.
Few are likely to have seen such creatures, particularly those that rarely venture from the city, but I assure you dear reader they are some of the rarer quarry hunted by those with the will and power to do so. Glub-worms, one of the more common examples, will be catalogued later in this very work. I would always advise caution observing such creatures, for they are likely the most dangerous beasts that wander this world of ours.
Preamble
As many readers will know, Daemons are a perpetual part of Esshar's ecosystem. Magical in nature, they are creatures of mischeif and mystery with few truly attempting to study their intricacies. You have, of course, already heard my bias towards such creatures and their innate mastery of elemental magic so I will keep this preamble light.
Daemons are fascinating creatures- they dwell in only a few places within this world of ours, and carry themselves with a fascinating dignity where they do so. While temperment varies by species, as does magical aptitude and specific abilities, there are a few general rules they adhere to on the whole, which I have compiled below .
1: They are not innately aggressive creatures.
They will allow your approach should you wander close to them and they see you coming, but you must always be sure to do so slowly and with the utmost care. Should they detect you as a threat, or become spooked by your quick movement, they will immediately move on you to defend themselves.
2: They are born potent magi, but cannot develop their skills further
To the best of my knowledge, a Daemon is born knowing all the spells it will ever know, and all those of the same species will share the same spells. Their access to these abilities, then, must be innate quirks of their nature, rather than concious understanding of mana and how to shape it.
3: They live in small packs.
While this may come as a suprise to those who have seen lone Babline wandering the forests, these creatures are actually an extreme rarity amonst their kind. Generally, Daemons will live in small groups of three to five individuals, rarely leaving their chosen territory. If you see a lone Daemon it is likely either the survivor of it's pack, cleared by an intrepid group of hunters that have recently passed through, or (more likely) there are others in the area you simply cannot see from your position. It is this latter situation in which Daemons are their most dangerous, so you must always ensure you cannot be percieved as a threat to avoid being ambushed.
4: All Daemon are host to a core of pure, crystalized mana within their bodies.
Likely the most widely known fact about Daemons, each of their bodies contains a single hunk of crystalized mana, tinted with the element the owner channels. Whether this is the beating magical "heart" of a daemon, or simply a result of their potent abilities manifesting within their bodies, is unknown to me- but what is clear, is that these are highly valuable items, due to the amount of energy stored within them.
Daemon Catalogue
(Note: This section is subject to change, as I encounter more of these creatures in the wild, to observe them)
I. Swuisarme
![[Image: wdQ9Ta4.png]](https://i.imgur.com/wdQ9Ta4.png)
While these creatures may look like simple, oversized fish upon first glance, their strange disdain for actual submersion should quickly clear up any assumptions. These floating Daemons are most often sighted upon the seashores (never within the sea itself- I don't believe they can even swim) of the south, generally only in areas with sparse inhabitation. These Daemons "school" together in groups larger than most other species I have encountered, with around five individuals roaming in close proxmity to one another.
While you may expect these Daemons to be masters of water magic, from their appearence, the Swuisarme once again show themselves to be prime examples of not judging a book by it's cover. While they do have the magical aptitiude to cast weak bubble-projectiles against foes that attempt to run, their main method of attacking is the use of their blade-like fins, getting in close and charging directly towards their quarry with much more speed and force than you would assume them capable of (which is, trust me, a rather painful mistake) it is these strikes that they appear to prefer above all else when possible, foregoing any kind of magical assistance to simple gore their enemies. Not a particularly graceful method of violence, but one that seems rather effective for them.
I would advise avoiding any shores these Daemons have claimed for their own. While they are no more aggressive than most of their kin, their numbers mean that you will likely find yourself outnumbered should you accidentally anger them, and I would definitely not enjoy being within the center of a school that's out for blood.
Daemon Catalogue
(Note: This section is subject to change, as I encounter more of these creatures in the wild, to observe them)
I. Swuisarme
While these creatures may look like simple, oversized fish upon first glance, their strange disdain for actual submersion should quickly clear up any assumptions. These floating Daemons are most often sighted upon the seashores (never within the sea itself- I don't believe they can even swim) of the south, generally only in areas with sparse inhabitation. These Daemons "school" together in groups larger than most other species I have encountered, with around five individuals roaming in close proxmity to one another.
While you may expect these Daemons to be masters of water magic, from their appearence, the Swuisarme once again show themselves to be prime examples of not judging a book by it's cover. While they do have the magical aptitiude to cast weak bubble-projectiles against foes that attempt to run, their main method of attacking is the use of their blade-like fins, getting in close and charging directly towards their quarry with much more speed and force than you would assume them capable of (which is, trust me, a rather painful mistake) it is these strikes that they appear to prefer above all else when possible, foregoing any kind of magical assistance to simple gore their enemies. Not a particularly graceful method of violence, but one that seems rather effective for them.
I would advise avoiding any shores these Daemons have claimed for their own. While they are no more aggressive than most of their kin, their numbers mean that you will likely find yourself outnumbered should you accidentally anger them, and I would definitely not enjoy being within the center of a school that's out for blood.
Mountainous Cave Swuisarme- A possible subspecies?
Unlike most Swuisarme, the cave-inhabiting groups live far from water, swarming in the sprawling tunnels of the northern mountains. These creatures are much more powerful than their beach-dwelling kin and have made quick work of the prospective miners in the area, becoming something of a local boogeyman.
They are also slightly more aggressive, seeing attempts to mine within their home as aggressive acts, and becoming enraged at closer quarters movement. I would advise being far, far more careful with these creatures than normal, as they too live in large groups and you are likely to force their kin into a panic through the scrabbled to escape just one of them. Either way, the only true method to escape them is to exit the cave they call home, as they curiously refuse to exit into the open air. Perhaps the light of the sun burns their eyes, left sensitive from generations of dwelling in the dark?
They are also slightly more aggressive, seeing attempts to mine within their home as aggressive acts, and becoming enraged at closer quarters movement. I would advise being far, far more careful with these creatures than normal, as they too live in large groups and you are likely to force their kin into a panic through the scrabbled to escape just one of them. Either way, the only true method to escape them is to exit the cave they call home, as they curiously refuse to exit into the open air. Perhaps the light of the sun burns their eyes, left sensitive from generations of dwelling in the dark?
[Further pages appear scribbled, unfinished, and generally barely readable.]