Umbrals
>Conjured
>Umbral Elves
>Umbral Constructs
Though they now take many forms, the Umbral have existed for nearly as long as the Underrealm itself has. Often called "shadow imps" by surface dwellers, they are not unlike elementals, as they are beings born from Arethil's primordial forces.
Pits filled with a substance known as "evergloam," or primordial shade, sometimes manifest these creatures naturally. They are born intelligent and with a will of their own, stumbling out into the caves of the Underrealm to skulk and make mischief.
Since the rise of the Onyx Kingdom, however, their kind has begun to deviate in origin, splitting into several subtypes that are collectively referred to as "umbrals."
The subtypes of umbrals are as follows:
- Pitborn: Naturally formed imps that manifested themselves from the pits of primordial shade.
- Conjured: Artificial but still intelligent and sapient imps created by the priesthood of Maelzafan. Sometimes called "cauldronborn."
- Umbral Constructs: Similar to conjured umbrals, but lacking a soul or intelligence. More in common with golems than true umbrals, but related by nature nonetheless.
- Hybrids: Other species that have in some fashion mated with or otherwise fused themselves with a being of primordial shade. The most common hybrids found in the Underrealm are the skall, also known as umbral elves.
Appearance
Creatures born of shadow, pure umbrals both pitborn and conjured resemble the imps of legend. They come in many sizes, ranging from goblin-esque to towering hulks, and their appearances vary far beyond what could ever qualify them as a true "species." However, they all share the same nature: being born of the evergloam, the primordial shade. Thus, their bodies are solidified shadow energy, inky blobs of darkness that have taken (or been given) humanoid shape.
Commonly, umbrals bear horns in the likeness of rams or goats, or antlers. Their eyes are glowing spots of arcane energy that vary in color, but are most often seen in shades of red, orange, or yellow. Oftentimes "veins" of that same colored energy can be seen pulsing on parts of their forms. Their bodies tend to take on bipedal, generally humanoid forms, though they often look like mockeries of common humanoids; many bear digitigrade or unguligrade legs, or have oversized forelimbs and digits. Mouths are seemingly optional; umbrals do not need them to speak or feed, and thus many either do not have them or can form and dismiss an orifice resembling a mouth at will. Pointed ear-like structures are common on many umbrals, but this is thought to be a consequence of their long relationship with drow and other subterranean races.
Commonly, umbrals bear horns in the likeness of rams or goats, or antlers. Their eyes are glowing spots of arcane energy that vary in color, but are most often seen in shades of red, orange, or yellow. Oftentimes "veins" of that same colored energy can be seen pulsing on parts of their forms. Their bodies tend to take on bipedal, generally humanoid forms, though they often look like mockeries of common humanoids; many bear digitigrade or unguligrade legs, or have oversized forelimbs and digits. Mouths are seemingly optional; umbrals do not need them to speak or feed, and thus many either do not have them or can form and dismiss an orifice resembling a mouth at will. Pointed ear-like structures are common on many umbrals, but this is thought to be a consequence of their long relationship with drow and other subterranean races.
Habitat
Umbrals are found almost exclusively within and throughout the Underrealm. While many an umbral has been known to feed on firelight, natural sunlight will invariably kill them.
Traits
Umbrals are fundamentally magical beings, due to the nature of their formation. They lack organs, bones, a circulatory or nervous system, and most other things that creatures of flesh and blood require to exist.
Their bodies, despite being semi-amorphous and malleable, tend to try to maintain a rigid shape. A pitborn umbral will grow into this shape over the course of a few days after their spawning. Once an umbral has found its shape, its body will naturally maintain that shape, seemingly as part of that umbral's identity. An umbral's body can be damaged and limbs lost, but as they are not creatures of flesh they can usually regenerate their damaged parts by absorbing evergloam or via feeding and waiting.
While technically a sexless species, umbrals can and do sometimes reproduce with other species, creating hybrid children in the process. The exact method by which they do this is not fully understood, but umbrals have been recorded both fathering and mothering hybrid offspring throughout history.
Pitborn umbrals are predisposed to making mischief, both among each other and for other species.
Umbrals can live for long periods without sustenance, but do require feeding in the form of heat, dim light, life essence, and raw magic. They can absorb these substances simply via being in close proximity and focusing on the act of feeding, though in the case of life essence they generally need to be physically touching a being in order to drain them. Feeding on another living being is not necessarily fatal to said being, but usually leaves the umbral's prey feeling sickly and weak.
Direct exposure to natural sunlight is extremely deadly to umbrals. Enough physical trauma can also kill them, though they are seemingly immune to illness. When umbrals perish, they tend to turn to smoke or melt into a puddle.
Conjured umbrals are generally just as intelligent and nearly as independent as their pitborn cousins, though when they are created by the priesthood they can be instilled with a particular purpose or goal. Pitborn umbrals can naturally sense if another umbral they are in close proximity to is cauldronborn, and usually express discomfort or unease being in their presence.
Umbral constructs have no will of their own whatsoever and rely wholly on programming given to them by their creators. Pitborn and cauldronborn alike tend to express disgust with the use and existence of umbral constructs. Many have historically voiced that constructs are "deeply unsettling and unnatural."
Their bodies, despite being semi-amorphous and malleable, tend to try to maintain a rigid shape. A pitborn umbral will grow into this shape over the course of a few days after their spawning. Once an umbral has found its shape, its body will naturally maintain that shape, seemingly as part of that umbral's identity. An umbral's body can be damaged and limbs lost, but as they are not creatures of flesh they can usually regenerate their damaged parts by absorbing evergloam or via feeding and waiting.
While technically a sexless species, umbrals can and do sometimes reproduce with other species, creating hybrid children in the process. The exact method by which they do this is not fully understood, but umbrals have been recorded both fathering and mothering hybrid offspring throughout history.
Pitborn umbrals are predisposed to making mischief, both among each other and for other species.
Umbrals can live for long periods without sustenance, but do require feeding in the form of heat, dim light, life essence, and raw magic. They can absorb these substances simply via being in close proximity and focusing on the act of feeding, though in the case of life essence they generally need to be physically touching a being in order to drain them. Feeding on another living being is not necessarily fatal to said being, but usually leaves the umbral's prey feeling sickly and weak.
Direct exposure to natural sunlight is extremely deadly to umbrals. Enough physical trauma can also kill them, though they are seemingly immune to illness. When umbrals perish, they tend to turn to smoke or melt into a puddle.
Conjured umbrals are generally just as intelligent and nearly as independent as their pitborn cousins, though when they are created by the priesthood they can be instilled with a particular purpose or goal. Pitborn umbrals can naturally sense if another umbral they are in close proximity to is cauldronborn, and usually express discomfort or unease being in their presence.
Umbral constructs have no will of their own whatsoever and rely wholly on programming given to them by their creators. Pitborn and cauldronborn alike tend to express disgust with the use and existence of umbral constructs. Many have historically voiced that constructs are "deeply unsettling and unnatural."
Lore
It is thought that as long as Arethil has existed, so too has the Underrealm. From the planet's very beginning, pools of darkness congealed and formed within the caverns of the Underrealm. These pits of inky, black ooze were not pockets of concentrated evil or any such foul omens, but simply a manifestation of a part of Arethil's essence; while the surface was bathed in the light of the sun, moon, and stars, the Underrealm soaked in shadow. Light became crystal, and dark became morass.
It was from these pools that the first umbral beings began to rise. the surface dwellers would call them imps, after the legends of minor demons of Pandemonium. In truth, these shadow imps were much less dangerous or fundamentally malicious. The beings of the primordial shade skittered and danced about in the pitch darkness of their home, fiercely curious and filled with mischief.
When the drow came to be part of the Underrealm and fill its caverns with dim light, the umbrals took keen interest. For millennia the umbrals have orbited the societies of their cavern-dwelling neighbors, though no one has ever been able to fully discern the true nature of these strange, chaotic creatures.
It was from these pools that the first umbral beings began to rise. the surface dwellers would call them imps, after the legends of minor demons of Pandemonium. In truth, these shadow imps were much less dangerous or fundamentally malicious. The beings of the primordial shade skittered and danced about in the pitch darkness of their home, fiercely curious and filled with mischief.
When the drow came to be part of the Underrealm and fill its caverns with dim light, the umbrals took keen interest. For millennia the umbrals have orbited the societies of their cavern-dwelling neighbors, though no one has ever been able to fully discern the true nature of these strange, chaotic creatures.
Umbral Elves
"Drow," as most know, is the elven term for "dark elves," those elves who were driven into the Underrealm by their cousins in the Falwood countless millennia ago. "Skall," meanwhile, is the name for those drow who have intermingled with shadow imps.
Like their umbral kin, skall are born both naturally and artificially. Drow and umbrals have been known to breed on rare occasion, though methods vary. Their hybrid children vary in appearance almost as much as the umbrals themselves do, though skall always bear physical features of both elves and shadow imps. A major difference between skall and pure umbrals is that skall's bodies are wholly flesh and blood, rather than being formed purely of evergloam. That said, while drow have a natural affinity for magic, skall tend to have significantly greater potentials for being mages than other elf species.
Already living drow can also "merge," or more commonly, be made to merge with umbral beings or primordial shade. Most commonly, the priesthood of Maelzafan practices a ritual called "the Mantling," in which a drow subject is imbued with an umbral being or energy. While the details of the ritual are a tightly kept secret, the result is well known: an artificially created skall, one of the so-called "Mantled class."
While the Mantling is often presented as a great honor to those among the Onyx Kindom at large, the ritual itself is oft used as a punishment or a means of creating powerful pawns out of Houseless drow. The Mantled are viewed by many with respect and awe, but just as often with fear and distrust.
A skall, an umbral drow hybrid.
Like their umbral kin, skall are born both naturally and artificially. Drow and umbrals have been known to breed on rare occasion, though methods vary. Their hybrid children vary in appearance almost as much as the umbrals themselves do, though skall always bear physical features of both elves and shadow imps. A major difference between skall and pure umbrals is that skall's bodies are wholly flesh and blood, rather than being formed purely of evergloam. That said, while drow have a natural affinity for magic, skall tend to have significantly greater potentials for being mages than other elf species.
Already living drow can also "merge," or more commonly, be made to merge with umbral beings or primordial shade. Most commonly, the priesthood of Maelzafan practices a ritual called "the Mantling," in which a drow subject is imbued with an umbral being or energy. While the details of the ritual are a tightly kept secret, the result is well known: an artificially created skall, one of the so-called "Mantled class."
While the Mantling is often presented as a great honor to those among the Onyx Kindom at large, the ritual itself is oft used as a punishment or a means of creating powerful pawns out of Houseless drow. The Mantled are viewed by many with respect and awe, but just as often with fear and distrust.
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