Races of Phycos Part 2

Now we go over the next bunch of races that dwell on the continent of Phycos, a group of different races known collectively as the "cursed races", or the more common title, demons. It's important to note that the term "demon" in Xhelia is more of a name attached to a stigma and a bad history, not so much an issue of divinity or a preconceived idea of good or evil. In fact, many demon races, having been forcefully evolved from humans, still keep most of their human traits. Like I mentioned earlier, the term "cursed" came from the fact that these races mutated and evolved from humans exposed to the chaotic energies of the four meteors, and became separate species on their own right as a result.

ABOVE: Lol chibis

I guess it's also a bit inaccurate to call this post "races of Phycos" because demon society with limited exceptions does not exist on Phycos. Most demon inhabitants of the continent came from one of two places - the autonomous floating landmass known as Demulus in the northwest corner of the continent, and the massive far western continent of Forneos, better known as the "demon continent". Demons are generally hated by Phycosians thanks to a series of ancient wars known as the "Ancestor Wars", accounts of which were passed down through the ancestors of the pure races and greatly exaggerated in storytelling and religion. As such, most demons found are persecuted or imprisoned, if not killed outright.

One last thing, I'm not going to list every demon race there is. There are so many variations that I could go on forever (as if these posts need to be longer, lol). Instead I'll be listing the major races, and the ones best known by Phycosians.

-- CURSED RACES --

GARIDS

Garids are a common demon race, and one of the most human-looking out of the demons. For this reason, many garids are able to infiltrate or live in Phycosian society without too many problems. The race's only distinguishing feature are a pair of horns that grow on their heads, which tends to grow larger with age. By hiding their horns, garids will seem otherwise human, except for the fact that they possess immense physical strength. An average adult garid could easily be as strong as an adult nurax despite the latter being twice the size. The race's weakness is a nearly non-existent aptitude for magic.

Some garids, through a certain ritual, are able to mutate themselves further to the point that their physical appearance becomes more beastly but at the same time, granting them greater strength. These garids are generally revered as champions and tend to be more common among the warring demonarchies in Forneos, but some occasionally appear in Phycos.


SAVALIDS

Savalids look almost entirely human, with the exception of markings and patterns all over their bodies and a pair of insectoid antennae that protrude from their heads. Otherwise, like garids, they are easily able to conceal themselves within Phycosian society with little effort. Savalids otherwise are no different from humans in ability and strength, and like garids have a weaker aptitude for magic.

However, a savalid's true talent comes from his racial ability to use his magic energy to create armor around his body based on the aforementioned patterns and markings. Upon doing this, their armor tends to take an insectoid appearance, giving them that feared demonic look. In this form, a savalid will also generate a pair of insectoid wings of energy, and coupled with an increase of reflexes, the savalid becomes extremely agile. As a result, savalids are some of the toughest and most agile of the demon races, but rely on transforming to do so, otherwise they are no stronger than an average human.


TRAXIDS

Traxids are a race that resembles faldax greatly, but tend to have different skin patterns and smaller sets of horns instead of frills. Unlike the faldax, they are very physically frail, but possess an unnaturally strong aptitude for magic. Most traxids spend their later lives carrying themselves using their magic instead of simply walking and relying on their weaker bodies. As a result, most traxids tend to be practitioners of magic or intellectuals, and the traxid race easily possesses the greatest magic aptitude out of all the mortal races.


DRATIDS

Dratids resemble humans but have large wings and slightly less human appendages. They are generally average among demons as far as physical prowess and magical aptitude, but stand out due to their physical traits and their ability to fly with very little effort. Phycosians generally find their appearance fearsome, and as such few are seen in Phycosian society.


OXIDS

Oxids resemble centaurs, with a four-legged lower body and a humanoid upper body. These demons, like dratids, are rare but very much feared. Their main ability lies in their physical strength and powerful builds, and though they possess very limited magic ability, they still perform extremely well when using their own bodies. Oxids are a race of greater demons that are not born - instead they are created out of any demon that wishes to achieve greater strength. The more powerful oxids tend to grow larger and in some cases, they gain a savalid's ability to create natural armor, making them extremely dangerous warriors on a battlefield.


MAHIDS

Mahids are a rare but fearsome demon race. Mahids look like a twisted cross between a human and a centipede, but possess the ability to change the form of various parts of their body to suit any need. As such, many powerful mahids are able to take flawless human forms, allowing them to conceal their true nature until the need arises. Mahids tend to be very intelligent as well, and combined with their ability to morph their bodies, they are also formidable fighters. Like oxids, mahids are created rather than born.


TARIDS (DRAGONS)

The feared tarids, better known by Phycosians as "dragons", are perhaps the most powerful of the mortal races. Born with a very human appearance, tarids gain the ability to transform into their greater dragon forms during their adolescence, this form becoming more powerful as they get older. Like the Aer of Phycos, they possess an elemental alignment that factors greatly into their abilities, and tarids have differing subspecies based on this very elemental factor. In addition, tarids stop aging at a certain point just like Aer.

The dragon forms possessed by tarids come in various shapes and sizes based on the elemental affinity and the tarid himself. Some tend to be more human sized, while others could be the size of a village on average. With their ability to pass as humans, tarids are easily able to conceal themselves in Phycos. Of course, with the constant war between the demonarchies in Forneos, most tarids found in Phycos are there only to find a more peaceful life.


OTHER INFO:

ABOVE: Prime Demons

PRIME DEMONS - Every demon race has a "prime demon", a powerful demon champion who serves as a leader for the race. The prime demon is usually the greatest example of that particular race, a demon above demons who serves as a shining example to all others of that race. Once elected, a prime demon is granted immortality through magic and given greater powers. Prime demons are universally accepted by all demon nations and are generally neutral and part of a council. Of course, with the chaos of Forneos, this doesn't always hold true.

HALF DEMONS - The more human demon races, such as garids, savalids, and tarids, share enough common ancestry with humans and aer such that these races can actually produce offspring. Given the widespread hatred of demons in Phycos, half demons are seen as a great abomination, to be eliminated when found. As such, most half demons end up living in demon lands where they are more welcome.


So yeah, that about covers it. Tune in next time for our next category - undead, immortals, and all that other weird crap! Also, man I used a lot of ancient drawings on this one...