¶ Infernals
- Height: 5' - 7'5"
- Lifespan: Immortal
Infernals are non-mortal, magical humanoids. They are so similiar to Celestials in abilities, limitations, etc, it's often been suspected that Celestials and Infernals are actually two sub-races of a Divine race. Both Infernals and Celestials deny this fact, claiming they are, in fact, very different.
It would be very incorrect to label "Infernals" as "evil" or even "natrually evil". Despite biases against anything "infernal" in nature, infernal does not mean evil, or bad. Just like a Celestial could be a corrpting influence, an Infernal could be a righteous one.
¶ Description
Infernals, like Celestials, possess the ability to shape-shift. They can shift to the same extent as Celestials. In their "natural form", their skin is a dark red/purple, often with horns of various shapes on their heads, and large mebranous "demonic" wings. Their hair is shades of neon or black and faintly glows.
Much like Celestials, it's suspected that Infernal's "natural form" is actually a cultural affectation. However, Infernals don't attempt to deny this; they claim they saw what Celestials were doing and decided to do it better.
Infernals are intensely loyal and often single-minded. They can sometimes find themselves drawn to a particular individual (romantically or otherwise) and become very devoted to that single person. This lasts until either the person rejects them, or otherwise becomes inaccessible to them. It is very rare for the Infernal to walk away from someone who has become 'their person'.
¶ Abilities
Infernal abilities exactly match Celestial Abilities. It should be noted, however, that they tend more towards using them in ways that match their darker imagery, but that's simply their cultural preference.
¶ Shape-shifting
While the mechanics of their shape-shifting is the same as Celestials, Infernals lean into it more. They flaunt their abilities, often presenting themselves in whatever form the feel will benefit them the most in a given situation. For them changing form is as natural as breathing.
¶ Default Form
Perhaps because they change their form so frequently, most Infernals have a 'default form', one that without any effort on their part they return to, all else being equal. This is the form that has the classic Infernal appearance. When severely injured or otherwise incapacitated, this is the form their body will naturally return to. It is not uncommon for this form to be sex-less.
¶ Sexuality
Most Infernals are demi-sexual. As shape-shifter, physical form hold very little sway over them. They understand physical attraction, but for most of them it's secondary or tertiary when guaging their attraction to someone. Like all races, this can vary; there certainly are Infernals who identify as other sexualities, but its much more rare. (Of those, asexual is much more common than heterosexual, gay, or lesbian.)
¶ Gender-fluidity
Much more than Celestials, it's fairly common for Infernals to change their gender for trivial reasons, like thinking they would look particularly stunning in a low-cut dress, despite most often presenting as male. Almost all of them see gender as an interesting thing that many races are hung up on; they don't feel dysphoria the same way other races seem to when their gender doesn't align with their expressed sex. An Infernal that identifies as male will have no problem shifting into a biologically female for a time. They will often still refer to themselves as male, even. Before the sundering, some male Infernals have been known to shift into female forms to have children with men that they've fallen for, some even living the entirety of the man's natural life as a woman. To them it had about as much emotional impact as changing your wardrobe because the person you love prefers you in one type of clothing over another.
¶ Polymorph Others
Because Infernals have become experts at shape-shifting, they've also learned how to change the forms of others. Magical races are resistant to the magic to modify their forms, but Non-magical races are easy for Infernals to manipulate. They can modify a non-magical individual just as easily as they can themselves, with the same limitations (or lack there of).
This often leads Infernals who've mecome attached to an individual to use this ability to make their individual happy. They've been known to do simple things like changing height or eye color, or even more extensive changes, like changing sex or even race. (The change is only phsyical; changing someone's race will make them appear like that race, but they won't gain the abilities of that race. In the case of changing sex, it can be a deep enough biological change to allow them to reproduce as their new sex. This would have to be a deliberate choice in the part of the Infernal, however, as surface level changes would be easier.)
¶ Limitations
Infernal limitations exactly match Celestial Limitations.
¶ Domains
Infernals, in general, aren't assigned domains in the same way mortals assign Celestials. They are, however, often associated with more abstract concepts, like temptation, or sexuality.
For their part, Infernals don't seem to mind this, with some playing into thier roles agressively.
¶ History
Infernals claim they were the second creation, after Dragons. That, they claim, is the reason for their horns and more "draconic" appearance. This is debatable, as most races claim they were the second creation, and therefore favored of the Godesses.
As much as neither race likes to admit it, Infernals and Celestials got along very well before the sundering. Infernals tend to focus on single individuals, devoting all their energy to that one being, while the Celestials tended to befriend everyone, but at the same time remaining generally aloof. The pair complimented each other. After the sundering, however, Infernals retreated to their newly created realm and stayed away from other magical races.
They did not, however, stay away from the Living Realm, being the first to discover how to break through Veza's barrier. After making their way back, they spend centuries learning how to best survive in the Living Realm. By the time Umumtu was ready to search for Veza, they were there with a possible solution.
Most Infernals believe the sundering to be nearly appocolyptic in it's consiquences and they actively are looking for ways to support Umumtu in her attempts to reunify the worlds. They want things to return to "normal" as quickly as possible.
¶ Racial Beliefs / Opinions
Infernals simply are one of the most vilified races besides monsters. But where as monsters have a reason behind the predjudice, Infernals are more victims of their own making. They do nothing to prevent the negative opinions of others, often leaning into them.
¶ Non-Magical Races
Infernals, for whatever reason, have always enjoyed the company of non-magical races; many being enamored with them. While Celestials style themselves as gods, Infernals would prefer to be seen as mysterious drinking buddies, or sexual partners. Before monsters were created, the "incubus" or "succubus" persona was a favored of theirs. In fact, it is often believed that incubi and succubi are actually their offspring. Some even believe it was Infernals, not Umumtu who created monsters in the first place.
¶ Humans
Infernals are devils that beguile even the most noble of heart. They lead you down a path of temptation, delighting in twisting the most rigteous to sin. Never trust an Infernal, or anyone claiming to be one.
N-no, I've never— ok, look, who told you that? She did? Oh... well, fine, yes, some of them are decent. But she's the exception that proves the rule.
¶ Elves
Infernals are cunning and deceptive. It is hard to negotiate with someone whose very appearance is a lie calculated to make you include towards whatever their end goal is. Their very nature makes deals with them suspect.
¶ Dwarves
Ahh, now there's a race that can drink! Among other things! They're hot, especially as dwarves... oh, I've never had the pleasure, but can you imagine? She could be anyone you wanted her to be. Mmm. That'd be a helluva night. Oh, also, they're basically gods, so she can probably kick your ass. Goddess, they're hot.
¶ Orcs
I will only say this: if one is ever stupid enough to reveal themselves to me, they'd better hope that their abilities are as impressive as legend says. I won't give them a change to prepare.
¶ Gnomes
Did you know Infernals and Celestials are simply two cultures of the same race? Yes, I remember reading that in a rather old book. I've never met one, thought I cannot deny thier existence as a very dear friend of mine is a Lilin. Ah, no, I'd rather not say who. But, if they're twice the race the Lilin are, they are very impressive indeed.
¶ Magical Races
The other magical races do not view Infernals with the same negativity often used by the Non-magical races. They know that the Infernals are, for whatever reason, putting on an assumed air around everyone else.
¶ Dragons
When our Infernal kin first defined themselves by what they were not, rather than what they wanted to be, I expected this to be a painful lesson. In the end, however, I am the one who had a lesson to learn; as a people they know what they enjoy and they bend their entire wills to achieving it. Where as most other races tend to passivity, Infernals are constantly in motion, never content to simply accept fate. Perhaps there's even more lessons to be learned from that.
¶ Celestials
Ah. Them. Our younger siblings have quite a bit to learn about how the world works. We love them, obviously, but their antics are a distraction more often than not. Still, sometimes distractions are welcome. They tend to be more of the later than the former, but don't tell them I said that.
¶ Kivuli
Love them or hate them, you know what you're getting with an Infernal. They are forthright, and honest about who and what they are, even while attempting to deceive you about the same. They're a contradiction, and yet not. Be wary, however. Should you garner the interest of an Infernal, they will never leave you alone. Ever. See that oddly shapely looking rock over there? Yes, the one that just grew wings and flew away. See my point?