Spectralis

More commonly known under the names Spirits, Ghosts, Spectres, and Phantoms, Spectralis is the name given to a wide range of paranormal species. Shared traits between these groups include intangibility, levitation, and amorphous physical appearances. Spectralis are categorized as either Sentius, or Revenus. The primary difference between Spectralis Sentius and Spectralis Revenus are their levels of cognitive function and awareness of the world surrounding them; Sentius individuals can potentially operate much like other domestic races, whereas Revenus class creatures are typically wild predators that do not display sentience beyond necessary survival functions and a singular goal.
Spectralis were the frequent subject of mythos and legend prior to The Collapse, after which they began to be observed in greater frequencies, much in a similar fashion to Arcana species.
Spectralis creatures of both varieties have been reported as being present in all habitable regions of Erra, though typically of rare quantities.

Characteristics

A common misconception with Spectralis creatures is that they are the remnant spirits of the deceased. While this appears to be true for Revenus class individuals, all documentation and interviewing conducted with Spectralis Sentius indicate they are brought into existence by various means, and had no existence beforehand, much like regular sentient species in Erra. Additionally, Spectralis do not have the ability to possess inanimate objects.
Spectralis creatures have amorphous physical identities, with their representative form typically being one linked to the psyche of the individual itself - In a sense, how a Spectralis manifests is dependent upon its own preferences and personality. There is a small degree to which these forms can be altered at will, having no true physical boundaries due to their intangibility, and dramatic changes in the state of mind of a Spectralis can affect their visual appearance. As a result of this, Spectralis creatures are not inherently gendered, though some choose and identify with characteristics belonging to other species.
The size of a Spectralis also varies depending upon the individual, but typically Sentius range from 1 to 1.7m tall, while Revenus can occupy a much larger range of sizes dependent upon the strength of the creature.
By default a Spectralis is intangible, and does not make contact with physical objects, entities or other creatures - The only exception to this is another Spectralis creature. However, both Sentius and Revenus are able to remove this property from themselves at will, provided they are conscious, at which point they are able to fully interact with their environment. Touching a Spectralis, regardless of the status of their tangibility, reportedly gives the individual severe chills. However, there is no evidence that they have any temperature at all, and this effect is theorized to be a result of their Arcane Essence making direct contact with that of the recipient.
Additionally, they possess the ability to levitate at will, usually between 0.2-0.5m off of the ground while resting. They can choose to increase this distance up to a certain degree, with the largest recorded distance being 8.43m. The distance they levitate is not affected by the terrain underneath them, suggesting they do have some limited physical ties to their surroundings - For instance, a Spectralis atop a building treats the roof as if it were the floor. Why this is the case is currently unexplained.

Behaviour and Ecology

No known species prey upon mature Spectralis in the wild, though juvenile spirits can find themselves at risk of being attacked by adult Spectralis Revenus, who are known to attack other species almost indiscriminately.
Spectalis Revenus typically roam a 1-2km perimeter around a chosen location, usually an area of particular significance to the creature - For example, their home, their place of death, or an area of significance to them in life. In rare occurrences, this can be a place still occupied by other creatures; In 1021, a notable incident occurred where a juvenile Revenus resided in an Urushee embassy and required the efforts of several historians to attempt mundane exorcism rituals.
Spectralis of either variety feed upon the Arcane energy of other creatures as their primary source of sustenance, typically a dog-sized beast per day, or 7 of those the size of a rat. The creatures are required to be alive at this time, though they can be unconscious. As a result of this, Revenus have particularly notable impacts upon the populations of animal species within their local areas, with scavenger beasts thriving with the abundance of largely untouched corpses available, as well as Avian species who are able to stay out of their notice.
In regards to Sentius, this has posed serious concerns regarding their integration into civilized societies as a result - While it is not necessary to outright kill a creature to absorb parts of their life force, it can still have major effects upon their health, typically introducing fatigue and nausea symptoms. A solution to this in civilised society is to employ the usage of live prey that have been captured by hunters for slaughter, allowing the Sentius to grant a somewhat peaceful death to the creature at the same time, but this has proven to be somewhat distasteful to more empathetic members of the species.
If a Spectralis does not sustain itself regularly, its essence slowly begins to weaken and deteriorate over time, with their form losing its core features and characteristics. They will become noticably weaker, and lose the ability to become tangible, until they pass away from starvation. These effects can be reversed over time by feeding often once again. Due to ethical concerns of Sentius individuals and their diets, there have been several cases where they are at times unable to will themselves to consume the life force of other creatures, leading to severe illness.

Biology

Numerous investigations have been performed to try and identify the exact composition of a Spectralis individual. One common finding between all of these conducted studies is that the subject possesses effects similar to intense Arcane Irradiation in their body - enough to kill most sentient creatures 15 times over. Despite this, physical contact with a Spectralis only produces mild symptoms of the disease after highly extended periods of contact. Other than this, there has been very little progress into the topic - There is no scientific grounding for how a Spectralis animates, retains its form, or even obtains consciousness. What seperates a Sentius and Revenus is currently a mystery.
Reproduction of Spectralis creatures is another topic that at present is largely unexplained, partially due to a reluctance from Sentius individuals to discuss this nature, but also because of the circumstances of how some Sentius creatures come to be. In the large majority of cases, Spectralis Sentius cannot recall their initial periods of existence - Often stating there was "nothing" beforehand. In some exceptionally rare cases, a Sentius retains the living memories of a recently deceased figure, but they will have a lapse of memory between a period close to their time of death, and their awakening as a Spectralis. As generations have passed, there are also a number of recorded cases of Spectralis families, however, with natural born children being produced. As stated, however, this topic is yet to be elaborated upon by interviewees.
Spectralis typically require 6 hours of rest a day. This usually comes in the form of regular sleeping for a Sentius, but they can also choose to simply remain Dormant instead. While in this state, they are aware of movements of living creatures around them, but they are unable to see or hear. A dormant Spectralis will retain their form while sleeping.

Relationship with other species

The topic of Spectralis Sentius and integration into society remains a topic of much discussion. It is typically rare for a Sentius to interact frequently with other races, let alone reside among them as a regular citizen. This is primarily due to two factors; firstly, as stated previously, there are considerable ethical and practical difficulties in sustaining the livelihood of a Spectralis Sentius on a day to day basis, which can create scenarios where a civilization are not willing to grant a Sentius residence, or require roles of great importance to be fulfilled as a result where the benefits of housing them can outweigh this dilemna.
As a result of their feeding requirements, it also creates an aura of distrust and paranoia from other civilized races towards a Sentius. While there are, to date, no recorded instances of serious harm or fatalities caused by a Spectralis Sentius to civilians (that did not come as a result of justified self defense), fear of such a fate remains rampant among less educated members of the populace. It is not uncommon for Sentius creatures to be blamed for a wide range of illnesses that develop, even if their symptoms have no similarities to that of Arcane Irradiation Poisoning. Much like Arcana individuals, Sentius often face harassment and attempts to drive them out of town if they are not suitably protected by governing officials of the town, or have a near air-tight positive reputation with the settlement.

Origin/Ancestry

Unknown

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Height

1-1.7m

Average Weight

0kg