The Others

For centuries these strange creatures have lived among the races of Heimland for centuries. No one knows where they came from, and they won't say. The only features visible are their pale white eyes; it is said that they don't look sad or happy. Just......curious.

Basic Information

Anatomy

In appearance, the Others (also known was Shades) appear as dark silhouettes made of a shadowy ink-like substance with human shapes and profiles that flicker in and out of peripheral vision. They can't be viewed in mirrors, and light seems to burn them. Others have no discernible fingers, although they possess thousands of feathery tendrils shaped like small paintbrushes which they use to communicate via Inkblot-Ideograms. People who have seen Others up close may describe them as menacing, others do not agree whether Others are evil, helpful or neutral, and some even speculate that these beings may be the extra-dimensional inhabitants of another universe, or perhaps fallen gods. One thing all the races of Heimland agree on; Others are incredibly disturbing.
Others can fade through walls, move objects at will and tend to invade houses. It is towards sleeping people that Others become dangerous. When a person is near an Other, he or she will feel severe feelings of terror or dread and will have trouble sleeping. If an Other appears in the bedroom with them, they will immediately bolt upright with their eyes wide open and a look of fear and panic on their faces. They will often scream. Furthermore, they will usually sweat, exhibit rapid breathing and have a rapid heart rate, which can lead to heart-attacks or even seizures. In some cases, individuals are likely to have even more elaborate movement, such as a thrashing of limbs, punching, swinging or fleeing motions. This is because the individuals are trying to protect themselves and/or escape from a possible threat of bodily injury. Although people may seem to be awake during this time, they will appear confused, be inconsolable and unresponsive to attempts to communicate with them, and may not recognize people familiar to them upon waking up. Occasionally, when a person suffering from the effects of an Other is awakened, they will lash out at the one awakening them, which can be dangerous to that individual. Most people who experience this do not remember the incident the next day. Sleepwalking is also common.
Another odd feature of the Others is their temperament. They are generally harmless, unless you stare into their eyes for too long. Staring at an Other for more than a few seconds causes it to fly into a mad rage. During this rage the Other will knock the person to the ground and proceed to choke them whist screaming. Their screams are like warbled radio-signals, horrible ear-piercing static. When they kill a person, that person is retroactively erased from existence, and history is rewritten as though they were never born. This has been noted by the machines, who say that this may be due to some dark and perverse form of Wild-Magic.

Genetics and Reproduction

Unknown, although it is said that these creatures grow from dead bodies, or from graveyards when the moon is full.

Ecology and Habitats

Others normally live in dark spaces such as in cupboards, in dark corners of the room, in attics and, more commonly, underneath beds.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Unknown, although they have been observed to consume fungi and mold growing on cheese.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Unknown

Facial characteristics

Unknown

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Unknown

Average Intelligence

Unknown

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Others appear to be able to see through any and all objects. They also appear to hear almost all sensory stimuli. Nothing can escape their senses, that is assuming that they have senses. Others are famous for another odd characteristic; they are fully immune to Red-Eye, which may be because they are already dead (since you can't infect a dead body) or the virus itself is simply nonexistent to them, like water rolling off a duck's back.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Unknown

Civilization and Culture

History

These strange beings have been around since the time of the Old Folk. There are many legends behind them. Some state these creatures are people infected with a demonic plague, others say they are spirits forced to walk the lands for eternity as punishment for their sins. A few say these creatures just popped into existence for no reason at all, almost like the NPCs.
It has been noted that pictures describing these Others have been found in caves and, most notably, in a cave near the Harbor. The image shows five panels with five different images; the first panel shows a city of humanoid figures set in a landscape populated by exotic animals and unusual houses. The people are holding random objects, such as books or plates of food. They're smiling, they're happy, but other than that their faces are blank. Below are three people: two with spears either side of one who appears to be talking. The people are humanoid. Below that, three more people: one holding some blue object, one standing midway through a hill, and one holding a sword in a non-aggressive manner. Crowds of children chase butterflies beneath them. It appears these men with spears are responsible for protecting the children, like teachers at a kindergarten. At the very center of the picture is a strange blue creature, about fifty times larger than the people surrounding it, that appears to be watching over the people. The creature, which appears to be female, is smiling. It is suggested that this blue creature may be a god or deity of some sort, perhaps the one who made all of these people.
The second panel is a broad panorama teeming with the people engaged in self-absorbed joy, such as drinking and partying, as well as large fantastical animals, oversized fruit and hybrid stone-formations. The massive blue god is now gone, and a strange red creature has taken her place. This red creature appears as a strange warped shape, with six bat-like wings and four small red eyes. The red creature appears rather menacing, but the people seem either unaware or uncaring of its presence.
The third panel presents the red creature, this time seated on some sort of throne. Red lines, possibly tentacles, are forking into multiple peoples' heads. These red tentacles are all connecting to the red creature, suggesting the creature is doing something to the people.
The fourth panel is a hellscape; the race of people has succumbed to something evil, possibly the red creature, and is reaping eternal damnation. Set at night, the third panel features cold colors, tortured figures and frozen waterways. The human figures have lost any resemblance to what they once were; large explosions in the background throw light through the city and fire engulfs all the houses. The red creature sits on its throne, surrounded by monstrous beasts, and appears to be smiling. Strange aircrafts fly above the landscape, dropping what appears to be bombs of some sort.
The final panel shows the people, now all dark and shadowy, serving the red creature obediently. It is said this picture has something to do with the Others, but some say it might simply be an artistic-representation or just a story.

Scientific Name

Homo-Novis

Origin/Ancestry

Unknown

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Height

3 meters

Average Weight

Unknown

Average Length

Unknown

Average Physique

Unknown

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

A deep shadowy black that engulfs all light.

Related Ethnicities

• Ethnicities of Heimland