Votivignis

A votivignis is an arcane manifestation coming to life if one or several people paid respect to a dead person in form of votives candles. If the widowed individuals offer regular offerings, the mana surrounding the place, in exceptional circumstances, may react and use the candles as a catalyst to create a small guardian of wax,which inner purpose would be to safeguard the resting grounds it was given birth. Those little creatures are regarded as a blessing of the gods by many pious practicionners, and offers peace of mind to those who lost someone in their mind, relieved these helpful critters shall guide the souls through their journey with their light.

Contrary to wax golems, their creation is entirely spontaneous and unpredictable.
They also have their own independent will, which their cousin don't. One can differentiate most of them by their location, behaviour, flame size and other minor differences but their average size is usually the most common one, being tiny compared to their bulkier guardian cousins.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Votivignis are very varied in shape or form, since they have a very malleable body made of tallow and wax. If the candles they originate hold some types of holder, they usually blends with that shape. They however usually have crude limbs to faciliate movement. Some also take a more humanoid shaped form to blend better with the visitors of the sacred grounds.

Genetics and Reproduction

Votivignis have no sexual organs and cannot reproduce.

Growth Rate & Stages

A votivignis never grows nor decay, altough his mass and shape can vary, depending on nearby heat and amount of wax and tallow around, which they can fuse in their body to become bigger. Some cave explorer reported reported having seens votivignis reaching up to three meters in abandonned cult rooms which had a very high amount of candles. Usually, most of them are about the height of one or two hands.

Ecology and Habitats

The most common habitat of votivignis are religious settlements , such as churches. They can also be seen nearby graves if the region's wind are pretty rare, or if the candle's light is well covered. They also vary upon the settlement's religious tradition to bury their dead. This usually manifest in temperate climates with moderate or low humidity.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Votivignis 'fuel' their inner fire with tallow from time to time. They usually don't have a big metabolism and consume it in small amount.
However, if a settlement becomes abandonned of the source of candles (their maker which brings it to honor the dead, usually), they become to fade out until their inner flame dies, becoming hollow since they have nothing to protect which people cared for.

Additional Information

Domestication

Clergy workers can make use of the votivignis as helpers for maintenance of their site of cult, as long as they promote safeguard of the souls. Most votivignis are independent, but are happy to help for the good of the departed.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Votivignis vision is magical-induced, they can detect shapes in a form similar to infrared vision, and can detect if their locutors are undead or alive.
They have no sense of smell

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Their name is a portmanteau of votive and ignis, which symbolises their fire that is tought to guide the souls in their journey, but also from their origin as an object offering for a vow/blessing.

Conservation Status

Votivignis are scarce and considered a valuable service in most sites of funerary rites. Despite not facing any kind of extinction due to their spontaneous creation, they are however sometimes protected by some laws depending on the region which abhors and punishes banishing those creatures.

Average Height

0.15-0.3 meters

Average Physique

A votivignis body is rather soft and frail, especially to bludgeoning trauma. However, they can separate themselves from damaged/slashed part and reshapes themselves if given time.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Most votivignis are white or yellow, depending on their candle's composition. Some can happen to be colored if the candles were, but they are more rare. Their inner fire also gives them a more warm coloration due to subsurface scattering.