Apoptosis Specter

While there are some who buck the trend, commonly living beings are predisposed towards living and wanting to stay that way. Yet sometimes, be it through tragedy, dedication, hopelessness, faith or other strong feelings, a person may elect to end their life. This ultimate act of self-destruction gives rise to the apoptosis specter, the incarnation of death by suicide.
While specters in general are rarely welcomes, apoptosis specters are especially reviled. The most heartless ones seek to exploit misery and suffering, turning life into a unbearable burden, all in the hopes that someone snaps under the pressure. Even the most benevolent specters by their nature preys on others, encouraging martyrdom and self-sacrifice for the greater good. Their ability to shapeshift means that even the most newborn specter can disappear among people and be hard to root out once they start preying on people. There do, however, exist some societies and groups that are either neutral or even welcoming towards specters.
Apoptosis specters will often have to fight for their life if discovered and do so with a variety of tools. Just as suicide comes in many forms, apoptosis specters many have several different gifts at their disposal to preserve their existence.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Apoptosis specters looks like people, usually resembling the most common sapient race of the area they are born in. However, all bear an obvious mark of death by suicide, such as rope marks around their neck, bloody wrist wounds or a holde in their head from a bullet. Apoptosis specters do not experience hunger, sleep or fear. Specters have an inherent spark of occult magic, which allows them to fly and change shape. Their touch is death and can cause grievous wounds when they want ot cause harm, usually in the form of injuries similar to the specters own, just actually debilitating. Their worst power is that they can inflict thoughts of self-harm, causing brief but dangerous urges.

Genetics and Reproduction

Apoptosis specters are born fully formed in the Ether before descending into the world.

Growth Rate & Stages

Apoptosis specters are born obsessed with leading others to suicide. The longer they exist, the more complex their personalities grow.

Ecology and Habitats

Apoptosis specters usually seek out dense, urban areas, usually with sub-par quality of living for most of its inhabitants. The effect of one in the neighborhood is usually a notable rise in the number of suicide.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Apoptosis specters are thanatovores, specifically feeding off any death caused by the self. Some may have preferences for the specific way they want the prey to die, but as long as a being chooses to terminate itself, the specter can feed of it. Apoptosis specters who feed enough grow even stronger. As for how, this depends on the specter. Many use their charm and insight to guide targets down the path of self-destruction. The most benevolent encourage self-sacrifice, while the worst seek to ruin lives until death seems a blessed alternative. Some don't even encourage it, instead settling in areas where misery is so commonplace they couldn't add to it even if they tried.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Like most specters, apoptosis specters tend to be loners. Any socializing is usually feigned, a cover for their attempts to feed. Though usually despised by most who know them for what they are, it is not always the case. Societies with martyrdom cultures may welcome more benevolent apoptosis specters, as might religions organizations were ritualized suicide and self-sacrifice are important rites.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

While specters are rare, apoptosis specters are among the more common kind and can be found in many spheres.

Average Intelligence

Newly born apoptosis specters can be considered rather blank, with a lack of common sense. This can be them easy to spot during their early years. Their personalities tend to be cold and callous, with a morbid streak a mile wide.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Apoptosis specters can see in even the must lightless dark without issue. The rest of their senses are ordinary.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Apoptosis specters often take names tha tare common to whatever culture they're blending in with

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Goblin; Being predisposed towards self-sacrificing behavior, goblins aren't particularly bothered by apoptosis specters and gladly welcome them as extra muscle for the hive.

Scientific Name

Vita Messor

Origin/Ancestry

Spectre

Lifespan

Does not age

Average Height

1.4-1.9 meters

Average Weight

50-90 kilos

Average Physique

Newborn apoptosis specters are rather frail in most senes, being neither particularly strong or speedy. They are tough to kill, but that comes more from their inherent connection with death as a force rather than any physical ability to endure.