Shadow Imp

Not all creatures of shadow magic are deadly to people. Shadow imps are one such example. The size of a child, they are known for being mischievous and causing chaos wherever they go. In cities they make artisans' tool go missing or steal products from merchants. Outside the cities they prey on farms. Their favourite is to steal eggs from hens.

Hey, imp! Get back here!
— A merchant after losing a product

Appearance

Shadow imps are humanoid in appearance. They walk on two legs and have two hands free to manipulate objects. Their ears have, however, more in common with elves than with humans with its pointy shape.

They appear very skinny like they had almost no muscles under their dark grey skin. Imps also have very little hair on their heads and what they have is so white that it is almost invisible.

Habitat

Shadow imps live in almost every area of the world. They can be found in the Shadow Forest, the Shadow Realm and many other places. They like spending time close to people as it gives them oppurtinities to be mischievous and play tricks. Their tricks often result in humans being annoyed and angry. Many merchants employ special guards who are on a lookout for shadow imps.

Origin

The same as shadow monsters of the Shadow Forest, shadow ghosts and shadow sea monsters shadow imps are the creation of shadow magic. However, unlike the other types of shadow creatures their physical form seems to be solid and not ethereal. Additionally, they are much less violent than others. Proposers of the theory that shadow magic killed the elves don't have any concrete explanation for why a mischievous creature was created for that purpose.

In my opinion, shadow imps served as saboteurs and skirmishers in the shadow forces which destroyed the elves. They sowed confusion and chaos among the elves.
— A scholar
Shadow Imp by KajetanWrites with MidJourney
Lifespan
Immortal, but can be killed
Average Height
Around 1 meter
Average Weight
18 kg

Comments

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Jul 2, 2023 11:08

Definitely mischievous, although I would expect them to be more active at twilight or nighttime than during the day, which the merchant quote seems to imply (this is possibly a personal bias in my reading though)   If they are truly immortal, as opposed to just ageless, you may want to add a bit about durability or the ability to turn insubstantial at will to avoid being harmed by the special guards hired to look for them, as I imagine they are not usually treated with anything approaching kindness by the other denizens of the world.

Check out some of my summer camp articles, like the dangerous flying jackalope or dragon wasps. Or, for something more light-hearted, there is the whimsical language Gobbledygook and Jaden's interesting job as a guano polisher.
Jul 2, 2023 11:43

Thank you. I think that the ageless option (immortal, but can be killed) is the better option

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Jul 2, 2023 11:58 by Keon Croucher

Interesting little creatures, especially the immortal bit. To me I've always read immortal as exactly that. No illness, aging or disease can kill you, but someone cuts you head off, you have a bad time. Difference between immortality and invulnerability. You need both to have true eternal life.   I also wonder though mischevious, do they get more complex and thorough in their behaviors. They live so long, do they learn. They would seem to have the capability of such intellect, and how intelligent are they actually. Can they communicate with each other, do they have a social like structure. These are all things that they sound like they might be capable of, that they may in fact be complex beings whom, yes whilst mischevious and a nuisance and maybe even dangerous, are kind of misunderstood to a point, in that their may be far more to them than it would first seem, far more complexity of thought and behavior

Keon Croucher, Chronicler of the Age of Revitalization
Jul 2, 2023 12:48

Thanks for the comment. I think they are capable of communicating with each other, but I doubt they would a social structure. For now I think they live alone

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If you are looking for my Worldember articles check Magic Earth or My Worldember Progress Page