Imp
Imps are small creatures that have a humanoid appearance. They are usually black or red in color, with horns and a tail, and are about the same size as a typical fairy. They are the servants of devils, and are usually summoned in swarms; it is rare to see an imp alone. When an imp has been exposed to significant dark energy, they will evolve into an arch imp.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Imps appear to be small humanoid creatures with bright red or black skin. Small, cartilaginous horns protrude from their head, and they have an arrow-tipped tail. Imps also have tiny black bat wings. They have pointed teeth, and like devils, their eyes are slits instead of regular pupils. They have something more akin to claws than hands and feet; two digits and a thumb on each hand, and two digits on each foot. Imps do not have any hair, and possess no genitalia of any kind.
Biological Traits
Imps, like fairies, do not age, and if nothing were to threaten them, they could potentially live forever. They are prey of larger animals, however, such as cats, birds, drakes, snakes, goblins, slimes, hellhounds, and dipsa. Luckily, they're smart enough to avoid most predators, and the life expectancy of a typical imp is anywhere from one hundred to three hundred years. In fact, most imps never leave Hell in the first place, for their own protection.
Genetics and Reproduction
Imps can only be born in Hell, in places with extremely dense dark magic.
Growth Rate & Stages
Imps are the basest level of any creature in Hell. They are born of concentrated darkness, in groups of three to four. When exposed to enough dark energy/magic, they can undergo the evolution to an arch imp, an imp that is slightly more powerful, and human child-sized. The process takes roughly ten minutes, and the imp is extremely vulnerable during this transition; the ball of dark energy that appears is quite literally their soul. Should it be attacked, the imp will die, and there will be no afterlife for them.
It should be noted that only so many imps can exist in Hell at a time. These concentrated areas of darkness they use to evolve only appear when one imp has met unclear conditions, specific to them, and them alone. (Due to this, it has been suggested that the God of Darkness plays some role in their appearance.) Despite not meeting undergoing the personal growth necessary to evolve, imps who have not met their goals can bypass the system. They absorb the soul of a transitioning imp, effectively killing it, and seizing the transitional energy for themselves.
However, this is ill-advised. The imps who do so, and their resulting arch imp and eventual lilim/luciem form, end up being far more animalistic, cruel, and impulsive. Should they be left alone to their own devices, and turn into a full devil, they will have no regard for the lives of their brethren, and will not hesitate to kill any other devil that gets in their way. Originally, when Hell was first established, after the War of Light and Darkness, this was the only option. Resources were scarce, and these concentrated areas of darkness appeared very rarely. It was survival of the fittest after the angels had exiled their kind. Fortunately, this is no longer the case, and given enough time, all imps will be given their own fountain of dark energy to use for evolution.
Despite that, some imps still sabotage the evolution of another, and they must be killed before they go any farther, to save the lives of other devils in the future.
Ecology and Habitats
Hell
Dietary Needs and Habits
Imps are carnivores, and will eat whatever meat they can find.
Additional Information
Domestication
Imps have chosen to ally themselves with devils - a wise choice, considering their power is on par with angel. Imps do not always follow orders, but when they misbehave they are quickly punished for it.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Hell
Average Intelligence
Human or higher
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
- Life Force Detection
- Magic Detection
- Enhanced Dark Magic Detection
- Enhanced Light Magic Detection
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
Imps serve devils, and in turn the devils feed them and give them shelter.
Scientific Name
Homo sapiens pestis
Lifespan
N/A
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Average Height
3-4 inches (7.6-10 cm)
Average Weight
2-3 ounces (56.6-85 grams)
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Red or black
Geographic Distribution
