Wraith Primer (ainmhian only)

[shadow_spawn]

Wraith Visual: Wraith: (Note: Plural and species name is wraith, not wraiths.) Temperament: Wraith are a bit wild, but it's doe-wild or fox-wild as opposed to savage. They're usually shy and quite gentle. They know they're not high in the metaphorical food chain, so they prefer to run or hide than fight. That said, foxes do snarl, and deer do have antlers, so if they're backed into a corner they will lash out. Corporeal Appearance: In their corporeal form, Wraith can pass for human, almost. The give-away is in the eyes. They're either blue, green, or violet, and are unmistakeably luminous. They nearly always have dark brown or black hair. Blonde wraith are considered very rare. Usually pale-skinned, they do not tan. They vary in height as much as humans, but are generally of slim to medium build. Shadowshifting: They have an ability known as shadowshifting. This means they can change into pure non-corporeal shadow. The image above depicts them but they won't always be as elaborate or recognisable as the picture. Obviously, they can hide in the shadows very nicely. As weightless as shadow, wraith can defy gravity and can move around in the air. Hence, a wraith can escape from a tall building without the need for climbing gear. (When the shadowform is moving, it casts no shadow itself.) If a wraith stays in shadowform for too long (about one lunar cycle) it can never change back again (without magical intervention) and will eventually die. There is no known way to keep a wraith in its shadow form for that length of time. Theoretically, though, a corporeal wraith could be compelled by mind control to adopt shadow form, and it's possible that magic might be able to keep it that way. Partial Shift: Shadow can't touch anything, so some wraith can partially shift, giving their shadowform the substance of their corporeal body. This takes practice and skill, and is difficult to maintain for more than a few seconds. (Zack is practised at this, due the ability being useful when pleasing his owners. He can maintain it for a maximum of thirty seconds the first time, and each subsequent time a little less. It will take at least a half-hour of rest before he can do the full thirty seconds again. If he does it every half an hour, he'll run out of energy after a few attempts.) Partial shifts include: Giving the shadowform some kind of substance, briefly. Turning a limb into shadow when solid. Variations on these. All are tricky and require practice. Shadowform Movements: usually indicate mood. A smooth flowing movement is merely a wraith going about its business. Spiralling or moving playfully suggests happiness and having fun. Billowing or writhing shows discomfort or anger. Utter stillness, as happens when they're hiding, predictably indicates wariness, caution, rest, or fear. They prefer to sleep in shadowform, it makes them feel secure; but can sleep in corporeal form if they feel safe enough. Corporeal eyesight: Wraith favour the dark and have perfect night-vision. They can even read in the dark. They are capable of functioning perfectly well in bright sunlight, but only if their eyes are used to such conditions. If unused to sunlight, it takes a wraith two to three days for their eyes to really adjust to daylight. Give them a pair of wrap-around shades and they'll be fine. All other senses are the same as humans. Shadowform Senses: The shadowform has no eyes, ears, or larynx. They can 'see' and 'hear' using their minimal mind abilities. There is also verbal communication, it comes across as a low whispering tone. Wraith have no other mental ability, and they lose even this limited one when in corporeal form. It's purely so they're aware of their surroundings when in shadowform, and is not to be classed as a power, any more than ordinary human senses would be. They lose the basic senses of smell and touch when in shadowform. Death: In human form - Can be killed by a silver bullet or silver blade to the heart, or decapitation. When a wraith is killed in human form, the body becomes shadow and disperses, never to re-form. The soul has moved on and is gone. In shadowform - Very difficult to kill, though not impossible. Another wraith in shadowform can kill one already in shadowform. A bomb containing silver filings and/or silver dust will kill a shadowform wraith. Clothing: When a wraith shadowshifts, its power extends around itself by about six inches, so clothing and anything in the pockets also becomes shadow too. This includes but is not limited to cash, guns or blades in holsters or sheaths, and jewellery. They cannot manufacture clothing or change its appearance. If a wraith has belongings such as a backpack, it cannot transform the backpack into shadow, so these have to be hidden away. A bag or sleeping roll tucked away somewhere might indicate a wraith nest. Powers: Wraith cannot pass through solid matter, but if they find even the smallest crack, even a couple of millimetres wide, they can flow through it. For this reason they make good thieves. But a very small crack takes a little time to pass though. The shadowform cannot be shot, cut, grabbed, bitten, burned, or damaged by ordinary means, just like ordinary shadow. If injured in human form, or sick, a shadowshift can heal their injuries or disease. They also use this method to clean themselves, appearing as fresh and glossy as if they'd just taken a long shower. Perfect night vision. They can't be turned by werecreatures or vampires. Wraith are immortal in the sense of longevity, they can be killed as outlined above. (Their bodies in either form are supernatural so they have no need for food, and do not pass waste.) Weaknesses: They are not impervious to magic. A wraith-trap is like a demon trap and can contain them. Magic can affect them and prevent them from using a shadowshift to heal themselves. (Wraith-specific magic may not be be common knowledge. It may have to be researched by whichever magic-user wants to utilise it.) The correct magic potions can poison or affect them. Bright light won't turn a wraith back into human form, but certain subsonic frequencies can force them to do so. Mind control can do this also. The shadowform still has a mind, an intelligence. Silver is a barrier to them. A silver collar or even a bracelet will keep a wraith in its corporeal form. A big enough box, or a room with no gaps whatsoever, will hold them. Bright light can hurt the eyes if not used to it. (Wraparound shades can counteract this!) Reproduction & Children: In shadowform, Wraith can merge together for comfort or companionship, or to soothe a wraith child. (In adults, this can be sensual and even sexual, but does not lead to pregnancy.) Wraith have to be in human form to mate. A pregnant female cannot shadowshift which leaves her vulnerable. This is fine in the wraith realms of Zack's world, they are safe places. It's another matter for those unfortunate enough to have been born in the hell realms. They cannot interbreed with other species. Wraith children learn how to extend the shadowshift to their clothing by the age of 5. When a female wraith is giving birth, the baby is born in shadowform, but almost instantly shifts into corporeal form. This means pain-free pregnancy for these beings. Gestation period is the same as in humans. Lifestyles: Wraith are often hunter-gatherers and scavengers, although they do utilise technology such as smartphones and tablets. They make good thieves. This is more common in the cities. They also make good musicians, artists, writers, dancers, and poets are common among their kind. Their gentle nature means they make excellent slaves or concubines. There are no recorded feuds among the wraith. They do not make war on each other. They are peaceful, but possibly amoral in the sense that they don't have mortal values. Wraith need food, but they need no domicile. They don't require beds or bathrooms. A roof is nice during inclement weather, but they can sleep or rest in shadowform and often just carve out nooks in abandoned buildings. They don't think of these as homes so much as nests.