Umbrals

Contents

• Introduction
• Biology
• Weaknesses
• Society
• Shapeshifting
• Splitting
• Gallery
• Traits/Rules

Basic Info:

• Status: Least Concern
• Rarity: Very Rare
• Discovered: September 24

Introduction

Umbrals, also known as Abyssmaws or eldritch beings (t. mutovolnus), are shapeshifting entities that spawn in various worlds, most notably those that have some connection to the same void their cousins- the Tenebrals- hail from (regardless of if said connection is open or not). Their overall size varies wildly (often dependent on the Umbral’s choice in the matter), but they have a sort of cap based on their age. Their shapeshifting abilities, alongside a surprising lack of much to stop them, allows them to achieve various feats, from flight to even persistence after supposed “deaths”.

Biology

While the forms of individual Umbrals vary extensively, there are a few similarities between all of them. For one, they are always pitch black when in their “true forms”, with a faint glow emanating from them, serving as a sort of outline. Secondly, their eyes are a bright white, with a similar glow to them. The number of eyes varies between individuals, but they’re the same for a single individual in all their “true forms”.
They are unable to be born, instead spawning in at some point in the world. Known as spawnlings for the first few years of their lives, they rely primarily on their hunting instinct (unless they happen to have kin to help them), seeing as their primary food source in their “true forms” is meat from recently-killed prey. As they refine their skills, they soon gain the free time to mellow out, exploring the world and learning new things. Eventually, they gain access to their shapeshifting abilities, and from then on it’s just growing, both physically and in their knowledge. They are biologically genderless in “true form”, and only their chosen gender affects their alternate forms. They can mate with other creatures, but this never produces another Umbral regardless of if it produces offspring.

Weaknesses

Umbrals are incredibly resilient, needing to be destroyed entirely in order to be truly killed. While they can go into a dormant state if they “died” in an alternate form, they wake up only somewhat weakened in several decades or so (unless given enough strength to come back early via offerings). While their “true forms” are a lot tougher than most alternate forms, they are exceptionally flammable, and nothing’s left behind if they get struck by lightning. However, if their main body is “killed” and they still have at least one intact split, their consciousness transfers to the closest one, and while they’re incredibly weakened, they live on.

Society

Even if Umbrals typically spawn alone, those that find each other earlier in life often group up, declaring themselves kin in the only way that matters to their kind. Sometimes they include other creatures into their families, but it’s a rare phenomenon by comparison, often borne of necessity or acclimation to the type of creature. While their instincts are to bring fear to others, those that react with awe instead often become their followers in a way, leaving offerings as a way of supporting and bolstering their strength. Sometimes, the Umbrals at the head of the group interact directly with these supporters, but often the communities are left to their own devices, either out of embarrassment or apathy.

Shapeshifting

Umbrals have a dual shapeshifting ability, unlike many other beings who can change their form. This dual ability is separated between the one used in its supposed “true forms” and the one used to shift beyond them.
“True” Shifting
“True” shifting, the half of its shapeshifitng ability used in its “true forms” without going beyond, is a primary reason for why Umbrals look so different between individuals. While all Umbrals spawn as writhing masses of shadows with eyes, they rarely stay that way for too long. Within the first couple stages of their life, an Umbral begins to take traits from creatures around it and implement them into its own forms, becoming more and more shaped like creatures it either relates to or enjoys the aesthetics of. More often than not, Umbrals create various shapes they can switch between at will, known as having multiple “true forms” even if it technically is just a singular one. Using this ability, an Umbral can also split itself for various purposes (continued in the Split section).
Alternate Shifting
Alternate shifting, the half of its shapeshifitng ability used to switch past its “true forms”, is an ability it shares with more of the other shapeshifting creatures found (such as Daenixes). If an Umbral has studied a type of creature for long enough, it can actually turn into one on its own. There is no limit to the kind of creature one can turn into, but it must be able to study the creature well in order to successfully do so, with reality being the only reliable way of learning enough. In alternate forms, Umbrals tend to have some of the instincts of the creatures they turn into, but it doesn’t often cross over by much, and is never overpowering.
Note: Some Umbrals have an intermediate form of shifting, using parts of their “true forms” in alternate forms.

Splitting

As a part of their “True” Shifting, Umbrals have the ability to split their body into two or more. Most of the constructs created, known as splits, have autonomy but no sentience or needs. Those that do have the ability to think often do for a specific purpose, but all splits follow the will of the main body. If the main body is ever destroyed, the Umbral’s consciousness is transferred to the closest split, prioritizing the oldest one without an incomplete purpose.

Gallery

N/A

Traits/Rules (by Wildy Moonwish)

Umbrals are very varied creatures, but here’s the list of what they can and can’t have, condensed into a list.

• - Body (“True Forms”): Any shape. Size limit varies based on age, must be all black with a colored outline (gray work, but not black or white)
• - Eyes (“True Forms”): As many eyes and other bright parts as you want, but they must be consistent.
• - Abilities (“True Forms”): Must have both kinds of shapeshifting, as well as portals to specific runes made for them. Other abilities not given by shapeshifting are optional, but limit the number to 3.
• - Alternate Forms: Must have everything accurate to an individual of these alternate forms, and must have studied enough to gain these forms. Retains abilities given by their “true forms”, but cannot use “true” shifting until back in said “true forms”.

Notify me before making one, but you have full permission to do so! I just want to log them :3
Feel free to ask for examples of one, I have art