In-Depth Information;

Appearance Minor demons / S'elath (third class): Many minor demons can be compared to twisted versions of living creatures, and can come in as many forms as there are stars. Most are small and weak, combinations of various animals, though larger and more refined creatures have been noted. S'elath are the largest of these lesser demons, often equipped with far better weapons and defenses than their weaker brethren.

Lethaos: Most lethaos usually appear as a personification of their element, half-creature humanoids, or mutated versions of normal animals. However, there is always something unnatural about a lethaos, like gills on a bird or a lizard with three legs. The most powerful of these can have mostly-humanoid guises; however, they are not strong enough to sustain a Tri'akun form.

N'vaen: They are powerful enough to appear elven or human, or any other mortal/immortal species, usually humanoid. Most choose humanoid forms to last through their entire lives, though they may or may not appear fully of the species they choose - many will sport permanent horns or claws, unusual eyes, fangs, or other oddities about them. Some n'vaen are absolute experts at hiding their true nature - very few suspect them for what they truly are.

Culture Minor demons: Equipped with low intelligence, most are cruel and seek to do harm in any way they can, and detest the other races. They tend to group in large legion, where they are more powerful. Some may be led by a s'elath or lethaos, and have little care for each other. They are quick to anger and bitterness, and often lead short, violent lives. Territories of minor demons are viciously held, but the borders of such may change daily.

S'elath: More cunning in battle than the minor demons, and possess many times more strength. Most or all are malevolent, just like the minor demons. Some can control the demons below them, and do not care for any beyond their closest kin; rarely, they will trade with other groups, but these meetings often end up sparking skirmishes of various degrees. S'elath are the first of the lower classes to show true loyalty to their Kingdom, and will obey their Lord without question.

Lethaos: They have the highest intelligence of the lower demon classes, making them tough opponents; they tend to gang up on a single enemy, with coordinated, clever strikes. A few are more compassionate than most, and seek to aid rather than harm, turning against their typically warlike race. Lethaos can be found in demon tribes and villages, and some may join in their Kingdom's various social constructs. They are completely and utterly loyal to their Kingdom, and will not fight others of the same Kingdom unless ordered to by their Lord.

N'vaen: Possibly the most varied of the demon classes, n'vaen hold the greatest intelligence and sophistication. As a race, many n'vaen are evil in disposition, or starkly neutral - they are very loyal to their Kingdom, though some hold far gentler hearts. A few rebel against their dark heritage and join the fight for the good, using their demonic abilities to protect those weaker than they. Each Kingdom has its own unique culture, and are well-structured, living in cities, villages, clans, and tribes of many different assortments.

Death demons are the most mysterious of the Kingdoms' inhabitants; they see life and death as two sides of the same coin, and openly accept ritualistic homicide as a needed occurrence due to their curse. Most Death demons dwell in Clan-held villages that train Kuraian assassins - all members of these Clans wear Demonic-rune Clan marks, tattoos somewhere on their bodies. They hold festivals with sake and bloodrice many times of the year to honor Lethias, their patron goddess, and often host hunts to take down large lesser demons or creatures that have caused havoc over any part of their Kingdom. Bonecraft is common, and dances decorated with skeletal costumes perfumed with incense are as well.

Famine demons are perhaps both the kindest of the Kingdoms' citizenry, as well as the most deceptive. Many Famine demons train to become sheizi ninja, and their shinobi are rumored to be some of the strongest fighters in the land. Clan-held and non-Clan villages, often hidden away out of sight, are common; many of these have locations only known at all times by the Lord. Otherwise, Famine demons enjoy multiple forms of entertainment, including theater (such as kabuki - masked dramas), fireworks, and music.

Pestilence demons are those of the Kingdoms' inhabitants that value mental prowess over physical; many become monks, priests to Orphethas, or alchemists. Potionmasters and poisonmasters are held in great regard, as are the leaders of various Clans; any individual in a Clan will have the insignia branded to them somewhere via acidic magic, and cannot be removed. In times of peace, silent worship and sacrifice to their god is common, as well as the practice of strategic games. Gardening is also common in the Pestilence Kingdom; such toxic gardens are kept up well, and often are planted in elaborate designs that are rarely changed.

War demons are those perhaps most honorable in all the Kingdoms; samurai that uphold their Lord's wishes and protect the law also go to some lengths to keep their honor intact, to nearly any degree. Honor killings are somewhat common, as are public humiliation and punishment for those that have dishonored their families. Tournaments - sometimes to first blood, other times to the death - are held in almost every city and village, along with games of war and strategy. Though honorable, War is also known to have a desire for conflict; if anything breaks the trust of a Clan or family group, the bloody feud to follow often lasts for centuries, if not longer.

Abilities Minor demons: Minor demons hold little power, though a few may control elements, no more than one. Usually, they have greater physical abilities to make up for their lack of magical power.

S'elath: Usually, s'elath are more powerful both physically and magically than the minor demons. A select few can possess other species, sentient or no, for varied amounts of time. However, they cannot handle complex spells, more than a few elements, and great magical power, and those that are born with a greater degree of magical strength are very, very prone to overtax.

Lethaos: A large number of lethaos have a powerful control over one or two elements. Some have the ability to shapeshift, and others can inflict direct damage with their reiatsu. This class also includes the hellwolves, the wolven nightmares of Kurai, and most demon subspecies.

N'vaen: By far, n'vaen are the most powerful of all the demon classes. Their power is chaotically strong - most hold great mastery over a single element, multiple elements, or non-elemental magic, such as their reiatsu. N'vaen are almost always quite physically adept, and take well to learning the trade of a weapon, or a fighting style taught by their Kingdom. Many have the power to Tri'akun, or allow their inner demon to possess them temporarily in times of great need. Their powers are unpredictable and varied, and few are completely alike. However, some Kingdoms have some trends that are more common to that particular Kingdom than others, listed below.

Death demons are gifted with unnatural defenses, and superior health regeneration. Often, a death demon may be able to take many more hits before going down, and they are - ironically - somewhat difficult to kill.

Famine demons are very swift and agile, and are magically gifted. Some may naturally have the ability to siphon away energy from their surroundings, and use it for themselves - though this is somewhat rare.

Pestilence demons are sometimes referred to as venomdemons, for good reason; nearly all Pestilence demons have some sort of proficiency with poisons, toxins, venoms, or acidic, corrosive magic.

War demons are gifted with unnatural strength, and may be taller and more muscular than demons from other Kingdoms. Some War demons may have a significant degree of stamina to fuel their physical prowess, with the best samurai being able to fight for many long hours on the battlefield without pause.

Subspecies;

Incubus
Classification: unique lethaos, feeds on life energy. Location: Kurai.

Incubi and succubi are of the same subrace of lethaos-class demon, though they differ so much that they are considered two distinct subspecies. Incubi are all male. Appearance-wise, each incubus will have traits that differ via Kingdom, though they are all humanoid and generally quite attractive. These Kingdom variations are listed below, along with their common abilities.

Famine incubi are thin, pale of skin and overall coloration, with long fangs and claws. Some have flightworthy wings, either webbed or feathered. Nearly all have small curved horns; very rarely can a Famine incubus be found hornless. They are powerful in magic, though most commonly stray towards non-elemental versions rather than pure elements.

War incubi are broad-shouldered, strong, and heavily muscled. Generally, they have ram's horns and a long, prehensile tail, as well as sharp, broad claws. Most shun armor that other Kingdom individuals may don. Their strength and stamina is rumored to be higher than most, though War incubi have little to no magic.

Pestilence incubi are lankily built, and have horns that sweep forward like a bull's, and skin that often trends towards the darkest shade. While Pestilence incubi may have wings and tails, most do not. They have claws with acute venom, as well as poisonous snakelike fangs. All are very speedy and agile, though their relative magic is somewhat lacking.

Lastly, Death incubi are perhaps the most dangerous, and have varied builds. They have sharp horns protruding from the spine, claws, limited scales, and straight horns. Some may have skull masks, though this has largely been bred out of existence due to such incubi not capturing the attention of those they wish to attract. All Death incubi have exceptional defense, and most have a healing gene.

Incubi - as well as their counterparts - feed off of life energy and the emotions of those they find themselves near. Close physical contact is needed to siphon away this life energy, and the effects of such often have an adverse effect on the one losing this energy - even aging immortal species by degrees, especially over long periods of time. Thus, relationships with incubi are warned against in areas where they dwell, and those who marry or pairbond with an incubus are sometimes disowned by families who foresee a very early death. If such life energy cannot be obtained, an incubus will starve and eventually go mad before they succumb to death. Traditional foods may be eaten, but do not provide any sustenance.

Succubus
Classification: unique lethaos, feeds on life energy. Location: Kurai.

Incubi and succubi are of the same subrace of lethaos-class demon, though they differ so much that they are considered two distinct subspecies. Succubi are all female. Appearance-wise, each succubus will have traits that differ via Kingdom, though they are all humanoid and generally quite attractive. These Kingdom variations are listed below, along with their common abilities.

Famine succubi are thinly built and pale of skin, with long fangs, talons, and long wings. They often hold a dancer's grace, and have been called voluptuous and seductive to those they choose to court. Each Famine succubus is gifted in elemental magic and illusions, though these are not as strong as a kitsune's or dreameater's.

War succubi are beautiful, muscular, and tall; they are nearly as strong physically as their incubus counterparts, though not as thickly built. Generally, they have slender ram's horns and a long, thin tail tipped with sharp barbs. Their strength and stamina is immense, though they have little in the way of true magic. What magic they do possess is often of a non-elemental type.

Pestilence succubi are lankily built, and rarely have horns. They have long, hooked claws with acute venom, as well as poisonous snakelike fangs. Despite these traits, they are considered voluptuous and most beautiful of the succubi. Most do not have accompanying magic, but those that do often deal in toxins and/or healing abilities.

Lastly, Death succubi are perhaps the most dangerous, and have varied builds, though beautiful bodies. They have sharp horns protruding from the upper back that flatten at will, against scales that trail to the base of their spine. All have exceptional defense, and most have a healing gene.

Succubi - as well as their counterparts - feed off of life energy and the emotions of those they find themselves near. Close physical contact is needed to siphon away this life energy, and the effects of such often have an adverse effect on the one losing this energy - even aging immortal species by degrees, especially over long periods of time. Thus, relationships with succubi are warned against in areas where they dwell, and those who marry or pairbond with a succubus are sometimes disowned by families who foresee a very early death. If such life energy cannot be obtained, a succubus will starve and eventually go mad before they succumb to death. Traditional foods may be eaten, but do not provide any sustenance.