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invent a new fantasy creature! >:3
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Zearla (plural Zearlae)- Concepts given human form
Similar to the gods and angels, Zearlae are concepts given a humanoid form. Unlike the gods, they embody specific ideas, such as "the blood that flows from the heads of tyrants" or "the justice brought by wronged hands". The wording of each is incredibly important, as even the slightest difference refers to a different being.
Most are akin to seraphim or cherubs, with many wings and young faces. Even if turned, they bear a striking resemblance to the gods' devoted followers.
Aside from looking more human, a key difference are the heads of the Zearlae. While gods and angels have gorgeous halos of gold and silver, Zearlae have blackened and bloodied horns that bend out at horrific angles, signifying their self servitude and often bloodied paths. Feathers, almost drenched in ichor, cling to the base of them, wrapping around until there is nowhere for the feathers to grow.
There is scarcely a reason to believe they have turned, for most have nothing to turn away from. They only exist to serve their concepts. If wronged far too much, however, their form may change, as their ideals shift as well. "The desire to be held after exhaustion from creation" may give way to "the feeling of being touched where even the sun can't, if only to make", "the joy of a filling meal on the table thrice consecutively" to "chasing the cheer through baiting it with food", "the fear felt by one left by all they loved" to "the despair of being forsaken by those once cherished." All very possible paths to be walked, and all long changing.
The physical form of a Zearla also changes, from wings that protect many to singed limbs that can hardly save themself. Blacker than black horns morphed into barely seen wisps of smoke. Eyes inked into a colour even wrong for the damned.
Many modern Zearla have adopted the practices of shapeshifting. To embody human spirit, they must look human. For though they look far too human to be godly, they look far too godly to be mortal. Most often, they appear as children, for since they age slower, they mature slower, and it is far easier to act as a child when one feels like a child.
Of course, even children are capable of ending the gods, for what are the gods to do, if the people won't revere them?