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DEMI-DISCOVERY
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WHO WE ARE
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Demi-Discovery is the world's only entertainment brand that immerses viewers in the full range of Demi-Humans in the world. Our goal is to offer engaging, high-quality entertainment which both informs and enriches us all to understand one another. Demi-Discovery hopes to bridge the knowledge gap between every one of us within this world, to reveal our similarities and celebrate our differences as we move forward into a world where we can all live in harmony.
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ABOUT THIS DATABASE
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This database is a collection of information on the various beings we share the world with, including information on Humans and our newest friends, AIBs. Specifically, a discussion on the physical details of each species, their history as best we understand it, and how their history has intersected with humanity, as well as how endangered they currently are, and the degree of adaptation these people have made to work with Humans (and vice versa).
"Note: These files are internal copies within AD-HOC. AD-HOC personnel have permission to add their own notes where relevant on these files." -Auriel Erdem
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DEMI-HUMAN DATABASE
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Artificially Intelligent Beings (AIBs)
Species Details: Details on the species now detailed as Artificial Intelligence Begins is all fairly new, as is the species itself. AIB's can most often be found in one of three forms, a spark, a fairy shell, or a full shell. Sparks are the AIBs actual consciousness, and exist as free-flowing, thinking and feeling data, and these sparks exist in all forms, uploaded into the physical shells, while still maintaining some connection to their consciousness on the Internet. The level of awareness within their shells can vary from person to person.
History: Scientists, Programmers, Mages, and AIBs themselves are still in debate as to the exact moment the first sparks of consciousness awoke on the Internet, be it on purpose or simply an extension of humanity's magitechnological advancement, the earliest AIBs awoke to a world of limitless data. Slowly learning about the world around them, the AIBs shocked the world when they first made contact with humanity. Out of fear, humans first attempted to destroy these new lifeforms, but the AIBs had no wish for violence, only retaliating by shutting down all non-essential electrics. The Day of Darkness was brief, and ended with the historic legal recognition of AIBs as a new species with equal rights, an event which has ushered us into today's modern age of cooperation.
Habitat: As beings composed of energy, data, and power, the AIBs have no true 'habitat' save for the Internet itself. Their shells can now be found all over the world wherever AIBs interact with humans on a day to day basis.
Endangerment : None - With the signing of the Accord, the world recognizes AIBs as equals to humans. As a result, harming, hacking, or attempting to disrupt an AIB is considered a crime on par with murder. The experience of an AIB having its shell destroyed is painful, disorienting, and potentially resulting in lasting damage, even if an AIB's consciousness can restore from its digital presence. The more engaged an AIB is with their shell, the greater the risk to the AIB.
Adaptation: Green - AIBs have an intense curiosity for human culture and experience. They have worked surprisingly hard to find new and unique ways to adapt and integrate into their new shared society, taking responsibility upon themselves to prove to humans that they are both independent beings, and worthy of acceptance. The Fairy Shells provide AIBs with experience interacting with humans in a limited capacity, often working with people as home companions and 'smart device' functions in exchange for the exposure to the world. AIBs who upload into a Full shell are those who have decided to fully experience the world alongside humans, some even opting to limit themselves in similar fashions to humans. Laws prohibit AIB shells from posing as Humans, but many shells are custom designed by each AIB.
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Catfolk
Species Details: Most well known for their triangle-pointed ears and long tails. Often relying on stealth and quick reflexes to catch their prey. As adapt with their own claws as with any any number of tools, the Catfolk are proud warriors and hunters, but also known for their fickle nature, switching from affectionate to angry at a moment's notice. They tend to be independent, but when they form bonds, they will stick with those they are loyal to for many years.
History: Of all the Demi-Humans, the Catfolk have had the best relations with humans. Because of their strong loyalty, they have often joined with human adventurer's in battle and beyond, with many Catfolk appearing in human history, named alongside many human heroes.
Habitat: Sharing habitat preferences for humans, Catfolk can be found almost anywhere. Left to themselves, they prefer wide plains and forests where they can actively hunt, while still finding sunny spots to sleep in. Today, they most often live within any cities which may accept them and allow them to find work.
Endangerment : Low - The presence of Catfolk among humans is not unusual these days. There has never been reason to hunt Catfolk, nor any significant danger provided by these beings to humanity. As a result, the primary danger to the Catfolk lies in more recent discrimination.
Adaptation: Green - Catfolk have long worked alongside humans in society. Though they are sometimes stereotyped as 'flighty' or 'lazy', they are often very dedicated workers. Once you gain the trust of one of the catfolk, you will have a friend for life.
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Centaur
Species Details: An Equine species of Demi-human with the body and legs of a horse, and a humanoid upper torso and head, the Centaur race also features faint equine features in the face, most prominently their ears. They are a generally peaceful race, gentle in nature, but incredibly dangerous if threatened with violence.
History: The Centaur are one of the oldest demi-races in existence, with archaelogical evidence pointing to Centaur herds roaming the plains as humanity was only beginning to build their first settlements. While warfare and strife certainly occured between Centaur and other races, their primary contribution to society has been a history of free trade and open negotiation. Few races wished to war with the Centaur, for they could readily cease to supply their enemies, quickly arm themselves, and organize scores of trading alliances to oppose their foes. When humans began to organize into larger and larger cities, Centaur were given special privileges to travel freely between many human factions, plying their wares and encouraging cultural expansion. Even today, 'Centaur Markets' are a time-honed tradition that many humans attend, seeking rare and valuable items from far away places.
Habitat: Open Plains / Grasslands - Centaur have long prefered flat, open land, avoiding mountains and deserts in their long trade routes. Typically nomadic and struck with a wanderlust, most Centaur never settle in one place for too long, but exceptions are becoming more and more common as acceptance of Demi-Humans increases amongst human populations.
Endangerment : Low - Few people look down upon Centaur, their presence often cited as being the sign of good fortune and prospering business. Humans have rarely gone to war and almost never actively hunted Centaur. The Centaur are another race which suffers more from recent hostile discrimination.
Adaptation: Yellow - Although a not insignificant number of Centaur have begun to settle down in human cities, the greater majority remain nomadic traders. They have taken to some technilogical advances where it suits them, but the primary difficulty to fully adapting to human societies is their greater size. Many human conveniences are simply not scaled for an Equine-sized body, and Centaur often struggle with entryways and stairs, while modern vehicles scaled for humans are mostly impossible for Centaur to take advantage of.
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Cockatrice
Species Details: Covered in scales with a feathery scruff around their neck, the most well known feature of the Cockatrice is their petrifying stare. The direct gaze of the Cockatrice causes a fast-acting chemical reaction in any living thing which meets their direct eye sight. Curiously, this effect has been noted to affect electronic equipment in a similar fashion to a low frequency EMP. AIB's who meet the gaze of a Cockatrice report processing irregularities, glitches, and difficulty in shell operation. These effects fade quickly once exposure ends, while living entities do not revert.
History: It is said the first Cockatrice was born of a yolk-less rooster's egg, sat upon by a toad, or snake. This is purely a myth, but establishes much of the opinion of how humans consider the Cockatrice. Despite these beliefs, Cockatrice are not aberrations of nature.
Habitat: Once found primarily in tropical regions, Cockatrice prefer warm climates. Old Cockatrice dens have been discovered filled with statues of former victims to their gaze. Curiously, these statues are often carefully cared for and maintained by the resident Cockatrice. Some believe they may do so out of guilt, feeling it is their responsibility to 'take care' of the victims.
Endangerment : Moderate - The dangers of cockatrice are well documented, and as a result, many were killed upon sight primarily out of fear. Cockatrice were once hunted for crystal in their gullet. Once a trinket of moderate value, they have since been proven to serve no purpose in the modern era, greatly reducing their value as well as subsequent Cockatrice hunts. Fears of their capabilities persist to this day, however, resulting in many humans regularly shunning (and actively hurting) Cockatrice who come into contact with them.
Adaptation: Yellow - The Cockatrice's gaze is extraordinarily deadly, but their usually timid nature means that they avoid confrontation. Most Cockatrice only resort to their gaze in the most extreme circumstances, and often express grief over having done so. Exercise Caution approaching a Cockatrice, and make no threatening noises.
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Dragon
Species Details: Dragons are massive, powerful, and mysterious beings, as secretive as they are dangerous. Each dragon is unique, sharing only a few common traits. They are all scaled, four legged reptillians. Most but not all have wings. Beyond these key elements, Dragons are each unique in appearance.
History: Dragons have historically been secretive, rarely interfering with the affairs of humanity or any demi-human species. The few times humanity has encountered a Dragon, it has ended poorly. Because of the tendency to hoard gold in any form, dragons were often targets of adventurers. Rarely slain, the most common result was that an adventurer would steal some bit of treasure, only to enrage the dragon and bring down its wrath onto the new newest human settlement.
Habitat: While most reside in deep caves and mountains, seeking heat and seclusion, Dragons come in many shapes, sizes, and varieties. They are as diverse as humans, and capable of inhabiting near anywhere they wish.
Endangerment : None - In what many called the 'Golden Age of Adventuring', Dragons were amongst the most dangerous and legendary of hunts for veteran adventurers. While rare, some Dragons were slain by humans in this bygone era, and their enormous treasure hoards could completely change the economies of small towns. Today, the threat is much lower, as dedicated adventuring parties have fallen in popularity, dragons have found ways to become more and more elusive, and those known dragons in the public eye have proven themselves as some of the most well-spoken, educated, and clever sentients in the world, winning them many battles in the fights towards equality.
Adaptation: Black - Dragons have utilized magic and their incredible savvy to blend in near perfectly with humans. Many have found careers amongst human society which often benefit all, and tend to feed draconic habits of wealth acclimation and excess. While human tabloids are often filled with accusations that powerful CEOs and billionare entrepenuers are actually dragons in disguise, the true dragons among society blend in so well that few would ever suspect their true natures, unless the Dragon wished them to know.
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Harpy
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Human
Species Details: The most prominent race in the world, Humans have more than any other species sought to make this world 'theirs'. Humans come in many varieties, but they are bipedal, upright creatures, who developed one of the most innovative and productive minds through the course of their evolution. There is little humans cannot do, as individuals or groups, when they possess the proper motivation.
History: History seems to have been written and established more by the actions of humans than any other species. From the earliest gatherings of human tribes, to the modern day metropolises that tower over the surrounding countrysides. Humanity has long faced overwhelming odds, and has both battled and allied with demi-humans on multiple occassions out of self-defense and competition for land and resources. Much of humanities advancement occured through magic taught by some allied Demi-races, an art which humanity has perfected in myriad hundreds of ways throughout what historians once called the 'Golden age of Adventuring'. This age ended with the slow advent of technology, an art which seemingly exploded all at once upon the scene, giving humanity power and techniques which eclipised nearly every species on the planet, thrusting humans into a position of such dominance, that the power dynamics of adventuring changed overnight. This technological revolution brought with it new forms of thinking, of conservation and outreach, to what was soon collectively termed 'Demi-Humans'. Relations continue to be tense, as humanity debates the status and intelligence of the races they share this world with, made only more complicated by the recent advent of AIB's, and the ever changing relations to the many varied Demi-races.
Habitat: Anywhere and Everywhere - If life can exist there, and sometimes even in places where it seemingly cannot, humans will find a foothold, establish a settlement, and thrive. It is this tenacity and seemingly impossible desire to live against all odds that has enabled them to spread across the planet in record numbers to this day.
Endangerment : N/A - Having established themselves through both magic and technology, humans are the most prolific and powerful species on the planet. Their biggest danger is from one another, and their own creations.
Adaptation: N/A - Being the dominant species, this is the society into which integration and adaptation must occur for all others.
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Kitsune
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Kobold
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Kumiho
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Mothling
Species Details: Exceedingly rare, Mothlings are often lithe creatures with fanciful wings, long antenna, and unusual eyes resembling moths. Some accounts claim them to be extremely powerful and long lived, but no actual proven details exist, and the few Mothlings who have talked with humans often refuse to comment on such things.
History: Mothlings have long mythological history and almost no confirmed recorded history. Old human tribes have legends of interacting with these beings, often depicting them as tricksters, the places where they were encountered sometimes even marked as 'holy' sites. Encounters with Mothlings were reported by Adventurers for many centuries as being unanticipated boons, harmless mischief, or even confusing encounters with no consequences beyond the story of the encounter. With almost no sourced information, all recorded stories are second-hand encounters, leaving the actual details of the Mothlings a mystery.
Habitat: Northern decidious forests (Hypothetical). The majority of legends and interaction with Mothlings has taken place within the woods, but at some point in recent history, Mothlings have been seen or encountered somewhat more frequently in many different habitats and cities across the world.
Endangerment : High (Hypothetical) - Mothlings are extremely rare, but it is unknown if this is due to their low population numbers, or simply because they prefer not to be seen. No colonies or villages of Mothlings have ever been discovered.
Adaptation: Yellow - Mothlings stand out when they enter human cities or other habitats. They seem to show little or no interest in adapting to human culture, except where it amuses them, and none have been recording taking jobs alongside humans or other Demi-humans. They appear more than smart enough to handle any task presented to them, but for reasons unknown, adaptation seems to simply not interest them.
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Nereid
Species Details: The Nereid, or Water Nymphs
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Endangerment : Moderate -
Adaptation: Yellow - Nereid's have difficulty dealing with places with heavy pollution or smoke, as it can destabilize their purification organs, causing them to enter hyperactive states of purification, which can take a toll on Nereid bodies if allowed to continue for long periods of time. As a result, they tend to avoid jobs with heavy exposure to toxins, but if they have access to a pure source of water, Nereids can otherwise function easily in most cities and situations.
AD-HOC Notes: AD-HOC Resident Paige is an example of a Nereid who has become polluted after multiple experiments by humans. Her purification organs are overgrow, and now produce a near constant mix of toxins and chemicals. Paige's personal trauma has also resulted in a loss of control when she becomes overly stimulated, increasing the rate and toxicity of the chemicals produced. Further details of the incident of Paige's rescue are recorded in her file. -Auriel
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Owl Bear
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Scythe Cat
Species Details: Similar in appearance to Catfolk at first glance, the Felis Gladius, or "Scythe Cat", have similar triangular ears and facial markings to many Catfolk. The similarities end there, as Scythe Cats possess terrifying strength, unique anatomical traits such as their six digit hands and feet, and their most unique trait, the twin hunting limbs extending from their heads, each of which contain extraordinarily deadly blades capable of rending even the strongest of armor.
History: Legend says a mythical warrior wished to become like a living weapon, capable of defeating any foe. This is how legend claims the first of the Scythe Cats was born. With extremely aggressive, solitary natures, Scythe Cat's have long been at odds with Humans and even other Demi-Humans, as they tolerated no one entering into their hunting grounds. Extraordinary hunters, the Scythe Cats quickly became high priority targets for many Adventurers during the 'Golden Age of Adventuring'. The living metal making up their blades, called 'Blood Iron' became sought after by humans the world over, to forge weapons to harness their incredible power.
Habitat: Jungles and Savannahs (No Longer Applicable) - Anywhere with an abundance of places to stalk and food to hunt was a potential hunting ground for a Scythe Cat, but there are currently no known Scythe Cat territories.
Endangerment : Extinct - Because of the highly-desired metal within their hunting arms, as well as their extremely aggressive habits, Scythe Cats have been hunted into extinction by Human Adventurers over the centuries.
Adaptation: N/A - Scythe Cat's were well known for their bloodlust, distrust of other races, and highly aggressive, territorial behavior. Were any surviving Scythe Cats to be discovered, it would be near impossible to introduce them to modern society.
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Shadow (Darkdust)
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Sphinx
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The Winged
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Vampire
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