Mythologae
By Anders SandbergA small note: This posting is to be seen as a supplement to the excellent post about spirits by Paul Strack. I use his categorization of spirits on a scale of 1-5, like in Book of Chantries.
Many of the denizens of the Umbra trod the Earth in ancient times. They were known as monsters or mythological beings and many of them still live on in old myths. Before the material and spiritual planes were forces apart, there were less difference between them and the distinction between umbrood and earthly beings was vague. Today all beings living in the world are chained by Paradox and static reality, but many of the old beings still exist in an umbral exile and yearn for a return to times of old.
When the Gauntlet formed, the mythologae were forced to choose between exile and submission to a new, harsher reality. Most fled or gradually vanished, but a few remained. They had to adapt to survive, or simply give up and become figments of the imagination.
Many mythologae seem to be at least partially shaped or empowered by the belief of Sleepers. When people stopped seeing visions of angels and demons, they started to be contacted by spiritist presences and later UFOs, fulfilling the same spiritual need of guidance and mystery. In fact, many of the aliens seems to behave like beings which once manifested to the medieval peasants as angels or faeries. One school of thought says our perception of the beings have changed, while the essential beings have remained. Others claim new beings emerge from the Umbra to fulfil our fantasies.
The mythologae are extremely varied beings, ranging from strange animals to the mighty dragons. Unlike most spirits, they usually don't change their forms very much, and can often be classified into various genera. However, just like in all other matters of the Umbra, appearances can be deceiving. Their tendency towards embodiment both helps and hinders their summoning. Since they often have strong ties to the material world they usually answer summonings much more readily than they aetheric brethren. Unfortunately they also require bodies, and since many of them lack the ability to form their own bodies, the mage has to provide it. This can, of course, be problematic in the case of the more bizarre mythologae.
Sea Serpents
The Sea Serpents are powerful beings apparently not related to the dragons. Their classic form is a huge serpent/fish hybrid, sometimes with saurian features. They usually appear in regions of the ocean where static reality is not strong, possibly swimming in from the Umbra. Their general behavior varies. Most seem to ignore humans unless provoked, but when angered they are terribly destructive beings. Some Sea Serpents have taken residence in lakes on strong ley lines, like Loch Ness. Apparently they survive despite the surrounding harsh reality due to the surplus of Quintessence. Most serpents seen are apparently adults, and often quite a match for an Adept.
Chimerae
One type of mythologae often associated with Marauders are the chimerae. These beings are composites of different animals or even humans. The classical chimera had a fire-breathing lion's head, a goat head on the body and a snake as tail. Other classical forms are the centaurs, manticores, basilisks, sphinxes and harpies, just to name a few. As a general rule, these beings are very usharmonic and tend to be violent and predatory. There are some speculations that the Marauders actively create these beings in the Umbra or in realms they control, possibly to prepare for a large scale intrusion or just for fun.
Most chimerae are minions, usually with very animalistic tendencies. The classical types are more powerful than the rest, and often have a power of 2 or even 3. Most powers are physical, like powerful venom, fire breathing or the ability to fly. Some chimerae are more or less intelligent, especially those with human parts like centaurs and sphinxes, but usually tend to fall prey to their animal passions when pressed. They have a power of 3 or even 4 in some individual cases.
Modern Beings
Some mythologae belong to the modern world. Most exist in remote places or the Umbra, and make short incursions to feed on reality or live out their existence. Due to Paradox, their preference for places with low Gauntlet ratings and the cover of the Technocracy, these beings are always very hard to document in any way. They can often be dismissed as visual illusions or exaggerations.
The most typical modern mythologae are the UFOs and their beings. There are a staggering variety of ufonauts, and most are completely incomprehensible. They usually appear to isolated people, subject them to a confusing and contradictory experience and then disappear. Sometimes they leave behind inscrutable artifacts like pieces of metal, complex mutilations, crop circles or even gifts of food. Some mages believe they are a modern form of faeries, while others believe they represent beings from the Realm of Mystery.
Other modern mythologae are found in urban folklore like sewer crocodiles, predatory insects, poltergeists or serial killers. They are usually not very strong beings, and disappear as soon as disbelievers approach to avoid Paradox.
Great Animals
The Great Animals are the leaders of their kind, usually very big and smart animals, often with some distinguishing marks. Typical examples are the wolvens, the White Whale, the Lion King or the Great Buffalo. Most of the lower animals are not intelligent, but often exhibit great cunning and physical power. The higher Great Animals are often intelligent and quite powerful. All great Animals have dominion over the lesser individuals of their species and some are surrounded by flocks or courts of their own. They often take great interest in the welfare of their underlings, and will not take kindly to anyone hurting them.
Great Animals are closely related to the Totem Animals, and may be the same. If a mage (or Sleeper) impresses them for some reason, they can adopt him. As long as he follows and respects the animal, he will be protected, guided and taught by his Totem. In fact, there is a strong overlap between the Great Animals and other nature spirits.
Dragons
The Dragons are the most powerful of the mythologae, the personifications of pure power and force. They are noble beings, often wielders of great magick and enormous physical power. The main difference is between the Great Dragons and the lesser Wyrms, which are often not very intelligent and usually destructive, greedy beings. According to some theories, the dragons do not evolve from matter towards spirit, but from spirit towards matter. This could explain the difference between the Great Dragons and the lesser ones.
Another division is cultural, between the western and eastern dragons. Western dragons tend towards more physical existence, often with a bulky, definite lizard shape and an intense hunger for material wealth and food. Eastern dragons are more elemental and often have less defined forms. Instead they appear to enjoy political and magickal power, and often surround themselves with courts of lesser beings in great palaces in their home realms. Western dragons are generally solitary and prefer natural caves. Eastern dragons also appear to take less interest in the material world, while western dragons often seek to breach the Gauntlet.
Most dragons can easily defeat even a Master in magick, and are roughly equivalent to a Lord or greater Preceptor. Beside magick such as Forces, they are often quite powerful in Mind and Spirit, not to mention numerous other Spheres. Their physical abilities are no less impressive, and many are invulnerable to ordinary weapons. However, their greatest strength is spiritual. The dragon mind is alien and more dangerous than any magick. It's sharp as a razor, practically impossible to befuddle and when it strikes it strikes like a cobra. Many dragons dominate people simply by their sheer presence or their titanic will.