Animus
Animas are a type of being defined by a purpose. Physical and embodied, they are considered somewhere between spirits and Incarnations. They are so defined by their purpose as to arguably be incapable of good nor evil.<ref>“The Carmine Beast predated us,” the Aurum said. “But not the Alabaster Doe.”
“She was an Animus, a walking intent,” the Alabaster said. “Much as your Dog of War is one.”
“I- I’m not familiar with that.”
“Forces between spirit and incarnation that exist for purpose. Often
malign, but not always. Physical. They are defined by the task they
accomplish. The Swordbearer animus exists to find the noble and heroic,
equip them, and send them on their path. The Dog of War exists to
perpetuate the senselessness of war. Muses inspire art.”
“What did she do?”
“Before she was the Carmine Beast, she reminded civilized men who had
come here why their ancestors were so afraid of the deep night,” the
Alabaster said. “Henhouses emptied, livestock slaughtered. Howling
that shook hearts, and fangs that took the lives of people who were in
the midst of discovering just how dark a forest can be without the
torches, candles and lamps of a nearby city.”
“Was she evil? I know we asked, but- before?”
“She wasn’t good or evil so much as she simply was. Just as she was the Carmine Beast. The role precedes all.”
- excerpt from Leaving a Mark 4.1
</ref>
Examples include:
- Dog of War - purpose is to wage/perpetuate/exemplify a particular conflict.
- Swordbearer - purpose is to find heroes, equip them, and send them on their path.
- Muse - purpose is to inspire art.
- An unnamed beast whose purpose was to remind settlers in North America of the terrors of the wilderness.
- Librarian - seeks knowledge. Can rapidly read through computer files; employed by Technomancers.<ref>Out on a Limb bonus - SunnyDay Logs</ref>
References
<references/>