Incubi/Succubi

On Adarus, the myths of demonic creatures feeding off the lives of their mortal victims in their sleep carries similarties to Tellan mythologies involving incubi and succubi. Our own legends can be traced as far back as ancient Sumer (c. 2400 BC). While there has never been verifiable proof of the extistance of such creatures in our world, the existance of proven metaphysical systems and the supernatural on Adarus may lend credit to the Adaran version of these creatures.

Summary

According to indigenous folklore, the incubi (male) and succubi (female) share a few commonalities with the Tellan variants: they attack their prey at night, usually when they're sleeping, and parasitically "feed" off of them in order to gain strength. However, where the myths differ is primarily in the method of their assault. Tellan incubi and succubi are found in salacious legends of the demons lying with their victims and growing stronger through sexual activity. Many Tellan societies and cultures share this connection between their counterpart lore. But on Adarus, incubi and succubi instead feed off their victim's dreams by invading their subconscious. While they may imploy the use of hyper-sexualized provacations to seduce their victims, inticing them into a state of trust while awake, they do not need nor resort to intercourse when feeding.
Victims of incubi/succubi report mild and hazy nightmares or vivid and horrifying nightterrors. But these are usually followed by sudden sweet, comforting dreams. Folklore explains that once an incubus/succubus feeds, they sap the energy needed from their victim, causing them to experience nightmarish visions during their REM stages of sleep. Once the feeding is concluded, the demon then "soothes" their victim by instilling them with pleasant dreams as either a form of penance, pitty, or cynical torture (depending on who you ask). It is not known why exactly these creatures need to feed off dreams, or how dreams provide nourishment and strength to them, but the Creator Astralian Church professes that victims of these creatures have done something to "invite" the parasitic assaults—implying guilt of a crime or sin.

In Literature

Magister Marcian Sphrantzes of the Violet College published a book titled The Metaphysicalities of Darkspawn in 210 BA, wherein he wrote the following on his brief chapter covering incubi and succubi:

It is not known with utmost certainty why this particular darkspawn remains so elusive of capture and study, but my own working hypothesis is that these violators of our most sacred space, the sanctity of our minds, are able to conceal their true selves under the guise of mortal men and women. They may walk among us, in broad daylight, hiding among our kith and kin. Their wings and their horns, their black hides, their tails... all concealed by magical glamour. So when you invite a stranger into your home and beckon them through the threshold, be wary, for you may be inviting a waking dream of darkness and agony.

In Art

A fresco painting on the ceiling of Caius Basillica in Arcana depicts Ahriman, after his fall from grace, as the father of winged human-like demons with black horns and dark-colored skin. The painter was Contessilio Doir of Melís, who claimed these creatures are incubi and succubi.

Incubus, coloured aquatint, 1870 by Walker, Charles: The encyclopedia of secret knowledge. [S.I.]: Limited Editions, 1995