Spirit

Raw magic given a will and form, Spirits stand as some of the oldest and most powerful inhabitants of Verden

Basic Information

Anatomy

Spirits lack a physical form in the traditional sense, but when manifesting either through Possession or the much more rare phenomenon of Manifestation, their bodies are comprised of Mojo, this Mojo serves as a storage space for their memories, emotions and personality. In both cases the majority of the Mojo containing a Spirit will be in a liquid state, this liquid then either inhabits a living creature in the case of Possession, or the Sprit transforms a portion of the Mojo into a solid state in the case of Manifestation, though often this is akin making a jar to contain water. Regardless a Spirit's "true form" (if the term is even applicable) is completely unique to the individual, with shapes ranging from the organic to the geometric or even the abstract.

Biological Traits

Though lacking a biology in the strict sense of the word, Spirits can manifest by projecting themselves into tangible concentrations of Mojo (normally in its liquid, malleable form) to either be imbibed by a mortal and sharing their body with the host mind, a process known as Possession, or in cases where Spirits are either unfond of sharing a mortal vessel or their nature makes them incompatible to prolonged Possession, a Spirit will use a vast amount of Mojo to create a physical form to interact with the world, this process, dubbed Manifestation, is considerably rarer due to it being considerably more energy consumptive and mentally draining, thus, Manifestation is a sign of an incredibly powerful and old Spirit, often is seen as a mark of a Spirit Elder, the most ancient and respected amongst their kin

Genetics and Reproduction

Spirits cannot reproduce the same way mortals can. The closest equivalent a Spirit can undertake to reproduction is the process of Division, but the process is neither voluntary nor pleasant, as it consists of the total summation of a Spirits identity being ripped apart into incomplete replicas of themselves that either fizzle out or start developing into their own, distinct entities. This only occurs when a Spirit is destroyed by powerful magic or deep inner turmoil.

Growth Rate & Stages

A Spirit is formed is when a high concentration of magical energy responds to a either a strong emotional response or a more subdued, prolonged exposure that metastatizes into a Mote, a minuscule, simple-minded thing that seeks out any form of stimulus, once exposed to enough experiences and emotions, it blossoms into a full fledged Spirit, defined by both the event leading to the Mote's formation and the formative experiences that lead to its evolution. After this event the Spirit is largely a self-sustaining reaction and won't experience any radical changes barring being destroyed or consumed by unscrupulous mages

Ecology and Habitats

Spirits inhabit any and all places in the Spirit Plane, and can cross over to any place where the Veil between the realms is thin. Many inhabit within the Veil itself and interact little with the world, but some are quite keen on influencing the world and it's inhabitants

Dietary Needs and Habits

Once a Spirit is formed, they require no sustenance, as long their willpower lasts they are a self-sufficient magical reaction. However, if a Spirit wishes to increase their own magical power they can absorb sourrounding Mojo in the area to increase the physical mass of the Possessed host or Manifested body, this has the side effect of increasing all aspects of their personality, both positive and negative, if the absorption isn't paced properly. A more stable way for a Spirit to grow is to absorb Mojo charged with strong emotions or a determined will, such as the outcome of a magical ritual performed by mortal beings, this allows a Spirit to maintain it's stability and grow in power at a slower pace, but greater long-term results

Additional Information

Social Structure

Spirits respect individuality and rarely congregate in large numbers, in cases where like-minded Spirits decide to live in close proximity such a grouping is called a Pantheon. In such Pantheons the eldest Spirit tends towards having the final say in matters concerning the Pantheon's actions and well being. 
As an example of a typical Pantheon configuration The Pantheon of Hollow Mountiain, comprised of Spirits living in the Areak mountains would consist of the Lady of the Streams (105 years old), Aiakar the Hollow one (780 years old) and the Clustered Wood (80), in such a scenario Aiakar would be considered the leader of the Pantheon (and it´s namesake) and wandering Spirits that sought to pass through the mountain would have to let Ariak know of their passage. Such dealings are less motivated out of fear of reprisal but more out of simple politeness. As Spirits are wildly different, however, such organizations are mutable and no standard could be properly formalized.
Outside of the Pantheon the oldest Spirits, those that have lived for an age or more, are known as Elders. These figures, regardless of might, are highly revered and sometimes even feared regardless of where they might go

Civilization and Culture

Common Taboos

Destroying a Spirit completely, even the imperfect versions formed by Division, is considered uncouth by most, but the worst possible crime a Spirit can commit among their kin is to consume another Spirit completely, as beings proud of their indivduality, to be subsumed into another is a horrifying prospect that many never wish to contemplate.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Since they have a innate grasp on magic, are functionally immortal and naturally inquisitive, Spirits tend to accrue a lot of power as they age and a desire to use it. To those that opearte on a mortal's mental framework. It's easy to lend assistance or lord over a tribe or even several. Universally these Sprits come to be worshipped as gods by their charges, with temples that perform rituals they find pleasing, offer (willing or otherwise) vessels for possession or facilitate Manifestation

Lifespan

A Spirit will not die unless great effort is expended in their destruction. In general Spirits exist for at least several centuries, to be deigned a Elder you must exceed two milleniums at least.

Geographic Distribution

• Spirit Plane
• Verden