I just realized while writing that ↑↑↑ that I should actually specify what I need to define for the creatures. That being...
-appearance -in world name
-location -affinity for magic
-mental characteristics -anything else I think of along the way
That's what I'll work with for now, onto the defining...
-animals with heightened features
-increased size -additional teeth, limbs, ect
-amalgamations of multiple animals -ect
-Camazotz
-spirits
-daemons -aethrials
-wraiths
-mythical birds
-dragons, wyverns
-golems
-regular animals
-elementals
So starting with the top of the list we have animals with heightened features. Appearance is pretty simple, just imagine regular animals but with extra features or bigger sizing. I won't draw a concept art fr this one because of the simplicity. I'm going to have them called animals in the world, because there isn't any real differentials between them and regular animals. In regards to location in the world they would exist all over depending on the species of animal. They wouldn't have any magic capacity, being like regular animals. Mentally they would be the same as regular animals as well.
Next we have Camazotz, basically giant bat monsters. I only have a rough sketch of the Camazotz for now. I'll finish the concept art for this later, that will define the general appearance. I'm going to keep the name as Camazotz in the world, I think it will be a fun little thing for anyone who reads the story to research. Location wise, I think I'll have them live in hot, high altitude locations. The Mayan's associated the Camazotz with the night, death, and sacrifice, so I'll be using that as a basis for their magic affinity, making Camazotz more likely to have an affinity towards shadow and death magic. All Camazotz would be between the magic levels of 17 to 26. I'm setting it as a rule that magic creatures do not require a catalyst to use magic. Finally mental characteristics, they would be extremely violent and dangerous, attacking anything that comes into their territory. I also think they would be smart and cunning, stalking their prey before pouncing.Onto spirits, spirits would be incorporeal beings, existing closely with magic. Their appearance would depend on what type of spirit they are. Since they are incorporeal they could exist anywhere in the world. Though their magic affinity would have an influence on where they might live individually.
I just had an epiphany while writing that last sentence. How would the creature's social dynamics work with others of their kind? With animals it would be similar to the real life counter parts. With the Camazotz, I think they would be pack creatures, just like real bats. Spirits would be more likely to live away from others of their kind or in small groups.
Back to spirits, since they aren't limited by physical forms they would have more powerful magic levels. More likely to be in the levels 24-26, but with some in the upper high tier levels. Mental characteristics would depend on the type of spirit. Onto the different types...
Starting with Daemons, I don't think they would have an appearance. With exception to when they are possessing something. In the world I want to have them be called Daemons, and no I am not misspelling demon. Daemons are the Greek origin of demons. Instead of servants of hell they are depicted as in common media and Christianity. Daemons were viewed more like ghosts or guardian spirits. They serve and protect humans from beyond the grave, bringing good fortune to those they follow. I'm calling them daemons in my stories world so to not associate them with negative connotations. I don't intend for Daemons to be wholly benevolent creatures either though. In the world they can range between good and bad depending on the Daemon. Daemons would have the ability to possess or be summoned into objects or creatures similar to demons. This would be an ability reserved for Daemons. Daemons would be more likely to have an affinity for life and mind magic.
Aetherals are impossible for me to explain the origin for because even I don't really know where I got my interpretation from. I will explain my idea of Aetherals, Aethrals are spirits linked to the elements. They take the appearance of transparent animals, and while physically incorporeal they can influence the world around them with their magic. I'll draw a concept art piece for them later. They would only be able to use elemental magic, and only one element per Aetheral. Aetherals would embody their given elements, being more a force of nature than an actual creature. Being so tied to their elements, Aetherals would be extremely powerful with magic.
Finally, we have Wraiths. Wraiths are violent spirits that devour the magical energy of others to sustain themselves. They look like black human silhouettes, with piercing, bright white eyes. I'll draw a concept for this later as well.
To explain wraiths I have to go into my worlds history for a bit. At the start of the worlds history humans where the only race. After using magic though they evolved into the other races. Using magic directly influences humanoids, due to the fact they weren't meant to use it directly at all. In this time humans who used magic could be devoured by it. Using up all the energy stored in their souls, this is what creates Wraiths.
A Wraiths only goal is to seek out and devour the souls of others. They are very similar to wraiths on this page. They don't have a magic affinity, due to lacking an energy source to use magic.
I'm going to stop here for today. I'll probably draw the concept art for the creatures mention in this post and go through the rest of the creatures tomorrow.
