Daemon

Daemon (pronounced day-mon) is the catch-all term for mythical creatures that appear in several works.

Overview

Every daemon is unique in appearance — guided by the consciousness of humans they are tied to, and said humans are also able to turn into their associated daemon in different ways, depending on the story.

The name daemon comes from the term daimonic, referring to lesser gods and guiding spirits that help a person's strive towards individuation, and for the term in computing; a daemon is responsible for background processes and usually runs without user input.

While all humans — and possibly other species — have a daemon, this doesn't mean every person knows about this other self, or can access it. Notably, Ivan Flint and Uriel Mikaere are unable to become their daemon selves due to various circumstances.

Twelve Thousand

Daemons live in the far-future world of The Tower, after humans have long gone extinct. Humans in the present day can however access these other selves through the mysterious Daemon App, transforming into them.

Daemons are born fully grown from the earth of The Tower, complete with an existing set of knowledge. This knowledge varies, but is generally instinct and social etiquette, enabling a "newborn" to mingle into a society without too much trouble. This birth is known by The Tower residents as an "awakening".

Daemons do not age or die, but there are situations where they go through a "re-awakening", transforming into a new form. Such re-awakenings usually result in changes in personality, and they can even lose memories of their old self. Additionally, instead of death, heavy wounds result in a daemon effectively respawning.

While technically immortal because of these facts, re-awakened daemons are often considered "different people".

In Twelve Thousand daemons also have unique abilities broadly classified as magic. While every individual can will themselves to have the powers they desire with enough intent, similarly shaped daemons generally trend towards similar kinds. In addition, a daemon can never manifest powers that don't logically fit their Order of magic. To use other powers, it requires willing yourself to change your magical inclination.

• Real magic deals in the alteration of physical matter, namely altering the physical Forest around a daemon. Real magic cannot create that which isn't there without a source — so one dealing in Real Fire magic can cause a flame to grow, but not create fire without a spark.
• Imaginary magic involves expectation of the daemon's own self. This includes flight that would otherwise not be physically possible, or the manifestation of elements like with breath attacks. One can theoretically control multiple elements this way, but will not have the same level of power as someone with a specific focus.
• Symbolic magic deals in the perception of ideas and the world. This involves psychological influence of those around them, and the manipulation of cultural vibes. Charismatic leaders often are such because of their symbolic magic, and can be unaware they have such ability.
  • The Red Oni and Blue Oni were both Symbolic magic users, their powers driven by the goal of manifesting their desired society.

A going theory amongst research into daemon powers was that since they are all born from the ground — their awakening — they were drawing on geothermal energy just like their civilisation's amenities.

Unityverse

In contrast to the powers of daemons in Twelve Thousand, daemons in the Unityverse are tied to specific elements. Gaining access to daemon ability is also known as an "awakening". Like with the power of psyches, daemons are common knowledge on Allan. Awakening itself however is not nearly as accessible, generally taking several years to achieve.

Each element has a specific type of animal associated with it, however each daemon can vary wildly in shape and size:

Along with this power there exists the condition known as lycanthropy. Named for its prominence in wolf-shifters, lycanthropy is the condition which causes unwilling shifts with overexposure to one's specific element. Drugs are available to keep the symptoms down, but it can often be easier simply to avoid exposure, as the medication also stunts psyche ability.