Ze'zhunath Lore

Most Ze'zhunath have a true name, and a moniker that they go by. Knowing the true name of one of these creatures allows for some measure of control over it, so this is a closely-guarded secret.

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A Ze'zhunath is, in short, a spirit that feels compelled to help maintain a balance of cosmic forces. They are the juggernaut, the world-traveler, the judge and the inquisitor ... or they may shirk their compulsions and live life to their own ends.



If a rogue Ze'zhunath begins causing problems they will eventually attract the attention of others. It may seem like fate that those who disrupt the balance of the cosmos and those who are irritated by this imbalance are eventually drawn together in conflict. Their great power requires some amount of discretion regardless of which path they choose to walk.

Influence over the host can begin at any time after possession. Full possession and control typically occurs within 16-23 years although a variety of factors can affect this. Some Ze'zhunath will co-exist with their host like a voice in their head, some will remain passive and merely share the host's experiences, while others are powerful enough to completely subvert or corrupt the host mind and take full control of the body, eventually eliminating the host entirely.

A Ze'zhunath remembers its origins and past lives mostly as instinct although details of important concepts, events and people may linger. The complexity of these details are somewhat limited by the capabilities of the host's mind but can sometimes be triggered by hearing mention of them or other similar circumstance.

Physical changes are also likely to occur after possession. Eye color is usually the first thing to change. Fur may change in color and pattern, and protrusions that did not previously exist may grow in response to the elemental energy flowing through them. Height and build can also change. In general, any changes are reflective of the Ze'zhunath's corresponding element in some way and go towards assisting in their use of this element.

Ze'zhunath in host bodies are not instantly recognizable to one another so unless one reveals itself somehow they may often pass each other by without knowing. There are clues for those who tune in for them, but for the most part their energy is so primal and elemental that it can be indistinguishable from other things they sense around them, such as humidity in the air, or a warm breeze.

Ze'zhunath in the aether can't hide their element or true form and so are recognizable there.

Ze'zhunath souls existed at the point of creation and a new Ze'zhunath cannot be created. However, Ze'zhunath who have never taken a host body before do exist, and they manifest as seemingly 'new' Ze'zhunath upon possession of their first host as they begin to experience time and gain memories in a way they haven't before.

The biological children of Ze'zhunath in a host body can be perfectly normal, but they could also have a resonance to their Ze'zhunath parent(s) and find themselves with innate magical talent that is stronger in the resonant element(s). Not all offspring of Ze'zhunath will discover this talent in their lifetime.

Offspring of Ze'zhunath will also be more appealing for possession and have an easier time merging with a Ze'zhunath soul. For this reason, they are the ideal candidates, especially for a Ze'zhunath's first possession, and Ze'zhunath clans can be formed this way.