Humanoid Species Concept - The Mystos

This is somewhat a repost from an older post. I've done lots of new work for them though. 

This is a old concept, I've been reworking it to fit all of my Mystos characters in it but its a little hard to categorize them all.

If it becomes a species group, it'll definitely be lore based. 

I'd like some opinions on how the traits should be managed, and the lore is still being worked a bit (writing is hard). Because of the idea of traits based on the theme itself, the special traits category is pretty lenient 

I'd like the species to be semi-open, unlimited common slots, but not too sure yet

Also, i think it doesn't need any content warnings, but let me know if you think i missed something

Feedback is appreciated!

(update 4/16/24): added more anatomy and lore stuffs

(update 4/13/24): working on some different trait and anatomy concepts, check comments 

((update 4/9/24): added some more lore stuffs)

(Update 2): concepting out some arpg elements. Currency might be paint drops/palettes (5 drops= 1 palette)

Daily foraging + house customizing (buy or craft items for your house, customize with paint drops or palettes) win house contest to earn higher tier myos

Get currency from selling items or drawing art of mystos

The Mystos, species of illusion

Mystos basics.

The Mystos are a species of humanoid foxes. They typically have fox ears, tail, and legs, and have cloudy hair. They also have a gem, which is the source of their magic. Mystos are very creative and imaginative, and love the arts. The illusions they craft are very important to them. 

The mystos will grow up and develop similar to regular humans, but in an incomplete state. The mystos will develop a fantasy or image of themselves, inspired by folk legends and other creatures. When their illusion is complete and perfect, they will take that form and use it to then influence human imagination. 

The mystos will take on traits of the image, for example, a werewolf inspired mystos may have overgrown fur and claws, and maybe even ripped clothes and wild hair. Rarely, a mystos will take on an aesthetic for their illusion. This is generally a very difficult task for one to take on, so it is very uncommon to see.

Mystos history

The Mystos were created long ago by a trickster god. When the world was new, there were humans, but they lacked emotion and color in their lives. They lived dull lives, never having fun, struggling, or being unhappy. That's how it was, until a girl named Maeve watched foxes playing in the forest. She would go to the forest, for a reprieve in her boring life, until she was no longer allowed into the forest and locked in the house. Despite the emotionless world, she truly felt an emptiness in her heart, and prayed for a God to help her. A well known trickster god, Sadas, was bored and heard her plea. 

Maeve at first was concerned about the person who entered the house, but relented and asked him to convince her parents to let her out. Though it was clear that no real convincing could happen if they wouldn’t believe in the beautiful world of the forest. And so, Sadas came up with a plan. He then created the first two Mystos, Serpentine and Ivy. In their default original form, they were just foxes, but Sadas gave them the ability to take on other forms. As newly created beings, they could not control their curiosity, and so when they investigated the house Maeve lived in, they could not understand the two Mystos and their strange forms. It was not logical to them, and they then experienced creativity and interpretation. As the story spread through the world, the magical phenomenon that existed invisibly before became reality. 

The world vastly changes after their creation in the next century after their arrival. A once dull world had now become unique and beautiful. People now wished to make art, and put respect into their crafts. This had pushed humanity to progress even further with their technology, more than the Mystos did. It took 5 centuries for them to reach modern technology, and they are still improving, working with magic. In that time, a new species was also created as a cross between Mystos and humans, which has vastly different animal traits ranging from mostly human to mostly animal. 

While the Mystos are still secret to humans, they have been slowly becoming more known to human society. Humans fear what they don’t know, and many Mystos children of mostly human people have become abandoned and left behind. People may not even know they are a Mystos, due to how magic perception and manifestation work. Though, Mystos are generally defined by their physical traits and magic manifestation.

Mystos Civilization

The Mystos, while they generally live with people, one of the biggest cities yet hidden is the city of Shallow. Known to be a legendary city of gold to humans, the city is hidden in magical illusions only seen by Mystos. While the city is mostly modern, they have been slowly improving their technology as Mystos have little interest in technology and science compared to humans.

Mystos within the city generally live in their default Mystos appearance, as changing into other appearances is not allowed. It is mainly a policy to prevent Mystos from trying to use other appearances and forms to get away with crimes. As the Mystos love art and culture, Shallow is full of amazing architecture, wall murals, and other art pieces. Being able to present art in the mainstreets of Shallow is the life goals of many Mystos. Shallow is part of the nation of Mystos, but the Mystos have been fighting to take the territory back from the nation that holds the territory. 

The other main place Mystos live openly in is the province called Stellar city, in an unknown nation territory. It is a place where many species, regardless of appearance, live together and co-exist. It was initially a struggle, but over time the Mystos have gotten along with humans.

Other Mystos settlements are spread across the world, hidden in plain sight to humans. Slowly there is some integration happening, but the results have been underwhelming. Those looking forward to integration have been hoping the Stellar city province will do well enough for change to happen.

Culture and Taboos of the Mystos

As the Mystos are not bound by logic, there are many superstitions and beliefs held by the Mystos. Because creativity is so important to them, originality is also very important. Mystos that rip the work of others or take too much inspiration from other Mystos may be shunned by their community. Also, one of the most valuable jobs for Mystos are relaxation and travel related jobs. Mystos are also affected by burnout, so being able to take breaks is important for Mystos. 

Mystos as a society are very lax and not always hardworking. They value effort and can wait to see their favorite works. Their economy isn’t purely based on art, they also have regular jobs. Mass produced items and factory made items have very low value to Mystos. If you need new clothes, you go to the local tailors that create their own clothes.

Wealthy Mystos families are in control of much of Mystos and Human society. Some of the most prominent Mystos societies are the Solti family, who make movies and prominent tv brands, the Ereth family, a pharmaceutical company to humans and an art materials producer to Mystos, and lastly the Coraeli family, a jewelry company that originated as artisans that made the cases of magic jewels for Mystos. 

Extra: Mystos creation

Sadas created 3 more Mystos before leaving them to intertwine with the world: Astros, Mierth, and Flitzen. They are the lines of aesthetic, mythic, and monstros respectively. Serpentine and Ivy as the first two Mystos were like prototypes, and very rarely seen compared to the other three.

Flitzen and Mierth are the most seen in the lines of Mystos, being the most common types of Mystos. Mystos related to Flitzen are commonly emotional and temperamental in nature. They tend to represent the arts of physical labor, such as architecture, woodworking, or sculpting. Mystos related to Mierth are quiet and don’t let their intentions be seen, as they tend to work without fanfare. They tend to represent the arts of visual or audio media, such as painting or music.

Finally, the rare Mystos related to Astros are the most outgoing and extroverted artists, tending to be prideful and perfectionists. They use mixed media the most and tend to experiment with styles more than other Mystos do.

Of course, these references are more guidelines and recommendations than anything else. Mystos without personality traits referencing their subtype exist equally as those that do. This is just inspiration to the personality of a Mystos.

 Mystos related to Serpentine are special in that not always are their children considered to be Mystos. Every century, it is possible that a Mystos Demonica may appear, as a descendant of Serpentine. They are beings of pure magic and chaos, meant to slow down the progress of human and Mystos civilization. A Mystos Demonica will only appear as the children of a pure human and a descendent of Serpentine. The chaos that comes serves as inspiration for many Mystos.

Extra: the Pantheon and other realms

The world the Mystos and others live on is in a hidden plane of existence to the outside world. It is the middle realm in between one of magic and one of science.

The realm of magic is a wild and overgrown world, filled with animals and legendary creatures. The monsters and legends that Mystos use to create their illusions lived within the realm before. The Mystos are able to see into the realm of magic on nights of the full moon.

There are 5 gods that govern the realms, one for each realm. They rarely affect each other's realms, but some may enter other realms to gain insight or inspiration.

Iries, goddess of Order and light, ruler of the Empyrean realm of Earth (she/her)

Known as a logical and orderly goddess, she created the realm of Earth in her image. It is said that she allows things to happen for a reason, even the chaos created by other gods changing the realm. In folklore, she takes the form of a poor woman, who tests the kindness of the individuals living within her realm. 

Humans are the only individuals who worship Iries. Most other species, especially the magic species, do not need the protection of a god to survive unlike humanity. Also, since most magic species come from other realms, they still respect their original gods. 

Sadas, god of Chaos and absence of light, ruler of the Chaotic realm of Brimstel (he/they)

A god that doesn’t really do his job, Sadas is a very lazy and laid-back god in comparison to the rest. In a world where anything goes, he created the realm of Brimstel with no plans at all. He is mostly hands off, but when he's bored he’ll create some chaos and unpredictability within the realms. 

The Mystos feel a special connection to Sadas. “Old-fashioned” and “traditional” Mystos have done many celebrations and rituals for Sadas, since he was the one that allowed them to create their art. 

Orrence, god of Life and earth, ruler of the plane of Magic (they/them)

Known as the god of Flora, the overgrown wilderness of the plane of Magic is filled with magical and bizarre creatures that have formed over time due to exposure to magic. Orrence is thought to be a god that only wishes for the full potential for life to be lived. The magic plane, despite acting as a magical environment, does not have the same survival traits as the Empyrean plane. The magic in the air makes it very difficult to defeat or escape the creatures of the plane, and life is maintained by magic so it is unneeded to eat. It is sometimes called the heavens or the spiritual realm because of this.

Circo, goddess of air and wind, ruler of the plane of science (she/her)

Known for their logical demeanor, the plane of sciences is controlled with strict rules and logic. The scientific advancements have been fighting the fate of the cycle for as long as the plane has existed. Circo has not done much in their realm beyond its creation, other than keeping the citizens of the plane in check if they try to break the bonds of their chains and attain immortality.

Circo is also known to be the older sister of Iries, in her initial influence in the Empyrean realm’s creation.

Miyor, god of water, ruler of the Oceanic realm of Aquel (they/them)

The Oceanic realm of Aquel is a realm known as the purgatory. It is an ocean spanning much farther than the eye can see. Creatures unwanted to the rest of the realms eventually make their way to Aquel.

It is said in folklore that Miyor is a jealous and prideful god. They boast that they have the largest realm and most creatures, and are generally disliked by other gods.

Extra: Mystos Anatomy and Life Cycles

Mystos are humanoid in appearance, and their body has replicated much of human traits. They have partially formed fox legs, which they use to walk silently and move more like anthro legs depending on how much of the leg is fox. Their fox ears allow them increased hearing, but they have worse eyesight than humans so many Mystos may need glasses or contacts to see well. 

Their cloud hair is to keep their body, mainly the head, cool enough. Magic perception and manifestation take enough strain on the body that their temperature is higher than regular humans. Mystos' body temperature has been as high as 120 degrees fahrenheit without fever. Mystos prefer cooler or cold climates, but can handle some hot climates. Mystos in colder climates may have loose and less packed cloud hair, but those in warmer climates may have tightly packed cloud hair. Culture around the Mystos will also change what kind of hair styles they use. Mystos hiding in human settlements take on traits of the culture in the settlements. 

Mystos can mainly take on two alternate forms: human disguise, and the fiery true mystos form. The human form generally appears the same as the Mystos, without cloud hair or fox parts. The Jewelry of a Mystos still remains, so someone wearing a single jewel can be a red flag to humans. The fiery form will extend the fox part with fire and the cloud hair will turn to fire. They can manipulate the fire into gauntlets or weapons, and are regarded as a combat form. It takes a lot of energy for a Mystos to use their form, so it is short-lived and temporary. The Mystos may also take on a low power form, as a small fox, that they may take on to escape situations. This generally will happen when the magic organ is exerted too much and cannot handle maintaining the body of the Mystos. It will need to take a smaller form to adjust to the lack of magic in the body that can be used organically. The Mystos are so good at disguising their magic that it is unknown which of their forms is their true form. All of their forms are different in biology and have their own functions.

Mystos are organic lifeforms, but their body is able to manifest magic elements via a typical magic organ in the abdomen, like most other magic species. Their human forms and Mystos forms are omnivores, but their biology in Mystos forms allow them to eat raw meats without getting sick or having a lot of problems. Mystos reproduce the same as humans, but Mystos are able to change their gender presentation and physical gender at will. It is not uncommon for Mystos to change their physical gender when crafting their illusions. Compared to human society, Mystos gender roles are mostly non-existent, with only Mystos that constantly are in contact with humans adhering to such.

Cw: death implied

Extra: Magic system and Magic organs

Magic within the Empyrean realm exists differently than the other planes. Magic seeps into the Empyrean realm instead of initially existing within it. For a few centuries, magic has been slowly flowing into the world. The slow introduction has made it so the native creatures can adjust to magic and not be immediately shocked. 

Magic exists as a hidden “element” within the air and molecules. A magic organ, which can sense the molecules by feeling the air as it comes into the lungs, can be used to visualize magic and amalgamate the material absorbed by the body. Magic exists as a possibility, a materialization of potential within the world. Certain agitations of magic will allow it to crystallize and manifest as an object, creating new matter. However, since materializing new matter will unbalance the world, crystalized magic will decay quickly. Magic would break the laws of physics, but it is able to since it is not native to the Empyrean plane. The Empyrean plane and the science plane are the 2 of the 5 that magic is not native two and will behave differently than that of the other planes.

Mystos were not the first species to have a magic organ. The Draconic species that were cast from the magic plane to the Empyrean plane had a magic organ that they could not use for a long time until magic started entering the plane. The Draconic species had mentored the early Mystos long ago, and some live within Mystos and human society.

Magic sight is only available to species with magic organs, but all species can see magic materialized. The Mystos’ magic organ is weak, so they rely on their magic jewel to manifest and manipulate magic. 

Mystos Traits

Subtype:

Common: Mythic Mystos 

Non-human urban legends, humanoid monsters (ex Zombies, Vampires, etc)

Uncommon: Monstrous Mystos

Inhuman and nonhuman monsters (may change the species of the Mystos, ex a selkie Mystos could have a fish tail instead of a fox tail)

Rare: Aesthetic Mystos

Themes and Aesthetics

Jewelry traits:

Common: round or diamond shaped

Uncommon: Basic shapes (not detailed shapes)

Rare: complex shapes (detailed shapes)

Tail Traits:

Common: 1 tail

Uncommon: 2-4 tails

Rare: 5+ tails (limit: 10)

Special trait limit

Common: 2

Uncommon:3

Rare: 5

Special trait rarities

Common: Themed color, extrusions and extra parts (ex: wings, horns, gills, fins, etc)

Uncommon: natural modification of anatomy or parts (ex: changing leg type to avian or hoof, changing parts of arms to be paws, changed ear shape, etc)

Rare: unnatural modification of anatomy or parts (ex: changing leg, tail, or ear type to non fur, adding mechanical parts to fox parts [not prosthetic], etc)

Common exception: prosthetics are common as long as it is clear it is a prosthetic. Themed prosthetics may be special traits. Extra part prosthetics (ears, tail, head) are rare as it counts as adding mechanical parts

Mystos are required to have at least 1 special trait. Mystos with more than 5 traits are restricted to adopt maybe

Examples of Mystos:

Mythic Mystos, Angelica (angel)

Monstrous Mystos, Astra (space whale)

Aesthetic Mystos, Mixisa Ereth (pale sunset theme) (also the mascot!)

If you want to see more Mystos examples, here is my folder of Mystos characters: https://toyhou.se/Kazoo-kid/characters/folder:4669938