WHAT IS A POSHIM?
Poshims are a sentient, doll-like humanoid species featuring kemonomimi features and digitigrade legs. They are summoned as by those who practice magic – commonly witches, to help them in their craft or way of living. They tend to be well-rounded in skill and their functions may be used to assist in anything from cooking to combat. Other examples include alchemy, housekeeping, companionship, or a general helping hand. They are most known for their strong connection to magic and their ability to easily adapt to differing circumstances. Poshim have their own unique personalities and builds, with the innate ability to recall and learn about their surroundings almost instantaneously. It is common for them to live with their hosts.
A Poshim’s presence can be known universally, as they may be summoned in any world.
ORIGIN
The first Poshim came to be, thanks to a powerful sorceress. She had found the ability to create a timeless companionship to match her own, eternal being. By using jointed dolls as vessels, she delicately weaved lost spirits into her creation and gave them life once more through ritual.
While her intentions are unknown, it is clear that the usage of these familiars do not stop at the doorstep of evil. They say she is still out there, creating life in her workshop for all to summon.
MORALS, CUSTOMS, AND VALUES
While personalities vary between each Poshim, they are very social creatures. With elongated solitude, most will find themselves bored, irritated, or depressed. It is not common for even the most arrogant of them to deny the company of another. They hold value in creating meaningful relationships of any kind. It may be romantic, friendly, business-oriented, or familial.
Poshims dedicate their life to (most commonly) assisting others. Whether it be in partnership as a magical assistant or a training companion in spellbound combat! From mundane to risky tasks, productivity is key to keeping them sane… but be wary, there are lazy Poshims out there.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
The general anatomy of a Poshim mirrors a human's. They have bones, functioning organs and blood, though these parts are just for show. In place of things like breath and a beating heart, magic endings act as a vital sign. Poshims are run on magic and do not need to eat or sleep! However, they may choose to do so as they please. Additionally, they can still experience physical sensation such as pain.
One thing that differs a Poshim from many is their enhanced durability; their pain threshold is higher than average, meaning they can handle most average attacks and don’t have to worry so much about wear and tear. They still bruise and bleed as easy as a mortal, but it takes much more to break anything. They are able to withstand and adapt to almost any temperature, and they cannot be affected by differences in atmosphere.
Markings represent successful creation and are present for the duration of their companionship with their summoner. When they are dismissed by their hosts (or in another circumstance, escape) these attributes vanish, meaning Poshims who do not belong to a host will lack markings.
ABILITIES
A Poshim's range of power is pretty general, and usually they are able to wield magic with dexterous control. The baseline of their abilities contain standard telekinesis (moving objects, making things float- including themselves, bursts of forceful energy), teleportation (some disappear and reappear, some can create 'tears', and others can do both!), and infinite intelligence (they don't know EVERYTHING, but it is not hard for them to learn and retain things, even without trying). Every Poshim has these.
They can make multiple uses of their abilities, and no two may have the same set of power(s). They commonly tend to only have one or two extensions from the baseline if any.
For example, certain Poshims may have the capability to manipulate temperature (fire, ice, etc.). Those with wings can fly, and some can do so without wings. Some can control 'the elements' (darkness, light, fire, water, earth, plant-life), and some have less physical capabilities such as empathy (the ability to understand and replicate emotions, meaning they can cause others to feel angry, tired, happy, or sad at will). They can be spiritually inclined (speak to the dead), future-seeing, time-slowing, or healing! Almost anything is fair game.
Powers are limited to those that enhance physical properties, meaning no super strength or speed. They cannot revive people, nor can they give others any powers. Basically, just don't be op!
HOW DOES SUMMONING WORK?
Those from all walks of life have the ability to summon a Poshim and order them as they wish as long as they have some sort of magical ability. It doesn't matter what someone uses to summon (though it may influence how a Poshim looks) as long as the process is correct, but even then those who are familiar with magic may not do it the same as another just because they may know what elements can be changed to get the same result.
The stronger the magic, the greater potential of one making a high-rarity summon; this does not mean that a powerful magic user can’t call upon an average Poshim!
If everything is in place, someone can even summon a Poshim on accident. This happens when correct ritual supplies are close in proximity and are sparked by a random flare of bewitchment, or (for example) when an unconvinced necromancer casts the spell thinking it may not work.
Poshim cannot decide who summons them, when they are summoned, or where they show up! They are simply transported via rifts or random teleportation. There is a small preparation gap beforehand, where they learn tidbits about their new master or the realm that they are soon to arrive in.
Due to the randomness of turnouts, the ordeal of summoning one of these beings with a clashing personality is possible and may make it difficult to establish a relationship. This is why some magic users choose to dismiss the Poshim immediately and make amends for a new summon.
In the rare case that a Poshim needs to be re-summoned, one must use the same resources as they had utilized prior to increase the chance of re-connecting with their companion.
LIFESPAN AND RETIREMENT
The existence of a Poshim is timeless, though heavy damage can cause them to de-animate. This is not death, but it is the closest they get if not retired. When a Poshim ‘dies’, their magic endings fade before their body is eventually transported back into The Workshop, where they are repaired and either sent back or taken by a new host. When a Poshim is dismissed, they return to the workshop and await to be re-summoned, whether it be by the same or a new host. When they retire, they may do or go wherever they’d like. Retired Poshims can choose to give up immortality and age in an existing world that they've been to- a retired Poshim can no longer be summoned.