character guide
Anathema Character Overview
Anathema is a game for hoofed characters. The main character species are equines, cervines, bovines, suids, and camelids. Other hoofed species are available for creation with the purchase of items from our shop using gold earned by playing Anathema!
There are two character types on Anathema: Mages and non-mages.
Mages are characters with magical abilities and fantastic appearances. Mages collect stat points to grow their powers, and are in danger of becoming monsters if they accumulate too much Corruption. Your first character must be a mage. Additional mages require the purchase of a Summoning Circle from the shop.
Non-mages are the non-magical residents of Anathema's world. Non-mages have no magical abilities, do not have stats, and are more "natural" in appearance. Players are welcome to create as many non-mages as they like!
For advanced players, powerful items from the Ley Lodge shop allow for special character types.
Character Species
Equines
Height: 9hh - 20hh
Example Species: horses, ponies, donkeys, wild asses, zebras, single-toed extinct equidae
Bovines
Height: 3hh - 20hh
Example Species: cattle, antelopes, sheep, goats, bison, buffalo, oxen, yaks, gaur.
Camelids
Height: 8hh - 20hh
Example Species: dromedary camels, bactrian camels, alpacas, llamas, vicuñas, guanacos.
Cervines
Height: 3hh - 20hh
Example Species: deer, moose, elk, musk deer, chevrotains, caribou, chital, pudus.
Suids
Height: 3hh - 12hh
Example Species: pigs, hogs, boars, babirusas, warthogs.
Outlander Species
Height: 3hh - 20hh
To acquire these rare, non-native species, you must purchase the Toy Boat item from the Item Shop. Outlander species are any hoofed ungulate other than the five native to Ivras. Large species (such as elephants, rhinoceros, etc,) must be scaled down in size, with a maximum height of 20hh.
Example species include: giraffe, okapi, tapir, elephants, rhinoceros, hippopotamus.
Non-hoofed ungulates such as hyraxes, manatees, and cetaceans are not permitted.
Your character’s appearance can mix and match any traits of any real-world animals within the family of species you choose. For example, a Bovine character could have the build of a bison, the horns of a goat, the head of a yak and the wool of a sheep. Go wild!
"hh" (hands) is a type of unit usually used for measuring horses. It is equivalent to 4 inches or about 10 cm.
Aging
Characters in the world of Anathema age at a human rate, and have an average lifespan of 90 years. However, for some mages, this can be much longer (check the Mage Guide tab for info!).
Aging can be sped up or slowed down with a ritual at Fortune's Shrine.
New Mages must be no younger than 10 years, unless born in-game as the child of player characters. Non-mages can be any age.
Gender & Reproduction
Thanks to the power of Ivratian mage-physicians, any two characters are capable of having children if they so desire, regardless of sex or species. Characters from different species (i.e. a Bovine and a Suid) can reproduce, but do not create hybrids. Each child will be one of the parents' species, decided at random. A ritual at Grace's Shrine can help you customize your baby!
The gestation period for all species in Anathema is 9 in-game months, though this can be shortened with a ritual at Fortune's Shrine. If you want your character(s) to have a baby, send a ModMail to staff in our Discord server with your request and a link to each parent's profile!
All genders are present in the world of Anathema. Magical medical practice has made physical transition possible for transgender individuals who wish it.
Daily Life
Taxonomy
Real world breeds and species, as well as categories like “unicorn” or “pegasus” have no meaning in Anathema. for example, a “thoroughbred unicorn” would simply be known as an Equine.
Surnames
Family names are common in Ivras, but not required. There is an endless variety of reasons a family would choose a name, or a character would choose to use (or not use) their family's name.
Telekinesis / Carrying items
All characters, mage or not, are equipped with limited telekinesis that allows them to lift small objects for brief periods of time. This is often just strong enough to put on their own accessories, write with a quill, or place items in a bag to be carried. Without a Handmade Idol, the average character could not use telekinesis to wield a weapon or carry something heavy. The use of specialized harnesses, bags, and other worn equipment is widespread.
Species Relations
The different species have long peacefully shared the kingdom of Ivras. There is no cultural bias that values one species over another, and public spaces welcome all citizens equally. While some smaller, more homogenous settlements may be constructed with a particular species in mind, most urban centers have accommodations for Ivratians of all species and sizes. Especially in the capital city of Faline, advances in engineering and architecture have allowed for seamlessly incorporated walkways, steps, and even shop counters of varying sizes so that the city is navigable for all.
What about livestock and leather? That's fucked up
Domestic fowl such as hens, ducks, and pheasants are often kept for their eggs, which are used in baking and the preparation of other goods such as adhesives, soaps, and conditioners. Sometimes, reptiles and other wildlife are raised or hunted for their hides; materials such as alligator leather are widely sought for their durability. Many Bovine and Camelid citizens that are naturally wool-producing shear and spin their own wool for the creation of textiles and woven goods.
For information on owning animals, check out the Familiars & Pets page!
Ranks / Occupations
choosing an occupation
There is no list of ranks / jobs to choose from when creating your character. Select a role for them based on the story you want to tell, and how they fit into the world.
It is possible to create a character without a single “job”, but if that’s the case, how do they provide for themself? Tell your character’s story!
No job is off-limits for characters, but keep in mind that positions where your character is the only one (e.g. the leader of the King’s guard) may need to be modified during the application process.
leader / royalty positions
In order to eliminate “limited” roles and make all jobs available for everyone, Anathema's monarchs are all NPCs, not controlled by any one player or staff member. Royals aren’t at the center of Anathema’s story, and to avoid activity checks or competition between players, we have opted to keep these characters out of play as much as possible.
However, players are welcome to make characters who are of noble birth. You can create monarchs from distant lands, or members of royal families from Ivras and its neighboring countries, so long as your character is not a monarch or child of a monarch. You can create characters with a variety of relationships to the NPC leaders. If you have questions about making a character close to an NPC, tag staff in the Discord server!
monster hunters
When monsters threaten Ivras, Mages are often the only ones equipped to stop them. Because of this (as well as the fame and wealth associated with a successful hunt), many Mages have chosen monster hunting as a way of life.
Throughout history, the most celebrated monster hunters were those selected to serve the kingdom, knighted to become Mage Protectors of the realm under the king. Traditionally all Mage Protectors were supplied by the Order, presented to the crown as the Order's best and brightest battle mages, but an increased volume of monster attacks in recent years necessitated the inclusion of mages from outside the Order. A very recent declaration from the king welcomed Wild and Hidden mages to join Ivras's revered Mage Protectors. Mage Protectors are venerated across the continent and are under the command of the King, paid a regular stipend to report wherever they are needed.
However, not all monster hunters are official Mage Protectors. Many Mages traverse Ivras chasing rumors of abominations and offering their services as mercenaries outside the supervision of the crown. Sanctioned and unsactioned alike, all monster hunters are under constant pressure to improve their skills to stay alive, as monsters seem to only be growing stronger.