#the spirits bit for chimaeras is also an updated thing

[cerberus-writes]

Hello! Just started playing Snakeroot (loving it so far) but I wanted to know the differences between the three races (minus humans)? I sorta understood Merperson and Shapeshifter, but wanted to know if you could give anymore info if you don't mind?

ahello hello !! definitely happy to give more info, & though heed some mild spoiler warnings under the cut! i’ve revised some species lore during the rewrite, and the descriptions below are not necessarily reflected yet in the cscript demo.

there’s going to be a more fleshed out codex in the updated twine version to talk more about species lore so you’ll be able to look forward to that! and hopefully i’m interpreting this question right bkjsfjdh feel free to clarify if not

more under the cut as usual :)

CHIMAERAS have undergone the most changes in the rewrite, so I’ll start there! They’re part-spirit and part-human, though it isn’t exclusive to bloodline, and chimaeras can emerge in childhood as a result of any prominent influence by spirits, elemental magic that has gained sentience and power. There are five possible origins -- four elemental spirits (fire, water, air, earth) and one unaligned spirit (aetheric). They are known to be more in-tune with magic than other species, allowing all chimaeras to possess some degree of magical power corresponding to their origin. They are also most easily distinguished by a set of horns and a tail, the appearance of which tends to reflect their origin. With the onset of the Rot, there’s a general acknowledgement that chimaeric hunters might’ve drawn the short end of the straw with their increased sensitivity to magic, though being able to sense the presence of a curse in the air before anyone else is also fairly handy.

MERFOLK are humanoids that exist both on land and on water. They are best known for their resilience, since the transition between land and water is not something that comes as seamlessly as shifters -- for them, it is very much a painful process. Notably, merfolk can be both born and reborn: occasionally, an individual who dies in the open sea, in areas of stronger and older magic, and/or oftentimes as a consequence of some sea monster or other, will re-awaken as a merfolk. There are some other factors at play as well, of course, but it is a popular belief among merfolk & sea-faring folk that as merciless as the old magic of the sea is, she has her moments of magnanimity. There are five known aquatic forms: fish, ray, shark, cephalopod, and eel. Merfolks that are born inherit their aquatic form from their parents, while merfolks that are reborn take on the characteristics of a base animal closest to whatever may have slain them. All merfolks are capable of some degree of hypnosis, though like any other skill, some display more of a natural aptitude than others. Those who have cultivated it to a notable level are known as SIRENS.

SHIFTERS are probably the most self-explanatory in terms of name and signature power. Where the magic of chimaeras calls upon an external power, be it the elements or the aether itself, the core of a shifter’s power is internal, drawing from the innate well of magic that is present in everyone. Some shifters catalogue shifting as almost a science, since moving between forms requires an accuracy and precision that will, eventually, become second nature with practice. It does mean that they have to be careful -- the greater the difference between animal form and human, the more room for error. There are six forms to choose between in the demo: canine, feline, ungulate, mustelid, ursine, & crocodilian. While they have some degree of control over appearance-wise, the base animal that they shift into is something they have to discover on their own in their youth. Unlike merfolk, shifting is a fairly painless process, though mildly uncomfortable the first few times. It isn’t often maintained for terribly long, and is exponentially more taxing for the longer one stays in it.

I hope this helps shed a little more light on the non-human species! This is mostly a species overview of sorts, and the updated codex is going to feature (optional) unlockable entries that will offer more in-depth insight into snippets of culture and magic related to each. Fun times ahead!