Species of Lestaria
Though it was thought otherwise, even past the P.C. era, there is only one dominant, sentient species other than spirits: Lestarian citizens, dubbed by the scientific name Golethious Adapti for their unusual nature to adapt to any and all circumstances. Appearing humanoid in shape, not only do they possess strong immune systems and sturdy bodies, but they have the greatest gene variance across our gene pool when compared to any other species. Lestarians can be found that have scales, semi-functional gills, cat or dog ears, tails, extra arms, and many other traits found in other species.
These traits often manifest where it is most beneficial, such as gills near the sea so that one can live there, or hard scales in deserts. However, these differences don’t enhance or detract from one’s intelligence no matter the traits inherited, therefore they are all often grouped under one species. Rather, the adaptions are strictly formed to deal with adverse conditions, though many are slowly vanishing from the gene pool due to modern life removing a lot of environmental hardships. Despite that, though, there are often nicknames and labels applied to differentiate subgroups that live in especially unusual ways, such as labeling those who have trained their gills to live underwater full time in Maia as mermaids.
Spirits
Spirits are a concept that are completely foreign to creatures that live on the Material Plane. When it comes to the topic of spirits, there are two planes of existence. The Material Plane is the one that everyone is familiar with, while the Spiritual Plane, which exists on top of the Material Plane. Think of these planes as vaguely different shapes that can overlap with one another, rather than being solid and firm in their boundaries.
The way that spirits live is so different from the way that beings in the Material Plane live that, when a being goes from the Spiritual to the Material, their form is altered so greatly to fit that they can never return to the Spiritual Plane, in addition to the fact that beings from the Material Plane cannot enter the Spiritual. The only knowledge known about the Spiritual Plane is heard second hand from spirits themselves, who possess their own vocal patterns and require the use of magical artifacts to translate their words. Physically, they are unable to speak the language used in the Lestaria Empire, and any spirit found without a translation artifact is provided one by relevant authorities for free.
There are two main categories of spirits that cross into the Lestaria Empire. Normal spirits, and a rare subsect labled by spirit researchers as Dema. The difference between them is purely based on the properties of their existence, due to the way the Spiritual Plane functions. The spacial make-up in the Spiritual Plane is like a 2D space where the creatures feed off of the limitless amount of energy to stay healthy and happy. This energy is the same energy that souls give off, and substitute the need for food and rest for these spirits. The nature of this world is something that is incomprehensible to those in the Material Plane, to the point where Spirit Researchers believe that it is a world perceived differently by every individual within it.
Normal spirits need a constant source of energy to survive. As their souls (which other than being somewhat weaker are much the same as a Lestarian soul) are weak and don't hold enough energy to maintain their lives unlike beings in the Material Plane and Dema, they will die if they go without a source of energy. While it is constantly present in the Spiritual Plane, normal spirits who enter the Material used to die due to being hunted for feeding off the soul energy of those around them. Now that they know, though, that the average Lestarian produces far more soul energy than they need to live, laws have been put in place to allow anyone who needs it to feed off of stronger souls, as long as its done in an as-needed manner. Others, though, choose to consistently feed off one individual in exchange for offering their skills (referred to as Spirit Magic).
Dema, on the other hand, have normal souls, and produce soul energy at the normal rate expected of an average Lestarian.
When it comes to how the Spiritual and Material interact, small gaps that connect the two worlds occasionally manifest across the planets, though the pattern is incredibly random, and the openings usually only last for a day or two. The one exception is Calt, which possesses an unusual amount of spirit activity, which is why it remains the home of the god of Spirits. Spirits who are interacting with the Material Plane, but have not yet fully crossed over are common sightings during these incidents, somewhat more common than fully crossed over spirits. Their appearance manifests as wisps of white mist when only partially present-- however, fully crossed over spirits take on a variety of bizarre forms. As their existences are more abstract, they have no need for practical forms, and appear as all kinds of strange, wondrous beings, although some try to adapt to the forms of Lestarian animals to better blend in. Spirits that live amongst Lestarians make use of magical materials as translators to communicate with them, some even donning materials capable of changing their forms into something more human.
Although spirits are incredibly alien to the citizens of the Lestaria Empire, the consistent research, contact, and protection of spirits have led to the greatest gains in understanding regarding them. While normal spirits are usually harmless due to their reliance on Lestarians, Dema, who have the ability to act of their own will without being limited by the consumption of nearby energy sources alongside being indistinguishable from a Lestarian with the right magic, have been more problematic to manage, with many choosing to act in all kinds of unlawful manners, or so official crime statistics released by the Guardian Council of Amieres say.
The existence of a soul too weak to maintain the host, though, has been a source of fascination among researchers. It's theorized that the position of the Spritual Plane in reference to the Soul Plane means weaker souls are more likely to arrive in the Spiritual Plane when new life is born, where they can thrive. Only rarely are Lestarians born who have weak souls, adding credence to this theory. It's most important to note: the strength of a soul has no effect on the power of one's magic, only how much energy they need to gather before they can use it again. In addition, only those with weak souls are capable of performing the feat of 'feeding' from others' souls. This may be due to soul energy drawing naturally towards weak souls, while those with normal souls struggle immensely to drain even a little due to their natural abundance.