Lumina

The Lumina are a race of creatures that were created by Meraki to live among the gods and assist them with their duties. Lumina are rumored to have been crafted from the stars themselves and, as a result, have a divine nature. Their culture is a hierarchical meritocracy, and they are considered logical and single-minded people. It is extremely rare for any Luminite to be found on the mortal plane.

Style of Governance

Luminite society is purely a meritocracy. The more beneficial a Luminite is and the more accomplishments they achieve, the higher in rank they ascend. No Luminite ranked higher than a Principality has ever been documented as having appeared in the mortal plane and, while unions with Luminites are considered rare, no human has been able to form a pact with one ranked higher than a guardian.

Below are the known societal ranks of Lumina:

Guardians

The lowest, and most numerous, rank. These are the immediate servants and messengers of the gods. They act on behalf of the divine in the mortal realm and are known to protect individuals of importance and guide them throughout their lives.

Principalities

Principalities act as guardians of nations, cities, and large communities. They oversee the affairs of mortals, inspiring the discovery of sciences and arts, and electing the leaders of their respective churches.

Powers

The ultimate border guards, Powers serve as the first line of defense between the physical world and the celestial realm, protecting the realms from intruders and participating in cosmic warfare.

Virtues

Virtues are considered the miracle workers of the Celestial plane. They govern the movement of celestial bodies, dispense grace, and are often credited with inspiring heroes and aiding clerics.

Dominions

Dominions are the regulators of the celestial realm and ensure that the lower ranks perform their duties according to divine will. They receive orders directly from the Thrones and Cherubim.

Thrones

Thrones enact the authority and justice of the divine. They administer justice and oversee the cosmos. Though they differ in function, they are equal in rank to Cherubim as the highest authority of Luminite.

Cherubim

Cherubim are guardians of light and the stars. They embody divine wisdom and knowledge and guard locations pivotal to the function of the realms. Though they differ in function, they are equal in rank to Thrones as the highest authority of Luminite.

Types of Lumina

Below is a list of various Lumina that have been documented by scholars:

Angels

Angels are winged humanoids that reside in the celestial plane with the divine. The number of wings on their back is indicative of their level of strength. The lowest angels, who have two wings, are typically used as messengers or foot-soldiers.

Archangels

Archangels are angels who have four wings. When an archangel descends to the mortal realm, it is because they have been charged with a message of grave importance. It is not uncommon to see Archangels acting as generals of Luminite armies. It is said that one archangel has enough power to destroy an entire city on their own.

Seraphim

Seraphim, “The Burning Ones,” are six-winged angels synonymous with fire, light, and purification. They are the highest order of angels and serve as the last line of defense of the divine. Seraphim are deployed exclusively in moments of absolute necessity when all other options have failed.

Okami

Okami, the “divine wolf,” act as divine messengers and servants. They are forces of protection and manifest the fierce, benevolent power of the mountain wilderness. There have been many instances of Okami protecting people from thieves, fire, and illness over the years. Farmers and travelers believe the wolves protect their crops and villages by preying on deer and wild boar. Travelers lost in the mountains have reported that, after praying, a wolf appeared to and guided the person safely to the trail. Okami are known for having strong, moral characters; however, while generally benevolent to those who show respect, they can inflict harsh punishments on anyone who abuses the wilderness or breaks their word.

Komainu

Komainu are protective, sacred beasts that look like lions and can transform into statues. Their primary function is to guard sacred spaces from evil spirits and intruders. They are almost always found in symmetrical pairs outside a shrine’s entrance with one’s mouth open, while the other’s mouth is closed. They drive away evil spirits, bad luck, and demonic influences preventing them from entering the sacred space.

Cyclops

Cyclops are gigantic, powerful beings with a single, large eye in the center of their forehead. They are master craftsmen and blacksmiths. Despite their proficiency in their crafts, when enraged, they can become savage monsters. Those that exist within the mortal realm live simple lives in isolated caves.

Garuda

Garuda are known for their immense power, speed, and martial strength. Garuda are chimerical creatures with the body of a man, but the head, beak, wings, and powerful talons of an eagle. Their plumage is often colored a brilliant golden-yellow. Their wings are so vast that they can generate powerful storms and darken the sky as it flies. They are in a constant feud with the Naga, a rivalry that originated from an ancient bet.

Naga

Naga are Lumina that take the form of giant serpents and are known to dwell in oceans, rivers, lakes, and deep wells. They possess the ability to shapeshift and can appear in three primary forms: a human with subtle serpentine features like scales on their neck, colossal snakes sometimes with multiple heads, and a hybrid form with a human torso and head but with a massive serpentine body coiling below. They act as custodians of the waters they live in and can control rainfall, generate floods, and cause droughts. They are renowned for guarding immense natural treasures.

Qilin / Kirin

Qilin are Lumina that embody good fortune, serenity, justice, and prosperity. They are creatures of auspice, and their appearance heralds a miraculous event or the birth / arrival of a great sage or ruler. Qilin are chimerical creatures with the body of a deer or ox covered in scales, the head of a dragon with a single, large horn on its forehead, a flowing mane, a bushy tail, and hooves for feet. They are often described as walking on clouds or hovering just above the ground so as not to harm a single blade of grass. They are the embodiment of benevolence and kindness and are peace-loving creatures that refuse to harm living creatures.

Giants

Giants are humanoid Luminites of immense stature and power. Their physical strength rivals the untamed forces of nature such as volcanoes, storms, and tsunamis. Giants have not been seen in centuries and, while no mortal knows for certain, there are rumors that they rebelled against the gods and were punished for it. Historically, they were infamous for their wisdom and sophistication; however, within recent years, texts have been showing up which depict them as dim-witted, solitary monsters inhabiting remote caves or sky-castles.