Creatures Marvelous and Abominable

The most powerful of the Astralar were responsible for most of the life that now teems on Cartyrion, but there are many creatures found in the world today that came about through the efforts lesser Astralar.

Most did not have sufficient command of the Six Energies to create new life, but they did have the ability to alter the creations of their more gifted cousins. In some cases, these would-be deities were testing and growing their own capabilities, bringing forth creatures they hoped would demonstrate their talents to more powerful kin.

Often, though, these Astralar acted out of jealousy and malice. Begrudging the power and adulation commanded by their more powerful cousins, they sought to diminish the works of their more powerful cousins by adulterating that work. New creatures, sometimes malicious corruptions of their "parent stock", and sometimes simply manifestations of the disdain their creators had for the vision of "beauty" imposed by their more powerful kin, appeared in the world. These abominations were set free to prey upon, harass, or simply befoul, the "beautiful" nature around them.