Mepara - Land of the Sculpted Demons: A Bet Between Greater Demons - Volettlings

Sculpted Creations

It's said the Volettlings are a created race by higher demons, originally as a bet between 7 of them for rule over a land. Whoever could make the “best” creation would rule the mainland, with their creation as the inhabitants. In order to make it a level playing field, the higher demons were only able to use materials of the land that they could find themselves. Each came back with one of the following, ground up leaves, chalk, bone meal, ashes, shells, rock shards, and dust. One after the other, they sculpted and created the ‘draft’ forms of their species. The top demon breathed life into the creations, watching the new creatures fondly. Each Volettling was different in appearance be it horns, hues, size, shape, and tails. More were made by the delighted demand of the top demon, for they were curious for what other traits the higher demon’s could make with their materials. In the end, they looked like the following:

Leaf litter: 

- Ranging from dark browns to vibrant yellow and orange. Some have the ability to change during the seasons depending on their location and conditions.

- Horns range from smaller and pine thin to almost flat and curved in appearance. Tails reflect a leaf-like structure. 

Chalk:

- Made from the remnants of chalk and dried clay. They have the second most range of colors, only dulled and highly desaturated. Pure and off white tones are also common.

- Horns are straight and sharp. Lengths and position on the head range. You can create marks with the fractured pieces on the pavement. Brush-like tails. 

Bone (and flesh):

- Made from the found crushed remains of beasts, some clean and not so much. Colors range from ivory, light gray, cream, yellow, a dulled pink, and a few red.

- Horns break when they are calcium deficient, they almost always look chipped at the end. Healthy horn grows easily and spirals like a ram or goat. 

Ash and Soot:

- Made from the leftovers of a raging fire. Colors fall on a grayscale with trademark “sooty” black appendages. 

- Horns grow vertical and darken as they grow. Tails have lots of wavy hair on the end. Colors stick monochrome.  

Shells:

- Made from the crushed shells of small mollusks and shellfish. Colors are vibrant and easily have the most variety of the lesser demons. Bright blues, pinks, oranges, dull white, brown, and anything that can be found out in the sea. 

- Horns are flashy. Some spiked like comb shells, ridged like a scallop, and others round like sea snails. Tails have long hair grown in a fan shape. 

Shards: 

- Demons created from shards of stone, metals, and crystals. Colors range from slate gray, rusty orange, metallic colors, and anything else that can be scavenged from the earth. A few demons have marbling or speckling on their skin. 

- Horns either match the skin tone and pattern or appear like a mineral/gem cluster, and grow like such. Tails are often shorter than other species, and have rock embedded in them. Hair sometimes grows between the rocks. 

Dust:

- Demons made from leftover dust found on the ground. Colors are often gray or brown with darker/lighter flecks or patches intermixed. They are the most neutral in appearance. 

- Horns are small and stubby. Tails have lots of fluff on the end and are thin like a mouse.

 

 In the end, the top demon couldn't pick a winner, and instead split the land into seven sections for the greater demons to manage and rule. All the created demons were placed in their respective section and left to fend for themselves. The greater demons started off being protective of their creations, isolating them to their zone before becoming less and less interested in the Volettlings as time went on. They explored, leaving their part of the land to visit the others and intermingling with the other populations. The Greater demons still check in to see how they have progressed and for worshiping days/holidays. To the lesser demons, the greater demons are seen as gods of sorts, they are the creators after all. The greater demons see the lesser demons

more like weird pets.