Magion species can vary greatly, they come in all shapes and sizes. The one thing that connects them all is the magic that courses through them, which is what makes them magions.
Magion taxonomy includes eight groups or categories, that are based mainly on physical traits. The six main groups are of magions native to our world. They are: Exossia, Mixturidae, Polymorphidae, Sceletata, Sfungidae and Silvidae. In addition, there are two ‘irregular’ groups: the otherworldly Fae and Undead.
Each of the main groups includes sub-groups that are themselves split into smaller groups. For example, the scaled Squamidae, that is under the Sceletata group, includes a smaller group of dragon-like magions, the Draconidae. The groupings are generally based in physical traits, but also take into account cultural aspects. For example, the Polymorphidae include a number of homoformi (i.e., shapeshifters that have a human form), but homoformi are not a taxonomic group. This is because the main division of Polymorphidae is based on their style of changing, and there are both Arcānus (Arcane shifters) and Corporeus (Physical shifters) homoformi, and because homoformi see their style of changing as more meaningful to their identity than them having a human form.
Magions in this group are characterized by having no skeletal structure, do not take multiple forms nor combine physical traits of different taxonomic groups, and are native to our world. Some are similar to non-magical animals such as molluscs, worms and other invertebrates, while others have forms unique to magions.
Magions in this group are what we often call a chimera: their physic combines elements that seemingly don’t belong together. They often combine elements from two or more of the other groups, which sometimes make this group seem like the “leftover group”. But in fact Mixturidae have a very important place in both magical and human history, in expending the definition of what is magical, and making their way into human folklore all over the world.
Polymorphidae are what we commonly call shape-shifters. They are beings that have more than one definitive form and can move between them fluidly. Magions in this group are born with the ability to change form, and this ability is usually innate from birth. Furthermore, the change affects their form only and, while senses or abilities might change with the physical appearance, their mind remains the same in all forms.
A large group that includes magions that have a skeletal structure, do not take multiple forms nor combine physical traits of different taxonomic groups, and are native to our world. Sceletata includes four sub-groups that cover most of its members: Crinitidae, Gnomidae, Permeābilicutia and Squamidae. Like in the primary groups, this sub division is also based on physical traits. Crinitidae, Squamidae and Permeābilicutia related to the outer form or growth on their skin (feathers and fur, scales and permeable skin respectively) and Gnomidae can be described as more humanoid in appearance.
Sfungidae magions are generally similar to non-magical mushrooms and molds. Some Sfungidae differ from their non-magical counterparts only in having magical influence on their surroundings, others are fully sentient.
Silvidae are plant magions. While some silvidae differ from non-magical plants only by having a magical effect on their surroundings, some are sentient and the group includes several highly intelligent beings.
The main thing Fae magions have in common is that they are not native to our world. Physically, many of them are reminiscent of human fairy-tale beings such as fairies, pixies and elves, but they are not related genetically or culturally (hence the many discrepancies in their depictions in different human cultures). The main characteristic of Fae is their ability to move between worlds or realms and most are only temporary visitors in our world. That said, some fae have found a home in our world and there are a few fae colonies that have been thriving for generations.
Magion taxonomy includes eight groups or categories, that are based mainly on physical traits. The six main groups are of magions native to our world. They are: Exossia, Mixturidae, Polymorphidae, Sceletata, Sfungidae and Silvidae. In addition, there are two ‘irregular’ groups: the otherworldly Fae and Undead.
Each of the main groups includes sub-groups that are themselves split into smaller groups. For example, the scaled Squamidae, that is under the Sceletata group, includes a smaller group of dragon-like magions, the Draconidae. The groupings are generally based in physical traits, but also take into account cultural aspects. For example, the Polymorphidae include a number of homoformi (i.e., shapeshifters that have a human form), but homoformi are not a taxonomic group. This is because the main division of Polymorphidae is based on their style of changing, and there are both Arcānus (Arcane shifters) and Corporeus (Physical shifters) homoformi, and because homoformi see their style of changing as more meaningful to their identity than them having a human form.
Exossia
Etymology: From Latin, exos ("boneless") + ia, a translingual suffix commonly used in taxonomy.Magions in this group are characterized by having no skeletal structure, do not take multiple forms nor combine physical traits of different taxonomic groups, and are native to our world. Some are similar to non-magical animals such as molluscs, worms and other invertebrates, while others have forms unique to magions.
Mixturidae
Etymology: From Latin mixtūra ("mixture") + idae, a translingual suffix commonly used in taxonomy.Magions in this group are what we often call a chimera: their physic combines elements that seemingly don’t belong together. They often combine elements from two or more of the other groups, which sometimes make this group seem like the “leftover group”. But in fact Mixturidae have a very important place in both magical and human history, in expending the definition of what is magical, and making their way into human folklore all over the world.
Polymorphidae
Etymology:From Ancient Greek poly + morphḗ + idae, a translingual suffix commonly used in taxonomy.Polymorphidae are what we commonly call shape-shifters. They are beings that have more than one definitive form and can move between them fluidly. Magions in this group are born with the ability to change form, and this ability is usually innate from birth. Furthermore, the change affects their form only and, while senses or abilities might change with the physical appearance, their mind remains the same in all forms.
Sceletata
Etymology: From Latin, Sceletus ("Skeleton") + -ata, a translingual suffix commonly used in taxonomy.A large group that includes magions that have a skeletal structure, do not take multiple forms nor combine physical traits of different taxonomic groups, and are native to our world. Sceletata includes four sub-groups that cover most of its members: Crinitidae, Gnomidae, Permeābilicutia and Squamidae. Like in the primary groups, this sub division is also based on physical traits. Crinitidae, Squamidae and Permeābilicutia related to the outer form or growth on their skin (feathers and fur, scales and permeable skin respectively) and Gnomidae can be described as more humanoid in appearance.
Sfungidae
Etymology: From Latin Sfungus + idae, a translingual suffix commonly used in taxonomy. The older form Sfungus was chosen specifically to avoid confusion with non-magical fungiidae.Sfungidae magions are generally similar to non-magical mushrooms and molds. Some Sfungidae differ from their non-magical counterparts only in having magical influence on their surroundings, others are fully sentient.
Silvidae
Etymology: From Latin Silva + idae, a translingual suffix commonly used in taxonomy.Silvidae are plant magions. While some silvidae differ from non-magical plants only by having a magical effect on their surroundings, some are sentient and the group includes several highly intelligent beings.
Fae
Etymology:From Middle English Fӕ or fay.The main thing Fae magions have in common is that they are not native to our world. Physically, many of them are reminiscent of human fairy-tale beings such as fairies, pixies and elves, but they are not related genetically or culturally (hence the many discrepancies in their depictions in different human cultures). The main characteristic of Fae is their ability to move between worlds or realms and most are only temporary visitors in our world. That said, some fae have found a home in our world and there are a few fae colonies that have been thriving for generations.
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