Bastionkin (Basst-eeon-kin)

Their anatomy can differ nearly as much as the creative energy of their creators. The Bastionkin can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with small humanoids and beasts being popular choices due to their ease of integration into urban settings. However, this does not exclude more exotic shapes, including infamous monsters, winged avians, and even replications of the creator themselves.

Bastionkin do not reproduce through normal reproductive means. Instead, Bastionkin are created through a ritualistic ceremony where, through a process of carving out a new Bastionkin, life can be interred into the cold stone. This process renders the Bastionkin patient creatures, as they had to wait for their bodies to form over a period of weeks, as well as natural protectors according to the instincts imparted into them via the ritual.   What is considered to be curious, however, is that Bastionkin can perform the ritual themselves as opposed to requiring the help of another, and they often are driven to do so every few decades despite previously showing disinterest otherwise.

As they are formed complete at the time of their creation, Bastionkin are incapable of organic growth and, as such, will remain in their given forms until their Day of Return. That said, older Bastionkin are often considered to be more capable of protecting their contracted homes, which is, in part, due to their hardening rock skin, which imparts a natural resistance against many forms of energy.   However, it does come at a cost. Bastionkin are still mortal beings, and though some have been known to grow to hundreds, if not thousands, of years old, they will eventually experience a natural death, whereupon the rock-like material that makes up their body hardens completely back into the natural stone that it was derived from.

At home amongst the urban shops and homes of sprawling cities, these incredibly stoic creatures are able to remain still for extended periods of time as they watch their surroundings with a careful eye. When called to action, they are capable of incredible toughness that can see many a would-be thief defeated before they even have time to realize that their weapons were useless.   However, why choose to remain in such public places as opposed to a nice mountainside? To many Bastionkin, they would only be able to answer that it "feels right" to be in the city without much more to say. However, the answer is not nearly so vague. Originally created for the sole purpose of intelligent guardship within the urban space, the ritual of their creation is also the one that creates their driving instincts and, as such, they are generally most content maintaining vigil over a community space of their choosing.

While they are living creatures, Bastionkin have incredibly slow metabolisms and as such do not require food frequently, with some being able to go years without food should they not have to move during that time. That said, once they have expended energy, such as in the defense of their chosen home, they will often become ravenous and will consume almost any edible meal they are given.

While Bastionkin can tolerate each other well enough, they rarely develop complex social structures with others of their kind. As such, it's not uncommon for Bastionkin to be far separated from each other, with their most significant relationships being that of the communities they watch over.

Patient and observant, the Bastionkin are not the most intelligent of species. However, due to their stoic and still nature, the rock-like creatures tend to be incredibly wise and can often give a well-considered word for those willing to listen. To those who are not, however, the Bastionkin will often take great pleasure in watching the resulting chaos.

Despite their rock-like nature, the Bastionkin are fully capable of hearing and seeing the world around them. While these senses are not abnormally great or small in comparison to other species, these primordials are often well-equipped to find disruptions and broken patterns in their environments due to their propensity to sit for months, if not years, watching over their contracted homes.

When it comes to the names of the Bastionkin, one will find that each individual's name is as instinctual to them as their need to protect public urban spaces. Spoken at the moment the last piece of rock is chipped away from their bodies, the Bastionkin will possess both a first and last name that are each drawn from two different sources.   The first name is taken from the language of their creator. As a part of the sculptor is given to the Bastionkin during the act of sculpting them, so too is the sculptor's language provided. This results in not only the creature understanding and speaking their creator's language, but they also bear an instinctual first name. How and what this name might be is not determined, but they often seem to follow along with the personality of the sculptor. For example, a humble sculptor might impart the derived Common name Usual while an angry sculptor might provide the name Rageian.   The latter half of a Bastionkin's name is drawn from the ritual act itself. As the ritual of creation that gives life to the Bastionkin was developed by a kingdom that the Bastionkin sacrified themselves to save, it makes sense that the last name might be drawn from this kingdom's language as well. As such, all Bastionkin share one of a few surnames that they state mean things like protection, guard, vigil, and sentry. These names, in their respective order, are Limnar, Brashku, Seenth, and Wisklet.   When combined together at the moment of the creature's creation, the new Bastionkin instinctively become knowledgeable of their birth name and drive for duty. However, whether they keep either is ultimately their decision to make.

As the Bastionkin are generally contracted in the protection of the urban spaces under their watch, they will often come with a small list of demands that must be met if they are to remain as impartial guards. This generally includes regular cleaning of their space, a meal provided once every few months, and sharing of interesting news as requested. While these are certainly not the only demands that may be made on an individual seeking their protection, they do tend to be the most frequent. Therefore, a clever partner to the creatures may be able to satisfy one or all of their demands by situating the Bastionkin in certain areas, such as tavern bars for food and drink, or on the desk of a personal office to hear interesting news.

As the Bastionkin are generally guards of public spaces, it stands to reason that they would be particular about the urban spaces they watch over, including an expectation that they be kept free of mess, be provided with adequate lighting, and that parties therein are kept from getting too rambunctious. However, what each Bastionkin may desire differs between individuals, and what one might find annoying another might find entertaining or tolerable. That said, one commonly shared taboo among all Bastionkin is their intense distaste for thieves. As such, they will go out of their way to prevent thievery on their watch.

Speak to any Bastionkin and they will remark that in the moments that they dream, they dream of a beautiful city spanning the size of a planet where magic and science combine together to create wonders beyond wonder. They will remark how they yearn to return to that place where they can stand vigil over those who wandered the streets with a happy stride, keeping all within their reach safe from any unforeseen danger.   They will speak of the dark clouds that had gathered over their amazing city. With dread, they will shiver as they remember how the lightning crashed and the thunder roiled as a dark entity sought to swallow their planet whole with an unending appetite.   And finally, they will stand with pride as they speak of how the Bastionkin took a stand against this dark horror, sacrificing themselves utterly to protect their beloved city.   Then they will whisper how they woke up in Refuge afterwards. Lost and utterly separated from their former home.   Though the oldest of the Bastionkin who could remember have passed, all members of the species remember their origin. And they yearn to return.