Imagine a world where the lines between advanced science and dark magic are not just blurred, but intricately woven into the very fabric of existence. Where beast-like intelligent species thrive, sprawling cities groan under the weight of pollution, and terrifying monsters lurk in the wilderness. This is the Kenomitian Universe, a vast and complex fictional realm that blends elements of science fiction, dark fantasy, and urban fantasy. It’s a place where powerful beings—Demigods, Titans, Deities, and Devils—treat reality itself as their “playground”.
This intricate universe is detailed across eight volumes, with “Life in Kenoma: A Kenomitian Bestiary” (Volume III) serving as our guide to its incredibly diverse inhabitants. From intelligent species to soulless, lifeless, or immortal entities, this book categorizes the beings of Kenoma into a fascinating hierarchy known as “The Four Levels of Being”. Think of these as different rungs on a ladder, each representing a distinct form of existence and a pathway, or lack thereof, to immortality.
The Four Levels of Being: A Ladder to Immortality
At its heart, the Kenomitian Universe classifies all existence into four fundamental categories:
1. Vril (Unliving Matter): This is the most basic level, covering all inanimate matter, but it also remarkably includes forms of “synthetic life”.
- Azothic Gates are a prime example: mysterious portals that can open anywhere, leading to outer space or other dimensions. They are typically created from the blood of powerful Pleromata (ancient immortal beings) and each plays a distinct classical musical piece.
- Fiends are “living” Vril beings that appear as adhesive, slime-like creatures. They attack living beings by mimicking suffocation and consumption, and are descendants of Titanic blood. They can be “killed” by changing their state of matter, appearing as solids like the spider-bear-salamander blends called Gnoph-keh, or liquids like the snake-fish-nudibranch blends known as Bholes.
- Giants are colossal, mindless, and constantly shifting entities. Made of translucent “rock-skin,” crystallized energy bones, and shadowy tentacles, they originate from Archontian blood and primarily inhabit the realm of Caligine. Examples include Thuum’ha, which are iron giants resembling angler fishes and sharks, and Mi-Go, storm giants shrouded in black gas clouds.
- Infomorphs are mechanical beings with their own “minds” but lack souls, meaning they face oblivion rather than an afterlife. They are sapient and surrounded by colorful auras. These can be digital (like Sophics, including AI), physical (like Mantics, such as robots), or require a host (like Maieutics, such as mechanical vessels for souls).
Azothic Gates
Maieutic
2. Akatharta (Viruses): This level comprises all viruses and viroids, which in Kenoma are said to descend from Diabolic blood. They come in various classifications, such as Necheshethiron (pospiviroidae viroids from Azazel’s blood) and Behemiron (dsDNA viruses from Moloch’s blood). Some, like the Hymiron, are “zombified akatharta” that appear as red, slimy, tentacled stars infesting corpses.
3. Hayyoth (Living Beings): This category encompasses true “organic life” in Kenoma, defined by the presence of “Od,” which is their biological essence.
- Tlavati are soulless beings that descend from Divine blood and include all natural biological kingdoms like bacteria, plants, fungi, and animals.
- Cockatrices are odic beings of unnatural origin. They are sapient but also soulless and display vibrant auras. This group includes Mutants (genetically modified tlavati) and Animalcules (artificially created beings like biobots).
- The Monsters are special cases of tlavati, cockatrices, fiends, infomorphs, and akatharta that have been “touched” by the Supernal. This grants them incredible abilities like sapience, immortality, regeneration, telepathy, enhanced senses, flight, and size control, all marked by the Supernal.
- Elelethi are the soul-bearing beings within this category.
4. The Supernal (Immortal Beings): At the apex of existence are these powerful, immortal entities. They include the Pleromata, Archons, Titans, Deities, and Devils, along with their respective “Avatars” like Emmakha (Faeries and Psychopomps) and Dragons/Angels/Demons.
- Nephilim are unique demigods born when Deities, Titans, or Devils infuse a chosen soul with “Prosopon” (Supernal Essence) at birth.
Nephilim
- Emmakha are beings made entirely of Prosopon, embodying concepts and comprising everything in the realms of Tohu and Tikun. They are broadly categorized as Faeries (e.g., Kelpies, Selkies) and Psychopomps (e.g., Jubokko, Yamaduta), each with numerous diverse strains and bands.
The Baku of the Oneiros, example of the one hundred and twenty-four Faerie strains of Tikun. Grouped, according to their region of origin, into the Adhene of Avon, the Fuath of the Qliphoth, and the Tylwyth Teg of the Sephiroth.
Gandharva. example of the thirteen Psychopomp bands of Tohu. Grouped, according to their region of origin, into the Valkyries of Makif, the Dormarch of Mimalei, and the Ankou of Sovev
The Elioud: The Mortal Races of Kenoma
Among the soul-bearing Elelethi are the Elioud, also known as the Theria. These are the mortal races of Kenoma: twenty-three distinct sapient species with a staggering one hundred and thirty-eight subspecies. The Elioud are organic, soul-bearing beings who live with limited lifespans and worship their powerful Supernal predecessors.
What makes the Elioud particularly fascinating is that their physical forms are profoundly influenced by their magical proficiency (Pardes) or the favor they receive from the Supernal. This can trigger significant metamorphoses, causing them to evolve through different forms. Each Elioud species typically progresses through five main states, from their initial “Peshat/Chosen” form to an “Ascended” state, and also possesses a “Zombie” form.
Galgalim, example of the known in Kenoma as the Theria: the twenty-three sapient species (and their one hundred thirty-eight subspecies)
Let’s look at a few examples of these fascinating transformations:
- Elohim: Begin as Dryads, amphibious humans with plant-like birthmarks and a soft white glow. They can ascend to Irminsul, which are branch-like rays of green light. Their zombie form is the Jinmenju, dried, Elohim-shaped husks of vegetal matter.
- Memunim: Start as Oreads, amphibious humans with rocky bones and blue diamond eyes. They can ascend to Vana, walking mountains of blue metal. Their zombie form, Charaxioi, are levitating clusters of obsidian or mud.
- Malakhim: Initially appear as Lamiae, humans with snake eyes and tails. They can become Tannin, giant feathered serpents. Their zombie form, Piasa, are skeletons draped in dried scales.
- Gibborim: Are initially Amani, essentially amphibious Homo sapiens sapiens. They can ascend to Rmoahal, radiant humans with many wriggly limbs and featureless faces. Their zombie form, Oreks, are corpses with mutated body parts surrounded by a reddish mist.
- Elim: Begin as Low Elves, amphibious humans with elven ears. They eventually ascend to High Elves, who are described as “living” shadows with angel-like wings. Their zombie forms are Pale Elves, masses of levitating ash with swirling crimson light.
It’s also worth noting the Tagashim (Noreae), who are described as sterile “hybrids” resulting from two different races, typically inheriting traits from both parents but with a strong emphasis on the mother’s ancestry.
This glimpse into the “Life in Kenoma” reveals a universe brimming with astounding diversity and intricate classifications. From the inert yet “living” Vril to the all-powerful Supernal, and the ever-evolving mortal races of the Elioud, the Kenomitian Universe offers a deeply imaginative and richly detailed setting for exploration.
