Magic is a blessing and curse, life and death, birth and undoing, a goal and a way.

To all space explorers, rogue traders and Federation colonisation and expeditionary force officers!

Thirty new alien species have been discovered. You are well-advised to inform yourselves, as to engage these entities correctly, without risk of harm to yourself or to the interests of Terra.

Ten of the described species are human in origin, yet modified to such a degree that they no longer need to be considered human.

Another ten are civilisation-building aliens competing with Terra for available space.

The final ten entries are remarkable life forms that display sapience, without using it to create civilisations. Caution is advised.

From beyond through veils sublime

Pass ghostly, o umbral shine

Illuminate in shadow, fade colors, so fallow

Dark dreaming does bidding thine

Some sovereigns prefer a different sort of tax from their subjects - whether freely given, or taken by force.

Honor beyond death, duty beyond the grave. An eternity of damnation for an eternity of servitude.

A man of the city in the wild, a man of coin stands at nature's side? Can this go well, can it bear fruit? Will he be worthy, will duty take root?

Seldom does one see a Dunshar 'nude', as an amorphous masses of jelly. They can animate mud, earth, stone or metal, and use them as a body to shield their fragile self.

A horde of devious, ferocious, tenacious, and atrocious creatures, beasts, and monstrosities to populate the northern realms of your fantasy. Get them while they're cold!

A blade of darkest night turned to a different use, to teach and educate the knight?

What is a forest’s firm support, yet walks ‘round on its own accord?
What’s possessed of a titan’s might, stands before you, yet out of sight?
What soundly spanks with gnarled root a behind that is not good?

The beast within became the beast without; ferocity and might blossoming in corpore upon the flesh.

A tool of war, given free will to foster stife and conflict, that used that very same free will to become a messenger of peace.

As a way of defining your character better

There are large and small crickets, each was unique.

When the gods were born, so was Spark ... though of little power, he did not lack drive, and so did not those whom he favored...

Another scary child's toy...

In seeking to escape serving the Lord of Ravens many a hope flickered and died, for those who oppose him end up serving him after all.

Some elves lose patience teaching the 'young' races, and set out to employ harsher methods. A few doubt the very intent of mother nature, and set out to bring their own vision to life.

A harvest queen, a druid of war, a monarch of leaves.

Within the chest of a wizardly tool, there beats a Shard heart, deeming the master a fool.