Though the world is full of various monsters and creatures that vary from the mundane rabbit to the celestial Ursa Major, an oddity has been spotted in my travels. In my latest edition of this writing, I have discovered an unusual being that I believe (upon further investigation) to be linked to a family of beings.
The Umbrum. This is less of a name and more of a classification for a being composed entirely of shadows or born from the abyss. A Shade, Flesh, or Whisper all fall into this general category, and should you find a being of shadows that does not fall into these three specific forms, then it is likely to be an unknown type of umbrum.
The Shades
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These beings divulge no origin as to where they came from. They are composed purely of shadows, yet maintain a physical form with a shell that is the exact same as whatever species they choose to imitate. I have yet to meet a hostile Shade.
Shades can be commonly found taking the appearance of a pony of the three races whilst living peacefully among legitimate ponies. Common professions of shades in their towns are doctors, farmers, bakers, and ironworkers. In the rare event that a town is attacked, shades within will be spotted their host town from outside threats with extreme prejudice.
It would be likely that Shades would live among us entirely undetected if it weren't for the fact that Shades will typically lack blood or organs, instead having wisps of shadows that escape their shell when injured, which typically reconstitutes back into the shell leaving no mark. Despite the incredible fortitude and regenerative abilities of a shade, coupled with the ability to change its shape at will to become living weapons, they pose no threat to any pony willing to show a modicum of respect in their conversations.
A shades true form is an amorphous blob of void. It is considered impolite to stare while in this form. However, a shade will commonly see its favorite form as its true form.
The Whispers
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Fear not the whispers in the dark, they exist to guide you. I believe these to be part of a theorized lifecycle of the umbrum, specifically Shades. I believe that Whispers eventually gain enough strength and material to become a Shade, which they gain through conversation and consumption of fears. It is also through conversation that they gain knowledge, and perhaps friendship. This friendship offers a theory as to why they choose to live among towns in peace instead of razing them for negative emotions.
Whispers do not attempt to foster hatred and mistrust like Windigos, in fact, judging by the reports of whispers guiding lost ponies to safety, they exist to foster a sense of hope or trust. So that no matter where you are, no matter how dark it may be, the darkness may decide to hear your plead and help. On the rare chance that you encounter a whisper in its physical form, it is a little sprite of the abyss that holds no shape and is no larger than the eye of a pin. They enjoy talking amongst themselves, befriend one and it is likely you will never be lost again.
A Personal Note - Whispers do in fact have a physical form, tinier than even a dust speck. They are also seemingly invulnerable to any sort of harm. Despite this, they can be found taking shelter inside of inanimate objects and may eventually possess them as juvenile Shades. Common containers consist of dolls, paintings, trees, bones, shields, teapots and possibly anything.
Flesh
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A genuine hazard to life. Flesh appear to be a result of a Whisper or Shade failing to or perhaps succeeding in becoming closer to a pony's physical form. These sentient shadows bleed black ichor, but have lost their ability to shapeshift like shades, instead, their forms will twist and contort to create whatever it is they need. It is a disgusting process to witness.
Once on my travels, my companion was absorbed into the mass of a flesh, posing as or genuinely being a lost and confused pony on the road. It did eventually return my companion to me, apparently having gained an understanding of fear from doing so. Out of morbid curiosity and foolishness, I decided to undergo the same treatment as my companion. I could scarcely recall the memory, only briefly being in a black void, but perhaps it is because nothing of interest happened. Despite it being a grotesque flesh-shifter with the capacity to be a fiercely loyal companion, it can be considered harmless, but it is an inconquerable hazard that is only repelled by flames and claims that any acts it has done will be told to a "Big Brother".
Apparently, the flesh hold loyalty to an entity known as Big Brother, who does not take kindly to any assimilations. It is unknown to me what this entity is, a larger flesh or another type of being belonging to the family of umbrum. I theorize that the Flesh are a result of an alternative evolutionary line to the Whispers, or an interim stage of the Shades to some greater being.
Homunculus is another term for Flesh, though Flesh rolls off the tongue easier. Various colloquialisms and names can be Thing, Skins-Walker, and What In Celestia's Name Is That?
Big Brother
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An unknown being suspected to be originating from outside of Equestria that seems to hold some type of sway or power over the branch of umbrum that Shades, Flesh, and Whispers belong to. If for whatever reason you believe yourself to be in mortal danger, threaten them with Big Brother.
From what I have been able to glean from a conversation with these umbral beings, Big Brother is a type of angel or divine being. Other shades are referred to as brothers, but this specific One has a title. From this One came an All, being the other shades. Asking where this Angel is located is met with a sad grunt or otherwise mournful vocable or deflection.
Every umbrum that exists transmits information to this One, and if you are reading this, for what purpose did you create these odd creatures?