Luximorphs

MIGHT - 2/5 - 4/5 (If pressured)

Rarity -- 5/5

Entry by Dark Scribing. The paper seems unremarkable, until a shadow falls across the page. Strangely, the shadow never seems to touch the paper, as if it possess some sort of inner luminescence.

Luximorphs are incredibly rare shape-shifters of a sort, that manipulate, and are made of, light.

Biology:

Luximorphs are curious creatures, beings of living light energy. Taking the appearance of glowing stars and twinkling lights, they are generally peaceful, taking in the light from fires and torches, along with daylight, to sustain themselves. Generally considered to be a form of elemental, they have no true biology, and dissipate fully when they cease to live.

They usually range in size from tiny -about two hooves in diameter- to absolutely massive, the sun being reckoned by some legends to be an immense Luximorph, as it shares many properties. Or perhaps it could be other way around - Luximorphs might be the literal children of the sun.

Radiating warmth and gentle light, Luximorphs have virtually no predators, beyond, perhaps the Celestial Beasts, who can consume their essence. They can feed each other, and often do so to help those of their kind that have been excluded from a light source too long.

Habits and Habitat:

Luximorphs are found in virtually any environment, and are absolutely as intelligent or more so than any pony alive, save perhaps the Princess. They are long-lived, and in fact appear to be true immortals, in that they do not appear to age. Each Luximorph, of which there are less 50 catalogued the world over, is as rare and precious as they come, and are incredibly rare.

When they are encountered, a Luximorph will often take the form of a shining, white-and-gold mare or stallion to converse as. They are intelligent, rational beings, and they enjoy light chats and new information. One referred to herself as one of the “stars unborn”, though there was no elaboration on whether this was a literal turn of phrase or merely an indication of status. In the same conversation, the Luximorph referred to the sun as ‘Mother’ and ‘the Giver’ several times, though, again, there were very few elaborations on either of those titles.

Notable Abilities:

Luximorphs are fully capable of shifting their appearance into the shape of a pony no larger than themselves, or simply condensing their essence to appear smaller. As they are not physical, they can pass easily through most substances, though mirrored glass and polished metals appear to act as solid barriers.

As they are literally made of light, they have no observable weight, even when appearing to be a pony, and they are, apparently, able to appear as other creatures.

They are able to, when pressured to defend another, fire lances of white-hot energy that was observed to cut a sheer cliff into a mountainside, and visibly burning and charring a dragon to the point where the beast chose to go elsewhere.

They are also able to control the output of their light at will, shining brighter or dimmer on a whim.

Each Luximorph is a different color, though they have all been observed as brightly colored and lighter versions of any given color, such a sky-blue, yellow and gold, spring green, and bright orange.

Notable Examples:

Shines Always, one of two Luximorphs that provided the majority of this information, proclaimed himself to be one of six that specifically watch over Equestria, and is a bright, calm violet, a color I haven’t observed in others. He measures nearly forty hooves across, and claims to keep much of his brilliance held back in deference to ‘Mother’.

Returns Renewed claims to be the protector of Phoenixes, a “Star Unborn”, and also claims to watch over Equestria. She is a brilliant, shining azure. Sweetly tempered, she measures close to 100 hooves in diameter, but claims to keep herself much duller than in truth in deference to ‘the Giver’.

In History:

There have been possible references to Luximorphs in classical history, such as a possible lead that led to this expedition in the first place, Glimmering Softly, which had appeared out of place in the lyrics of an old folk song. After several months of journeying, the group was able to locate and meet with Shines Always at the top of a mountain in the Southern Desert.

Along the way, Near Horizon, who had been with me as a friend and confidant, slipped and fell to her death. Shines Always professed sorrow at this, and put some sort of enchantment on the top of the mountain. It now shines a dusky red, like an ember from a fire.

Family; Mates and Foals:

As far as I know, there is no known family or offspring in of the Luximorphs, though there are apparently new ones every few centuries, and they do apparently die if subjected to certain stimuli, though what these are where not disclosed.

It should be noted that there is a mountain in the San Palomino desert that is named Ember Peak, which was discovered rather recently. There is a cairn of stone at the foot of mountain, possible correlating Dark Scribing’s story.