Atrocities

Hidden alongside humanity are beings called Atrocities—supernatural, anthropomorphic creatures born from emotions, instincts, nightmares, myths, and forgotten legends. They possess abilities far beyond humans, making them the dominant species in terms of raw power.

Most humans never realize they exist.

Why Humans Can't See Them

Atrocities naturally emit a veil called the Blind Mist, causing ordinary humans to unconsciously ignore them. Only people with an awakened soul, unusual spiritual sensitivity, or those marked by an Atrocity can perceive them.

Only around 1 in every 10,000 humans can naturally see an Atrocity.

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What Atrocities Need

Unlike humans, Atrocities cannot create enough life energy on their own.

They require Vital Essence, a supernatural energy generated through genuine human emotions and closeness.

Different Atrocities feed differently.

• Affection
• Trust
• Fear
• Joy
• Grief
• Anger
• Physical intimacy
• Dreams
• Memories

The darker an Atrocity becomes, the more extreme the emotions it craves.

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Types of Atrocities

Hunters

Treat humans like prey.

They drain victims until they're left as emotionless shells or dead.

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Tormentors

Feed on terror.

They stalk victims for weeks or months before finally consuming them.

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Wanderers

Avoid humans entirely.

They survive by feeding on nature, dreams, or leftover emotional energy.

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Guardians

Form pacts with humans.

Instead of killing people, they protect their partner in exchange for a steady supply of Vital Essence.

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The Pact

A Pact is a supernatural contract between a human and an Atrocity.

The human gains:

• Protection from other Atrocities
• Enhanced senses
• Longer lifespan
• Resistance to supernatural effects
• Sometimes a fraction of the Atrocity's powers

The Atrocity receives enough Vital Essence to survive.

Different species require different kinds of emotional or physical closeness. For some, simple companionship, trust, or hugs are enough. Others require deeper forms of intimacy. The exact requirements depend on the species and should always be entered into willingly by both parties.

If the Pact is broken:

• The Atrocity slowly starves.
• The human loses supernatural protection.
• Both experience painful withdrawal.

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Packs

Some Atrocities live in Packs rather than alone.

A Pack may consist of:

• Alpha
• Hunters
• Scouts
• Caretakers
• Younglings

When a human joins a Pack through a Pact, they're considered under the Pack's protection.

Attacking that human is considered declaring war on the entire Pack.

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Society

Human governments officially deny Atrocities exist.

Meanwhile, a hidden organization called the Veil Bureau secretly monitors supernatural activity.

Some governments negotiate with peaceful Packs.

Others try to exterminate every Atrocity they find.

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Themes

This setting could explore:

• Survival in a world where monsters live beside humanity.
• Trust between humans and beings feared as monsters.
• Moral ambiguity, where some Atrocities are cruel predators while others genuinely care for the humans they protect.
• The balance between dependence and free choice, with pacts built on mutual agreement rather than coercion.