Documentation surrounding an as-yet scarcely recorded voidsent species.Currently under study by Dr S. Icarius, all files are to remain in the Noumenon's restricted archives.

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Hidden in the annals of Mhachi history, the presence of ersatz has been mostly understated-either within vague mentions of 'shifting' voidsent or infiltrators primarily regarded as púca. While in the past it's been much-assumed that this was a term referring to a number of differing voidsent species, or in reference to a certain class and rank of voidsent-or, in some assumed cases, a derogatory moniker for voidkin in general, differences in the texts hint at otherwise.It is due to those errors, aligned up with a living specimen recorded under study of a party of our own archons, that has led me to believe this not only is the púca a wholly different species of voidsent, but one noted in many other cultures across Eitherys under a number of names--in this study, I will simply be referring to them as Ersatz.It is unknown how long they have been appearing on Eitherys, nor how many of the methods of their summoning may remain in certain circles; Though it would not surprise me to find some of them still remain amongst us, blending into the everyday. Given previous incursions up to a few years ago, it is unknown how many of them may still linger-nor how many may have escaped into the Source alongside other voidsent. Interestingly, there seem to be two branching subspecies of these creatures.These documents provide research into each of the subjects currently discovered, details of their covering identities, and details about the species gleaned from multiple sources.

Given the taboo nature of this subject and how dangerous it may be in inexperienced-or perhaps too experienced-hands, the exact rituals and their glyphs will not be included in these documents, even though certain aspects of the ritualwork surrounding them will be listed for sake of preserving knowledge.Interestingly, reasons of their summoning are not entirely for sake of combat or infiltration, and alongside a few other voidsent species they seem to have had a measure of utility within the higher society of Mhach.It is not out of measure to assume some would have quite a gathering of knowledge of Mhachi customs and society from this-though the risk associated with summoning one would far exceed the gain of seeking one out or summoning one to trade for such, and I would highly advise against this.In early annals of some of my research, I had considered them like to Demons of the Tome due to study on one of the living, hand-raised Ersatz in study-but with both recovery of older Mhach records, as well as a recently found logs studying another intact, on-Source specimen discovered within the implanted dome of Alexandria, this is found to have been an influence of the individual specimen's raising-a matter of 'nurture vs nature', as it were.

^{Current specimens +Aliases}

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ㅤStudy 1
. Arthrolus .
. Medium-sized variant .
. Unknown location .

ㅤ13342ㅤ
. Arthrolus .
. Medium-sized variant .
. Currently located in Alexandria .

Faithㅤ
. Alias-13342 .
. Primary .

ㅤStudy 2
. Mammolus .
. Large-sized variant .
. Currently located between La Noscea and Kugane .

Kiri Belvina
. Alias-Study 2 .
. Primary .

Jules Montaigne
. Alias-Study 2 .
. Secondary .

Study 2 (Griffin)

A surprising case, to be sure, and well documented. This one I found from older records in the off-limits sections, with a blessing from a few members of the forum after years of pleading my case with them. While I would very much like to eventually discuss with these papers with this individual, while this project remains under close supervision and purview of the forum members my hands are tied.

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Kiri Belvina

A surprising case, to be sure, and well documented. This one I found from older records in the off-limits sections, with a blessing from a few members of the forum after years of pleading my case with them. While I would very much like to eventually discuss with these papers with this individual, while this project remains under close supervision and purview of the forum members my hands are tied.

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Jules Montaigne

A surprising case, to be sure, and well documented. This one I found from older records in the off-limits sections, with a blessing from a few members of the forum after years of pleading my case with them. While I would very much like to eventually discuss with these papers with this individual, while this project remains under close supervision and purview of the forum members my hands are tied.

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Patience Montaigne

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Study 3 (Ixion)

In my search for more studies of these interplanar creatures, a colleague of mine reached something of note to me-mention of voidsent in records recovered from labs in the newly established Alexandria-something they found in their collaborative research one of the organizations; They would not name these individuals that allowed them to look into such information, but I remain grateful to them nonetheless.

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Faith

In my search for more studies of these interplanar creatures, a colleague of mine reached something of note to me-mention of voidsent in records recovered from labs in the newly established Alexandria-something they found in their collaborative research one of the organizations; They would not name these individuals that allowed them to look into such information, but I remain grateful to them nonetheless.

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Study 1 (Mutt)

One of our oldest records that we've managed to capture in still image ourselves. From recovered journals involved in dealing with it, it holds a vast amounts of knowledge from glimpses in the past. Extremely dangerous, and extremely evasive-catching it on camera was, admittedly, a surprising thrill even though it was from long-distance monitoring.

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^{biological notes}

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-They appear to have some stage of larval form as noted primarily with records of 13342. This explains a measure of the illustrations of these creatures in older Mhachi records. It seems this process 'resets' into a gifted vessel, and they must start from square one to build up again, likely retaining all the knowledge they bear and the base soul's identity. These vessels are remarkably small-I was almost surprised, in comparison to the colossal size of some of those in study.

-In this stage, the vessel-or creature-seems to change and adapt with given aether from living that it eats. This explains much about the situation of Study 2, who had been surviving off of much of the students' rations. At some point it slows and halts, though at which point I am unsure.

-Vessels supplied require an amount of biofuel-primarily meat-to summon one of these creatures. Many war-time Mhachi records describe giving up unfortunate captives to this process, but it seems it needs only meat itself, not something living.

-There are, as of current, only two known specimens with their full bodies present instead of a required vessel-the first being study 2, and the second being 13342. Though 13342 was transported by the dimensional tears from Alexandria, it is yet unclear how Study 2 happened to arrive.

-Aetherial studies of Study 2 as well as records of 13342 show extreme fluctuations of dark aether. The high activity may very well be the culprit for their extremely malleable nature, albeit this makes them excessively unstable and unpredictable to even themselves.

-It is unknown whether they have a stopping point for growth-I have theory that it may vary from individual to individual, albeit it is very likely that much like many other voidsent there is simply no stopping point.

-It is still unclear how the mutation into an Ersatz happens-all that is stated within the older tomes is mentions of 'ushering potential' as well as 'keeping balance of humors', which with Mhach could mean an extremely wide number of things.

-Notably, it's suspected that a functional Ersatz primarily preys on a single species, intaking aether from individuals in their chosen form to perfect a base disguise as their unshifted form-no different from another member of the species, until one looks too close.

-Their physical capabilities are still in speculation; Notably, there is record of usage in chemical testing, as well as developing antivenoms-they appear to have an excessively active immune system. I would think any unable to withstand it may very well have had their immune system do quick work of them, further making this species a rarity.

-There are many mentions of their blood being used in various curatives-though I am unsure how, exactly, they would deal with the corruption in the mixture. They seem to have been valuable as replenish-able sources of poison and venom cures, and cased with 13342 noted abilities of being able to reject embedded items in their system.

-Younger members of this species are easier to find amidst populace than others-either through experience, or through maturing growth of the layering chromatophores in their skin, allowing for more flexible and reliable disguising of their bodies.

-Their form of hiding is much more physical than the nature of voidsent hiding with use of aetherial mimicry and glamours, and thus they cannot be easily revealed by simple dispelling or filtering spells and wards. They appear to physically compress and rearrange their aether and internal organs into a functional 'skin' that they form over their true body with a framework of crystallized/compressed aetherial 'skeleton' structure, much like a cocoon.

-The classifications of 'Mammolus' and 'Arthrolus' are speculatives of my own, given study of the records of these creatures.
. 'Mammolus' mutations are often quicker to grow, though have difficulty growing further than four limbs: Cases such as Study 2 have been noted, albeit Study 2 has the extreme growth noted in previous suspected cases. They have the easier route, given their adaptations are primarily developed from mammalian bases and retain many of the benefits of them. Much more flexible in function, though less capable in situations that call for combat or self-defense.
. 'Arthrolus' find no difficulty in generating extra limbs as necessary, and often tend to grow extensions such as chitinous plating with ease-they adapt off varying insectoid or otherwise non-mammalian bases. Much hardier, but often much more prone to difficulties in niche environmental factors.

There are notable traits other than extreme aetherial aspecting written in records of hunting such creatures, that must be heeded to when seeking out the odd and unknown--the primary towards Ersatz appears to be as thus:-

These can be different in some individuals, such as weight being varied over different vessels, or cases where an Ersatz may practice an individual's tattoos to keep them from 'smearing', but all together are effective ways to tell one from the original individual being mimicked.

^{extra notes}

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-From what has been described in their roles in Mhachi society, they had a number of differing roles-these seemed to become scarcer in the later stages of the war, replaced with need for infiltrators, spies and assassins-as well as being involved in a number of ambush warfare on enemy troops.

-A more interesting note saw to their involvement with the upper class around Mhachi society, and is part of my reason for theories on their ability to 'sculpt' themselves and others.

-It appears possible for them to change your appearance via bleeding their aether into your own, and using that to physically alter one's body. It cannot be stated enough how dangerous this process is by sheer concept. The risk of corruption would be excessive in large exposure events.

-The concern of aetherial corruption aside for those bolstered against a turning of their energies, the process was stated to be exceedingly painful and nigh to starving the individual due to the ravenous hunger that would beset them once it was done.

-It is not stated that such guarantees the desired results alongside this, bearing a concern that one may subject themself to the process repeatedly until the pain drove them mad. It seems the process does not get any easier with repeated attempts, yet there are few records of those gone 'void-mad' from seeking to chase one fashion trend or another with the assistance of Ersatz.

-Their ability to blend in with common population is also not to be understated-they were spoken of routinely as having been involved amidst the upper class of Mhachi hierarchy, often depicted as servants or footmen with amalgamated traits akin to beasts; Faces half blurred into odd animal visages, paws and hooves where regular hyuran traits would lie. It is yet unclear whether this was symbolic or actual.

-The old names and symbols of their actual summoning remain lost to time-likely buried deep within the remnants of Mhach, or held by some voidsent with knowledge to their summonings.

There is mention of necessity to keep them away from many other voidsent in employ-it seems as though they are not well liked in the courts of the Thirteenth-whether due to their voracity or their overtly unstable aetherial nature is not clear.

-Regardless, with the ending of the war so abruptly, it is unclear whether all Ersatz were banished back into the Thirteenth-given their ability to hide amidst populace, it is not unlikely some used this chance to escape further enslavement and subsequent banishment at the hands of Mhachi mages.

-Perhaps a small note aside, but something curious I happened to stumble upon-vaguest mentions of theatrical companies that happened to bring Ersatz into their employ. A possible better life and cooperation, perhaps, before the War intensifying ultimately snuffed out the chances of such for the rest of the era.

^{ooc | rules}

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Hi! I'm Icarus, or Scott--the creator of Ersatz/Doppels/Mimics!Thankyou for reading my little carrd-document about my funny shapeshifting guys! They are initially a sci-fi OC-Canon species that I wanted to port into XIV out of interest for the story and how they might work.I made this both to help explain and in case anyone wanted to create one themselves!I don't have many rules about them, given their nature is often in the extremes of adaptability-though I have a few I would like to share, to help guide in creation.You can find me at scoreframes on bsky, I'd love to see if you make one!

ㅤ01ㅤ-MASS DISPLACEMENT Given they work by physically compressing and reassembling themselves into both condensed aether and also compressed physical organs. This, of course, has a limit on how big the body they're changing around is-I often tend to judge that they could in extreme and practiced cases compress to roughly 1/5 to 1/6 of their uncompressed size, before it becomes difficult, dangerous and/or impossible for them to squash themselves tighter. They often have to make way for vital formed organs of their created vessels within these, and can create condensed aether 'framework' skeletons for shifted bodies.

02-CREATION They tend to be created under very specific circumstances-primarily, if an individual is corrupted and changes either with an extremely fluid state, with equal branching into varying corruptive paths, or bears a nature of 'immense potential', there is a chance they will become an Ersatz. A good example of this is that the flood of darkness changed a number of infants and small children into them, given their anomalous futures and high potential to branch.
ㅤ03-CREDITㅤ Please don't claim they're your own creations, I don't want to make them a closed species or anything-I really really love seeing people create and how they spin things I put out into the world!-but please link them back to me and to this carrd, if possible, both for sake of credit and for general information!

ㅤ04-TELLS AND SIGNSㅤ While some of them can often skirt certain 'tells' that they are a doppel (practiced tattoo-forms, astrologian gravity magic to prevent heavy weight, keeping size small to avoid compression oddities) it is incredibly unlikely that they can skirt every sign of what they are, and gets more difficult the larger and older their vessel gets. I ask that they remain with at least one or two of these, to make it a little bit easier for identification. It can be a balance, they're designed to blend in/remain infallible in typical methods used to shake down voidsent, but not entirely undiscoverable.

ㅤRULE 05-DOWNSIDESㅤ Being a voidsent is not fun, that much is clear. You often deal with many downsides in both mental and physical struggles, as well as trials such as hunger. Ersatz are required to eat physically as well as aetherially-and the more they shift and change, as well as the larger and older their vessel is, the stronger their hunger gets. This is an unfortunate part of the voidsent experience for them in exchange for their flexibility aetherially and physically in forms, and it's designed to remain that way. Strong aetherial detection will also be able to pick up on them-as well as the struggles of aethersense and conflicting aether with light-based entities-albeit less troubled by it, given their aetherial adaptations. Some, much like other voidsent such as snurbles and Scathach, are even shown to be able to wield minor conjury! But it may still hurt and aetherially imbalance them, given their physical nature is so active/fluid.