**Infernal**
Form of life.

A supernatural entity from R’lyeh manifold of reality. They range in power and intelligence, as do vistors from other realms. Simple infernals exist inside complex machines, and are content to pump out repetitive tasks. Sentient celestials take human-like forms (reptiloids, cephalopods, insectoids) and conduct business on the Material plane with motives the human mind can only speculate about. They have a natural affinity for Artist style magic, and struggle with others.

**R’lyeh**

The plane of reality where Infernals come from. The actual name can’t be represented as a sound, as the plane of R’lyeh has no concept of time. R’lyeh is echo of the thought form one experiences after having the concept telepathically beamed into ones’ head. It can be accessed from the Material Plane through Artist style magic.

**Visiting R’lyeh**

The human mind cannot actually comprehend what they are experiencing if they enter R’lyeh. And Infernals that visit the Material Plane run into language trouble trying to explain it. Even telepathy leads to muddled images because its entire mode of operation is completely alien to a living being. Living beings that visit R’lyeh return Insane. By the time they are coherent enough to recall the experience, their recollections are tainted by rationalizations, unconscious biases, and cultural tropes. Theorist note that life in that realm of magic is largely under the influence of Sattva (divinity) and Tamas (chaos) and is largely innured against the effects of Rejas (ego). Intelligent life would have an entirely different biology and psychology, largely built around concepts of formlessness and eternity. What infernals to make it to the Material plane seem to struggle with the concept of identity, propriety, and the idea that death of an individual is bad.

**Illithid**

Illithid (also known as Mind Flayers) are a form of the Undead. They are created when an Infernal is cut off from R’lyeh or when a high level Artist mage takes on unnatural life. Vampires must maintain their fortune by extracting Quintessence from the living. Their preferred form is Cyan quintessence, drawn from the Sahasrara chakra, which is located in the brain stem. They can extract small amounts from massaging the skull. But to draw large amounts they must pierce the skull and tear through the brain.