Wisps

The Wisps (often referred to as Space Ghosts) are a mythical race of inter-dimensional beings whose only visible imprint in our dimension is through their creations, be those entire planets or singular beings affected by their magic. No official records exist across the known universe of a mortal coming into direct contact with a Wisp; because of this, many believe the species to be a myth, or a placeholder for a greater universal process that is not yet understood. Yet, many still claim to have come into contact with the beings, and many more worship them as interstellar deities. Research into Wisps is a major draw for most beings, and entities such as the shadowy DubTech that dedicate themselves to better understanding Wisps receive generous funding from most well-off planets.

## Wisp Magic

Wisp Magic is a catch-all for the incredible powers possessed by these beings. Though next to nothing is known about what Wisps actually are, much is known about how they influence the universe. Wisp influence is generally divided into three categories.

### Celestial Data

Celestial Data is a system of organizing matter that allows for the easy creation and modification of entire planets. The full extent of its inner workings are beyond the reach of even the most talented Datamancers, who dedicate their lives to working with Celestial Data.

Planets created using Celestial Data often borrow 'assets' such as species and minerals from other planets, while occasionally developing their own unique life forms if given enough time. On a small scale, new life on Data Planets can often arise through **Glitches**: data inconsistencies that have real impact on the physical world. Because of their reliance on this system of organization, these planets are often vulnerable to skilled datamancers, who can manipulate the world around them for personal gain. That said, these datamancers must be cautious, as Data Planets also tend to have built-in security systems which can lie dormant until they detect the presence of an intruder.

### Humanoids

For whatever reason, the human is often the preferred subject of Wisp Magic. Ancient humans are commonly accepted as the shared ancestor of nearly all the universe's humanoid races, though many scholars dispute the idea that humans in their current form have existed for long enough to provide such an influence. Regardless, the fact that many intelligent species are humanoid in appearance is attributed to the Wisps, who are believed to modify humanoid DNA and mix it with that of other species at whim. The result can be tame, as in the case of the catlike Neko, or dangerous in the case of more predatory species such as the Helbothi, who find it difficult to adjust to some civilized societies without recreating the thrill of the hunt. The planet Earth is a particular hotspot for humanoids, but the lack of Celestial Data on the planet has led many to assert that the Wisps are not responsible for this diversity.

### Space Witches

Though the official name for this class of being is 'Wispborn,' the term Space Witch has been popularized by the ubiquitous Salem Society, which dedicates itself to the persecution and safe storage of these entities.

Space Witches themselves are living beings born by mixing the DNA of a non-wisp with that of a Wisp, resulting in a being that looks outwardly similar to its non-wisp race while possessing incredible powers commonly associated with Wisp influence. As far as powers go, there is no set formula for what makes a typical Space Witch. Some appear benign and specific in their abilities, while others possess powers bordering on the divine. Legends even circulate of the most powerful Space Witches ascending their fleshy forms and becoming Wisps themselves, though there is no official evidence of this phenomenon taking place.

The impact of Space Witches on the universe is difficult to quantify. Despite what the name suggests, not all Space Witches are female, and an estimated 90% are classified as dormant or undiscovered. Those that do impact the universe around them must be cautious, as the Salem Society will hunt an identified Space Witch to the ends of the universe. There is no known means for a Space Witch to relinquish their powers, and so they opt instead to go into hiding. Beings who live in isolation run the risk of being rumored a Space Witch, since it is common for the less stable members of this race to shun society entirely.

Little is known about the mortality of a Space Witch. The Salem Society provides limited data on those they have captive, believing that too much shared data might embolden future Witches. As with their powers, it seems that the only consistency in this race's lifespan is inconsistency. Some claim to have known Space Witches who died of natural causes at varying ages. The longest-lived Space Witch known to have died naturally was Abira, a half-demon who claimed to have lived for billions of years, a claim that was shocking backed-up by an autopsy upon her death only seventy-two years ago.

#### Famous Space Witches

Very few Space Witches in recent history have made a name for themselves given the presence of the Salem Society, which is itself a relatively new development in intergalactic history. Many powerful beings that have influenced multiple worlds, such as the pantheon of reality-bending Hell Royals, are commonly labeled as Space Witches, though some dispute this label. Most known Space Witches in the current era are either nomadic -operating under a secret identity- or live in the Underworld, which is beyond the reach of the Salem Society.

Two of the universe's most famous Space Witches, the human sisters Katral and Arret, were reapers who used their powers to serve the flow of souls through the Underworld's Castle Grim. Katral has since vanished from the galactic eye, and Arret has supposedly moved on to become warden of the castle's immense soul prison.

It is theorized that some underground and criminal societies have ties to Space Witches, but these societies strongly deny these rumours. Investigations on the part of the Salem Society into the holdings of these societies has turned up no clear evidence of Space Witch involvement.

Gorgons of the destroyed planet Golgotha claim it was annihilated at the hands of a Space Witch who lived there. Investigations undertaken by the Salem Society have revealed evidence of Space Witch involvement in Golgotha, though no direct ties have been drawn to the planet's destruction, and more importantly, no such Space Witch has ever been found.