Baku
The benevolent baku feed on dark spirits and nightmares. These celestial spirits float in the Ethereal Plane adjacent to the Material. They dwell near mortal settlements attracted by the laughter and play of children. These good spirits protect innocent mortals from evil fey and aswang that come to feed on their purity.
Baku have become more common in the Kirinal Concordance Zone. The influx of minor creepy-crawlies from the Kirinal Pit create a rich feeding ground for hungry baku.
The shy baku prefer to remain hidden in the Ethereal from the mortals they protect. Those lucky enough to catch a glimpse report brightly colored chimeras, a mix of elephant, tiger, rhinoceros, and oxen. Young baku are the size of cats, while elder baku can grow up to 9 feet tall at the shoulder.
Childhood Companions
Every child in the Zone that participates in the ritual known as the Celebration of Children, unknowningly receives a young baku assigned by the Heavenly Council of Ki-rins. The baku and the child grow up together with the baku serving as the child's unseen protector and constant companion.
Children with magical or spiritual gifts can become aware that their "imaginary friend" is actually real and actively defending them from bad things.
Especially good children can coax their baku out of the ethereal when no one else is around. The baku enter the Prime to play with their friend and cuddle with them at night.
"Mama! My friend wants a piece of candy too!"
"Stop being greedy, my love! Your baku eats bad dreams, not candy!"
Spirited Away
The friendly baku operated in happy anonymity for a hundred years in the Zone until an especially Bad Shatter when the Far Realm manifested in the Pit.
Soul eating monsters invaded the world and parents throughout the Zone panicked when they realized that every child around the Pit had disappeared in their sleep.
Once the Far Realm faded away at dawn the next day, the sleeping children all reappeared in their beds. Their baku had pulled them into the ethereal to protect them from the monsters that threatened them.
Everything Grows Up
As every child grows up, their bakus grow up too. The day finally comes when the child is strong enough to not need their baku anymore.
Usually, the baku slips off unnoticed, also ready to live its own life. But those children who've formed an unusually strong connection to their baku have it harder.
Their friend appears to them when the time comes. They say their goodbyes through tears.
What a delightful and tender version of the baku! <3
Thank you for your beautiful art!
Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak and check out my award winning article about the Ghost Boy of Kirinal!