Phantasm

Also referred to as spirits, phantasms are a curious form of life born of soulfire and ichor, birthed from the aggregate halo of sentients coalescing within an impression around a central concept; the focal points responsible are often referred to as their ideal, while their area is referred to as their dominion.

By Structure

Lesser Phantasm

The lowest class of phantasm, with barely a distinctive identity to perpetuate. More a loose collection of soulfire than a creature, wisps permeate the environment wherever life abounds. Notably, while lacking a soul, lesser phantasms may command exceptional volumes of soulfire if their impression is sufficiently strong, and one must be careful not to assume their weakness.

Greater Phantasm

A phantasm which possesses a soul, granting them sapience and a great deal more freedom. However, greater phantasms are still bound within their impression, and are reliant upon it for survival. Without one, like any other sapient mortal, they will slowly erode into the background until it either completely fades or regains its impression. Yet a greater phantasm may in fact contribute to its own impression, and thus influence its own limitations.

Ideal Phantasm

The highest classification of phantasm, which are those that are phlogistically immortal. Notably, this allows them to be unrestrained by the impression which birthed them, and makes them exceedingly difficult to cleanse.

This makes ideal shades some of the most dangerous entities on the planet, often becoming the downfall of entire regions. As the shade cannot be normally quelled, this leaves pacifying it as the only viable option to contain the threat. Oddly enough, while fellsouls are often more powerful than nightspawn, fellsouls are often easier to subdue as their mental state is more readily understood, and thus more easily tempered. Ideal nightspawn, meanwhile, can be entirely unpredictable, leading them to be difficult to subdue quickly and thus a greater long-term threat even if they're less powerful.

By Psyche

Fairies

Harmonic phantasms born from natural coalescence, often as wisps. Fairies typically bear a symbolic resemblance to subjects of repeated attention in thought; put simply, the elements of dreams.

Fellsouls

Greater phantasms which have undergone ego death and are thus directed by fear, anger, and transformed into shades. Given their origin, a fellsoul will always resemble the image of themselves which the soul constructed as a consequence of their collapse.

Nightspawn

Lesser, and occasionally greater, phantasms formed by chaotic coagulation of ill-oriented soulfire. Nightspawn typically bear a symbolic resemblance to subjects of fear, anger, anxiety, and other negative emotions; the elements of nightmares.

Automatons

Phantasms which were deliberately constructed, and thus often are highly logical and machine-like. An automaton's form often follows from their function, as even if they do not require one, having a sense of self is a natural consequence of existing as a phlogistic being.