The Thing About Imps

Imps play an important part in the Hallowedspell Universe.
Tom Brown is half imp, half human. And Eve McAllister is half imp, half vampire.
Owing to genetics, the imp side of their make up affects their inclinations, needs, and personalities. In the case of Tom, it makes him more inclined to be impulsive, commit pranks, steal things, and generally make himself a nuisance. In the case of Eve, it makes her view of the universe a little more black-and-white, and inclined to physical, if not occasionally dry, sense of humor. Such different personalities are due mostly to their individual experiences and choices. But what exactly is an imp?



Tom and his father

According to Wikipedia, and imp is a "mythological being similar to a fairy or goblin, frequently described in folklore and superstition. The word may perhaps derive from the term ympe, used to denote a young grafted tree."

Ok, but outside Wikipedia, an imp is described as a small creature that plays harmful tricks in children's stories. source. It is also described as a little demon. Some are depicted in frescos opposite cherubs, seen as little devils. imp in church

But whenever I think of imps, I always imagine those cartoons with shoulder angels and devils. One tells you one thing and the other tells you another. So when I decided to add imps to my series, I came up with this result:

In the Hallowedspell Universe:

Imps are little invisible demons who feed off mischief. Mischief is their food source. So they follow humans, trying to tempt them to do naughty things. The health condition of imps surrounding certain people is a good indicator of the nature of that person. A fat imp is a sign that the person is naughty. Starved imps are a sign of a good person. The number of imps per person is relative, though no imps with a person is a bad sign--that person is too wicked to need any coaxing.

Imps usually are wrinkly, ugly little creatures with orange eyes, small bat/dragon-like wings with clawed fingers and toes. Some have horns and tails. Others do not. They are hardly dressed and are often filthy.



Imps make suggestions by shouting, though only the person they shout at can hear them. Despite this, most people don't recognize imp-shouting as different from their own thoughts. Quiet imps are considered a bad sign that the person is wicked on his own and up to no good.

They are invisible to the eyes of non-imps, though equally 'angelic' opposition can see them.

Imps can go through solid objects such as walls, ceilings, floors, etc.

Imps are so fast that only other imps can catch them.

Imps have 300-year life spans if not killed. They can be killed, and some even starve to death.



What she sees.

Imps can transform into full demons if they are able to convince their human to do truly horrific things... such as rape and murder. Imps-turned-demon usually have huge horns.

Imps are not able to tempt a person to do anything they are not personally inclined to do. So the temptations for a generally honest or chaste person will be more within the possibilities of what they would be willing to do such as sneak more chocolate than they should, to eat unhealthy foods, or to do something time-wasting like spending all day on the internet playing games. 

However, imps love trouble the most--so often imps just tempt people to do stupid things that even cause their human target trouble. So all those people who get Darwin Awards are most likely listening to imps.

There are male and female imps. They give birth to a varied number of imps, though no more than one per year.

Imps can become human-sized on Halloween. On that day they can make themselves visible to a select few for the cause of mischief.

Imps don't usually touch things to move them except on Halloween, or on special occasions. To them, they'd rather get humans to do it for pranks to eat up their mischief.

Imps can be bossed by half-imps--mostly because they are too simple-minded and do not think of long term consequences. But to do so, the half-imp must appeal to the imps' mischievous cravings, otherwise getting cooperation is difficult.

So, you can imagine how much trouble having a family member as an imp. In Eve's case, it was her mother. In Tom's, his father. So the question is, are you the sum or your parts, or the sum of your choices?

And who are you listening to the most?