The Continental Summoning Association
Official Summon Compendium
Official CSA Product
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I Introduction
The Continental Summoning Association, also known as the Association or through its abbreviation 'CSA', is the Continent’s sole authority in regards to all summoning-related matters. The CSA is tasked with controlling, regulating and safeguarding: summoning schools, dueling competitions, temples, shrines and other heritage sites.
To properly inform members of the public and to combat persistent misinformation, the CSA publishes its decennial Summon Compendium. This document outlines the fundamental principles of the practice of summoning and provides elementary information on every officially identified Summon.
II Essential Terminology
II.I Essence
Essence is defined as the primordial life force inherent to everything in existence. Although modern scientific research has yet to produce a deep understanding of this phenomenon, it is postulated by the CSA that Essence serves as the spiritual fabric of our universe. Within the human body, Essence is concentrated in and around the five so-called Essence nodes. These Essence nodes function as interconnected centers for spiritual energy within the body and can be awakened for improved Essence integration. Each of node corresponds with one of the five fundamental elements.
At times, Essence is also colloquially referred to as Qi, Mana, Prana or simply Energy. The CSA acknowledges the cultural relevance of each of these characterizations but in the interest of consistency has decided to only utilize the term Essence in its official messaging.
Although every individual possesses a certain degree of Essence, only a small portion of the general population is particularly sensitive to the substance. These individuals have the ability to sense and control Essence and often choose to further develop their affinity with Essence through a process called cultivation. Through repeated practice, cultivator can significantly expand their Essence base: the capacity of Essence held within one's body.
It should be noted that the CSA opposes all forms of discrimination against individuals who are not sensitive to Essence. A significant portion of its mission statement is related to the regulation of summoning and so maintain a safe and prosperous society for all Continent citizens.
II.II Cultivation
Cultivation practices can take up many different forms; however most common forms of cultivation evolve around a combination of meditative sessions known as cycling and choreographed exercises known as forms.
These practices are developed and taught at institutions called Summoning Schools. Summoning Schools can be found all across the Continent and are generally headed by a master. The CSA allows Summoning Schools to create their own regulations and bylaws, and does not appoint masters. However, the CSA does follow strict guidelines pertaining to the quality of Summoning Schools and only provides a finite amount of licenses to institutions. This measure was implemented to foster competition and maintain high standards among all formally recognized institutions.
Further, it should be noted that all cultivation techniques are protected by the CSA’s Summoning Heritage Act. This act safeguards the confidentiality of said techniques and grants Summoning Schools and their masters full ownership over the techniques they develop. The Summoning Heritage Act also highlight certain tax benefits and government assistance programs. For more information, please reach out to the CSA headquarters in Alabaster City or your local CSA department.
II.III Summons
Individuals who are experienced in cultivating Essence often choose to form a connection with a Summon, an Essence-sensitive being inhabiting a plane of existence different than our own. Summons are known to inhabit various biomes and can only be accessed through by an individual after they enter an Essence induced trance.
During the connection process the individual fuses the Summon's Essence to one of their Essence nodes, allowing the two form a deep emotional and spiritual bond. This is a dangerous process with many risks and is completely irreversible.
After a successful connection, a summoner gains the ability to serve as an anchor for the Summon and conjure the being to our plane of existence by expending their Essence.
Due to a lack of knowledge and the aforementioned Summoning Heritage Act, the CSA cannot disclose any more information on the origins of Summons or the biomes they inhabit
II.III Elemental types:
A Summon can align with one of the five fundamental elements :
* Water
* Earth
* Fire
* Wind
* Void
These elements correspond with the five Essence nodes in one’s body and summoners are unable to connect with multiple Summons from the same element.
In order to connect with more than one Summon, a Summoner must cultivate their Essence to awaken another Essence node. This is difficult to achieve and although it is possible for an individual to awaken all five Essence nodes, very few Summoners have achieved such a feat in their lifetime.
Although most Summons exclusively align with one distinct element, deviations are not impossible and do, albeit very rarely, occur. For example: the Pegasus, which is generally considered a Wind Summon, can appear during a connection as a Fire or Void Summon.
II.IV Classifications:
CSA sponsored research has not found that any element has a notable power advantage over the others. Instead, the Association has established a classification system to scale Summon potential.
Summons are categorized into a class by a panel known as the Continental Summoning Association Classification Committee. The panel measures the Summon’s strength, projected potential and calculates its encounter rarity.
To aid the evaluation process, the CSA has identified four categories under which Summons can be classified. These are commonly referred to as classes. The existing classes are as follows:
* Common
* Rare
* Legendary
* Divine
Please note that despite popular colloquial usage, the Association has opted not to officially adopt the “Mythical” class.
The CSA is aware of the social contention surrounding the classification of Summons and wishes to underline that classes serve as informative guidelines rather than strict ranks. Summons are individual entities and each being –regardless of their species- has unique strengths and weaknesses. In the past, some Summons have expanded far beyond their projected potential.
II.V Fusions:
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III. Classified Summons:
The Minotaur Element: Earth Class: Legendary [First appearance: Chapter 1] Minotaurs are ferocious Summons with humanoid torsos and the hooves and heads of bulls. Known for their resilience and physical strength, they were long believed to be the cursed creation of an angry god. Minotaurs are said to reside in biomes resembling underground labyrinths where they stalk and crush their prey.
The Yeti Element: Wind Class: Legendary [First appearance: Chapter 1] The Yeti is an elusive Summons, usually encountered in snowy mountainous biomes. This Summon typically has a thick white fur and multiple spiraling horns. Despite its frightening appearance, the Yeti is generally known to be a well-natured Summon. However, when provoked, the Summon is prone to extremely violent outbursts.
The Griffin Element: Wind Class: Legendary [First appearance: Chapter 5] Touted as the king of beasts, the Griffin is a majestic Summon that is part eagle and part lion. Griffins are intelligent Summons and have an extraordinarily sharp vision. As a result, their attacks are quick, calculated and almost never miss their target. While confident, Griffins are prone to overestimating their abilities.
The Bicorn Element: Void Class: Rare [First appearance: Chapter 5] The Bicorn is a Summon from a dark biome. Bicorns appear as horses with two sharp horns sprouting from their foreheads and have bodies colored like starry nights. It is rumored that the Summons can also have other forms. They are believed to be related to both Unicorns and Chichevaches.
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The Kappa Element: Water Class: Common [First appearance: Chapter 7] Kappas are mischievous water Summons. They resemble man-shaped turtles with scaly skins and beaked mouths. Kappa skulls are shaped like domes and contain their life energy in the form of luminescent water. These summons enjoy ponds, rivers and lakes but can also be encountered in swamp biomes. Although they are common, Kappas are known to have strong individual personalities.
The Firebird Element: Fire Class: Rare [First appearance: Chapter 10] Mentions of Firebirds date back to ancient times when legends were told of their famed beauty and grace. The Firebird continuously emits a bright orange light, reminiscent of a bonfire, and can conjure up flames at will. Its feathers never cease to glow and are considered luxury artifacts around the globe. Not to be confused with the Phoenix or the Fenghuang.
The Cockatrice Element: Wind Class: Legendary [First appearance: Chapter 10] Cockatrices have the heads and talons of roosters, bat-like wings and a long reptilian tail. They are feared Summons, known for their aggressive and predatory nature. A Cockatrice’s breath is deathly poisonous and its gaze can paralyze its prey with one simple stare. These Summons have an unexplained hatred for common chickens who are strangely immune to their poison.
The Shishi Element: Fire Class: Rare [First appearance: Chapter 11] Renowned as symbols of power and protection, Shishis have long been venerated in certain parts of the world where their statues herald palaces, temples and aristocratic estates. With an appearance that can best be described as a mixture between a lion, a dog and a dragon, the Shishi has a fierce but sophisticated appearance.
The Sylph Element: Wind Class: Rare [First appearance: Chapter 13] This graceful Summon is widely regarded to be the purest embodiment of air. Not only do Sylphs live among the clouds in their biomes, their bodies consist of clouds as well, making them extremely difficult to spot in their natural habitat. Although genderless, Sylphs often shape their cloudy bodies in the form of elegant women.
The Seraphim Element: Void Class: Divine [First appearance: Chapter 14] Celestial beings of enormous power, Seraphims are considered holy in many of the world’s cultures. These Summons have one large eye at the center of its body and six wings. While their attacks are destructive, these Summons also have healing and purifying abilities. Simply witnessing a Seraphim can cause the observant to experience extreme bouts of terror or feel a boundless sense of euphoria.
The Hydra Element: Water Class: Legendary [First appearance: Chapter 17] The Hydra is a ferocious Summon with a serpentine body and multiple heads. They have poisonous blood and are known for their remarkable regenerative abilities. Whenever a Hydra loses a head in battle, it regrows two more. As a result, Hydras become more powerful as they incur damage. These Summons are extremely powerful but are difficult to control, even for gifted and experienced Summoners.
The Vodyanoy Element: Water Class: Rare [First appearance: Chapter 19] The Vodyanoy is a malicious water spirit. They are said to haunt bodies of freshwater, where they enjoy drowning unknowing passersby. According to legend, these Summons are able to control their death victims as slaves but this theory has never been officially confirmed. These Summons have strange bodies, fully covered with aquatic vegetation.
The Werewolf Element: Void Class: Rare [First Appearance: Chapter 21] Also known as Wolfmen, Werewolves are particularly vicious and bloodthirsty Summons. These Summons are prone to violent frenzies and are capable of inflicting immense damage with their melee attacks. They also possess the ability to draw Essence from the moon. Werewolves were once believed to have originated from cursed humans but there is no evidence supporting this theory.
The Djinn Element: Fire Class: Legendary [First Appearance: Chapter 22] The Djinn is a mysterious Summon with powerful magical abilities. They are trickster Summons, able to create potent illusions and shapeshift into anything they desire. In ancient times, Djinn were sought after Summons by monarchs who believed they could predict the future. Djinns can be encountered in desert environments where they enjoy hiding inside objects such as bottles, chests and lamps.
The Manananggal Element: Void Class: Rare [First Appearance: Chapter 24] Often taking the form of beautiful women, Manananggals have the puzzling ability to sever their bodies and spontaneously grow wings. These physical attributes have long made the Manananggal a symbol of horror and deception. Although these Summonses are quick and have access to regenerative abilities, they do have an inherent weakness to light based attacks.
The Ogre Element: Earth Class: Rare [First Appearance: Chapter 25] Ogres are large and physically imposing Summons. They are omnivores in the truest sense of the word and are known to devour anything on their path. These Summons can be found in a diverse multitude of biomes but seem most comfortable in swamp environments. As a result Ogres tend to have a dark green color, although blue and red variants also exist.
The Daemon Element: Fire Class: Common [First Appearance: Chapter 25] With their ashen skin, red eyes and batlike wings, Daemons appear frightening but these Summons tend to be kindly natured. In ancient times, Daemons were hailed as benevolent spirits and lesser deities but more recent cultural developments branded these Summons as symbols of evil. They have the ability to create fireballs out of thin air and have access to a plethora of umbrakinetic moves.
The Goblin Element: Earth Class: Common [First Appearance: Chapter 26] Goblins are small but remarkably clever Summons. They are believed to live in holes under the ground and enjoy playing tricks on unknowing passerbys. In popular culture, Goblins are often proverbially blamed for unexplained incidents and messes. While these Summons may appear weak, they are incredibly inventive and should not be underestimated.
The Karasu Tengu Element: Wind Class: Legendary [First Appearance: Chapter 27] Also referred to as the Crow Tengu, this Summon has traditionally been venerated as a protective deity. For centuries, people have built shrines and statues honoring the Karasu Tengu, especially in nature reserves such as forests and mountains. Combining humanoid and avian features, these Summons have access to a versatile set of abilities and are well-known for their martial prowess.
The Donkeycorn Element: Earth Class: Common [First Appearance: Chapter 36] Often labeled ‘the poor man’s Unicorn’ for its strange appearance, this Summon resembles a horned Donkey. While this Summon is often overlooked, some observers pointed out that its stubborn nature makes it deceptively powerful. Donkeycorn takes a lot of training and Summoners often struggle to establish a connection with this Summon. However, once a bond has been established, Donkeycorns are known to be incredibly loyal.
The Golem Element: Earth Class: Common [First Appearance: Chapter 39] Golems are large humanoid Summons made of earthen materials. They can consist of clay, rock and sometimes even brick. These Summons are known for their immense strength and durability but move at a rather slow pace. Golems are known to sit still for long periods and so perfectly blend in with the cavernous biomes they inhabit.
The Kitsune Element: Fire Class: Rare [First Appearance: Chapter 40] Known for their cunning and trickery, these fox-like Summons possess potent illusionary and shapeshifting abilities. It is believed that Kitsunes grow stronger as they age, gaining a tail every few hundred years until they have reached nine. According to legend, Kitsunes have often disguised themselves as beautiful women to infiltrate the courts of kings and emperors.
The Frost Giant Element: Wind Class: Legendary [First Appearance: Chapter 42] Ancient tales tell of an era when Frost Giants roamed the mortal plane and warred against their archenemies; the Fire Giants, in grand, epic battles. As their namesake suggests, Frost Giants are enormous Summons, fully consisting of ice. These Summons can withstand tremendous amounts of heat and no matter how high their body temperature gets, they can never melt.
The Carcinos Element: Water Class: Rare [First Appearance: Chapter 43] Carcinos are large, powerful crustacean Summons. They are relatively diverse in appearance and their features are often a random combination of body parts normally associated with crabs, lobsters and shrimp. Some Cracinos are even known to carry a seashell as a house. Although they typically dwell in deep water biomes, these Summons have a strong connection with celestial bodies. The exact reason for this affinity is unknown.
The Grindylow Element: Water Class: Common [First Appearance: Chapter 43] Often described as a hybrid between a spider monkey and an axolotl, this Summon has four dexterous limbs like a primate but also sports external frills and a salamander-like tail. Grindylows are extremely intelligent but difficult to connect with due to their mischievous and unpredictable nature. They feel at home in river biomes and have access to a large range of water based spells.
The Siren Element: Water Class: Legendary [First Appearance: Chapter 44] Sometimes referred to as Mermaids, Sirens are powerful Summons that have captivated the minds of humanity for centuries. These Summons are fully adapted to an aquatic lifestyle, featuring scaly, humanoid upper bodies and the tails of fish. Sirens have the ability to control storms and currents but are most notoriously known for the illusionary spells produced by their vocal cords.
The Lou Carcolh Element: Earth Class: Legendary [First Appearance: 46] Lou Carcolhs are much feared beasts that dwell in dark, underground biomes where they ambush their unassuming prey. Part gastropod, part serpent; these Summons carry spiked shells on their backs, have multiple rows of sharp fangs, and possess a large amount of venomous tentacles. Although they have poor vision and are unable to hear anything, they can sense vibrations, light and Essence.
The Bakekujira Element: Void Class: Legendary [First Appearance: Chapter 49] Bakekujira are living whale skeletons animated by flames of Essence. They conjure a host of undead birds and fish that continuously surround these Summons wherever they go. Although slow in their movements, Bakekujira are extremely powerful. Historically, coastal villages have long feared the Bakekujira as it was believed that these Summons roam the oceans to take revenge upon those that damage marine ecosystems.
The Qalupalik Element: Water Class: Common [First Appearance: 53] In the far north, parents scare their sons and daughters with tales of the Qalupalik; a horrific creature that, according to legends, dwells below the ice and kidnaps careless children. In reality, these Summons are known to be incredibly intelligent and elusive. They are somewhat humanoid in appearance but have fins on the sides of their head, forearms and calves. These physical attributes make the Qalupalik great swimmers that prefer surprising their opponents with sneak attacks.
The Wyvern Element: Fire Class: Legendary [First Appearance: Chapter 54] The Wyvern is a subspecies of Dragon with two legs and clawed wings. These powerful Summons have the ability to breathe fire, can fly at dazzling speeds and are protected by a thick layer of osteoderms and scales. Due to their fearsome appearance and abilities, Wyverns have become synonymous with power and danger. As such, Wyverns have often been depicted on the heraldry of many ancient warriors.
The Landshark Element: Earth Class: Rare [First Appearance: Chapter 57] The Landshark has one of the strongest bite forces ever recorded by Association scholars. Through this fact, it is often believed that the Landshark’s powerful jaws have the potential to bite through any material known to man. This Summon is also known to have varied morphology and has subspecies resembling hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, bull sharks and great white sharks. These different subspecies are known to have different abilities.
Author’s note: Summons are added to the compendium once they appear in the story. Summons that have been mentioned but have not (yet) physically appeared in the story will not be included in the compendium. Also, please note that this Compendium is an in-universe document and may differ from the descriptions of mythical creatures in our world.