Animal Empaths
Animal empaths are magic-users with a magical knack for keeping animals under control. Even the most wild and vicious animals can be calmed with the words of an animal empath; their charming magic being attuned to the minds and bodies of animals, specifically. Their magic is believed to be a combination of animal-specific telepathy and blessing magic, usually cast with word weaving skills; though because of its distinct and consistent uses, it is considered its own category of magic.
Often described by animal empaths as a connection of the spirit made by laying the soul bare, magic users of this kind are able to both understand and be understood by animals. Though they do not not literally “speak” an animal’s language, animal empaths are able to reach a higher level of communication with them and feel the emotions, intent, and needs of an animal while projecting back their own, as if having a conversation.
This connection that they forge often gives them the ability to communicate orders to an animal and have them followed; most animals instinctively respond with obedience to the magic within an empath’s blood, even if they are generally disobedient or troublesome otherwise.
Because of their abilities, animal empaths are highly sought-out for jobs involving animals, as they are able to monitor the health and needs of the creatures much easier than people without the skill. Farm-work with livestock and entertainment jobs like circuses or petting zoos are common jobs for animal empaths to be offered.
They are also hired when pets go missing, as they are able to sense and locate the lost animals easier than most, and some animal empaths have even communicated with wild beasts to help locating missing people in the wilderness.
Though most animal empaths’ abilities are viewed in a positive light, there are a few individual empaths known for their powers having negative effects. Most famously documented is Raisi Korbik, a half-felinic woman from the early 4,000’s who tried to take over her father’s work after his death. Raisi tried to mimic her father’s magic, but could never seem to channel the powers correctly. Growing increasingly frustrated at the animals running wild, she eventually demanded the animals to “drop dead”; an order that they, much to Raisi’s horror, followed. She discovered that her powers could be used to torture and harm animals; causing them great amounts of pain simply by demanding they feel it. Not long after discovering this, she killed herself.