On the higher planes of Adun are numerous spirits that are ranked below angels and demons, and are living immortal beings. They are broken into two groups, the elemental spirits—which exist in, and control the elements of nature; Air, Water, Earth, Fire, among other things—and the fae, spirits of nature. Each group of spirits is ruled over by one of the elemental gods, but all fae are under the rule of Entra, the goddess of life.
Elementals
Each elemental spirit exists separately in their own native plane, ruled over by the god of their element. They have uniform appearances, but each spirit has the potential to live a mortal life from time to time when they are incarnated as one of the elemental races by their god. Magically, they use elementalism, which their mortal incarnations use as well.
- Gnome – Elemental spirit of Earth. Gnome appears as a short, squat, masculine figure, composed of soil and rocks. They exist in the plane of earth, the Rock Kingdom of Enos, with Brecha, and have the chance to incarnate as Brech’mar.
- Lycia - Elemental spirit of ice. Lycia appears as a small blue maiden, wingless and translucent with sharp features. They were created by Zelan and Maris for Fria and are an amalgamation of Sylph and Undine. Home for the Lycia is the Vale of Eternal Winter, the residence of Fria within the first level of Zephaer. They supply the souls of Aeul’Idayn.
- Salamander – Elemental spirit of Fire. Salamander appears as a small lizard-like creature that is composed of burning embers. They exist in the plane of fire, the Burning Mountains of Magnal, with Alaezo, and some are granted the chance to incarnate as Asath. There are also amphibians named salamanders, as they have the same lizard like form, and can appear in red, orange, and black coloration, but they, of course, have no elemental powers.
- Shade – Elemental spirit of Darkness. Shades have no true form or name, and exist unseen in the shadows, and in the Seven Infernal Chambers of Malbolge, namely occupying the second chamber. Ispa incarnates them into the Danaij.
- Sylph – Elemental spirit of the Air. Sylph appears as a small blue feminine figure with transparent, insect-like wings. They exist in the plane of air, the Whispering Heavens of D'neiw with Zelan, and some are granted the chance to incarnate as Zaedyn. Sylph spirits are an important part of weather, and Draia calls upon them to help her control weather.
- Undine – Elemental spirit of Water. Undine appears as a small feminine figure of water, but with no legs, only a flowing tail of water. They exist in the plane of water, the Deep Ocean of Welis, with Maris, and in all sources of water. Undine souls are granted the opportunity to incarnate as Mariel. They are also important to weather processes, and assist Draia along with Sylph, in manipulating the weather of Adun.
- Valkyrie – Elemental spirit of Light. Valkyries appear as minute glowing golden female figures with angelic wings. They supply the souls of the Idayn and the servants of Idraen, the God of Light. They inhabit the second level of Zephaer, the City of the Gods, which acts as the plane of light as well.
The fae are spirits of nature, and unlike the elementals, they are incredibly varied. All live under the rule of Entra, goddess of life. Unlike her siblings, Entra used several different fae to create mortal races to follow her. These spirits all exist in the Maze of Dreams, or spirit plane, but can enter and influence the world just like the elementals. Female fae rarely have male counterparts, but can become impregnated by human men. Their children are born into the spirit world, but faeries often switch their children with human babies in the physical world.
All fae cannot handle the touch of pure iron for it causes excruciating pain and can be used to kill them. This is the reason why faeries steal human children and replace them with changelings (which are the offspring of faeries and human men), to study the effects of iron in the blood of humans. As iron is an inhibitor of magical energies, they hope to overcome this weakness with knowing how the human baby can live with iron in the blood and still control the fairy magics taught to it as it grows.
- Elf - Elves are an higher form of fae, nearing angels and demons in power. They have a small population, and tend to have little dealings with humans. Instead, they spend much of their time either in the Maze of Dreams, or in Aerun. However, legends of their existence from ancient times when they were better known to serve the gods led to many humans confusing them with the races of Idayn (and sometimes Nafod). As a result, most humans call the Idaynian races “elves”, and the term “half-elf” has found its way into the modern vernacular to identify any individual who fits the look, which can include various half-Idayn, half-Nafod, half-Mariel, and half-Zaedyn.
True elves are human-like in form, very fair, and much like the Idayn, except that their ears are merely pointed, rather than long and tapered. Like all fae, they have command over fae magics, but they are the most powerful magicians of their kind. - Faerie – Faeries appear as small green females, and though they are wingless, they can fly. Like most fae, faeries are shape-shifters, though they rarely use it. Instead, they like to use glamers, or illusions, to trick people, then disappear as quickly as possible. The are known to mischievous tricksters, and even malicious in their tricks.
They have been known to lure victims (especially men) to a raucous party full of dancing, wine, and beautiful women, and when the dance is over, the man will emerge to find that days, months, or even years have passed. Faeries enjoy their song and dance, and if you can teach them something new, they will reward you with whatever you ask for, though keep in mind that it is as literal as possible!
Faeries often construct rings of mushrooms, flowers, and other plants in which they dance, and it is common knowledge to not step into or disturb these faerie rings at the risk of incurring the wrath of vindictive faeries. They also travel along well-worn paths that while are safe to cross, it is unwise to build upon them. They are not especially fond of humans, due to their destructive nature, but some humans and other mortal races have gained the trust of local faeries through mutual respect and open channels of communication.
Faeries became the souls of the Fayl’Idayn after the race began to drift apart from the Idayn. - Faun – Fauns appear masculine, child height, though with adult features. From the waist down, they have the legs and haunches of a goat and walk upright. On their head is a pair of small horns. They are known for playing pipes and are good natured spirits.
- Nymph – Nymphs appear as incredibly beautiful women, tall like a normal human. They provide the souls of the Ochae’Nafod, though the race became quite different from the original nymphs. Dryads and Nereids different forms of nymphs.
A nymph’s glamers are less effective than other fae. Due to their alarming beauty and human-like stature, they don’t need as much glamer as other fae to maintain an air of normalcy. Their eyes, bewitching and wild, is their greatest lure, summoning young men (and sometimes women) to them. Nymphs, despite their smoldering sexual good looks, seek out others they find attractive not for sex, but for love and companionship, even if only fleeting. They have been known to shape-shift into trees, shrubbery, and even animals to escape those they find repulsive.
Nymphs utilize some small glamers, such as misdirection, to ward off people from finding their homes. Some, although very few, have gained unimaginable insight into mortal affairs that they become akin to sages wandering the wilds, learning what they will. Their lure spell, regardless of their bewitching beauty and eyes, is the production of pheromones, targeting specifically people they would find intriguing or attractive. A nymph can recall these pheromones at a moment’s notice to avoid letting someone ever seen them again, once they have let them see them once.- Dryad – Tree nymphs. Dryads are tied to deciduous trees and appear as incredibly beautiful female spirits, as tall as a normal human. Tied to a tree in a mortal world, they also exist in the spirit realm. Dryads supply the souls of the Dra’nafod, their mortal counterparts.
- Naiad – Water nymphs that live in the fresh waters of Adun. They share an allegiance with Maris and Entra, and live between the water and spirit planes. Naiads appear as beautiful women, but are only seen in or around rivers, lakes, and streams.
- Nereid – Water nymphs that live in the oceans of Adun. They share an allegiance with Maris and Entra, and live between the water and spirit planes. Nereids appear as beautiful women, but are only seen in or around the ocean. They are the souls of the Marfod race.
- Pixie – Spirits of nature that are much kinder than faeries. Pixies appear slightly larger than faeries, feminine in form, and winged with insect-like wings. The can be mischievous, but playful, rather than malicious. They enjoy dancing and playing with children, and sometimes even help people. Pixies and faeries often butt heads over their involvement with humans, leading to conflicts in some regions. In the aftermath of these conflicts, some regions are dominated by pixies and others by faeries.
Pixies have the same abilities as their smaller and more agile cousins, the faeries. They are notorious tricksters and even more notorious for leading people astray. Unlike the other fae, however, they are relatively harmless. The jokes the play are for their own amusement and they hardly ever actually harm anyone in the jokes.
Their glamers are stronger than the faeries’, though their ability to shape-shift is limited only to insects, their close friend. They do not have a lure for people; their natural curiosity usually lands them near people, rather than the other way around. - Saytr – Spirits of nature from the Maze of Dreams. Satyrs are masculine, appearing as middle-aged men with dark hair and receding hairlines, long beards, large pointed ears, and horse tails. They are known for their high libidos and lust for Nymphs, which they obsess over, but can never obtain.
You're equating ascension with moving upwards from a "lower" plane to a higher one, or with becoming "good", but ascension is more about the gaining of knowledge/spiritual power, say rising up a ladder of power. Demons and angels are already on equal footing in that respect, and a demotion for either would be ...decension? XD Also, ascension is achieved through the gaining of knowledge and wisdom, and demons are generally arrogant assholes who think they know it all already.