> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.empiresbattle.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.empiresbattle.com/empires-battle-lore/on-the-origin-of-beastfolk-animals-and-altered-creatures/10.-final-classification.md).

# 10. Final Classification

According to the current knowledge of naturalists and scientists, all creatures altered after the Catastrophe can be broadly divided into four groups.

### 1. Beastfolk

Intelligent descendants of animals, fully awakened by Flur.

Characteristics:

* speech;
* higher intelligence;
* the ability to practice crafts, build, and develop culture;
* long lifespans;
* species-specific traits;
* the ability to form families and have offspring with beastfolk of different species.

### 2. Altered Animals

Non-sentient or weakly sentient creatures that gained strength, size, endurance, or special traits from Flur.

They are used as:

* mounts;
* working animals;
* hunting animals;
* guard animals;
* draft animals.

### 3. Mutants and Monsters

Creatures whose bodies were damaged or distorted by Flur.

Characteristics:

* aggression;
* unstable behavior;
* physical mutations;
* crystals within the body;
* danger to settlements;
* difficult or impossible to domesticate.

### 4. Artificially Altered Creatures

Animals and monsters that have been further modified by intelligent beings.

Examples:

* war boars of Decay;
* skeletal mounts;
* beasts raised by necromancers;
* semi-mechanical working animals;
* armored draft creatures of the Steam Empire.

This classification is not perfect. The world after the Catastrophe is too complex, and Flur affects living creatures unpredictably.

**But it helps us understand the most important points:**

1. Not all animals became beastfolk.
2. Not all altered creatures gained intelligence.
3. Some became peoples. They build settlements, form families, and develop cultures.
4. Some became helpers. They are used as mounts, guard animals, and draft animals.
5. Some became monsters. Aggressive mutants threaten settlements and are rarely capable of being domesticated.
6. And some are still changing. Flur continues to distort their bodies and behavior.