"Not... strictly speaking. To a mortal, we might seem that way, given our abilities and nigh endless lifespan, but we are only immortal, not invincible. And even our powers have their limits; the one thing we cannot create is a soul. The creatures and familiars we conjure are but arcane entities, not beings with souls like you and I."

He smiles thinly. "'Tis not so anymore, though. As I said, mankind was returned to the barest of basics some twelve thousand years ago, and it took some time for them to re-learn things like language and the concept of civilization."