Every Beat has a story.

Iwin

“The bank looks empty. Look again.”

In Yoruba belief, iwin are spirits of the land — of thick groves, caves and the wet hollows between roots — somewhere between fairy, trickster and guardian of a place. They weave illusions, confuse travellers who blunder into their territory, and are associated with the herbal knowledge of the forest. The word iwin is glossed as 'fairy' or 'spirit'.

Handling note: Some Yoruba traditions link forest spirits to Osanyin's herbal lore. 042beats presents Iwin as wild nature spirits, never as deities or in ritual contexts, and frames their capture-for-sale as a crime in the story.

A few Iwin followed the stories of Yoruba traders and students to Enugu and settled along its quiet streams. Their illusions make a stream bank look empty even when it is full — which is exactly why trappers want them, and why their sudden silence is the first sign that something is wrong in the city.

Egbere

“It cries the whole night through. Ask yourself who it is crying for.”

In Yoruba folklore, egbere are small, malevolent humanoid beings of the woods, active only at night. They are associated with a small mat and are said to cry constantly — though the sincerity of the tears is doubtful. Anyone who manages to take an egbere's mat is said to gain great wealth.

Egbere Beats sob in the dark under flame trees and in empty lots, clutching small woven mats. They are harmless unless cornered. Players can take an Egbere's mat for a quick fortune — and the city will remember what kind of person they chose to be.