Appendix A.4: The Phylrouth

Common name: Phylrouth (fɪl-ɹuθ)

Individual: Phylra (fɪl-ɹɑ)

Plural: Phylrouth

Species: Phylra

Classification: Sapiaflora

Number of sexes: 2 (male and female); a Phylra's sex cannot be determined until puberty

Adult size (mobile individuals): Small; heights generally range from 3’4” to 4’2” for males, 3’8” to 5’0” for females

Adult size (rooted individuals): Large; heights generally range from 7'8" to 14'3", though a rooted Phylra can theoretically keep growing for their entire life

Longevity: Mortal

Preferred habitat: Plains, forests, grasslands

Range: Global

Associated languages: Commercial Standard, Imperial Routhian

Debut: Sonnet (2018)

Physiology:

All sapiaflors are, taxonomically speaking, plants, but the shape of a Phylra is more or less humanoid. They are bipedal creatures with a bark epidermis (typically some range of green or brown in color), rounded cores, and a bulb of a head complete with a mouth, three gem-like eyes in a downward triangle, and a series of six holes that tunnel to the inner ears. Their legs are stocks that branch out in roots at the feet; though these do function for mobility, a Phylra can also sink their roots into the ground to absorb nutrients, or to root permanently if their lifestyle allows it. They may have any number of leafy-bearing branches ("arms") of varying lengths emerging from any part of the upper core, most of which end in a branching hand-like structure. At puberty, a flower blooms from the individual’s head, which contains stamen if male and a pistil if female; the sex of a Phylra cannot be determined until this point is reached.

Senses:

Through their roots, Phylrouth can sense motion through vibration, which is their defining sense as a species. Their epidermis also detects tactile information. While they can see and hear, these senses are quite rudimentary in comparison to those of animal species. As they do not eat (sustaining themselves instead through photosynthesis) Phylrouth neither taste nor smell; their mouths exist purely for communication. The Phylrouth can also send use their roots to send subterranean "signals" to each other, as well as to other plant-life and fungi, in order to exchange nutrients, antibodies, and other biological materials. They can also use this underground network to influence the growing conditions of an area of land, which makes them a threat to more physically-adept sapients such as the humanoids.

Magical abilities:

Phylrouth are incapable of manipulating essence and are therefore non-magical. Unlike other non-magical sapient races, however, the Phylrouth have grown to fear and despise sorcery in all forms; this aversion is originally rooted in the Phylrouth's historical tensions with the now-extinct İstaŋlar, but flourishes at present due to the teachings of the Routhian faith. As such, anything to do with magic is heavily stigmatized in Phylra culture.

Social behavior:

Due to their ability to connect with each other via their roots, the Phylrouth are a highly social people. That said, as much of their exchanges occur underground and beyond the perception of other sapients, they are often misjudged as solitary and aloof. This misconception is furthered by the fact that many Phylrouth have difficulty adjusting to the social preferences of most of the mammalian peoples. Many historians theorize that the Phylrouth-run Routhian Empire and the subsequent dominance of its official religion may have sprung from overcompensation for this unease with the humanoids. Given their preferred methods of communication, many individuals of higher standing choose to root themselves into place and relay their orders primarily through the underground, as well as to grow indefinitely in stature; most Phylrouth, however, do opt to remain mobile, particularly those who often interact with the other sapient peoples.

Reproduction and life cycle:

Phylrouth primarily reproduce sexually, the female producing seeds when pollinated by a male. While this means that pollination can occur by accident, or with an undesired partner, seeds must be consciously sown and tended, meaning that a female Phylra will not be forced to plant any seeds she may spawn. Most pollinations will also result in the release of a larger number of seeds than desired or tolerable. Unwanted seeds may be destroyed, or may be gifted to the Routhian Church of the Four-Winged Beast to be raised as future brothers or sisters of the faith. A rooted Phylra can also reproduce asexually by budding, creating a cloned offspring that may differ only in sex depending on the hormones received during gestation; as rooted Phylrouth cannot tend their own seeds, and may desire a genetically-similar successor, this method is often preferred among the higher ranks.

Family units:

While romantic attachments do occur among Phylrouth, most who desire children will seek a mate based on health and lineage as opposed to mutual affection. This most often results in friendly-enough partnerships based on a shared interest in continuing their lines, though some partnerships can turn sour enough for the pair to part ways. After any planted seeds are raised to a reasonable level of social conscious, many Phylra parents take a “hands-off” approach to their children, generally letting them come and go as they please; however, as this is generally from a place of respect for autonomy rather than one of disinterest, most parents do remain available for guidance and support should their offspring desire it.

Appendix A.3: The Geobhin

Common name: Geobhin (gɔ-vɪn)

Individual: Geobh (gɔv)

Plural: Geobhin

Species: Geobh

Classification: Mammalian

Number of sexes: 2 (male and female)

Adult size: Large; lengths generally range from 7’2” to 9’4” snout to tail for males, 8’5” to 11’3” for females

Longevity: Mortal; average lifespan is approximately ninety years

Preferred habitat: Plains, grasslands, or mountains

Range: Routhian continent, mostly in the north; Larinfólde, northern Galtaria
Associated languages: Commercial Standard, Seofmiothebh

Debut: Sonnet (2018)

Physiology:

Described by many as sapient, talking canines, the Geobhin are large wolf-like creatures with prominent snouts and widespread front paws arranged eerily like a humanoid hand. Most have grey or brown fur, although black or white coloring is not uncommon. One of their more noteworthy features is the human-like look of their eyes, with wide sclera and distinct irises in a variety of colors (though Geobh irises tend toward the red-orange-yellow range). Oddly enough, the nerves of their seemingly fully-formed hind legs are almost non-functioning, rendering the limbs useless and leaving the Geobhin to drag themselves about with their forelegs. Scientists are baffled as to the evolutionary reason behind this.

Senses:

While their eyesight is sub-par at best, the Geobhin have acute hearing and highly developed olfaction, particularly in regards to metallic smells; this makes them rather excellent treasure hunters. Their sense of touch is more or less reasonable, but the lack of feeling in their hind legs drags it down to a below-average level. For hunting and defense purposes, the Geobhin body compensates for its lack of mobility by means of a cocktail of allomones to which almost all creatures are susceptible; these chemical signals trigger a state of intense drowsiness, often to the point of near-instant sleep.

Magical abilities:

As is the case with all non-humanoid mammals, the Geobhin are incapable of manipulating essence on their own. However, they can use magic by means of various talismans.

Social behavior:

Most Geobhin live in small to medium-sized groups called dheaghin, comprised of a handful of males and one dominant female. As they lack both the dexterity to build permanent structures and the mobility to pursue a nomadic lifestyle, dheaghin make their homes in natural shelters such as caves. As they often trade found treasure for meat, they must be sure to settle near human outposts. They are typically distrustful of others, but are not unwilling to deal with them should the need arise. They also tend to be codependent; if a Geobh is exiled from a dheagh, he (as it is almost unheard of for a dheagh to expel its alpha female) will often seek the companionship of a social unit of another sentient species.

Reproduction and life cycle:

While uninterested in sex for the majority of the natural year, Geobhin typically go into heat for a couple weeks around midwinter. During this time, the alpha female will make her rounds through the males in her dheagh until she becomes pregnant. She gestates for about five months before birthing a small litter (usually two to six offspring, although litters as large as eleven have been recorded and single births also occur on occasion). Geobhin are as mobile as they ever get at twelve weeks and verbal at twenty-six weeks. Adolescence begins at about age eight and adulthood at fifteen, but a Geobh’s prime may last well into his or her seventies.

Family units:

Young Geobhin are raised communally by their mother and the males of her dheagh, their biological paternity being unquestioned and socially irrelevant. They remain with the dheagh until they come of age, after which they are expected (or forced) to leave, either to join other dheaghin or to find other lone individuals with which to form their own.

Appendix A.2: The Allandarau

Common name: Allandarau (æ-jænð-æ-ɹɑ)

Individual: Alland (æ-jænð)

Plural: Allandarau

Species: Humanoid

Classification: Mammalian

Number of sexes: 1 (female)

Adult size: Tall; heights generally range from 5’10” to 6’5”

Longevity: Mortal; average lifespan is approximately one hundred and thirty years

Preferred habitat: Lakes, rivers, streams, and other fresh water bodies

Range: Global
Associated languages: Commercial Standard, Dòsqèlau

Debut: Sonnet (2018)

Physiology:

Mostly humanoid in form and features, the Allandarau are tall, attractive women who live most of their lives in fresh water, and the rest in the sexual fantasies of human gynophiles. They have pale, slightly blue-tinged skin and black hair that often has a blue or greenish tint. Their eyes are also colored in the blue-green range and have a transparent second eyelid that allows them to see clearly underwater. The translucent webbing between their fingers and toes allows for increased aquatic mobility, while gills on the sides of the neck allow Allandarau to breathe while submerged. As their cells dry out at an alarming rate, an Alland can never be far from water; while capable of breathing and moving on land, they will dehydrate and die within hours. The Allandarau do not equate nudity with sex, and under most circumstances wear nothing while in the water, but if they must venture onto land, they will find makeshift clothing for the sake of the land cultures.

Senses:

As humanoids, the strongest senses of the Allandarau are sight and hearing, though their aquatic, semi-nomadic lifestyle has resulted in a heightened sense of touch as well. Their olfactory senses are stronger than those of humans, but they are far from beast-like in refinery.

Magical abilities:

Most Allandarau are attuned strongly enough to essential energy for proficiency in sorcery. Although they may make use of essential energy of any type, most have a natural preference for water-type energy Individuals of Hydhern descent tend to be more potent magic users.

 

Social behavior:

Most Allandarau are quite social, though not to the point where self-sufficiency is out of the question. In lakes and other still bodies, Allandarau have been known to build underwater towns where some individuals live permanently. River-dwelling Allandarau are less likely to settle, but often travel in groups of four or more. They are open to interacting with others outside their subspecies, and often surface near ports and docks.

Reproduction and life cycle:

Like all humanoids, Allandarau reproduce sexually via vaginal intercourse; however, as there are no anatomically male Allandarau, they must mate with human or (far more uncommonly) Hydhern males to ensure the continuation of their people. In the case of Alland-human pairings, all female offspring will be Allandarau and all male offspring, human. Results are similar with Alland-Hydhern pairings, although Allandarau of Hydhern paternity may take on the coloring of their fathers—greyish skin, jet black hair and eyes. Gestation takes about a year. The life cycle of an Alland is very similar to that of a human female, only decelerated. Most Alland enter puberty at fifteen and become fully mature at around twenty-five. The course of the menstrual cycle is about a month and a half, and the average age for the onset of menopause is eighty-six.

Family units:

Most heterosexual or bisexual Allandarau choose to reproduce at least once. It is not uncommon for an Alland to form a romantic attachment with father of her child, but most of these relationships eventually end due to the physical impracticality of one partner living in the water and the other on the land. That said, it is by no means unheard of for a human male living on the shore and an Alland living in the waters near the shore to continue their involvement or even marry, and to raise any children they may have together. When the parents do not become involved, girls remain in the water with their mothers while boys stay ashore with their fathers (or, in some cases, alone, but with his mother in the waters nearby). The level of interaction with the other parent varies from case to case. Alland-Hydhern relationships and marriages have occurred, but they are rare enough to be statistical anomalies. Homosexual or bisexual Alland often form couples and marry within their sub-species; while those in exclusive relationships will not reproduce, Alland couples have been known to adopt orphans.

Appendix A.1: The Humans

Common name: Human

Individual: Human

Plural: Humans

Species: Humanoid

Classification: Mammalian

Number of sexes: 2 (male and female) for conventional reproductive purposes, though gender identity is the more important piece of identifying information for humans

Adult size: Average; heights generally range from 5’8” to 6’2” for males, 5’1” to 5’8” for females, though outliers on either side of the scale exist

Longevity: Mortal; average lifespan is approximately seventy years to eighty years, depending on where any given human lives

Preferred habitat: Flexible; anywhere with accessible fresh water

Range: Global
Associated Languages: Commercial Standard

Debut: Sonnet (2018)

Physiology:

Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of human physiology is the wide range of possible coloring. Skin and hair colors vary from pale to dark and everything in between; eyes are typically brown or blue, though greens and hazels and greys (including black) are not uncommon, and other colors such as gold or violet are not unheard of either. Humans of Alland or Hydhern descent may also take on physical traits associated with those races.

Senses:

In general, humans are visual creatures, relying predominantly on their sight. Hearing and touch are also fairly strong, but the olfactory senses are comparatively underdeveloped.

Magical abilities:

Most humans have no significant magical abilities, though most have an acute awareness of the essential conditions around them. However, some humans of Alland or Hydhern descent can develop substantial magical ability. All humans may also use magic through the use of glyphs, spell-scrolls, or talismans, or by means of the Æʒim art of runeset.

Social behavior:

The odd hermit aside, humans are generally social creatures, preferring to live in communities ranging from tight-knit remote villages to bustling cities. However, they are prone to self-serving behavior; this in conjunction with their sheer numbers results in the need for structured government.

Reproduction and life cycle:

Like most of the sapient races, humans reproduce sexually via vaginal intercourse. Following impregnation by an anatomical male, an anatomical female will gestate the fetus for approximately nine months before giving birth, although pre-term and post-term births do occur on occasion. Humans are capable of interbreeding with individuals of the Allandarau, Hydhern, and (theoretically) Adragorian races, who are also of the humanoid species. A male child born of a human-Alland coupling will be human, while a female will be Alland; all children born to a human-Hydhern pair will be technically human, although their longevity will be considerably higher than that of their full-blooded human peers. Half-humans of either type will be more inclined to magical abilities.

Family units:

Marriage is widely practiced by humans, though it is socially acceptable to remain single or to live in a common-law partnership. A human may take a spouse of either sex. Many couples choose to have children, although it is not unheard of to choose otherwise. Children are raised by their parents unless they are orphaned or their parents are found to be inept guardians, in which case they will either be taken in by other relations, or--in nations where the governments take responsibility for its orphans--become wards of state eligible for adoption. Anyone can adopt, but the most common adopters are couples who want children but cannot conceive themselves. In nations where governments do not take responsibility for orphans, children are liable to be left to their own devices--often to tragic results.