Dwarves:

Ok, so having decided that my shape shifters are Dwarves I now want to explain to you some of their customs and ways.



The above has not changed.


The Dwarves are a very close knit race. They live in groups in the marshlands; each group can consist of up to thirty dwarves. This number does not include the children. Some of them build huts from the timber and moss that grows in the marshlands, whilst others live underground. Every month they hold feasts to which many of them come. This is mainly so that their leaders can discuss, plan and take care of problems, worries or ideas that the other Dwarves have. If any Dwarf has a problem, an idea or a complaint, they must take it to the leader of their group; then at their monthly meeting the leaders discuss these and decide what actions to take.

The Dwarf families are very close, and any meeting, event or outing is always fit around family life and includes everyone when possible. They like to live a very quiet, peaceful life at home.

The Dwarves' behaviour to ‘outsiders’ is a completely different to what is it inside their own groups. Which is why, even if you see them from a distance and they appear friendly, happy and close knit, it is a very bad idea to form a first impression.

The Dwarves can shape shift very easily, which is why (so they say) that their mood swings are so swift. People who think they have never seen a Dwarf are most likely to be mistaken; they are so brilliant at disguising themselves that if you met one, you wouldn’t have a clue they weren’t who they said they were. Whilst they cannot shape shift into animal form they can transform themselves into any human form; this is why many people try to seek them out as allies. However, the Dwarves may not shape shift for war purposes without the permission of their leaders. Anyone who undertakes a mission without permission faces the risk of being banished immediately. Shape shifting for personal reasons must also be cleared with the group leaders, although it is kept securely confidential.

Very well done.

However, I may have missed this, but are all of the dwarves shapeshifters or just some?

Thanks, Elly! They all shapeshift.

Ah, I understand now.

Those are more interesting and unconventional features.

Does anyone have any questions about the Dwarves?


The Maeikah

This is a creature which is the size of a Lion. It has razor like teeth, which are very uneven giving its face a hideous, ugly look. It is black and dark brown; the female Maeikah are tan and dark brown. They live in pairs and and raise their young together. Their young stay within the family group until they are 2 years old. They live in dense forest areas.


Hapun

These are small vole like creatures that live underground. They are white and have red eyes, and they only move around at night. They feed off beetles, worms and spiders. Although they are seen as harmless they have a poisonous sting in their tail, which, although it is not fatal, can leave you bed ridden for weeks. Most people never see them, and if they do they stay well clear.

The Maeikah and the Hapun sound cool.

What is the body of the Maeikah like?

Elanor - How many pounds do the Hapun creatures weigh? Five, maybe?

I like the idea of the Maeikah having uneven teeth. Are they all longer on one side, or uneven in other ways?

I have a question about the Dwarves: what do they look like?

I thought of them bald, bearded, nearly shoulder high, with fine, smooth faces and large eyes, and tan brown skin.

Whilst top part of its body and neck is very thick set and strong, its back curves in looking quite slim and agile; the back legs are very powerful, which is how it builds up its speed.



Yes; I would say that would be about right, Elly.



They are uneven in that each tooth is a different length to the next and a lot of them protrude out of the mouth.

Yes, that would be about right, Tsahraf, although some of them can be bald not all are; they have brown or black hair. Brown tanned, their eye colour is mostly brown but can also be green occasionally; and they are bearded.


Thanks for the questions!

The Shuala Veil

These trees are seen in clusters of around four in one place. They were planted by a female Dwarf called Latitha and they are said to hold her deadly charm and powers. They are seen only in Loiy, where she lived. They are tall and encompassed with masses of billowing leaves; the long, snake like leaves are tinted with silver. Many people travel to see them from far and wide, they are so famous. However, if you venture too close to them, the gentle sway of the leaves and that soft, singing voice you will hear from inside of them will send you to sleep, never to wake again. Some fall into permanent slumber, whilst others are ensnared in the grasping branches and leaves and die of suffocation. Some say the voice is Latitha, her spirit ever living in the trees she planted; whilst others say it is the voices of the dead ones, killed by her evil powers. Some say that when it is dark at night they have seen her flitting through the silver hue, but others say it is just the trees deceiving them; they have powers one could not imagine or ever wish to encounter. Latitha named them ‘Shuala Veil’ meaning ‘mystery surrounded’.

Naminas

Naminas is a small, white flower which grows in tall grasses; it is surrounded by stinging grass which is said to be there to protect it from being pulled out by its roots. The Naminas is used as a medicine for people with fevers. It is boiled in water and used for bathing in, calming the fever. You never pull a Naminas up from the roots; you clip it near the ground but leave the root in, so another flower grows in its place.

Those are interesting plants.

I think I would burn down any Shuala Veil I came across.

*echoes Jonathan*
Except I would burn a Shuala Veil with a fire arrow... from a safe distance.

*Chuckles.* The 'from a safe distance' makes me giggle. You wouldn't want to get too close to them.

Fimi are birds with long, thin beaks. They have enormous wings with green and yellow feathers, and long legs; they have striking blue eyes.

Fimi live near a water pool, river or lake; they build their nests near the waters edge, feeding their young with fish and large bugs. The male and female pair together for life.

Ok, I finally did a map! First one ever so it's not very good. But it's just an outline.

Interesting.

Do your races hunt the Fimi?
If so, what do they hunt them for?

Yes; they are hunted, Sui, but only when they don't have young; they are hunted for meat. Their feathers are used as a decoration in hats and clothes;

What do the colors and the varying-density dots represent?

*Chuckles* I am sorry, it is a purely simple, simple, simple map. So the colours just represent the different areas. I promise I will work on a more indepth map and post it soon.

Yay, a map!

I think that the plants are interesting. If I ever came across any Shuala-Veil, I shall have them burned by either Jonathan or Sui.

Thanks for the comments!

Mitpi

A Mitpi is a flying insect; it is small and round, and is blue and brown. It has a nasty bite, and if you don’t treat the wounds they can become infected.

Pel is the name of a small leaf that grows in clusters in the grass; it is used to rub onto the wounds made by Mitpi, it reduces any irritation caused by the bite.

Jayo is a moss that grows on trees. This is gathered and boiled down, then a little Liac is added into it; then it is bottled up and used as insect repellent. It is very effective against Mitpi, only a little is needed and it will keep the pesky insects away.

Liac is a purple coloured berry which grows on the Liac Trees. It is poisonous to consume, but can be used as treatment to the skin. It is added into Jayo to create an insect repellent and also can be used to cleanse burns, cuts and any open wounds.

Very nice. Glad to know that not all Tevo plants are harmful.

*likes the new information about Tevo*


Is it a type of beetle?


What color is Pel?

Thanks!



I'm glad you like it.

Yes, it's a flying beetle.

Pel is a bright green leaf with hints of orange, so like an autumn coloured leaf.

Sea Creature
Zukar - is about the size of a Dolphin, has silver and blue scales, a long, thin tail and webbed feet. It is very friendly and eats plants and moss from the sea floor. It does not eat meat. It is hunted for its beautifully coloured scales. In the days gone they were protected but now they are hunted once again, so are becoming rare.

Nice.

Since the Zukar has feet, can it come on land? What use do humans put the colored scales to?

No, it has webbed feet but it doesn't come onto the land. I just wanted it to have feet, haha.

They use the scales for fancy clothes, shoes and jewellery usually.

Many years ago, Tevo was governed by a wise King. He was a Te Warrior, of noble blood and he ruled over the land with justice and kindness. His home was the Castle Luthel and its large grounds; gardens filled with beautiful flowers, fresh water fountains, mazes and Silver Moss trees.

The King had a wife, Kie; she was well loved and respected by her people; she and the King had three sons and one daughter. Vohen was a training to be a strong, mighty warrior; he was the eldest and was followed closely by Endar, who followed in his brothers footsteps. Phillip was the studious son; he poured over old books, eager to gain more knowledge; Helena was like her Mother in every way, gentle, kind and beautiful.

When the King’s wife died, he changed and became weak, torn apart with grief and sorrow. That was when the Lamig saw their chance and took it. They joined up with a large majority of the Dwarves from Loiy and attacked Hau and Nibe. Not expecting an attack the defeat was terrible. The King was persuaded by the Elves and Te Warriors to flee Tevo, taking his sons and daughter with him. However, he sent the children away from Tevo with some of his most trusted men, promising to follow close behind. He died in battle. Many of the Elves and Te Warriors were killed during the war; however they managed to hold onto their lands, and finally after many months of fighting the Lamig retreated back to their islands, leaving a trail of destruction behind them. They returned to Yeila rich from the spoils of war, having taken all they could from the many courts and Castles ransacked.
Luthel was destroyed. Only ruins remain; a ghost from the past, a reminder of what was once so beautiful.

Nothing was heard of the King's children again. Many people say they died, killed soon after they left. However, some of the older Te Warriors and Elves knew of the prophesy, a promise that one day the Kings offspring would return and bring peace, rebuilding the land and restoring harmony again.

*applauds* Just what I've been waiting for, very nice!

Thank you, Elly!

Good backstory.

Thanks, Jon.

Very interesting.

Thanks, Sui.

*Will hopefully work on this some more this weekend*

*likes that idea*

The Elves build their homes in the top of the trees in the summer time. The thick green leaves act as protection from the sun, wind and rain. Around the trees, reaching from one to the next, are rope ladders and wooden stairways. In the top of the tree there is a tree house built. They are not small but are enormous; sometimes, if the trees are close enough, the house can span over three trees.

The Elvish community is very close knit, and they often share houses, and think nothing of walking in and out of the different tree houses without any thought of intruding. In the winter, however, the tree houses are coated in Rosewood Oil, the rope ladders are pulled in and the tree houses are deserted. The Rosewood Oil protects and preserves the wood, keeping it from going rotten in the cold and wet months.

The Elves move into the houses on the ground. These are houses made out of wood, log cabins. They house at least 10 Elves per cabin. Life in the winter is very different; they stay inside a lot, telling stories and singing songs around the fires. They stock up food in the Summer, so that in the Winter there is little need for hunting or any fear of food being scarce.

Does it get really cold in the winter, and that's why the elves move to cabins on the ground, which are easier to heat?

Are the elves diligent with stocking up, preparing for winter, etc.?

I find their lifestyles very interesting.

Yes, Jon. Also the tree houses are all mostly open topped. There is one small part of the tree house that is a shelter for if it rains; but the rest is all open. That is another reason why they go to the log cabins in the winter. The tree houses do not offer enough shelter in the winter months.

Yes, they have to be, Elly. The winters can be temperamental, so they prepare for a long and hard winter, then even if it isn't a hard winter at least they are prepared. They preserve the food and meat so that is does not ripen and go off.

I'm glad you find them interesting. Thanks.

This is just a very quick drawing I did, to show you what the underground system looks like in Yeila. The red lines are where the underground runs to and from each isle. I'm not good at drawing, but for what it's worth here it is.

The Horse.


Horses in Tevo live a long life, sometimes over forty years, however they are retired at thirty and live the rest of their life resting, grazing and socialising.

The horses in Niba are loyal beasts. The loyalty for their owner and the owner's family is indeed an amazing sight.

Now, Te Warriors each have their own group of horses; a Te Warrior might own three horses, but only one will be their closest steed. Whilst the others will be willing and loyal, the main horse will be the one to show most loyalty. Te Warriors keep their horses bloodline forever, when possible, so their horses down the ages are all from the same family. So, this is where it gets slightly complicated. If a Te Warrior owns the stallion, his stallion will sire a foal off a mare from another Te Warrior. This foal will be given to the Warrior with the stallion. At some point a Te Warrior with a mare will keep one of her foals, thus keeping her bloodline going. The foal will be trained along side its father/mother and when the father or mother retires, that foal (now grown into a mare or stallion) will take it's father's/mother's place to serve the master. This means that through the generations in each Te Warrior family, the horses bloodline nearly always remains the same. Horses are never bred within the family, a stallion or mare is always used from outside the Warrior's horses group.

Horses can be found all over Tevo, but none show more loyalty than the horse of a Te Warrior.

The map shows what it needs to.


That's interesting about the horses and how they are bred.

Thank you, Jon!

Bovai

Bovai are about the size of a Great Dane. They are grey or black in colour and sometimes can be grey and black. They have pointed ears, giving them an intelligent look, and very thick fur on their paws that acts as padding when they travel over rough terrain, which they do often. These animals are used for tracking as they have a keen sense of smell, and are very hardy. The thick padding on their paws means that they can keep going days at a time with little rest. They are kept by the Lamig. They are found wild on Yeila in the mountains and live in groups.

Are Bovai related to dogs?

No, they aren't.

Thanks for all the questions, Jon! They really help.

You're welcome.

Let's see... If Bovai aren't like dogs, what mammal are they most like? Or are they just unique?

They are the same size and do resemble dogs a lot, but they are unique. They are not related in any way to the dog.