Animals who gained anthropomorphic forms. See Animal Folk Nations for details on subspecies.
Taxonomic Order: Animal Folk
Alignment: Aetherial
Energy: Nzwara Murazvo
Lifespan: Varies by animal, but on average, about 100 years
Diet: Similar to the animal they are based on, but with more human food mixed in
Habitat: Similar to the animal they are based on
Animal folk were once mundane animals, but through the use of nzwara murazvo, or bestial aether, they took on anthropomorphic characteristics. Not every single animal species is represented by an animal folk nation, though not all nations are listed (so players may develop their own). The limited number of species that are represented as animal folk all dates back to a metaphorical "ark" known as chikepe that carries the catalyst of transformation for the various species represented.
When an animal person is born, they are almost completely animalistic. They grow into their anthropomorphism as they age, and as they engage in the culture of their people, they take on different aspects of both animal and mortal, as this generates the nzwara murazvo that defines them. This is why some animal folk of the same nation may grow up with differing degrees of animalistic characteristics. The commonest form of animal folk is a bipedal, upright variant of their animal counterpart. The extremes of appearance are nearly completely human with vague animalistic characteristics or nearly completely animal with only the ability of speech to distinguish them.
Animal folk reproduce only with other animal folk of the same or very similar species of animal - i.e., tiger folk only reproduce with tiger folk or other great cat folk. They follow the same reproductive rules of their animal counterparts. They can sometimes reproduce with spirit folk with animalistic features, and the offspring will have the same species as the birthing parent. Otherwise, they cannot reproduce outside of their species without supernatural intervention.
Animal folk will have powers similar to the abilities of the animal they are descended from and on the cultural associations with that animal. For example, cat folk have great agility and perception, but they also have magical powers based on folkloric beliefs about cats.
All animal folk are harmed by brown aether. Many animal folk have specific weaknesses based on the animals they are descended from. For example, elephant folk cannot jump.
There are animal folk who are part of many larger, multispecies nations, and there are many small animal folk nations around the world. There are also some larger animal folk nations around the world with major roles in powerful countries or communities. Not every nation could possibly be addressed, but click to Animal Folk Nations to read about some of the most notable.
Animal folk are beings of nzwara murazvo. They can wield any other form of aether. Animal folk are capable of wielding any other esoteric energy, though brown aether is bad for them. Which ones are more common varies by animal and nation.
While views of animal folk varies by animal and nation, in general, around the world, animal folk face stereotyping that suggests they are not very intelligent. It is also common that they are judged by the animal they are descended from.
Ado Toldus, hippopotamus folk merchant, pacifist, deceased
Aecha Gotog, badger folk shaman, deceased
Agnu Padun, elephant folk ship captain and elephant killer, deceased
Argyros, weasel folk criminal, deceased
Ateg Drazik, hunter, shaman, pterodactyl folk, Aeonian
Balkis Windsong, Consort of Ehonon, cat folk warrior, legend, Aeonian, deceased
Belkan and Darren Vanhoft, deer folk roustabouts, deceased
Denzer Bramble, badger folk monster-hunter, deceased
Gaja Gamini, elephant folk, percussionist, deceased
Garth “Treeguard” Aroca, orangutan folk, Champion of Nature, Aeonian, deceased
Gaffharrzhlin, jellyfish folk dancer, deceased
Hrodwulf Grom, caribou folk courier, hoop-nibbler, deceased
Iacchus Kouneli, pika folk lookout, deceased
Jae Aroca, orangutan folk pirate, deceased
Jean Luc D'artagnon, fox folk avenger, Yellow Cloak, deceased
Jodha Hrown, wolf folk raider, Yellow Cloak, deceased
Kalingo, leopard folk warrior, deceased
Kanal, squid folk hunter, deceased
Kar’rn Huun, leopard folk chieftain, deceased
Kawalke Bronx, rhinoceros folk, Keeper of the Void, Yellow Cloak, deceased
Kedra Sajram, tiger folk assassin, wannabe Champion of Terror, deceased
Kentosane, jackalope folk, archmage, Aeonian
Kez, ant folk, Servant of Order, Aeonian
Kierik Hargast, bear folk, Servitor of Chaos, Yellow Cloak, deceased
Kyaru Ausula, raja of tiger folk, deceased
Maya Redclaw, cousin of Balkis, cat folk, deceased
Moki of the Clayfoot, deer folk priest, deceased
Nadia Hyatt, weasel folk thief, deceased
Nahuel Drazik, pterodactyl folk hunter, shaman, sacrificed
Naitaka Citlatli, fox folk, spy, agent of Viridanor, fox hero, Aeonian
Nik’laas Myrmex, ant folk, founder of Myrmexia, Servant of Order, Aeonian
Otatu! Dezell, falcon folk smuggler, deceased
Phalaris Prax, ox folk, Warden of Fuinneamh, oneironaut, Aeonian
Rathur Redclaw, cat folk chieftain, deceased
Remmhish K’rethaan, squid folk, Champion of the Stillborn God, Aeonian, deceased
Riquita Xerxes, squirrel folk, Champion of Vision, Hatmaker, Aeonian
Tajaxanis, crab folk bodyguard, deceased
Tamar Agurn, lion folk lion-tamer, deceased
Tecumseh, cougar folk, Skybreaker, Claw of Tohoniuk, Aeonian
Thessendra Zesth, rattlesnake folk, Champion of Truth, Aeonian, slave of Skia, deceased
Thoru, eternal godless moth folk, destroyed
Ushpishtim Gamini, elephant folk scientist, deceased
Wactawa Garkora, iguana folk, shamaness, Warden of Miracles, Aeonian
Zaghoth, squid folk mage, deceased
In total, there are about 3 billion animal folk in the world, making them more populous even than humans. Half of those are arthropod folk, most of whom live out of sight.
Stats vary by animal. See nations for more information, but the standard formula is the better the animal is at something, the better the animal folk are.
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