Animal Folk

Animals who gained anthropomorphic forms. See Animal Folk Nations for details on subspecies.

Basics

• 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

Origins

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.

Description

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.

Procreation

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.

Powers

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.

Weaknesses

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.

Nations

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.

Esoterica

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.

Outside View

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.

Notables

• 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

Estimated Populations

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.

Sample Stats

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.