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| Species | Nourim |
| Order | Chthonian |
| Classification | Humanoid |
| Sphere | Diligence |
| Origin | Dvergars who evolved into humanoid diggers |
| Lifespan | 60-80 years |
| Habitat | Upper caverns of the subterranean realm |
| Food | Fungi, subterranean animals |
| Description | Nourims appear to be 4' tall humanoids without eyes. They have goblinoid faces with thin mouths filled with sharp teeth, pointed bat-like ears, and eyes of one solid color (brown, grey, white, yellow, or cream). Their bodies are studded with stony plates, and their fingers and toes have long, thin claws. |
| Procreation | Nourim have a mixture of sexual and asexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction is preferred, but in difficult times, they can reproduce by budding. Reproduction is also possible with other chthonian nations and other humanoids (sizep- and shape-permitting). Offspring always follows the birthing parent. With other species, reproduction requires supernatural intervention. |
| Esoterica | Nourim are beings of mansam, earthpower aether, light of diligence, and euergasia. They can wield these energies through their own arts. They also often wield white tiger aether, Founation, fundamental aether, mijjit, hegnh, nommos, vonzot, gebvel, light of structure, waarheid, shavev mashkalran, Damaskian powers, mashoaab, symbolism, rubedian aether, temporal aether, kor, ethereal essence, dumaqu, feirua, euphony, cacophony, and spirits. |
| Special Powers | A nourim can bind themselves to a task via an oath. This binding ensure they will finish the task in a certain amount of time, but also means they will grow in skill and strength as they complete the work. |
| Shaping | The more work a nourim does, the more energy they store, which they can use to shape rock and metal. |
| Claws | Nourim claws can cut through incredible hard stone neatly. They can feel vibrations within rock that tell them where and how to cut it. The more they cut, the sharper their claws get. If they do not use their claws regularly, the grow too long, wide, and dull. A nourim's claws can also latch onto something with incredible force. |
| Senses | Nourim have an innate cave sense that helps them navigate below ground. They have very keen senses of smell. |
| Weaknesses | Parasitic energy is especially effective against them. If they break their oath or fail at it, it can weaken them. |
| National Culture | Those who do the work make the decisions. In every nourim community, the workers run everything. The diggers determine the course of tunnels, the builders determine the planned building designs, the farmers determine how much to grow and what. They elect representatives from their occupations to work on a committee to coordinate when it is needed between industries. Nourim live in extended families in large communities. Families are often proud of the occupations they pass down among them (families for diggers, families for builders, etc.). However, children who choose a different path are rarely pressured significantly, as all work is highly valued among the nourim. Children are raised by their families, attend specialized community schools who teach all common professions (and the basics), and lead structured but pleasant childhoods. By 14, they are usually working some kind of job. No one works more than four hours a day, most less than that, so children have plenty of time to work and study. At age 18, they become adults and must spend five years serving in the military (this can be deferred but must be completed by the time they are 25). This mandatory service is focused on defending their communities. Art, music, and entertainment are important parts of nourim communities. These are considered important occupations and highly regarded. Art is often extremely experimental. Music is complex and beautiful, using the natural echoes of their cavern homes. Entertainments include sports, performance arts, and games. The most popular game is a puzzle-solving game that involves six players called kyoul. Every community also has a town hall where everyone gathers once every 40 days. At these meetings, public issues are discussed and a moderator elected the day of guides the conversations. Decisions are made that affect the whole community. If an emergency comes up, the last elected moderator is empowered to make decisions if need be. Gender is complex and fluid, and most nourim do not stay the same gender their whole lives. |
| Outside View | Other subterranean nations respect the nourim as hard workers and creators of very good tunnels and buildings, which are vital underground. Surface nations usually don't know they exist at all. |
| Notables | Okolo Douradh, Nourim Manifest, Mother of Tunnels; Bauwafe Douradh, Nourim Subsequent, First Builder |
| Special Classes | Digger, Builder, Musician, Artist, Farmer, Soldier |
| Estimated Population | 40,000 |
| Sample Statistics | PRO 8 Oath 12 |
GrandGuignol
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