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Akhoata

Adelfoi are children of the Goddess. Every member of these nations/species is assigned female at birth.

Myrreans

Sora (lunar aether)
Undine (conflueverant) - see also Elementals

Phryscarans

Akka (banaru)
Deer Woman (yahas)
Flussjungfrau (euphony)
Iksisstoohkot (dando)
Jasad (holy virtue)
Lilithian (aemoa)
Mesecina (iremia)
Muse (euphotonia)
Nymph (dumaqu) [includes dryades and naiads and nereides)
Rainbow Woman (radiance)
Serpentine (euskepsia)
Swan Maiden (lhair)

Veyetheans

Dreorcwenn (quaestus)
Harpy (sterisi)
Menywod (cacophony)
Succubus (peccatum)

Yrothreans

C'hoar (?) [breton for sister] poioumenonic

Akhoata

Adelfoi are children of the Goddess. Every member of these nations/species is assigned female at birth.

The adelfoi were born to the Goddess's four daughters: Myrrea, who tends the world; Phryscara, who tends the heavens; Yrothre, who guides through legends and traditions; Shefere, who observes and teaches; and Veyethe, who is most cruel. From Myrrea came the nymphs, dryades, naiads, and surori. From Phryscara came the akka, jasadis, lilithians, mesecinae, muses, river maidens, and serpentines, and from Yrothre came the al'ukhua and waywards sisters.. From Shefere came the cocidians and valkyries. And from Veyethe came the dreordomne, harpies, menywod, and succubi (and technically also femmes mortes, which are undead adelfoi).

Akka

Daughters of Phryscara who embody the love of the family.

Basics

Taxonomic Order: Akhoata
Taxonomic Family: Phryscarans
Alignment: Celestial
Energy: Banaru
Lifespan: 300 years
Diet: Common mortal fare
Habitat: Boreal forests

Origins

Born from the blood of Phryscara, they are the children who sought to form familial bonds immediately.

Description

Akka appear to be human women, but taller on average - about 7’ tall - who are known, culturally, to wear red and blue outfits. Their skin is pale lavender, almost white, and their hair ranges the gamut of human appearance.

Procreation

Akka reproduce with the male-assigned members of any sexual species that has male-assgned members, always producing akka children, except when reproducing with enders. Because akka can shape the unborn, sometimes akka give birth to other species if they so choose, but this is rare.

Powers

When akka have sex, thunder rolls.

Children

Akka can sense and shape the unborn immediately after conception, whether this is their own child or that of any other being that can get pregnant. They can also shape the unhatched, but this is more difficult.

The touch of an akka will convey protections to any child, assuming the touch is not traumatic or harmful to the child (not an act of violence or violation). The protections must be specified during the touch - protection from disease, from cold, from a specific person, etc. The broader a protection, the weaker it is.

Akka can also convey protections to adult women and non-men, but they must do so by marking them with their own blood. The protections work the same.

They can only convey one protection at a time.

Clan Powers

All akka belong to one of five family groups - heimot (sing. heimo), sometimes distantly related, always matrilineally. As many akka have connections to multiple families, the one that manifests powers is the one most recently connected, the one they are part of the clan of:

Jabme-Akka: Jabme-Akka was the last daughter of Maderakka. She was a psychopomp who sought to protect children in the afterlife. Those of her line can see the souls of dead children and offer them protections as if they were alive, and they can use mirrors to check if children are okay in the afterlife.
Juksakka: Juksakka was an archer who protected children during times of strife. Those of her line have inherent skill with archery and combat.
Maderakka: Maderakka was the first akka, the mother of the tribe, protector of women and children, who granted bodies to the unborn. Those of her line - most akka - can sense the bloodlines of those whom they can see and repel evil using their menstrual blood.
Sarakka: Sarakka was the eldest daughter of Maderakka. She was very much like her mother. Those of her line can instill fertility in the infertile, have skill and insight into sex, can soothe pregnant people with their touch, and can tell when people love one another by sight.
Uksakka: Uksakka was a midwife. Those of her line are more skilled at shaping the unborn than other akka. They can also open and seal doors.

Every akka has an affinity from their non-akka parent’s line as well. This varies by species.

Weaknesses

If an akka harms a child intentionally and not in self-defense, the akka will begin to rot while alive. Their stench will warn children to stay away.

Pravum harms them.

Nations

In Remak and Surva, there is one akka nation, the Perhe. Most akka around the world are assimilated into the cultures they dwell in, though they hold onto some traditions of their own.

Culture

The Perhe live in the boreal forests of Remak and Surva in small communities. They are nomadic, though they have small territories they wander through. Their encampments feature tents that are made of reindeer-hide, but to keep warm, they often dig small burrows below the tents to sleep on.

They practice duodji, crafting items with purpose, and gákti, reindeer-leather dresses with a special shawl with silver brooches. These are usually bright red and blue. The patterns and ornamentation on the gákti indicate the family and territory of the akka.

Like many in the region, the Perhe are reindeer herders. They move the herds through the forests, letting them graze just outside the wooded areas, and keep a watchful eye out for wolves, bears, and poachers.

Their music is joiks, unaccompanied chanting; though they enjoy dancing, there are no traditional dances associated specifically with their culture. They love board games.

Most of their traditions surround sex, pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing.

Though patriarchal concepts of marriage are foreign to them, they do have ceremonies they practice individually before sex. If an akka wishes to have a child, she will burn pine needles and spruce bark in reindeer fat. If she does not wish to have a child, she will burn sow-thistle and lady’s mantle without fat. If she is indifferent to the result, she will burn rosebay willowherb in any kind of tree sap. If she does not perform a ceremony before sex, it is believed the sex will not be enjoyable.

After sex, she will gather spilled fluids and the sheets or anything they made love on and hang them over a fire wherein butterwort is burned, letting the smoke purify the sheets. This will seal the intention of the pre-sexual ceremony.

If an akka misses her period, she will perform a ritual during which she creates an ointment out of boska, smear it on her belly, and sleep facedown for the next three nights. If her period later comes, she will perform a ceremony where she washes her belly in a stream. If she finds that she is pregnant, she will tell the whole tribe, who will perform a ceremony of blessing that involves a feast, sharing of blood, and burning of an entire birch tree.

If an akka wants an abortion, she will not tell the tribe (unless she has done so and changed her mind, which is acceptable). Instead, she will perform a ceremony wherein she creates an ointment out of juniper berries, smear it on her belly, sleep facedown for three days, then find the appropriate materials for an abortifacient tea. She will tell up to three close family members, who will care for her for the next week to make sure she recovers physically and emotionally, even if it is not necessary.

If an akka has a miscarriage, the whole tribe will gather and perform a ceremony wherein they bring bird eggs to the akka, wash her in the yolks, and sing mournful joiks. At the end of three days, she is taken to a nearby stream or pond, washed, and then given three gifts - one of food, one of clothing, and one personal to her.

Through a pregnancy, the akka works and contributes to the tribe, but with consistent care from other members of the tribe. She is only expected to do as much as she is able. Various treatments are given to ensure the health of mother and child, and she will perform personal rituals passed on by her immediate family.

When an akka goes into labor, those designated to care for her will perform a ceremony during which they share their blood, gather water and blood spilled from the birthing akka, and use it to draw a circle around her for protection. Then they will burn candles and keep them lit the entire time. They believe that if for one moment all candles are out, the child will either die or be born with a curse. Once the child is born, she will be marked with wax from each of the candles as protection. Then, the child will be given to the mother, who will offer protection in the form of a kiss. If she is unconscious, she will perform this ceremony as soon as she is able. She is also fed a special porridge prepared by the Sarakka members of the tribe.

After two weeks, the whole tribe gathers for a naming ceremony. They are washed in a nearby stream or pond, and that body of water gives them their baby name. Thus, they have a given name (granted by their mother), a family name, a clan name (Maderakka, etc.), and their baby name, which is used by the tribe until they are an adult. After they are an adult, everyone uses their given name except those closest to them, who will sometimes use their baby name as a term of endearment, usually in conjunction with their given name. Thus, an akka who is a minor will only be called their baby name (“Leammijohka”, for example, which means “warm river”); an adult will be called by their given name by most (“Iggá”), or by both by those who are close to them (“Iggá Leammijohka”).

There are three other ceremonies for akka babies:

When they laugh for the first time, the baby will be anointed in pine sap and rolled in reindeer leather blankets to hold that joy within them, so they may have a happy life.
When they take their first steps, the baby will have their feet poked with needles dipped in lingonberry, giving them marks of protection to guide their steps through life.
On their first birthday, the baby will be celebrated by the whole tribe, given gifts made via duodji, merry songs, and a feast. The baby will be fed a special porridge.

Growing up, akka children are taught the ways of the tribe, allowed to play and be free, and given special ceremonies each year on their birthdays that involve songs that teach them new skills and lore.

On the day of their first menstruation, they are subject of another ceremony. They gather the blood, wash their forehead with it, then go to the whole tribe and declare their readiness for life. They are then celebrated, washed in nearby waters, and lightly tapped with pine branches to protect them. This is definitively not a coming-of-age ceremony. The Perhe consider an akka of-age when she turns 20; on her 20th birthday, she is wrapped in reindeer leather, spruce branches, and red ribbons. She is carried by the whole tribe in a singing circle, then cast into a bonfire. The protections the tribe has given her will make her impervious to the fire, and she will walk out, naked, and be given a knife made via duodji.

Akka who are found to be infertile are honored by the whole tribe in a ceremony similar to the one for miscarriages, though they use whites of the egg instead of yolks.

Funerals involve burying the akka with objects they will need in the afterlife, such as tools, weapons, or special protections. There is always a two-week mourning period where those closest are not expected to work, and during that time, they are brought gifts of food and condolence. If an akka dies as a child, she is mourned for a year and a day, and the mother is allowed to retire for the rest of her life, if she chooses.

In any Perhe tribe, there will be a group of elders who lead, those who specialize in hunting and guarding, those who specialize in reindeer husbandry and care, those who specialize in leading others in worship of the goddess, those who specialize in healing, and those who specialize in duodji. While everyone will have some training in these, only some will focus on them. Everyone else will be generalized in their roles.

A tribe is not a clan. A clan is a family grouping. Tribes are territorial and political groupings. Intermarriage and shifting alliances may lead to tribes being composed of people of many different clans. A tribe will be named for its territory. Anyone is allowed into a tribe, but a clan is measured by bloodline. The only exception is when a “father” is accepted into a clan, if they have a child with an akka.

At times, clan and tribe conflict in their priorities or purpose. At these times, clan usually comes first for a Perhe.

Non-akka in Perhe tribes have full rights, but they may only participate in certain ceremonies if they have a blood-relation in the tribe (i.e., if they are part of a clan), and even then, some things they will physically be unable to perform.

Esoterica

Akka are being of banaru and its most potent wielders. Most akka in a tribe are low-level clan mages; a few will be more powerful. Akka also commonly wield aemoa, curacion, hegnh, juaih, b’qar or fuinneamh, yahas, ujjval aatma, tyvka vlast, hvittodgg, nzwara murazvo, tmakikan, and lunar aether. They will use any kind of celestial essence, aether, or poioumenonic energy, but almost never wield infernal essence.

Religion

The Perhe worship Heimon Äiti, the Mother of the Clans, who is said to encompass the whole clan (thus contains all genders). Those who lead religious rites are called papittaret (sing. papitar); they are experts on all the ceremonies of the tribe. She may designate some akka as pyhiinvaeltaja, or pilgrims who are sent to the place the clan is said to have been born; there, they make offerings on behalf of the entire tribe in times of difficulty.

At the center of their faith is the importance of protecting children and women. Those who harm either are condemned and cursed by the whole tribe.

In every tribe is a tietaja, a shaman who connects to the ancestors and serves as a leader and spiritual guide for all.

Gender

All akka are assigned female at birth, but if they indicate that they are another gender as they grow up, this is celebrated. They are allowed to explore gender roles, often taught to them by their non-akka parent, but they are encouraged to hold off the decision until adulthood in order to give themselves time to explore if they wish to explore. If they insist on something before adulthood, they must get special dispensation from the elders or priestesses; this is rarely refused, as insisting is seen as a special sign among them. In adulthood, they can declare themselves another gender at any time for any reason.

Courtship among the akka is casual. They often leave the tribe for a year or two to seek a mate, if they wish to have children, but otherwise, they remain with the tribe if pleasure or love is their only consideration.

Economy

The Perhe are matriarchal.

Military

Those who specialize in hunting or fighting within the tribe are called keihäsnainen, and they are granted special powers by the clan mages within the tribe. They wield spears.

Language

The language of the akka is Finnish and Sami.

Trade

Reindeer-based goods are their commonest trade good. They are also known for their baskets.

Occupations

Roles among the akka often include but are not limited to the following:

Etsiva: someone designated by the clan mage to investigate something within the clan.
Jousimies: an archer empowered by their bloodline.
Kätilö: midwife.
Kauppias: one who is designated by the elders to barter for the tribe.
Keihäsnainen: spear-warriors granted powers by the clan mages.
Kippari: a clan mage bonded to a transportation vessel.
Kirjuri: those who keep records for a clan.
Kokki: one who specializes in cooking for the clan.
Korin kutoja: basket-makers who sell to outsiders.
Laulaa: the best joik singers.
Noita: witch who protects children.
Nukkevalmistaja: dollmakers who use duodji to make their dolls protective charms.
Nayttelija: one who leads special theatrical performances to entertain the tribe, based on their own clan traditions.
Opas: those designated by a clan mage to protect the boreal forests.
Päällikkö: the head of a clan (informally, a chief), but not necessarily the head of a tribe.
Paimen: reindeer husbander and herder.
Paljastaja: a tahawal who takes on a trans masculine or non-binary gender as part of a ceremony to become a special guardian to children.
Papitar: priestesses.
Parantaja: healers who use clan magic.
Puutarhuri: those who keep the plants in the tribe.
Pyhiinvaeltaja: pilgrims sent to the birthplace of the clan.
Ratkaiseminen: clan mage who studies the Puzzle of Bloods.
Ratsastaja: a reindeer rider.
Sanansaataja: one who bears messages for the clan, going from tribe to tribe with news from the clan chief.
Taidemaalari: painters who imbue their work with clan magic.
Tappaja: a clan warrior sent to kill a specific person, an assassin.
Teitaja: shaman.
Työntekijä: generalized work in the tribe.
Vanhin: elders.
Velho: clan mages.
Viettelijä: one who specializes in ensuring fertility via sex magic.

Outside View

Akka are usually demonized as child-killers, cannibals, witches, and sluts by the patriarchal powers of the world.

Notables

Jabme-Akka, Protector of Dead Children
Juksakka, Archer, Protector of Children
Maderakka, Mother of the Clans, Shaper, Akka Manifest, Aeonian
Sarakka, Bringer of Fertility, Protector of Pregnant Mothers
Uksakka, Keeper of the Door, Midwife

Estimated Populations

Perhe: 100,000
Other: 50,000

Sample Stats

PRO 8
ATH 9
STR 8
AWA 8
WIL 9
PRS 8
STH 8

Al'Ukhua

The sisters of the Fates.

Earaaf (fate) - arabic for threader

Cocidians

Cocidians are eternal hunters.

Cocidian Template

Cocidian (b'qar)

Nations:

Azgayin (fuinneamh) in western Dabusen
Duannum (dream energy) in Gyrah
Dewis (thorn energy) in Mwyr Aeld
Elgari (hvittdogg) in southern Palhur
Endorian (mana) under the sea
Esteru (euergasia) in Taggarus
Kadhib (bedrog) in Mahad
Myslyvets (cacophony) in the Subterranean Realm
Túlélő (b'qar) in Idangar

Dreordomne

Women who wash in blood.

Dreorcwenn (quaestus) anglosaxon

Harpies

Adelfoi with no arms, just wings, and human-like bodies. They were born of birds as well as the Goddess. The original harpies are quite cruel, but some of the other nations are less so.

Harpy (vulture) (famine)
Vantoase (wind)

Jasadis

Jasadis are adelfoi who embody the 12 virtues of the Shepherdess.

Jasad (virtue)

Jasadi Template

Lilithians

Lilithians were born of Lilith, once viewed as the Mother of Monsters. Much as she was mismaligned, so too were the founders of each lilithian nation.

Al Basty (hope)
Caoineag (ice)
Chedipe (love)
Ciguapa (moons)
Cihuateteo (family)
Dakini (light)
Hashihime (souls)
Lilithian (ancestors) + Lamashtu
Nocnitsa (dream)
Pig-faced Woman (equality)
Samodiva (fire)
Sheela Na Gig (creation)
Sihuanaba (peace)
Valva () - romanian

Menywod

Women whose voices shatter stone and glass.

Name

Their name translates as “women”, a plural word, but has evolved over time to be used singularly and plurally.

Basics

Taxonomic Order: Akhoata
Taxonomic Family: Veyetheans
Alignment: Infernal
Energy: Cacophony
Lifespan: 300 years
Diet: Meat-heavy mortal fare, usually bird's eggs, seeds, heavy soups, and venison
Habitat: Forests

Origins

The screams of pain of Mother Shem as the men of the world destroy her, taken consciousness and seeking to serve the interests of those same men.

Description

Menywod are an all-female-assigned nation of menywod. They appear to be human, but their hair is more brightly colored, being blue, green, or violet naturally. Their voices can break stone or glass, even when spoken quietly.

Procreation

Menywod reproduce with the male-assigned members of any sexual species that has male-assgned members, always producing menywod children, except when reproducing with enders.

Powers

Menywod are immune to bonding magic of any kind. Imperium, ethereal energy, and yahas do not touch them. They are able to fly for short periods of time under the night sky.

Voices

The voice of a menywod is like a nail on a chalkboard, and when they "sing" it can snap branches, shatter stone, break glass, and burst eardrums. They are able to bounce their voices off solid objects (usually breaking them) to target other objects or people. Their voices are filled with raw cacophonic power, and in its use, they can cause metaphysical connections to break as well.

Weaknesses

Euphony harms them. Arcane shadow weakens them.

Nations

There are three main nations of menywod:

Ch’uẖeti: a nation in eastern Taggarus who use the First Language to control their own voices such that they are able to speak without destroying.
Gwichians: the original nation, dwelling in Shrikewood, where they live in small, violent communities.
Karjuda: a nation in Surva in Ranu who took a vow of silence and generate arcane shadow in order to live in secret.

Culture

The culture of the Gwichians is one of isolation and conflict. They live in small communities in a region of Ansulym known as the Shrikewood (sometimes “Shrike Wood” - it is never consistent whether it is one or two words), named for its famous birds.

These small communities all answer to the most powerful amongst them, which is ruled by a woman simply called “the Regent”, who gains her power from being an absolute monarch. Each community is its own feudal fiefdom, controlled by vassals to the Regent, who each believe themselves to be in the line of succession. When a Regent dies, they all scramble to prove their worth, with the victor of the ensuing battles winning the metaphorical throne.

Vassals rule by threat of violence. They keep a force of powerful warriors, the saethwrs, who use arrows that they surround with cacophonic auras that shatter metal armor, stone, wood, and bone. They kill anyone who threatens the power of the nobles or the Regent; they also have standing orders to capture or kill any outsider who enters the Shrikewood, with only a few exceptions.

Because menywod rely upon beings of other species to reproduce, captured men (or anyone with seed) are often kept as prisoners for that purpose. They also use outsiders as slaves for other labor.

It is rare for a man or person of another species to have any standing among the menywod, and those who do do not last long. Children among the ruling menywod are raised by slaves or weaker menywod. They are trained from a young age to be self-sufficient, brutally so. If they survive to adolescence, they usually start a gang of weaker menywod. These gangs develop into violent enforcers of their power, which grows into their personal guard as they become vassals. Children among the oppressed menywod are raised similarly, but they instead become members of the gangs and enforcers, hoping not to be relegated to slavery or servitude.

Menywod are considered adults when they reach the age of 16. At that age, they are expected to either become warriors, rulers, or servants.

Art, music, and crafts are rare in their brutal society, but there is some work amongst the poor and indentured, mostly creating works that have meaning only to themselves. Their isolated and individualist society encourages such works to be inscrutable. Their whole lives, they are encouraged to be alone, and any semblance of community feeling, love, or connection between them and others is seen as weakness. Only loyalty to the vassals or Regent are considered acceptable.

National Cultures

Ch’uẖeti: a nation in eastern Taggarus who use the First Language to control their own voices such that they are able to speak without destroying. They live as part of the broader culture there, living among the Sewochu people.
Karjuda: a nation in Surva in Ranu who took a vow of silence and generate arcane shadow in order to live in secret. They live in a very small community there.

Esoterica

Menywod are beings of cacophony and its finest users. They cannot use ethereal essence, imperium, or yahas, nor can they use euphony. Sonic aether becomes cacophony when they wield it. Arcane shadow dampens their natural powers. True shadow and gemtkhereg are awkward for them to use. Other celestial or aetherial powers are rarely used, though some wield nzwara murazvo, prasinofos, and tykva vlast in their work in the forest.

They commonly use ibbissu, thorn energy, arnum, bedrog, fusei, blasphemy, corrogatio, gossamer light, slitna, stravomenos, sterisi, misfortune, mollesse, razdavit’, uafas, d’qiarsea, oalkhaylaoataa, kakraohy, b’qar, flux, fuinneamh, kutsegula, and fortune.

Religion

The Gwichians worship Neidi, whom they see as a primal goddess who represents opportunity and hunting, a huntress who eviscerates her prey (like a shrike) and strikes when they are weak. In every community, there are sanctiaidd (sing. sanctaidd), or priestesses, who lead the community in worship, performing rituals of violence. Elder sanctiaidd leave for seclusion, embodying the disconnection they created their whole lives, and become lleians (nuns). Among the lleians are llais, or prophets, who claim to speak for Neidi directly and instruct them. The lleains take down their words, then send them to the priestesses, who use them to guide the people.

Under the priestesses are derwyddi (sing. derwydd), or druids, who commune with the forest and use it to protect the communities; wylofains (those overcome by the sacred noise) who scream and wail continuously; and canwr mawls, who shriek in praise as a chorus.

Some menywod remove themselves from their communities and live alone, worshiping Neidi and engaging with natural cycles as a llyg, or witch.

Within the communities, religion is whatever the priestesses say it is. They end up being very different from community to community. The focus is always the importance of individualism, opportunistic hunting, and isolation.

Gender

All menywod are assigned female at birth, and any variation is brutally suppressed.

Economy

Menywod live in a feudal society of loosely connected vassalages ruled by a Regent. Serfs, peasants, and slaves make up the underclasses.

Military

The military of the Gwichian nation is made up of warriors from each vassalage and the larger army of the Regent. The bulk of them are made up of saethwrs, archers who can use their cacophonic voices to enshroud arrows to make them explosive, and specialists such as trywanwrs, who use their sniping skills to assassinate enemies, and the cerddwrs, who have a bond to the Shrikewood and serve as scouts. The Regent also employs terfysgols who use their cacophonic archery powers to disrupt and destroy enemy communities in acts of terrorism. Rare amongst them are the ymladdwrs, who are much the same as saethwr, but use melee weaponry enshrouded by cacophony.

Language

Their language is based on Welsh.

Trade

The Gwichian nation of the Shrikewood trades fruit, hunted meats, materials gathered from prey, and weaponry with other nearby nations, but never with Mwyr Aeld, their rivals to the south.

Occupations

Meteldalen - metallic instrument makers who are employed by the Regent to create instruments that resonate with menywod voices.
Cerflunydd - menywod who practice sculpting stone or wood with their voices, usually among the oppressed.
Canwr Drwg - bards among the menywod who share stories and noise that discourage romance, love, or other positive connections.
Perllan - forest keepers, the bulk of serfs and peasants among the oppressed, who tend the woods and gather fruit and animal goods for their vassals.
Camgam - dancers who move to the arrythmic noise of the menywod, creating disturbing forms that only the Regent and vassals enjoy.
Gwenu - jesters who serve the Regent and speak strange tales and japes that disturb listeners.
Twyllwr - menywod who gamble using their voices to disrupt games of chance, often from the underclasses.
Diadurwr - menywod who gather information and share with the public, usually tasked to spread information on behalf of the Regent. They are a cross between towncryer and journalist.
Regent - the feudal leader of all the Gwichian nation. A vicious ruler who is said to be completely untouchable.
Anerchwr - messengers who serve the vassalage and Regents.
Hysbysebwr - advertisers in advanced technological times whose work is empowered by cacophony.
Cerddwr - rangers who bond to the Shrikewood.
Difyon - those who use cacophony during sex to prevent procreation or emotional attachment, often killing their partners.
Athraw - “teachers” who disrupt and confuse, spreading disinformation amongst their pupils.
Porthor - those whose voices can tear reality and create portals.
Cyflymaf - jet pilot in advanced technological eras whose powers help their aircraft break the sound barrier.
Ymladdwr - melee warriors who wield cacophonic weaponry.
Saethwr - archers who turn their arrows into cacophonic missiles.
Llyg - witches who live in the wilderness alone and use cacophonic powers to disrupt natural cycles.
Wylofain - religious figures who are overcome by noise and scream and wail unrelentingly in honor of Neidi.
Derwydd - druids who commune with the Shrikewood.
Lleian - nuns, retired sanctiaidd, who live in isolated communities and serve Neidi.
Canwr Mawl - religious leaders who praise Neidi via noise.
Sanctaidd - priestesses who lead every community in worship of Neidi.
Llais - prophets who claim to speak for Neidi amongst the lleians.
Astwen - celebrities in technologically advanced eras who use cacophony to terrify and confuse audiences.
Gwneuthurwr Delwedd - menywod who create disruptive soundtracks on television or film in technologically advanced eras.
Gair Llafariad - spoken word artists who use cacophony to confuse and disrupt audiences, driving them to be alone.
Llenor - poets who use cacophony to turn their art into isolating and confusing works.
Trywanwr - sniper assassins who serve the Regent.
Terfysgol - terrorists who serve the Regend.
Twyllodrus - thieves who use cacophony to disrupt and open locks.

All menywod are cacosingers by birth. Other species become cacosingers to mimic their natural powers.

Outside View

Menywod are seen as mysterious and mystic figures who live in a part of Ansulym that is heavily isolated from outsiders. They are feared and exoticized.

Notables

Sgïwr, Menywod Manifest, Aeonian

Estimated Populations

Ch’uẖeti: 50,000
Gwichians: 500,000
Karjuda: 3,000
Other: 100,000

Sample Stats

PRO 9
ATH 9
STR 8
AWA 8
WIL 7
PRS 7
STH 8

Old Menywod Page

Mesecinae

The mesecinae were born of the three Moons and the Goddess, but they are not elemental. Rather, they represent the tranquility the four women experienced upon the creation of Third Shem.

Mesecina (iremia)

Muses

Muses are an all-female assigned group of nations devoted to the arts and inspiration.

Species: Muse

Muse Nations

Calliopean (epic poetry) (vision)
Clioite (history) (history)
Euterpean (flutes and music) (music)
Thalian (comedy and pastoral poetry) (joy)
Melpomenean (tragedy) (despair)
Terpsichorean (dance) (travel)
Eratoite (love and lyric poetry) (love)
Polyhymnian (sacred poetry) (virtue)
Euranian (astronomy) (star)

Nymphs

Nymphs are beings who embody a particular type of landscape or terrain who are all female-assigned nations. They were born from the landscapes themselves, willed to life by the Goddess. There are many kinds of nymphs, but they all belong to one species.

Species: Nymph

Nymph Nations

Alseid (radiance) - glens and groves
Asteriad (qeernariji) - stars
Auloniad (tmakikan) - valley, pasture, glens
Auraed (kiiric yihi) - breezes
Hectarid (euphony) - rustic dances
Hesperid (ma'dhahabi) sunsets and golden light
Lampad (poarta) - underworld, torch-bearers
Leimakid (livadi) - meadows
Maenad (stagma) - wine
Melinoed (uafas) - thick forest
Napaead (dumaqu) - dells
Oread (kazaddarean) - mountains

Dryades

Dryades are a subset of nymphs, but they are also green folk and are thus classified under both.

All dryades are beings who create soulbonds with plants. The term "dryad" refers originally to those who bond to oak trees but has become an umbrella term, while those who bond to other trees often have different names and cultural variations, they do not constitute separate species or nation. Indeed, a dryad is born without a tree bond and can choose any tree she likes. All dryades have a dryad form (nymphoid) and hamadryad form (bonded to the plant, almost unified). They are classified as adelfoi because they are all female-assigned at birth, but they are foremost the ordinal elementals of wood.

Species: Dryad

Dryad Nations

Green Dryades:
Acernid (sycamore trees) (prasinofos)
Babnuad (blackwood trees) (prasinofos)
Castaneid (chestnut trees) (prasinofos)
Dalbergiad (rosewood trees) (prasinofos)
Dryad (oak trees) (prasinofos)
Priscad (wattieza trees) (prasinofos)
Silvad (sylvanwood trees) (prasinofos)

Viridian Dryades:
Akakiad (acacia trees) (ginginyuneti)
Anthousai (magnolia trees) (hasken fure)
Apelpisiad (cypress trees) (parfum de marais)
Archiad (sequoia trees) (ashar)
Daphnad (laurel trees) (euskepsia)
Elatad (spruce trees) (tykva vlast)
Epimelide (apple trees) (tmakikan)
Filyrad (linden trees) (dumaqu)
Fteliad (elm trees) (uafas)
Kalysynad (dogwood trees) (holy virtue)
Meliad (ash trees) (fuinneamh)
Munduad (axis mundi) (genesis)
Oxalidad (sourwood tree) (unfugl)
Pefkad (pine trees) (viridian aether)
Vamvakiad (cottonwood trees) (livadi)

Old Dryad Page

Naiads

Water nymphs:

Species: Naiad

Naiad Nations

Coryciad (true shadow) - deep cavern pools
Crinaead (hegnh) - fountains/cities
Eleionomaed (parfum de marais) - swamps
Hyad (bijalee) - rain and storms
Limnad (dumaqu) - lakes
Naiad (conflueverant) - freshwater
Nereid (conflueverant) - saltwater/seas
Oceanid (hasken fure) - springs
Pegaead (holy virtue) - springs
Pegasid (yahas) - wells
Pleiad (complexity) - rain/stars
Potamid (ethereal essence) - rivers

River Maidens

River maidens are adelfoi who sing upon the rocks of rivers (but not seas, like sirens).

Species: River Maiden

River Maiden Nations

Bewegenmaed ()
Flosshilde ()
Lorelei ()
Wellgunde ()
Woglinde ()

Serpentines

Serpentine adelfoi. The nations formed as the lamias spread around Shem.

Bai Suzhen (life) (white snake) (Legend of the White Snake)
Egle (fate)
Futakuchi-onna (famine)
Gorgon (justice)
Harionago (pride)
Kiyohime (virtue)
Lamia (wisdom)
Mami Uati (mami wata) (water)
Moura Encantada (change)
Nure-onna (pestilence)
Shahmaran (health)
Tlanchana (story)
Xtabay (liberation)

Succubi

Succubi are all-female-assigned nations born from the Goddess's desires, lusts, and temptations. The original nation split into several different nations as they traveled the world and found new desires.

Agrat (deceit) - based on Agrat bat Mahlat
Anuahu (crime) - igbo
Dayan () - hindi mythical creature
Empusa (envy) - empuse
Mahabat Hulwa (love) - arabic
Nekwinde (manipulation)
Onoskelis (undeath) - onoskeli
Rapazasorrinte (water)
Samca () - romanian mythical creature
Sawyim (fire) - thai
Schreiend (cacophony) - german
Soblaznitel' (ambition) - russian
Succubus (vanity)

Surori

Sisters of the Moons. Sing. sora. Women with reflective skin who dwell on the moons.

Sora (lunar aether)

Valkyries

Valkyries are an all-female-assigned species with shebvic powers. They were born of the Goddess and the War God. (Names in Old Norse.) They serve as psychopomps for certain kinds of people who earn special honors in the eyes of the War God. Each group below has a different role in the society of the valkyries.

Species: Valkyrie

Valkyrie Template

Valkyrie Nations

Afarmenna (oalkhaylaoataa) (strong woman) - guide for women who faced adversity and repression
Bjallatroth (kakraohy) (bell walker) - guide for those who were masters of their skills or crafts
Dermfarmath (shebv heya) (sailor and judge) - guide for those who faced great hardships in a normal life
Goravitr (cu'ucuch'ik) (build wise) - guide for those who crafted amazing structures, buildings, and more
Landsrettr (shavev mashkalran) (law of the land) - guide for those who uphold the law
Ormsliki (draconic power) (dragon form) - guide for dragons
Safnamaer (menab'e) (collecting girl) - guide for those who survived on resourcefulness
Skjaldborg (gebvel) (shield wall) - guide for guards and guardians
Thjofr (gemtkhereg) (thief) - guide for great (blue-collar/lumpen) criminals
Valkyrja (d'qiarsea) (chooser of the slain) - guide for great warriors
Veithimather (b'qar) (hunting woman) - guide for great hunters

Wayward Sisters

Sisters of the Triple Goddess.

Wayward Sister (magic)

Adelfoi

The adelfoi are the sister nations of female-assigned beings.

Dryades

Dryades are a subset of nymphs, but they are also green folk and are thus classified under both.

Species: Dryad

Dryad Nations

Old Dryad Page

Serpentines

Warning: Can't find topic Shem.Gorgons

Lilithians

Lilithians were born of Lilith, once viewed as the Mother of Monsters. Much as she was mismaligned, so too were the founders of each lilithian nation.

Menywod

Women whose voices shatter stone and glass.

Name

Their name translates as “women”, a plural word, but has evolved over time to be used singularly and plurally.

Basics

Taxonomic Order: Akhoata
Taxonomic Family: Veyetheans
Alignment: Infernal
Energy: Cacophony
Lifespan: 300 years
Diet: Meat-heavy mortal fare, usually bird's eggs, seeds, heavy soups, and venison
Habitat: Forests

Origins

The screams of pain of Mother Shem as the men of the world destroy her, taken consciousness and seeking to serve the interests of those same men.

Description

Procreation

Menywod reproduce with the male-assigned members of any sexual species that has male-assgned members, always producing menywod children, except when reproducing with enders.

Powers

Menywod are immune to bonding magic of any kind. Imperium, ethereal energy, and yahas do not touch them. They are able to fly for short periods of time under the night sky.

Voices

Weaknesses

Euphony harms them. Arcane shadow weakens them.

Nations

There are three main nations of menywod:

Ch’uẖeti: a nation in eastern Taggarus who use the First Language to control their own voices such that they are able to speak without destroying.
Gwichians: the original nation, dwelling in Shrikewood, where they live in small, violent communities.
Karjuda: a nation in Surva in Ranu who took a vow of silence and generate arcane shadow in order to live in secret.

Culture

Because menywod rely upon beings of other species to reproduce, captured men (or anyone with seed) are often kept as prisoners for that purpose. They also use outsiders as slaves for other labor.

Menywod are considered adults when they reach the age of 16. At that age, they are expected to either become warriors, rulers, or servants.

National Cultures

Ch’uẖeti: a nation in eastern Taggarus who use the First Language to control their own voices such that they are able to speak without destroying. They live as part of the broader culture there, living among the Sewochu people.
Karjuda: a nation in Surva in Ranu who took a vow of silence and generate arcane shadow in order to live in secret. They live in a very small community there.

Esoterica

Religion

Some menywod remove themselves from their communities and live alone, worshiping Neidi and engaging with natural cycles as a llyg, or witch.

Gender

All menywod are assigned female at birth, and any variation is brutally suppressed.

Economy

Menywod live in a feudal society of loosely connected vassalages ruled by a Regent. Serfs, peasants, and slaves make up the underclasses.

Military

Language

Their language is based on Welsh.

Trade

The Gwichian nation of the Shrikewood trades fruit, hunted meats, materials gathered from prey, and weaponry with other nearby nations, but never with Mwyr Aeld, their rivals to the south.

Occupations

Meteldalen - metallic instrument makers who are employed by the Regent to create instruments that resonate with menywod voices.
Cerflunydd - menywod who practice sculpting stone or wood with their voices, usually among the oppressed.
Canwr Drwg - bards among the menywod who share stories and noise that discourage romance, love, or other positive connections.
Perllan - forest keepers, the bulk of serfs and peasants among the oppressed, who tend the woods and gather fruit and animal goods for their vassals.
Camgam - dancers who move to the arrythmic noise of the menywod, creating disturbing forms that only the Regent and vassals enjoy.
Gwenu - jesters who serve the Regent and speak strange tales and japes that disturb listeners.
Twyllwr - menywod who gamble using their voices to disrupt games of chance, often from the underclasses.
Diadurwr - menywod who gather information and share with the public, usually tasked to spread information on behalf of the Regent. They are a cross between towncryer and journalist.
Regent - the feudal leader of all the Gwichian nation. A vicious ruler who is said to be completely untouchable.
Anerchwr - messengers who serve the vassalage and Regents.
Hysbysebwr - advertisers in advanced technological times whose work is empowered by cacophony.
Cerddwr - rangers who bond to the Shrikewood.
Difyon - those who use cacophony during sex to prevent procreation or emotional attachment, often killing their partners.
Athraw - “teachers” who disrupt and confuse, spreading disinformation amongst their pupils.
Porthor - those whose voices can tear reality and create portals.
Cyflymaf - jet pilot in advanced technological eras whose powers help their aircraft break the sound barrier.
Ymladdwr - melee warriors who wield cacophonic weaponry.
Saethwr - archers who turn their arrows into cacophonic missiles.
Llyg - witches who live in the wilderness alone and use cacophonic powers to disrupt natural cycles.
Wylofain - religious figures who are overcome by noise and scream and wail unrelentingly in honor of Neidi.
Derwydd - druids who commune with the Shrikewood.
Lleian - nuns, retired sanctiaidd, who live in isolated communities and serve Neidi.
Canwr Mawl - religious leaders who praise Neidi via noise.
Sanctaidd - priestesses who lead every community in worship of Neidi.
Llais - prophets who claim to speak for Neidi amongst the lleians.
Astwen - celebrities in technologically advanced eras who use cacophony to terrify and confuse audiences.
Gwneuthurwr Delwedd - menywod who create disruptive soundtracks on television or film in technologically advanced eras.
Gair Llafariad - spoken word artists who use cacophony to confuse and disrupt audiences, driving them to be alone.
Llenor - poets who use cacophony to turn their art into isolating and confusing works.
Trywanwr - sniper assassins who serve the Regent.
Terfysgol - terrorists who serve the Regend.
Twyllodrus - thieves who use cacophony to disrupt and open locks.

All menywod are cacosingers by birth. Other species become cacosingers to mimic their natural powers.

Outside View

Menywod are seen as mysterious and mystic figures who live in a part of Ansulym that is heavily isolated from outsiders. They are feared and exoticized.

Notables

Sgïwr, Menywod Manifest, Aeonian

Estimated Populations

Ch’uẖeti: 50,000
Gwichians: 500,000
Karjuda: 3,000
Other: 100,000

Sample Stats

PRO 9
ATH 9
STR 8
AWA 8
WIL 7
PRS 7
STH 8

Old Menywod Page

Mesecinae

Mesecina

Daughters of peace.

Basics

Taxonomic Order: Akhoata
Taxonomic Family: Phryscarans
Alignment: Celestial
Energy: Iremia
Lifespan: 300 years
Diet: Fruitarian lunar fare
Habitat: Lunar maria

Origins

Formed from the complete peace of the lunar maria, descended from Phryscara, daughte rof Mother Shem.

Description

Mesecinae are female-assigned people with pale greenish skin. They have diaphanous wing-flaps under their arms that can help them drift down from heights, which they use to explore craters.

Procreation

Mesecinae reproduce with the male-assigned members of any sexual species that has male-assgned members, always producing mesecina children, except when reproducing with enders.

Powers

Mesecina have the power to look into someone’s eyes and make them unable to engage in any kind of physical attack. Their voices are very soothing to any one experiencing anger, rage, or some other intense, violent emotion. Their wing-flaps allow them to float. It is difficult for shebvic energies to affect them.

As they dwell on the moons, they can survive in light-atmospheres and resist the cold.

Specific Powers

Individual mesecinae develop powers based on whether or not they have ever engaged in violence. The longer they go without any kind of direct violence, they become more and more attuned the quiet of the universe. This gives them the ability to sense events far from themselves.

Weaknesses

D’qiarsea and baleblood hurt them.

Nations

There are three nations of mesecinae:

Belosestra: the peaceful sisters of the White Moon.
Sivosestra: the wild sisters of the Grey Moon.
Zelenasestra: the strange sisters of the Green Moon.

Culture

Mesecina culture originated with the Belosestra nation on the White Moon, amongst the lunar maria, where they dwell in cities carved into the sides of craters. They are descended of Phryscara, a daughter of Shem, who charged the original mesecinae with protecting the peace of the beautiful maria they dwelled upon.

Each city is run by an elected council of elders. The cities each have a main public square terraced into the side of the crater (and many smaller ones), a special fountain of flowing lunar ice, three special observer towers, a network of libraries, schools, and hospitals, a spaceport, and a main hall where public business is done. Each of these plays a special purpose in their societies. The squares are where people gather for trading, sorting out disagreements, and social engagements. The fountains are where they go for commitment ceremonies and other moments requiring formal celebration. The observation towers are there for gazing into space and studying the stars. The libraries, schools, and hospitals are there to serve and are free for everyone, even strangers. The spaceports are major hubs for nations that do not wish to or are unable to dock with athak ports. And the main hall is where governance happens. Each of their cities has these features.

Other than the elected council, there are many other elected roles in each city, including judges and planners. Elections happen regularly, and every neighborhood has its own councils to keep peace. Members of neighborhood councils can be any adult, but the ruling council must be elders. There are no police or military, save for a small force of guards and watchwomen on the city walls. The commonest roles, other than those running the main features of the city, are caretakers, builders, repairwomen, animal handlers, cleaners, weavers, potters, scholars, and especially gatherers known as nabiralci (sing. nabiralec).

The gatherers are those who find the fruit and fungi that are food to the belesestre. They mix these rare fruits and fungi with lunar ice, but it's not necessary. They cultivate fields in the lunar maria, craters, and mountains where they find mineral deposits that nurture the rare lunar plants and fungi. The nabiralci are recognizable for their small rock hammers and picks, heavy gloves, aprons, baskets, and masks. Their fields are considered public property and controlled by the city councils.

The animal handlers have special steeds known as konji. The konji appear to be sleek, scaled three-legged horses that are used as pack animals, draft animals, and riding animals.

Belosestra children are raised by their extended families. Orphans or unwanted children are raised by neighborhood caretakers if no extended family is available. They start school at the age of nine and graduate by the age of 20 with a specialization they usually choose around the age of 18. Those who need further training (healers, builders, etc.) go to special schools for a few more years. Once graduated, they are considered full adults and can vote. Every occupation has a union, and all unions have elected representatives.

The only part of a Belosestra city that isn't fully unionized and controlled by the city council is the spaceport, which has to have private enterprises held by foreign powers due to old treaties. All of these are subject to tariffs from the city council. The spaceports are well-guarded and complicated economically, but they are crucial to trade with the other mesecinae nations, which is an important part of the Belosestra culture.

Arts and music flourish in Belosestra cities when there is no threat to them. Everyone partakes in different arts, music, entertainment, and theatricals. They love to share what they create, encourage each other to learn and create, and generally make it a major part of every day life. The public squares are filled with people's art. Games are also commonly played, with neighborhood teams forming and shifting constantly.

Because they rely upon other species to reproduce, they often have non-mesecinae among them. These are required to adapt to their culture or they will be asked to leave.

National Cultures

The other mesecinae nations have similar cultures:

Sivosestra: they live in matriarchal bands that do not have the technological advancement or socialist economy, but rather primal communalism. They are gatherers who dwell on the Grey Moon in the mountains, where they have some connection with the surori, whom they honor as friends.
Zelenasestra: they live in the forests on the Green Moon. Their pacificism has made them victims to colonials there.

Esoterica

Mesecinae are beings of iremia and the original wielders of the powers of peace. Their pax riders ride konji from city to city, community to community, and carry peace with them. They are also known to wield aemoa, lunar aether, the bright, true shadow, arcane shadow, tutelary energy, juaih, hegnh, ujjval aatma, waarheid, yahas, banaru, curacion, dumaqu, celeste water, holy virtue, ethereal essence, ayase, qeernariji, complexity, possibility, euskepsia, euphony, euphoria, euergasia, euphotonia, nzwara murazvo, kutsegula, kor, mana, and poioumenon. Anumun is rare in all cultures, but they use it more often than others. They almost never use shebvic or infernal powers. Tenyocan, lhair, and liberation power are also rare among them.

Religion

The religion of the mesecinae is the worship of Mirno Mesto, whom they view as a state of being as much as an individual Divine. The name translates to “peaceful place”, which the consider the embodiment of the peacefulness of the lunar maria. Their religious structures are all considered optional in their society; many of them turn to worship of the moons, of ancestors (including Phryscara and Mother Shem), or of mother Shem directly. Religion is taught in their schools as one philosophy among many.

The main worship of Mirno Mesto is led by the iereia, the priestesses, who channel the peace of Mirno Mesto and share it. Some among the populace find themselves overwhelmed by Divine peace. They are called napolnjena, and their words are heeded by all. Some priestesses leave for cloistered communities - these are called osamljen, and they are often tasked with finding perfect inner peace. Others are called to preach among the population; they are called ierokiryrkas.

Some worship Mirno Mesto in other ways - the objajilo commune with the elementals of the lunar maria and bond to it, while mislec are known for their meditative practices and guidance.

Gender

All mesecinae are assumed to be women at birth. They are allowed to choose different genders as they grow up, however, and change at any time. They recognize any gender a person claims, though their legal documentation remains female-oriented. Among them, marriage is allowed between any non-related, consensual partners (and between multiple partners as well). Sexual relations are casual, and fatherhood is an unknown concept.

Economy

All property among the Belosestra is communal except some businesses at the spaceport, usually run by beings of other species, which are allowed to be private due to old treaties with other countries. Their cities are all socialist.

Military

Mesecinae are beings of peace, and therefore, warriors are unknown among them. They have defenders - those who will place their bodies between violence and others - and they have those whose powers create peace and calm. These are their version of the military, and this protection is so potent that they have risen up from slavery to become their own independent nation-state.

Language

Their language is based on Slovenian.

Trade

They trade with other countries, mostly at their spaceports, usually trading common crafts, cloth, and food.

Occupations

Common occupations:

Čistilci: cleaners.
Deeskalirajte: one who heals emotions to keep the peace.
Glasbenica: singers
Gradbeniki: builders.
Içinde: pangender monks who focus on inner peace.
Igralec: games maker who use games to soothe children.
Katharistis: fullers who fill cloth with peace
Lončarji: potters.
Nabiralec: gatherers who find fruit and fungi for the community to eat.
Oskrbniki: caretakers.
Pax Rider: those who carry messages of peace in order to protect communities.
Pesnica: aqyns who praise heroes of peace from their history.
Pisar: keeper of accords.
Popravljalke: repairwomen.
Reševalec: pax riders who retire to investigate the Puzzle of Hearts, a magical puzzle that is said to contain all possible emotion as a part of the Book of Names.
Šaljivec: those who keep peace with japes and stories, a special kind of fool.
Skrbniki živali: animal handlers.
Sodnik: judges.
Starešina: elders.
Stražar: guards who throw themselves between common folk and violence.
Tkalci: weavers.
Učenjaki: scholars.
Vrtnar: those who keep contemplation gardens.
Yperaspistis: those who make special armor to protect from attack.
Zvocznik: journalists.

Outside View

Mesecinae are seen as inferior because of their rejection of war. They are considered another “witch race”, often considered to be evil, and they are loathed in many class societies. It is claimed that they enslave those who dwell with them because they enforce peace.

Notables

Prvasestra, Mesecina Manifest, First Sister, Aeonian

Estimated Populations

Belosestra: 90,000
Sivosestra: 8,000
Zalenasestra: 10,000
Other: 12,000

Sample Stats

PRO 4
ATH 9
STR 9
AWA 9
WIL 9
PRS 9
STH 9

Muses

Muses are an all-female assigned group of nations devoted to the arts and inspiration.

Species: Muse

Muse Nations

Nymphs

Species: Nymph

Nymph Nations

Dryades

Dryades are a subset of nymphs, but they are also green folk and are thus classified under both.

Species: Dryad

Dryad Nations

Old Dryad Page

Naiads

Water nymphs:

Species: Naiad

Naiad Nations

Succubi

Undines

Classified as both elementals and adelfoi (because they are all female-assigned at birth), undines are the ordinal elementals of water.

Aloja (family - lakes)
Asrai (plains)
Bolbe (love)
Chesme Iyesi (home - wells)
Hantu Air (nature)
Iara (ambition)
Kulshedra (storm)
Melusine (flower)
Morgen (island - avalon)
Rusalka (ice)
Selkie (moons)
Siren (music)
Topielec (swamp)
Undine (water)
Zin (boundaries - rivers)

Valkyries

Species: Valkyrie

Valkyrie Template

Valkyrie Nations

Topic revision: r7 - 07 Aug 2025, SallyJaneBlack

Shem

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