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NYMPHS
MAGICAL ALIGNMENT: Light; nymphs do not follow a virtue. Instead, they obey the laws of nature.
LIFESPAN: If there is one thing that nymphs were built for, it's longevity. Though they are more susceptible to injury than most magical fauna, it's almost unheard of for a nymph to become sick. A pureblooded nymph is blessed with eternal youth, though most are some variation of hybrid.
APPEARANCE: Beings of pure nature, nymphs often appear with naturalistic features such as plant-life growing across their bodies, small horns or even antlers. Due to this, they are often mistaken for cervitaurs (deerfolk). It is, however, just as common for a nymph to appear perfectly human (with pointed ears, of course) as it is for them to resemble cervidae.
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All nymphs are indescribably beautiful to all beholders.
Usually as a result of deerfolk heritage, a good handful of nymphs have the ears, tail or even rarely the hooves of a deer.
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It's also possible for their skin to be any colour of the rainbow, but this is a trait mostly lost to time and genetic dilution.
ABILITIES: All nymphs are incredibly gifted when it comes to using magic, even if their powers aren't particularly useful. The most common abilities include agrokinesis, clairempathy, powerful healing, communicating with animals, controlling the weather and sometimes even the manipulation of life itself. The majority are able to grow plants at will, and bestow blessings upon their peers.*
DRYADS: Dryads, a subspecies of nymphs, are far more in tune with the natural world than their peers. Rather than appearing mostly humanoid, a dryad may possess bark-like plant growth across their body, branch-like antlers and sometimes even green tinged skin. Despite their differing appearances, they are still very much nymphs and still must upkeep the balance of nature.
OVERALL BIOLOGY: There is little to note about the overall biology of a nymph, as these nature spirits replicate humanity almost exactly. It is, however, fairly common for vines, flowers or even thorns to grow inside of bodily cavities. These may need to be removed surgically.
DIET: Though nymphs are technically omnivorous, they aim to make as little impact on the environment as possible, and many opt for a vegetarian or even vegan diet. Their required daily caloric intake is much lower than most humanoids.
SLEEP/REST: The circadian rhythm of a nymph exactly mimics that of an average human.
REPRODUCTION AND HYBRIDISATION: Nymphs are extremely fertile beings. Much like some animalfolk, they are induced ovulators, releasing eggs only when necessary to procreate. Alongside this, their gestation period is much shorter than most other species, sometimes only lasting four months in a pureblooded nymph. This accelerated fetal development can be extremely taxing on a maternal parent, with an increased rate of childbirth-related deaths.
Though nymphs are able to have hybrid offspring with almost all light-mana beings, traits other than their exceptional beauty are unlikely to be inherited. It wouldn't be farfetched to suggest that almost all light-magic residents of Embers Edge have at least some nymph blood pumping through their veins.
Over 90% of all nymphs are 'biologically female', so hybridisation is often necessary to reproduce at all.
The combination of a nymph (or deerfolk), and bunfolk can produce a subspecies known as a jackalope.
The combination of a nymph (or deerfolk), and a harpie can produce a subspecies known as a peryton.
A nymph and winged insectfolk combo produces a faerie - this is the origin of The Fae.
A nymph and mantisfolk combo produces a seer - this is the origin of seers as a species.
A nymph and a demon will always produce offspring known as false decayed nymphs, or 'false DNs'.
*Because of their exceptional plant-growing abilities, most nymphs find work in agriculture, alongside kitsune and The Fae.
DECAYED NYMPHS: Spending their life devoted to keeping the balance of nature, and of light and dark, is not just required to maintain a nymph's mana. If a nymph commits an act so against nature that the Gods take note, they will decay (a form of damnnation). Causing intentional, unnecessary harm to another living thing is the most common way a nymph will decay.
The process of decaying is relatively quick, but incredibly painful. Organs may rot from the inside out, pigment in the skin may dissipate, and all external plant life wilts. This detachment from nature also alters a nymphs abilities - they may retain some of their original skillset, but may also find their ethereal abilities replaced with more... demonic capabilities. They may even experience infertility, or, in those who retain the ability to bare children, a bloodline curse may make itself known in offspring.
All decayed nymphs find their place in The Underworld or The Abyss upon death.
CHILDHOOD AND DEVELOPMENT:
There is very little difference between the development of a young nymph (a naiad), and a human child, with all major milestones being reached at around the same time. The only, albeit very slight, variations that a naiad has from other young fauna are that they tend to develop magic even before puberty, and that the journey into adulthood is generally far more tolerable. Less hormonal spikes, more time to enjoy what is left of their youth.*
*A young nymph must be taught all there is to know about the laws of nature, and the preservation of ecosystems, as soon as they are old enough to understand. Disrespecting Gaia, even unintentionally, can have perilous consequences.
(Art by sabortoof_teegar)
ORIGIN:
The creation of Archangels, such as Archangel Admael, headed by the goddess Gaia, nymphs exist as a bespoke countermeasure to the vast spread of demonic forces. In old mythology, it is stated that nymphs were handed full power over the living, over the balance of light and dark, so long as they obeyed their creators. Their role in ancient societies included the blessing of those deserving, the creation of most light-mana equivalent species (for instance, animalfolk) and the restoration of landscapes once destroyed by shadowed means. Today, all nymphs commit to upholding their ancestors beliefs, lest they be cast out - not just societally.
CULTURE:
Speaking broadly, pureblooded nymphs as a whole are an extremely
religious community. Practically everything they do in everyday life is designed to seek the approval and blessing of Gaia, also known as Mother Earth. They accredit her (not unjustly) for the creation of The Overworld itself, believe that she exists within any and all life that resides there (even dark-mana beings), and view the natural world as sacred. These 'christo-pagan' beliefs seep into all aspects of life, whether they simply attend church on a Sunday, or, in some cases, spend months or even years of their lives living without modern day commodities.
Upon the death of a nymph, mourning celebrations are traditionally public affairs. Any and all are welcome to watch as the deceased, and their most precious belongings, are returned to the soil, usually without a casket. Flowers or even fruit trees are often planted either on or around their grave, or even using the soil that has fed upon their decayed form, feeding generations to come with their very own 'spirit'.
Most local food banks and community clinics within Embers Edge were established by nymphs, as they believe no one should go without.
