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Races /
NymphsOn this page… (hide) Though completely human in aspect, Nymphs are the most beautiful people in all the realms. With their society and culture steeped in almost as much ritual as the Dracovari and deeply entrenched in the Natural World, they place a great deal of emphasis on the protection and balance of Nature; they never take what cannot be replaced and instead grow homes using their control over the elements.  As a deeply pacifistic, matriarchal society, and to protect themselves against unwanted advances, Nymphs have separated themselves from the rest of Elysian society. As a result, they can be xenophobic and yet place emphasis on an ability to mingle with and live amongst the other races. Despite this, other societies are usually quite alien to a Nymph, as they are accustomed to a very different way of living. They can also be unaccustomed to dealing with the opposite sex as many Nymph communes, especially the larger, often segregate the genders. In fact, the resulting differences in culture and customs between genders are such that males are often considered to be a sub-species, and are known as Sidhe. This page does contain information about both genders, but focuses more on the female segregate. For more information specific to the males, please look here.
Physical CharacteristicsLike many of Elysia's races, Nymphs look utterly human in aspect, but are generally much smaller at around 5'6" (1.68m), slender, and quite feminine in appearance. Even Sidhe appear effeminate; so much so, in fact, that many Elysians struggle to tell the difference (especially among the youngsters of the species) and the term "Nymph" has become almost synonymous with "pretty woman". It is perhaps an envious truth that there are no ugly Nymphs. Though some are more or less attractive than others, every single one can be considered almost ethereally beautiful and they have a seductive appeal that few can completely resist. It is because of this appeal — or, rather, the unwanted advances that result from it — that Nymphs are segregated at an early age, and perhaps no surprise that the majority return to their forest communes after their Rite of Passage rather than stay among ogling city-dwellers. Traditionally, Nymphs have a Mediterranean appearance with darker features, having originated on Earth in what is now Greece. However, they have since evolved, breeding among other species and ethnicities enough that they have become a fairly mixed bunch. Now, just as many are blonde as brunette, blue-eyed as much as brown (though red hair and green eyes are still uncommon), and porcelain-skinned as much as olive. Fashion inside the Nymph communes involves all-natural materials. During summers and on warm days, Nymphs usually wear nature-coloured silks (eg. forest green and sky-blue). They also use the same silky fabrics for rituals and finery, but here the colours become very important: White, often decorated with gold or silver to represent purity and balance, is only to be worn on special occasions (such as their many rituals), while black is considered bad luck (having to do with impurity and discord). Red, the colour of vitality and passion, is only worn during the Handbinding1 ceremony, and then only by the oath-takers themselves. Cold weather brings out leathers and furs for warmth, but even these can be fairly vibrant from either using animals that are naturally exotically coloured or dying the plainer hides and then decorating them with feathers and beads. Nymphs tend to wear their hair long, loose and similarly decorated with feathers, beads and thin braids. Note: Nymphs outside the communes are not forced to maintain these trends and are, in fact, encouraged to adopt the fashions of whatever city they're currently inhabiting in order to fit in.
SensualityNymphs, as a general rule, have heightened levels of certain hormones and pheromones, which causes their increased libido and effeminate features. They are a naturally sensual species, which is in large part why they have separated themselves from the rest of Elysian society and segregated their genders. Some Nymphs have come to think of this biological trait as a curse more than a simple fact of life, and there is almost a dual response to their sensuality. On one hand, sex and desire is seen as being a very natural biological function that is both necessary for the procreation of the species and to enforce the spiritual love between couples. Nymphs usually feel no shame when wandering semi-clothed — or even fully naked — around their communities, as the body, too, is seen as perfectly natural, and nor is there any shame in feeling lust. In fact, such is the lack of taboo here that Nymphs rarely prescribe to a particular sexuality (such as heterosexuality) and are more likely to simply feel attraction regardless of gender. (They also believe that even the ugliest form has a beauty to it, something which the most cynical of Elysians assume can only come from their species being so perfectly formed.) On the flip side, there is an underlying fear of the repercussions of their sensuality. Nymphs have a reputation among the other races for being foot-loose and fancy-free, and for playing lightly with the hearts of men (and women). Some find it almost impossible to settle down with just one partner, and it's not uncommon for them to 'play the field' or leave a string of broken hearts behind them. As a result, a great deal of bitterness can ensue, and most of the conflicts that have arisen between Nymphs and the other species since their Creation has been a direct consequence of their sensual nature. Life Cycle & Reproduction
The rate of aging for Nymphs is similar to that of the humans, making them one of the shorter-lived of the Created Races. However, though they can live a full century, they never look more than seventy years of age; this gap is not readily apparent until the latter portion of their lifespan when they appear to be as much as three decades younger. The age chart (left) lists the ages at which Nymphs are considered to be in a certain age band, along with how old they appear (in human terms) while in that category. (There is some room to play with numbers here, as people can look slightly older or younger than they really are, but never more than a couple of years either way.)
Note: Characters created with the Starter Pack should be in the Young Adult category.
Gestation for Nymphs takes a mere 34 weeks, six less than humans. Some wise-women theorise that this is because Nymphs continue to remain highly active throughout pregnancy and choose to give birth naturally, thus leading to early onset of labour, but they're far from being alone in this and Nymph babies don't suffer the complications one might expect from a premature birth. It's more likely a simple fact of their evolution. PoliticsOfficial Name: Nymph (pl. Nymphs; masc. Sidhe [pronounced sheed]) Common Name(s): Nymph Pronunciation: nimf The Nymphs' political system really depends on the community being discussed, as each has variances in customs and culture that can lead to immense differences in their politics. The segregated genders might also have independent political systems within a commune, so it's impossible to fully come to grips with their idea of government, though one thing to note is that ruling councils are made up of women. (While the Sidhe might have their own autonomous leadership within a segregated community, they are still ultimately answerable to their commune's overseeing council, the Naneth.) That said, they are focused on maintaining the natural balance of the realms, and on encouraging the same team-work among themselves as is seen between the various elements in nature. Most villages have a ruling council that reflects that balance and synchronicity, with each voice granted equal representation and no one sector (openly) granted more power than the rest. Nymphs also greatly respect wisdom, and so the council is usually made up of the village's female elders, the Naneth. Though some younger Nymphs do feel that this makes the decision-making too slow, calls for change and plays for power are not usually encouraged nor rewarded; strident voices are swiftly silenced in order to maintain the status quo. Some councils elect a figurehead leader, sometimes known as the Rowan, but this is fairly uncommon. Of course, where villages find this balanced structure slow and unwieldy, they might adopt another system of government that is better suited to their needs. AffiliationsNymphs are, first and foremost, affiliated with their family, but the nature of many communes extends that relationship to everyone residing within the bounds of their village. Such communities are expected to pull together in times of need, and even those Nymphs who have left the village but are still considered loyal can request assistance, but likewise must provide it.
Players are welcome to create their own communes and villages as long as they don't encroach on occupied territory (we're open to territory disputes but these must be discussed with Emma beforehand since such conflict usually goes against the Nymphs' nature), and to take up any role within them. You'll need to write up a Places page for them, using the templates provided, to provide information for other players (and remember to include a [[!Nymph Communes]] tag).
RanksWhile the number of social ranks varies from commune to village, and many don't even bother, there are a couple that are common across the Nymph species. (Names may vary.)
Allies & EnemiesWhile Nymphs are not technically at war or enemied with any of the other races, they can be quite xenophobic. Many villages are hidden through use of elemental manipulation, clever tricks, or even simply by the fact that most Nymphs live in the tree-tops where few travellers remember to look. Many also refuse entry to anyone who is not kith or kin. The only species Nymphs get along with well are the Therians who share some commonalities of culture (such as their affinity with the natural world) and some customs. In fact, some Nymph and Therian villages share a symbiotic relationship, with the Nymphs nurturing from the tree-tops and the Therians protecting them from the ground. Racial slurs: Siren; and also some other, far more derogatory, words (deriving from their sensual nature) that I won't repeat here. TerritoriesNymphs can live anywhere, as long as there is enough of their bonded element to sustain them. However, the majority live in the forests and jungles of Elysia, Shaping homes into the tree-tops. That said, while not an official claim, it is widely acknowledged that the Fae Forest belongs to them and the Therians. Chandric, also, is considered Nymph territory, though it is doubtful that many live there.
Players are welcome to create their own communes and villages as long as they don't encroach on occupied territory (we're open to territory disputes but these must be discussed with Emma beforehand since such conflict usually goes against the Nymphs' nature), and to take up any role within them. You'll need to write up a Places page for them, using the templates provided, to provide information for other players. Don't forget to include a [[!Nymph Communes]] tag!
PopulationNymphs are fairly wide-spread across Elysia, but the majority are scattered sparsely throughout the forests and jungles of Elysia. Theoretically, Nymphs can live on Earth since they do look so human, but they tend not to because the pollution there is enough to cause Urbanitis even in rural areas, and nor can they use their elemental abilities for fear of discovery. Likewise, they are not permitted entry into Zanarya, and nor are they allowed to buy homes in Nirim according to Dracovarian law, so they are very much an Elysian species.
CultureThe Sylvan Creed forbids Nymphs from entering into physical combat or commiting any act of violence against another living creature, as such goes against everything they believe (the exception being acts of culling, harvesting and similar, which are considered necessary in order to maintain the Balance). They are permitted to defend themselves using their elemental and beast taming abilities, but otherwise must remain pacifists. And therein lies the gist of Sylvan culture. Everything they do is meant as a means of maintaining the natural balance, be it restoring life to a withering grove or even culling a herd that is over-populated to the detriment of their habitat. They see themselves as guardians and wardens of the wild, as Mother Nature's defence against urban incursions and greed, and all their customs trickle down from this. LanguagesNymphs speak a lyrical derivative of Anyeli called Sylvan. The language sounds incredibly fluid and lilting, enough so that Elysian poets have described it as music in speech, "bringing to mind days spent slumbering under sun-speckled trees". Out of character, Sylvan is based on a combination of Greek (primarily Ancient, but Modern Greek words can also be used) and various Elvish languages (example).
Sylvan has fewer spoken words than the other Elysian languages, but each word can have several different meanings according to inflection and tone. For this reason, the written language might have been quite extensive (if not unwieldy), but Nymphs have no written language.
Naming ConventionsJust as Zanaryans give their children long and elaborate names detailing their heritage, Sylvan names have meaning also. However, theirs is usually compacted into a single word, often related to nature in some fashion, and few Nymphs have a second name. This is partly because it's rare for them to share a name with another individual inside their own commune (names, like Sylvan words, can mean different things according to inflection), and partly because, if they do require distinction, a suffix can be added that relates specifically to the person being named. Of course, not all Nymphs follow this custom. Some of the larger villages, and those located particularly close to other races, have adopted surnames as a means of differentiating individuals in communities where duplicate names are more common. In addition, Nymphs may adopt a surname (often relating to their parentage or hometown) during their Rite of Passage in order to better fit in to urban civilisation, though many drop the surname as soon as they return. Potential sources for Sylvan names include Anglicized Greek, Greek, English, Ancient Greek, and Greek Mythology. There's also a lot of interaction with Therians in some parts, so Celtic-styled names are also possible.
CurrencyIn their own communities, Nymphs tend not to use a standardised currency, instead trading goods and skills for what they cannot forage or forge themselves. However, while some of the more rural non-Nymph habitats are often willing to do the same, most urban centres force them to use xanthai. Part of the Sylvan Rite of Passage is actually dedicated to teaching novices how to use money, since many are otherwise unfamiliar with the concept. CalendarOfficially, Nymphs are supposed to follow the Elysian Calendar, but in truth (while they are familiar with it and can recognise and use dates accordingly), they tend to follow the cycle of Neme (Elysia's visible moon, pronounced nei-mei in the Sylvan tongue or nee-mee in Elysian) instead. Religion & PhilosophyNymphs are a deeply spiritual people who believe that everything in the natural world is connected to everything else. They know (or at the very least firmly believe) that Xanth is responsible for not only their own existence but also the creation of Elysia and many of the races and creatures they co-exist with, and so She is considered to be at the centre of all life and the personification of Nature itself. Nymphs do not supplicate or build temples, however. They consider the whole of Nature to be Xanth's shrine and they honour Her by keeping the Balance. Offerings they make to Her often take the form of song and dance, and many of their rituals and ceremonies are performed in Her name. Some Nymphs also dedicate their daily actions to Her by uttering Her name while performing them, especially for tasks that help to maintain the Balance (such as cleansing a grove). Death RitesSylvan death rituals can vary slightly between communities (especially if not all of the elements are available to them, such as in a Nyad-specialised commune where burning the corpse, for instance, has to be done manually), but they all carry over the belief in the Balance. Death is not an end to Nymphs but a returning of the body to the elements and the soul to Xanth via their spiritual connection with Nature, and their death rituals reflect this. First, the spirit must be cleansed of all the burdens and emotional scars wrought by life, and this usually involves a lot of music and dancing. Then the body must also be cleansed, which normally entails a woman (usually the closest female relation) stripping and washing the corpse with pure water and purifying herbs. The elements must not be used to make this task go faster, as this part of the death ritual is about the attendant displaying, through physical labour, their love and care for the deceased. Once cleansed, the body is then wrapped in the finest white silk and carried to the Heart of the commune2, where a Dryad has Shaped a stone altar specifically for the occasion. A Nereid will then use her control over the element of Fire to burn the purified body as a symbol of its return to the elements while a Nyad surrounds the altar in a twisting sphere of water meant to represent the brief battle thought to take place as the soul is wrestled from its physical vessel. (Creating such a barrier also prevents the acrid smell of a burning corpse from overwhelming those participating in the ritual, and from attracting predators.) When the body is completely turned to ash, the Nyad opens a gap at the top of her sphere of water and the Nereid sets off a firework display from within it, this being symbolic of the soul's release from mortality into Xanth's waiting arms. The ashes are then scattered onto an Ayad's winds, which carry them up and over the forest as a last return to Mother Nature. Nymph Festivals
EducationFrom an early age, Nymphs are taught to respect Mother Nature, and to assist Her wherever and whenever they can. In their early years, this most likely only pertains to alerting an adult if something seems amiss, but as they grow they are first permitted to observe others at their work and then to assist. They have no formal education system and are usually home-schooled to a degree. This is to say that Nymphs do not learn of physics or chemistry and the like, nor even economics beyond their own personal needs. Instead, they focus on subjects they believe to benefit, whether actively or passively, the natural world, or that help them to do so themselves (such as wildcrafting and tracking). They are also fond of the arts, particularly music, dance and Shaping. Nymphs are usually expected to know by the age of thirteen the profession they will enter into as an adult, and spend the rest of their adolescence working as an apprentice in that field. However, novices are permitted to change professions (though such will mean more years of study) if they declare the decision at their Rite of Bonding. Indeed, a small part of the Rite of Passage is geared toward opening up doors that might otherwise have stayed closed. ResponsibilitiesNymphs are always 'working', meaning that no matter where they are or what they are doing, they must put Mother Nature first. If they recognise that She is in need, they are expected to put all else on hold in order to restore the Balance, or, if they are unable, at the very least call for someone else who can. Their responsibilities include:
There are other ways to restore Balance. These are just the ones I can actually think of at this time. ¬_¬
Half-BreedsNymphs are both more and less tolerant of hybrids than the other races. Once a half-breed has successfully completed their Rite of Bonding, they are usually welcomed with open arms and considered a fully-fledged member of the Nymph species. Until then, however, they are generally viewed with suspicion. This is especially true if their non-Nymph parent is of warring class, such as the Anyeli or Rutilus Sept. The Nymphs' tendency to refuse entry to any non-Nymphs into their communities also forces most mixed-race families to either separate for the good of their child, live on the very edges of the Sylvan community, or to raise their child as a non-Nymph instead (which would make it very difficult for them to enter the community later). This makes it virtually impossible for the non-Nymph parent to actively participate in their child's upbringing and can cause a great deal of tension within the family. Perhaps because of this, few mixed-race families have remained whole. HistoryThe first Nymphs appeared in what is now Greece in 1,800XA, after Xanth had attempted several genetic combinations between humans and Zanaryans. Surprisingly (given the Zanaryans' demonic appearance and sulphurous stench), they had inherited Xanth's beauty and grace instead, being the first of her Children to look fully human. Perhaps not so surprisingly, they also inherited the ability to manipulate the elements. The Nymphs were everything the Zanaryans were not, and neither species was allowed to forget it. Where suspicion and superstition sent the Zanaryans fleeing to another realm, a different kind of prejudice, along with their affinity to nature, sent the Nymphs into retreat. Over the centuries, they fled further and further from civilisation, and as the world around them grew slowly taller and more ambitious, they clung ever harder to the old and kinder ways.
Skills & WeaknessesWhere other races have classes that lead to entirely unique skillsets, the Nymph classes (Ayads, Dryads, Nereids and Nyads) all learn exactly the same skills in Elemental Manipulation. The differences come purely from which of the elements they have bonded with, and how creative they are with those skills. Nymphs do specialise at a later date, however, with Wardens choosing to bond with a particular demesne (pronounced domain, also known as a "grove"). This demesne is not necessarily land but can encompass bodies of water as well. Other Nymphs become beast masters known as Wanderers. Your character must have spent at least 5 skill points in their class skills (listed under "Bonded Element") in order to choose their specialty. You'll also need to let Emma know your choice in specialty so she can update your character's information.
Areas of Proficiency
Related Pages
1 Nymphs don't get married. On the rare occasion that a couple wishes to make a commitment, they are "hand-fasted", a ceremony that involves tying their hands together with a ribbon that symbolises their union. 2 All communes have a "Heart", but what that Heart is made of varies. In many Dryad communities, it is the Heart Tree or a stone altar. In Ayad communes, it might be an open grove where there's plenty of air or a lake for the Nyads. A commune's Heart is where most rituals take place, especially the more significant ones. ⇑ Page last modified on June 12, 2011, at 07:43 AM |
