Nymphs
Nymphs are the most populous Fae species native to the Land of Faerie. They are a species of immortal, single-sex, nature spirits, personifications and spiritual embodiments of nature, tied to a specific source, like a landform or tree.
Nymphs are one of the oldest known species in the universe, thought to first appear alongside the first trees and rivers of the Land of Faerie. Nymphs are also believed to be the ancestors of the Elven species. They have a strong bond with nature, and are able to draw on the Primal Magic of nature to cast spells and teleport through natural pathways unseen to most other creatures. Nymphs are also commonly seen in the company of the Goddess Artemis, serving as her hunting companions.
Nymphs are Fae spirits, bound to their inherent nature. They are often hedonistic and bursting with emotion. Nymphs also tend to be shy and reclusive, especially around strangers. They are known to watch those who enter their natural demesnes from a distance. If the creature shows themselves to be a threat, the Nymph will call for aid from their allies and prepare to defend their home. Nymphs are also known to adore beautiful things, a Nymph struck by the beauty of a stranger is likely to investigate more closely.
While Nymphs tend to appear humanoid, often resembling Elves, they lack many of the biological systems associated with other humanoid creatures, such as organs, a skeleton or hair that grows. A Nymphs appearance is largely an imitation, one which they change whenever they return to their source of nature, a manifestation of their spirit, with their real appearance being that of their source of nature. Nymphs also do not need to eat, instead gaining nutrients through their source of nature. While they can eat humanoid foods, they gain little to no nourishment from it.
Nymphs can be found all across the Plane of Faerie, mostly as Wildfae, inhabiting the many trees, rivers and mountains of the Land of Faerie, or as members of the Seelie and Unseelie courts. They are almost exclusively found within the Land of Faerie, as that is where Faerie Magic is concentrated enough to allow them to manifest. Nymphs found in the Material Plane are likely signs of a nearby Fae Gate, or an area with a powerful source of Faerie Magic.
Nymphs found within Exorsia are often associated with druidic communities, working with them to defend their lands from those who would do it harm. Uniquely for Nymphs, provided that their source of nature is located within the Land of Faerie, Nymphs are not susceptible to Faesickness like other Fae creatures.
Manifestations of Nature
Nymphs are not naturally born creatures, they are instead manifestations of nature, born from, and inherently bound to a specific source of nature. This source can be as simple as a plant or a tree, or as vast as a river or a mountain.
When one of these sources of nature becomes infuses with enough Faerie Magic, the magic that permeates the whole of the Land of Faerie, a Nymph will manifest within it. Nymphs are inherently bound to their source of nature, it is an extension of their body and their home.
A Nymph can emerge from their source, manifesting a body for itself. This body is usually physical and humanoid in appearance, but it can appear as any form that the Nymph pleases, from resembling an animal to a spectral manifestation of the wind. With this body, a Nymph can travel the lands around their home, interacting with the world and the people within it. A Nymph can also return to their source by physically re-entering, their body vanishing in the process, only to return when the Nymph emerges once more.
Nymphs tend to remain close to their source of nature, while they aren't forced to, they rarely stray too far from it, as a Nymphs life is directly tied to their source of nature, and to stray far from it, is to leave it undefended. Nymphs reflect the state of the source of nature, they are healthy and youthful if their source is healthy, but if their source becomes harmed or polluted, the Nymph becomes withered and unwell. And if the source is ever destroyed or damaged beyond repair, the Nymph dies or descends into indefinite madness.
This is also true in the inverse. If the Nymphs body is every damaged or injured, that is reflected in their source of nature, and if the Nymph is ever killed, their body vanishes, leaving no remains, and their source in turn will also die or become barren, polluted and lifeless.
A majority of Nymphs spend most of their time dormant, resting within their source of nature until they are disturbed. But many others roam the lands, joining communities, and making friends. And very rarely, a Nymph may chose to travel, taking great risk in leaving their home behind them, in order to explore the greater world.
Environmental Variation
Nymphs are split into three distinct sub-groups, depending on their environment they are tied too. Each with their own unique set of abilities and magical specialties.
Dryads
Sometimes called tree Nymphs, Dryads are the most common group of Nymphs, and are the spiritual embodiments of plants, most often of trees.
Dryads have many plant-like traits and innate Magic, such as being able to photosynthesise, or influence the plant life around them, causing it to grow or manipulate.
Dryads often resemble the plant that they are tied to, with leaf coloured skin and blooming flowers, vines and leaves covering their bodies. Their colouring might also change in accordance with the changing seasons, like trees do, taking on an orange-brown colour in Autumn, or a barren, icy colour in Winter.
Nymphs, are believed to be related to Tree Ents, a species of sentient tree, as both species are manifestations of trees.
Naiads
Sometimes called water Nymphs, Nereids or Oceanids, Naiads are the spiritual embodiments of rivers, lakes, ocean currents or other bodies of water.
Naiads have many water based abilities and innate Magic, such as being able to manipulate sources of water, or turn their bodies transparent while submerged.
Naiads often have an aquatic appearance, with semi-transparent bodies made of flowing water, seaweed or reed-like hair, and occasionally fish-like features. Naiads in Winter may even appear icy or frozen.
Oreads
Sometimes called mountain Nymphs, Oreads are the spiritual embodiments of mountains, canyons, caves, or other geological structures.
Oreads have many earth based abilities and innate Magic, such as being able to manipulate or move through earth and stone, or turn their bodies into solid rock to shrug off attacks.
Oreads often have an earthy, rock-like appearance, with bodies made out of moving earth or stone, with protrusions of smooth or jagged stone across their forms. Oreads found near volcanic activity may even have bodies of volcanic rock, dotted with veins of molten lava.
Appearance
Nymphs can take on a wide variety of appearances. While they usually appear humanoid in appearance, commonly resembling feminine Elves, Nymphs can appear in any form that they please, from resembling an animal to a spectral manifestation of the wind. An appearance that they can change whenever they return to their source of nature
A Nymphs appearance is also largely dependant of their sub-group.
- Dryads. Often resemble the plant that they are tied to, with leaf coloured skin and blooming flowers, vines and leaves covering their bodies. Their colouring might also change in accordance with the changing seasons, like trees do, taking on an orange-brown colour in Autumn, or a barren, icy colour in Winter.- Naiads. Often have an aquatic appearance, with semi-transparent bodies made of flowing water, seaweed or reed-like hair, and occasionally fish-like features. Naiads in Winter may even appear icy or frozen.- Oreads. Often have an earthy, rock-like appearance, with bodies made out of moving earth or stone, with protrusions of smooth or jagged stone across their forms. Oreads found near volcanic activity may even have bodies of volcanic rock, dotted with veins of molten lava.
Maturity
Nymphs do not mature in the conventional sense, springing forth from their sources of nature fully formed.
Nymphs live as long as their source of nature does, only showing signs of age if their source of nature becomes harmed, polluted or begins to die.
Reproduction
Nymphs are not born through conventional means, and instead manifest fully formed from their source of nature.
Nymphs are capable of reproducing with other species, particularly Humans and Elves. Though their offspring are never Nymphs themselves, and are instead born as the species of their partner, with only slight Nymph-like traits.
Ancestry
Faeria-Flora
0.9 - 1.8 m (3 - 6 ft)
Diet
N/A
Native Language
Sylvan
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