By Karinae Darkvale's Player (Nimue Server)
This writing here is written to better shed light on a lesser known and understood race of Hibernia, the Sylvan, and their culture, history, and physiology. First though we must choose one topic to decide on as an introduction to all things. That which is perhaps the determiner of culture and history is physiology and biology (or perhaps botony) of the sylvan people. Would celts and elves have the cultures they developed if they had tails and walked on four legs? No of course they would not, just as if Sylvan did their culture would be different. They are different than celts or elves and have been secluded from the rest of Hibernia for a very long time and this is affected much by what they are. Also it should be added this writing is being followed along the particular raising of Karinae Darkvale and there are different cultures within the Sylvan culture as well as different Sylvan as well and this is not a tell all writing of the Sylvan people.
Sylvan Biology (Botony 101)
I shall be looking at the Sylvan people in a light as if the reader knows nothing of the Sylvan people and so the description shall be full and including a detailed description of the Sylvan people even though you, the reader, are probably already adept in some knowledge. The Sylvan are a hybrid between plant and animal and their bodies show and represent this. On their heads and assorted parts of their bodies leaves grow that can vary in their texture and color, ranging from soft and like velvet to as thick and sturdy as palmeto leaves. These leaves do produce photosynthesis, regardless of leaf color, but a Sylvan cannot live on this alone, it is more something that makes them feel better and able to survive on far less than others would and to often times dislike going to the underground where this feeling is lacking. The "bark" of a Sylvan is soft, similar to skin, but also thick and rough to the touch, but it is not prittle like bark. It is more like the tender growth of a young sapling of a tree than it is the rigid bark of a full grown tree, even though it might look rigid and hard to the touch. The eyes of a Sylvan lack pupils and allow a fair amount of vision and act as standar eyes would in purposes of seeing though they do allow for very good vision in low light, such as moon-light.
Sylvan blood is an amber to red colored, sticky thick liquid that is usually referred to as sap and is similar though generally a little thinner. Often times it can carry interesting flavors related to their upbringing or tree-like tendencies (such as a slight maple flavor). Those Sylvan who are greater in tune with nature might take on odd flavors due to plants they grow upon themselves or where they root for the night.
The bodily form of a Sylvan is very similar to standard humanoids in form, in their general body shape. The actual shape they grow up into is partially determined by their parents and partially determined completely by chance. The reason I do not say their sex is a determining factor is because that is not always the case of Sylvan. Plants in nature are hermaphrodites (If in doubt look at a flower, which produces both the pollen and collects it), for those doubting simply look at the fact that a flower is what is polinated as well as producing it's own pollen. Sylvan are sometimes male, female, hermaphrodites, or selective hermaphrodites (Able to show one sexual characteristic or the other but not both at once). This knowledge can sometimes be troubling to non-sylvan as well as confusing. It is not something common in Hibernian society after all.
Some Sylvan are very close to nature, animists and valewalkers in particular, and have gained abilities with nature. Many are able to root in the ground and become as trees for a time and develop roots from their hands and feet. When a Sylvan takes root they gain nutrients from the soil much as a plant does and many Sylvan will do this during times of meditation and relaxation. Their bodies tend to be more supple and reformable and most selective hermaphrodites are those close to nature as well.
Sylvan Society
Societies within the Sylvan have a variety of ranges so this writing shall look at one possible and more complex type of Sylvan society, it also is the one in which Karinae Darkvale was raised in. The Sylvan are a society raised in nature and unity and respecting the cycle of life. Sylvan also can be very long lived and age relatively slowly. All of this has influences on their society.
In one such society saplings are raised without parents. From the time they sprout (are born) they are raised collectively by the grove and their parents are unknown to themselves for the grove is all their parents. Everyone should be equal in the eyes of others is their view of this. Many Sylvan do not follow this view and raise their children as their children.
Another aspect that is different is the lack of marriage in some Sylvan societies. The Sylvan believe in the balance and equality of each other as there is in nature and they do not choose couples but simply polinate when the season is right for such. Though bonds like this are bound to happen at times, as they do with the creatures of nature, and such a thing is accepted when it does. Some creatures of nature choose life mates, but most do not and simply choose mates (sometimes many) during the mating season. Sylvan have such a season as well though mating out of season is not unhead of either in their society (everyone enjoys a little closeness and pleasure sometime.)
Nature is highly revered and everything should be kept in balance. They live within nature, as seen through some taking root and their groves are living trees in which they house themselves, and work with nature and do not try to tame nature. They are all part of the circle of life that is nature and most follow this belief in that. There is death just as their is life in all things and seek to maintain a balance, their hunting creatures is all part of nature and natural selection, so long as it is not done to excess. They rarely seek to do anything to excess, or lack experiences, because too much or too little lacks the balance. Of course some Sylvan would tend to focus on fighting while others would tend to focus on simply tending nature and life, and these types balance themselves out to maintain the balance of life. Most Sylvan by nature are not violent or warlike, though the invasion of the Formorian has caused the need to fight to be risen.
Sylvan History
Not to much is known of Sylvan History save that long, long ago the Sylvan left Hibernia to make their home in Hy Brasil, sheltered from the fighting between Hibernia's people and the future wars to come. Here they thrived and flourished, exploring and living with the land. The land was at peace, there was no war, no need for weapons and fighting, and the people grew content yet always remained in nature and balance.
It is not to far past from the current day that the evil of the Formorian arrived to Hy Brasil. They have started to cause pain and imbalance in the land, seeking to ruin it beyond regrowth for their own selfish wants. The Formorian's attacks on the Sylvan and their forests forced the Sylvan to make a decision, and they chose to seek out the Hibernian's and open a gateway to the old lands so that they could seek aid in their fight against the invading Formorians. This intermingling of the two races brought about a lot of change to the Sylvan people and land but has helped stem the tide of Formorians as balance is slowly able to be returned. Many Sylvan were resentful and distrusting of the Hibernians, but many have also accepted and reveled in their coming and taken on Hibernian ways.
The two now work together, Hibernia and Hy Brasil, and shall do so for ages to come, though the Sylvan shall always be their own people, with their own respects and ways and closeness to nature.
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One of the oldest ways of teaching and passing down history is in the fashion of stories. While this essay so far has been written in a very factual fashion it is time we let our speaking stray to an older way of teaching to put all into perspective. Sometimes the fluent words of the bard and poet can leave a better lesson than the scribings of the scientist or mage. So now for your learning and reading enjoyment, I present a history to you, the history of a Sylvan of 75 years of age yet she has seen much, the story of Karinae Darkvale. For the sake of ease of reading, Karinae is referred to as female within this story as her outer form grew to show as such, but when asked she shall always consider herself "Sylvan" and not male or female.