The Lyal Kernel
Deep in the forest, Aauru sits in his sanctum, dark eyes reflecting the flames dancing from the firepit before him. At the centre of the glade, what must once have been magnificent tree now stands dead: trunk twisted and bent, eight large branches stretching out with a plethora of offshoots like cracks in the ochre sky. Despite its condition the tree is far from lifeless, home as it is to a glorious array of fungi, insects and bacteria. A copse within the glade serves as Aauru’s sleeping area; a river runs by; the whole area marked by his scent. He is master and mystic to others of his kind, the Bestials.
Aauru barely registers the usual howl and growl of his tribe beyond the boundaries of his sanctum. In the palm of his clawed hand lies a small piece of Kernel, harvested from a Lyal of refined pedigree. He considers splitting the smooth green matter in two to make it last, but dismisses the idea quickly. He feels… no, not reckless… a sense of purpose. He carefully pushes the Kernel into a nutshell, squeezes it shut, then places it in the edge of the fire. Soon his snout wrinkles at the fragrant aroma, his heart quickening in anticipation. The Kernel bakes, and finally Aauru takes his wooden scoop and retrieves the shell, standing to take it away from the fire to cool.
He walks over to the tree, his shrine, and sits on a large protruding root, tipping the shell onto the ground and rolling it about gingerly with his claws. Then he picks up the shell and pulls it open, salivating. Still he must wait, or the Kernel will burn his tongue, and he wants no distraction from communion. Finally, he takes the soft Kernel with nimble claws and flicks it into his maw. Piquant juices tingle his taste buds; one soft bite and the Kernel disintegrates, is swallowed. Already he feels waves of intoxication rushing through him, his perceptions widening. He howls excitedly and runs to the river, wading in. He drinks of the waters and immerses himself, auburn fur darkened when wet.
Aauru raises his head above the water, the yellow sun-moon a vivid pulsing presence in the sky. He howls in worship and is rewarded suddenly with fresh vision and instinct. Something ruinous has come to the world, and though he does not fully comprehend what that means, he knows what he must do. There is an other. A Lyal, yet not. He must gather his kind: his tribe and any others that will follow, and attack the Lyal. This will not be their usual savage raid, but a prepared strike. Aauru will find this other and harvest the Kernel, consume it. If he does this, he will be rewarded. If he does this, he just might survive what is to come.
Aauru barely registers the usual howl and growl of his tribe beyond the boundaries of his sanctum. In the palm of his clawed hand lies a small piece of Kernel, harvested from a Lyal of refined pedigree. He considers splitting the smooth green matter in two to make it last, but dismisses the idea quickly. He feels… no, not reckless… a sense of purpose. He carefully pushes the Kernel into a nutshell, squeezes it shut, then places it in the edge of the fire. Soon his snout wrinkles at the fragrant aroma, his heart quickening in anticipation. The Kernel bakes, and finally Aauru takes his wooden scoop and retrieves the shell, standing to take it away from the fire to cool.
He walks over to the tree, his shrine, and sits on a large protruding root, tipping the shell onto the ground and rolling it about gingerly with his claws. Then he picks up the shell and pulls it open, salivating. Still he must wait, or the Kernel will burn his tongue, and he wants no distraction from communion. Finally, he takes the soft Kernel with nimble claws and flicks it into his maw. Piquant juices tingle his taste buds; one soft bite and the Kernel disintegrates, is swallowed. Already he feels waves of intoxication rushing through him, his perceptions widening. He howls excitedly and runs to the river, wading in. He drinks of the waters and immerses himself, auburn fur darkened when wet.
Aauru raises his head above the water, the yellow sun-moon a vivid pulsing presence in the sky. He howls in worship and is rewarded suddenly with fresh vision and instinct. Something ruinous has come to the world, and though he does not fully comprehend what that means, he knows what he must do. There is an other. A Lyal, yet not. He must gather his kind: his tribe and any others that will follow, and attack the Lyal. This will not be their usual savage raid, but a prepared strike. Aauru will find this other and harvest the Kernel, consume it. If he does this, he will be rewarded. If he does this, he just might survive what is to come.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Lyal are plant people: growing and gaining sustenance from the ground.
Most adult Lyal are bipedal, though exact physical structure and appearance varies, dependant on genealogy.
There are 23 major genealogical pedigrees, each with a number of offshoots. This results in a variety of physical traits based around the bipedal form.
Pedigrees are meticulously cultivated. Hybridisation is sometimes practiced: each pedigree seeking to find improvements with regards to lifespan, appearance, and quality of life.
Most adult Lyal are bipedal, though exact physical structure and appearance varies, dependant on genealogy.
There are 23 major genealogical pedigrees, each with a number of offshoots. This results in a variety of physical traits based around the bipedal form.
Pedigrees are meticulously cultivated. Hybridisation is sometimes practiced: each pedigree seeking to find improvements with regards to lifespan, appearance, and quality of life.
Growth Rate & Stages
Lyal begin life as a seed in the ground, burgeoning to short stipes with incipient fronds within the first few weeks. The fronds radiate from a developing node, a fertile bed where the Kernel begins to form.
The Kernel is the most important part of a Lyal – the seat of nir sentience. Around this Kernal a head begins to grow, and when it is fully formed, the Lyal gains awareness.
It is several weeks before the Lyal’s bipedal body fully develops, and even then, more time is needed before the “youngling-roots” are ready to release the Lyal from Patch where it was born.
Elderly Lyal “retire” from bipedal life to root themselves in the ground until the time comes for them to wither and regrow (or not).
The Kernel is the most important part of a Lyal – the seat of nir sentience. Around this Kernal a head begins to grow, and when it is fully formed, the Lyal gains awareness.
It is several weeks before the Lyal’s bipedal body fully develops, and even then, more time is needed before the “youngling-roots” are ready to release the Lyal from Patch where it was born.
Elderly Lyal “retire” from bipedal life to root themselves in the ground until the time comes for them to wither and regrow (or not).
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Bestials are bipedal creatures with the heads of beasts. The Bestial shaman leaders, called Aauru, covet Lyal Kernels for their psychedelic and oracular properties.
The Aauru lead raiding parties into the Lyal Garden in attempts to obtain Lyal heads, which contain the Kernels. They try for Lyal of the grandest pedigree, for nir Kernels are more potent, though they are also the hardest to get, as the grand families live in the very centre of the Lyal Garden, and it is well defended by those prickly cousins of the Lyal, the Cati.
The Aauru lead raiding parties into the Lyal Garden in attempts to obtain Lyal heads, which contain the Kernels. They try for Lyal of the grandest pedigree, for nir Kernels are more potent, though they are also the hardest to get, as the grand families live in the very centre of the Lyal Garden, and it is well defended by those prickly cousins of the Lyal, the Cati.
Comments